Role of Nigeria in the development of higher education in Africa

In most countries of the world, higher education is highly subsidized by the public sector. The subsidy is a result of the role of higher education sector on the economy and good governance of the nations. Enrolment into higher institutions of learning is quite low in Africa compare to other continents of the world due to the continent＇s low and declining spending on her higher institutions of learning. This shabby contribution by the continent could be likened to a result of some imminent challenges, which ranged from inadequate financial resource due to economic and social crisis to the challenges posed by the HIV/AIDS （Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome） pandemic. The contributions of Nigeria to the development of higher education in Africa is quite worthy of note. This can be affirmed by the increase in the number of states and federal universities in the country over the years since independence. This can be further reaffirmed by the promulgation of Decree 9 of 1993, which made the provision for the establishment of private universities, which further increased the nation＇s total number of universities to 93 from 59 and further strengthened the nations contributions to higher education development in the continent. In spite of all efforts made by the FGN （Federal Government of Nigeria）, the nation is yet to reach her potential in the development of her higher education sector as the percentage of potential students that gained admission into the nation＇s higher institutions of learning still stand below 15% of the total number of applicants. The study therefore recommended that budgetary allocations to higher institutions of learning be increased to meet the financial demands of the institutions. In addition, multi-campus should be encouraged in order to allow for more access to higher education.     

The EFQM self-assessment processes in HEIs in Spain and in Jordan

The purpose of this paper is to compare the European Foundation for Quality Management （EFQM） self-assessment model in higher education institutions （HEIs） in Spain and in Jordan. Case study methodology on eight services provided by a public university in Spain and seven services provided by one public university and one private university in Jordan is used. The findings show the steps that an administrative service may follow in order to apply the questionnaire approach to conduct self-assessment in a successful manner and the difficulties, benefits and success factors in both countries by comparing the results. This paper provides lessons for decision makers and managers of other universities in developing countries, who wish to perform an exercise in self-assessment using a questionnaire approach.     

The use of music to teach life skills to students with emotional disabilities in the classroom

This article discusses the teaching of life skills to urban American youths who are highly fascinated with the hip-hop culture--songs, raps, miming, lyrics, dressing and musical rhythms, especially individuals with emotional disabilities in the public schools. This is an instructional curriculum strategy to encourage positive and active participation of these students, promote perfect school attendance, encourage good behaviors, deal with anger management and motivate committed learning in the classroom. The instructors＇ understanding of students＇ culture, learning needs and styles, and using such background knowledge to educate them become imperative in this setting. These urge for innovative and leadership projects in the author＇s special education classroom necessitated the application of hip-hop music to teach life skills, reading and other functional skills in the classroom. The outcome was positive and rewarding to both the teachers and students. There are recommendations for interested teachers to devise creative teaching methods, differentiated instruction and appropriate classroom management practices to attain student achievement.     

Using web blogs as a tool to encourage pre-class reading, post-class reflections and collaboration in higher education

This paper reports on the students＇ experiments of using blogs to encourage themselves to do pre-class reading assignment and reflections after class. The sample in the study included five ESL （English as a Second Language） graduate students in a course of teaching methods, and 90 software engineering students in an undergraduate information technology program. Results indicated that there was a positive attitude towards the use of blogs for pre-class preparation and post-class reflections. However, considering the successful experience, it is important to consider the class size, students＇ educational level, and the type of reading assignment.     

Puppets in science lessons Experiences and stories from Norwegian teachers who are using puppets

Ten teachers, from preschool to secondary school have tried out puppets as a stimulus in science lessons. Data were gathered by teachers answering a questionnaire and by interviewing the teachers. We report what teachers have experienced by using puppets in science classrooms and in science activities in preschools. Data indicate that the puppet can be used to stimulate science both in preschool, primary school and secondary school. Probably the puppet must be used in different ways in preschool and primary school than in secondary school to get the pupils to accept them. This pilot study has given us courage and ideas to start a following-up study in using puppets in science.     

Guilty or not guilty？ How Nigerian families impede the aspirations of Nigerian girls for higher education

The females＇ relatively low participation in higher education is discussed within the Nigerian society in a way that such issues are discursively placed in often contradictory, as well as extremely complicated contexts. Dominant discussions draw on the interplay between gender and students＇ performance across subjects, as well as on the influences of the often patriarchal school environment on students＇ overall performance, which with little or no attention given to parental and domestic agencies. This paper is an account of the stories of the experiences of schooling about some Nigerian school girls from the perspective of their families. The larger study from which this paper derives, examined the gendered perception of schooling amongst some senior secondary school students in a Nigerian suburb. A number of discussions among the 25 girls （and 25 boys） who participated in the study were analyzed to understand how gender played in their perceptions of schooling influences upon their lives. As this project was grounded in the interpretivist qualitative research paradigm, discursive interpretivist approach was employed to interrogate how parental and domestic agencies, can play upon the aspirations of young girls for higher education in both complex and subtle ways. Recommendations for changes in policy and practice are made.     

