Understanding the Factors Associated with Engaged Scholarship: A Case Study of Sociologists in the University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Although initially established for the purpose of training teachers and management staff for the formal education sector, one of the major objectives of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) is to establish partnerships with both local and international communities and organizations in ways that simultaneously enhance academic scholarship and socioeconomic development. For this reason, this study examined the significance of university policies on community engagement and the practice of public sociology. Specifically, the influence of epistemological dispositions and perceptions concerning disciplinary, institutional and social demands on engaged scholarship are addressed. The challenges associated with the practice of engaged scholarship and “public sociology” are discussed by identifying the ironies presented by the laws and decrees of UCC and two other national policies for Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs). Data was also collected from fifteen (n=15) academic faculty (sociologists) from DSA and the CEGRAD using a questionnaire with mostly open-ended questions. The responses of participants of this research elucidated some of the major factors associated with the feasibility of the practice of public sociology. Also outlined are some of the community engagement practices pursued in the midst of all the challenges presented in the UCC and Ghanaian context

Why the Furor about Polio?

ABSTRACT. Poliomyelitis is one of such diseases as measles and dracunculiasis that can be eradicated, because it meets the criteria for eradicable diseases: being infectious, having humans as major host, effective vaccines, or treatment available for their control, and the availability of political and financial support for the eradication efforts. Ghana, with the rest of the world has already come far in the fight against polio, by reducing its incidence drastically (to zero as of now). The disease can only be prevented but not reversible, once infection results in paralysis and leaves victims permanently maimed, almost invariably reducing their quality of life. The recent outbreak (caused by a circulating vaccine-derived virus of the type 2 strain) was a call to pay more attention to the disease in order to realize the global aim of its elimination. All the attention needed by the disease is centered around vaccination, which indeed was the tool used in combating the outbreak that ensued in Ghana

Challenges and opportunities regarding usage of computers in the teaching and learning of Mathematics

Many studies have identified the fact that most mathematics teachers experience challenges in using technology in their teaching, and learners also find it difficult to use it in their learning. Teachers often fail to address opportunities regarding this usage to address the situation. This paper explores factors contributing to teachers’ and learners’ challenges and opportunities for using Information and Communication Technology (ICT), such as computers, in the teaching and learning of mathematics in the OR Tambo Education District. A case-study design was used. The sample comprised 5 teachers and 5 learners selected from 5 performing schools in the District. Individual interviews and open-ended questionnaires were used for data collection. Content analysis was used to analyse the data. The study revealed that a lack of computer tuition opportunities, school managers’ attitudes and limited material resources contributed to challenges and opportunities regarding the use of computers in mathematics instruction in schools. The study concluded that a lack of teachers’ access to the use of computers in schools made it difficult for them to assist learners in the use of computers for teaching and for school tasks. Recommendations have been made to help enforce and monitor the use of available computers in schools.Keywords: challenges; computer use; poor implementation; teachers and learner

Designing Alternative Approaches for Teaching of Some Difficult to Learn Topics in the SHS Visual Art Curriculum

The researcher designed alternative methods to fill some gaps in teaching and learning of four topics, dubbed: “Designed alternative teaching approaches for four topics under General Knowledge in Art, Graphic Design and Picture Making in three Senior High Schools in Ashanti Region, Ghana”. This study employed qualitative research method. Using purposive and simple random sampling techniques, sample of three mixed SHS, 77 respondents comprising fourteen teachers and 63 students were selected for study. Questionnaire responses revealed some shortcomings in teaching and learning of layout, composition, design and lettering topics under GKA, GD and PM in the three SHS. During personal observation of teaching and learning of the four topics’ lessons, Visual Art students used improvised tools like bamboo/cane for calligraphy. Some students used 4/5 or six colours for three colour works, a teacher said, black letters can solely be used for citation. Above flaws and others indicate that some students find it difficult to learn aspect of the four. Some teachers also find it difficult to teach some practical aspects of the four, but they do not declare it. Design of  methods for teaching Layout in  fruit package, motif arrangement, career bag and posters, Composition from objects, scenery, memory/imagination, collage, mosaic, human figure, Design in printmaking, logo, flag,  freestyle and calligraphy lettering under GKA, GD and PM are discussed. He lists some demands of practicals, shortcomings in theory and remedies. He thus, mentions how SHS Arts teachers and students must teach and learn the 4 topics, according to faults detected. Keywords: Teaching, Layout, Composition, Lettering, Visual Art

