Journal of Science, Technology and Mathematics Pedagogy

AFFORDABILITY OF COST OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES AND CARE SEEKING BEHAVIOUR AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN NORTHERN STATES OF NIGERIA

Sunday Omachi — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Healthcare seeking behaviour plays a key role in the health and well-being of women and their infants. Delay in seeking appropriate healthcare can be costly and dangerous. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether affordability of cost of healthcare services determines care seeking behaviour among women of reproductive age in Northern States of Nigeria. The study adopted a correlation research design to investigate 504 respondents drawn from six states in the Northern States of Nigeria. The states (Kogi, Niger, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano and Zamfara) were drawn from the three geo-political zones in Northern States of Nigeria through stratified random sampling technique, while the respondents were sampled from those states through purposive sampling technique. A close–ended questionnaire was used to obtain responses from the respondents and data collected were analyzed using SPSS/Pc statistical package. Pearson's correlation between mean scores of affordability of costs of healthcare services (3.337) and care seeking behaviour among women of reproductive age (3.272) showed r-value of 0.463 (critical value: 0.087) and a P-value of 0.000. The result showed that affordability of cost of healthcare services significantly determines care seeking behaviour among women of reproductive age in northern states of Nigeria. Based on the finding, it was recommended that cost alleviation for women seeking maternal healthcare services should be put in place by the state governments to motivate them to patronize the services. The state governments should endeavour to provide more healthcare delivery services at affordable prices to the women in order to encourage them to adopt positive healthcare seeking behaviour necessary for effective prevention and control of grave maternal diseases.

ASSESSMENT OF PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS’ CONCEPTION OF OSMOSIS AND DIFFUSION USING FOUR-TIER DIAGNOSTIC TEST IN ILORIN, NIGERIA

Musa Mohammed Sulaiman, Abdulraheem Dare Gbigbadura — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This research investigated the understanding of osmosis and diffusion among pre-service science education teachers at Ilorin, Nigeria, employing a four-tier diagnostic test entitled Osmosis and Diffusion Four-tier Test. It was administered to 300 pre-service biology teachers as a test of their knowledge of osmosis and diffusion. The data gathered were analyzed using descriptive statistics of percentages and pie chart, while the hypothesis was analyzed using the t-test at .05 level of significance. Results from the study disclosed that 23% of respondents have scientific knowledge, 36% lack information, 28% have misconceptions, and 13% have no comprehension of the concepts. It further indicates that male and female pre-service teachers perceive osmosis and diffusion differently, with males having a better conception of osmosis and diffusion. These findings imply that pre-service instructors' assumptions and lack of knowledge about osmosis and diffusion will have an impact on how they teach and how their students learn. Based on the findings, it was suggested that teachers should be aware of and try to change the students' preconceptions, and that they should also be gender-conscious in their approaches to teaching. The 4-tier diagnostic test is an effective way to gauge a students’ understanding and therefore, can lead to more appropriate teaching methods for osmosis and diffusion.

EFFECT OF BLENDED LEARNING STRATEGY ON STUDENTS’ INTEREST IN GEOMETRY IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

OLUKEMI OLUREMI ADEYEMI, LAWRENCE ACHIMUGU — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The present study investigated the impact of Blended learning strategies on students' interest in geometry inside Senior Secondary Schools specifically in Kogi State, Nigeria. The investigation was directed by two research questions and their related null hypotheses. The study utilised a pretest-posttest control group quasi-experimental design. The population consisted of 12,703 (SS 2) Mathematics students from 29 public secondary schools and the sample size was 344 students. The Geometry Interest Scale (GIS) was employed as the main instrument for data collection. A face validation of the instrument was conducted by three experts from the Science Education Department, consisting of two experts from the Mathematics Units and one expert from Measurement and Evaluation and Education. Cronbach Alpha method was used to calculate the raw scores of the respondents acquired via GIS and a reliability coefficient 0.74 was obtained, which was deemed dependable for the study. Mean and standard deviation was used to answer the research questions, while analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the Null hypotheses at a significance level of 0.05. The findings indicated that the implementation of Blended Learning techniques had a notable positive impact on students' interest in Geometry as compared to the conventional method. Therefore, it was recommended among others that mathematics teachers should employ blended learning teaching Strategy in order to augment students' enthusiasm for geometry.

IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

PHEBE HASSANA OBAKA, HARUNA USMAN — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study examined the relationship between managing climate change and secondary school students’ academic performance in Kogi State. Four research questions and objectives were formulated for this purpose. The study employs a descriptive survey design, focusing on a population comprising 15 secondary schools across three senatorial districts, which includes 159 teachers and 15,390 students. A sample of 360 respondents were selected, consisting of 60 teachers and 300 students. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire titled the Impact of climate change on secondary school students’ academic performance Questionnaire Scale (MCCSAPQS), designed with a four-point Likert scale response format: Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Disagree (D), and Strongly Disagree (SD). The reliability coefficient of the instrument was established at 0.97, indicating a high level of reliability for the study. Descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation, were utilized to analyze the research questions. The findings reveal consensus among teachers and students in Kogi State regarding the positive impact of integrating climate change education, promoting environmental stewardship, leveraging technology, and engaging parents on students' academic performance. Based on these findings, the study recommends that educational authorities prioritize the integration of climate change topics into the school curriculum, ensuring content relevance and engagement. This could involve developing interdisciplinary approaches that link environmental education with other subjects. Additionally, schools should implement and promote environmental stewardship initiatives that encourage student participation and collaboration, such as community clean-ups, tree planting, and sustainability projects, to enhance student engagement and responsibility.

PERCEPTIONSOF TECHNICAL COLLEGE STUDENTS ON THE UTILIZATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN TEACHING OF AUTOCAD IN ENUGU STATE

Anselem Anayochukwu (Ph.D) ANIH — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates technical college students’ perceptions of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in AutoCAD instruction in Nkanu West LGA, Enugu State. A descriptive survey design was utilized, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data. The study's population comprised 573 senior students, with a purposive sample of 163 SS3 students (91 males, 72 females) from two technical colleges. Data was collected via the "Students’ Perception AI Enhanced AutoCAD Teaching Questionnaire (SPAEATQ)," with a reliability coefficient of 0.75.The study aimed to answer two research questions and test one null hypothesis. Findings revealed significant negative perceptions toward AI, largely due to discomfort, lack of awareness, inadequate infrastructure, and misconceptions about AI’s educational role. Students feared AI could replace teachers and devalue hands-on skills essential to vocational training. Both male and female students demonstrated similar perceptions. Recommendations include implementing AI training to improve awareness, upgrading technological infrastructure, and gradually incorporating AI awareness in the scheme and into AutoCAD instruction.

INTEGRATION OF GREEN CHEMISTRY PRINCIPLES INTO EDUCATIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES

Bashirat Titilope IMAM — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Green chemistry has been considered to be a viable approach for addressing environmental issues and advancing sustainable development. An understanding of green chemistry principles is crucial for training future scientists, by emphasizing sustainability from early education stages through advanced courses. The necessity of including green chemistry principles in educational entrepreneurship is becoming increasingly important as the education sector evolves in order to generate creative and sustainable solutions. This research thus, explores opportunities for incorporating green chemistry concepts into instructional practices to promote sustainable education by edupreneurs. It also, emphasizes the potential for green chemistry education to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The research suggests strategies for creating environmental awareness and promoting sustainable practices through the integration of green chemistry principles into edupreneurship. The study provided valuable insights on the role of educational entrepreneurs in promoting green chemistry practices and highlighted the challenges associated with implementing green chemistry principles in educational entrepreneurship.

ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AMONG UNEMPLOYED YOUTHS IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abdullateef Ebenmosi SALIHU, Jane Ada UKAIGWE, Adako KWANASHIE — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Social media networks are increasingly open venues for public gatherings, business transactions, coordination, and education. They are no longer only places to communicate, share information, and play games, thanks to the internet. This study examined how young people in Nigeria who are unemployed use social media for a range of purposes, including job searching, in light of the country's growing unemployment rate. The research technique used for the study was a descriptive survey, which was carried out using quantitative data-gathering tools and multi-stage sampling. The Ibadan North Local Government region is divided into seventeen (17) zones using the cluster sampling method. Equivalent participants were then selected from each zone to produce the survey sample of 510 selected. The finding of the study revealed that young people mostly use social media for messaging, conversing, and staying in touch with both local and distant relatives and friends. It is recommended among others that youths be given more guidance on how to use social media to cut down on the time they spend chatting and doing other pointless activities that won't have a big impact on their future lives or their ability to obtain employment.

CHEMISTRY EDUCATORS’ AWARENESS AND UTILIZATION OF GREEN CHEMISTRY PRINCIPLES IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN AKWA IBOM STATE: IMPLICATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

F. I. Umanah, B. A. Arop, H. A. Neji — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study examined the level of Chemistry educators’ awareness and utilization of green chemistry principles in tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State and its implications for environmental sustainability. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted of 86 Chemistry educators in the 6 public tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State. A sample size of 54 Chemistry educators was used for the study. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 3 public tertiary institutions out of the 6 public tertiary institutions in the study area. In each of the selected tertiary institutions, an accidental sampling technique was used. The instrument used for data collection was the Awareness and Utilization of Green Chemistry Principles Questionnaire (AUGCPQ) with a reliability coefficient of .87. Data collected were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and independent t-test statistics. The results indicated a moderate level of chemistry educators’ awareness and low level of utilization of green chemistry principles in tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State. Also, there was no significant difference in the level of male and female chemistry educators’ awareness and utilization of green chemistry principles in tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State. Based on the findings, it is concluded that the importance of green chemistry in the curriculum not only supports academic growth but also contributes to raising environmentally responsible future scientists, which is essential for sustainable development and environmental protection in the region and beyond. It is therefore recommended among others that workshops, seminars and continuous professional development programs for chemistry educators focused on the practical application of green chemistry principles should be organized. Chemistry curriculum in tertiary institutions should be reviewed and revised to include green Chemistry principles as a core component. This will ensure that students are exposed to sustainable practices early in their academic journey, creating a generation that of chemists who prioritize environmental sustainability.

CHEMISTRY EDUCATORS’ AWARENESS AND UTILIZATION OF GREEN CHEMISTRY PRINCIPLES IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN AKWA IBOM STATE: IMPLICATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

F. I. Umanah, B. A Arop, H. A. Neji — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

EFFECT OF META COGNITIVE QUESTIONING TECHNIQUES ON SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS IN PHYSICS IN JOS NORTH L.G.A OF PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA.

Stephanie Simi Edom, Mangut Professor Mankilik — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study explores the impact of metacognitive questioning techniques on the critical thinking skills of secondary school physics students. Using a quasi-experimental design, 45 students were divided into an experimental group (n=24) and a control group (n=21). The experimental group received instruction incorporating metacognitive questioning techniques, while the control group received traditional instruction. Pre- and post-tests were administered to measure critical thinking skills. The ANCOVA results revealed a significant effect of the intervention on the post-test scores of the experimental group (F (1, 42) = 38.41, p < .001), indicating that metacognitive questioning techniques significantly enhanced students’ critical thinking skills. Based on these findings, the study recommends integrating metacognitive questioning techniques into the physics curriculum, providing continuous professional development for teachers, encouraging regular student reflection, utilizing technology to support metacognitive practices, conducting further research on the long-term effects, and applying these techniques across different subjects to foster critical thinking.

APPLICATION OF GENERALIZABILITY THEORY IN ESTIMATING ITEM DIFFICULTY OF THE WEST AFRICA EXAMINATION COUNCIL 2021 SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL MATHEMATICS MULTIPLE-CHOICE ITEMS IN EDO SOUTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT, EDO STATE.

