مطالب

Objective: Problem gambling is a non-addiction issue that may arise even from recreational engagement with gambling activity. In Nigeria, not much has been written about this menace to the extent that the focus of interest of the government is on the economic gains of gambling activities rather than how to curtail the problems arising therefrom. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating psychosocial predictors (age, suicidality, and financial strain) contributing either independently or collectively to problem gambling among male undergraduate students in Ogun state, Nigeria. Methods: This study adopted a correlational research design. 201 participants were recruited using a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires that included bio-data information, Problem Gambling Severity Index developed by (Ferris & Whynne, 2001), Suicidal Behaviour Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) developed by Osman, Bagge, Gutierrez, Konick, Kopper, & Barrios (2001) and Financial Strain Survey developed by (Aldana & Lijenquist, 1998). Results: Multiple Regression Analysis was used to analyze the data, and the results revealed that financial strain contributed more significantly to problem gambling (t (196) = 5.348, P.001), = 36, while all psychosocial variables contributed collectively to problem gambling (F (3, 196) = 9.670, P.01, AdjR2 =.12) among male undergraduate students in Ogun State, Nigeria. Conclusions: The study concluded that psychosocial factors-age, financial strain, and suicidality collectively contributed to problem gambling while only financial strain independently significantly predicted problem gambling among male university students in Ago-Iwoye community of Olabisi Onabanjo University. The study recommended that students receive financial counselling and planning in order to manage their money effectively.

Multi-grade classes are one of the realities of our educational system. Academic motivation is known as a challenge for educational systems in developing countries. According to the rapid advances in science and technology, the utilization of blended learning seems to solve this challenge. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of blended learning on students' academic motivation in multi-grade classes. The study was quasi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design with the control group. The statistical population was all students of primary multi-grade classes in Ghaen (n=2200 with 160 classes). The statistical sample was 28 multi-grade students selected using the two-stage cluster sampling method. Also, to collect data, Harter's academic motivation questionnaire was used with Cronbach's alpha of 0.92. The SPSS application and covariance test used to analyze the data. The results showed that academic motivation scores in the experimental group were more than the control group (p≤0.05, f (25.1) = 4.23). According to ETA squares, the blended approach explains 37% of the variance of academic motivation post-test scores (p<0.05, ŋ2=37%). According to the findings and the challenges of teaching in multi-grade classes, this method is not just one option but seems to be the best solution for resolving multi-grade problems.

Using Critical Digital Pedagogy (CDP) considering the recent technological advancements in the field of education as well as the prevalence of critical pedagogy (CP) in the World educational systems. This qualitative study aimed to uncover ELT experts’ and English literature teachers’ perceptions of a technology-laden CP-based EFL teacher preparation program for the context of Iran within a basic interpretive design. A total of thirty male and female ELT experts with a PhD in TEFL who were selected through convenience sampling from among experienced university professors who had relevant research expertise in the field. They were university professors with PhD in TEFL with different years of teaching experience. To collect the data, a semi-structured interview was used. Data analysis was done by the MAXQDA. The results showed that the perceptions of ELT experts and English literature teachers were both in line with the tenets of CP and the use of technology in education. Further, it was indicated that the perceptions of ELT experts and English literature teachers of a technology-laden CP-based EFL teacher preparation program for the context of Iran were significantly different. The findings have some implications for EFL teacher education administrators, curriculum planners and educators. Key Words: Critical Pedagogy (CP), Critical Digital Pedagogy (CDP), EFL Teacher Education, Technology.

The meaning of the word Ḍaraba in the phrase iḍrebuhunna in the verse 34 of Surah An-Nisa is one of the words of the Holy Qur’ān that has occupied the minds of commentators. According to this verse, the Holy Qur’ān gives three orders to men whose wives are disobedient: advise them, forsake them in bed or beat them. Throughout the history of the Holy Qur’ān interpretation, there have been many discussions about the meaning of iḍrebuhunna by commentators, and in the contemporary era, many scholars of the Holy Qur’ān have talked about the meaning of this word. The purpose of this article is to clarify the meaning of Ḍaraba in this verse. Indeed, this study tries to find what the exact meaning of Ḍaraba in the phrase iḍrebuhunna in the verse 34 of Surah An-Nisa is. To figure out the meaning of iḍrebuhunna , we used the method of semantics and the method of qualitative content analysis and examined and classified the commentators’ opinions. The result is that what God means by “beating” in this verse, based on the severity of beating/hitting, is the psychological beating in such a way that a man is ready to hit with anger so that the woman stops disobeying her husband; however, this does not involve the stage of physical hitting.