BULGARIAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND EDUCATION POLICY

252-267

Authors: O. D. Egburonu, A. O. Abidoye

Bayesian analysis of variance (ANOVA) is gaining acceptance as an alternative to the hypothesis testing based on p-values in many areas of scientific research. Its Bayes factors are constantly developed and modified to suit prevailing situations in hypothesis testing. We transformed the Bayes factor proposed by Wang & Sun (2013) for one random effects model using Natural Log of Gamma Function approximation. The result shows that our modified Bayes factor proved more efficient than the Wang & Sun (2013) Bayes factor in testing the hypothesis of zero between factor variability when the sample size becomes large.

289-302

Authors: Hnin Yu Soe

This paper is mainly focused on the challenges for the development of the education in rural area of Myanmar. First, I introduced the background information and education system of Myanmar. Actually, the gap of educational development of the urban and rural area is very big. Therefore, I highlight the main challenges for the educational development in rural area and the consequences of these challenges. According to the result of CESR review, the students' dropout rate in rural area is higher than the urban area. The access to education in rural area is also limited. Therefore, in this paper, I discuss some challenges, poverty's effect on rural education, and lack of resources in rural school, power gap, lack of qualified teachers, transportation and communication problems, and impacts of disasters on rural education, low government investment and impact of private school policy on the education in rural school and then if we not solve that problem, what kind of consequences will be faced.

314-344

Authors: E. Gemechu, M. Kassa, M. Afnatu

A non-equivalent groups quasi-experiment research and case study designs were conducted at Wolkite University to investigate MATLAB supported learning and students' conceptual understanding in learning Applied Mathematics II using four different comparative instructional approaches: MATLAB supported traditional lecture method, MATLAB supported collaborative method, only collaborative method and only traditional lecture method. Four intact classes of Mechanical Engineering groups 1 and 2, Garment Engineering and Textile Engineering students were selected by simple random sampling out of eight departments. The first three departments were considered as treatment groups and the fourth one Textile Engineering was assigned as a comparison group. The Departments had 30, 29, 35 and 32 students respectively. The results of the study showed that there is a significant mean difference on students' conceptual understanding between groups of students learning through MATLAB supported collaborative method and the other learning approaches. Students who learnt through MATLAB technology supported learning in combination with collaborative method were found to understand concepts of functions of two variables better than students learning through the other methods of learning. These, hence, are informative of the potential approaches universities would follow for a better students' understanding of concepts.

359-379

Authors: R.O. Iwintolu, E.R.I. Afolabi

This study constructed and validated multiple-choice items using dichotomous and polytomous scoring in Mathematics. It examined the difficulty and discrimination indices of polytomous items using dichotomous scoring; the thresholds and discrimination indices of the items using polytomous scoring (GRM) and compared the discrimination indices of the items in both scoring formats. The population of the study comprised secondary schools' students in Lagos State, Nigeria. The sample consisted of 1015 students; these were selected from two Education Districts (EDs) from the six EDs in the state using simple random sampling technique. The results revealed that more than half of the items had high difficulty indices with corresponding high discrimination indices, using dichotomous scoring. It showed the items had moderate transition locations and discrimination indices, using polytomous scoring. It also indicated that there was a significant difference in the discrimination indices of both scoring methods.

402-417

Authors: S.B. Olajide

Research, the painstaking gathering and verification of evidence that builds into ideas that should lead to the resolution of given problems, is one scholarly endeavour that has impacted greatly on the quality of man's life. As a result, considerable resources are devoted to research in different disciplines and at various levels of education across the world years in years out. In spite of the importance of research, it would seem that man has not applied it rigorously enough for problem solving, especially in the humanities, which include the arts, social sciences, law and education. It is possible for research in these academic areas to be strengthened with more purposeful use of tests, which are carefully designed instruments for gathering information that could lead to balanced judgements regarding knowledge dissemination and application. Thus, this paper is an attempt to advocate more appropriate use of test in the conduct of research in the humanities. In so doing, the paper explores the meaning, nature and scope of test and suggests ways of more effectively suiting it to research.

