JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT STUDIES ROUND TABLE
ISSN NUMBER: 0331-183X| 1 | Title: A MOTIVATED TEACHER: A TOOL FOR QUALITATIVE INNOVATION AND REFORMS IN NIGERIAN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM Author: Gloria Matthews (Ph.D) Abstract: The world is focused on series of innovations and reforms in education, in order to meet global competitiveness. The teacher has the capacity to drive the desired change because of the central position he occupies in the teaching and learning process. However, most Nigerian teachers are not driven, inspired or motivated to implement educational reforms due to poor salary structure, un-conducive learning environment and non-inclusiveness in decision making bodies. In the light of this situation, the paper examines the role of a motivated teacher as a tool for Qualitative innovations and reforms in education, the concept of motivation, theories of motivation, concept of reform and innovation. Finally, the paper recommends amongst others, that teachers should be well motivated by having a special salary scale for teachers and payment of salaries should be prompt. Key words: Motivated Teacher, Innovation, Reforms, Education.... more |
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| 2 | Title: THE PLACE OF INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY IN JOHN STUART MILL: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS Author: Joachim Okoroafor (Ph.D) Abstract: Mill’s concern in his theory was the preservation of individual liberty within a democratic society as an intrinsic good in itself. This work will be a critical analysis of how his political teachings brought benefits to the society. The method to be used in this work is that of a critical analysis. This will help the researcher to x-ray Mill’s stand on individual liberty, to expose the denigration of individual liberty in a society and how Mill’s concept of individual liberty can be used to remedy the situation. In order to solve the problem of individual liberty, Mill looked down on majority tyranny and mass mediocrity as a potent threat to individuality and liberty. He therefore set limits to legitimate interference by society in areas that strictly and exclusively belong to the individual. Thus, he made his famous dictum “I disapprove of what you say, but will defend to death your right to say it.” His theory succeeded in liberating individuals from the shackles and chains of despotism. He has left for humanity an everlasting legacy for a better means of governance. Mill reminds the government that the society and individual flourish well in an atmosphere of liberty. For Mill, liberty was good in itself, for it helps in the development of a humane, civilized, moral person. The event of things today in society reveals a situation of serious denigration of individual liberty. There are oppressions and suppressions, perhaps in every nook and cranny of our daily experiences. People have been imprisoned without trial; the press has been so pitiably muzzled that it is very hard to get any reliable information from the mass media. Everything seems to be at a standstill. The political, economic, religious, educational and family sectors are all in shambles. In fact, the situation of the global world is a good clear picture of where liberty is been trampled upon. There is a death of liberty in our world today. Individuals are manipulated and not allowed to develop themselves. Based on the above assertions, this work will be facing the problem of analyzing the work of John Stuart Mill on individual liberty. Keywords: Liberty, Individual, Authority, Power, Philosophy.... more |
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| 3 | Title: A RECONSTRUCTION OF THE PROBLEM OF METAPHYSICS IN MARTIN HEIDEGGER Author: Tamunosiki Markson & Prince Nwinee Tambari Abstract: Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that studies nature and the totality of being, in which case, it explores into the nature, structure and the basic and fundamental issues or principles of the universe. It is indeed the philosophical study whose object is to determine the real nature of things. Put differently, to determine the meaning, structure and principles of whatever is insofar as it is. This paper, therefore, attempts an exposition of the nature and character of metaphysics as espoused by Martin Heidegger. It x-rays the problem of metaphysics as contended by Heidegger vis-à-vis his idea of fundamental ontology which has Being as its object of inquiry. It adopts qualitative research method which is basically descriptive and employs textural analysis. It limits its scope to the analysis and understanding of the problem of metaphysics in Heidegger’s phenomenological existentialism. It posits, in conclusion, that Heidegger’s reconstruction of metaphysics has plausibility as it pays particular attention to the question of Being which has been neglected by previous metaphysicians. It recommends a reconstructive adaptation of Heideggerian metaphysics for contemporary philosophy and, of course, 21st century metaphysics. Keywords: Reconstructive, Problem, Metaphysics, Martin, Heidegger.... more |
