Analyse Research Articles

The Potential of Biomass Fuel and Land Suitability for Biomass Power Plant based on GIS Spatial Analysis in the Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand

The government's new electric power development plan (PDP2018) focuses on developing renewable energy to the fullest potential in each area. One of the most valuable renewable energy sources in Thailand is biomass from the agricultural sector. Thailand has a target of 3,496 MW of electricity generated from biomass fuel, with the focus on the development of community biomass power plants. The main objectives of this research are to analyse the potential of energy generation from the harvesting of biomass residuals and to analyse the optimal locations for constructing a biomass power plant using multiple criteria analysis, Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy AHP) and Geographical Information System (GIS) in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand. The results indicate that the study site had a total area of 12,876.01 km2 of rice, cassava, sugarcane and maize planting areas in 2015, which resulted in a total crop production of 21.195 Mt, with an estimated total biomass residual of 9.098 Mt/y. Some portions of this biomass are used for existing electrical generation and other usages, totaling 4.889 Mt or equivalent to 53.7 % of the total estimated biomass residual. The remaining biomass residual is 4.209 Mt or 46.3 %, which can be used to generate electricity of 386.2 MW per year Land suitability evaluation is based on relevant physical and environmental indicators with specific criteria, as well as the government policy, law regulations, existing land use and the remain potential of crop residuals used as a fuel. It can be concluded that 5,284.85 km2 or 26.8 % of a total area are assessed as being best suitable for constructing the biomass power plant. Land suitability is mostly located in the western and southeastern regions of the province. The results of the evaluation of multiple crop biomass power generation potential with pixel-based data structure provide a map of biomass fuel source distribution and power generation potential. The potential shows the amount of electricity that is expected to be produced per unit area which is more accurate in terms of spatial than statistic approach. In addition, the spatial accuracy of electricity production potential data is also an important factor in determining which areas are suitable for a power plant, especially for small power producers (SPPs) such as villages or sub-district level communities.

Enhancing Waste Management Practice - The Appropriate Strategy for Improving Solid Waste Management System in Vietnam Towards Sustainability

This study aims to build the appropriate model of waste management practice (WMP) towards sustainable municipal solid waste (MSW) system in a city of developing country like Vietnam. A waste audit was performed and material flow analysis method was simulated to describe and analyse the current status of MSW system and its assumpted models. Four WMP models were built based on the feature of the region, the intention and optimisation of WMP, and the consensus of the government. This study shows that the improvement of the SWM system can reduce a significant amount of waste to landfill. Notably, the waste reduction performance is 5.0, 7.8, 11.11 and 29.3 % in S1, S2, S3 and S4, respectively. Also, the recovery performance of recyclables changes in proportional to the level of SWM practice and reach at 3.78, 5.843, 4.593, and 7.120 t/d, respectively. This study reveals that the improvement of SWM practice at source from intentional to optimal rate is the sustainable strategy for developing an SWM system in Hoi An City.

Idiopathic facial palsy: umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Idiopathic facial palsy is the most common disease of the VII cranial nerve. There are many treatments to facilitate recovery from this condition: pharmacological, surgical, rehabilitative, but the effectiveness of some of these treatments, especially the latter, is still under discussion. The purpose of this umbrella review of systematic reviews is to analyse the literature in order to investigate the different rehabilitation interventions in patients suffering from idiopathic facial palsy. A scientific literature search was carried out from January 2009 until August 2019, using Mesh the terms "facial palsy", "Bell's Palsy", "idiopathic facial nerve palsy", combined with "rehabilitation" and "therapy". Initially all the systematic reviews and meta-analyses of the last 10 years concerning rehabilitation treatments for the recovery of injured functions in facial palsy were included. Given the heterogeneity of the studies in the literature, which do not differentiate the different causes of facial palsy, all the causes of idiopathic facial palsy were included in the review. The research resulted in 94 published systematic reviews but only 6 were considered in respect to the inclusion criteria. All studies agree on the lack of high-quality scientific work to be able to say that Bell's physiotherapy treatments for facial palsy are effective, in particular with regard to recovery times during the rehabilitation process. Future studies are needed, in order to highlight the therapeutic implications of the different rehabilitation methods, with standardized protocols, in patients suffering from facial palsy of different aetiology.