435-459

Authors: Z. Abraha, W.M. Tarekegne

The purpose of this study was to examine teachers' conceptions, perceptions, and practices of the inquiry based teaching method (IBTM) in science classrooms in secondary schools of the South West Shewa Zone of Ethiopia. In order to meet the objectives of this study, a descriptive survey design was employed. Thus, 116 teachers, ten principals, and four supervisors were selected using availability sampling as well as 347 students were selected using stratified cluster sampling. Questionnaires and interviews were used for collecting data. A classroom observation structured checklist was used to supplement the data. The data obtained through the questionnaires were analyzed using frequency, percentages mean, and standard deviation. The information obtained through open-ended questionnaires and the interview was qualitatively analyzed to support the quantitative data. The findings revealed that the majority of teachers had awareness on IBTM, they believed that IBTM was useful for students learning but they did not use it in their classroom. The major challenges identified were lack of a conducive learning environment, students' interest toward the inquiry based method; large class size, teachers' work load, lack of teaching materials, and lack of teachers' experience in using inquiry based teaching method.

15-30

Authors: P.J.E. Alegado

This paper describes the educational context and structure of the Philippines as I go through an analysis of the challenges that hinder school improvement and student performance. I highlighted two phenomena that make it a challenge for teacher leadership to thrive: one is the traditional ‘principal-oriented’ nature of leadership and second, the lack of teacher involvement and independence due to the structural and hierarchal nature that it follows. I argue that these conditions limit the role the teachers play in the organization. The application of teacher leadership in the local context can make a significant contribution to ‘de-privatizing the practice’ which is currently focused on the principal-ship or administrator-ship. The concept is so critical for collective learning where all teachers are given the opportunity to exercise influence on their own classroom or school settings and contribute using their own expertise, knowledge and other personal assets as the Philippines enters a critical period of a new era adopting a new-fangled educational curriculum called K-12.

48-62

Authors: E.O. Ogedengbe, T.O. Adelekun, T.T. Eyengho, S.M. Ogunleye, K.M. Bankole

The study examined the influence of gender on job satisfaction of teachers in Ile-Ife Osun State. The study adopted a survey research design. The population consisted of all public and private secondary school teachers in IIe-Ife, Osun State. The sample size for the study comprised 200 teachers randomly selected from ten secondary schools in four Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state. The instrument used for the study was a 45 items scale titled Teachers’ Job Satisfaction scale (TJSS), which was patterned after the Likert format where 4=Strongly Agree, 3=Agree, 2=Disagree and 1=Strongly Disa-gree. The instrument had two sections A and B. Section A contains items on demographic information while section B contains 45 items which was self-developed to ascertain the level of Teachers’ Job Satisfaction. The instrument was validated by tests and measurement experts, Cronbach’s Alpha and split-half reliability test was used to determine it reliability which resulted to 0.80 and 0.89 respectively. Data were analysed using t-test, ANOVA and descriptive statistics. Findings showed that different teachers have different opinion about Job Satisfaction of Teachers as shown in item 10 with moderate mean and high standard deviation (mean=3.0513; standard deviation= 2.7393). In addition, findings showed that there was a significant difference in teachers’ job satisfaction of male and female (t=-0.742; p<0.05). Findings further showed that there was a significant difference in the teachers' job satisfaction for teachers with varying length of teaching experience (f=0.111; p<0.05)

101-122

Authors: M. Atnafu

The purpose of this study was to examine Addis Ababa city schools mathematics teachers' responses on the paper folding activities and perception on implementing paper folding in teaching mathematics. Exploratory survey design and quantitative and qualitative research methods were used. 75 mathematics teachers were selected by cluster and simple random sampling. Training manual activities and questionnaire were used for data collection, and analysed using mean, standard deviation, independent samples t-test and qualitative analysis. Some of the findings were the primary school teachers have better perceptions than the secondary school teachers and male teachers have better perceptions than female teachers in the importance of applying paper folding in teaching mathematics than female teachers. The primary and secondary school teachers and male and female teachers have almost similar challenges in implementing paper folding in teaching mathematics. In addition, some of the teachers challenged in drawing of perfect figures, cutting or folding the papers to get the properties of mathematical expressions. Therefore, some of the recommendations were training on paper folding should be given at the beginning of the year for mathematics teachers; paper folding is included in the design of the curriculum; and necessary materials should be provided.

