Understanding how grade 8 Physical Science teachers make use of learners’ prior everyday knowledge when teaching static electricity: A case study
- Authors: Iyambo, Toini
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/1320 , vital:20046
- Description: Over the last decade of my teaching I have been grappling with how to incorporate learners’ prior everyday knowledge into my Physical Science lessons to enable me to close the gap between school science and everyday knowledge. I conducted this case study in two schools, one in Omusati region and one in Ohangwena Region, Namibia. Its purpose was to investigate how grade 8 Physical Science teachers make use of learners’ prior everyday knowledge when teaching the topic of static electricity. Underpinned by an interpretive paradigm, the study made use of document analysis, observation (lessons were also video-taped) and semi-structured interviews to generate the data. Three data generating techniques were used for triangulation and validation purposes. To further validate the data, transcripts of video-taped lessons and interviews were sent back to the research participants for member checking. The main findings of my study are that teachers did incorporate learners’ prior knowledge in the lesson presentation on static electricity. It emerged from the study that, learners possess a great deal of prior everyday scientific and non-scientific knowledge and experiences about static electricity that they had acquired from their communities. Also, mobilization of learners' everyday knowledge and experiences about static electricity enabled learner engagement during the science lessons. Likewise, engaging learners in demonstrations on static electricity helped them to make meaning of the scientific concepts involved in the topic. It also emerged from this study that teachers face challenges of lack of documentation of indigenous knowledge which is potentially a form of prior knowledge, language barriers and a lack of resources. Based on my research findings, I therefore, recommend that learners' prior everyday knowledge and experiences about static electricity should be incorporated during the teaching and learning process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Iyambo, Toini
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/1320 , vital:20046
- Description: Over the last decade of my teaching I have been grappling with how to incorporate learners’ prior everyday knowledge into my Physical Science lessons to enable me to close the gap between school science and everyday knowledge. I conducted this case study in two schools, one in Omusati region and one in Ohangwena Region, Namibia. Its purpose was to investigate how grade 8 Physical Science teachers make use of learners’ prior everyday knowledge when teaching the topic of static electricity. Underpinned by an interpretive paradigm, the study made use of document analysis, observation (lessons were also video-taped) and semi-structured interviews to generate the data. Three data generating techniques were used for triangulation and validation purposes. To further validate the data, transcripts of video-taped lessons and interviews were sent back to the research participants for member checking. The main findings of my study are that teachers did incorporate learners’ prior knowledge in the lesson presentation on static electricity. It emerged from the study that, learners possess a great deal of prior everyday scientific and non-scientific knowledge and experiences about static electricity that they had acquired from their communities. Also, mobilization of learners' everyday knowledge and experiences about static electricity enabled learner engagement during the science lessons. Likewise, engaging learners in demonstrations on static electricity helped them to make meaning of the scientific concepts involved in the topic. It also emerged from this study that teachers face challenges of lack of documentation of indigenous knowledge which is potentially a form of prior knowledge, language barriers and a lack of resources. Based on my research findings, I therefore, recommend that learners' prior everyday knowledge and experiences about static electricity should be incorporated during the teaching and learning process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Understanding how the incorporation of indigenous knowledge (IK) enables or constrains the teaching and learning of alcoholic fermentation in Life Sciences in Grade 11
- Authors: Mutanho, Chrispen
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/1264 , vital:20041
- Description: There is growing interest in the role of indigenous knowledge (IK) in science education in many parts of the world. In South Africa, this comes against the backdrop of a long history of cultural alienation, neglect and suppression of the IK of the indigenous people by colonial governments. Hence, the first post-independence National Curriculum Policy Statement (Curriculum, 2005) and its subsequent modified versions emphasised the need to redress the imbalances of the past so as to make science accessible to learners from diverse cultural backgrounds. However, literature reveals that the efforts to implement an IK-based curriculum are constrained by the lack of clarity, knowledge and skills on how to effectively make use of IK in the classroom situation so as to bring about effective teaching and learning. Against this background, this study sought to understand how the incorporation of IK enables or constrains the teaching and learning of alcoholic fermentation. Underpinned by an interpretive paradigm, a qualitative case study was conducted at a high school in Mthatha District in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study comprised of a sample of ten Life Sciences teachers from four neighbouring high schools, two Grade 11 Life Sciences teachers and their classes and two focus groups of six learners from each class. Convenience and purposive sampling were used to select the participants and the research site. The study made use of a questionnaire, document analysis, lesson observation, stimulated recall interviews and focus group interviews to generate data. The questionnaire sought to get an overview of Life Sciences teachers’ attitudes, opinions and experiences on incorporating IK in science teaching. The data gathered were then used as baseline information to inform the main study. The lesson observations, stimulated recall interviews and the focus group interviews sought to understand how the incorporation of IK enables or constrains the teaching and learning of alcoholic fermentation. Document analysis, lesson observation, stimulated recall interviews and focus group interviews were conducted to understand the experience of incorporating IK in a real life classroom situation. The study was informed by Vygotsky’s socio-cultural constructivism and Shulman’s pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) theory. From Vygotsky’s theory I borrowed the idea of mediated learning, scaffolding (Bruner, 1986), zone of proximal development (ZPD), as well as the use of language and cultural artefacts as tools of analysis of the classroom interaction between the teacher and the learners during the teaching-learning process. Shulman’s theory of PCK was also used to analyse how teachers apply IK in teaching Science. The data obtained were coded inductively and presented in tables, graphs and thick descriptive texts to make it easy to understand. The findings of this research show that incorporating IK improved the teaching-learning process by arousing learners’ interest in science, increasing learners’ participation and motivation, meaning making, language use, questioning and engagement in the learning process. Teaching became learner-centred, for it was directed by learners’ questions. Collaborative learning through group discussions, debates, arguments and brainstorming emerged to be an effective way of engaging learners in learning. The teachers used probing to encourage critical thinking before scaffolding learners. However, even though teachers generally accept IK as valuable in their teaching they lack the pedagogical content knowledge to effectively incorporate it into meaningful teaching and learning. Furthermore, teachers viewed cultural diversity as a constraint to their efforts to incorporate IK in teaching science. On the contrary, their learners held the view that having cultural diversity in classrooms created an opportunity to learn from other people’s cultures. Variables such as experience and difference in the cultural background of learners and teachers alike, tended to affect the teachers’ ability to incorporate IK.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Mutanho, Chrispen
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/1264 , vital:20041
