ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The use of songs in the teaching and learning process of early childhood a study of selected schools in the Oforikrom Sub-Metro of the Ashanti Region

The study examined how teachers, caregivers and handlers employ music in their daily activities and the type of songs used. It inquired into the contribution of songs and musical activities in the teaching and learning process and the response of pupils to music in their studies at early childhood. It also ascertained the teachers’ and handlers’ ability to use music and its qualities in the teaching process. In addition, it also found out the resource situation for music making at the early childhood. The mixed method and simple random sampling with questionnaire, interview and observation guides were used. It was realised that most of the early childhood teachers have challenges making music a part of the teaching process. Teaching and learning materials in the area of music were hard to come by, and the few instruments available were not in the best of condition. The study revealed an under-utilisation of music as a tool for imparting knowledge to the pupils on the part of the teachers who exhibited gross inability to appropriately adopt music/songs in the teaching and learning process. The study also showed the lack of musical instruments to enable the pupils manipulate and learn on first-hand experience. The implication of the lapses means deficient learning situation which can drastically reduce teachers’ confidence and impede learners’ holistic development.

Source: UEW
The use of the first principle approach to enable selected SHS students deduce the limiting reagents in chemical reactions

An action research was conducted by providing an alternative method, first principle approach, to enable students deduce limiting reagents in chemical reactions. Purposive sampling technique was employed to select 50 SHS 2 science students at Sunyani Senior High School in the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana for the study. This sampling technique was used because the participants needed to be students who had just completed a course in stoichiometry and chemical equations in chemistry. The instruments used to gather data in this study were questionnaire and tests. The internal consistency of the items on the instruments was verified by examining the coefficient alpha of the various items in the instrument using the scores from the pilot-testing to determine the reliability. The overall reliability coefficient alpha for each of the two (2) test instruments constructed was found to be 0.70. After recording the scores from the pre-intervention and post-intervention tests, the SPSS version 16.0 computer programming for analysing data was used to analyse the scores. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data in terms of standard deviation, frequencies, percentages and bar charts. The findings of the study indicate that the first principle approach helped the students to deduce the limiting reactants in chemical reactions better than other approaches. This is evident by the fact that 80% of the students scored at least 50% of the marks in the post-intervention test, after they have been introduced to the first principle approach, as against only 14% students scoring at least 50% of the marks in the pre-intervention test. It is recommended that teachers consider the use of this first University of Education, Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh 11 principle approach during instruction for the benefit of all students. It is also suggested that further research be done on this topic by other researchers in other places of the country.

Source: UEW
Use of traditional games towards kindergarteners’ participation in numeracy activities in South Tongu District

The study examined how the use of traditional games towards kindergarteners participation in numeracy activities in the South Tongue District. The explanatory sequential design was adopted for the study. Using the simple random and purposive sampling techniques, 137 kindergarten teachers were involved in the study. The questionnaire and semi-structured interview guide were used to gather the requisite data for the study. The data were analysed through the computation of descriptive statistics such as frequencies, and percentages for the quantitative data while thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. The study revealed that, teachers in the South Tongu District use different types of traditional games such as Oware, Ampe, football games, Adiforfor, Anuti kple atortor games during their numeracy lessons. Also, active participation of learners as well as the cultural relevance of traditional games are some of the benefits that are derived from their usage in kindergarten centres in the South Tongu District that eased understanding of mathematical concepts. The study further revealed among others that the continuous professional development of teachers as well as the availability of enough resources to ensure the smooth implementation of traditional games in numeracy contents. The study, therefore, recommends that the South Tongu Educational Directorate and schools should organise regular workshop activities centred on the significant role of the use of traditional games in teaching and learning at kindergarten centres.