The effects of globalization phenomena on educational concepts

It is becoming more and more apparent that globalization processes represent, theoretically as well as practically, a challenge for educational sciences and therefore, it must be addressed within the sphere of education. Accordingly, educational conceptions have to adapt to globafization phenomena and focus more on alternative and innovative educational concepts. The observable phenomena that appear as part of globalization then lead to the following question： Is there still space for educational concepts like emancipation, self-determination, equal opportunities and fairness in distribution, democracy and common sense？ The most indispensable tools for the development of equitable and peaceful contemporary education perspectives are a differentiated reflection on globalization phenomena and consequences, an intensive analysis and disclosure to address （global） conflict lines, the questioning of well-established concepts, the formation and embodiment of visions of the global future and the articulation of innovative education concepts. Modern social and political structures and practices have to be reoriented to combat the negative effects of globalization processes through the incorporation of more humane, socially fair and ecological principles. Educational science is sure to make an important contribution in making this a reality.     

论天人合一与书法艺术的审美关系

天人合一作为一种文化的终极理想和核心精神,对中国传统艺术有着广泛而深刻的影响。书法艺术作为汉民族对人类的伟大贡献,具有鲜明的民族特性。因而,它受文化终极理想和核心精神的影响和渗透就更加深入和典型,甚至呈现出具体意义上的种种对应关系。书法取法汉字的生命,又创造了汉字的新生命,使之成为真正有意味的生命的形式,而在这种生命形式深处所蕴藏的,则是中国文化的天人合一理念。     

Development of the social network b-learning in the University of Alicante

This work describes the genesis, articulation and consolidation from 2007 of a social network of b-learning （blended learning） in the UA （University of Alicante） （Spain）, with the institutional backing of the Office of the Vice President for Education Technology and Innovation, and the momentum and advice of professor Angel Fidalgo （UNESCO （United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization） chair for University of Management and Policy）. The social network currently has more than 25 teachers, working on different work linkages with the university, implementing or intending to apply the teaching methodologyb-learning during the course 2007-2008 in a variety of courses and degrees. To do so, several resource centers （blogs, wikis, Wimba Create （before CourseGenie）, etc.）, and digital platforms （Virtual Campus of the UA, Moodle, etc.） are used.     

How “similarity” in higher education can improve assessment quality

Higher education is the product of three constituents, the policy makers or government, the executors or faculty and the recipients or the students or scholars. Steadiness among different constituents in given social interaction can act as facilitating motive and it could make higher education more smooth and productive. The “steadiness” in the pilot study is “a parameter that helps the three constituents of higher education to communicate to each other without ambiguity or say on a same frequency” and is very close to the factor “similarity”. Studies prove that “similarities” help group cohesion, improve performance and social relations etc. So to assume that the presence of like-mindedness or “similarity” or say “steadiness” in the field of higher education has the potential to decrease the amount of stress and to increase the productivity or outcome （successful policies, objective assessments, scholars, research, utility etc.）, is justified. And the assumption possesses the testable potential to study policy, assessment, implementation and other allied issues objectively. Many methods of social research and experimental designs are feasible for such study. A pilot study of a biography proves that the study of “similarity” in higher education for quality and assessment is viable and possesses the potential to produce better scholars, can enable the government to improve economy, can help to produce a strong next generation, can positively contribute to strengthen the social institutions and society and above all can bring a positive change in higher education that has been merely claimed for last many years. It is recommended that the proposed “similarity” may be studied in the field of higher education to help the government to formulate and execute policies based on social psychological evidence to enable the executors to best utilize their potential to help the recipients and learners to grow as per their full potential.     