- Description: There is growing interest in the role of indigenous knowledge (IK) in science education in many parts of the world. In South Africa, this comes against the backdrop of a long history of cultural alienation, neglect and suppression of the IK of the indigenous people by colonial governments. Hence, the first post-independence National Curriculum Policy Statement (Curriculum, 2005) and its subsequent modified versions emphasised the need to redress the imbalances of the past so as to make science accessible to learners from diverse cultural backgrounds. However, literature reveals that the efforts to implement an IK-based curriculum are constrained by the lack of clarity, knowledge and skills on how to effectively make use of IK in the classroom situation so as to bring about effective teaching and learning. Against this background, this study sought to understand how the incorporation of IK enables or constrains the teaching and learning of alcoholic fermentation. Underpinned by an interpretive paradigm, a qualitative case study was conducted at a high school in Mthatha District in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study comprised of a sample of ten Life Sciences teachers from four neighbouring high schools, two Grade 11 Life Sciences teachers and their classes and two focus groups of six learners from each class. Convenience and purposive sampling were used to select the participants and the research site. The study made use of a questionnaire, document analysis, lesson observation, stimulated recall interviews and focus group interviews to generate data. The questionnaire sought to get an overview of Life Sciences teachers’ attitudes, opinions and experiences on incorporating IK in science teaching. The data gathered were then used as baseline information to inform the main study. The lesson observations, stimulated recall interviews and the focus group interviews sought to understand how the incorporation of IK enables or constrains the teaching and learning of alcoholic fermentation. Document analysis, lesson observation, stimulated recall interviews and focus group interviews were conducted to understand the experience of incorporating IK in a real life classroom situation. The study was informed by Vygotsky’s socio-cultural constructivism and Shulman’s pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) theory. From Vygotsky’s theory I borrowed the idea of mediated learning, scaffolding (Bruner, 1986), zone of proximal development (ZPD), as well as the use of language and cultural artefacts as tools of analysis of the classroom interaction between the teacher and the learners during the teaching-learning process. Shulman’s theory of PCK was also used to analyse how teachers apply IK in teaching Science. The data obtained were coded inductively and presented in tables, graphs and thick descriptive texts to make it easy to understand. The findings of this research show that incorporating IK improved the teaching-learning process by arousing learners’ interest in science, increasing learners’ participation and motivation, meaning making, language use, questioning and engagement in the learning process. Teaching became learner-centred, for it was directed by learners’ questions. Collaborative learning through group discussions, debates, arguments and brainstorming emerged to be an effective way of engaging learners in learning. The teachers used probing to encourage critical thinking before scaffolding learners. However, even though teachers generally accept IK as valuable in their teaching they lack the pedagogical content knowledge to effectively incorporate it into meaningful teaching and learning. Furthermore, teachers viewed cultural diversity as a constraint to their efforts to incorporate IK in teaching science. On the contrary, their learners held the view that having cultural diversity in classrooms created an opportunity to learn from other people’s cultures. Variables such as experience and difference in the cultural background of learners and teachers alike, tended to affect the teachers’ ability to incorporate IK.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Understanding sexual concurrency and HIV/AIDS: implicit and explicit attitudes in a South African student population
- Authors: Malataliana, Maleeto Lucy
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3335 , vital:20484
- Description: There are more people infected with HIV in South Africa, than in any other country in the world. Studies indicate a plausible relationship between concurrently organised sexual partnership and the spread of STIs, with concurrency being accountable for as much as 74% of HIV infections in South Africa. Understanding sexual concurrency is therefore of vital importance, especially in the South African perspective. It has, however, become increasingly unreliable to rely solely on explicit self-measures to study sexual concurrency, and research has suggested that implicit cognition is a reliable alternative to understanding sexual behaviour and attitudes towards sexuality, which cannot be directly measured by explicit means. The purpose of this study was to understand sexual concurrency among a population of university students by researching their implicit and explicit attitudes towards sexual concurrency; and thereby to aid in understanding sexual concurrency in relation to the spread of HIV. A quantitative research methodology was used to analyse results from explicit measures of sexual concurrency in the form of a questionnaire, and implicit measures of sexual concurrency in the form of the Implicit Association Test (IAT). Although no correlation existed between implicit and explicit measures attitudes towards sexual concurrency, it was, however, observed that sexual concurrency has and is being broadly practiced, and that age is a key determinant for sexual concurrency.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Malataliana, Maleeto Lucy
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3335 , vital:20484
- Description: There are more people infected with HIV in South Africa, than in any other country in the world. Studies indicate a plausible relationship between concurrently organised sexual partnership and the spread of STIs, with concurrency being accountable for as much as 74% of HIV infections in South Africa. Understanding sexual concurrency is therefore of vital importance, especially in the South African perspective. It has, however, become increasingly unreliable to rely solely on explicit self-measures to study sexual concurrency, and research has suggested that implicit cognition is a reliable alternative to understanding sexual behaviour and attitudes towards sexuality, which cannot be directly measured by explicit means. The purpose of this study was to understand sexual concurrency among a population of university students by researching their implicit and explicit attitudes towards sexual concurrency; and thereby to aid in understanding sexual concurrency in relation to the spread of HIV. A quantitative research methodology was used to analyse results from explicit measures of sexual concurrency in the form of a questionnaire, and implicit measures of sexual concurrency in the form of the Implicit Association Test (IAT). Although no correlation existed between implicit and explicit measures attitudes towards sexual concurrency, it was, however, observed that sexual concurrency has and is being broadly practiced, and that age is a key determinant for sexual concurrency.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Unpacking Pandora’s box: Understanding and categorising ecosystem disservices for environmental management and human wellbeing
- Shackleton, Charlie M, Ruwanza, Sheunesu, Sinasson Sanni, Gisele, Bennett, S, De Lacy, Peter, Modipa, Rebone D, Mtati, Nosiseko, Sachikonye, Mwazvita T B, Thondhlana, Gladman
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Ruwanza, Sheunesu , Sinasson Sanni, Gisele , Bennett, S , De Lacy, Peter , Modipa, Rebone D , Mtati, Nosiseko , Sachikonye, Mwazvita T B , Thondhlana, Gladman
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182113 , vital:43801 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-015-9952-z"
- Description: Research into the benefits that ecosystems contribute to human wellbeing has multiplied over the last few years following from the seminal contributions of the international Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. In comparison, the fact that some ecosystem goods and services undermine or harm human wellbeing has been seriously overlooked. These negative impacts have become known as ecosystem disservices. The neglect of ecosystem disservices is problematic because investments into the management or reduction of ecosystem disservices may yield better outcomes for human wellbeing, or at a lower investment, than management of ecosystem services. Additionally, management to optimise specific ecosystem services may simultaneously exacerbate associated disservices. We posit that one reason for the neglect of ecosystem disservices from the discourse and policy debates around ecosystems and human wellbeing is because there is no widely accepted definition or typology of ecosystem disservices. Here, we briefly examine current understandings of the term ecosystem disservices and offer a definition and a working typology to help generate debate, policy and management options around ecosystem disservices. We differentiate ecosystem disservices from natural hazards and social hazards, consider some of their inherent properties and then classify them into six categories. A variety of examples are used to illustrate the different types of, and management strategies to, ecosystem disservices.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Ruwanza, Sheunesu , Sinasson Sanni, Gisele , Bennett, S , De Lacy, Peter , Modipa, Rebone D , Mtati, Nosiseko , Sachikonye, Mwazvita T B , Thondhlana, Gladman
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182113 , vital:43801 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-015-9952-z"
