New Horizons in Education and Social Studies Vol. 1

Pedagogy vs Adult Learning. Τwo Vicinal Fields. A Comparative Research on the Roles of the Educator-School Teacher and the Adult Trainer

Efthimios Chatziefstathiou, Niki Phillips — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

According to findings of research conducted in Greece in the last decade within the Adult Education and Training field, a high percentage of the certified adult trainers in Greece are graduates of Education Studies. Even though a great number of adult trainers originate from the Education field there is no - so far –comparative research neither on the multivariate relationship between the roles of the school teacher and the adult trainer, nor on their convergences and deviations.

The current research is trying to fill this gap and attempts the comparison of the above mentioned roles, through the detection of those personal and social motives which influenced the professional journey of the school teacher-adult trainers. It will investigate the identification of the convergences and deviations, the characteristics of the school teacher which can hinder or encourage the development of the adult trainer role and the valuation of the job satisfaction gained from each one of these roles.

The research sample consists of experienced full time school teachers, who - the vast majority of them - work as part time adult trainers for certified Vocational Training Centers, running “Greek as a foreign/second language” training programmes, in which the participants-trainees are repatriates, refugees, immigrants etc.

Research conclusions may provide developmental opportunities to the school teacher-adult trainer’s teaching alertness and general professionalism, and assist their contribution to the wider socioeconomic development and the modulation of criteria upon which each citizen will pursue their self-determination and emancipation. Conclusions can also be exploited by the Greek Education Departments of the General Secretariat for Adult Education and Training in regards to the design and development of the training programmes attended by school teachers and adult trainers. Finally they can be correlated with data found in bibliography of the two vicinal fields and contribute towards a prolific examination of their interaction.

Scientific Research on Defining Post-Secondary Degrees in the 21st Century

Kenneth I. Goldberg, James E. Guffey, Ponzio Oliverio — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

The competition for jobs in the 21^st century is increasingly being driven by defining postsecondary learning in light of new and complex environments. To succeed, students must be prepared with knowledge to compete in these environments. Historically, higher education has defined these requirements in their own terms, often through learning outcomes specific to a course, degree or discipline. Given the recent attention toward the accountability of postsecondary education in the United States, a challenge facing our colleges and universities is defining the learning in a common language that is transparent and easily understood by all stakeholders regardless of a degree. The Lumina Foundation’s (2011) Degree Qualification Profile (DQP) is one way to accomplish this through five learning areas. This article will discuss how one institution adopted the DQP in the School of Professional Studies and quantified the five learning areas and meaning of its degrees. This study will discuss how three programs (undergraduate and graduate) identified and categorized the five learning areas of the DQP in the degrees, quantified the results, and used them in the assessment process for continuous improvement.

Social Inequalities: Media Coverage and Society Expectations

Marina Aleksandrovna Berezhnaia, Sergey Grigorievich Korkonosenko — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

The article deals with the ways of media coverage of financial and ethnic distinctions in society. Analysis is based on the comparative Russian-Swedish research of regional media. The research revealed that material divides are mostly covered through several discourses: social policies aimed at elimination of material differences, information on individual solutions for financial problems, mass media as the helpline for the underprivileged. There are penetrations of material divides issues in some relative topics but media evidently escape conflicts escalation. The audience in Russia finds the coverage of these issues unsatisfactory as it does not touch the structural material divides. The “disparity” discourse was apparent in discussions on ethnic divides and migration. Media do not present ethnic differences as inequalities and escape of mentioning them except urgent grounds; ethnic divides are either built into the overall context of material ones or placed into “us and they” discourse. Being slightly and not systematically articulated in media, material and ethnic diversities turn to become real gaps which are impossible to overcome both in mind and reality.

Are There Significant Variations on Rainfall and Temperature Overtime (1986-2015) in Siaya County, Kenya?

Beatrice Atieno Abura, Patrick Odhiambo Hayombe, Warkach Kipkorir Tonui — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

This study was carried out in Siaya County. The purpose of the study was to find out if there are significant variations on temperature and rainfall overtime (1986-2015) in Siaya County. The secondary data used for the Mann-Kendall test was attained from the metrological department of Siaya County. The Mann- Kendall results from mean annual average temperature, and mean annual rainfall indicated that Siaya County had no significant trends on rainfall and temperature over time (1986-2015) but it had variation on the same as consecutive years varied on the temperatures and rainfall levels. The metrological department of Siaya County should find a way of ensuring that rainfall and temperature variations County data is made available to community members as it could help in developing resilience strategies to climate change and knowing how best they can manage their livelihoods even with the continuation of the variations. It is also important to note that rainfall and temperature variations affects all aspects of human life ranging from health, education, economy, social to political affairs hence should be treated with a lot of care and concern in confirming their credibility and use.

Scientific Investigation on the Influence of Games on the Development of Students’ Social Competence

Mon, 13 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

The game takes a significant place in the educational process and it has a major impact on the acquisition and development of students' social skills. Depending on the teaching area where used games can be: sports games and activities, constructive games, rules, role play, games for relaxing, project activities, math games, games etc. information. In this paper we will focus exclusively on games in the area of health and physical education - sports games and activities, games used in the study of civic education and project activities in different subjects. Adoption of social skills, the use of the knowledge, skills, following the rules and regulations are an integral part of each student, in order to successfully operate in a democratic society. This paper will focus on the impact of the games in three teaching areas on the development of the social competences among students.

Physical Bullying in Guyanese Schools: Prevalence and Intervention Strategies – Head Teachers’ and Teachers’ Perspectives

Maureen Ann Bynoe — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how head teachers and teachers viewed the prevalence of physical bullying in their schools. Additionally, the study sought to investigate head teachers and teachers’ perspectives on the effectiveness of adult supervision, speaking with the bully and the victim, and communicating with the parents of the bully and victim in decreasing physical bullying in four government schools within the Central Corentyne area of Guyana. The study comprised sixteen teachers from both primary and secondary schools. The data indicated that participants felt that physical bullying was prevalent in the four schools regardless of the extent of prevalence. The data also indicated that participants were of the view that all three strategies had a positive effective in combating physical bullying in the four schools. The most effective strategies were adult supervision and speaking with the bully and the victim. The least effective strategy was communicating with the parents of the bully and victim about the bullying incidents. The findings of this research are very significant to Guyana. It is significant to Guyana because it provides landmark data on physical bullying prevalence and intervention strategies that have been used by Guyanese teachers and head teachers to combat physical bullying. This information can be used by educators to make informed decisions relating to bullying prevention.

Differential Association of Nations: Consequences for International Business and International Relations as Déracinement of Foreign Alliances Increases Across Asia, Eurasia, Even Europe

David A. Jones — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Déracinement of Foreign Alliances plus some military alliances is on the rise across Asia and Eurasia, evident recently with the realignment of India and Japan toward Russia economically, India toward Russia economically and militarily, in turn requiring realignment of China and Taiwan: the latter toward United States, China away there from, quietly, sometimes clandestinely. This poses consequences for the BRIC nations, three of which are Asian: Chinese imports from Japan, India's security from Pakistan, Eurasian and Trans-Pacific trade patterns. Also, it will require China to hasten its expansion across Pakistan (or Myanmar) in search of a West coast, and China's entry into Central and Eastern Europe for tariff reduction aims. Already, this déracinement has motivated China to improve its relations with some ASEAN nations before COVID-19, resulting in trade creation, investment creation, trade diversion, investment diversion, across Asia and beyond. Some Threats, many Opportunities, seem to emerge. Foremost amongst them is the lurking question whether Mainland China will become a “party” or a “signatory” to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), also known as TPP-11 or TPP 11,^[1] successor to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) from which the United States withdrew in 2017. Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 crisis that China delayed reporting, many neighbouring Asian nations and Western countries are re-assessing trade with China in the near term. The best options will be for China and other Asian nations to focus on new technologies, new industries they will introduce: three-dimensional (“3D”) printing as an example. Instead, China seems bent on creating new investment partnerships, largely in Eurasia as part of its “Belt and Road Initiative” or “BRI”, facially in order to deliver goods to Europe efficiently, really to dilute regional influence of the Russian Federation, India and Turkey generally, especially in Europe plus in former Soviet Union provinces to Russia’s detriment.^[2]

Scientific Application and Structuring Interdisciplinary Learning Using TBL through PBL in Cardiovascular Diseases Case University of Algiers

Nasser Drareni — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

The study aims to show how can add a wide dimension to interdisciplinary learning using team-based learning (TBL) through problem-based learning (PBL) and facilitate the process of integration for cardiovascular disease (CVD) courses. However, the use of team-based learning through PBL as a pedagogical strategy also served to deepen learners’ understanding of CVD use real world problems in an undergraduate course of CVD. There were (60) preventive medicine learners who were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (n=30) with traditional teaching method and experimental group 2 (n=30) with team-based learning through PBL teaching methodology. The results of questionnaire showed that more than (90%) of experimental group learners thought team-based learning through PBL teaching approach could help to improve learning interest, independent thinking, and team collaboration. The most of learners had a positive attitude towards using team-based learning through PBL. To further their explanation of a topic or problem that needs two or more disciplines to solve problems related to risk factors of CVD. Learners combine, determine and develop information, concepts, methodologies and procedures from two or more disciplines to obtain deep knowledge, interpretation, abilities and very often also to diagnose or solve real world problems. The perceptions of the university members for introduction of interdisciplinary learning using team-based learning through PBL at University of medicine Algiers were positive and encouraging. However, more workshops, online learning and virtual presentations emphasizing more on practical demonstrations were the felt need for successful structure of interdisciplinary learning.

Interactive Whiteboards in Elementary Schools

Olga Samsonova — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Interactive Whiteboards (IWBs) are widely used in elementary schools around the world. The aim of this qualitative case study was to evaluate how American elementary public school teachers perceive and use IWBs. Using purposive sample techniques, nine teachers were selected for this study. Data was collected through 2 Skype or phone interviews and teachers’ lesson plan snapshots. The research data was analyzed using Yin's [1] model of case study analysis. Generally, study participants had positive attitudes towards IWBs. Measuring them as beneficial, though they identified the need for professional development, additional time for planning and developing new lessons, technological support, and upgrades of the technology. The social change implications from this research encompasses productive practice of elementary teachers for integrating technologies to support 21st century learning.

Recent Perspective of the Content Analysis of Civic Education Curriculum in Senior Secondary Schools in Osun State

Babatunde Adeniyi Adeyemi — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

The study investigated the extent of implementation of the Civic Education curriculum content in senior secondary schools in Osun State. It also determined the adequacy of curriculum content as provided in selected Civic Education textbooks in the schools. It finally assessed the adequacy, availability and utilization of the instructional facilities used for the teaching of Civic Education in schools. The study employed descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised Civic Education teachers, students, as well as textbooks and instructional facilities for the teaching and learning of Civic Education in secondary schools in Ife-Ijesha Senatorial District of Osun State. The sample consisted of 15 Civic Education teachers, 150 senior secondary school students and two selected Civic Education Textbooks in Osun State that were selected using multistage sampling technique. Three instruments were used for data collection. They are: Civic Education Textbook Content Checklist (CETC²), Teaching Assessments Form (TAF) and Instructional Facilities Checklist (IFC). Data collected were analyzed using frequency, percentage and One-Way ANOVA. The results showed that not less than 84.0% of the students agreed that the contents of Civic Education curriculum are relevant, whereas, percentage of students ranges from 85.3% to 100.0% indicated that the recommended textbook contents adequately covered the curriculum contents of Civic Education. The study concluded that Civic Education Curriculum is well implemented in senior secondary schools classrooms in Osun State. Also, the selected Civic Education textbooks content are adequate to the senior secondary schools Civic Education curriculum Osun State.

