The use of lesson study to assist junior primary ‘in-service training teachers’ to develop learners’ number sense using number talks
- Authors: Ortman-Gaweseb, Dominika
- Date: 2023-03-30
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/408750 , vital:70522
- Description: Thesis embargoed. To be released in 2025. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-03-30
Using spatial explicit capture-recapture model to investigate the demography and spatial dynamics of lion prides in Pilanesberg National Park
- Authors: Bettings, Isabella Aletta
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Lions--Behavior--South Africa , Animals tracks -- Pilanesberg National Park -- North West
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59655 , vital:62318
- Description: Lions are apex predators that play a vital role in the ecosystem. They regulate prey species through predation and other non-consumptive means. Factors that have influenced the decline of lion populations across Africa in the last half century, are loss of habitat, human wildlife conflict and the depletion of prey species. Extensive reintroductions of lions have been conducted across South Africa in order to restore their numbers in protected areas. The Pilanesberg National Park (PNP) was one of many protected areas that reintroduced lions. Their numbers were well documented by management until 2005 where they lost track of the population numbers. During this unfortunate period, there was an observed decline in prey numbers. The aim of this dissertation was to estimate the abundance, movement, and sex ratio of lions, in PNP. Abundance, movement, and sex ratio were determined by a three-month intensive lion survey. The location of each lion encounter was recorded on a mobile device which had an application installed called Cybertracker (v3). Photographs were taken of each Lion to build identification kits. For the data analysis, I used the Bayesian spatial explicit capture-recapture (SECR) model. This model takes time, space, and the robustness of an individual lion into account. Robustness is the measure of how well a lion maintains their functionality, when various stressors are applied (Harmsen, Foster, & Quigley, 2020). The estimated lion population in PNP was 44 lions (>1 year) with a density of 8.8 lions per 100 km2 . The estimated mean home range size of male lions was 279 km2 with a highest probability density (HPD) range of 179 – 385 km2 . The estimated mean home range of female lions was 191 km2 with a HPD range of 135 – 262 km2 . The larger home range size for male lions and smaller home range size for females is found v throughout the African continent in protected areas. The estimated sex ratio was 0.9♀:1♂, which is unexpected as PNP sex ratios between male and female lions is usually 2♀:1♂. A future sampling design for PNP was produced from the completed lion survey dataset. I drove a total of 7350 km and evaluated the influence of varied sampling efforts (i.e., kms driven) on precision estimates and relative bias for abundance, movement, and sex ratio. I found that a minimum of 4 000 km was needed to adequately estimate the lion abundance, movement, and sex ratio in this small fenced protected area. These findings can be used to help guide management to the most cost-effective sampling method and still obtain accurate estimates for monitoring lions. By showing management what is required for appropriate lion surveys this might help improve future monitoring. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-12
Exploring how the use of a mini-ecosystem enables and/or constrains grade 5 learners to make sense of scientific inquiry
- Authors: Tobias, Ruusa Taimi
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Science Study and teaching (Elementary) Namibia , Health education (Elementary) Namibia , Education for sustainable development , Sensemaking , Inquiry-based learning Namibia , Terrariums , Social learning Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/405423 , vital:70170
- Description: The Namibian Science curriculum clearly states that learning of science should be promoted through using inquiry-based approaches. However, it does not state how teachers should go about promoting inquiry-based approaches in their classrooms, especially in under-resourced rural schools. This is exacerbated in part by the fact that there is inadequate or lack of professional development for science teachers which focus in particular on promotion of inquiry-based approaches. As a result, science teachers tend to ignore inquiry-based approaches in their classrooms. It is against this background that my study sought to explore how the use of a ‘mini-ecosystem’ enables and/or constrains grade 5 learners from an under-resourced rural school to make sense of scientific inquiry. The study is underpinned by an interpretive paradigm. Within the interpretive paradigm, a qualitative case study approach, using the Predict-Explain-Explore-Observe-Explain (PEEOE) framework was adopted. This case study was carried out in an under-resourced rural Namibian school and the participants were grade 5 Natural Science and Health Education learners. I also invited a teacher from the school to be my critical friend and a participant observer. Data were generated using the Views About Scientific Inquiry (VASI) questionnaire, observations, focus group interviews and learners’ reflections. Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory was my theoretical framework, and within this theory, I used mediation of learning, social interactions, the zone of proximal development and self-regulation as lenses to analyse my data. A thematic approach to data analysis was adopted. That is, qualitative data were analysed inductively to come up with sub-themes and thereafter common sub-themes were combined to form themes. The findings of the study revealed that the observation of mini-ecosystems enabled learners to interact and participate with each other in their respective groups. Moreover, learners were able to identify some scientific concepts such as evaporation, condensation, water cycle and rainfall. These findings are in contrast with the fact that they seemed to struggle to answer the VASI questionnaire that was conducted prior to observation. The study thus recommends that science teachers should make efforts to use easily accessible resources such as a ‘mini-ecosystem’ to promote scientific inquiry amongst their learners. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Gamification technology in teaching: Exploring how mathematics teachers make use of Kahoot! Gamification to facilitate learning of probability in classrooms
- Authors: Mbete, Ayanda
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Gamification , Kahoot! , Mathematics Study and teaching (Elementary) South Africa Eastern Cape , Probabilities , Educational technology , Rural schools South Africa Eastern Cape , Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge , Cultural-historical activity theory
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/405311 , vital:70160
- Description: This study seeks to examine the use of Kahoot! as a gamification technology in practice with Grade six teachers to explore its use in supporting the learning of Probability in Mathematics in rural primary schools. Purposive sampling was adopted wherein nine Grade six mathematics teachers from four rural primary schools in Amathole East district were selected as participants of the study. In addition, to inform this qualitative case study, an interpretive paradigm was adopted. Data was collected using semi-questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, non-participant observations, workshop discussions and reflective journals. The TPACK by Mishra & Koehler (2009) and Vygotsky’s (1978) socio-cultural theory were employed as the lenses through which all the proceedings of the study were based. The key findings indicate that integrating Kahoot! gamification technology, in the ‘Probability’ lesson, has positive consequences such as bringing fun into the classroom, enhancing learner participation, prompt feedback and offering a learner-driven approach to learning as opposed to the conventional teaching strategies. The findings also revealed that enabling and constraining factors are associated with using Kahoot! in teaching: the ICT infrastructure, teachers’ competency levels and the environment in which teaching and learning occurs. This study concluded that the use of Kahoot enhances the learning of probability in rural under-resourced primary schools. This study recommended the integration of Kahoot gamification into the mathematics curriculum. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Larval assemblages in intertidal habitats: the use of artificial and natural microhabitats
- Authors: Reddy, Seshnee
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Larvae Habitat , Niche (Ecology) , Intertidal ecology South Africa Eastern Cape , Light trap , DNA barcoding , Artificial habitat , Larvae Effect of human beings on South Africa Eastern Cape , Urbanization South Africa Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/364992 , vital:65668
- Description: Coastal habitats, and more specifically, intertidal habitats, host a unique range of biodiversity and are key areas for many fish and invertebrate species across one or more of their life stages. This is due to the provision of microhabitats which offer an escape from harsh environmental stressors and predation as well as increased food supply, hence increasing chances of survival. Due to the growing human population however, coastal habitats are being replaced by artificial structures (jetties, seawalls, piers, breakwaters) which partially or heavily fragment the natural environment through urbanisation-related expansion processes. These coastal infrastructures also have different physical properties from the natural environment and therefore tend to support different biological assemblages and can potentially alter the existing biodiversity and its functionality. The overall aim of this project was therefore to evaluate the use of artificial and natural intertidal microhabitats by fish and invertebrate larvae along the South African, Eastern Cape coastline. As independent case studies, fieldwork was conducted at an urban (Port Alfred Marina) and rocky shore (Kenton-on-Sea) site. Within each of these study sites, two replicated sheltered subsites were selected, which represented microhabitats. Samples were collected from these replicated microhabitats from September 2019 to February 2020 using light traps which targeted phototactic larval species, as well as a portable pump, for photo-neutral/negative taxa. All samples were preserved onsite in 99% ethanol and specimens were later counted and identified in the laboratory to the lowest possible taxonomic level using a stereomicroscope. Additionally, DNA barcoding was conducted on selected larval taxa for verification of morphological identification as well as contributing to the field of larval taxonomy through development of public database records. The barcoding technique was effective in positively identifying 96% and 58% of fish and