Enhancing Effective Teaching and Learning of ICT in the Schools for the Blind in Ghana.

The paper examines role of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Special Education in Ghana. Taking the relevant literature as the guiding principle, the paper addresses the opportunities, barriers and challenges posed by the integration of Assistive Technologies devices in schools for the blind and visually impaired in the teaching and learning process. The paper shows that inadequacies of teachers’ knowledge and skills in Assistive Technologies coupled with lack of these technologies are some of the greatest hindrances to effective teaching in the schools for the Blind in Ghana. Educators and policy makers acknowledge Evidence-Based Teaching as one of the most effective strategies for teaching the blind and the visually impaired.The paper highlights that effective integration of Assistive Technologies into schools will help bridge the digital gap between the blind and the sighted in Ghana

Enhancing Effective Teaching and Learning of ICT in the Schools for the Blind in Ghana

The paper examines role of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Special Education in Ghana. Taking the relevant literature as the guiding principle, the paper addresses the opportunities, barriers and challenges posed by the integration of Assistive Technologies devices in schools for the blind and visually impaired in the teaching and learning process. The paper shows that inadequacies of teachers’ knowledge and skills in Assistive Technologies coupled with lack of these technologies are some of the greatest hindrances to effective teaching in the schools for the Blind in Ghana. Educators and policy makers acknowledge Evidence-Based Teaching as one of the most effective strategies for teaching the blind and the visually impaired.The paper highlights that effective integration of Assistive Technologies into schools will help bridge the digital gap between the blind and the sighted in Ghana

Affordances, Architecture and the Action Possibilities of Learning Environments: A Critical Review of the Literature and Future Directions

This paper critically reviews the body of literature on affordances relating to the design and inhabitation of school buildings. Focusing on the influence of learning spaces on pedagogical practices, we argue that links between affordances, architecture and the action possibilities of school-based environments have largely been overlooked and that such links hold great promise for better aligning space and pedagogy—especially amidst changing expectations of what effective teaching and learning ‘looks like’. Emerging innovative learning environments (ILEs) are designed to enable a wider pedagogical repertoire than traditional classrooms. In order to transcend stereotypical understandings about how the physical environment in schools may afford teaching and learning activities, it is becoming increasingly recognised that both design and practice reconceptualisation is required for affordances of new learning environments to be effectively actualised in support of contemporary education. With a focus on the environmental perceptions of architects, educators and learners, we believe affordance theory offers a useful framework for thinking about the design and use of learning spaces. We argue that Gibson’s affordance theory should be more commonly applied to help situate conversations between designers and users about how physical learning environments are conceived, perceived and actioned for effective teaching and learning.

Koswer Multimedia Interaktif Berasaskan Web Bagi Tajuk ‘Discovering Computer’ Berkonsepkan Strategi Pembelajaran Kendiri

Teknologi multimedia interaktif telah menyumbang kepada proses pengajaran dan pembelajaran yang lebih efektif khususnya dalam penggunaan perisian instruksional koswer. Tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk membangunkan koswer multimedia interaktif bagi pelajar universiti untuk mempelajari dengan lebih mendalam berkenaan komputer yang bertajuk Discovering Computer. Koswer ini dibangunkan dengan menggunakan metodologi ADDIE yang terdiri daripada modul pelajar, video pembelajaran dan koleksi latihan. Pengujian kebolehgunaan meliputi isi kandungan kursus, kebolehcapaian, reka bentuk antara muka dan kebolehfungsian dijalankan dengan menggunakan kaedah tinjauan kuantitatif yang melibatkan seramai 33 orang sampel. Sasaran utama koswer ini ialah pelajar universiti yang berumur di antara 18 tahun ke 25 tahun sahaja. Dapatan menunjukkan bahawa kandungan pembelajaran di dalam koswer ini adalah lebih menarik dan interatif berbanding pembelajaran menggunakan teknik pengajaran tradisional iaitu berasaskan buku. Selain itu, pengguna koswer ini dapat meningkatkan mutu dan prestasi pengajaran dan pembelajaran (bahan bantu mengajar) dan juga meningkatkan pengalaman dan motivasi pelajar. Web-Based Interactive Multimedia Courseware for the ‘Discovering Computer’ in the Self-Learning Strategies Concept Abstract: Interactive multimedia technology has contributed to a more effective teaching and learning process, especially in the use of instructional software. The purpose of this study is to develop an interactive multimedia courseware for university students to learn more about computer entitle Discovering Computer. This courseware is developed by using the ADDIE methodology comprises of student modules, learning videos and a collection of exercises. Software Usability testing consist of course content, accessibility, interface design and functionality were evaluated using a quantitative survey method that involving 33 samples respondents by student in different categories. The main target of this study is university student‘s aged between 18 and 25 years old. Findings indicate that the learning content in this book is more interesting and interactive than learning using traditional teaching technique, book based learning. In addition, this courseware can enhance the quality and performance of teaching and learning (teaching aids) and also improve student’s experience and motivation. Keywords: Computer Teaching and Learning, Interactive Multimedia Courseware, Self-Paced Learning Strategies, Teaching Aids.

