Department Of Research Studiest

CHARACTERISTICS ON STUDENTS’ EVALUATION OF TEACHING

The Effect of Students’ Perceptions and Characteristics on Students’ Evaluation of Teaching: A Case of University of Burao, Somaliland.


Author: Mohamed Ahmed Kunle


Abstract

This study assessed the effect of students’ characteristics and perceptions on the students’ evaluation of teaching (SET).Students’ evaluation of teaching is a process in which teacher’s performance is evaluated by the students. Questionnaires were distributed among 121 students of University of Burao who were studying principles of Macroeconomics under instruction of same lecturer. At the end of the mid-term, students were told to evaluate their lecturer based on ten aspects of teaching; besides, the students were asked to answer some questions that were measuring seven students’ characteristics and perceptions that could affect SET. These seven perceptions and characteristics of the students were gender, age, student’s interest in the course, expected grade, student’s English level, student’s overall grade and student’s perceptions on the SET. Out of these seven characteristics and perceptions of the students, only age affected the scores that students gave to their lecturer. However, the direction of the relationship was not clear because the result shows that on average young students and older students gave higher scores to the lecturer than those of middle age. Finally, the study recommended that SET to not be considered as a valid method of evaluating lecturers’ performance since other unrelated factors like age can affect the rating.

 

 

 

 

 

Key words: Student perception, student characteristics, student evaluation of teaching.


WIDE PRACTICE OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES IN BUSINESS SHOP SIGNS IN SOMALILAND.

Wide Practice of foreign languages in business shop signs in Somaliland.

Author: Ahmed Muse Ismail. Ahmed is a lecturer, also a member of Somali Study center at University of Burao, concurrently, he is a head of Education department of postgraduate and public relations officer, at UoB.

Abstract

This study explores of the material written on shop signs in urban area in Somaliland, particularly foreign words that widely visible on public places. The practices of foreign names in business places became an issue across the world, in particularly the colonized countries. Thus, this study tries to understand the factors influence of practicing foreign language written on shop signs in Somaliland. It allows us to focus deeply on the use of English words or mixture words on shop names in Somaliland Business places. Ethnographic research design was used to describe, analyze and interpret in this phenomenon of interest that about the practicing of foreign language in shop names. The research was carried out in urban cities, Burao and Hargeisa. While four main streets had targeted in both cities. A face-to-face open-ended interview questions and observation was applied purposively in the study. It discovered extensively presence of English language on shop signs for businesses in Somaliland. However, the major factors influence of usage of elements written on English language includes; elitism, novelty, modernity and late-fashion and attraction, informing and directing customer to businesses places. The relationship between buying behaviour and practicing foreign language for business shop signs is required further research.

Definition of key terms:

Shop signs: the stores’ name, not only for shops, but all businesses that merchandise goods and services.

Foreign language: any language from another society that does not included of the official languages for Somaliland country which constitutions allows to practice for its population.

Shop: refers to all business places; restaurants, bars, travel agencies, and any other commercial enterprise.

 

MASTER OF RESEARCH (SOCIAL SCIENCES)

Introduction
The Faculty of Postgraduate Studies at the University of Burao was established in November 2016 as the first Postgraduate Faculty in Togdheer, Somaliland. The vision of the faculty is to provide an opportunity for students in Burao to conduct study and research for the development of the country, and to open the door for Masters and PhD studies in this region. The first two Masters programs were started in May 2017. In the second student intake (January 2020), the following Masters programs are offered: M.A. (English Proficiency in Education), Master of Research (Social Sciences), Master of Sharia & Law, MBA (Human Resource Management), MBA (Project Planning), MBA (Accounting & Finance), and Postgraduate Diploma (English Proficiency).

When first offered in 2017, the Master Research was the first program of its kind offered by any university in Somaliland. The program is designed to develop students’ capacity to conduct both qualitative and quantitative research relevant to the social context in Somaliland, its current social concerns and academic debates. As part of the program, students develop the ability to communicate in English in both writing and speaking, as well as skills of editing texts, presenting research, and understanding both academic and non-academic literature. Furthermore, as part of their major dissertation work, students are prepared for further academic research. The MRES is the University of Burao’s pathway to PhD studies.
Programme Description
Duration of programme: two years / four semesters, plus major dissertation
Contact & credit hours: 15 courses (each course consists of 3 credit hours and 32 contact hours) and one major dissertation (12 credit hours)
Nomenclature: Master of Research

Programme Objectives
Language capabilities
  • Ability to communicate in English in both writing and speaking
  • Skills of editing texts, presenting research, and understanding both academic and non-academic literature
Cognitive capabilities
  • Critical and analytical thinking and problem-solving capabilities
  • Capability of independent inquiry
  • Creativity and innovation
  • Teaching skills
  • Research capabilities
  • Preparing a research proposal
  • Designing a research project
  • Conducting both qualitative and quantitative projects.
Social capabilities
  • Capable of collaborative inquiry
  • Effective communication
  • Engaged and ethical citizens of Somaliland as well as global citizens
  • Socially just and responsible
Personal capabilities
  • Capable of professional and personal initiative
  • Commitment to continuous learning and research