Education

This study was a comparative investigation into the nature of difficulties in learning English by the secondary school students of Provincial and Federal government schools in N.W.F.P (Khyber Pukhtunkhwa). The objectives of the study were (1)To find out the level of difficulties of secondary school students of Provincial and Federal government schools of N.W.F.P (Khyber Pukhtunkhwa) in tenses, active and passives voices, direct and indirect narrations, conjunctions, prepositions, articles, construction of sentences and reading with comprehension ;and (2)To compare the level of difficulties in learning English as a second language at secondary level of Provincial and Federal government schools in N.W.F.P (Khyber Pukhtunkhwa). The sample of the study was comprised of 654 randomly selected students from twenty four Provincial government schools and twenty two Federal government schools located in twenty four districts of N.W.F.P. (Khyber Pukhtunkhwa). An English language achievement test for secondary classes was administered to the sample students of the study. The data obtained were tabulated and analysed through SPSS 17.0 software to compute mean, standard deviation, t-value and p-value (significance) level. The main findings of the study were; the students of Provincial government schools faced more difficulties in learning of verb forms, narration, conjunctions, prepositions, articles, sentence arrangements and reading comprehension.  The students of both types of schools systems faced same difficulties in learning voices

The present study was conducted to investigate the errors of Pakistani school students in prepositions and articles. The main focus of the study was to analyse the errors of students in articles and prepositions. The sample of the study was comprised of 100 randomly selected students from government secondary schools of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. The instrument used in the study was the essays written by 8th class students in their annual examination. The annual examination papers in the subject of English of the sample population were collected from the school record. The errors committed by the students in the use of preposition and articles were identified and counted in frequencies while writing essays on different topics. The main findings of the study were; Secondary school students faced more difficulties in learning prepositions as compare to articles; Secondary school students faced more difficulties in learning prepositions of time; Secondary school students were confused while using preposition in their writings; Secondary school students faced more difficulties in learning indefinite articles and omit articles in their writings

The present study was designed to determine the prevalence of Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among flood affected school children in Pakistan. The sample of the study was comprised of 522 randomly selected students aged 10-16 years from five flood affected districts of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. The instrument used in the study was The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) to measure Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among flood affected school children in Pakistan.. The main findings of the study were; secondary school students were highly affected by Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); Female secondary school students were highly affected by Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Displaced secondary school students were highly affected by Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); female students developed more PTSD as compared to male students; and displaced students developed more PTSD as compared to non-displaced students.

This study was designed to find the comparative effects of scientific attitude toward Physic of
females’ students of Grade 9 teaching Physics through inquiry teaching method and
traditional lecture method teaching. The objectives of the study was (a ) to compare the
scientific attitude toward physics Grade 9 of female students teaching Physics through
inquiry teaching method (ITM) and traditional teaching lecture method (TTLM).one hundred
and twenty (120) sciences females students of grade 9, from two schools served as sample of
the study. Students of each school were divided into two equivalent groups’ i.e control and
experimental group on the basis of pre scientific attitude toward Physics test. Experimental
groups were taught through inquiry method and control group by traditional lecture method
for twenty two weeks. Post scientific attitude test were administered after treatment to assess
the difference in scientific attitudes toward Physics of groups. The data obtained were
tabulated and analyzed to compute Mean, Standard deviation and t-value at level 0.05
through SPSS 16.0 software. The post scientific attitude to Physics test shows that
experimental group was significantly better than the control group.

The study was conducted during Febrauary 2009 in DI Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
province of Pakistan with the objectives to find out cost and net revenue from buffaloes milk
production and to estimate return to scale in milk production. The results of Cobb-Douglas
production function suggest that buffaloe milk yield is more sensitive to change in herd Size i.e
one percent increase in herd size creates approximately 0.65 percent increase in milk yield, other
things being constant. While the labor, feed insignificantly contribute in milk yield. The results
of the model also suggest increasing return to scale. This indicates that increase in milk is higher
than the increase in inputs. It is concluded that buffaloe farming in the study area is a profitable
enterprise

The current research was undertaken to investigate the relationship between self-esteem and
Moral Judgment among students. The study sample consisted of 81 students and the data
were collected from 3 different schools (i.e. Asif Public School, House of Secondary
Education and Al-Ameen Public School Rawalpindi). The sample consisted of students of
ages 13 to 18 years. Self-esteem Scale of Raffia(1999), comprising 29 items, was used to
measure self-esteem while the Urdu version of Padua Moral Judgment scale, originally
developed by Anna L. ( Communion & Uwe P. Gielen 2001), was used to measure moral
judgment. Padua Moral Judgment Scale was a 28 items objective test grouped in four parts.
Eleven social values are assessed in the scale including contract, affiliation, life, property,
law and legal justice. It was hypothesized that high levels of self-esteem result in high
levels of moral judgment but results of the present research showed that higher stages of
moral judgment are not related with High Self-esteem.

This study was conducted to investigate the factors affecting the learning of English of the secondary school students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The objectives of the study were (1) To find out the factors affecting the learning of English at secondary level in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; and (2) To provide a base for improvement of teaching English as a second language at the secondary school level in Pakistan. The population of the study was comprised of all the English teachers of twenty four Provincial government schools, and twenty two Federal government schools located in twenty four districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Sixteen senior most English teachers were selected for the purpose of interview. The main findings of the study were; the teachers in Provincial government schools were not sufficiently qualified and had not adequate knowledge of teaching methodologies of teaching English. The classes at both type of school system were overcrowded. The Provincial and Federal Government schools lacked audio-visual aids for teaching of English.

A number of research studies have found differences between male and female students’ classroom participation. Some researchers link these differences to students’ gender, asserting that female students’ low participation is the result of male students’ active classroom participation. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore differences between students’ gender and their classroom participation and to investigate the ways through which students gender manifest itself in disadvantaging other students. Four students – both male and female – were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule; two classroom observations were conducted, having different classroom gender compositions. Apart from the students two teachers of the observed classes were also interviewed, for gaining a better understanding of the differences between male and female students’ classroom participation and the reasons that disadvantage a specific gender. Findings suggest and confirm that university climate presents less friendly environment to female students.

The study attempted to measure the effects of e-reading (reading from the
screen of a laptop, tablet or other electronic display) and  printed documents reading.
Objectives of the study were to measure the effects of e -reading materials on students’
comprehension  and  their  retention  power,  to  investigate  the  effects  of  traditional
printed documents reading on students’ comprehension and their retention power and
measure the differences between the effects of both types of readings (printed and
electronic). The study was experimental in nature and from true experimental research
design pre-test posttest comparative group design was adopted for the study. Students of
B.  Ed  honor  constituted  the  population  of  the  study.  After  pre-test  students  were
divided  into  two  groups  and  one  group  was  presented  for  ereading  and the
second group to reading from printed documents. Reading materials wereselected
from the subject of research methods in education. Students understanding and
retention power was measured through a self-developed test. The collected data were
analyzed  through  Mean,  standard  deviation  and  t-paired  sample  test.  Results
obtained,illustrated,  that  students  reading  from  printed  documents  had  more
retention power and greater understanding of the text than students who read from
screen (e-reading). Students’  retention power was found strongly associated with their
interest  in  the  media  (E/printed)  of  reading.  Expected  causes  according  to  the
respondents were students’ concentration, interests, and level of comfort in reading
from  printed  materials  than  from  electronic  materials.  The  study  recommended
reading  of  printed  materials  for  better  understanding  and  high  retention  power  of
students.
Keywords:  Electronic Reading, Printed Document Reading, Comprehension, Retention
Power

Developments in technology can support the generation of tools to enhance teaching and learning. In a digital world, teaching without technology is now considered incomplete. Film is one of the most effective tools used for propagating ideas and engaging people in reflections on events and philosophies of life. Films are therefore an influential channel for student learning. Students enjoy watching films, imitating movie characters and can learn languages and scientific concepts through film. In higher education institutions, particularly in teacher education, psychological studies and in the study of history, films are used frequently and have significant positive impacts on student learning. This short article explores the impact of a film initiated by film writer Abhijat Joshi and director Raj Kumar Hirani, produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and released in 2009. The film, Three Idiots, was the result of a collective effort of film-makers and education experts. Teachers and administrators were consulted and contributed to the development of the script. The audience of the film included students, parents and other adults and the leading role was performed by a well-known Indian actor, Aamir Khan. Khan’s more famous movies include Taray Zameen per (Stars on the earth, 2007) and Pee-Kay (Drunk 2014). The role of the heroine of Three Idiots, Pia, was played by Kareena Kapoor, the daughter of Boman Irani, a Professor of film. She has performed in numerous films on different themes, including romantic, social and comedy films, and is a well-known Indian actress in her own right as well as wife of Indian actor Saif Ali Khan. The key actors in the film are famous for their creative and innovative work, and this attracted a diverse audience to Three Idiots.

Overcrowded classrooms and its associated problems are always under investigation of researchers. This study investigated the teaching methodologies and disciplinary problems in overcrowded classrooms. Through a descriptive survey research design, the problem was investigated. Among six hundred and thirty eight female Secondary School Teachers (SSTs), through purposive sampling techniques eighty eight teachers identified as sample who were teaching to overcrowded classrooms. The selected respondents were investigated through a questionnaire which was pilot tested. The collected data were analyzed through Mean, Standard Deviation and Pearson correlation. The results showed that majority of the respondents use traditional teaching methodologies, they agreed with disciplinary problems of overcrowded classroom. Based on the results, it was recommended that the teachers may use modern teaching methodologies to increase students' academic achievement and to overcome disciplinary problems that occur in overcrowded classrooms. Furthermore, it was also recommended to set rules for students in overcrowded classrooms in order to overcome the disciplinary problems. It was recommended to appoint group leader for each group to help teacher in controlling students besides proper seating arrangements in overcrowded classrooms. _______________________________________________________________

Background: Students in the modern world are busy using social media for different purposes along with other activities. Research studies revealed that excessive use of social media influence the mental health of students. This study was design to measure the relationship of social media and depression among university students. Objectives: The main objectives of the study were, to investigate the perception of university students regarding the usage of social media networks, to find out gender-wise differences of university students in using social media networks and depression level and to measure the relationship of social media and depression among university students. Subjects and Methods: Following quantitative correlational research design, the sample which was consists of 200 Facebook and Twitter users comprising of 123 male and 77 female students from university of Swat and Peshawar were surveyed through two research instruments i.e. a questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: The main findings of the study were; most of the male social media users were more depressed than female. The students who spent more time on social media were found depressed. The students who spent more time on social media for searching health information and playing games were more depressed than those who used social media for chat with friends and family. Conclusion: It was concluded that male students who spent more time on social media were found more depressed than female and students who used social media for searching health information and playing games were more depressed than those who used social media for chat with friends and family.

Objectives: To identify the learning styles of secondary school students and to find out the relationship of these learning styles with their academic achievement.
Methodology: The population of the study comprised of all tenth grade male and female students of public sector schools of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. A total of 745 students were randomly selected from 12 schools by applying simple random sampling technique.
Results: The major findings of the study were that male students had higher level of preference in visual and auditory learning styles as compared to female students at the secondary level. No significant relationship was found between learning styles and academic achievements of students.
Conclusion: Female students had higher level of preference in visual and auditory learning styles level, while male students only follow kinesthetic learning style and no relationship was found between students learning styles and academic achievement.

Key words: Learning styles, auditory learning style, visual learning style, tactile learning style, academic achievement

Objectives: To find the occurrence of PTSD among secondary school students of District Swat and to measure the relationship of PTSD and academic achievement of students.
Methodology: This descriptive study comprised of 25 boys and girls high schools destroyed during militancy and military operation in District Swat. The sample consisted of 941 students comprising of 573 male and 368 female studentst. Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS) was used to measure PTSD.
Results: Female students developed higher PTSD as compared to male students. Most of the displaced and non-displaced students were highly affected and they developed equal amount of PTSD. PTSD had inverse correlation with the academic achievement of female and Non-displaced students.
Conclusions: Female students developed higher PTSD and it has inverse correlation with the academic achievement of students.

Key words: PTSD, academic achievement, internal displacement, secondary schools, militancy in Swat.

Objectives: To investigate undergraduate students’ test anxiety level; to measure
the correlation between undergraduate students test anxiety with their
academic achievement; and to measure the correlation of undergraduate students’
test anxiety from the perspective of their gender.
Methodology: Students of eight departments at University of Swat constituted
the study sample. Among these, 126 undergraduate level students were selected
through simple random sampling technique. The tool used for the study was
Westwide Test Anxiety Scale. Analysis of data was done using SPSS version 21.
Results: Among the selected respondents, there were 89 (70.63%) male and
37 (29.37%) female students. Our results revealed that 39.7% of undergraduate
university students were suffering from moderately high test anxiety. Male students
had 44.9% while female students had 27% moderately high test anxiety.
The correlation coefficient between CGPA and test anxiety of students was -.317
which shows inverse relationship. The average CGPA of male students was 2.8
while female students had a CGPA of 3.19. The mean test score of male undergraduate
students was 3.25 ±0.60 and female under graduate students was
3.13 ±0.77, p value .366.
Conclusion: Moderately high test anxiety was found in undergraduate university
students which was similar in both male and female students. Female students
showed better performance as compared to male students.
Key Words: Test anxiety, Academic achievement, Undergraduate students

The classification of knowledge into different disciplines is not to distinct knowledge of one domain from the other as these are the parts of a whole but to make it easy, and to provide space for development and promotion of knowledge. Interdisciplinary research provides the opportunity to study different domains of knowledge from single perspective so that to reach to an eclectic picture of the phenomenon. Results showed that interdisciplinary research contributes a lot in promoting interdisciplinary faculty's relationships and joint ventures in exploring the unseen facts. Multiple literacies are powerful indicators in promoting interdisciplinary research culture and disciplinary literacy of faculty. Multiple literacy theory emphasize on the componential development of language development which is corner stone for multiple literacies. Faculty's literacy in Information Communication Technology (ICT), Statistics and critical thinking/ problem solving skills are foundational for multiple literacy of faculty.

This study intended to investigate the instructional practices at business schools and the learning of entrepreneurial skills. The objectives of the study were: to find out prevailing instructional practices of business educators, entrepreneurship skills of business graduates and the relationship of instructional practices with entrepreneurial skills. The population of the study comprised of business educators and business graduates of the province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of Pakistan. The data was collected through two self-developed questionnaires from 79 business educators and 170 business graduates. The results revealed that traditional instructional practices are used by majority of business educators. However some of the business educators used modern instructional practices. The traditional instructional practices have negative relationship with entrepreneurial skills while modern instructional practices have positive relationship with entrepreneurial skills. It was recommended that training may be provided to the business educators to enhance their pedagogical competencies for teaching entrepreneurial skills