invertebrate larvae sampled, respectively (overall identification success of 86%), to either family, genus or species level. Results of microhabitat use indicate higher larval abundances associated with artificial structures as compared to natural structures, with significant differences between the selected microhabitats within the rocky shores and the marina respectively, across months. High numbers of several early stage taxa were observed within the selected microhabitats in the marina, with Pinnotheres sp. (zoea) (Family: Pinnotheridae) being the most abundant invertebrate larval taxon collected at the artificial microhabitats of jetties and vertical walls. Fish larvae of Omobranchus woodi (preflexion) and Etrumeus whiteheadi (postflexion) were the most dominant at the selected artificial microhabitats within the marina. The DNA barcoding tool used in the current study to verify morphological identification proved to be instrumental in the accuracy of the reliable data collection of the early life stages present in these habitats. These results suggest that artificial structures may provide refugia for the vulnerable very early life stages of species and, in turn, play a potential facilitative role in reproductive and population connectivity which could result in replenishment of natural populations. It is therefore possible that these urban habitats could be considered as hubs for maintenance of coastal biodiversity. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Movement patterns of the iconic giant kingfish Caranx ignobilis from Southern Africa
- Authors: Dixon, Russell Bruce
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Caranx Africa, Southern , Caranx Migration , Underwater acoustic telemetry , Carangidae Africa, Southern , Fish tagging
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/362797 , vital:65363
- Description: Giant kingfish Caranx ignobilis, the largest species in the family Carangidae, are global icons as apex marine predators. They are widespread in tropical to subtropical regions globally, where they are of high importance to ecosystems and fisheries. During summer, adults aggregate for spawning, making them vulnerable to overfishing. The world’s largest recorded C. ignobilis aggregation is in southern Mozambique. Some of these aggregating individuals (an unknown proportion) have been recorded passing into South African waters. Furthermore, a unique aggregation of adult C. ignobilis in South Africa’s Mtentu Estuary has attracted global attention but remains unexplained, hence warranting investigation. Research on C. ignobilis globally has shown relatively small home ranges. Research in southern Africa has been limited and inconclusive. Thus, the broad aim of this study is to describe the movement patterns of C. ignobilis from southern Africa. Long-term (36 years) mark-recapture data from the Oceanographic Research Institute’s Co-operative Fish Tagging Project, comprising 3 729 tagged C. ignobilis and 144 recaptures, were analysed. While 74% of recaptures were recorded < 1 km from the tagging location, long-distance movements of up to 419 km were also recorded (mean = 15 km). Although adults moved significantly (p < 0.01) greater distances than juveniles, they also displayed high levels of site fidelity. Seasonal trends included evidence of a summer migration; however, there was still considerable uncertainty regarding exact movements. Therefore, 43 C. ignobilis were acoustically tagged and subsequently monitored along the east coast for over five years with the Acoustic Tracking Array Platform’s passive receiver array. All acoustically tagged adult C. ignobilis migrated to southern Mozambique each year (with minor exceptions), from distances of up to 632 km. When not migrating, South African-based fish showed consistent inter-annual fidelity to individual home ranges. Although coastal home range length (excluding migrations) varied considerably between individuals, even the mean length (92 km) was greater than any previously recorded C. ignobilis home range, globally. In contrast to the southern Mozambique aggregation, the Mtentu Estuary aggregation seems to comprise of individuals showing fidelity to that region. The passive tracking of eight acoustically tagged individuals in the Mtentu Estuary revealed clear trends. Statistical modelling showed that estuarine presence was strongly associated with periods of cold coastal upwelling. Diel movement patterns showed that the utilisation of warm surface waters ~ 4 km upstream during the day was followed by nightly departures to the mouth or sea. Thus, it is likely that this majestic aggregation is for thermal refuge; specifically, for daily re-warming after feeding in cold waters at night. Findings from this study are of global ecological interest and have direct applications for local fisheries management and the development of sustainable eco-tourism. Protecting these vulnerable aggregations is of the utmost importance for the future of this species in southern Africa. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Exploring the nature and scope of food insecurity among postgraduate students: a case of Nelson Mandela University
- Authors: Kuguyo, Yeukai T
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55348 , vital:51916