Potential Risk of Antibiotics Pollution in Aquaponic System and Control Approaches

Aquaponic system, which integrates recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) and hydroponics together, maintains high stocking density of fish. In order to eliminate the risk of fish disease, antibiotics has been inevitably used due to human and environmental concern. This paper aims to analyse the potential risk of antibiotics pollution in aquaponic system and propose the control approaches. The removal of residual antibiotics from aqueous phase of aquaponics can be more efficient than the open system. An aquaponic system with comprehensive antibiotics pollution control strategy is proposed by combining the operational units of UV-photolysis and biofilter adsorption/biodegradation, which is expected to work efficiently and cost-effectively. The biofilter is developed by containing immobilized biofilm incorporated with activated carbon. The antibiotics in aquaponics are first decomposed in UV-photolysis unit for 6 h, the residual intermediate products of antibiotics are then adsorbed onto the activated carbon and biodegraded by the microbes in the immobilized media of the biofilter within 12 h. It concludes that aquaponic system with the integrated approaches is promising in effective utilization of antibiotics and removal of the residual antibiotics comparing with the conventional open aquaculture system such as pond, lake or reservoir.

EFFECT OF COGNITIVE APPRENTICESHIP INSTRUCTIONAL METHOD ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND RETENTION OF AUTO MECHANICS TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS IN TECHNICAL COLLEGES

The need to improve students’ academic achievement in auto mechanics technology necessitated this study. The study investigated the effect of cognitive apprenticeship instructional method on students’ academic achievement and retention in auto mechanics technology in technical colleges in Delta State. Three research questions guided the study and three null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted the quasi-experimental research design. Specifically, the pre-test post-test non-equivalent control group experimental design was used. Population of the study was 237 vocational II auto mechanic students in the six technical colleges in Delta State. A sample of 114 was used for the study. Instrument for data collection was Auto Mechanic Achievement Test (AMAT). The instruments was validated by three experts (two from the Department of Technology and Vocational Education and one from Measurement and Evaluation Unit of the Department of Educational Foundation all in NnamdiAzikiwe University Awka. The reliability coefficient of Auto Mechanics Achievement Test (AMAT) was established using Kunder Richardson 21 Formula and the reliability coefficients of 0.75 was obtained. Arithmetic mean was used to analyse data relating to research questions, while analysis of covariance ANCOVA was used to test the null hypotheses. Findings revealed that students taught auto mechanics technology using cognitive apprenticeship instructional method achieved and retained better than those taught with demonstration method. Conclussion was drawn that cognitive apprenticeship instructional method is an innovative and effective mode of instruction with capacity to improve students’ learning outcome. Consequently, it was recommended among others that technical teachers should use cognitive apprenticeship instructional method in teaching auto mechanics course so as to enhance students’ academic achievement and knowledge retention. Article visualizations:

Application of thymidine kinase 1 and circulating tumor cell in malignant solid tumor

Thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) is associated with the occurrence of early malignant tumor, tumor metastasis, recurrence, and the changes of TK1 in the treatment can also reflect the sensitivity of tumor to treatment. Circulating tumor cells (CTC) are removed from the primary tumor or metastatic tumor to blood. The appearance of CTC in malignant tumors is usually related to the poor prognosis, such as metastasis and recurrence, short survival time and so on. The combination of TK1 and CTC can also be used as an independent predictor of survival. Now we analyse and summarize the role of TK1 and CTC in tumorigenesis and development . Key words: Thymidine kinase; Neoplastic cells, circulating; Neoplasms; Review

ASSESSMENT OF PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY NGOs AND THEIR IMPACT TOWARDS POVERTY REDUCTION IN KASIPUL CONSTITUENCY, HOMABAY COUNTY, KENYA

Ending poverty in all its forms everywhere is the first of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by which United Nations member countries including Kenya committed themselves to eradicate poverty by the year 2030. In this paper focus has been placed on the programme activities of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and their impact in reducing poverty in the area. The paper is a part of a study that was conducted in Kasipul Constituency in which the author sought to establish the role played by NGOs towards reduction of poverty. The aim of this paper is therefore to identify NGOs working in Rachuonyo South and analyse the programme activities through which they engage to reduce poverty in the region and the impact of such activities. The study engaged eleven NGO representatives in a survey that used questionnaire to collect data from the NGO’s perspective. This was followed by key informant interviews targeting community leaders and finally six focus group discussions were held with community members in selected locations within the constituency. The results of the study show that out of the 11 NGOs working in the area, improving agricultural productivity and HIV/Aids management and control were the leading poverty reduction programmes being undertaken. Nonetheless, water and sanitation were found to have contributed most to poverty reduction outcomes. The study recommends that there is need for NGOs to invest more in establishing programmes that improve the economic conditions of the people by increasing the people’s household incomes. Article visualizations:

A transposición do infinitivo flexionado ao castelán na tradución de Carmen Martín Gaite d’O Mistério da Estrada de Sintra

O obxectivo principal deste traballo é analizar os recursos lingüísticos que se utilizan en castelán para traducir o infinitivo flexionado do portugués, forma que non se atopa no paradigma verbal castelán, nunha tradución d’O Mistério da Estrada de Sintra. Ese estudo das formas equivalentes ao infinitivo flexionado empregadas na tradución da devandita obra irá precedido dunha introdución ao estado da arte deste paradigma verbal, unha breve análise da obra orixinal e da tradución castelá máis divulgada, a de Carmen Martín Gaite, que serviu de base para este estudo.The main goal of this paper is to analyse the linguistic resources used in the Spanish translation, by Carmen Martín Gaite, of O Mistério da Estrada de Sintra written by José Maria Eça de Queiroz and José Duarte Ramalho Ortigão, to translate the Portuguese inflexed infinitive, a form that does not exist in the verbal paradigm of Spanish. The study will also consider the state of the art of this verbal paradigm, as well as an analysis of the original work and its most known Spanish translation, which is the base of this paper.

A Time Series Analysis of Federal Budgetary Allocations to Education Sector in Nigeria (1970-2018)

This work is carried out to statistically analyze federal budgetary allocations to the education sector in Nigeria (1970-2018). Time series analysis is used to analyse the data using the Box and Jenkins modeling approach. This involved identification of model, estimation of parameters, diagnostic checking of the model and forecasting. ARIMA (1, 1, 1) was identified in the course of identification of the model. ARIMA (1, 1, 0) was selected as a parsimonious model using the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). Also, the diagnostic check was carried out and it was found that the model is adequate. Forecasts are equally made for the year 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 using the model obtained. It was observed that there is an upward trend from 2019-2022 forecasts, hence using the model will bring about increment in the future budgets.

Effect of antiplatelet pretreatment on platelet aggregation and clinical outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients treated with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator.

Early administration of antiplatelet agents in acute ischemic stroke patients (AIS) receiving intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is a potential therapeutic strategy, however, safety and efficacy are not well established. We hypothesize that antiplatelet pretreatment (AP) before IVT have a similarly role as initiation of AP within the first 24 hours following IVT. We aimed to explore the effect of AP on platelet aggregation and clinical outcomes in thrombolysis-treated AIS patients. We enrolled AIS patients treated with IVT at the Neurology Department of the Nanjing First Hospital from January 2016 to June 2018. Prior use of antiplatelet agent was recorded. Light transmittance aggregometry was used to estimate the maximum platelet aggregation (MPA). Linear regression model was performed to investigate the factors associated with MPA. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyse the association between AP and clinical outcomes. A total of 59 patients were included; 23 (38.9 %) were taking antiplatelet agent before stroke. Prior AP (β = -20.209, SE mean=6.574; P=0.004) was significantly lower the arachidonic acid-induced MPA at the time point of 3h after thrombolysis. AP did not increase of the risk for sICH (OR=3.41, 95%CI 0.16-7.20, p=0.436) or mortality (OR=3.55, 95%CI 0.39-8.52, p=0.260). There were no associations between AP and improved clinical outcomes (all P>0.05). In thrombolysis-treated AIS patients, AP was associated with lower MPA after thrombolysis. AP is safe in these patients, however, further studies are required to confirm the efficacy.