140-152

Authors: O. Ahmed

As contradictions among past studies on the effect of locus of control on academic achievement and dearth of researches on the effect of time and study management on academic achievement in Bangladeshi context, the present study was aimed to investigate the effect of locus of control, and time and study management in predicting academic achievement in Bangladeshi context. Study population was secondary school students, of whom a sample of 113 respondents was selected through multi-stages sampling techniques. Findings revealed significant positive correlation among locus of control, time and study management, and academic achievement. Locus of control, and time and study management environment explained 42.5% of variance of academic achievement. Findings also suggested that locus of control, and time and study management were significant predictors of academic achievement and both variables had positive effect on academic achievement.

173-204

Authors: B. V. Toshev

The paper contains a full bibliography of the scientific contributions by Dr. Liliana Boyanova, f. associate professor in the Research Laboratory on Chemistry Education and History and Philosophy of Chemistry, University of Sofia. For a long period of time this university unit was a Department of Chemistry Education at the Faculty of Chemistry. This Department was responsible for the training of students of Chemistry to become High School teachers in Chemistry.

220-232

Authors: D. Pavlovic, Z.S. Petrovic

The main research objective of this paper is to point out potentials and limitations of the Internet in the process of learning in higher education, through review and analysis of literature. The results of this theoretical study emphasize positive aspects of the Internet use in the learning process of university students that arise from the Internet features such as high technical capabilities, power, speed, universality and accessibility, as well as high sensitivity of young people to the means of new media. The positive effects of the applica-tion of the Internet were pointed out in research studies that analysed the pro-cess of innovation in higher education, the changes in the culture of learning, or certain aspects of personality development of university students. In contrast, some studies pointed out the limitations that may occur when using the Internet in the learning process related primarily to the credibility of the infor-mation, light and entertaining content dominance, and dependence on technology. Accordingly, it is recommended to adopt the measures on a larger scale that will affect the greater use of the Internet in the process of acquiring knowledge, especially in the field of higher education.

246-266

Authors: O.O. Olatomide

The study examined retirement adjustment of teacher-retirees in Osun State, and explored the interaction effects of pre-retirement guidance and family in-volvement on retirement adjustment. Exposit-facto design was used. The population comprised retirees from public, civil and private establishments from which 122 teacher-retirees were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. An instrument: Family Involvement, Pre-retirement Guidance and Retirement Adjustment Questionnaire was used for data collection. Three research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that retirees in Osun State are not optimally adjusted, and positive significant interaction effect was found between family involvement and pre-retirement guidance on retirees adjustment, among others. Appropriate policy implications are outlined.