- Description: Research into the benefits that ecosystems contribute to human wellbeing has multiplied over the last few years following from the seminal contributions of the international Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. In comparison, the fact that some ecosystem goods and services undermine or harm human wellbeing has been seriously overlooked. These negative impacts have become known as ecosystem disservices. The neglect of ecosystem disservices is problematic because investments into the management or reduction of ecosystem disservices may yield better outcomes for human wellbeing, or at a lower investment, than management of ecosystem services. Additionally, management to optimise specific ecosystem services may simultaneously exacerbate associated disservices. We posit that one reason for the neglect of ecosystem disservices from the discourse and policy debates around ecosystems and human wellbeing is because there is no widely accepted definition or typology of ecosystem disservices. Here, we briefly examine current understandings of the term ecosystem disservices and offer a definition and a working typology to help generate debate, policy and management options around ecosystem disservices. We differentiate ecosystem disservices from natural hazards and social hazards, consider some of their inherent properties and then classify them into six categories. A variety of examples are used to illustrate the different types of, and management strategies to, ecosystem disservices.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Uphicotho nzulu lwendima yepragmatiki ekuphononongeni incwadi ezikhethiweyo zesiXhosa
- Authors: Cutalele, Pumla Pamella
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Xhosa literature , Pragmatics , Translating and interpreting
- Language: Xhosa
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5442 , vital:20845
- Description: Olu phando luqwalasela indima yepragmatiki ekuphononongeni iincwadi ezikhethiweyo zesiXhosa. Isahluko sokuqala sinika okuqulathwe lolu phando, iinjongo zolu phando nezibe ngunobangela wokuba kukhethwe esi sihloko, imethodi yophando, imo yophando, ulwakhiwo lophando nalapho kukrotyiswa kokuqulathwe sisahluko ngasinye. Uphengululo lweencwadi lwenziwe eziqulathe umxholo wepragmatiki lwenziwe kwakuso esi sahluko. Ingcaciso yamagama aya kuthi asetyenziswe rhoqo inikiwe kwakuso esi sahluko Isahluko sesibini sijonga nzulu iingcingane eziya kuthi zisetyenziswe njengesikhokelo ekwenzeni olu phando. Ingcingane yolwimi kunye nengcingane yoncwadi zijongiwe kwesi sahluko. Ingcingane zepragmatiki eziquka leyo kaGrice nengundoqo kwipragmatiki nayo ithe yaqwalaselwa. Le ngcingane iye izise iindidi zeentsingiselo namasolotya azo. Ingcingane kaGrice ethi iphuhlise intsingiselo efihlakeleyo, intsingiselo ethe ngqo kunye nocingelo ziya- jongwa gabalala kwesi sahluko. Ingcingane yentetho ntshukumo iya kuthi ijongwe ze kujongwe nonxibelelo lwayo kuncwadi. Isahluko sesithathu sijonga nzulu ukusetyenziswa kwentsingisselo efihlakeleyo kwiincwadi ezikhethelwe esi sifundo. Umgaqo wonxibelelwano nezaci zawo ezizezi; isaci somgangatho, isaci sokungakanani, isaci sonxulumano kunye nesaci sobunjani zijongiwe kwiintetho zabalinganiswa nakwizimvo zombhali. Isaci esizihambelayo nesivela kakhulu ngokusetyenziswa kwesigqebelo namaqhalo naso sithe sajongwa ngokubhekiselele kwiincwadi ezikhethelwe esi sifundo.Isahluko sesine siqwalasele ukusetyenziswa kocingelo. Ucingelo nelilelinye isolotya lepragmatiki. Iindidi zocingelo zithe zajongwa, nezizezi: ucingelo lokukhoyo nokunokwenzeka, ucingelo lokuqonda, ucingelo lonobangela nesiphumo kunye nocingelo lwezichazi nezihlomelo. Izichukumisi zocingelo zijongiwe kugxilwe kwiincwadi zesiXhosa ezikhwethelwe esi sifundo. Isahluko sesihlanu siqwalasele intsingiselo ethe ngqo. Imiba yentsingiselo ethe ngqo efana nokuzigqibela, ukuvala isikhewu, ukunqanda ubumbaxa kunye nokusetyenziswa kwemiqondiso kuthe kwaqwalaselwa kwesi sahluko. Indlela ethe ngqo abalinganiswa abathile abathiywe ngayo ngababhali kwiincwadi ezikhethelwe esi sifundo iye izise intsingiselo ethe ngqo, oko ke kuthe kwaqwalaselwa kwesi sahluko.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Cutalele, Pumla Pamella
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Xhosa literature , Pragmatics , Translating and interpreting
- Language: Xhosa
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5442 , vital:20845
- Description: Olu phando luqwalasela indima yepragmatiki ekuphononongeni iincwadi ezikhethiweyo zesiXhosa. Isahluko sokuqala sinika okuqulathwe lolu phando, iinjongo zolu phando nezibe ngunobangela wokuba kukhethwe esi sihloko, imethodi yophando, imo yophando, ulwakhiwo lophando nalapho kukrotyiswa kokuqulathwe sisahluko ngasinye. Uphengululo lweencwadi lwenziwe eziqulathe umxholo wepragmatiki lwenziwe kwakuso esi sahluko. Ingcaciso yamagama aya kuthi asetyenziswe rhoqo inikiwe kwakuso esi sahluko Isahluko sesibini sijonga nzulu iingcingane eziya kuthi zisetyenziswe njengesikhokelo ekwenzeni olu phando. Ingcingane yolwimi kunye nengcingane yoncwadi zijongiwe kwesi sahluko. Ingcingane zepragmatiki eziquka leyo kaGrice nengundoqo kwipragmatiki nayo ithe yaqwalaselwa. Le ngcingane iye izise iindidi zeentsingiselo namasolotya azo. Ingcingane kaGrice ethi iphuhlise intsingiselo efihlakeleyo, intsingiselo ethe ngqo kunye nocingelo ziya- jongwa gabalala kwesi sahluko. Ingcingane yentetho ntshukumo iya kuthi ijongwe ze kujongwe nonxibelelo lwayo kuncwadi. Isahluko sesithathu sijonga nzulu ukusetyenziswa kwentsingisselo efihlakeleyo kwiincwadi ezikhethelwe esi sifundo. Umgaqo wonxibelelwano nezaci zawo ezizezi; isaci somgangatho, isaci sokungakanani, isaci sonxulumano kunye nesaci sobunjani zijongiwe kwiintetho zabalinganiswa nakwizimvo zombhali. Isaci esizihambelayo nesivela kakhulu ngokusetyenziswa kwesigqebelo namaqhalo naso sithe sajongwa ngokubhekiselele kwiincwadi ezikhethelwe esi sifundo.Isahluko sesine siqwalasele ukusetyenziswa kocingelo. Ucingelo nelilelinye isolotya lepragmatiki. Iindidi zocingelo zithe zajongwa, nezizezi: ucingelo lokukhoyo nokunokwenzeka, ucingelo lokuqonda, ucingelo lonobangela nesiphumo kunye nocingelo lwezichazi nezihlomelo. Izichukumisi zocingelo zijongiwe kugxilwe kwiincwadi zesiXhosa ezikhwethelwe esi sifundo. Isahluko sesihlanu siqwalasele intsingiselo ethe ngqo. Imiba yentsingiselo ethe ngqo efana nokuzigqibela, ukuvala isikhewu, ukunqanda ubumbaxa kunye nokusetyenziswa kwemiqondiso kuthe kwaqwalaselwa kwesi sahluko. Indlela ethe ngqo abalinganiswa abathile abathiywe ngayo ngababhali kwiincwadi ezikhethelwe esi sifundo iye izise intsingiselo ethe ngqo, oko ke kuthe kwaqwalaselwa kwesi sahluko.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Urban agriculture and access to microfinance in Snake Park, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Makoni, Charmaine Tafadzwa
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Urban agriculture -- Zimbabwe , Economic development -- Zimbabwe -- Finance , Economic development projects -- Zimbabwe -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8099 , vital:24993
- Description: The role that urban farming plays in the food supply of cities and towns to compliment rural agriculture is increasingly gaining traction. In Zimbabwe, urban agriculture has equally become an important contributor of urban food, particularly for low income households. Urban agriculture is increasingly being viewed as a viable measure to ameliorate urban food insecurity. In spite of the important role it serves in the urban landscape, it is yet to attain political legitimacy and more importantly to gain recognition from the formal financial economy. This in turn has limited the contribution that the urban agriculture can make towards poverty alleviation and inequality for the urban poor. Access to finance and lines of credit for the urban poor can have a significant impact towards not only their agricultural productivity but also their ability to weather economic shocks. This study therefore sought to investigate factors that limit access of small scale urban farmers to agricultural microcredit. The findings of this study are derived from qualitative and quantitative data collected from small scale urban farmers in Snake Park and key informant interviews conducted in Harare, Zimbabwe. The study establishes that the lack of information on credit opportunities, loan apathy and too high interest rates were some of the reasons divulged by farmers in not seeking credit from financial institutions. The results reveal that married women have an added constraint to accessing finance by virtue of husband being head of the house, mean that they hold power to cede assets as collateral. The findings from the financial institution indicated that though the majority of firms focused on large scale commercial farming ventures, some did offer microcredit for small scale urban farmers. The results also showed that though collateral facilitated access to credit and finance for urban agriculture, proven business record, group solidarity (a form of guarantee) and character were equally important. The study recommends amongst others that farmers form groups and embark on savings schemes. Added to this, bankers and farmer associations need to meet to arrive at realistic forms of security for small loans.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Makoni, Charmaine Tafadzwa
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Urban agriculture -- Zimbabwe , Economic development -- Zimbabwe -- Finance , Economic development projects -- Zimbabwe -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8099 , vital:24993
