Dynamics of teaching science education in a changing environment

During the past few decades, resources have been allocated in many parts of the world for developing curricula in school science, which were directed to the need for more scientists that can promote national development. In the light of this, many developing country has emphasized the education of its citizens in Science, Technology and Mathematics (STM). This mode was reflected in the Nigerian National Policy on Education when it recommended an enrolment ratio of 60:40 in favour of STM and related courses in higher institution of learning (Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004). This guideline became necessary in order to boost our manpower development and researches in these professions. The role of STM in the development of a nation cannot be over emphasized as it is very important in solving a country’s problem.STM is the base for the overall development of a nation, the instrument for the orderly and ethical behaviour of it citizens

Innovating science student-teacher's practicum in Nigeria

The training of the science teacher requires both theory and practice. Teaching practice refers to a period of guided teaching during which the teacher-trainee or student-teacher assumes increasing responsibilities for directing the learning of a group of students over a period of some weeks, (about 12 weeks in all). Within this period, the student teacher undergoes a periodical apprenticeship under the guidance of supervisors from the training institutions and the co-operating school harboring the student teacher. In the process they endeavour to marry the theory taught and learnt with practice. The processes help them to acquire the necessary new skills, insights, attitudes and responsibilities which are basic to the teaching career/profession

Resource utility for effective science education in Nigeria: the case of biology

Resource utilization, curriculum innovation and professional development courses are integral to improve educational practices as they empower teachers with knowledge and skills required for integrating education and society. Such moves and actions need to be guided with research. The education practices in Nigeria need to be sound and grounded. This paper is concerned with the importance of the use of resources for effective understanding of school science with special reference to biology. It identified necessary resources, constraints and how to select and use resources for effective teaching and learning of biology. The selection and utilization of any resources depends on the specific features of a particular topic. Therefore, different sets of resources and strategies are needed to teach different topics

Microbial production of methane and carbon dioxide from lignite, bituminous coal, and coal waste materials

Journal ArticleThe aim of this study was to examine microbial methane and CO2 production from bituminous coal waste, lignite, and bituminous coal materials. Bituminous coal and coal waste material were obtained from a Utah mine and lignite was obtained from a commercially available North Dakota sample. Microbial populations were cultured from hydrocarbon-rich environments and locations where natural methanogenesis was occurring. Various pulverized coal and coal waste materials were combined with selected microbial inocula and different types and levels of nutrient amendments. After a 30-day reaction period at about 23 °C, headspace methane and CO2 were analyzed using gas chromatography. With increasing nutrient concentrations (0, 10, and 50%), coal waste generated an extrapolated equivalent of 36, 53, and 16,000 scf of CH4/ton/year and 1870, 4400, and 8000 scf of CO2/ton/year. Methane produced from native and nutrient-amended bituminous coal waste materials was the same order of magnitude as that produced from bituminous coal but lower than that produced from lignite. CO2 generation from coal waste materials, with no nutrient addition was over twice as high as that produced from analogous bituminous coal. The results of this study suggest that coal waste products can be converted to useful fuel at volumes that may be commercially viable

Effect of Virtualization on Enterprise Network, Server/Desktop Systems on Small and Mid-Size Businesses (SMB)

Enterprise small and mid-size businesses (SMB) are embracing virtualization because of the need to reduce risks associated to IT outages and data loss. Most of these establishments have loss critical enterprise data due to systems failures, accidents or natural causes. Virtualization platforms increase application availability which can shorten disaster recovery time and improve SMBs business continuity preparedness. This study will explore these benefits to find critical issues that can enable SMBs to maintain competiveness by utilizing less to do more

Application of Presumption of Innocence in Nigeria: Bedrock of Justice or Refuge for Felons

This article examines the meaning, contents and legal framework of presumption of innocence which in our world of plurality, diversity and interdependence, is globally recognised and celebrated as a bedrock of justice.  By this presumption an accused is to be presumed innocent of the offence for which he is standing trial, his notoriety, criminal antecedent and the gravity of the offence which he is accused of being irrelevant. This paper demonstrates that the application of this otherwise laudable presumption in Nigeria, especially in relation to Politically Exposed Persons, [PEPs], has been exploited and abused, such that it is now a shield for criminality and license for impunity.  It argues and recommends that as part of the efforts to curb the cancerous plague, called corruption, the burden of proof should be placed on those accused of corruption

Organization management today: setting the human resource agenda in the globalized competition

The paper‘s discussion focuses on the way the world we live in is being transformed under our own very eyes by factors and forces which are so compelling and overwhelming, in their ramifications. The environment in which business and management are carried on today is becoming more and more complex by the day. Things are unfolding faster and are being transmitted to all corners of the globe at such an alarming speed that no nation, no organization and no individual is insulated. The paper theoretically examined why organization(s) should fit -in into the environmentin order to compete with the rest of the world.Keywords: Organization, Management, Human resources agenda, Globalization, Competitio

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT): a Panacea to Achieving Effective Goals in Institutional Administration

This paper examines the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) by institutional administrators for effective administration. The paper states the need for effective use of ICT by institutional administrators in maintaining and controlling according to policies laid down by the governing bodies of the institution. He has to plan in his capacity as an administrator in ensuring effective institutional services. The paper highlights various ICT resources that can be used for effective and efficient institutional administration. It also states some of the benefits and challenges of the use of ICT institutional administration. It is the contention of this paper that though using ICT in Nigerian institutional administration may seem difficult, it is imperative to take advantage and invest in these ICTs to deal with the huge pressure faced in the institutional administration. The remarks highlights the need for infrastructure and how political will push ICT ahead

Expanding Access For Training Of Science Teachers Through ODL: A Case Study Of University Of Lagos, Nigeria

Rising up to the challenge of shortage of middle manpower in Nigeria, the University of Lagos established the Correspondence and Open Studies Unit (COSU), now Distance Learning Institute DLI). Accounting, Business Administration and Science-Education were the pilot courses at the B.Sc. level. The Special Entry Preparatory Programme (SEPP) was floated to upgrade science teachers with minimal qualifications to the GCE A/L which was the qualification for “direct” admission into the university. The performance of the SEPP group was compared with that of those with GCE A/L when they both came together in the same class. Using the Mann-Whitney non-parametric two-tailed test, it was discovered that the SEPP group performed at the same level as the “direct” group who had GCE A/L upon admission. Stoppage of the SEPP scheme led to a drastic decline in the number of students in the Science programme. Results showed that the SEPP was a viable feeder into the B.Sc. Science-Education programme at the University of Lagos