Title: Round Table: What has Africa Been Saying About Educational Technology?
Author(s): Japari Ngilari
Status: Published; March, 2016
Venue: Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference
Abstract: This paper is a report on the findings of a study on educational technology literature that reference Africa. A systematic search of such literature was conducted and then subject to a content analysis of the results. The results showed the most common keywords, from which predominant themes emerged. Findings indicate that the major themes in academic discourse congregate around teaching practices, technological devices and technology for development. The least represented themes are on gender, literacy and government. This is discussed in light of its implications for current and future research.
Full Paper: Download
Title: Peer Tutoring in Higher Education: A Review of Empirical Research.
Author(s): Japari Ngilari
Status: Submitted for Publication
Venue: Journal of Peer Learning
Abstract: Peer tutoring is a pedagogical strategy that is purported to be beneficial to both the tutors and the tutees. In this paper, a systematic review of the literature on peer tutoring in higher education (primarily, colleges and universities) was conducted. This involved a comprehensive search of an electronic education research database for empirical studies on peer tutoring in higher education from 1997-2017. The aim is to determine the likely factors that influence peer tutoring effectiveness in higher education. The Attitude, Skill, Knowledge (ASK) peer tutoring model proposed by Fitch and Semb (1993) was employed for this purpose. Findings showed that attitude, skills and knowledge of the tutor affect learning outcomes in peer tutoring contexts as does the attitude of the tutee. These findings are juxtaposed in the framework of Piaget, Vygotsky and Bandura’s learning theories with emphasis on self-reflection and self-efficacy in peer tutoring. This paper concludes with implications for practice.
Full Draft: Download
Title: Digital Fabrication in Education
Author(s): Japari Ganama
Status: Submitted for Publication
Venue: International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction
Abstract: Digital fabrication is quickly gaining a momentum that transcends its niche industrial roots into formal educational environments. This trend is akin to that found in the early adoption of previous other, now commonplace, technologies (such as personal computers); ubiquitous and promising. Thus, the rationale for this research then lies in the growing use of these digital fabrication technologies (especially 3D printing) for learning; the consequent pedagogical implications of which, warrant a critical look. By adopting a literature review approach, this paper first relays the theoretical underpinnings of making; the nature of and extended motives for researching digital fabrication then follows. The collected classroom case studies of fabrication in action later reveal that it stimulates logical thinking, concretizes understanding of abstract concepts, provides hands-on learning and can be beneficial cross-disciplinarily. These outcomes suggest that digital fabrication could potentially play a pivotal role in re-orienting traditional pedagogy towards a culture of making on the basis of technological constructionism.
Full Draft: Download
Title: Transactional Distance
Author(s): Japari Ngilari
Status: Submitted for Publication
Venue: Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference
Abstract: This paper investigates the transactional distance experienced among a group of medical students in the same online course. This was measured vis a vis the previous experience of each student with online learning platforms. Results showed that there was not a significant correlation between previous online learning experience and transactional distance, negating the presupposition of a positive relationship. These findings are discussed in the context of other similar studies.
Full Draft: Download
Title: Social Structures in Formal Education for the At-risk Preschooler
Author(s): Japari Ngilari
Status: Working Paper
Abstract: Having a supporting social structure in early childhood is an important criteria for success in a formal educational setting. This qualitative case study explores a preschool program for at-risk children in a small midwestern city in North America. It is an investigation into the people and relationships that exists in the child’s formal and informal learning environments. Findings show that there is a direct relationship with the quality of social support a child receives and the learning outcomes. Being socially disadvantaged can lead to a pedagogical disadvantage; this is discussed in light of its implications for educational reform.
Full Draft: Download
Title: The Design Document for the Instructional Component of A Custom Data Reporting Software (CDRS)
Author(s): Japari Ngilari
Status: Working Paper
Overview: The design of a custom data reporting software (CDRS) has been commissioned to support the electoral process within a developing community. This software is being designed to aid electoral officers in reporting the success or failure outcomes of the electoral process to a central data warehouse. It can primarily be accessed via the web although an alternative mobile based platform is provided in the case of an inadvertent access to the web based resource. The primary stakeholders are the national body responsible for conducting elections into public offices, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and external consultants providing advisory/support services, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). To ensure a hitch-free electoral run, supervising bodies have also asked for the training of their electoral staff to use the CDRS. This training will be conducted on a beta version of the software and is the focus of this instructional design document.
Full Draft: Download
Title: Common Sense in Artificially Intelligent Applications: The Culture of Technological Silence
Author(s): Japari Ngilari
Status: Working Paper
Abstract: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fast growing domain that is gaining momentum for its applications in contemporary society. An essential component of AI is the extent to which it each it is able to typify what is often thought of as abilities peculiar to humankind. To this extent, common sense becomes an important criterion if that representation is to be true to reality. This paper presents a working definition of common sense, in both the lay and scientific sense. It follows on to establish the role of common sense in AI applications with explicit focus on cultural implications. A detailed proposal of hypothetical AI application, Silence Of The Apps (SOTA), that focuses on the culture of technological silence in classroom settings surmises the discussions
Full Draft: Download
Title: Analysis of an Educational Macro-system Using Banathy’s Motion-Picture Model
Author(s): Japari Ngilari
Status: Unsubmitted
Abstract: This paper details the analysis of an educational macro-system as a follow-up to a prior analysis of its associated sub-components; the meso-system and micro-system. It employs the use of the process lens: the motion-picture model to analyze a school district in subsaharan Africa with specific emphasis on K-12 education. First, there is a background detailing the geopolitical nature of the country as it contextualizes the actual macro-system. Next, specific details of the system is discussed. This is succeeded by an analysis using the motion-picture framework, as the system goes through a mandated policy implementation. Three models are generated based on the subject of the system, the input, transformation and output models. It concludes with a discussion based on an evidence-based evaluation of the system.
Full Draft: Download
Title: Vlogging to Learn
Author(s): Japari Ngilari
Status: Unsubmitted
Abstract: Of the emerging social media trends, blogging has generated substantial interest for its suitability to pedagogy. This paper preliminarily explores the rise of a blogging sub-genre, video blogging (colloquially referred to as vlogging). The focal emphasis is on what it constitutes, how it differs from traditional blogging, its relevance in educational settings and an optimistic evaluation of it nascency.
Full Draft: Download
Title: Grant Application: Early Childhood STEM Interactive Technology Education (ECSITE) Project
Author(s): Japari Ngilari
Status: Unsubmitted
Overview: The Early Childhood STEM Interactive Technology Education (ECSITE) project seeks to use interactive software to educate pre-school children (ages 3 to 5) about STEM oriented subjects using spatial concepts. In this “fun” project for preschoolers, a Spatial Intelligence Package (SIP) will be developed for preschoolers and available to them via the web on the ECSITE web page. SIP will be developed in the first year, during which consent for research will be solicited as well as other research planning efforts. In the second year of the project, SIP will be administered to 20 preschoolers over 12 weekends mimicking a regular academic term. Their performance skills will be tested at various stages; at the beginning, halfway through the session (after 6 weeks) and at the end (at 12 weeks), to monitor their progress. This project aims to develop in children spatial intelligence skills which is useful for a STEM future. By strengthening spatial skills, children’s performance in STEM concepts will be increased. SIP provides a visual heavy yet friendly atmosphere for leisure learning in children. Easy enough to find natural interest, yet engaging enough to stimulate learning
Full Draft: Download
Ganama, J.Z. 