Kennedy Imasuen, Praise Kehinde Adeosun — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigated the application of Generalizability theory in estimating Item difficulty of the West Africa Examination Council 2021 Senior Secondary School Mathematics Multiple-Choice items in Edo South Senatorial District, Edo State. Three research questions were raised for the study. The study was a descriptive survey that adopted a random effect two-facet fully crossed design for generalizability (G) and decision (D) studies. The population consisted six thousand, seven hundred and ninety-nine (6,799) Senior Secondary three (SS3) students and one hundred and two (102) teachers of mathematics in the one hundred and thirty -seven (137) public Secondary Schools in Edo South Senatorial District for the 2020/2021 academic session. The sample size was 680 students and 68 teachers of mathematics, selected from 68 public Senior Secondary Schools three students. The instrument for data collection was fifty (50) multiple-choice items of the 2021 WAEC, Mathematics multiple-choice item examination. The validity and reliability of the instrument were part of the issues raised in the study. Data collected were analyzed using the software EduG version 6.1-e. The findings which emerged from the study revealed that the WAEC multiple-choice mathematics 2021/2022 Senior Secondary School examination items were valid and reliable, and the items were on average comparable in difficulty for all students in the examination. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that generalizability analysis should be carried out by researchers, policymakers in assessment, test developers, and examination bodies in estimating validity, reliability and item difficulty.

CORRELATIONAL ANALYSIS OF COMPETENCE IN MATHEMATICS AND STUDENTS ACHIEVEMENT IN SENIOR SECONDARY PHYSICS IN PANKSHIN, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA.

Kingsley Lenwe Yohanna, Prof. Mangut Mankilik — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study was designed to investigate the correlation that exists between the students’ competence in mathematics and their achievement in physics in Pankshin Local Government Area, Plateau State. The study is an analysis of cross correlational type where students’ results in both competence in mathematics and their achievement in physics were compared. A total number of 129 Senior Secondary 2 students from five secondary schools were considered in this research. Three research questions and three hypotheses were tested. Two research instruments, Mathematical Competence Test and Physics Achievement Test (MCT, PAT) were used to collect data. The data were collected and analyzed using Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient and descriptive methods of mean and standard deviation. The result indicated that, there is strong positive correlation between students’ competence in mathematics and their achievement in physics with correlation coefficient (r=0.623) at α=0.01 level of significance. The results also revealed that there is a negative correlation between students’ competence in mathematics and their achievement in physics based on gender (i.e. -0.12 and -0.28 for MCT and PAT respectively). Hence, competence in mathematics plays an important role in physics. It is therefore, recommended among others that physics teachers should constantly consult and work closely with mathematics teachers to identify and solve mathematics calculations involved in physics.

STUDY HABITS AND TEST ANXIETY AS CORRELATES OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN MATHEMATICS IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

ABDULKAREEM SHUAIBU, LAWRENCE ACHIMUGU — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study evaluated how study habits and test anxiety affect Kogi senior secondary school Mathematics Performance. Two objectives, research questions, and two null hypotheses guided the investigation. The researcher used correlational research. The research was done in Kogi. The study included 12703 senior secondary school two (SS II) mathematics students from 43 public secondary schools in Kogi State. The study included 366 SS II Mathematics students. Data was collected with three research devices. Mathematics Study Habits Questionnaire,(MTA Q), and (M A P T). The instruments were face and content validated by three experts. 30 copies of the instruments were administered to SS2 mathematics students in Ankpa Education Zone, which is not part of the study but has similar features. This was done to ensure dependability. The MAPT, MSHQ, and MTAQ scores were recorded and tested for reliability using Kuder Richardson (K-20) and Cronbach-Alpha. The dependability indexes were 0.75, 0.83, and 0.87. Students received the instruments using Direct Delivery Technique. This ensured maximal instrument returns and close monitoring. Data was analyzed for research topics and hypotheses. Analysis of research questions 1–5 included descriptive statistics including mean, standard deviation, and Pearson's Product Moment Correlation. Downie and Heath define high correlation as 0.80 or higher, moderate correlation as 0.30–0.80, and low correlation as 0.30 or lower. Hypotheses 1–5 were investigated by Regression Analysis. A probability level greater than 0.05 does not reject the null hypothesis, whereas a probability value less than 0.05 does. The study and others found that study habits and test anxiety greatly affect mathematics performance. All factors of study habits and exam anxiety predict mathematics performance. According to the study, study habits and test anxiety are significant factors in determining students' academic performance in mathematics. Students should be taught to understand their uniqueness so they can develop learning lifestyles or study habits that may lead to academic performance.