- Description: This study explores the nature and scope of food insecurity among postgraduate students at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. The study employed a mixed method approach to access postgraduate students and university officials to investigate the prevalence of food insecurity. The approach also assesses the demographic factors; academic and mental implications along with the coping mechanisms associated with the experiences of food insecurity in higher education South Africa. The study incorporates an adapted conceptual framework from Alaimo’s food insecurity socio-economic risk models (2005) to understand the higher education context. Alaimo’s model seeks to connect the household conditions and broader systematic socio-economic mechanisms that households adopt to secure food. This model was adapted and employed in understanding the data collected while using a mixed-method approach between June and August 2021. The study employed an online survey for only postgraduate students enrolled at Nelson Mandela University (NMU) during the time of the study. This was supplemented by semi-structured interviews with student affairs officials that are directly involved in the formulation of strategies used to alleviate food insecurity at NMU. With 78 postgraduate students responding to the online survey, the study seems to confirm some of the studies done in this field on the inadequacy of food banks and food gardens in addressing food challenges effectively on campus. Similarly, the study found that the experiences of food insecurity were prevalent amongst postgraduate students that identified as black, low-income, and making access of the campus clinic for food relief. The study concluded by recommending a collaborative and a multi-level systematic approach in alleviating food insecurity in higher education. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-04
An exploration of the memorandum of understanding between the Mberengwa rural district council and the Mberengwa community : a conflict resolution perspective
- Authors: Pedro, Jean
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55139 , vital:49148
- Description: This study is motivated by a gap in a competent framework to adequately compensate communities whose land are expropriated for public use by the Government of Zimbabwe. It seeks to explore the extent to which the Memorandum of Understanding between the Mberengwa Rural District Council and the affected people of Mberengwa resulted in a fair and adequate compensation which specifically provided for rehabilitated livelihoods. The main objective is to determine whether the compensation was adequate and satisfying for the Mberengwa community and to this end, a qualitative methodology is utilised to collect and analyse data. The findings reveal that the Memorandum of Understanding did not provide for adequate land that adequately compensated for the expropriated land. The affected community also did not benefit from a possible rehabilitation of livelihoods. By the end of the study, the Mberengwa compensation had not been concluded and the programme, which was expected to be completed in October 2015, had not closed. The researcher recommends a competent project management strategy, PRINCE2 to ensure comprehensive planning that ensures stage-based delivery of the agreed compensation products. Another recommendation involved in-depth problem-solving workshops, which involves all affected members to increase the chances of success. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-04
A Critical Analysis of the Role of School Governing Bodies in the Recruitment, Selection and Transfer of Educators in the Butterworth District
- Authors: Sifuba, Mpilo
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3495 , vital:43616
- Description: Recruitment, selection and transfer of educators were decentralized after South Africa became a democratic state in 1994 and shifted to School Governing Bodies. The legislation promoted a shared governance and participation of parents in issues that are related to recruitment, selection and transfer of educators, but parents are struggling and facing challenges in performing these tasks as School Governing Body members especially in the Butterworth district, as a result of that Butterworth district is experiencing problems with increasing number of disputes resulting from the appointment of educators after they have been recommended by the School Governing Bodies. This study focuses on the recruitment, selection and transfer of educators in the Butterworth district of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study sought to reveal the thinking behind government insistence on giving the School Governing Bodies a responsibility to recruit, select and transfer educators knowing fully well that they do not perform this responsibility. A qualitative approach was used to explore and challenge this phenomenon. This approach is concerned with understanding social phenomenon from the participant’s perspective. In depth semi – structured interviews with open ended questions were used to bring the researcher more closer to a more plausible perspective of this phenomenon. Moreover, they were used because they are the most appropriate method to capture the data. The findings revealed that School Governing Bodies are faced with challenges such as: high level of illiteracy, manipulation of School Governing Bodies by school management, unions and candidates, the issue of regionalism and kickbacks, capacity building and empowerment and role played by the Departmental Officials. By conducting this study, we hope that the findings might contribute in identifying the disjuncture between the policy and the practice in issues pertaining to educator recruitment, selection and transfers. , Thesis (MMED) -- Faculty of Educational Sciences, 2011
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- Date Issued: 2011