The Instructional Processes for the Teaching of Some Difficult Topics in the Ghanaian SHS Visual Art Curriculum

The researcher investigated four topics’teaching-learning processes or described and analyze strengths and weaknesses in teaching and learning of four difficult topics in Ghanaian Visual Art curriculum.The study employed qualitative research approach with descriptive research and quasi experimental design research methods. Data were gathered via questionnaire administration and observation. Purposive and simple random sampling procedures were used to select 49 respondents. Questionnaire urged teachers and students to describe teaching and learning of layout, composition, design and lettering in two Senior High Schools, whether there are shortcomings in the four topics’ lessons. Responses revealed that there are no standardized textbooks, inadequate tools, equipment and materials for teachers and students to do practicals in the two SHS. During observation of teaching and learning of the four topics’ lessons in General Knowledge in Art, Graphic Design and Picture Making, it was noted that there were few resources available to the two SHS in Ashanti. As a result, Visual Art students were allowed to use bamboo/cane in calligraphy lessons observed. Some students used more colours than required number. Others made spelling, spacing and layout mistakes. Some words were missing in calligraphy/poster works. Some calligraphies were without border designs or initial letters, not decorated. Some objects were out of proportion. A student wrote freestyle letters in boxes. Teachers did not teach topics like optical spacing cartoon, fabric and edition binding practicals. Students produced pictorial posters without letters. A teacher said, citation can be written with black letters only, letters are in some PM3. Keywords: Instructional Processes, Visual Arts, Curriculum, Teaching, Layout

Assessment of the impact of some common weed management methods on the growth and yield of pineapples in Ghana

A 5X5 Latin Square experiment was conducted in a farmer’s field in the Ga East Municipality of the Greater Accra Region to evaluate the efficacies of different weed management systems and their effect on pineapple production. The different weed management systems evaluated were T1 - weedy check, T2- manual weed control (hoeing) only, T3- synthetic herbicide alone, T4- manual weed control and plastic mulch and T5- herbicide and plastic mulch. Treatments were replicated five times. Suckers were planted at a spacing of 90cm X 60cm X 25cm on 27 August 2010. Appropriate cultural practices were done at the right times. The results indicated that in all the growth parameters, the two plastic mulched treatments showed the greatest effect, followed by the herbicide-applied only treatment over that of the manual weeding treatment. Weed reemergence was almost nil on the plastic mulched plots. Fruit weight of the two plastic mulched treatments was similar, but was significantly higher than all other treatment effects. However, percentage exportable fruits were similar among the synthetic and plastic mulch treatments. The results showed that farmers are better off if they add plastic mulch to the application of herbicides for more effective weed control and quality fruit yield. Keywords: Weed management, pineapple, plastic mulch, herbicide, forcin

Developing teachers’ information literacy capabilities in secondary schools in Ghana: a comparative study of two best schools in the central region

This study examines the information literacy capabilities of teachers in two of the oldest secondary schools in the Central Region of Ghana. The study assesses the availability, accessibility and use of the schools’ library and internet facilities as well as in-service training programmes in relation to the acquisition of information literacy skills. The survey method was adopted and questionnaire was administered to all 211 teaching staff in the two schools. Questionnaire design was based on the literature review and research objectives. The findings confirmed the availability of fairly well-equipped libraries with internet facilities; the ability of most teachers to use these facilities to satisfy their information needs such as supplementing their teaching notes and keeping abreast with current information in their subject areas. The results also show that teachers prefer electronic sources to print sources and that there was also no in-service training in information literacy skills for teachers. The study recommends that the Ghana Education Service introduces in-service training on IL skills for teachers and that the Heads of schools should make available relevant library materials and stable internet facilities for their schools since these are important in developing teachers IL skills. Additionally, policies for incorporating IL into the curriculum were also recommended. IL among teachers in secondary schools is among the least explored topics in the field of library and information studies in Ghana

