Papers by Sylvester Donkoh
Journal of Education and Learning
The study focused on the relationship between social media usage and test anxiety. It investigate... more The study focused on the relationship between social media usage and test anxiety. It investigated how specific uses of social media are associated with test anxiety. The study classified the uses of social media into four dimensions and explored the relationship between each of the four dimensions and test anxiety. The study also explored the test anxiety levels of students before, during, and after the test. A descriptive survey design was used for the study. This survey used a Test Anxiety and Social Networking Questionnaire to collect data from 106 College of Education students sampled using a multi-stage sampling procedure. The data collected from the respondents were analyzed using scatter plots, Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Co-efficient, mean scores, and independent samples T-test. It was found that the respondents’ test anxiety was generally high and it progressively increased from before to after the test. There was a strong positive correlation between test anxiety...
European Journal of Education Studies
The school as a microcosm of the society in which it is situated is as diverse as the society. He... more The school as a microcosm of the society in which it is situated is as diverse as the society. Heterogenous classrooms pose a challenge to teachers. Teachers have to work hard to overcome the challenge posed by teaching learners with diverse learning needs. Overcoming this challenge calls for teachers to be creative, dexterous, and innovative in applying differentiated instruction. The study sought to investigate basic school teachers understanding and use of differentiated instruction. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. A stratified sampling technique was used to sample 95 basic school teachers, comprising 44 private school teachers and 51 public school teachers. Data was collected using Differentiated Instruction Assessment Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results indicated that teachers who participated in the study did not have a good knowledge of differentiated instruction and its application in classrooms. Most of the teacher...
European Journal of Education Studies
Bandura’s reaction to the depictions of human agency that were propagated by the trait, behaviori... more Bandura’s reaction to the depictions of human agency that were propagated by the trait, behaviorist, and psychodynamic theories yielded the social cognitive theory. Through the social cognitive theory emerged the concept of self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is one’s judgment of the capabilities to bring about desired outcomes. An understanding of the concept of self-efficacy and its sources has implications for the training of pre-service science teachers to effectively teach science. This article aims to use theoretical and empirical studies concerning Bandura’s theoretical sources of self-efficacy - Enactive Mastery Experience, Vicarious Experiences, Verbal Persuasion, and Physiological and Psychological State – to guide science teacher educators in determining effective approaches to developing a sense of self-efficacy in their pre-service science teachers. The article summarizes each of the sources of self-efficacy. It simultaneously provides suggestions to science teacher educators ...
Integrity Journal of Education and Training
Tertiary education institutions are established to provide quality post-secondary education. Tert... more Tertiary education institutions are established to provide quality post-secondary education. Tertiary education institutions have established quality assurance units to guarantee that clients are served appropriately according to predefined quality indicators. Despite this guarantee, the quality of tertiary education is being questioned. This paper discusses the quality of tertiary education largely from the perspective of clients. It explores the concept of quality, examines a model of the path to quality tertiary education, and states the challenges of institutional massification with respect to quality. The discussion points to the key roles of leadership and management and institutional massification play in student engagement. Leadership and management have to set the stage for the process of achieving quality tertiary education, and sustain the process by harnessing human and material resources to meaningfully engage students. Leadership provides the physical infrastructure, r...
Application of triangulation in qualitative research
Journal of Applied Biotechnology & Bioengineering
Quantitative and mixed-methods studies are more popular among Ghanaian researchers than qualitati... more Quantitative and mixed-methods studies are more popular among Ghanaian researchers than qualitative studies. The preference for quantitative and mixed-methods studies originates from the notion that these are more scientific and rigorous, and produce generalizable findings and conclusions. Though qualitative studies appear difficult and laborious to design and conduct, and generally, the findings produced from qualitative studies seem not to be rigorous, qualitative studies can also produce robust findings and conclusions. Researchers who want to conduct qualitative studies must have good knowledge of the ontology, epistemology, and methodology of qualitative research. A vital skill qualitative researchers must possess to conduct quality research is the application of triangulation in qualitative research. The effect of the weaknesses of qualitative research on findings and conclusions can be minimized through the application of triangulation. The purpose of this article is to highl...