Source: UEW
The use of transitional devices in the writing of ESL learners a case of Bolgatanga girls SHS students

This thesis investigated the use of transitional devices by students of Bolgatanga Girls Senior High School. Three objectives were set for the research: to identify the kind of transitional devices that appear in the writing of senior high school students, the challenges that are associated with the use of transitional devices by the students and the causes of the problems of using transitional devices by the students. T o achieve these objectives, the researcher employed a case study approach. The researcher employed interviews and observation of students script for the collection of the data for the research. Essays of students were sampled for the extraction of the tran sitional devices used by the students. The data that was obtained was analysed based on the themes that emerged from the research questions. The findings of the study showed that Bolgatanga Girls’ Senior High School students use transitional devices of dif ferent categories in their writing tasks. The findings of the study revealed that the students contextually and semantically use connective devices appropriately, which makes their essays to achieve coherence and cohesion. It was shown by the study that ev en though the students use the connective devices appropriately, they overuse some of the transitional devices, while they avoid some. The study also showed that compound connective devices are sometimes misspelt by the students by writing them as separate words. The findings indicated that the teachers of English language place too much emphasis on the external examination; they also employ teacher teacher-centred methods in teaching; they do not adopt process approach to teaching transitional devices to the stude nts and the students also fail to undertake reading task on their own. The study recommended that teachers of English should teach transitional devices as distinct topic and adopt a learner learner-centred approach to teaching transitional devices to their student students.

Source: UEW
Use of Vclass in Mathematics Education Delivery: The UEW Experience

The onset of Covid-19 pandemic has compelled institutions of higher learning to experiment with various online learning management modes, in lieu of the traditional face-to-face mode of instruction. However, conclusions about the effectiveness and sustainability of these new learning modes are not well-established. This study explored experiences of mathematics education lecturers and students who were first time users of an online learning management system referred to as UEW vclass. The sample comprised 10 students pursuing the degree of Bachelor of Mathematics Education and four lecturers who taught them five different courses at the University of Education Winneba (UEW), Ghana. Data were collected via interviews, and a survey item created on Google forms and administered through WhatsApp pages of respondents. The results of SWOT analysis show that lecturers found the UEW vclass useful and amenable to their teaching and assessment practices. As first-time users, the lecturers found the course creation, online delivery and e-assessment practices exciting, though challenging in terms of their digital and pedagogical skillset. Internet connectivity and system errors affected lecturers� real-time lesson delivery sessions while the trustworthiness of e-assessment scores was a serious concern. Students found the UEW vclass suitable, convenient, interesting, and user friendly. However, students� challenges were login, network, timing, real-time feedback and typing mathematical symbols. The paper therefore recommends an upgrade of network bandwidth to improve access, a built-in math symbols app, training and orientation of lecturers and students. The hybrid mode of learning is also recommended to enhance learning outcomes. � 2022, IFIP International Federation for Information Processing.

Source: UEW
User competency of accounting information system, sustainable innovation and value creation among family businesses

The study examined the extent to which the user competencies such as accounting knowledge, educational level, experience, motivation and training impact accounting information system and value creation among family businesses. The study further examined the interaction effect of sustainable innovation in the relationship between user competency of accounting Information system and value creation. The target population consisted of all accounting staff working in various family businesses in the Central Region of Ghana with a sample size of eighty-six (86). The researcher used questionnaires to gather data from the respondents. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The study found that training, experience, educational level, and motivation had a significantly positive impact on value creation whiles accounting knowledge had an insignificant and negative effect on value creation. The finding also showed that sustainable innovation does not strengthen the association between user competency of accounting information system and value creation. Overall, the results contribute to an emerging area within accounting function effectiveness that highlights the significance of understanding the implementation process in adopting and in implementing proactive accounting information system within all institution in Ghana.

Source: UEW
User proficiency levels in three selected Microsoft packages among Senior Members in the Registrar’s Department (Winneba Campus) of the University of Education, Winneba

This report looks at the proficiency level of Senior Administrators of the Registrars Department at the University of Education, Winneba in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Forty items grouped under Word, Excel and PowerPoint were used to collect data on personnel in the department. While 91% of personnel were proficient in basic skills in Ms Word, only 51% and 54% respectively were proficient in intermediate and advance Ms Word skills. 65% were proficient in basic excel skills and 33% proficient in intermediate skills in excel. For PowerPoint, 58% were proficient in basic skills with only 25% in the intermediate/advance skills. Looking at the important roles administrators play in the University system, it is recommended that, remedial programmes are planned to enable them update their knowledge in the areas they lacking in.

