HURIA JOURNAL OF THE OPEN UNIVERSITY OF TANZANIA

The Dualism of Learning Study: Understanding and Practices of Student-Centered Learning in Mathematics

2025-08-03T12:29:42+00:00

There have been ideological variations in understanding, focus and practices of student-centred learning (SCL) across the world. This study explored the teachers’ ways of understanding and practising SCL in enhancing student learning of mathematics concepts. Using interviews, lesson preparatory meetings, reflective journals, and students’ tests, the study employed a phenomenographic variation framework, coding strategies and paired sample t-test to analyse data. The results show that when teachers share their experiences on SCL, they come up with a wider understanding of the best SCL pedagogical strategies. They unfold the SCL teaching challenges, especially in overcrowded classrooms. As such, teachers changed their ways of understanding (experiencing) SCL from seeing it as a methodological orientation to subject content and object of learning. The more teachers were engaged in the learning study, the better their pedagogical teaching practices became focused on students learning complex mathematical topics.

Security Assessment for Guest-to-Guest and Host-to-Guest Isolation in Type 1 and Type 2 Open-Source Hypervisors: A Focus on Attack Vectors

2025-08-04T04:41:13+00:00

The global IT management landscape has shifted from physical to virtual computing. The transition process that makes virtualized execution environments possible is controlled by the underlying software apparatus known as a hypervisor. Based on the design architecture and configuration, hypervisors differ in the degree of virtual machine isolation, making security a serious concern for technology adopters. This paper presents the security assessment of open-source hypervisors using attack vectors for guest-to-guest (G2G) and host-to-guest (H2G) penetrations. The study uses Proxmox VE and XenServer for Type 1 hypervisors and Kernel Virtual Machine (KVM) and Oracle Virtual Box (OVB) for Type 2, with secondary data analysis based on software vulnerabilities and exposures retrieved from publicly available online databases. For clarity, the source codes of each hypervisor were scanned to identify vulnerable files in an experiment conducted on a Kali Linux testbed with prebuilt virtual machines, each hosting one hypervisor. The vulnerability level was determined using 11 attack vectors extracted qualitatively from relevant literature. The soft memory management unit was found to be the most common attack vector among all hypervisors. Type 1 hypervisors are far better at responding to virtual resource attacks, whereas type 2 hypervisors are more vulnerable to attacks that suffocate computational resources, especially virtual CPUs. OVB outperforms other hypervisors in terms of disk and network performance as it is more resistant to attacks involving I/O networking, interrupt and timer mechanisms, and hypercalls. The results also show that all hypervisors perform better against G2G than H2G attacks. For H2G attacks, the Proxmox VE and KVM have demonstrated better performance compared to other hypervisors. According to analysis, the most prevalent hypervisor flaws are mainly due to design faults rather than misconfigurations by adopters. To get rid of hypervisor weaknesses and fully capitalize on the technological shift from physical to virtual computing, adopters should consider industry-accepted best practices when selecting, installing, and deploying open-source hypervisors.

Hospitality Corporate Sustainability: How Intertwined are the Practices?

2025-08-04T04:45:29+00:00

This study aimed to examine the nature of corporate sustainability practices and how such practices fit with traditional nested model of sustainability in developing country-context. The study is based on thematic analysis of in-depth-interviews with hotels' managers in the Coastal and Northern tourist circuits of Tanzania. It broadly reveals that, sustainability practices at corporate level embrace economic, environmental and social dimensions. Hotels’ practices vary from being modest (energy and resource saving, employees and guests’ education, local employment); moderate (sustainable growth, customer satisfaction, community engagement, biodiversity conservation); to intensive (long-term profitability focus, waste reduction, water conservation, local sourcing) implementation levels. Moreover, findings indicate sustainability practices do not fit well in the traditional nested model. Challenging the simplicity of a linear nested model, results exhibit an intricate interconnection between economic dynamics as a foundational aspect deeply intertwined with both environmental and social issues. The study’s findings imply that to reap significant sustainability benefits, businesses should strive for sustainability approaches that integrate sustainable principles holistically into all aspects of the business. Moreover, it uplifts a theoretical relevance and practical applicability of nested sustainability model. Hospitality practitioners are also expected to benefit from practical implications presented in this study.

Milk Value Chain, Gender Equity and Poverty Alleviation in Tanzania

2025-08-04T04:48:27+00:00

Literature reveals that there is no consensus about how value chain interventions contribute to gender equity and poverty alleviation among different gender groups. This study was conducted to assess the prospect for enhancing gender equity and alleviating poverty under formal and informal market arrangements within the milk value chain in Tanzania. The study also examined changes in gender roles and relations in the chain. A cross-sectional research was designed and conducted in Tanga City and Iringa Municipality. Proportionate and systematic sampling techniques were used to identify respondents to participate in the study. Descriptive statistics were computed using SPSS and ethnographic content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. The study found that men and women are important actors in the milk value chain but the extent of their participation differ significantly. The participation of men and women in the milk value chain has increased both their earnings and workload. There are gender specific constraints that hinder the performance of men and women in the milk value chain such as limitation on mobility, access to and control of resources, and decision making over income accrued from dairying. Some traditional social norms and practices also hinder women's participation in some activities within the value chain like engaging in more rewarding milk markets. The study recommends that market development programmes should understand location specific gender contexts to avoid generic intervention that may exacerbate the existing gender inequity.

