ABSTRACT:

The storm of teacher education did not settle until the vision of the Ashby commission was crystallized with the establishment of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) in 1989. Since then the NCE has done tremendous work to reposition the Colleges of Education to produce quality teachers for the country. This paper tries to retrace the journey of teacher education in the country to the establishment of NCCE and what this organization has been able to do. Tried as mush as she has done, more ground needs to be covered. Thus, it is being made clear that the nation should pay more attention to teacher education for therein lies the key to national economic recovery.

ABSTRACT:

Mathematics Improvement Project (MIP) is created by the National Mathematical Centre as one of the most virile and enviable projects (panacea) to remedy the appalling mathematics situation in the country.

This paper details the construct of MIP research activities and how these activities are carried out in three locations (UNESCO sponsored schools, Plateau and Katsina). Some of the stumbling blocks to opportunity to learn mathematics are also explicated

ABSTRACT:

The paper began with stating that in spite of important studies made in early childhood education since its first recognition by the National Curriculum Conference of 1969; and inspite of the existence of two official ECE Curriculars, crucial questions regarding implementation of the curricular remain.

A micro study, targeted at providing answers to these questions revealed that ECE curricular are neither adequate nor being implemented. The paper identified some impediments constraining implementation and progress of ECE. A way forward suggested.

ABSTRACT:

The paper explains that supervision is an integral part of inspection. The success of the special-subject supervisor depends on his competency in his field and his ability to work well with the people. The supervisor's participation must convince others that his knowledge is a tool to help them rather than a club to force conformity to a pattern they cannot understand or accept. Supervision should be a service to teachers and pupils in a school system and not a means of coercion. This is the necessary sine qua non for a good supervisor.

ABSTRACT:

Research is basically an intellectual activity which aims at finding a solution or solutions to identified problem or problems. The primary focus of such effort could be for the purpose of acquiring new or more knowledge of a subject, process or service as in basic research or for practical purpose as in applied research. Tertiary institutions are statutorily expected to be engaged in research not only to enrich teaching, but also to enrich the process of societal development. Since research is usually an expensive exercise, funding from government and, or private persons and organizations is a desideratum. In developed countries of the world, huge sums of money are expended annually in a collaborative effort between tertiary educational institutions/research centers and public/private organizations. The bulk goes to science and technology research. The reality of the situation in Nigeria is that this engagement, which is critical to teaching and learning and thus growth in the education system, is given little or no financing attention. This paper calls for statutory provision for research by governments in budgets and actualization of same as well as compulsory allocation of funds by private sector organizations for research purposes, using the Education Tax Fund approach.

ABSTRACT:

This paper examines the assertion of the Federal Republic of Nigerian National Policy on Education (1981) that “all teachers in our educational institutions, from primary to university, will be professionally trained” (Par. 59 (1), and concludes that it is utopian. It, however, recommends some measures which will ensure that, that ideal is approximated in some distant future. These include, delimiting the scope of ``all teachers” used in the policy, having a time frame within which all teachers should be professionally trained, assigning the responsibility of enforcing policy decisions to a particular body, expanding existing colleges of education, and raising the status of teachers.

ABSTRACT:

The paper focuses attention on the ways a person who has finished formal education can continue to acquire more knowledge. In this direction, the paper identifies pleasure reading, engaging in research among others as ways of continuous acquisition of knowledge after formal education. The paper further identifies attending conferences, seminars and workshops, engaging in employment and interaction with the community as other ways a person who has finished formal education can continue to acquire more knowledge, the paper presents the meaning of education and formal education.

It also distinguishes between formal, informal and non-formal forms of education in terms of their characteristics.

ABSTRACT:

This study investigated factors causing dehumanization in the learning and teaching process. It investigated how frequently the respondents use and experience the factors causing dehumanization. In order to achieve the stated objective, forty students of the University of Ilorin were randomly selected and used as samples for the study. The instrument used was a self-constructed questionnaire, which was validated by three experts/educators. The data were analyzed using frequency, percentages and prevalent opinion of the respondents. The results revealed that the respondents very often or often (60%) use the dehumanizing factors listed for the study. The respondents also very often and often (70%) experience the dehumanizing factors as students. It is recommended based on the results of the study, that more emphasis should be placed on proper and adequate exposure of teachers to professional skills and approaches of teaching, teachers should be given more incentives, and ideal classroom environment where they can be more effective as teachers, instructional media should be supplied to institutions and such media should be made available to teachers to be used in the learning/teaching process.