Values—— A study of teacher and student perceptions in four countries

The study aimed to assess and compare the values prevalent among the students and teachers of Universities in Bangladesh, Japan, USA and Germany. The sample consisted of 480 students and 236 teachers. The sample included 120 undergraduate students Japan; 120 undergraduate students from Bangladesh; 120 undergraduate students from USA, and 120 undergraduate students from Germany. The faculty sample included 60 teachers from Japan, 60 teachers from Bangladesh; 60 teachers from USA, and 56 teachers from Germany. To identify the value preferences of the individuals a list of 10 values, pro-social, achievement, power over others, security, self direction, otherworldliness, fatalism, narcissism, inner directed, and conservative, based on previous values studies by Singh and Parek were prepared. The first five values were identified in previous studies as functional （Singh, 1975） and other five were identified as dysfunctional （Parek, 1988） in the context of national development of Asian cultures. The results revealed that Bangladeshi students held stronger preferences for values identified as functional values than for those identified as dysfunctional. Japanese students indicated stronger preferences for the values identified as functional values except narcissism. The American students indicated a preference for three of the five values identified as functional but also ranked narcissism and other worldliness as third and fifth preferred values respectively. German student showed a preference for functional values, except narcissism which they also ranked as third. Bangladeshi teachers＇ preferences for functional values were higher than dysfunctional values. Japanese teachers indicated a preference for functional values except narcissism. American teachers preferred functional values except other worldliness. German teachers＇ value preferences were also functional, except for narcissism which they ranked as fifth. Students and teachers in the four countries sampled indicate preferences for values identified as functional with few exceptions. This research suggests that value preferences among university students and teachers are more similar than different, suggesting a homogenizing effect （Boli, 2005） on human values.     

Promoting accountability and enhancing efficiency： Using national education accounts to track expenditure flows

Increasing accountability and efficiency in the use of public and out-of-pocket financing in education are critical to realizing the maximum impact of the meager allocations to education in most developing countries. While broad estimates and numbers are routinely collected by most national ministries and state departments of education, the lack of accuracy and reliability as well as the obtuse nature of recording and presentation of the data does not facilitate any serious policy use. A major advance in this area has been brought about by the development of NEA （National Education Accounts）, which is a new tool for measuring education expenditures in a systematic policy-~endly manner. In essence, NEAs measure the ＂financial pulse＂ of an education system, answering 4 key questions： Who is financing education？ How much do they spend？ How are funds distributed across different education providers, levels and activities？ Who benefits from or receives the services？ NEAs gather information on all spending from public, private and donor sources, and provide a snap-shot of all expenditures on education in the state or country. While not an auditing tool, it provides real time information on the flow of funds that can be used for evidence-based decision-making. It provides information to policy-makers, enabling them to discern systcm-wide inequities and identify areas that require changes in policy. In addition, the use of a standard classification of expenditures allows for data from NEAs to be comparable between and within countries. This paper provides an assessment of accountability and efficiency in the use of public and private resources in the education sector in 2 states of Nigeria. Using comparative data from implementation of education accounts in 2 states of Nigeria, it presents a breakdown of education spending by public and private sources as well as donor agencies, by types of providers, by geographical regions and by category of expenditures. It analyzes educational expenditures for the 2 states in the context of state government priorities for education, and proposes a novel way of tracking trends in education spending as a means for policy-makers to organize a strategic vision supported by resources and to evaluate the outcome of policies.     

Developing schools as professional learning communities： The TL21 experience

Over the last 2 decades, Irish schooling and society have gone through a period of significant structural and policy-driven change. To meet the emerging needs of the knowledge/learning society, schools and teachers are challenged to develop their capacities as ＂active learning communities＂. This places greater demands on teachers and schools to reflect on their classroom practices, to utilise a wider repertoire of pedagogic styles more suited to the needs of the 21st century learners and so that meaningfully collaborate with their fellow professionals. Teaching and Learning for the 21st Century （TL21） was a 4-year （2003-2007） multi-pronged research and development project involving the Education Department at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth （NUIM） and 15 post-primary schools. The project sought to address a number of key aims in terms of developing schools as professional learning communities, including addressing the isolation and insulation which teachers can, and do experience in their day-to-day professional lives and prioritize quality in teaching and learning as a key challenge for school development planning. This paper attempts to succinctly frame the key developments and findings which emerged over the duration of this process.     

初中生物学课后作业有效设计的思考

布置并指导完成适当的课后作业是初中生物课教学过程的重要环节.课后作业过程是学生学习成长的历程,是理论联系实际,关注生活,关注生产和社会实际的重要途径;也是培养学生学习兴趣,发展创造性思维,学习科学探究方法,形成实践技能的重要形式.对贯彻新课程理念,树立新的作业观,努力提高初中生物课后作业设计的有效性,进行了有益的探索与实践,取得了良好的效果.     

Learners＇ and teachers＇ conceptions and dispositions of mathematics from a Middle Eastern perspective

The paper discusses an on-going research project that studies students＇ and teachers＇ conceptions and dispositions of mathematics. Conceptions are the views that students hold on a subject, and what they believe is required in learning and doing the subject. Dispositions are the beliefs or tendencies to exhibit a frequent, conscious and voluntary behavior directed towards learning a subject. The participants are high school students, higher education students and mathematics teachers. The study utilizes self-reporting tools as well as focus groups and interviews in a three-stage research model. This is a work on progress. Results to date are briefly discussed.     