- Description: The role that urban farming plays in the food supply of cities and towns to compliment rural agriculture is increasingly gaining traction. In Zimbabwe, urban agriculture has equally become an important contributor of urban food, particularly for low income households. Urban agriculture is increasingly being viewed as a viable measure to ameliorate urban food insecurity. In spite of the important role it serves in the urban landscape, it is yet to attain political legitimacy and more importantly to gain recognition from the formal financial economy. This in turn has limited the contribution that the urban agriculture can make towards poverty alleviation and inequality for the urban poor. Access to finance and lines of credit for the urban poor can have a significant impact towards not only their agricultural productivity but also their ability to weather economic shocks. This study therefore sought to investigate factors that limit access of small scale urban farmers to agricultural microcredit. The findings of this study are derived from qualitative and quantitative data collected from small scale urban farmers in Snake Park and key informant interviews conducted in Harare, Zimbabwe. The study establishes that the lack of information on credit opportunities, loan apathy and too high interest rates were some of the reasons divulged by farmers in not seeking credit from financial institutions. The results reveal that married women have an added constraint to accessing finance by virtue of husband being head of the house, mean that they hold power to cede assets as collateral. The findings from the financial institution indicated that though the majority of firms focused on large scale commercial farming ventures, some did offer microcredit for small scale urban farmers. The results also showed that though collateral facilitated access to credit and finance for urban agriculture, proven business record, group solidarity (a form of guarantee) and character were equally important. The study recommends amongst others that farmers form groups and embark on savings schemes. Added to this, bankers and farmer associations need to meet to arrive at realistic forms of security for small loans.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Urban agriculture and the enhancement of food security and household Income in Grahamstown, Makana Municipality
- Authors: Mahandana, Funzani Nicholas
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Urban agriculture -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Income -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Food security -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8467 , vital:26367
- Description: This study draws on the relationship between household food security and household income through small scale community gardens and backyard vegetable gardens in Grahamstown Townships within Makana Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study explores the contribution of vegetable gardens in household food security and income and finding ways in which this contribution may be enhanced. This study offers insights into the relationships among individuals, households, stakeholders (Government institutions, NGOs, Municipalities, Farmers Associations etc.), and broader community dynamics that are central to understanding the local gardening projects and the dynamics of food security and household income. The implications of this research includes and understanding of how the challenges faced by the community and backyards gardens could be addressed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Mahandana, Funzani Nicholas
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Urban agriculture -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Income -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Food security -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8467 , vital:26367
- Description: This study draws on the relationship between household food security and household income through small scale community gardens and backyard vegetable gardens in Grahamstown Townships within Makana Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study explores the contribution of vegetable gardens in household food security and income and finding ways in which this contribution may be enhanced. This study offers insights into the relationships among individuals, households, stakeholders (Government institutions, NGOs, Municipalities, Farmers Associations etc.), and broader community dynamics that are central to understanding the local gardening projects and the dynamics of food security and household income. The implications of this research includes and understanding of how the challenges faced by the community and backyards gardens could be addressed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
User experience factors for mobile banking adoption: South African case study
- Authors: Louw, Jacques Gerrit
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- Technological innovations -- South Africa , Mobile commerce -- South Africa , Telecommunication -- South Africa -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39207 , vital:35059
- Description: Smartphone devices are driving the transformation of online banking to satisfy the needs and desires of the consumer. This has led South African commercial banks to launch mobile banking applications on smartphones to enhance the growth of the economy and to provide more opportunities to improve the deprived sector of the economy, at acceptable rates. Moreover, opportunities exist for revenue growth, such as the delivery of greater real-time access to products and the offering of a wide variety of banking services. South African commercial banks could realise opportunities for economical and revenue growth should they focus on specific criteria that could enhance mobile banking adoption. Such criteria could not until recently, be realised by commercial banks in South Africa as the adoption rate of mobile banking remained low at 9%. Numerous South African studies have attempted to determine factors that could enhance mobile banking adoption in South Africa. There is, however, a lack of South African studies attempting to identify user experience factors that could enhance mobile banking adoption in South Africa. User experience refers to the subjective feeling of the user that results from their interaction or intention to interact with a product, to perform a specific task in a specific environment. One of the most important components for the success of any product is a positive user experience. When the user interface and functionality of a product match the expectations of the users and make the users effective and efficient, feel safe and attain some level of self-worth from using or possessing the product, their interaction with the product becomes more satisfactory. Consequently, the importance of designing for a positive user experience opens up the potential for identifying potential user experience factors that could enhance mobile banking adoption in South Africa. The user experience factors identified in this study infer their components from the user experience aspect of persuasive design and its elements, namely persuasion and trust, that led to the emergence of scarcity, reciprocation and security factors that could enhance mobile banking adoption in South Africa. A case study was employed to confirm the factors that could enhance mobile banking adoption in South Africa. The findings from the case study and the extensive literature review culminated in a set of user experience factors that in future could enhance the adoption of mobile banking in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Louw, Jacques Gerrit
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- Technological innovations -- South Africa , Mobile commerce -- South Africa , Telecommunication -- South Africa -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39207 , vital:35059
- Description: Smartphone devices are driving the transformation of online banking to satisfy the needs and desires of the consumer. This has led South African commercial banks to launch mobile banking applications on smartphones to enhance the growth of the economy and to provide more opportunities to improve the deprived sector of the economy, at acceptable rates. Moreover, opportunities exist for revenue growth, such as the delivery of greater real-time access to products and the offering of a wide variety of banking services. South African commercial banks could realise opportunities for economical and revenue growth should they focus on specific criteria that could enhance mobile banking adoption. Such criteria could not until recently, be realised by commercial banks in South Africa as the adoption rate of mobile banking remained low at 9%. Numerous South African studies have attempted to determine factors that could enhance mobile banking adoption in South Africa. There is, however, a lack of South African studies attempting to identify user experience factors that could enhance mobile banking adoption in South Africa. User experience refers to the subjective feeling of the user that results from their interaction or intention to interact with a product, to perform a specific task in a specific environment. One of the most important components for the success of any product is a positive user experience. When the user interface and functionality of a product match the expectations of the users and make the users effective and efficient, feel safe and attain some level of self-worth from using or possessing the product, their interaction with the product becomes more satisfactory. Consequently, the importance of designing for a positive user experience opens up the potential for identifying potential user experience factors that could enhance mobile banking adoption in South Africa. The user experience factors identified in this study infer their components from the user experience aspect of persuasive design and its elements, namely persuasion and trust, that led to the emergence of scarcity, reciprocation and security factors that could enhance mobile banking adoption in South Africa. A case study was employed to confirm the factors that could enhance mobile banking adoption in South Africa. The findings from the case study and the extensive literature review culminated in a set of user experience factors that in future could enhance the adoption of mobile banking in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