Adopting Successive Approximation Model For The Development Of Locally-Made Interventionary Manipulatives For The Teaching Ang Learning Of Mathematics In Basic Education Context: The Case Of Akrom M/A And Knust Primary Schools

Manipulatives are concrete or virtual objects that enable pupils to visualize abstract mathematical concepts in concrete terms for easy comprehension. They play an important role in the success of effective mathematics education. Preliminary studies in the selected schools revealed that manipulatives were lacking in these schools and that made teaching and learning of some mathematics topics very challenging. This research sought to find out how mathematics is taught in the selected schools to establish the brunt on how the teaching and learning of mathematics is done with or without manipulatives. The two selected schools are public schools or government owned schools. The study is qualitative in nature employing the descriptive and quasi-experimental methods of research. The research instruments employed for the study were interview and observation. The accessible population for the study was 339. This was made up of 6 teachers, 199 teachers and 1 head teacher. The non-probability sampling techniques were employed specifically; convenient sampling was used to hand pick schools that were not too far from the researcher whiles the purposive sampling was used to judgmentally select the school that are been studied. Results from observation in both schools showed that, manipulatives were available for only addition and subtraction. Data from interviews showed that some topics in mathematics are challenging to teach without manipulatives. Successive Approximation Model (SAM) was used to design and develop mathematics manipulatives for five of the challenging topics to teach and learn which were tested in the selected schools to measure their effectiveness. The test scores revealed that pupil’s academic experiences in those challenging mathematics topics improved with the use of manipulatives; pupils’ participation in the classroom also improved drastically. It was recommended that, manipulatives should be available for all topics in mathematics to make teaching and learning easier and fun to improve academic performance of pupils in mathematics

Instructional Strategies for Effective Teaching and Learning of Creative Arts: The Dilemma of Generalist Teachers in Ghana

Creative Art was introduced into Ghana s primary school curriculum in 2007 Comprising Performing Literary and Visual Arts Creative Art was intended to foster creativity development among primary pupils However Creative Art is taught by generalist classroom teachers who lack the specialized training knowledge skill and experience to identify efficient teaching-learning strategies that allow pupils to actively participate in art making experiences This study adopted action research to guide 20 Lower Primary teachers in two schools to design and teach activity-based lessons in drawing colourwork weaving printmaking composition and assemblage to 95 pupils using clay crayons drums cardboard glue among other resources The intervention workshops proved that in-service education and training could build the professional capacity of generalist teachers in Ghana to effectively implement the Creative Arts curriculum for primary schools Ghana Education Service should train primary teachers if the objective of developing creative thinkers through Creative Arts could be achieve

Design of an industrial wireless sensor network for process monitoring and PLC control

Capstone Project submitted to the Department of Engineering, Ashesi University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, May 2022Sensors are used in industry to collect data from the field to regulate and monitor processes. Traditionally, these sensors have been wired from the field to a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) in a control room, which presents problems such as high cost of installing and maintaining cables and cable trays, as well as the necessity for large panels to house sensor wiring to PLC input-output (PLCs). A wireless sensor network was built for this project to collect sensor data from the field and wirelessly send it to a base station interfaced to a PLC in a control panel. Temperature, pressure, and level are all measured as part of the process. The latency, coverage range, and received signal strength indicator (RSSI), all critical wireless network performance characteristics, are assessed. A user web dashboard is created to visualize sensor readings over time for monitoring purposes. Finally, the data acquired by the sensors at the base station is used to control PLC output devices using ladder logic programming.Ashesi Universit