Faculty Perceptions of Mattering in Teaching and Learning: A Qualitative Examination of the Views, Values, and Teaching Practices of Award-Winning Professors

We summarize qualitative research conducted on the mattering construct and then describe a qualitative investigation focused on mattering as a key aspect of the relational factors which influence the learning and development of students. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 professors recognized for their teaching excellence. Specifically, we assessed professors’ attitudes towards student perceptions of mattering and awareness of mattering in terms of their own self-reported beliefs, attitudes, and teaching practices that convey to students that they matter. Thematic analysis confirmed that almost all the award-winning professors interviewed recognized students’ need to matter and found effective ways to convey to students that they matter. These professors tended to be more similar than different in their approaches and attitudes. Key themes included the need for professors to show students they care about them as students and as people, seeing and treating students as individuals who are collaborators in the learning process, and the need to avoid anti-mattering micro-practices that can result in students becoming disengaged and disillusioned. We discuss these findings in terms of how an explicit focus on mattering promotion is warranted as a central attribute of effective teaching and learning, how the current findings enhance understanding of the mattering construct and how it should be assessed.

THE NEXUS BETWEEN LOGIC AND GENERAL STUDIES

Logic, a branch of philosophy, is essentially concerned with one’s ability to reason well. It provides structured rules and principles that act as guides for effective reasoning. As such the correctness or incorrectness of any kind of reasoning can easily be verified by subjecting them to logical techniques and methods. The paper conceptualises general studies as a set of prescribed courses available in a Nigerian tertiary institution, outside a student’s area of specialisation that must be registered for and passed, usually, in the first and second years of study. The essence is to ensure that students experience balanced, rounded education and to ensure that scholarship is made relevant to the pressing needs of the society. The paper locates the bond between logic and general studies based on the fact that logic permeates all the courses taught as General Studies and, indeed, all the courses taught in the university be it medicine, geography, architecture. In a knowledge-based environment, the need for effective communication is critical and inevitable. This means that both in the delivery of knowledge as well as its acquisition, care should be taken to avoid fallacious reasoning and deception by the slippery nature and use of words. It is for this reason that a rudimentary knowledge of logic is a prerequisite for every discipline. The paper adopts an analytical and comparative method. Philosophical analysis and reflection are applied in order to evaluate and highlight the importance of logic to other disciplines. Its comparative character helps to demonstrate why logic, and no any other discipline, is most suited to act as the foundation for all other disciplines. In all, the paper demonstrates that for effective teaching and learning to take place in other disciplines, logic is essential. It also underscores the strong nexus between logic and general studies. Finally, it shows how logic can help in enriching other disciplines.

Teacher Trainees Perceptions of Think-Pair-Share Technique in Teaching Classification of Living Organisms in Colleges of Education – Ghana

The purpose of the study was to explore the perceptions of teacher trainees on the use of think-pair-share in teaching and learning of classification of living organisms. The study adopted a quantitative approach. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to report the results of the study. Frequency counts and percentages were used to report the teacher trainees’ perceptions about the impact of think-pair-share learning technique in the teaching and learning of classification of living organisms. The study was carried out in Enchi College of Education in the Aowin Municipality in the Western North Region of Ghana. Stratified, simple random, and systematic sampling techniques were used to select 80 respondents for the study. This was made up of 30 level 300, 30 level 200, and 20 level 100 students, respectively. The participants were subjected to think-pair-share learning technique of teaching. The instrument used for the data collection was a questionnaire guide. The findings of the study revealed that, think-pair-share learning technique of teaching motivate and engage, provide immediate feedback, develop social and physical skills simultaneously, help students to learn with fun and increase students interest and confidence level. It was therefore recommended that creative approach such as think-pair-share learning technique should be adopted by science tutors in Colleges of Education for effective teaching and learning.

Pemanfaatan Modul untuk membantu pembelajaran Microsoft Word pada siswa berkebutuhan khusus kelas X di SLB Negeri Balikpapan

<p><em>Learning media as a tool to create an effective teaching and learning situation and to improve the quality of student learning. This study aims to (1) facilitate students visually in computer learning (2) efforts to optimize the absorption of concrete information for children with special needs in computer learning. The lack of availability of teaching materials that suit the needs of children with special needs in computer skills subjects makes teaching staff have to innovate with teaching materials from public schools. This learning module was developed to overcome the problems experienced by teachers and students. The results of this study are expected to be a benchmark for teaching staff in delivering material to students and can improve skills in learning computer skills of students at SLB Negeri Balikpapan.</em></p>