User interface design guidelines for digital television virtual remote controls
- Authors: Wentzel, Alicia Veronica
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Remote control , User interfaces (Computer systems) , Television broadcasting , Human-computer interaction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1158 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020617
- Description: The remote control is a pivotal component in households worldwide. It helps users enjoy leisurely television (TV) viewing. The remote control has various user interfaces that people interact with. For example, the physical user interface includes the shape of the remote and the physical buttons; the logical user interface refers to how the information is laid out; and the graphical user interface refers to the colours and aesthetic features of the remote control. All of the user interfaces together with the context of use, cultural factors, social factors, and prior experiences of the user influences the ways people interact with their remote control and ultimately has an effect on their user experiences. Advances in the broadcasting sector and transformations of the TV physical remote control have compounded the simple remote control into a multifaceted, indispensable device, overcrowded with buttons. The usability and ultimately the user experience of physical remote controls (PRCs) have been affected by the overloaded functionality and small button sizes. The usability issues with current PRCs, the evolution of mobile phones into touchscreen smartphones, and the trend of global companies moving towards virtual remote controls (VRCs) have prompted this research to discover what user interface design features will contribute towards an enhanced user experience for digital TV VRCs. This research used the design science research process model (DSRP), which comprised six steps, to investigate this topic area further. A review of the domain literature pertaining to mobile user experiences (MUX) and all the encompassing factors, mobile human computer interaction (MHCI) and the physical, logical, graphical and natural user interfaces was completed, as well as a review of the literature regarding the usability issues of PRCs and VRCs. A contextual task analysis (CTA) of a single South African digital TV PRC was used to identify how users utilise PRCs to perform tasks, and the usability issues they encountered during the tasks. Brainstorming focus groups were used to understand how to represent certain user interface elements and attempted to source ideas from users about what potential functionality digital TV VRCs should contain. Together with all the other results gathered from the previous chapters amalgamated into a set of user interface design guidelines for digital TV VRCs. The proposed user interface guidelines were used to instantiate a digital TV VRC prototype that underwent usability testing in order to validate the proposed user interface design guidelines. The results of the usability testing revealed that the user interface design guidelines for digital TV VRCs were successful, with the addition of one guideline that was discovered during the usability testing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Wentzel, Alicia Veronica
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Remote control , User interfaces (Computer systems) , Television broadcasting , Human-computer interaction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1158 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020617
- Description: The remote control is a pivotal component in households worldwide. It helps users enjoy leisurely television (TV) viewing. The remote control has various user interfaces that people interact with. For example, the physical user interface includes the shape of the remote and the physical buttons; the logical user interface refers to how the information is laid out; and the graphical user interface refers to the colours and aesthetic features of the remote control. All of the user interfaces together with the context of use, cultural factors, social factors, and prior experiences of the user influences the ways people interact with their remote control and ultimately has an effect on their user experiences. Advances in the broadcasting sector and transformations of the TV physical remote control have compounded the simple remote control into a multifaceted, indispensable device, overcrowded with buttons. The usability and ultimately the user experience of physical remote controls (PRCs) have been affected by the overloaded functionality and small button sizes. The usability issues with current PRCs, the evolution of mobile phones into touchscreen smartphones, and the trend of global companies moving towards virtual remote controls (VRCs) have prompted this research to discover what user interface design features will contribute towards an enhanced user experience for digital TV VRCs. This research used the design science research process model (DSRP), which comprised six steps, to investigate this topic area further. A review of the domain literature pertaining to mobile user experiences (MUX) and all the encompassing factors, mobile human computer interaction (MHCI) and the physical, logical, graphical and natural user interfaces was completed, as well as a review of the literature regarding the usability issues of PRCs and VRCs. A contextual task analysis (CTA) of a single South African digital TV PRC was used to identify how users utilise PRCs to perform tasks, and the usability issues they encountered during the tasks. Brainstorming focus groups were used to understand how to represent certain user interface elements and attempted to source ideas from users about what potential functionality digital TV VRCs should contain. Together with all the other results gathered from the previous chapters amalgamated into a set of user interface design guidelines for digital TV VRCs. The proposed user interface guidelines were used to instantiate a digital TV VRC prototype that underwent usability testing in order to validate the proposed user interface design guidelines. The results of the usability testing revealed that the user interface design guidelines for digital TV VRCs were successful, with the addition of one guideline that was discovered during the usability testing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Using bioinformatics tools to screen for trypanosomal cathepsin B cysteine protease inhibitors from the SANCDB as a novel therapeutic modality against Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT)
- Authors: Mokhawa, Gaone
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3304 , vital:20470
- Description: Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness, is a fatal chronic disease that is caused by flagellated protozoans, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. HAT is spread by a bite from an infected tsetse fly of the Glosina genus. Up to 60 million people in 36 countries in sub-Saharan Africa are at a risk of infection from HAT with up to 30 000 deaths reported every year. Current chemotherapy for HAT is insufficient since the available drugs exhibit unacceptable side effects (toxicity) and parasite resistance. Novel treatments and approaches for development of specific and more potent drugs for HAT are therefore required. One approach is to target vital proteins that are essential to the life cycle of the parasite. The main interest of this study is to explore Trypanosoma brucei cathepsin B-like protease (TbCatB) structural and functional properties with the primary goal of discovering non peptide small molecule inhibitors of TbCatB using bioinformatics approaches. TbCatB is a papain family C1 cysteine protease which belongs to clan CA group and it has emerged as a potential HAT drug target. Papain family cysteine proteases of Clan CA group of Trypanosoma brucei (rhodesain and TbCatB) have demonstrated potential as chemotherapeutic targets using synthetic protease inhibitors like Z-Phe-Ala-CHN2 to kill the parasite in vitro and in vivo. TbCatB has been identified as the essential cysteine protease of T. brucei since mRNA silencing of TbCatB killed the parasite and resulted in a cure in mice infected with T. brucei while mRNA silencing of rhodesain only extended mice life. TbCatB is therefore a promising drug target against HAT and the discovery and development of compounds that can selectively inhibit TbCatB without posing any danger to the human host represent a great therapeutic solution for treatment of HAT. To understand protein-inhibitor interactions, useful information can be obtained from high resolution protease-inhibitor crystal structure complexes. This study aims to use bioinformatics approaches to carry out comparative sequence, structural and functional analysis of TbCatB protease and its homologs from T. congolense, T, cruzi, T. vivax and H. sapien as well as to identify non-peptide small molecule inhibitors of TbCatB cysteine proteases from natural compounds of South African origin. Sequences of TbCatB (PDB ID: 3HHI) homologs were retrieved by a BLAST search. Human cathepsin B (PDB ID: 3CBJ) was selected from a list of templates for homology modelling found by HHpred. MODELLER version 9.10 program was used to generate a hundred models for T. congolense, T, cruzi and T. vivax cathepsin B like proteases using 3HHI and 3CBJ as templates. The best models were chosen based on their low DOPE Z scores before validation using MetaMQAPII, ANOLEA, PROCHECK and QMEAN6. The DOPE Z scores and the RMSD (RMS) values of the calculated models indicate that the models are of acceptable energy (stability) and fold (conformation). Results from the different MQAPs indicate the models are of acceptable quality and they can be used for docking studies. High throughput screening of SANCDB using AutoDock Vina revealed nine compounds, SANC00 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 488, 489, 490 and 491, having a strong affinity for Trypanosoma spp. cathepsin B proteases than HsCatB. SANC00488 has the strongest binding to Trypanosoma spp. cathepsin B proteases and the weakest binding to HsCatB protease. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations show that the complexes between SANC00488 and TbCatB, TcCatB, TcrCatB and TvCatB are stable and do not come apart during simulation. The complex between this compound and HsCatB however is unstable and comes apart during simulation. Residues that are important for the stability of SANC00488-TbCatB complex are Gly328 of the S2 subsite, Phe208, and Ala256. In conclusion SANC00488 is a good candidate for development of a drug against HAT.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Mokhawa, Gaone