ABSTRACT:

This is a report of a study which investigated the relationship between interest in mathematics and achievement in mathematics and the sciences, using Auchi Polytechnic as a case study. One null hypothesis was stated for the study. Sample of 100 students used for the study were randomly selected from about 400 students in the two schools that offer the sciences in the Polytechnic. The instruments used were the scores in the sciences and mathematics in the preliminary science and technology examination for 2002/2003 session and questionnaire which elicited the students interest in mathematics. It was found that achievement of students in the science and mathematics depends largely on student interest in mathematics. The students perception of any task especially at the beginning affects the outcome of the exercise more than any thing else.

ABSTRACT:

A questionnaire survey was used to investigate the perceptions held by English Language teachers concerning pedagogically effective teacher of their subject at Senior Secondary level. Sixty-two English teachers rated the importance of five criteria for teacher effectiveness and the degree to which they associated thirty-two teacher characteristics with the effective teacher defined in terms of SSCE successes. Overall, good understanding and increased interest by students were regarded as the most important criteria for pedagogical effectiveness, and teacher clarity, enthusiasm and interest in the subject were most strongly associated with effectiveness defined in terms of SSCE successes. A principal components analysis of the 32 teacher characteristics identified three factors which were labelled “tries to develop interest”, calm and fair when enforcing rules” and “examination-oriented”.

ABSTRACT:

This paper is about language classroom interaction and its effects on the development of students' ability to appropriately execute conversational maneuvers using English as second language. The goal of language instruction includes developing the learner's ability to use language accurately and effectively in different social situations. Conversation more than just exchange of information is seen as a social interaction within a social frame. It is also a prototypical kind of language use, the form of which we are first exposed to and which should be encouraged in the classroom. Conversational skill is an important aspect of second language development because it covers the pragmasocio-linguistic competence of the learner.

ABSTRACT:

This study sought to identify the types and levels of chemistry practical skills acquired by SSII students after instruction. A sample of 170 SSII students from four secondary schools in Nsukka of Enugu State formed the subjects. They were exposed to chemistry practical activities for six weeks.

The instruments for data collection were a chemistry practical test (CPT) and chemistry practical skills rating scale (CPSRS).

It was found that the subjects acquired below average level of chemistry practical skills when taken together. Only in one high level/integrated skill were they able to score average level of skills, while failing to do so in three others. However, the subjects scored average level of skills in the four basic/low level process skills. Based on the findings, it was recommended that teachers' attitudes to practical work should change, so that practical aspect of the chemistry curriculum is implemented starting from SSI to SSIII, to enable students internalise the skills. over the pragmasocio-linguistic competence of the learner.

ABSTRACT:

This paper tries to highlight the need for a computer based students record and information system, in the light of increasing students population in our Colleges of Education and the increasing alignment of management and administrative style, towards ‘e-activities'. The system aims at automating the management of students record Bio-data, Registration, Exams and Result processing etc. So as to provide a compact database for quick and easy access to students records, elimination of multiple records and cases of students missing files and above all to provide accurate ‘on-line real-time' information on students for management decision making. The system is thus recommended to the Colleges as an alternative to the already stretched and slow manual system.

ABSTRACT:

Teaching occupies a vital role in the realisation of the objectives of education. However, indications are that a number of problems hinder teaching and learning in our schools. This study investigates these problems, with particular reference to Kaduna Polytechnic. The research questions centre on the factors that hinder teaching and learning. 200 lecturers and 3,800 students were sampled through stratified random sampling. Questionnaire responses were rated using a 5 – point scale and the data analysed using the mean statistics and independent t.. test. The findings show that the most serious hindrances to teaching and learning in Kaduna Polytechnic are disruption of academic calendars, poor funding of education, inadequate laboratory / workshop materials, lack of modern equipment for practical, high student – teacher ratio, limited opportunity for practical and students' financial problems. Statistical tests show that there is no significant difference between the opinions of the two groups on the research questions. Recommendations include encouraging research and industrial training for lecturers, mandatory professional qualification in teaching and relevant disciplines for lecturers, providing workshop/laboratory material and modern equipment for practical; raising students' minimum entry requirements, and improved funding of education.

