Effect of Examination on Instructional Practices of Elementary School Teachers: A Mixed Methods Study

Examination conducted by the Punjab Examination Commission (PEC) at grade VIII is high-stakes as intended and unintended consequences are associated with result of the examination and influence teaching learning process in school. A mixed methods sequential explanatory study was conducted to investigate effects of the examination conducted by the PEC on instructional practices of teachers at elementary level in seven districts of the Punjab. In quantitative phase survey data was collected from 521 elementary school teachers teaching in seven districts of the Punjab selected through multistage random sampling. The quantitative results were used to select participants for qualitative phase of the study through maximum variation strategy of purposive sampling. Quantitative phase identified female teachers perceived more effects of examination on their instructional practices. Moreover, teachers belonged to age group 42-48 experienced most of the effects of examination on their instructional practices as compared to teachers belonged to other age groups. Similarly teachers belonged to district 3 (Okara) experienced more effects of examination on their instructional practices as compared to teachers serving in other districts. The qualitative data indicated that instruction was driven by the examination. Teacher centred instructional strategies were dominant. Paper pattern defined the instruction and tests were extensively practiced in classes. Teachers used strategies for helping students to attempt MCQs. One of the objectives of this examination reform was to improve teaching and learning and in the light of this study it remains rhetoric. The findings of the study have posed several challenges for examination board, curriculum and educational authorities in the Punja

Topological Sensitivity Based Far-Field Detection of Elastic Inclusions

The aim of this article is to present and rigorously analyze topological sensitivity based algorithms for detection of diametrically small inclusions in an isotropic homogeneous elastic formation using single and multiple measurements of the far-field scattering amplitudes. A $L^2-$cost functional is considered and a location indicator is constructed from its topological derivative. The performance of the indicator is analyzed in terms of the topological sensitivity for location detection and stability with respect to measurement and medium noises. It is established that the location indicator does not guarantee inclusion detection and achieves only a low resolution when there is mode-conversion in an elastic formation. Accordingly, a weighted location indicator is designed to tackle the mode-conversion phenomenon. It is substantiated that the weighted function renders the location of an inclusion stably with resolution as per Rayleigh criterion.Comment: 31 pages, 1 figur

A RESEARCH STUDY OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF PROPHET'S SERMONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH MODERN ERA

It has been a goal of this article to examine the peculiarities of the Prophet's sermons in light of the contemporary Era. The prophetic sermons are profound, valuable, and distinctive. His sermons are delivered in an original, reasoned, and audience-appropriate manner. Because of this, preachers must adhere to the Prophet's Sharia in order to deliver their sermons (peace be upon him). Therefore, it is important to emphasize the benefits of His discourses and make clear how they apply to the present. It is a qualitative approach-based analytical form of research. At the conclusion of this research report, the researchers' findings have been condensed. In this paper, both the narrative and analytical research approaches have been applied

ICTs in Learning in Pakistan

The paper investigates the barriers to the integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) at the secondary level learning in Pakistan, with focus on Punjab province. Exploring major barriers to the integration of ICTs at the school level, teacher level and student level and possible enablers to these barriers is the major focus of study. Sequential mixed method design is used. Interviews were analysed qualitatively whereas survey questionnaire were analysed quantitatively. It is observed from the findings that most of the participants are having positive perceptions about the integration of ICT into their teaching and learning. Administrators and ICT coordinators revealed many barriers and possible enablers to the integration of ICTs. Many of these barriers are verified by the teachers and students later on however there were some barriers which were not endorsed by the teachers and students.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v1i2.124

Factors affecting the adoption of Fin-tech in Pakistan based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology Model: An empirical study on financial inclusion in Pakistan

Pakistan has seen a rise in financial technology (Fin-Tech) and mobile device use. The financial sector and entrepreneurs see Fin-Tech as a method to extend business potential, but mobile apps and other digital platforms must be established to explore these possibilities. Mobile app security concerns have skyrocketed, causing issues for users and Fin-Tech innovators. This article empirically explores how Fin-Tech adoption affects users' and organizations' expectations of effort, performance, social impact, facilitating conditions, behavioural intents, and adoption. This paper presents a UTAUT-based model for fin-tech adoption intention. This study examined 518 Bahawalpur residents and workers. Consultant-created online and paper questionnaires covered the study's objectives. Hence, fin-tech adoption is valuable for both the general public and its users. Independent variables moderated behavioural intention and Fin-Tech adoption. Bahawalpur companies and people adopting Fin-Tech can reduce productivity costs and save time. This research can help Bahawalpur residents adopt Fin-Tech

Influence of Coopetition on Firm Financial Performance: Mediating Role of Open Innovation Performance