Challenges in the collection of convalescent plasma for COVID-19 patients at a plasma therapy trial site

Background and Objectives: With no proven treatment guidelines for COVID-19, human convalescent plasma is an option and has been under trial worldwide. In India, Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), started a Mulicentric Trial for the use of convalescent plasma in the treatment of COVID patients. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the challenges encountered in the collection of convalescent plasma from COVID recovered patients at a trial site. Methods: The current prospective study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital based blood centre catering to COVID patients and a trial site for Plasma therapy by ICMR. For analysing the challenges in the collection of convalescent plasma, the discharged patients were contacted telephonically. After applying eligibility criteria, the reasons of deferral were assessed. Data was collected and analysed. Results: The current prospective study was carried out during the period of 1st April 2020 to 15th May 2020. During this period, a total of 496 patients got discharged. After applying deferral criteria, 113 were eligible, out of which only 13 (11.5%) consented to come to donate plasma. Conclusion: In a global ongoing pandemic, the “Fear Factor” is a constraint and a major challenge to motivate and convince a COVID recovered patient for plasma donation. The challenge for the medical professionals is to motivate, convince and educate the potential donors and society about the likely benefits of COVID Convalescent Plasma.

Epidemiological studies of Eimeria species of cattle in Ilorin, North-Central Nigeria.

Coccidiosis is the most economically impactful enteric protozoan disease of animals including cattle. A year (March 2018 to February 2019) study was conducted on cattle in Ilorin, North-Central Nigeria with the objective of determining the prevalence, intensity of infection, diversity of Eimeria species, co-infection patterns and risk factors associated with the enteric protozoan infection in cattle. To address this, faecal samples from 478 cattle of different age groups, breeds and sex were subjected to the floatation technique, the McMaster counting technique and sporulation procedure. One hundred and eighty-six (38.91%) of the sampled cattle were positive, and 8 different species were identified (Eimeria bovis, E. zuernii, E. auburnensis, E. cylindrica, E. subspherica, E. canadensis, E. bukidnonensis and E. alabamensis) with E. bovis (25.94%) and E. zuernii (23.43%) been the most prevalent. Eimeria oocysts were detected all through the year. The intensity of Eimeria species among infected cattle ranged between 200-12900 oocyst per gram of faeces. Following univariate analysis, breed, age, sex, physiological status, faecal consistency and PCV were significantly (p<0.05) associated with Eimeria infection. Multivariate analysis revealed that breed, age and physiological status were the significant risk factors associated with eimeriosis. The present study constitutes the first attempt to analyse the prevalence, intensity, diversity and epidemiological risk factors involved in bovine eimeriosis in North-Central Nigeria. It is envisaged that the data obtained will facilitate better control and prevention measures for Eimeria infection among cattle in the region.

Bond properties of steel and sand-coated GFRP bars in Alkali activated cement concrete

The bond performance of glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars and that of steel bars embedded in Alkali Activated Cement (AAC) concrete are analysed and compared using pull-out specimens. The bond failure modes, the average bond strength and the free end bond stress-slip curves are used for comparison. Tepfer’s concrete ring model is used to further analyse the splitting failure in ribbed steel bar and GFRP bar specimens. The angle the bond forces make with the bar axis was calculated and used for comparing bond behaviour of ribbed steel bar and GFRP bars in AAC concrete. The results showed that bond failure mode plays a significant role in the comparison of the average bond stress of the specimens at failure. In case of pull-out failure mode, specimens with ribbed steel bars showed a higher bond strength while specimens with GFRP bars showed a higher bond stress in case of splitting failure mode. Comparison of the bond stress-slip curves of ribbed steel bars and GFRP bars depicted that the constant bond stress region at the peak is much smaller in case of GFRP bars than ribbed steel bars indicating a basic bond mechanism difference in GFRP and ribbed steel bars.

The role of imaging and other diagnostic approaches in COVID-19.

As the COVID-19 pandemic develops across the globe, a large amount of literature has been written about the different ways in which we can diagnose and investigate someone suspected of being infected with the new coronavirus. Many approaches highlight the importance of using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) used in conjunction with computed tomography (CT) scans. Whilst CT scans have been shown to be useful, there are multiple risks associated with them, for example radiation exposure and the transmission risk associated with repeated use of a CT suite. Therefore, it is important to analyse their diagnostic ability and limitations and to consider other methods of diagnosing COVID-19. Additionally, RT-PCR testing can have significant rates of false negatives, indicating the importance of taking a more comprehensive diagnostic approach. Here, we aim to review and analyse this literature to compare RT-PCR, serum inflammatory biomarkers, chest radiographs, ultrasound and chest CT scanning as methods of diagnosing COVID-19, particularly in asymptomatic patients. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Consumption patterns of sweetened condensed milk in the diet of young Indonesian children and its potential nutritional health consequences.