Brief Notes on Origin of Science and Religion Conflict
Even though both science and religion seek to generate knowledge about the universe, they are in ... more Even though both science and religion seek to generate knowledge about the universe, they are in conflict. The conflict dates back to the sixteenth century when Galileo Galilei published a paper in support of a religiously suppressed heliocentric universe proposed by Copernicus. Theologians feared Galileo‟s pronouncements will throw abase the sacred text the church derived its authority from. This was the first major contribution to the science and religion conflict. Darwin‟s „Origin of Species‟ was also considered a counter theory to the origin of life expressed in sacred texts. Darwin‟s theory of evolution was a sharp contradiction to the theologian‟s version of the origin of life. The theologians in the United State of America opposed the inclusion of Darwin‟s theory of evolution in the school curriculum. Like Galileo‟s, Darwin‟s theory of evolution challenged Godinspired-knowledge and so was not tolerated in religious circles. In the early twentieth century, Lamitre‟s controvers...
International journal of innovative research and development, 2017
Science and its products have tremendous impact on our lives and how we influence our immediate e... more Science and its products have tremendous impact on our lives and how we influence our immediate environment and the world at large. The importance of science goes far beyond how the product of science and technology influence us. Science, as compared to other areas of study or institutions, enjoys an unparalleled prestige in society (Delfino, 2014). This is why nations are making every effort to provide funding for science and technology projects and research, and provide incentives and scholarships to those who have chosen to study science. No wonder people trust what the scientist says than what a farmer, journalist, politician or businessman will say, even though the scientists may be not be saying so much. People often ask whether what is being said is scientifically proven. Science is seen by many as a highly rational and non-subjective inquiry, and scientists are seen as people who are able to collect, infer from evidence, and depend on evidence to derive 'scientifically proven' conclusion. The scientifically proven conclusions are devoid of prejudice and are not the product of ideology. Somehow these characteristics are paramount in the philosophy of science. According to Makumba (2005), philosophy of science may be looked at in three ways. First, as the formulation of worldviews that are consistent with important scientific theories as "an exposition of the presuppositions and predispositions of scientists" (p. 74) and thirdly as a discipline in which concepts and theories in the field of the sciences are critically analyzed and clarified. Philosophy of science may either be epistemology or metaphysics. Whichever way we look at the philosophy of science the general aim is to describe and understand how science works within all of its branches. We may have philosophical interest in Science because of the influence of science on us, but besides this, science answers some philosophical questions and is therefore important to philosophy. One of such questions has to do with the ways by which we can gain knowledge as opposed to beliefs and opinions (Mingers, 2008) and the general answer to such a question is that the scientific method must be followed. Whatever a government may believe, be it right or wrong, about the effects of filth on beaches, it will not act till science provides evidence in support of such belief. The views of scientist are accorded respect due to the fact that conclusions drawn by scientists are reached through proper and standard methods of collecting and analyzing evidence, and hence the conclusions of scientists are justified. Even in some cases, the conclusions are tested with the intention of making them false. Since Francis Bacon proposed the 'scientific method', it has been subjected to criticism, like that of Hume and Popper. It has seen modifications and alternatives, like the falsificationism doctrine Karl Popper preached. This essay discusses the philosophy of science by looking at two major areas; the scientific method and the growth of scientific knowledge.
Journal of STEAM Education, Jan 12, 2021
The purpose of this action research was in two folds. First, it was to find out the efficacy of t... more The purpose of this action research was in two folds. First, it was to find out the efficacy of the 5E Learning Cycle in improving pupils' understanding of density. And second, to find out whether there will be a significant difference in males and female pupils' understanding of density after the application of the 5E Learning Cycle. All 36 Basic Six pupils of a Basic School in the Assin North Municipality in the Central Region of Ghana were purposively selected to participate in the study. Since the design used was action research, the data collection procedure occurred in three stages: Pre-intervention stage, intervention stage and post-intervention stage. The results of the study showed that the mean score for the post-intervention test was almost twice the mean score of the pre-intervention test. While the girls' mean score showed a 111.26% increase, the percentage increase in mean scores for the boys was 98.68%. However, there was no significant difference between the performance of the boys and girls in the post-intervention test. This study confirmed that by taking pupils through the Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration and Evaluation phases of the 5E Learning Cycle, learners will gain an improved understanding of density.