ABSTRACT:

Five affective (attitudinal) qualities: curiosity, objectivity, open-mindedness, confidence and perseverance have been shown to be pre-eminent in the teaching and learning process. However, of all these attributes (qualities): curiosity and objectivity have high indications as the two most important or highly rated scientific attitudes. The study also demonstrated that three scientific behaviours with the highest rating exhibited by the ‘best' students of the students population were curiosity, confidence and responsibility. The ‘best' students were in addition shown to possess other beneficial traits such as: refined manner (good behaviour), humility, attentiveness and interest in learning. While six (6) scientific attitudes were apparently substantially favoured among the general undergraduate populations, three (3) attitudes such as reality orientation, objectivity and open-mindedness were least favoured. Thus, the clearer definition of these affective qualities among our student population, would likely assist our teachers/educators (at all levels of our schools system), curriculum and counseling experts is doing a better job to advance the educational task counseling.

ABSTRACT:

Assessment in education in general and autism in particular is essential and an ongoing process.

It is the basis for all education activities. The purpose of assessment is to identify teaching goals. Incidentally, assessment of children with autism has not been given the urgent attention it deserves. The vital issue is, how do teachers instruct children with the autism effectively without the needed assessment data and information to make instructional decision? The paper pointed out that assessment procedure will include a diagnostic history of the child's development from parent and other sources. It also discussed the strategic issues involved in assessing the language, communication, cognitive and mathematical abilities in children with autism in order to determine the areas of strengths and weaknesses of the child. It concluded that obtaining information and opinion about the child through a comprehensive evaluation can be helpful in synthesizing and planning appropriate education programme for children with autism. Furthermore, the most effective teaching approach is to use and enhance existing skills and recognize with acceptance the short coming to be improved.

This approach is important not only for teaching children and adults, but also for parents and other professionals.

ABSTRACT:

Traditional student – teaching practices, abbreviated and ordinarily restricted to work with a single cooperating teacher, cannot provide prospective teachers with the breadth of clinical experiences that professional practice requires. Profession such as medicine, architecture and accounting have national system of professions certification, because of internships, but teachers are subjected only to certification systems that set minimum standards for beginning teachers, (Jatto, 1994). Therefore restructuring teacher education in the UBE programme would provide opportunities for extended internships of an academic year or more in length that could support experimentation and the integration of subject matter and pedagogical learning far better than is possible in to-day's hurried field exercises. And professional teachers must learn to anticipate, and be comfortable, working with diverse learners. Multiple site (decentralized) internships or assignments in school serving substantial numbers of learners who have not been well served by traditional classrooms can provide this sort of experience.

ABSTRACT:

The argument of this paper is that a few concepts that are taken for granted in other professions need to be seriously considered by members of the teaching profession.

The concepts are pride, professional competence, authority, self-confidence and integrity. The paper examines each of these concepts as it applies to the teaching profession and each case suggests what teachers can do to gain the respect that society accords to members of other professions. The entire procedure is a critical examination of some of the practices of teachers and teacher educators. It is thus a theoretical exercise.

ABSTRACT:

This is a research-based approach to curriculum planning/development, using techniques of qualitative studies in education (QSE), specifically documentary analysis and research interviews, it highlights some major emergent issues in school and society, with the south east as a case study. It proposes the integration of the issues into the curriculum for human resource development. With its focus on teacher preparation for the primary and secondary levels, the researcher propose adoption of develop mentalist Teacher education, Social Analysis, and NCCE curriculum models as strategies for integrating the said emergent issues of school and society into the training programmes for producing teachers, it finally concluded with some ancillary recommendations aimed at not only a more effective human resource development in the education sector, but also at ensuring that the educational system enhances societal harmony and progress at the local, national and international levels.

ABSTRACT:

The present study examines the effect of class size on gender and academic performance in chemistry in tertiary schools. A total of 225 students in NCE 1 of federal college of education, Zaria constituted the sample size for the study. The scores of the students' performance in a large and small class in the sectional examination was analyzed using statistical tools of mean and analysis of variance.

The study discovered that students in the small class performed significantly (P < 0.05) better than their counterpart in the large class. The male in the large class performed significantly better than the female in the small class. However, the male and female in the small class performed equally well hence gender has no effect on student in the small class. Recommendations were made based on the findings.