279-293

Authors: M.F. Faremi

This study assessed the relationship between teacher retention and job security in private secondary schools in Ogun state, Nigeria. The study assessed ade-quacy in teaching and learning infrastructure, evaluated mode of recruitment of teachers, the factors responsible for high teacher turnover and teachers retention strategies employed in private secondary schools. Descriptive research of the survey design was employed in this study. Data were collected using questionnaire. Multistage sampling technique was used for data collection among 200 teachers including the school principals. Data collected were analyzed with a mixture of descriptive and inferential statistics. Percentages, mean and frequency counts were used to answer the research questions raised while Pearson Moment Correlation Coefficient and t-test analysis were used to test the formulated hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings from this study revealed that teaching and learning infrastructure were inadequate in most of the schools. It was observed that books, classroom and teachers were very adequate in some of the schools. However, few of the schools had internet facility for knowledge transfer and student exposure to the worldwide web. The study also showed that the proprietors were primarily responsible for staff recruitment although there were instances where formal advertisement for recruitment was made. The study further revealed a significant relationship between teacher retention strategies and job security in private secondary schools in Osun state. The study also showed a significant relationship between teacher turnover and job security in the schools. In addition, the findings showed a significant relationship between teacher turnover and job security in private secondary schools in Osun state. Lastly, the study revealed a significant difference in the mean rate and female teachers' turnover in the selected private secondary schools. Based on the findings, it was therefore recommended that teacher retention strategies should include prompt payment of salary, workers welfare packages, good working conditions, teacher mentoring programme, teacher preparation and the provision of basic amenities for effective academic calendar in the secondary schools to ensure job security in private secondary schools.

320-337

Authors: S. 'Tayo Subair

Governance and management of higher education worldwide, bothers on management�s and staff�s acceptability of being responsible for their decisions and actions; stewardship, fairness in terms of justice and equity, and all other aspects of administrative performance. This study assessed the moral, process and supervisory accountability in Nigerian higher education. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design using purposive sampling technique. A total of 1,000 academic and administrative staff members drawn from two federal universities in the Southwestern geopolitical zone of Nigeria constitut-ed the sample frame. Two instruments tagged "Accountability Assessment Questionnaire Types A and B" for academic and non-academic staff respec-tively were used to obtain needed information from the respondents. The results obtained showed agreement to all assessed variables on moral accounta-bility except payment of allowances 77.8% as and when due. Similarly, process accountability was considered good as values above 60% was obtained in the average on documentation, review of activities and staff promotions among others; however, supervisory accountability was equally good except that reward for excellence among staff 62.9% was not institutionalized. The study therefore concluded that for staff in Nigerian higher education to be appreciated for their passion and commitment to work, payment of their allowances as and when due should be taken serious and timely. Recognition should equally be given to members of staff to serve as motivator for others. University management should not wait for staff to embark on strike actions before they are attended to as this would infringe on public perception of their moral, process and supervisory accountability.

352-369

Authors: V. Lamanauskas, D. Augiene Preview

Career management as a lifelong lasting process becomes very actual in today's modern society because of many reasons. The environment becomes turbulent, in a general sense; therefore, it is natural that career environment, basically, is chaotic as well. Nevertheless, career for many people is, undoubtedly, very important, because it is directly related to life quality. Professional activity satisfies almost all human needs: physiological, safety, social, attainment, self-realisation, independence, autonomy and other. The efficiency of the mentioned activity and the ability of the personality to construct his career are closely related things. Individual's career process studies are especially popular recently, because deeper career perception helps to understand the most important relations between man and work, career management and constant learning, helps not only to know man's abilities, but also the abilities to give oneself to modern environment, to understand career projection possibilities, to plan one's professional future. Seeking to analyse final-year university student position regarding career questions, a written form survey was carried out. The research was carried out between September 2015 and March 2016. The research sample (185) was structured applying a consecutive 'bunch' system. The respondents from three Lithuanian universities Klaipėda, Vilnius and Šiauliai, were selected in the sample. Professional career parameters were evaluated: career conception, the importance of work values and abilities, study influence, promoting and limiting factors and personal qualities. The research is grounded on a mixed strategy, when quantitative and qualitative research approach is combined. The obtained results, based on qualitative analysis, about professional personal career promoting and limiting factors and personal qualities are presented in this research.