The Scientific Method and the Growth of Scientific Knowledge
One of the products of the scientific revolution is the general procedure for conducting scientif... more One of the products of the scientific revolution is the general procedure for conducting scientific enquiry called the scientific method. The scientific method came to replace Aristotle’s (384 – 322 BC) methods which was considered by some philosophers as non-systematic, non-verifiable and non-justifiable and therefore could not produce verifiable and justifiable knowledge. It was these characteristics of the Aristotle’s purely deductive method that led philosophers to advocate and propagate a new way of forming knowledge. One of such philosophers who made significant impact on the formulation of the scientific method was Francis Bacon (1561 - 1626). Bacon proposed that theories should be drawn from several observations which are free from the observers’ prejudices. Bacon’s proposal was contested later by David Hume (1711-1776) and Karl Popper (1902 - 1994). Hume and Popper did not just contest Bacon’s method, they offered suggestions that shaped the scientific method into a resilie...
What Students Say About Senior High School Organic Chemistry
International journal of environmental and science education, 2017
West African Examination Council’s (WAEC) Chief Examiners for chemistry have observed that most S... more West African Examination Council’s (WAEC) Chief Examiners for chemistry have observed that most Senior High School students exhibit poor mastery of concepts in organic chemistry. The Chief Examiners recommended that chemistry teachers start teaching organic chemistry early and give more practice questions to students. In order understand the challenges students have, regarding the organic chemistry, the study aimed at finding out what students say about teaching and learning organic chemistry in Senior High Schools in Ghana. The survey employed a mixed methods approach to seek the views of students on the organic chemistry aspect of the Senior High School chemistry syllabus. The population for the study was 348 students. The students were, science and mathematics students at Foso College of education, level 100 students at the faculty of Science and the Department of Science and Mathematics Education at University of Cape Coast and students attending remedial classes at Secondi/Tako...
Using Argumentation Application to Teach States and Change of Matter in Basic School
International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology, 2017
This research work was aimed at using argumentation to facilitate pupils understanding of the con... more This research work was aimed at using argumentation to facilitate pupils understanding of the concepts states of matter and change of state of matter. The study was conducted at Assin Andoe D/A „A‟ Basic school. Assin Ando is a town in the Assin South District in the Central Region of Ghana. All the 34 pupils in Andoe D/A „A‟ Basic five were purposively selected to participate in the study. The design for the study was action research since a classroom problem was to be solved. The data collection procedure occurred in three stages; Pre-intervention stage, intervention stage and post-intervention stage. During the intervention stage, the pupils were taught states of matter and change of state of matter using argumentation application. Observation and test were used to collect data. The data collected showed that argumentation application is effective in helping basic school pupils understand states of matter and change of state of matter. The use of argumentation application made pu...
Using flipped classroom approach to assist pupils understand the concept of density
International Journal of Multidisciplinary Education and Research, 2018
This study adopted Flipped Classroom Approach in assisting basic seven pupils to understand the c... more This study adopted Flipped Classroom Approach in assisting basic seven pupils to understand the concept of density. The type of research design used was the action research design. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 20 pupils. Pre-test and post-test items on density were developed and administered to pupils. Performances of pupils in the two tests were analysed with statistical tools. When scores of the two tests were computed and compared, it was found that the mean score and standard deviation for the pre-test was far below the mean score and standard deviation for the post-test. Post-tests results of pupils showed that pupils' performance improved due to the application of the Flipped Classroom Approach (FCA). The results confirmed that the use of flipped classroom to assist the pupils in understanding the concept of density was very effective. From the study, proximity of school to pupils' home has an influence on the effectiveness of the application of the FCA. FCA suites pupils who do not have to travel long distance on foot to school better than those who travel long distances on foot to school. It was recommended for stakeholders to consider using the flipped classroom approach as one of the innovative teaching strategy especially for pupils in need of learning help.
