Merit Research Journal of Education and Review

028-053

Authors: Peter James Kpolovie and Isaac Esezi Obilor

This study employed Utilitarian Evaluation Design and Discrepancy Evaluation Model, which are the most suitable in educational programme evaluation, to evaluate the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) from its commencement of admission in 2003 to 2013. The study covered headquarters and all the 49 Study Centres of NOUN throughout the six geopolitical regions in Nigeria. A sample of 902 was drawn from students of NOUN, and staff of NOUN, National Universities Commission and conventional Federal Universities in Nigeria. A highly valid Utilitarian Evaluation Questionnaire with reliability coefficient of 0.86 was developed for data collection. The research questions were answered using measures of central tendency, and the hypotheses were tested with One-Way Analysis of Variance and independent samples t-test at 0.05 alpha. Results indicated that though NOUN has been partially implemented as defined with aspects of the objectives achieved; great disparity exists between the expected and actual outcomes; and that NOUN is significantly inadequate in addressing the ‘higher education for all in need’ intervention for which it was established. It was recommended among others that funding of NOUN be increased, more Study Centres established, and a National Open and Distance Education Commission be established to supervise, monitor and regulate the NOUN. Keywords: Utilitarian evaluation design, Summative evaluation model, National Open University of Nigeria, Higher education, Open and Distance learning, Life-long learning.

019-027

Authors: Syed Usman Shah, Syed Waqas Ali Kausar and Abdulwahid Sial

Madrassa is considered to be the main symbol of Muslim identity and culture. It is often said that the nations which forget their culture, are destined to perish. Today, the Madrassa does not hold that place in our society, which it should have. The education system followed in Madrassa does not seem to be effective and need based. It is not modern enough to interpret Islamic principles in the contemporary context. The sect-specific Islamic curricula of Madrassa without any integration with sciences, arts, humanities etc, segregate it from any other need based educational system followed all over the globe. The purpose of the study is to identify the effectiveness of the madras education, difference among the various schools of thought in the term of effectiveness and what are the main factors which contribute in effectiveness of madras education. The effectiveness of Madrassa education was estimated from a sample of 146 respondents, comprising teachers, students and parents. The data was collected through questionnaires with Likert Scale and focused group meetings. Measurement of data normality Skewness, Kurtosis, Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests were used which result shows that data is normal and allow proceeding for the further investigation. One sample T-test was used to identify that various schools of thought are effective in imparting contemporary modern and need based education to its students which result shows that all schools of thoughts are ineffective. Measurement of Difference among the various schools of thought Anova was used which result shows that there is significant difference occur among these schools of thought in all dimensions. Regression was used to identify the predictors which are contributing in effectives of Madrassa which result shows that all independent variables like pedagogy, Openness, Regulation and Curriculum have potential contribution in effectiveness. The education of Madrassa students, who are mostly from lower social strata, is kept limited to religion and they can only be employed in religious sectors. This tendency, not only creates a social divide on the basis of poverty but also on the basis of approach / thinking. Reforms in the educational system of Madrassa are needed by including scientific and non-theological subjects in curricula and improving the existing pedagogical practices. These also need to establish Madrassa boards in conjunction with existing boards of educations so that Madrassa students can also adopt a more productive course by accessing the mainstream professions. Keywords: Madrassa Education in Pakistan, Need Base Education

015-018

Authors: Akashraj D. P. and Pushpa C. O.

Development cannot happen in isolation whether it may be in micro or macro level. So there is a need for a strong tool to connect people instantly so that the knowledge transfer is never ending and instant. Media for development uses to convey messages on issues such as health care, poverty reduction, good governance, environmental protection and community development, socio-economic and cultural development. Today the world is becoming a small place to live in and share knowledge, ideas and passing over valuable culture to the next generation, all the above said things is possible through social networking and media. Every aspect in the society has positive and negative externalities so we need to see how these negative externalities can be balanced and surpassed through positive externalities to reach development in all dimensions. For the study, survey was conducted with 100 samples as primary data. Keywords: Development, Social Network, Externalities, Culture, Media

008-014

Authors: Dr. Gamal Ahmed Ahmed Abdullah Alawi

This paper concentrates on the information and communication technology tools and e-learning channels to qualify pre-service and in-service teachers. It offers a good correlation between ICT, e-learning and their usability on learning. The research with 200 participants’ curriers out and establishes a model using AMOS program which can explain 91% of learning with good model fit. This model can infer the effect of ICT, E-Learning on learning in Yemen. The subjects make use of different elements with multiple techniques such as multimedia, Internet and Intranet in full time and multi-tasks such searching, browsing, downloading (audio, video and appropriate software), copying, listening and watching associate text, audio and video respectively. It encourages teachers to use chat room for more discussion in the category of online co-operative learning and finally report their information in different styles on www. Keywords: ICT, E-learning, Usability, Information, Technology, Teachers

001-007

Authors: Shabnam Shakernia

This study aimed to investigate the use of Nida’s formal and dynamic equivalence and Newmark’s Semantic and communicative translation on two short stories. The present study aimed to investigate which of these approaches are the main focuses of the translators in the translations of the two short stories. In order to systematically conduct the study, two short stories with their corresponding Persian translations were analyzed. The findings obtained from the analysis show that the readability of the translation especially in short stories is more important than preserving the original wording. Moreover, the findings manifest that these translations are also tried to have naturalness. Keywords: Formal and dynamic equivalence, Semantic and communicative translations, Stories, Translators, Naturalness