This critical review is intended to analyse the existing studies on the consumption patterns of sweetened condensed milk in the diet of young Indonesian children and its potential nutritional health consequences. Considering its limited nutritional value and high sugar content, sweetened condensed milk (SCM) should not be administered to young children (1-3 years old) with the goal of promoting their growth and development. However, such false practice has been reported in mostly urban studies among the underprivileged population. Conclusive scientific evidence is also still lacking regarding the health risks of long-term SCM consumption by young Indonesian children at early ages, as no study has focused on this specific topic. Nevertheless, inadequate understanding of SCM, its consumption patterns, and its long-term effects on health among young Indonesian children have been implicated in public confusion on the topic. Ongoing disparities that exist between regulation, industrial practices, and product advertisement have led to poor understanding in communities, which, to a considerable extent, has contributed to difficulties in segregating data on the consumption of SCM and its related products. Analogous to sugar-sweetened beverages, limited SCM consumption can be recommended when appropriately implemented with active monitoring and evaluation of product advertisements and product labeling, enforcement of regulations, and provision of effective customer education.

Tuberkulosiaren intzidentzia eta desparekotasun soziala Gipuzkoan, 2010-2017 denboraldian

Gauza jakina da gizarte-faktore desberdinek zenbait gaixotasunen intzidentzia eta eboluzioa baldintzatzen dutela, mundu-mailan zein EAEn. Lan honen helburu nagusia Gipuzkoan 2010-2017 denboraldian maila sozioekonomikoaren eta betidanik pobreziarekin erlazionatutako gaitz baten arteko lotura aztertzea izan da; alegia, gabezia-mailaren eta tuberkulosiaren arteko harremana ikertzea. Bigarren helburua 2003-2017 urteetan zehar gaixotasun horren eboluzioa deskribatzea izan da. Maila sozioekonomikoa analizatzeko, paziente bakoitzari modu ekologikoan esleitutako gabezia-indizea erabili da, diagnostiko aldian bizi ziren errolda-sekzioko informazioaz baliatuta. Intzidentzien kalkulurako, 2011ko erroldatik lortu da biztanle kopurua, sekzio bakoitzeko eta adinaren zein sexuaren arabera, eta urte bereko EAEko populazioa erabilita estandarizazioa egin da. Biriketako lokalizazioa zuten kasuetan, maila sozioekonomikoa diagnostikoaren atzerapenarekin eta tratamendua betetzearekin elkarturik ote dagoen ere ikertu da. Horretarako hainbat analisi estatistiko erabili dira, SPSS programaz baliatuz. Lortutako emaitzei so eginez, Gipuzkoan tuberkulosiaren intzidentzia ekologikoki esleitutako gabezia-mailarekin elkarturik dagoela ondoriozta daiteke. Izan ere, maila sozioekonomiko baxuenean kokatzen diren pertsonek maila altuenean daudenek baino tuberkulosia izateko arrisku handiagoa dutela ikusi da; arriskuaren igoera estatistikoki esangarria izanik gizonetan (tasa estandarizatuaren arrazoia: 2,15, konfiantza-tartea: 1,51-3,07). Hala ere, azken 15 urteetan maila sozioekonomikoen arteko desberdintasunak murriztu direla ikus daiteke. Osasun-arretari dagokionez, ez da maila sozioekonomikoaren eta diagnostikoaren atzerapenaren arteko erlaziorik aurkitu; bai, ordea, tratamendua betetzearekin, gabezia-maila baxuetan tratamendua betetzeko probabilitatea txikiagoa izanik.

Rescaling Dissent in Some Transnational Stories: Some Speculative Narratives by Mootoo, Selvadurai, Chariandy and Díaz