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3304 , vital:20470
- Description: Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness, is a fatal chronic disease that is caused by flagellated protozoans, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. HAT is spread by a bite from an infected tsetse fly of the Glosina genus. Up to 60 million people in 36 countries in sub-Saharan Africa are at a risk of infection from HAT with up to 30 000 deaths reported every year. Current chemotherapy for HAT is insufficient since the available drugs exhibit unacceptable side effects (toxicity) and parasite resistance. Novel treatments and approaches for development of specific and more potent drugs for HAT are therefore required. One approach is to target vital proteins that are essential to the life cycle of the parasite. The main interest of this study is to explore Trypanosoma brucei cathepsin B-like protease (TbCatB) structural and functional properties with the primary goal of discovering non peptide small molecule inhibitors of TbCatB using bioinformatics approaches. TbCatB is a papain family C1 cysteine protease which belongs to clan CA group and it has emerged as a potential HAT drug target. Papain family cysteine proteases of Clan CA group of Trypanosoma brucei (rhodesain and TbCatB) have demonstrated potential as chemotherapeutic targets using synthetic protease inhibitors like Z-Phe-Ala-CHN2 to kill the parasite in vitro and in vivo. TbCatB has been identified as the essential cysteine protease of T. brucei since mRNA silencing of TbCatB killed the parasite and resulted in a cure in mice infected with T. brucei while mRNA silencing of rhodesain only extended mice life. TbCatB is therefore a promising drug target against HAT and the discovery and development of compounds that can selectively inhibit TbCatB without posing any danger to the human host represent a great therapeutic solution for treatment of HAT. To understand protein-inhibitor interactions, useful information can be obtained from high resolution protease-inhibitor crystal structure complexes. This study aims to use bioinformatics approaches to carry out comparative sequence, structural and functional analysis of TbCatB protease and its homologs from T. congolense, T, cruzi, T. vivax and H. sapien as well as to identify non-peptide small molecule inhibitors of TbCatB cysteine proteases from natural compounds of South African origin. Sequences of TbCatB (PDB ID: 3HHI) homologs were retrieved by a BLAST search. Human cathepsin B (PDB ID: 3CBJ) was selected from a list of templates for homology modelling found by HHpred. MODELLER version 9.10 program was used to generate a hundred models for T. congolense, T, cruzi and T. vivax cathepsin B like proteases using 3HHI and 3CBJ as templates. The best models were chosen based on their low DOPE Z scores before validation using MetaMQAPII, ANOLEA, PROCHECK and QMEAN6. The DOPE Z scores and the RMSD (RMS) values of the calculated models indicate that the models are of acceptable energy (stability) and fold (conformation). Results from the different MQAPs indicate the models are of acceptable quality and they can be used for docking studies. High throughput screening of SANCDB using AutoDock Vina revealed nine compounds, SANC00 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 488, 489, 490 and 491, having a strong affinity for Trypanosoma spp. cathepsin B proteases than HsCatB. SANC00488 has the strongest binding to Trypanosoma spp. cathepsin B proteases and the weakest binding to HsCatB protease. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations show that the complexes between SANC00488 and TbCatB, TcCatB, TcrCatB and TvCatB are stable and do not come apart during simulation. The complex between this compound and HsCatB however is unstable and comes apart during simulation. Residues that are important for the stability of SANC00488-TbCatB complex are Gly328 of the S2 subsite, Phe208, and Ala256. In conclusion SANC00488 is a good candidate for development of a drug against HAT.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Using data analysis and Information visualization techniques to support the effective analysis of large financial data sets
- Authors: Nyumbeka, Dumisani Joshua
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Information visualization Finance -- Mathematical models , Database management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12983 , vital:27141
- Description: There have been a number of technological advances in the last ten years, which has resulted in the amount of data generated in organisations increasing by more than 200% during this period. This rapid increase in data means that if financial institutions are to derive significant value from this data, they need to identify new ways to analyse this data effectively. Due to the considerable size of the data, financial institutions also need to consider how to effectively visualise the data. Traditional tools such as relational database management systems have problems processing large amounts of data due to memory constraints, latency issues and the presence of both structured and unstructured data The aim of this research was to use data analysis and information visualisation techniques (IV) to support the effective analysis of large financial data sets. In order to visually analyse the data effectively, the underlying data model must produce results that are reliable. A large financial data set was identified, and used to demonstrate that IV techniques can be used to support the effective analysis of large financial data sets. A review of the literature on large financial data sets, visual analytics, existing data management and data visualisation tools identified the shortcomings of existing tools. This resulted in the determination of the requirements for the data management tool, and the IV tool. The data management tool identified was a data warehouse and the IV toolkit identified was Tableau. The IV techniques identified included the Overview, Dashboards and Colour Blending. The IV tool was implemented and published online and can be accessed through a web browser interface. The data warehouse and the IV tool were evaluated to determine their accuracy and effectiveness in supporting the effective analysis of the large financial data set. The experiment used to evaluate the data warehouse yielded positive results, showing that only about 4% of the records had incorrect data. The results of the user study were positive and no major usability issues were identified. The participants found the IV techniques effective for analysing the large financial data set.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Nyumbeka, Dumisani Joshua
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Information visualization Finance -- Mathematical models , Database management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12983 , vital:27141
- Description: There have been a number of technological advances in the last ten years, which has resulted in the amount of data generated in organisations increasing by more than 200% during this period. This rapid increase in data means that if financial institutions are to derive significant value from this data, they need to identify new ways to analyse this data effectively. Due to the considerable size of the data, financial institutions also need to consider how to effectively visualise the data. Traditional tools such as relational database management systems have problems processing large amounts of data due to memory constraints, latency issues and the presence of both structured and unstructured data The aim of this research was to use data analysis and information visualisation techniques (IV) to support the effective analysis of large financial data sets. In order to visually analyse the data effectively, the underlying data model must produce results that are reliable. A large financial data set was identified, and used to demonstrate that IV techniques can be used to support the effective analysis of large financial data sets. A review of the literature on large financial data sets, visual analytics, existing data management and data visualisation tools identified the shortcomings of existing tools. This resulted in the determination of the requirements for the data management tool, and the IV tool. The data management tool identified was a data warehouse and the IV toolkit identified was Tableau. The IV techniques identified included the Overview, Dashboards and Colour Blending. The IV tool was implemented and published online and can be accessed through a web browser interface. The data warehouse and the IV tool were evaluated to determine their accuracy and effectiveness in supporting the effective analysis of the large financial data set. The experiment used to evaluate the data warehouse yielded positive results, showing that only about 4% of the records had incorrect data. The results of the user study were positive and no major usability issues were identified. The participants found the IV techniques effective for analysing the large financial data set.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Using data mining techniques for the prediction of student dropouts from university science programs