384-416

Authors: A.O.A. Awofala

A strong foundation in mathematics as a science of thinking may lead to an improved performance in chemistry. The study investigated attitudes towards mathematics as predictors of preservice teachers' achievement in senior secondary school chemistry among 325 Nigerian preservice chemistry teachers from two public universities in Lagos State, Nigeria using the quantitative research method within the blueprint of descriptive survey design of an expost facto type. Data collected were analysed using the descriptive statistics of mean, and standard deviation and inferential statistics of independent samples t-test, Pearson product moment correlation, analysis of variance and multiple regression analysis. Findings revealed that gender differences in attitudes towards mathematics and dimensions of attitudes towards mathematics among preservice chemistry teachers were at a zero-tolerance level while grade level of the preservice chemistry teachers was a factor in their attitudes towards mathematics. Grade level, gender and value in mathematics made statistically significant contributions to the variance in preservice teachers' achievement in senior secondary school chemistry. Based on the results of this study, it was recommended that chemistry teacher educators should emphasise the connec-tions between chemistry and mathematics for effective learning at the preservice teacher level.

28-50

Authors: T.L. Adepoju

Vocational and technology education (VTE) is widely recognized as agent of technological development, industrial revolution, economic growth and voca-tional independence all over the world. In Nigeria, attempts have been made by various governments to restructure the system so as to keep pace with what operates in developed countries and to meet global competitions and best prac-tices. However, in this paper, the need for the renewal and paradigm shift in the curriculum contents of vocational and technological education is empha-sized. The paper e-rays the historical development of vocational and technolo-gy education in Nigeria from the colonial era. The paper further examines is-sues associated with implementation of a reviewed curriculum and the partici-pation of VTE in industrial revolution and vocational independence. A curvi-linear model and two equations are developed in the paper to explain the as-sumed linear correlation between curriculum renewal and technological break-through (technological development, industrial revolution, economic growth and vocational independence). The challenges facing VTE in Nigeria and the implications of the proposed curriculum renewal for stakeholders are highlight-ed in the paper.

67-82

Authors: M. Marković, V. Spasenović, Z. Stanisavljević Petrović

In the education system reform which is currently underway in Serbia and in most countries of the region, considerable attention has been paid to modern media technologies. Although a whole decade has passed since the initiation of the reform there have been no significant developments regarding the school system computerisation, which resulted in raising the issue of integration and seeking valid arguments which indicate the key role of new media in the re-structuring of the school system. In that context, the basic goal of this paper is an analysis of primary research studies which suggest the reasons for the inte-gration of new media into the school system in order to set out the reform guidelines regarding the application of information and communication tech-nologies in formal education. The results of the analysis attest to a large num-ber of compelling reasons for implementing modern media technologies into the system of educational institutions. Among them one should distinguish the general reasons which deal with improving the quality of and bridging the gap between formal and informal education. The selected research studies state objective reasons such as rationality and cost-effectiveness, as well as peda-gogical reasons relating to the learning context innovation, presence of new knowledge sources provided by Internet resources, changes in the process of learning instigated by the development of e-learning and a higher motivation of the participants in the process of education. In the conclusion of this re-search the authors emphasise the necessity of integrating media technologies into the school system for the purposes of creating a modern coherent system founded on networking, communication and exchange.

121-131

Authors: M. Shehu, Y. Zhurda

The Internet plays important functions in identity formation, personal autono-my, and relationships outside the family. It allows teens to develop their own interests, to identify with others. The aim of the study is to present concrete evidence regarding to the communication through social networks and parental care in the management of online communication. Referring questionnaire “Student Needs Assessment Survey” by N. E. Willard (2007), but the author has selected questions to the scope of its study. The sample of the study includes 255 pupils aged 15 – 19 (110 Male and 145 Female). The statistical data processing was performed by SPPS statistical program, version 20. Cronbach’s Alpha 0.764 were used to assess the reliability of the instrument. The most favorite activity on the Internet by the teens is navigation on the In-ternet to see/learn new things (68.6%), during the week the subjects spend ap-proximately less than 2 hours per day (34.1% of them). Most of teenagers (82.7%) claims to have communication with their parents about how they treats their friends and 56.5% of them say that sometimes have control by their par-ents for what they do online. If pupils would victim of pressure on the internet and do not have opportunities to can be contained by those 69% of them approve that they would tell to their parents and also (63.9%) to school staff members. When there have been cases of violence, even threatening suicide rate of reporting and collaboration between parent - teacher is high, while in other elements resulting lower interest rates. One of the main factors in man-agement of this online communication and Internet is the parent care, which is considered most important in terms of education and not only.