Source: UEW
Using a model (tlms) to assist female junior high school pupils demonstrate rectilinear propagation of light in Bongo District

The study examined how to demonstrate Rectilinear Propagation of Light using a Model (TLMs) with Collaborative teaching techniques to assist female Junior High School pupils improve their academic performance in Rectilinear Propagation of Light. The study used a descriptive survey that employed the quasi-experimental research and non-randomised Control and Experimental groups’ pre-test – post-test design. The total population for the study was 227. The sample size was 74 students. The selection procedure was nonrandomised. Two Intact classrooms were used for the study. The Control group (Group A) and the Experimental group (Group B) consisted of an equal number of 37 students as this arrangement was the prevailing situation in the two intact classes at the time the study was conducted. Collaborative Approaches were used as treatment for the Group B; whiles the Traditional Method was used for the Group A. The instruments used in the study were Pre-tests, Post-tests and questionnaire. The reliability coefficients were found to be 0.736 and 0.751 for the pre-test and post-test respectively. Data were analysed using tables and bar charts. The results of the study revealed that the use of the Model resulted in significantly higher students’ achievement in Rectilinear Propagation of Light than the Traditional Method.

Source: UEW
Using activity approach to overcome Mansoman Senior High School form three students’ difficulties in mensuration

This research study was an action research which involved a sample of fiftyfour (54) students of form 3 General Arts ‘A’ class of Mansoman Senior High School in the Amansie West District of Ashanti Region, selected purposely for the study. The study was aimed at improving the performance of students in mensuration tasks involving areas and volumes of cylinders, cones and spheres. Pre-test and post-test were used in data collection. Pre-test and posttest scores obtained by the students were analyzed quantitatively using descriptive statistics. It was observed in the pre-test that the lowest score was 12.50% and the highest was 55.00%; but the mean score was 30.00% which means that majority of the students’ had marks around 30.00%. Considering the post-test, the lowest score was 35.00% whereas the highest score was 95.00%; and the mean score was around 67.69% which suggests that majority of the students did very well. These indicate that the intervention activities based on the activity approach helped the students to improve their performance on tasks related to cone, right circular cylinder and sphere. It is recommended that the activity approach to teaching and learning should be encouraged in all spheres of the mathematics classroom environments.

Source: UEW
Using activity method of teaching to improve upon the performance of SHS two home economic students in integrated science at Diabene secondary technical school in the Western region.

The study aimed at helping SHS 2 Home Economics students’ of Diabene Senior High Technical School, Takoradi in the Western Region of Ghana, on their performance in both class test and examinations in Integrated Science. Out of two hundred and fifty (250) students, one hundred and five (105) students made up of 95 boys and 10 girls were selected as sample size. The method for the sampling exercise was simple random sampling. Data were collected through interviews, observations and tests in Integrated Science. The data were analyzed using bar graphs expressed in percentages. Some of the findings derived were lack of teaching and learning materials to teach the subject, lack of class exercises due to large class size and lack of exposure of students to some educational trips. Based on the findings, an intervention was designed and implemented to address the problem of their poor performance. Some of the intervention strategies included the use of demonstration method in teaching science, grouping mixed ability students for practical activities using relevant teaching and learning materials, formation of science clubs, using some of the girls as laboratory assistants and organization of educational trips. University of Education, Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh Observation of the students during the implementation of the intervention revealed that they were highly excited when taught using activities that got them involved in the lesson.