- Authors: Vambe, William Tichaona
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Data mining Dropout behavior, Prediction of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12314 , vital:39252
- Description: Data Mining has taken a center stage in education for addressing student dropout challenges as it has become one of the major threat affecting Higher Educational Institutes (HEIs). Being able to predict students who are likely to dropout helps the university to assist those facing challenges early. This will results in producing more graduates with the intellectual capital who will provide skills in the industries, hence addressing the major challenge of skill shortage being faced in South Africa. Studies and researches as purported in literature have been done to address this major threat of dropout challenge by using the theoretical approach which banked on Tinto’s model, followed by the traditional and statistical approach. However, the two lacked accuracy and the automation aspect which makes them difficult and time-consuming to use as they require to be tested periodically for them to be validated. Recently data mining has become a vital tool for predicting non-linear phenomenon including where there is missing data and bringing about accuracy and automation aspect. Data mining usefulness and reliability assessment in education made it possible to be used for prediction by different researchers. As such this research used data mining approach that integrates classification and prediction techniques to analyze student academic data at the University of Fort Hare to create a model for student dropout using preentry data and university academic performance of each student. Following Knowledge Discovery from Database (KDD) framework, data for the students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science programs between 2003 and 2014 was selected. It went through preprocessing and transformation as to deal with the missing data and noise data. Classification algorithms were then used for student characterization. Decision trees (J48) which are found in Weka software were used to build the model for data mining and prediction. The reason for choosing decision trees was it’s ability to deal with textual, nominal and numeric data as was the case with our input data and because they have good precision.The model was then trained using a train data set, validated and evaluated with another data set. Experimental results demonstrations that data mining is useful in predicting students who have chances to drop out. A critical analysis of correctly classifying instances, the confusion matrix and ROC area shows that the model can correctly classify and predict those who are likely to dropout. The model accuracy was 66percent which is a good percentage as supported in literature which means the results produced can be reliably used for assessment and make strategic decisions. Furthermore, the model took a matter of seconds to compute the results when supplied with 400 instances which prove that it is effective and efficient. Grounding our conclusion from these experimental results, this research proved that Data Mining is useful for bringing about automation, accuracy in prediction of student dropouts and the results can be reliably depended on for decision making by faculty managers who are the decision makers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Using data mining techniques for the prediction of student dropouts from university science programs
- Authors: Vambe, William Tichaona
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Data mining Dropout behavior, Prediction of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12314 , vital:39252
- Description: Data Mining has taken a center stage in education for addressing student dropout challenges as it has become one of the major threat affecting Higher Educational Institutes (HEIs). Being able to predict students who are likely to dropout helps the university to assist those facing challenges early. This will results in producing more graduates with the intellectual capital who will provide skills in the industries, hence addressing the major challenge of skill shortage being faced in South Africa. Studies and researches as purported in literature have been done to address this major threat of dropout challenge by using the theoretical approach which banked on Tinto’s model, followed by the traditional and statistical approach. However, the two lacked accuracy and the automation aspect which makes them difficult and time-consuming to use as they require to be tested periodically for them to be validated. Recently data mining has become a vital tool for predicting non-linear phenomenon including where there is missing data and bringing about accuracy and automation aspect. Data mining usefulness and reliability assessment in education made it possible to be used for prediction by different researchers. As such this research used data mining approach that integrates classification and prediction techniques to analyze student academic data at the University of Fort Hare to create a model for student dropout using preentry data and university academic performance of each student. Following Knowledge Discovery from Database (KDD) framework, data for the students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science programs between 2003 and 2014 was selected. It went through preprocessing and transformation as to deal with the missing data and noise data. Classification algorithms were then used for student characterization. Decision trees (J48) which are found in Weka software were used to build the model for data mining and prediction. The reason for choosing decision trees was it’s ability to deal with textual, nominal and numeric data as was the case with our input data and because they have good precision.The model was then trained using a train data set, validated and evaluated with another data set. Experimental results demonstrations that data mining is useful in predicting students who have chances to drop out. A critical analysis of correctly classifying instances, the confusion matrix and ROC area shows that the model can correctly classify and predict those who are likely to dropout. The model accuracy was 66percent which is a good percentage as supported in literature which means the results produced can be reliably used for assessment and make strategic decisions. Furthermore, the model took a matter of seconds to compute the results when supplied with 400 instances which prove that it is effective and efficient. Grounding our conclusion from these experimental results, this research proved that Data Mining is useful for bringing about automation, accuracy in prediction of student dropouts and the results can be reliably depended on for decision making by faculty managers who are the decision makers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Utilisation of university health care services by employees of the University of Fort Hare
- Authors: Fritsche, Ntombikayise
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Employee health promotion Health services administration Universities and colleges
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5950 , vital:29449
- Description: Background: University of Fort Hare (UFH) provides health care services to its students and staff; however, whether the health care services are being utilised by the staff is only speculative. Hence, the aim of the study was to determine the level of employees’ awareness regarding availability of University Health Care Services (UHS) and factors responsible for their utilization. wildlife and thereby may constitute a serious risk to public health. Therefore, it is recommended that proper regulation of the use of the compounds and their safe disposal be ensured to protect aquatic resources and the well-being of humans. Methodology: This quantitative descriptive study involved conveniently selected 255 UFH employees who were either permanently employed or on contract employment for two years and above. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire solicited information on demographics variables, awareness of employees regarding the existence of university health services, and factors affecting utilization of university health services (UHS) by employees. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentages) and inferential statistics (logistic regression analysis). Results: -Two hundred and thirty three (91 percent) of sampled UFH employees in both campuses are aware of the UHS. The longer the duration of employment and the older the employee (above 50 years old) the more likely the employees are aware of UHS. However, the elderly employees displayed poor utilization of health care services. Accessibility of UHS (96 percent), satisfaction with UHS (95 percent), listening to others (word of mouth) (61.2 percent) and having a health concern (51 percent) encourage UHS utilization whereas being unaware (8.6 percent) of the UHS remains the barrier for utilisation. Having medical aid (81 percent) prevent those who are aware of UHS from utilising the university health care services. Operating hours (30 percent), staff attitudes (50 percent) and long waiting time (70 percent) with lack of essential medicines (38 percent) prohibit employees from revisiting. Conclusion: The University of Fort Hare’s health care services are well known by almost every employee through “word of the mouth” though they are not completely aware as to which health service programmes are being offered. The utilization of University of Fort Hare’s health care services is positively and adversely influenced by different factors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Fritsche, Ntombikayise