Organization and management of non-profit private higher education in a multi-ethnic and multi-lingual environment

The South East European University （SEEU） was founded in 2001 as a non-profit university established by co-operation between OSCE, USAID, the European Commission and the Government of the Republic of Macedonia （or FYROM） as a contribution towards conflict prevention. There has been a gradual transition from a centrally managed project to a modern form of organisation and governance attracting favourable comment from OECD-IMHE and the EUA. In 2008, SEEU was granted by the Parliament of Macedonia the status of public-private, non-profit university, the first in the region, reflecting its emphasis on working in the public interest. The paper illustrates the different stages of the transition, the problems encountered along the way, and suggests lessons to be learned in implementing similar initiatives elsewhere.     

Measuring success： Evaluating educational programs

This paper reveals a new evaluation model, which enables educational program and project managers to evaluate their programs with a simple and easy to understand approach. The ＂index of success model＂ is comprised of five parameters that enable to focus on and evaluate both the implementation and results of an educational program. The integration of these parameters forms a complete and comprehensive picture, which in turn provides the most information on the success or failure of the program. The parameters are： （1） the relevance index, referring to an evaluation of predefined objectives; （2） the efficiency index, referring to the fiscal efficiency of the program; （3） the effectiveness index evaluating the attainment of the program＇s objectives; （4） the impact index gauging the effect on the consumers, for whom the program is undertaken; and （5） the final parameter is the program＇s sustainability index. Since Israel＇s education strategy currently leans towards site-based monitoring and evaluation, such a model can potentially be of great help to school management and staff.     

Downtown Elementary School （DES）： The unique school that juxtaposes both magnet and professional development school （PDS） programs

The objective of this paper is to explore the operation of magnet and professional development school （PDS） programs in a real life situation using an ethnographic study of Downtown Elementary School （DES-a pseudonym） that simultaneously operates as a PDS and a magnet school. The author spent almost three years at DES, located in the Southern United States, collecting data through participant observation, interviewing, and document collection. The purpose is to provide answers to compelling questions such as： What does it mean to have both magnet and PDS programs operating simultaneously in the same school as in the case of DES？ What can be learned from the experiences of the unique school-DES？ The paper provides an outline of both magnet and PDS programs and their operations at DES and analyzes how these programs are interrelated and intertwined. Some of the outcomes indicate that DES is about the only school in its locality that juxtaposes two innovative school reform programs. These programs impede each other＇s progress sometimes and in some cases feed off each other. There is a lot to be learned from the unique experiences of DES. Coupled with other conclusions, the author concludes that, PDSs, as school restructuring projects are intertwined with magnet schools＇ reform activity which is motivated by the drive to provide equity of opportunity to learn, particularly for poor, minority and black students in mostly urban areas who are at a disadvantage for various reasons. The final section of the paper takes a critical look at the issues at stake through the lens of critical multiculturalism.     

Inclusive education： Proclamations or reality （primary school teachers＇ view）

This paper deals with 2 focal points of inclusive education, which is the integral segment of the current education reform in the Bosnia and Herzegovina： its position in various proclamations and in primary school teachers＇ reality, i.e., legislative aspects vs. everyday situation in primary schools. The survey research was carried out through the 5-level Liken scale, on the sample of 105 primary school teachers working in Herzegovina-Neretva Canton （specific for its education reform implementation）. The aim was to examine the attitudes of the direct implementators of the education reform and the inclusive education （2003-2009）--primary school teachers, with particular reference to： teachers＇ acquaintance with inclusive education requirements; their involvement in its designing, planning and organization; relevant professional education; school preparedness for inclusive education; level of partnership with relevant subjects; and evaluation of the inclusive education implementation. The results obtained have indicated exactly the lack of the mentioned as the main issues of the implementation of inclusive education within compulsory primary schools in Herzegovina-Neretva Canton. Therefore, this paper gives a kind of guidelines for the improvement of the inclusive education, derived directly from the teachers＇ everyday experiences, problems, proposals, notes and suggestions.     

Facilitating adult learning and a researcher identity through a higher education pedagogical process

This empirical study uses auto-ethnography to describe a higher education pedagogical process that facilitated largely doctoral students in preparing their candidacy proposals through the use of specific adult learning principles. Students＇ experiences and points of view of such a learning environment were explored, including： （1） how they contributed to their peers＇ learning; （2） how their peers contributed to their own individual learning; and （3） how the learning environment impacted the process. Key factors identified as pivotal to learning to learn, include creating a learning sanctuary and trusting relationships, engaging in mutual inquiry and the co-construction of meaning, and bridging research theory and practice. These factors enabled students to expand their identities to include a researcher identity and to negotiate deep knowledge at the personal level. Throughout this article, the students＇ points of view are used to elucidate shared and diverse experiences, in addition to supporting conclusions and recommendations for practice and further study.