The assumption associated with teaching experience is that, increased teaching experience leads t... more The assumption associated with teaching experience is that, increased teaching experience leads to increased teacher knowledge. To find out it this assumption is true for Junior High School integrated science teachers, and also determine whether not the effect of teaching experience on teacher knowledge varies in deprived and non-deprived areas, 57 Junior High School integrated science teachers from deprived and non-deprived areas were sampled from 83 Junior High School integrated science teachers. In the survey, the sampled teachers were asked to complete a 30 item test meant to assess their knowledge of Junior High School integrated science. The study found that teaching experience influences Junior High School integrated science teachers’ knowledge. Junior High School integrated science teachers’ knowledge showed a graphical variation with the number of years they have spent teaching. The effect of experience on Junior High School integrated science teachers’ knowledge in deprive...
Descartes’ Method, Mind and Body
Rene Descartes is famous for developing a method for constructing knowledge and discovery truth w... more Rene Descartes is famous for developing a method for constructing knowledge and discovery truth which replaced Aristotle’s Prior and Posterior Analytics. The general view is that Descartes wanted a general method that would produce undoubtable truth. While this may be true, it appears that Rene Descartes had an ulterior motive for publishing Discourse on the Method and the others. This article discusses Descartes’ rejection of syllogism, the method and the Cartesian dualism. It uses these discussions to point to Descartes’ motivation for publishing his works.
Effect of Location, Experience and Qualification on Teacher Knowledge
Teaching experience, qualification and location have influence on teachers’ subject-matter conten... more Teaching experience, qualification and location have influence on teachers’ subject-matter content knowledge. The widely held assumption regarding teaching experience is that long service leads to increased teacher knowledge. Qualification too is regarded to be directly proportional to teacher knowledge. However, teaching experience and qualification do not necessarily bring about superior teacher knowledge. Within the first few years of a teacher’s career, teaching experience brings about increase in teacher knowledge. Qualification too positively influences teacher knowledge but the effect is seen among the lower qualifications. The effect of increased teaching experience and higher qualification can become neutral or retrogress depending on the location of the school in which the teacher is teaching. Teacher knowledge of teachers in deprived areas and their counterparts in non-deprived areas have been found to be significantly different, irrespective of qualification and teaching...
Stratifying junior high school integrated science teachers’ knowledge with qualification
International Journal of Multidisciplinary Education and Research, 2016
Junior High School integrated science teachers’ knowledge is a variable that determines the effec... more Junior High School integrated science teachers’ knowledge is a variable that determines the effectiveness of the Junior High School integrated science teachers. Junior High School integrated science teachers’ effectiveness is not very often determined by output of work, but by Junior High School integrated science teachers’ qualification. Ghana Education Service uses West African Senior Secondary Certificate (WASSCE) or Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) as the minimum qualification needed for employment as non-professional Junior High School integrated science teachers. This arrangement raises an issue relating to quality. Do the WASSCE/SSSCE certificate holders possess Junior High School integrated science knowledge similar to Junior High School teachers whose qualifications are better? To answer this, this survey was designed to find out find out whether differences exist in Junior High School teachers’ knowledge of integrated science based on their qualifications. In this survey, 57 Junior High School integrated science teachers were sampled from 83 Junior High School integrated science Teachers in the Assin North municipal. The Junior High School integrated science teachers’ knowledge was tested using Junior High School Integrated Science Teachers’ Knowledge Assessment Tool. The scores obtained were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found that beyond SSSCE/WASSCE level, teachers’ qualification does not bring about significant gains in Junior High School integrated science teachers’ knowledge of integrated science.
This research work was aimed at investigating the effect of consciousness-raising (CR) tasks on b... more This research work was aimed at investigating the effect of consciousness-raising (CR) tasks on basic school pupils’ understanding and use of SVA. The study was conducted at a Basic School in the Assin North Municipality in the Central Region of Ghana to find out whether CR which has been used in a science lesson will produce positive impact in English Language lessons. All the 30 Junior High School pupils were purposively sampled to participate in the study. Since the problem was a classroom issue that required immediate attention, action research design was used. Data collection occurred at three stages; pre-intervention stage, intervention stage and post-intervention stage. A pre-intervention test was designed to test the pupils’ understanding of SVA. Intervention activities were carried out after the pre-intervention test using the consciousness-raising tasks. A post-test was conducted after the intervention to find out the impact of the intervention on pupils’ performance in SV...
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Papers by Sylvester Donkoh