Exploring Paradigmatic Philosophical Foundations for Better Research Quality in Tanzania Universities via Grounded Theory

2025-08-04T04:52:06+00:00

This study investigated how Tanzanian Master's students' research paradigms impact their dissertation composition, supervision, defense, and final grades. It highlights that researchers often neglect the importance of paradigm clarity and relevance in the knowledge creation process, affecting thesis assessments. Using Charmaz's 2006 Grounded Theory (GT) with inductive logic research, a qualitative approach, and multivariate descriptive design were employed. The study saturated sampled size involved 67 students, 6 external examiners (EEs), and 14 supervisors through triangulated sampling techniques. The Kaiser Oklin Measure (KMO) and Bartlets' tests ensured sample size adequacy and data relevancy. Multiple methods of: interviews, primary documents, and observations collected data. Data were collected via multiple methods of: semi structured interviews, documents, and observations. Interviews, primary documents, observation schedules and non parametric Likert scale intruments collected data. Multiple methods of: sorting, coding, memoing, theme building analysed qualitative data. The triangulated descriptive analysis techniques analysed the ordinal and nominal data. The analysis revealed that students who clarified their research paradigm and design theme received higher grades (A or B+), boosting their GPA. In contrast, students who failed to clarify these themes were graded lower, with scores implying B (Flat), C, D, or E grades, reducing their GPA. The findings suggested that examiners implicitly base their grading on paradigm clarity. The study three outcomes included: generated a mid-range Grounded Theory, three fresh hypotheses and a holistic model to address the lack of clarity in paradigms within universities. It urges further research to improve a substantive theory emerged, test the three new hypotheses and to try a constituted holistic model of: paradigm, ontology, epistemology, methodology, axiology, logic, rhetorical language (POEMALoR) for easening paradigm attributes’ clarity among university novice researchers .This paper is organised on subsections of: Introduction covering: study background, objectives, literature review, significance and methodology. Then follows data findings and discussion, it ends with conclusion and recommendation.

Educational Assessment Practices for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Inclusive Primary Schools in Tanzania

2025-08-04T05:01:23+00:00

This paper analyzes the practices used in assessing children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in inclusive primary schools in Dar es Salaam. A qualitative approach was employed to obtain in-depth information on educational assessment practices regarding the children. Purposive and snowballing sampling techniques were used to obtain a sample of 81 participants. Data were collected from special needs education teachers, parents/guardians of children with ASD, head teachers and district education officers. Instruments for data collection consisted of open ended and in-depth interviews, observation, focus group discussion and documentary analysis. The data revealed that educational assessment services for children with ASD are provided at late stages leading to delayed interventions. Furthermore, there is stigma attached to ASD due to parents’ unawareness on the condition and its characteristics.

Exploring the Kagera’s Socio-economic Transformation and its Impact on Social Cohesion, A case of Kagera, Tanzania

2025-08-04T05:05:18+00:00

This study explores the socio-economic factors contributing to family disintegration, focusing on the decline in agricultural productivity, the emergence of HIV and AIDS, and the drop in coffee prices as key influences. Through qualitative analysis and interviews with stakeholders in the Kagera region of Tanzania, it examines how these socio-economic challenges have affected family dynamics and cohesion. The findings reveal the significant impact of soil infertility on agricultural productivity, worsening food insecurity and creating economic hardships for farming-dependent families. Additionally, the fall in coffee prices has reduced household incomes, pushing families to prioritize individual survival over collective well-being, which has led to the emergence of street children and beggars in the region. By analysing the interplay between economic forces and family dynamics, this study offers valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to address the underlying causes of family disintegration and foster resilience in communities.

The influence of multiple sexual partners practice on HIV/AIDS infections among higher learning peer group students in Dar es Salaam

2025-08-04T05:11:09+00:00

The study aimed at assessing the influence of multiple sexual partners’ behavior on HIV/AIDS infections among students in Higher Learning Institutions in Tanzania. A cross-sectional design was used, and a total of 150 respondents from IFM, UDSM, and KIUT were selected using convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using interview guide, document reviews and Likert scale questionnaires. Qualitative data were analysedusing content analysis, and descriptive methods of data analysis were used for quantitative data. It was revealed that students know the consequences of having multiple sexual partners, and that peer groups of students influenced themselves into engaging in sexual relations, even having multiple sexual partners. There are also a set of personal factors that influence students to have multiple sexual partners and the related factors include watching porno videos from websites, social media and love stories on TV and Radio. The study recommends that HIV/AIDS education and, sensitization be given to students reminding students on the risk of having several sexual partners. HIV testing be done regularly among university students to know their status.

Bodabodas and Self Employment: An Inspiration for Job Creation in Tanzania: The Case of Msamvu Main Station, Morogoro

2025-08-04T05:16:28+00:00

This paper explores the relationship between motorcycle operators/hire drivers (popularized as Bodabodas) and self-employment. Particularly, it emphasizes the youth to change the mind set to abstain from job seeking to job creation and self-employment. It addresses multifaceted entrepreneurial issues in the realm of unemployment challenges and brings on board a discussion on self-employment particularly on youths ironing out the various strategies the Government of Tanzania (GoT) attempted without success in an endeavor to create self-employment to the youths. In the face of the challenges of unemployment, it seems there is no clearcut solution on the Tanzanians employment seeking youths other than to change their mindset that will enable them to refrain from seeking employment to job creation and self-employment.The paper is based on 2017 survey data collected at Msamvu Main Stand in Morogoro Municipality of Morogoro region in Tanzania. Simple random and convenience sampling were used to select a sample of 50 respondents at Msamvu – Morogoro. The findings indicate that Bodaboda business has created self-employment to many youths despite the challenges they face. The challenges include that, the Bodabodas were charged by not abiding to regulations while some were involved in criminals. The paper concludes that despite the challenges, entrepreneurship remains to be a solution to the challenges of unemployment facing the youth in Tanzania. The Bodaboda entrepreneurial venture has accommodated many youths who otherwise could have been left loitering jobless in streets.