espanol Este articulo interpreta el modo en que escritores transnacionales usan lo gotico para investigar los conceptos de tiempo, espacio y memoria cultural de sus ancestros que hoy pareciera extrana debido a la transterritorializacion que sufren. Este legado aparece en forma de la huella que resulta de la migracion diasporica y el extranamiento que persigue a los protagonistas de estos relatos. Este ensayo revisa las nociones de identidad cultural y la naturaleza cambiante de la narrativa diasporica de los ultimos treinta anos. Intentaremos analizar algunos relatos transnacionales que llamaremos hemisfericos y que tienen similitud en el Canada sudasiatico y el Caribe por diferentes razones politicas y traumaticas, en su representacion cinematica del espacio domestico y en las fronteras fisicas y psicologicas que nos encadenan a los recuerdos de nuestros antepasados. EnglishThis paper interprets the way in which transnational writers use the Gothic to investigate concepts like time, space and cultural memory in their ancestors’ culture which nowadays appears foreign to them due to the transterritorialization they suffer. This legacy appears in the form of unresolved memory traces resulting from diasporic migration and is readily figured as an ostranenie which haunts the characters of some South Asian-Canadian or Caribbean storytelling from within and without. The argument involves a revision of the notions of cultural identity and the changing nature of diasporic writing in the last thirty years. This essay tries to analyse these transnational stories which we will call hemispheric and which bear some resemblance in diasporic writing, for different political and traumatic reasons, in their cinematic deployment of the homeSpace horror, childhood memories and physical and psychological boundaries which chain us to our ancestors’ memories.

THE IMPACT OF MARKETING STRATEGY IN EVENT TO ATTRACT FASHION CUSTOMER’S BRAND AWARENESS

The growth of Small Medium and Enterprises Business is one of the main keys to an economy’s vitality. SMEs are known to have a major role in creating wealth, given their place in the economy. According to Chugtai (2014) SMEs business is growing rapidly and have a big strategies role to develop the economic growth in a city. Fashion business is the one of the potential aspects that Bandung’s have supported by availability of the raw material of products, social networking through the fashion community, and also the human resources that develop the fashion industry. As time goes by, many ways are done by the company to promote their products. The one of innovation that a company do to introduce product and create an awareness among the target market is by event marketing strategy. Event marketing is an activity that have been planned and organized by a company with the intent to introduce a brand of the company that have three critical elements that make the event marketing strategy success i.e. entertainment, excitement and enterprise (Hoyle, 2002). The marketing event is an opportunity for the company to reach a bigger market and establishing real and direct contact with consumers during events such as festivals, fairs, or sporting events, can produce a memorable brand experience for everyone (Zarantonello, 2012). SME business can use this marketing strategy to increase their brand awareness. Hopefully, they can understand how to design the strategy of event marketing to attract customer awareness, so that they can implement this event marketing strategy in their business. Research Aims: Analyse the impact of event marketing strategy to brand awareness customer apparel industry Design/methodology/approach: Judgement sampling method with respondents completing a fivepoint Likert scale close-ended questionnaire Research Findings: The result shows that event marketing has a positive impact on brand awarenessand also event marketing should be design well to make memorable memory for the customer

Ziemianie w prasowym rysunku satyrycznym 1944–1956

Artykul jest probą analizy propagandowego obrazu ziemianstwa polskiego utrwalonego w rysunkach satyrycznych publikowanych w prasie w latach 1944–1956. Autor na podstawie ich treści opracowal klasyfikacje glownych zagadnien, w kontekście ktorych odwolywano sie do tej warstwy spolecznej. Nalezą do nich: reforma rolna, walka ze Stanislawem Mikolajczykiem i PSL, przeksztalcenia spoleczno-gospodarcze, zycie codzienne, kontestacja systemu (oskarzenia o sabotaz, szkodnictwo gospodarcze, związki z emigracją i podziemiem).

PRE-SERVICE VISUAL ARTS TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THEIR METHODS COURSE IN NATIONAL TEACHER COLLEGES IN UGANDA

This research aimed to investigate the second year pre-service visual arts teachers' (PVATs) perceptions of the effectiveness of their methods course in equipping them with the knowledge and skills of teaching during teacher preparation in NTCs in Uganda and how it improved their teaching competence levels. The content for the methods course is aimed at preparing PVATs for school practice. The preparation is done while PVATs are still at college. The study followed a quantitative research design where a self-constructed questionnaire was administered to fifty-two PVATs who had just returned from school practice. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data collected through the questionnaires. The overall findings showed that PVATs needed urgent remedial support in using a variety of teaching and learning resources; lesson planning and implementation; using a variety of teaching methods and using a variety of assessment strategies. It was recommended that NTCs administration revise the methods course content and include technology-based content, conducting methods course content lectures right from the first term of an academic year, refresh tutors' knowledge of the methods course content and ensure regular attendance of both tutors and PVATs. Article visualizations: