Faculty of Arts and Design
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Item Social context and the use of technology in teaching African languages : a case study of public universities in KwaZulu-Natal(2024-03-27) Adedokun, Theophilus; Awung, Felix Nkwatta; Usadolo, Sam Erevbenagie; Awung, Felix Nkwatta; Usadolo, Sam ErevbenagieThis study uses the concepts of Bourdieu’s sociological theory to investigate factors influencing technology use in teaching African languages. The study contends that language lecturers’ choices in teaching with technology were affected by the social phenomena of the field in which they operate. By adopting Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus, capital, and field, the study offers a multi pronged approach to understanding the complex nature of the relationship between practices of individuals and social structures. A thematic textual analysis was used to investigate the attitudes of lecturers who taught African languages in selected public universities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The analysis reveals a mutually reinforcing relationship between individuals who operate in the teaching field and their behavioural attitudes towards using technology in teaching African languages. The study contributes to understanding how individuals and groups navigate different social and cultural contexts and how they could use their resources to the advantage of their fields. In addition, the study showed how agents actively try to shape their current teaching practices and adopt new approaches while subtly resisting external pressures that conflict with the practical realities of their field and their audience (students). The results of the interviews indicate that individuals' behaviours were influenced by the forces of the field where they operated, external factors and their habitus. This study recommends that policymakers collaborate with stakeholders like communities, governments, institutions, and lecturers to ensure technology development for teaching African languages yields desirable results. It also suggests African countries create an enabling environment for African languages to thrive, and future research adopts an integrated approach examining various factors influencing technology use in language teaching.Item A multi-criteria framework for evaluating health communication strategies to combat vaccine hesitancy(African Journals Online (AJOL), 2024) Esene, Patricia; Adedokun, Theophilus; Agbede, Grace TemiloluwaThe effectiveness of vaccination programs against infectious illnesses is threatened by the evolution of vaccine resistance, which poses a severe danger to international public health initiatives. Conventional methods of addressing vaccine resistance have frequently been constrained by their onedimensional emphasis, which ignores the intricate interactions between biological, epidemiological, and sociocultural elements influencing the development of resistance. In response, this research supports a multi-criteria strategy that incorporates several viewpoints and standards to comprehend and manage vaccination resistance fully. Five strategies—provider-patient communication, health education campaigns, social media campaigns, community outreach initiatives, and influencer partnerships—are incorporated into the framework. Ten criteria are employed to evaluate these strategies: impact, resistance to misinformation, inclusivity, penetration, community engagement, and facilitation of dialogue, credibility, establishment of trust, resource demands, and adaptability. The CRITIC method is utilized to ascertain the relative significance of each criterion, whereas the CoCoSo and TOPSIS methods are employed to prioritize the strategies according to their appropriateness. As indicated by the findings, the criterion of vaccine effectiveness holds the greatest significance, with trust and credibility following suit. It is determined that health education campaigns are the most effective approach to tackle vaccine hesitancy, whereas influencer partnerships are deemed to be the least effective.Item Vaccine hesitancy in Nigeria : overcoming cultural, linguistic and religious obstacles(African Journals Online (AJOL), 2024) Agbede, Grace Temiloluwa; Emezirinwune, Dominica; Adedokun, Theophilus; Idowu-Collins, PatriciaVaccine hesitancy poses a significant challenge to public health efforts in Nigeria, a country characterized by immense cultural and linguistic diversity. The interactions among linguistic obstacles, cultural and religious beliefs, and historical elements that lead to vaccine hesitancy among Nigeria's many ethnic groups are examined in this review article. It analyzes the decision-making processes and information needs of Nigerian parents regarding childhood vaccinations. The article evaluates the effectiveness of existing vaccine promotion interventions and communication strategies, highlighting successes, limitations, and areas for improvement. By consolidating research findings, the review aims to inform the development of culturally appropriate and context-specific approaches to address vaccine hesitancy and enhance vaccine uptake in Nigeria. Recommendations emphasize formative research, community engagement, capacity building for healthcare workers, and the strategic use of diverse communication channels to reach diverse populations with tailored vaccination information and support.Item Issues of representation and inclusion in scholarly publishing : the roles of authors, reviewers, editors, and published research(CJEAS Ltd, 2024-06-18) Adedokun, TheophilusRepresentation and inclusion have become pressing issues in recent years, as systemic biases resulting in the underrepresentation of certain groups continue to be revealed in scholarly publishing. This paper presents strategies that have been implemented by the African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies (AJIMS) to promote equity and diversify its authorship, reviewers, editors, and the research published in the journal. Specifically, the paper discusses how targeted recruitment of reviewers and intentional diversification of the AJIMS editorial board have brought traditionally excluded voices into the journal's editorial decision-making processes. Additionally, the paper highlights how special issues, targeted calls for papers, and an articulated values/practices statement have shaped the focus and values of the research published in AJIMS. While these strategies have the potential to make scholarly publishing more representative of diversity while upholding quality standards, the paper argues that systemic change necessitates commitment at all levels. In conclusion, the paper emphasizes that lasting inclusive practices require the dedication of all stakeholders such as authors, editors, reviewers, publishers, professional societies, and the wider research community engaged with scholarly publishing.Item Communication strategies for healthcare providers to enhance vaccine discussions with vaccine-hesitant