160-170

Authors: T. Peev

The application of the Academic Staff Development Act (2010) has led to a significant increase of the associate professors and professors in the Bulgarian higher schools and scientific organizations. The lack of effective control in the implementation of the habilitation procedures, provided for by the law, is the cause of the numerous abuses committed, which affect the quality of the newly promoted academic staff. An example of a crude deviation from the science criteria, a lack of scientific competence in the chosen scientific jury, and a compromised but successful awarding of the educational and scientific degree "doctor" (PhD) is described and discussed in the present article.

188-192

Authors: B. V. Toshev

ISBN 978-619-167-179-3

234-249

Authors: M. A. Yusuf, C. O. Agbara

The study examined the teachers' skills in identification and management of secondary school students' talent in Ondo State. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design for the study. The population of the study com-prised 3462 secondary schools' teachers in Ondo Central Senatorial District while the sample consisted of 360 teachers. Multistage sampling technique was used to select the sample. The first stage was a simple random technique to select three Local Government Areas from six Local Government Areas in the District. Proportionate sampling technique was used to select 24 secondary schools from the three Local Government Areas selected. The last stage in-volved using proportionate stratified random sampling to select a total of 360 teachers. Data for the study were collected using questionnaire tagged Teachers' Shills in Identifying Students' Talents Questionnaire (TSITQ). Data collected were analysed using frequency count and simple percentages. The results showed that the predominant skill used by teachers in identifying students' talents were Guidance and Counselling, Motivation, Creative teaching and Pedagogical. It was found out that motivational strategy (in form of gifts, prizes and scholarship) was predominantly used by teachers in managing students' talents followed by independent study, creative teaching and pro-gramme planning. Based on the findings of the study it was therefore recommended that teachers should improve on their strategies such as independent study, creative teaching, individualised instructions and programme planning in managing secondary school students' talents.

273-296

Authors: V. N. Anunobi, A. I. Gambari, M. B. Abdullahi, T. O. Alabi

The study examined the Effects of Web-Based Instruction on Junior Secondary School Students' Retention in Basic Technology in Nigeria. Quasi-experimental design (pretest-posttest, non-equivalent, non-randomized control group design) was adopted in this study. 119 Junior Secondary School class two (JSS II) students were drawn from four co-educational registered private secondary schools in Minna Metropolis, Nigeria. Three research questions with corresponding hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. Basic Technology Achievement Test (BTAT) consists of 50 items, multiple choice objectives question was used for data collection. Web-based instruction (WBI) and BTAT were validated by education technology experts, computer experts, industrial and technology education lecturers, secondary school basic technology teachers and basic technology students. BTAT was subjected to pilot test and 0.90 reliability coefficient was obtained using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. BTAT was administered on students in experimental and control groups and data obtained were analyzed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) to test the hypotheses. The results of the study indicated that students exposed to Web-Based Instruction retained basic technology concepts than their counterparts exposed to Conventional Teaching Method. There was no significant difference between the mean retention scores of male and female student exposed to Web-based instructions; high, medium, and low achievers' students exposed to WBI retained the concept of Basic Technology equally. Based on the above findings it was recommended that Web-Based Instruction should be used to improve students retention in Basic Technology.

314-339

Authors: B. V. Toshev

The literature on the life and work of Professor Assen Zlatarov, a chemist, is huge. However, in this massive of papers and books, interpretations or political suggestions prevailed. The aim of this paper is to present the "unknown" Zlatarov showing his forgotten papers, published in 1930s in rare or inaccessible sources.

347-354

Authors: B. V. Toshev

Дамянов, Д. (2015). Будители, наука, образование: статии и интервюта (1990-2014). София: изд. Захарий Стоянов, 615 с. ISBN 978-954-09-0924-0