SCIENCE EDUCATION AS A RECIPE FOR INCULCATING SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL LITERACY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The study, science education as a recipe for inculcating scientific and technological literacy for sustainable development in Nigeria adopted quasi- experimental design and was guided by two research questions and two null hypotheses. The instrument tagged Science &Technology Literacy Level Test (STLLT) validated by four experts with reliability index of 0.82 was used to collect data from a sample of 200 out of the population of 309 students of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, KSCOE, Ankpa study centre using multistage sampling technique. Data collected were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and ANCOVA to test the hypotheses. Results show significant difference in favour of students taught Science Education using inquiry based and Demonstration teaching strategies. The result also revealed that there is no significant difference based on the gender of the students. Based on the findings, recommendations were made that teachers should adopt the teaching strategy that is gender friendly among others.

EVALUATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL CHEMISTRY CURRICULUM IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA.

Abimaje Etimane Shaibu,, Jonah Godwin Ameh, — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The study evaluated the implementation of the senior secondary school chemistry curriculum in Kogi State, Nigeria. Three research questions and one null hypothesis guided the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population of the study comprised all the 122 chemistry teachers and 1,594 SS11 chemistry students in the 254 public senior secondary schools in Kogi State. The sample size for the study comprised 93 chemistry teachers and 320 SS11 chemistry students sampled from 32 co-educational secondary schools in the area using multistage sampling procedure. Two questionnaires were used in the study namely; Evaluation of the Implementation of Senior Secondary School Chemistry Questionnaire (EISSSCQ) for Teachers and Evaluation of the Implementation of Senior Secondary School Chemistry Questionnaire (EISSSCQ) for Students respectively. Cronbach Alpha was used to determine the internal consistency of the instruments with reliability coefficients of 0.89 and 0.84 respectively. The research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation while-test was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. Findings of the study revealed that the implementation of chemistry curriculum is facilitated by the availability of chemistry curriculum in the schools, teachers also used recommended instructional methods such as lecture method, discussion method, concept mapping, laboratory, simulation and games, and cooperative learning among others. Evaluation techniques used by the teachers to implement chemistry curriculum are essay writing, take home and practical assignments, among others. The results also revealed that there was no significant difference between the mean responses of teachers and students on the evaluation techniques used by chemistry teachers to implement chemistry curriculum. Necessary conclusions were made.

EFFECT OF BIOLOGY PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES ON INTEREST OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN BIOLOGY IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

CECILIA EBERE AGU, LAWRENCE ACHIMUGU — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

An investigation was conducted to assess the impact of biology practical activities on the interest

among senior secondary school students in Kogi State, Nigeria. The investigation was directed by three research questions and three null hypotheses. An approach of quasi-experimental pretest posttest non quavailent control group design. The research population consisted of 11,391 SS1 students from public secondary schools in Kogi State. The sample of the study included 95 SS1 biology students selected from 4-schools in each senatorial district of Kogi State using a multistage sampling technique. A single instrument employed in the study was the Biology Interest Scale (BIS). An assessment of the reliability of the BIS was conducted using Cronbach Alpha, resulting in a value of 0.88. Data analysis was conducted using Mean and Standard Deviation to examine the research questions Hypotheses testing was performed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) at a significance level of 0.05. The data indicated a notable disparity in the average interest rating of biology among students when taught via practical activities compared to the lecture approach, with practical activities technique favouring the former. The results also indicated a notable correlation between gender and the average interest ratings in biology among students, with male showing a higher level of interest. Furthermore, there is no statistically significant interaction impact between teaching approaches and gender on the average interest scores of students in Biology. To augment student engagement and enthusiasm in biology, it is advised to promote the use of practical activities in biology courses delivered in senior secondary schools.