It is essential for a firm to take advantage of the rising phenomenon of coopetition across multiple firms and marketplaces in today's highly competitive climate to enhance its financial performance. Hence, this study contributes to the existing body of literature by probing the link between coopetition and the success of open innovation initiatives in Pakistani SMEs. The failure of Pakistani SMEs to establish a controlled method of coopetition has had a deleterious effect on financial performance. The current research is conducted to identify the low open innovation problem in Pakistani small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which has a negative effect on financial performance. It aims to investigate the impact of coopetition on financial performance and the mediating function of the firm’s open innovation performance in it. To achieve this objective, a survey employing a cross-sectional research design was conducted. The respondents were selected from SMEs operating in the service sector in the cities of Bahawalpur, Multan, and Lodhran in Pakistan. A total of 155 questionnaires were distributed among managerial employees of the above SMEs. The data collected from the responses to the questionnaires was analyzed through Partial Least Square-Structure Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). It was found that coopetition has a strong role in boosting financial performance. The importance of trust and dependence in crafting an effective coopetition strategy is also emphasized in this research

Representation of Culture and National Identity in Pakistani ESL Textbooks

The present study examined the spectrum of cultures, specifically the representation of source culture in relation to Pakistan’s national identity construction in English textbooks. Six locally developed textbooks in Pakistan were analysed qualitatively. Moreover, Cortazzi’s & Jin’s categorisation of culture plus Kachru’s (1992) Concentric circles and Shahsani’s taxonomy of culture categorisation were employed as an analytical framework to look at the contents of the textbooks. The contents of each unit/lesson were thoroughly examined to expose the representation of cultures that help form the students' national identity. Resultantly, the study's findings divulge the disproportionate representation of source, target, and international cultures; however, the representation of source culture outweighs the other two cultures. It further reveals the incorporation of source cultural values, norms, and roles that disseminate information about Pakistan, its history, geography, national heroes, Islam; Islamic teaching, beliefs, traditions, manners, ethics, morality, gender’s roles, and national cultural heritage that contribute to the construction of Islamic based national identity of Pakistan. To sum up, the writers of the textbooks construct students’ national identity by representing source culture materials in the English textbooks that also pave the way to the formation of Pakistani English

A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF GEMSTONES, MINES,MINERS AND PROBLEMS IN GILGIT-BALTISTAN, PAKISTAN

Gilgit-Baltistan possesses a complex history of crustal evolution and rich diversity of geological environments, and is favorable for various types of mineralization and production of gemstone all over GB. Two batholiths; Kohistan Batholith and Karakorum Batholith which are hosting gemstones mineralization. This investigation reveals that thirty-two precious and semi-precious stones are mined, 95% of the total gemstones produced in Pakistan come from GB. These varieties of gemstones come from 2150 mines which are in working conditions scattered all over GB and number of miners involved is 25000. Miners face problems like lighting, ventilation and drilling. They lack the basic safety equipment like helmets, mining shoes, gloves, googles and masks. Due to the fumes of explosives, miners are suffering from different diseases like Silicosis. The main gemstone-producing areas are Hunza valley, Sumayar (Nager Valley), Shengus and Haramosh (District Gilgit), Bulachi and Mir Malik (District Astore), Istak Nalah and Shiger Valley. The common gemstones mined are ruby, pargasite, spinel, corundum, sapphire, calcite, aquamarine, tourmaline, beryl, quartz, topaz, albite, microcline, apatite, fluorite, emerald, marganite, diopside, tanzanite, axinite, felsite, kunzite, emerald and garnet

Fluoroquinolone Resistance in <i>Salmonella</i>: Mechanisms, Fitness, and Virulence

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Fluoroquinolone Resistance in <i>Salmonella</i>: Mechanisms, Fitness, and Virulence

Fluoroquinolones are highly effective broad-spectrum antibiotics usually used for the treatment of human and animal infections, including salmonellosis. Fluoroquinolones act against Salmonella by inhibiting their DNA replication. However, several zoonotic serotypes of Salmonella have developed resistance or are less susceptible to fluoroquinolones. Salmonella presents its resistance by substituting amino acids within the topoisomerase subunits, overexpression of multidrug efflux pumps, or decreasing the expression of outer membrane porins. The resistance level is further increased with the plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes which could horizontally transfer the resistance from strain to strain. The development of resistance in Salmonella shows that it is a multifactorial process and the acquisition of fluoroquinolone resistance might have significant influences on the bacterial fitness and virulence. Due to the high level resistance against fluoroquinolones that has been observed in Salmonella, care needs to be taken to avoid misuse and overuse of this important class of antibiotics to minimize the occurrence and dissemination of resistance