Language: English

DOI: 10.1080/09540250701763566

ISSN: 0954-0253

Language: English

ISSN: 1071-6246

Language: English

ISSN: 1071-6246

Language: English

Language: English

Language: German

ISSN: 0944-2537

Abstract/Notes: Measurement is a critical aspect of mathematics that affords opportunities for learning while applying and engaging with a host of other mathematical topics (Clements and Bright, 2003, p. xi). Although measurement is a theme that permeates all areas of mathematics as well as day-to-day life, research has shown that many learners find it an aspect of mathematics that is difficult to grasp, with learners often "not understand[ing] the attribute being measured or the units that are used for measurement" (O'Keefe and Bobis, 2008, p. 391). Learners often find particular difficulty in determining the surface area and/or volume of a given object. Van de Walle (2004) argues that when learners are only taught the performance of the skills of a particular procedure at the expense of developing and engaging with the concept itself, they become reluctant to attach meaning to it. This problem poses many challenges for mathematics teachers.

Language: English

ISSN: 1990-6811

Language: Swedish

ISSN: 1103-8101

Abstract/Notes: The study investigated the effects of school environment and methods of teaching on language skills achievement of pre – primary school pupils in Edo State. It also investigated the interaction effects of Montessori and played methods and urban and rural environments on pupils' achievement in listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Three urban and three rural areas which were selected from two Local Government Areas (LGAs) were used for the study. Six pre - primary schools were purposively selected for the study. A total of 228 kindergartens 2 pupils intact classes were used for the study which lasted for eight weeks. The study was a pretest, posttest, quasi- experimental control group design with independent variables as methods and school location while achievement in Language Skills Achievement Test (LSAT) was the dependent variable. Descriptive statistics and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) were used to analyze the data obtained while the Multiple Classification Analysis (MCA) was used as post-hoc test for further significance. Three research questions were answered with three hypotheses, tested at 0.05 level of significance. Results showed that the Montessori Method of teaching pre –primary pupils was more effective than the play method. Similarly, urban school pupils achieved higher than their rural counterparts. There was also a significant interaction effect of methods and school location on pupils' academic achievement in Language skills. It was therefore recommended that the Nigerian Government should adopt the Montessori Method as a dominant method of teaching pre – primary school pupils and that pre – primary school owners should provide materials adequately for teaching and learning.

Language: English

DOI: 10.31014/aior.1993.04.03.335

ISSN: 2621-5799, 2657-215X

Abstract/Notes: The purpose of this study was to establish the challenges faced by Montessori Colleges in Kenya in implementing competitive strategies. The study used descriptive survey design. The target population for the study were the 16 colleges that offer Montessori course only. Twelve colleges responded representing a 75% response rate. A semi-structured questionnaire consisting of closed and open-ended questions was used to collect data using the drop and pick method. The study revealed that operational costs, high competitive levels, and no marketing budget were the major challenges. In addition, strategies like low cost staff, part-time teachers hired on a needy basis, taking advantage of any attractive opportunity and use of using the students to market the college and were used heavily in the colleges. Based on the findings, it was recommended that cost leadership strategy be taken into account to maintain competitiveness. This is because cost being a major challenge requires that firms pay a great deal of attention to discretionary costs and look for ways of bringing the costs down. According to Porter (1985) pp 13, 'a cost leader, however cannot ignore the bases of differentiation. If its product is not perceived as comparable or acceptable by buyers, a cost leader will be forced to discount prices well below competitors' to gain sales.' This may result in the firm invalidating the advantages of its cost position.

Language: English

Published: Nairobi, Kenya, 2010