Exploring Social Immoralities Confronting the Attainment of Quality Education in Nigeria

Mon, 13 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

This paper discussed social immoralities challenging quality education in Nigeria, using data from a secondary source and content analysis as its methodology. The paper deliberatedon the implications of immoralities in educational systems andnational development. In its concluding remarks, the article argued in support of proper mechanismswhich could assist the nation to reduce the current high rate of immoralities in educational systems in order to ensure the advancement of Nigeria.

Counselling Services and Management of Drug Abuse among Students in Bahati Division, Kenya

Isaac Wanjohi King’ori — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Drug abuse among secondary school students in Kenyan schools has been on the increase and identified as one of the major causes of indiscipline and unrest in schools. The marked increase in consumption of both illegal and legal drugs in our schools is continually highlighted in the local press media. The Ministry of Education and National Campaign against Drugs Abuse (NACADA) have shown great concern about this menace. This book chapter describe a research study that sought to determine the influence of counselling on management of students’ drug abuse with special reference to Bahati Division in Nakuru District, Kenya. The study adopted an ex-post facto research design. It targeted all the 47 secondary schools with a student population of 7767 students and 472 teachers in the area. A random sample of 120 students, ten teacher counsellors and ten head teachers were selected from the ten schools. Data was collected through administration of questionnaires with the selected respondents. The collected data was then processed and analysed using descriptive statistics with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 11.5 for windows. The study established the following findings. Cheap and easily available drugs were the most commonly used types of drugs and were also considered as legal and generally accepted in the society. Proper implementation and utilization of counselling services had a positive effect in the management of drug abuse among secondary school students. Counselling services did reduce the level of drug taking in schools. The study recommended that there is a need of emphasizing more on counselling as an effective mechanism of managing drug abuse among secondary school students and that counselling should target the most vulnerable group of students in order to minimize the vice in schools.

Management of Secondary Education in Anambra State for Sustainable Development through ICT Deployment

F. Manafa Ifeyinwa — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

The study investigated the extent of principal’s deployment of ICT skills in managing secondary school for sustainable development. Two research questions and one null hypothesis guided the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised all the 261 principals and 5,827 teachers in the 261 secondary schools in Anambra state. A sample of 60 principals and 360 teachers were randomly selected for the study. The instrument used for data collection was a self-developed questionnaire, titled, “ICT Deployment in Managing of Schools Questionnaire,” (ICTDMSQ). The instrument was validated by three experts, two experts from education management unit, one expert from measurement and evaluation unit, all from faculty of education in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam. Using Cronbach Alpha, reliability index of 0.92 was obtained for the instrument. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the two research questions, while t-test was used to test the null hypothesis at .05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that principals do not deploy ICT skills in managing secondary schools which might be because of some challenges they encounter in trying to deploy ICT skills in school management. Based on the findings, some recommendations were made which include that, the government should be organizing periodic training and workshops on ICT usage for principals to attain the 21^st century computer proficiency for effective and efficient management of schools and that government should release adequate fund for the procurement and management of ICT facilities and equipment for secondary schools.

Current Perspectives on the Impact of Violent Crime on Obesity

Lisa Stolzenberg, Stewart J. D’Alessio, Jamie L. Flexon — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Dwelling in a violence-plagued neighborhood may amplify obesity by engendering psychological distress or by cultivating a sedentary, homebound lifestyle. This relationship is speculated to be especially relevant for black and Hispanic citizens because they are much more likely than whites to live in violence-beleaguered neighborhoods. Results from two multilevel analyses of 12,645 residents living in 34 New York City neighborhoods show that, while the violent crime rate does not have a direct effect on obesity, it does condition the relationships between race, ethnicity, and obesity. As the violent crime rate rises in a neighborhood, the probability of both a black and Hispanic resident being obese increases, controlling for both individual and neighborhood factors. The BMI of black and Hispanic residents is also higher in neighborhoods beset by violence. These findings suggest that violent crime may be a salient but unappreciated factor in explaining both racial and ethnic differences in obesity.