Teachers’ Perception of Factors Influencing Internet Use in English Language Classroom in Nigeria

The study investigated teachers’ perceptions of factors influencing internet use in the English Language Classroom. The study adopted descriptive research design. Teachers perceived that lack of internet facilities, language laboratory, teachers’ reluctance to adapt to internet use, low morale of English language teachers, absence of modern software, overcrowded classrooms and poor interest influence the use of internet in English language classroom. The study also found no significant relationship between gender and teachers’ perception of factors influencing internet use in English language teaching; teachers’ qualification has no effect on their perception of factors influencing internet use in English language; no significant relationship exists between the teachers’ experience and their perception of factors influencing internet use in English language teaching. It is therefore recommended that government should endeavour to provide internet facilities in all the senior secondary schools including rural and urban areas for effective teaching and learning English.Keywords: Teachers, Perception, Factors, internet use, Classroo

Classroom Participation and Study Habit as Predictors of Achievement in Literature-in-English

Monovariate studies have confirmed the positive influence of classroom Participation and Study habit on students’ academic achievement in general. However, the extent to which each of these variables could predict students’ achievement in Literature in English has not being a focus of much research attention. Hence, this study attempted to investigate the extent to which classroom participation and study habits predicted students’ academic achievement in Literature-in-English in selected senior secondary school in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State.Five research questions were raised to guide this study. The study adopted descriptive research design of ex-post facto type. The sample comprised 500 senior secondary school two (SSS2) students from ten selected secondary schools in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State. The three instruments used for data collection were students classroom participation scale (SCPS) (r = 0.79), students study habits questionnaire (SSHQ) (r = 0.76) and Literature-in-English achievement Test (LAT) (r = 0.74). Data collected were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and Multiple Regression Analysis. The results were interpreted at P<.05The results revealed that: there was a significant relationship between classroom participation and students’ achievement in Literature in English (r =.134, df = 498; p<.05); there was no significant relationship between study habits and students’ achievement in Literature in English (r=.042, df= 498; P<.05); there was a significant relative contribution of classroom participation on students’ achievement in Literature in English (β =.131); there was no significant relative contribution of study habits on students’ achievement in Literature in English (β = 0.21); there was a significant composite effect of classroom participation and study habits on students’ achievement in Literature in English (β =.134;F1,498 = 4.663; P <.05). The findings finally indicated that classroom participation was the only variable that predicted students’ achievement in Literature in English. Based on the findings, it was commended that teachers should allow students to contribute and share ideas freely among their colleagues while Curriculum planners should suggest teaching and learning activities that could give room for students’ active participation in class when designing Literature in English curriculum

Family Planning Decisions, Perceptions and Gender Dynamics among Couples in Mwanza, Tanzania: A Qualitative Study.

Contraceptive use is low in developing countries which are still largely driven by male dominated culture and patriarchal values. This study explored family planning (FP) decisions, perceptions and gender dynamics among couples in Mwanza region of Tanzania. Twelve focus group discussions and six in-depth interviews were used to collect information from married or cohabiting males and females aged 18-49. The participants were purposively selected. Qualitative methods were used to explore family planning decisions, perceptions and gender dynamics among couples. A guide with questions related to family planning perceptions, decisions and gender dynamics was used. The discussions and interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed manually and subjected to content analysis. Four themes emerged during the study. First, "risks and costs" which refer to the side effects of FP methods and the treatment of side -effects as well as the costs inherit in being labeled as an unfaithful spouse. Second, "male involvement" as men showed little interest in participating in family planning issues. However, the same men were mentioned as key decision-makers even on the number of children a couple should have and the child spacing of these children. Third, "gender relations and communication" as participants indicated that few women participated in decision-making on family planning and the number of children to have. Fourth, "urban-rural differences", life in rural favoring having more children than urban areas therefore, the value of children depended on the place of residence. Family Planning programs should adapt the promotion of communication as well as joint decision-making on FP among couples as a strategy aimed at enhancing FP use

Growth status and menarcheal age among adolescent school girls in Wannune, Benue State, Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Menarcheal age is a sensitive indicator of environmental conditions during childhood. The aim of study is to determine the age at menarche and growth status in adolescents in a rural area of Tarka, Wannune, Nigeria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data on 722 female students (aged 12-18 years) were collected in February 2009. Height and weight were measured. Body mass index (BMI; kg m^-2) was used as an index of relative weight.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mean and median menarcheal age calculated by probit analysis were 13.02 (SD 3.0) (95% CI: 13.02-13.07), and age 13.00 (SD 2.8) (95% CI: 12.98-13.04), respectively. Girls who reach menarche are significantly heavier and taller with higher BMIs than those of their pre-menarcheal peers.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The age of menarche is probably still declining in Nigeria. Although BMI is an important factor in the onset of menstruation, some other unmeasured environmental variables may be implicated in this population.</p

Exploring learner autonomy: language learning locus of control in multilinguals

By using data from an online language learning beliefs survey (n = 841), defining language learning experience in terms of participants’ multilingualism, and using a domain-specific language learning locus of control (LLLOC) instrument, this article examines whether more experienced language learners can also be seen as more autonomous language learners. Statistical analyses revealed small but significant positive correlations between the three multilingualism measures used and LLLOC scores, with higher scores indicating a more internal LLLOC. Participants with a higher linguistic repertoire size and overall language proficiency, who used their languages more frequently, had higher LLLOC scores than those with less languages at lower levels of proficiency and frequency of use. These findings suggest that more experienced language learners might indeed be more autonomous learners, as they subscribe to language learning beliefs that are indicative of a more internal LLLOC

First trimester medication use in pregnancy in Cameroon: a multi-hospital survey

Interview-based Questionnaire. This is the questionnaire developed during and study and used to obtain data from the pregnant women. (DOCX 46 kb