http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/24 2026-04-04T12:42:33Z http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/4854 A study of teachers’ use of language on junior high school Students’ conceptual understanding of some mathematics Concepts Eshun, E.S. The purpose of the study was to explore the influence of language use on Junior High School students’ understanding of the conceptual understanding of some mathematical concepts used by teachers in and out of Mathematics context. It is believed that acquisition of mathematical ability is a subtle process, but dialogue between the learner and teacher is imperative and this depends on effective communication. The study was a descriptive survey that used the mixed methods approach. Direct classroom observation, focus group interview, as well as content analyses of the participants’ verbatim classroom talk, and questionnaires were used for data collection. The findings have revealed that instructional language in Mathematics classroom at the JHS can be a major influence on the level of students’ understanding and retention of Mathematics concepts. Evidence was seen in Mathematics teachers’ lack of explicit awareness of functional values of some Mathematics concept; Minus verses Negative’, ‘Simplify verses Reduce’, ‘Average verses Mean’, ‘Breadth verses Breathe’, ‘Whole verses Hole’, ‘Similarity verses Congruence’, etc which lead to misunderstanding and misinterpretation of mathematical tasks. It was recommended that rigorous in-service training on appropriate use of mathematical language should be organized for basic school teachers to equip them for effective teaching and learning of Mathematics in Junior High schools in Ghana. Mathematics experts with education background should also be employed by the government to write Mathematics textbook with appropriate vocabulary of language. 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/4852 Making employee training and development a tool for efficiency and effectiveness in Ghanaian Universities Esia-Donkoh, K. Employee training and development are considered critical when it comes to employee efficiency, effectiveness and productivity. The proposition of this paper was that employee training and development could ensure efficiency and effectiveness in university administration. The paper focused on the benefits of training and development, and training methods. It also buttressed some training and development programmes in Ghanaian universities. The paper concluded that the success of every organization, including universities, depends heavily on quality human resources. It therefore follows that there is the need for universities in Ghana to ensure that programmes designed for training and development are holistic in nature to equip employees with the requisite knowledge, attitude, skills and experience for job effectiveness. It is thus recommended that management of universities, especially those in Ghana should make training and development programmes a continuous activity to maintain and appraise employees’ skill levels, and motivate them to grow and improve professionally. 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/4851 Stress coping strategies of 2012/2013 final year sandwich students of the department of basic education, University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Ghana Esia-Donkoh, K The study sought to investigate the type of stress that 2012/2013 final year sandwich students of the Department of Basic Education, UEW, Ghana, experience most and the type of coping strategies they adopt in managing stress. Four hundred and fifty-three (453) final year students were purposively sampled for the study. However, four hundred and six (406) students were used for the analysis because they correctly filled and returned their questionnaire. The questionnaire used to collect the data for the study was adapted from Carver, Scheier and Weintraub (1989). The findings from the study revealed that 56.6% of the respondents mostly experience acute stress, 28.6% mostly experienced chronic stress while 14.8% mostly experienced episodic stress. The study also showed that restraint coping strategy (mean=4.07, standard deviation=0.95) was always used as a problem-focused coping strategy while positive reinterpretation and growth(mean=4.15, standard deviation=0.91) was always used as an emotion-focused coping strategy. It was found out that the students used more of problem-focused strategies (meam of means=3.53, standard deviation=1.03) in managing stress than emotion-focused strategies (mean of means=3.27, standard deviation=1.10). It is recommended among other things that the Counselling Unit of UEW, Ghana, in collaboration with the various faculties should organize regular seminars and workshops on Time Management and Stress Management for sandwich students in UEW. Again, the Sports Directorate of the University should formulate programmes on physical exercises and sporting activities that will benefit sandwich students in managing stress situations they go through while on campus. 2014-03-01T00:00:00Z http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/4850 An investigation into the poor academic performance of students at selected public basic schools in Obuasi Municipality Ghanney, R.A; Aniagyei, D.F The study investigated the poor academic performance of students at three selected junior high schools in Obuasi Municipality, seeking to determine the inputs and processes that contributed to such an outcome. Based on the study’s research questions and aims, the researchers chose an exploratory design that combined both qualitative and quantitative methods for collecting and analysing the data. The target population for the study comprised students, teachers and parents in respect of all basic schools in Obuasi Municipality. However, the accessible population was limited to students, parents and teachers in Obuasi West Circuit. The study employed both simple random and stratified sampling techniques. Questionnaires and past records were used as data sources. Cross tabulation was adopted for analysis of the relationship between inputs and processes, and performance outputs. The study found that most respondents accepted that all inputs and processes contributed moderately to very significantly to poor academic performance. It is therefore concluded that there is a need for all stakeholders- government departments, teachers, parents and students,etc- to play their respective parts in addressing the factors that contribute to poor student performance in the schools under study if it is to be improved. 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z