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| 4 | Title: A THEORETICAL INSIGHT ON SOCIAL CAPITAL AND VARIABLES IN THE TEACHING AND LEARNING PROCESS Author: Tupele-Ebi Enai Oyadonghan Abstract: Abstract Sound teaching usually begins with questions and phenomena that are interesting and familiar to students, not with abstractions or phenomena outside their range of perception, understanding, or knowledge. Students need to get acquainted with the things around them – including devices, equipment, organisms, materials, shapes, and numbers – and to observe them, collect them, handle them, describe them, become puzzled by them, ask questions about them,, argue about them, an try to find answers to their questions (this is purely an interactive session). Social capital is the central idea for social networks’ valuable asset. A sense of belonging and the concrete experience of social networks (and the relationships of trust, and tolerance that can be involved), to bring great benefits to people. The present paper is on a theoretical insight on social capital and variables in the teaching and learning process. Keywords: theoretical insight, social capital, teaching learning process ... more |
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| 5 | Title: REVIEW OF FLIPPED CLASSROOM MODEL OF BLENDED LEARNING FOR IMPROVEMENT OF WRITING SKILLS OF STUDENTS Author: Juliet Oluchi Okoro, PhD. Abstract: Abstract This study investigated flipped classroom model of blended learning for improvement of writing skills of students. The study adopted two theoretical frameworks or theories: theory of constructivism which is a learning theory found in psychology that explains how people might acquire knowledge and learn. It suggests that human beings construct knowledge and meaning from their experiences. It suggests that through processes of assimilation and accommodation, individuals construct news knowledge from their experiences; and the social learning theory propounded by Albert Bandura which anchors on modeling the behaviours of others alongside our environment. Social learning theory is of the view that attitudes and emotional reactions of others can inform learning and most human behaviour is learned through observing others; new behaviours can be formed or serve as a guide for action. The study concluded that flipped classroom model leads to academic success because it encourages students’ engagement, boost collaboration among students and critical thinking ability in English language writing skills; increases retention as videos and other pre-recorded devices could be re-watched, rewound or fast forwarded outside the normal classroom environment. It is an instructional approach that requires students to do home study on the learning content while the class time is set aside for students to work in group to investigate and discuss the learning content with teachers serving as facilitators in the classroom. Lastly, the study suggested that: new technologies and innovations should be encouraged in our secondary schools so as to meet up our educational demands, parents, Government and stakeholders in education should provide required internet facilities and electronic systems for online information so as to enhance effective study of the students and ministry of education should share free computers and other electronic system as it brings good result in students studying abilities and academic performance. ... more |
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| 6 | Title: THE PLACE OF FESTIVALS IN PRESERVING THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF A PEOPLE: A STUDY OF THE ODI OGORI BA UGE FESTIVAL OF ODI IN KOLOKUMA/OPOKUMA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BAYELSA STATE, 1957-2020 Author: Steve Ibuomo Larry PhD. & Abraham Godwin Ominikari PhD. Abstract: Abstract This paper examines the place of festivals in preserving the cultural heritage of a people, using the Odi Ogori Ba Uge as a case study. Festival is an occasion usually celebrated by a community or social group in which named events are celebrated in the company of guests. It is centred on very significant aspects of that community. The Odi Ogori Ba Uge festival is an annual festival that the people of Odi celebrate. Its origin is traced to 1957 when a wild beast which was tormenting the people and destroying lives and properties was killed. It is the celebration of the death of this animal (Ogori) that birth the festival that has brought fame to Odi. This paper, therefore, discusses how the Odi Ogori Ba Uge festival helps to preserve the culture of Odi people and by extension, Kolokuma clan and the rest of the Ijo nation. The paper reveals that the people of Odi use the festival to display or showcase their culture to the world in that cultural dances, sing songs, wrestling competitions, canoe race and other cultural performances are prominent features of this festival. It also creates an avenue for community cohesion and attracts tourist from many parts of the world to the community. The paper adopts historical methods, which include the use of primary and secondary sources. ... more |
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| 7 | Title: FOREIGN AID AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA: MYTH OR REALITY Author: TAYLOR, TAMUNOSAKI (Ph.D) Abstract: This study critically addresses the relationship between foreign aid and national development in Africa. This is done by investigating the authenticity or otherwise of the aphorism that foreign aid is an instrument of national socio-economic development. The paper does this using the Marxian political economy framework of analysis. Having interrogated the arguments for and against aid as an instrument of national development in Africa, and weighed the strengths and weakness of the arguments on both sides, we have come to strengthen the argument that, far from fixing Africa’s problems, aid, worsens it. This is because the politics associated with foreign aid administration and the conditions tied to most aids to Africa are diametrically opposed to Africa’s development. Thus, we argued that Africa’s development does not depend on the amount of aid it gets but on some salient factors which can be put in place by governments in Africa. These factors among other things should include adequate property rights, effective and strong institutions, regional cooperation in trade, functional civil society organizations, policies that will promote enabling environment for investments (both local and foreign),efficient and prompt judiciary, good governance and the fight against corruption. We thus conclude that foreign aid as an instrument of national development in Africa is a myth and not a reality. Keywords: Foreign Aid, National Development, African Development and Corruption.... more |
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| 8 | Title: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON EDUCATION IN NIGERIA AND SEVEN COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES Author: DOKUBO A. N. Abstract: Covid-19 has had an enormous impact on education at every level all over the world. This research paper studies the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on the educational sector. The study was carried out by analyzing deliberations by the Commonwealth Secretariat and JET Education Services in Consultation with partners including the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACUU). The study targeted a population of young people below the age of 35. Ultimately, the study aims to suggest ways education systems can meet multiple threats in the future including from hurricanes experiences of drought and other natural disasters. Keywords: COVID 19, Education, Nigeria, Commonwealth.... more |
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| 9 | Title: THE RUSSIA AND UKRAINE WAR: IMPACT ON AFRICAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Author: EDMUND F. OBOMANU (Ph.D) Abstract: This study tries to locate the reason for the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the spillover effect on other countries across the globe. The outcome of this has led to a sudden surge in prices of crude oil and gas to which Nigeria as an exporter could receive increased revenue and expand its production capacity. The study revealed that Russia is the third-largest petroleum and liquid fuels producer in the world, after the United States and Saudi Arabia and it is also a major exporter of crude oil. But the geopolitical risk related to Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine has contributed to higher crude oil prices where Brent, WTI, and OPEC reference basket prices skyrocketed due to fears of supply shortages. Therefore, this study recommended that Nigeria should increase its production and exports capacities in this period. It is becoming obvious that the end of this war is not near given the vested interest of Russia and its allies on one hand and America/NATO and their allies on the other. For Nigeria, the dilapidated local refineries should be revived and new ones should also be constructed and well equipped with sophisticated equipment in order to avoid exchange of crude oil for petroleum products with foreign refineries via third parties under DSDP. Keywords: Russia, Ukraine, War, Oil prices, Nigeria, Economic Development.... more |
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| 10 | Title: UTILIZATION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) IN ADULT EDUCATION AWARENESS AND PARTICIPATION IN PORT HARCOURT METROPOLIS Author: Prof. Eunice C. Victor-Ishikaku & Kpeno Amon Ephraim (Ph.D) Abstract: This study investigates the use of ICT devices in the awareness and participation in Adult Education programmes in Port Harcourt metropolis. Descriptive survey research design was used. Five (5) objectives, five (5) research questions and three (3) hypotheses guided the study. The population comprised of residents of Port Harcourt metropolis. Using the stratified random sampling technique 400 respondents were picked as the sample. A self- designed instrument titled Adult Education Awareness and Participation Questionnaire (AEAPQ) was used for the data collection. The instrument was face and contented validated by two (2) experts from Adult Education and Measurement and evaluation departments. Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to ascertain the reliability of the instrument which was found to be 0.69. For the data analysis percentages was used to answer the research questions while the Chi-square was used for the test of hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings showed that the use of ICT devices for Adult Education awareness and participation was very low and insignificant. It was therefore recommended that the government, corporate bodies and well-meaning individuals should support awareness campaigns and participation in Adult Education programmes, provide ICT devices and facilities at subsidized rate to enable residents have access to them amongst others. Keywords: Adult Education, Information and communication technology, Awareness, Participation, Utilization.... more |