ABSTRACT:

Teacher quality has bearing on societal survival since the quality of education in each society depends on the quality of its teachers. Societies have therefore, striven for teacher quality in teacher effectiveness through legislation and guidance from experience and from contributions from various disciplines. Teacher education is pivotal to teacher quality in providing exposure of candidates to these collective experiences. It must, however, be anchored on practical, classroom-based theoretical framework. In its interactional nature (Eble 1976, Curzon 1990, Sotto 1994), instruction is, in practice, a communication event whose theoretical framework must reflect its unique nature and process. The theoretical communication framework currently used in teacher education has, unfortunately, remained mass communication-based, promoting blind compliance.

Instructional communication concept (TCC) was developed based on this unique nature and process. In line with elements of classroom communication (Curzon 1990: 112), TCC which comprises; communication model, flow and approach, was successfully field-tested in instructional communication workshops (TCWS).

TCC is in line with guidance usually provided to student teachers while providing rational explanation for this guidance, which, has been lacking in teacher education. TCC will thereby, assist candidates to better internalize training and thereby succeed in their facilitating role as teachers, through effective classroom communication.

ABSTRACT:

This paper defines supervision and inspection and discusses the meanings of instructional supervision and inspection in the Nigerian education system. It clearly discusses how they are related like the two sides of a coin.

The paper has also shown that, even though they are very much interrelated, they have slightly different messages and functions to convey to their users-the society. The paper further discusses the modern trends of school instructional supervision and inspection, viz; for supervision and inspection to be more effective beneficial than what has been the case hitherto, the two must be practical either simultaneously or in a way that inspection is closely followed by supervision.

Furthermore, the paper spells out how to professionalize supervision and inspection in what the author calls inspection supervision which, he thinks, will serve as one of the best solutions to examination malpractice in Nigeria . .

ABSTRACT:

In this chapter, science curricula trends in Nigeria are reviewed. Hence this paper sets out to examine the extent of efforts by the science teachers association of Nigeria (STAN) that is geared toward effective teaching and learning of science with the view of establishing a sustainable trend that will give Nigeria the hope of survival in the area of science now and in the future.

Sequel to this, a total of 512 articles of the journal of science teachers association (STAN) for a period of thirty six (36) years (1966-2001) and five hundred and eighty six (586) articles from eleven (11) annual conference proceedings of science teachers association of Nigeria (STAN) were reviewed.

Therefore this work aims at achieving the following:

•  Reviewing the state of research efforts by the science teachers association of Nigeria (STAN) to the realization of the aims and objectives of science teaching in Nigeria .

•  suggesting the type of research effort STAN should advocate for in order to promoting the teaching and learning of science

3. Suggesting areas STAN and other policy makers in education should focus their attention on for a better teaching and learning of science in Nigeria .

ABSTRACT:

This paper appraised the practices and procedure employed in the recruitment and placement procedures in the Kwara state teaching service commission. A total of 240 teachers responded to the recruitment and placement of teachers' opinion questionnaire (RPTOQ) and the data collected were analyzed using simple percentages. Three officers from the personnel section of commission were interviewed using structured interview. Some of the findings include:

•  before selection, applicants fill the application forms and attend interview

•  sex is not a determinant factor in the recruitment of teachers

•  Qualification and place of origin are the greatest determinant factors.

•  Sex and area of specialization are used to place teachers.

The following recommendations are advanced to improve the present method of recruitment and placement:

•  Principal should be involved in the recruitment and placement of teachers.

•  Indication courses should be given to newly recruitment teachers.

•  Special allowances should be given to teachers in the rural areas in order to induce, motivate, encourage and retain them.

ABSTRACT:

When entrepreneurship development programme was included in the curriculum of polytechnics in 1991, the espoused objective was to develop a culture of self-employment among graduates. Thirteen years after the programme was introduced, graduates who took the course abound in labour market looking for non-existing white collar jobs, which may be seen as indicative of curriculum failure.

This unsatisfactory state of affairs motivated this study, using the federal polytechnic, Ado Ekiti as a point of reference to seek answers to such question as what is the objective of teaching E.D.P. in polytechnics? What context is taught in E.D.P. in polytechnics? What methods are used to teach E.D.P. in polytechnics and how is E.D.P evaluated in polytechnics? By observation and analyses of observed activities, inferences are made about the effectiveness or otherwise of the teaching of E.D.P in polytechnics.

Recommendations are made with respect to support facilities and how to teach E.D.P to achieve the desired objective of self-employment

ABSTRACT:

Teaching and learning are two concepts that are crucial in the educative process. It is often argued that teaching is to learning as buying is to selling, thus suggesting that all learning issue from teaching. This paper presents a rational view to this debate and deduces some pedagogical implications.