Source: UEW
Using activity method to improve basic school pupils’ performance in integrated science

The purpose of this study was to use the practical activity method (hands-on) as the most effective instructional teaching approach or style to improve pupils’ academic performance in the learning of mixtures and changes of state of matter for pupils of Effutu Municipal Assembly Primary School. The study used a case study design (action research) and non-probability and purposive sampling techniques in choosing the participants for this study who were Primary Five pupils of the Effutu Municipal Assembly Primary School to obtain data for the study. The sample size for the study was sixty-three (63). Test and observation schedules were the main research instruments used. The data obtained from the tests were analysed using Frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations and related-samples wilcoxon Signed Rank test statistical tools to find out pupils’ achievement level after the intervention (activity method). The results revealed that the pupils had very limited knowledge and conceptual understanding of mixtures and changes of state of matter because the mean for all the pre-intervention test were very small as compared to the mean for the post intervention test. The results also showed that the performance of the pupils improved significantly after the activity method of teaching and learning of science interventions for mixtures and change of state of matter was carried out in the school. The results further indicated that, there was a statistically significant difference of 0.00 between pre-intervention and post- intervention performance of pupils’ preconceptions of mixtures. There was also a statistically significant difference of 0.00, between pre-intervention and post- intervention performance of the pupils’ conceptual understanding of mixtures and change of state of matter. It was recommended that the study be replicated using the activity method of teaching as instructional strategy to teach other concepts in integrated science.

Source: UEW
Using activity-based instruction to impart College of Education trainees’ attitude towards the study of science.

The study investigated the attitude of teacher trainees towards the study of science in the Colleges of Education. The study sought to look at students‟ attitude from four (4) significant perspectives namely; interest to do science, motivation to do science, level of students‟ involvement in science lessons and the type of interpersonal relationship between science teachers and students. The study also considered the effect of practical activities on students‟ performance as well as teachers‟ pedagogical strategies and students‟ attitude towards science as other issues worth investigating. In all fifty (50) students each from three Colleges was selected using stratified and purposive sampling techniques. The techniques helped to gather data on a large and diverse group of trainees. A twenty nine (29)-item questionnaire on a five (5) likert scale for students was used to collect data on students‟ attitude towards science. An instructional intervention activity was also carried out. The information gathered was analyzed under the four (4) main perspectives of attitude and under the two related issues considered using descriptive statistics. The study showed that students‟ attitude towards the study of science was not encouraging, per the perspectives considered. Some of the students were of the view that instructional method has no influence on students‟ attitude to study science whilst most of them were in the affirmative. There was also an indication that science teachers‟ instructional methods did not suit students learning style and as such influenced their disinterest in science, hence their poor attitude towards the subject. It is recommended that science teachers, especially those in the colleges of education, adopted Activity-based instructional approach in the teaching and learning of science. Again, stakeholders in education in the country are requested to periodically organize in-service training courses to improve teachers‟ self-esteem, self-confidence and self-efficacy. Arguments supporting the need for better science education in elementary schools have been based on the desire to University of Education, Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh v develop in today's students the knowledge, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required for the rapidly changing and technology based society (Plourde, 2002).

Source: UEW
Using animations and models to enhance the performance of students in biology at the St. Mary’s Boys Senior High School

This study investigated the use of animations and models to enhance the teaching and learning of biology at St Mary‟s Boys Senior High School, Takoradi in the Western Region of Ghana. It explored the views of students on biology as a subject as well as the views of students on the role of animations in learning. The population consisted of 60 students from two intact classes of Saint Mary‟s Boys Senior High School in the Western Region of Ghana. Based on the results of the pre-test, one of the classes was assigned to the control group, and the other to the experimental group. Interviews, questionnaires and test were used as the main instruments to collect data for the study. These instruments were examined and modified by lecturers in the Department of Science Education, University of Education, Winneba. The Cronbach Alpha reliability of the questionnaires, pre-test and post-test used were determined to have values ranging between 0.75 and 0.81. An animation-oriented instructional approach was applied in teaching the experimental group whereas the control group was taught without the use of models or animations. Analysis of the data gathered with the various instruments was conducted using the Statistical Package for The Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. The results showed that, there was a statistically significant difference in performance between the experimental and control group. The experimental group performed better in the post-test than the control group. It was recommended that biology teachers should employ an animation-oriented instructional approach in teaching biology to enhance students‟ understanding and performance in the subject.

Source: UEW