patients(Interdisciplinary Journal of Sociality Studies, 2024-04-27) Adedokun, Theophilus; Idowu-Collins, PatriciaThis study examines vaccine hesitancy as an emerging public health concern that undermines the efficacy of vaccination initiatives. Healthcare providers play a crucial role in addressing vaccine hesitancy; however, many lack effective communication strategies. This study developed evidence-based communication guidelines to assist healthcare providers in discussing vaccines with hesitant patients. Drawing on Bourdieu's theoretical framework, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten vaccine-hesitant parents and ten paediatricians in Nigeria. Through reflexive thematic analysis of the interview transcripts, this study uncovers power dynamics, legitimacy struggles, and cultural capital's significance in vaccine conversations. The findings reveal that hesitant parents question the legitimacy of vaccine recommendations, feeling marginalised yet constrained by societal norms of responsible parenthood. Similarly, healthcare providers' reliance on biomedical expertise often proves insufficient without rapport building, cultural competency, and addressing patients' unique knowledge assets. The findings of this study contribute to communication theory, medical education, and clinical practice by advocating for power-conscious, dialogue-based strategies to promote vaccination amidst uncertainty and scepticism.Item Navigating the academic odyssey: exploring the role of supervisors in supporting postgraduate students(2024-02-23) Adedokun, Theophilus; Oyetunde-Joshua, FunshoPostgraduate supervision entails an intensive, one-on-one academic relationship between the supervisor and student. Through this relationship, the supervisor facilitates the student's scholarly development. This study investigates supervisors' roles in supporting postgraduate students from the students’ perspective. This study through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 12 doctoral and masters students at two universities seeks to investigate how postgraduate students perceive and undergo guidance from their supervisors. The factors analyzed include the role of networking and motivational supports provided by supervisors during postgraduate students’ research journey. This study explores the ways supervisors provide career mentoring and networking to prepare students for postgraduate careers, and how they inspire and emotionally assist students through inherent research challenges. The findings identify strengths in supervisory support and areas needing enhancement. The findings indicate that many students desire more hands-on help with methodology and writing and career mentoring emerges as an area where postgraduate support falls short of expectations. The study recommends that supervisor trainings be provided for supervisors and intending ones, and such trainings should be focused on writing guidance, networking, advising and motivation. By implementing such programs, universities can empower supervisors to optimally assist students, thereby enhancing experiences and outcomes.Item Assessing community attitudes towards home-based male caregivers for daycare children(Indonesian Journal of Early Childhood Education Studies, 2023-11-30) Adedokun, Elizabeth Temilade; Adedokun, TheophilusThis study explored community attitudes toward home-based male caregivers for daycare children in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. The aim was to understand perspectives on using male caregivers for daycare children. The study interviewed 32 parents and prospective parents in Ogbomoso, Nigeria, about their attitudes toward male caregivers for daycare children. During the interviews, respondents were asked about their willingness to use male caregivers, the reasons behind their decision, the expected impacts on children, and the need for societal change. The study occurred between February and July 2022 in Ogbomoso South and North Local Government areas. Respondents include married men and women aged 30-50, with equal numbers of males and females represented in the 32 interviewees. A qualitative approach was used alongside an accidental sampling technique. An inductive thematic analysis elicited key themes shaping attitudes and norms. A prevalent theme was associating caregiving with inherent female capabilities and maternal duties - many felt women naturally provide superior nurturing and care while men lack these innate aptitudes. Alongside this was a strong distrust of males with children, stemming from abuse and misconduct fears. However, some felt gender is irrelevant, professing egalitarian ideals. However, pursuing equality conflicted with lingering skepticism about men's care motivations. It is apparent that parents lack a framework for choosing caregivers yetchoose for their children. Such a framework could help bridge the gender inequality gap in caregiving.Item A critical approach of the Nigerian higher education institution curriculum and the notion of black consciousness(International Journal of Curriculum and Instruction, 2022-12-28) Adedokun, TheophilusThis study sets out to explore the current Nigerian Higher Education Institution (HEI) curriculum and its relation to the notion of black consciousness. This study argues that for the curriculum of HEIs in Africa to be relevant to the notion of black consciousness, it should mirror the philosophies of Africa as a continent. The curriculum should mirror the lives of students of Africa and their learning needs at a particular place at a given time, not catering for the lives of students and the learning needs of students of other locations. To achieve this, a deliberate effort should be made to repudiate foreign philosophies and external behavioral patterns as they relate to curriculum development and the endorsement of traditionally accepted ways of thinking and acting in the process and execution of curriculum development activities. Nigeria HEI curriculum seems to mirror so much of the foreign philosophies rather than Nigerian native philosophies. However, the true relevance of this curriculum to the notion of black consciousness is still unclear. This study therefore explores the Nigerian HEI curriculum to date to consider the content thereof and to ascertain its relevance to the notion of black consciousness. This study adopts a historical and explorative design in describing the development of the Nigerian HEI curriculum. The finding of this study reveals that many influencing factors mitigate against the true relevance of the Nigerian HEI Curriculum to the notion of Black Consciousness. These mitigating factors includes culture, external influence (western influence), internal influence, political influence, and religious influence. The various curriculum players and philosopher are expected to adopt research and innovation policies in dealing with the various negative influences on the Nigerian HEI curriculum that makes it difficult to reflect the notion of black consciousness.