IMPACT : International Journal of Research in Engineering & Technology

15-26

Authors: Paul Nyagorme

This study has been reported on the extent to which Distance Learners are ready to take up the deployment of eLearning as an alternative mode to the fortnightly face to face sessions organized at the various study centres across the Country, Ghana. Specifically, this study sought to predict the rate of eLearning utilization taking into consideration determinants such as eLearning perceived usefulness, self-efficacy, and attitude of Distance Learners. The theory guiding this study was the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA). According to Fishbein and Ajzen (1980), people behave in a certain direction, if they perceived that the outcome of the antecedent behavior will be beneficial to them. In this context, this study hypothesized that UCC Distance students will tend to use eLearning if they perceived usage to be beneficial to them. Three sets of questionnaires, with Cronbath’s Alpha reliability coefficients above 0.70, were used to collect data. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the data collected from 472 distance students of the University of Cape Coast. Regression and one way anova statistical tools were used to test the hypotheses. The results of the study indicated that there are regional differences shown by UCC distance students in relation to how they perceived the usefulness of eLearning, their self-efficacy and attitude towards eLearning. This study also revealed that the University of Cape Coast, distance students’ use of eLearning is not dependent on how they perceived eLearning to be useful. Again the study found that distance students’ use of eLearning cannot be predicted by their attitude towards eLearning. Rather, Distance learners’ perceived eLearning self-efficacy is a major predictor of eLearning usage at the College of Distance Education, university of Cape Coast. This study, therefore recommends that ICT- based training programmers should be periodically organized for the distance students, which should take cognizance of the regional differences established by this study.

33-40

Authors: Adeoye, A. O, Adewoyin, A. G& Akande E.A

Locust beans have been utilized as condiment (seasoning agent, flavor enhancer) from time immemorial. It is produced locally and so can be purchased in the local market all over Nigeria. The local processing operation which does not have standard control procedure has been known to attract various hazards which can affect its qualities. As a result, microbiological study of each unit operation is necessary to assess the hazard points and possible attention and remedy. Samples of the locust beans were collected at each of the processing steps of the unit operation. The bacterial populations of the samples were estimated using pour plate technique, identification of the bacterial isolate by standard microbiological methods (disc agar diffusion method). Characterization of bacteria isolates were based on gram staining, morphological, cultural characteristics and biochemical test. The antibiotic susceptibility profile of the isolate was also determined. The bacterial load obtained ranges from 0.50 TVC X 108 to 32.0 TVC X 108. The number of distinct colonies obtained per plate ranges from 2.0 to 5.0 colonies. The Statistical analysis showed that Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus have the highest frequency of occurrence (19.40 %), Pseudomonas auraginosa and staphylococcus epidermis have the lowest occurrence (4.48 %). Bacterial isolated include Staphilococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermis, Bacillus subtilis, E. coli. Among the organisms isolated Staphylococcus aureous, Bacillus subtilis, Clostridium spp, Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeuraginosa showed multiple Antibiotic Resistance. The percentage MAR ranges between 22-44 %. This study showed that there is a need for improvement in the processing methods starting from the collection of seeds on the farm to the final product.