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Employee health promotion Health services administration Universities and colleges
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5950 , vital:29449
- Description: Background: University of Fort Hare (UFH) provides health care services to its students and staff; however, whether the health care services are being utilised by the staff is only speculative. Hence, the aim of the study was to determine the level of employees’ awareness regarding availability of University Health Care Services (UHS) and factors responsible for their utilization. wildlife and thereby may constitute a serious risk to public health. Therefore, it is recommended that proper regulation of the use of the compounds and their safe disposal be ensured to protect aquatic resources and the well-being of humans. Methodology: This quantitative descriptive study involved conveniently selected 255 UFH employees who were either permanently employed or on contract employment for two years and above. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire solicited information on demographics variables, awareness of employees regarding the existence of university health services, and factors affecting utilization of university health services (UHS) by employees. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentages) and inferential statistics (logistic regression analysis). Results: -Two hundred and thirty three (91 percent) of sampled UFH employees in both campuses are aware of the UHS. The longer the duration of employment and the older the employee (above 50 years old) the more likely the employees are aware of UHS. However, the elderly employees displayed poor utilization of health care services. Accessibility of UHS (96 percent), satisfaction with UHS (95 percent), listening to others (word of mouth) (61.2 percent) and having a health concern (51 percent) encourage UHS utilization whereas being unaware (8.6 percent) of the UHS remains the barrier for utilisation. Having medical aid (81 percent) prevent those who are aware of UHS from utilising the university health care services. Operating hours (30 percent), staff attitudes (50 percent) and long waiting time (70 percent) with lack of essential medicines (38 percent) prohibit employees from revisiting. Conclusion: The University of Fort Hare’s health care services are well known by almost every employee through “word of the mouth” though they are not completely aware as to which health service programmes are being offered. The utilization of University of Fort Hare’s health care services is positively and adversely influenced by different factors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Validation of the periodicity of growth zone formation in the otoliths of four fish species from the Upper Zambezi ecoregion, southern Africa
- Taylor, Geraldine C, Peel, Richard A, Weyl, Olaf L F, Hay, Clinton J
- Authors: Taylor, Geraldine C , Peel, Richard A , Weyl, Olaf L F , Hay, Clinton J
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/443414 , vital:74116 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC196537
- Description: In the Upper Zambezi and Okavango ecoregions, Brycinus lateralis, Hepsetus cuvieri, Schilbe intermedius and Serranochromis macrocephalus are important in subsistence fisheries, while S. intermedius and S. macrocephalus are often caught in commercial catches. Despite their importance, there is little information on their age and growth and age validation. Growth zone deposition rate in otoliths of B. lateralis, H. cuvieri, S. intermedius and S. macrocephalus was validated as annual using edge analysis in this study. Annual deposition of growth zones was corroborated by a fluorochrome marking experiment. Both methods demonstrated that one growth zone was deposited annually. Edge analysis demonstrated that the highest proportion of opaque zones was detected between August and December, most likely as a result of slow growth during lower temperature water during the preceding winter. With growth zone deposition validated as annual, future research should focus on determining the growth, maturity and mortality rates of these species, parameters which are important for their management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Taylor, Geraldine C , Peel, Richard A , Weyl, Olaf L F , Hay, Clinton J
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/443414 , vital:74116 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC196537
- Description: In the Upper Zambezi and Okavango ecoregions, Brycinus lateralis, Hepsetus cuvieri, Schilbe intermedius and Serranochromis macrocephalus are important in subsistence fisheries, while S. intermedius and S. macrocephalus are often caught in commercial catches. Despite their importance, there is little information on their age and growth and age validation. Growth zone deposition rate in otoliths of B. lateralis, H. cuvieri, S. intermedius and S. macrocephalus was validated as annual using edge analysis in this study. Annual deposition of growth zones was corroborated by a fluorochrome marking experiment. Both methods demonstrated that one growth zone was deposited annually. Edge analysis demonstrated that the highest proportion of opaque zones was detected between August and December, most likely as a result of slow growth during lower temperature water during the preceding winter. With growth zone deposition validated as annual, future research should focus on determining the growth, maturity and mortality rates of these species, parameters which are important for their management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Variables affecting family employee remuneration in South African family businesses
- Authors: Pitsiladi, Lesvokli N
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa , Human capital -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3449 , vital:20431
- Description: The purpose of this multi-case study research was to determine variables that affect The Perceived Success of Fair Family Employee Compensation in South African family businesses. Five propositions: Human Capital, Outside Advice, Succession Planning, Fairness and Family Harmony were tested and as a result, Human Capital, Fairness and Family Harmony were deduced to have a positive influence, while Outside Advice and Succession Planning had a non-significant influence. The present research effort begun with an in-depth literature review on family business and the variables: Human Capital, Outside Advice, Succession Planning, Fairness, Family Harmony and Fair Family Employee Compensation, followed by a qualitative explanatory multi-case study research design using embedded units of analysis and provided a valuable insight into compensation issues regarding family businesses in South Africa. Replication logic was used to generalise the results and it was recommended that the preliminary theory regarding Outside Advice and Succession Planning be revised and tested with another set of cases, while the results indicated that Human Capital, Fairness and Family Harmony could be generalised to the broader theory.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Pitsiladi, Lesvokli N
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa , Human capital -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3449 , vital:20431
- Description: The purpose of this multi-case study research was to determine variables that affect The Perceived Success of Fair Family Employee Compensation in South African family businesses. Five propositions: Human Capital, Outside Advice, Succession Planning, Fairness and Family Harmony were tested and as a result, Human Capital, Fairness and Family Harmony were deduced to have a positive influence, while Outside Advice and Succession Planning had a non-significant influence. The present research effort begun with an in-depth literature review on family business and the variables: Human Capital, Outside Advice, Succession Planning, Fairness, Family Harmony and Fair Family Employee Compensation, followed by a qualitative explanatory multi-case study research design using embedded units of analysis and provided a valuable insight into compensation issues regarding family businesses in South Africa. Replication logic was used to generalise the results and it was recommended that the preliminary theory regarding Outside Advice and Succession Planning be revised and tested with another set of cases, while the results indicated that Human Capital, Fairness and Family Harmony could be generalised to the broader theory.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Views from the inside: An appraisal of the effectiveness of international NGOs as agents of development through a case study of Concern Universal’s Local Development Support Programme in Dedza District, Malawi
- Authors: Mussa, Khadija Sungeni
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/1499 , vital:20063
- Description: Malawi, which became independent in 1964, attracted Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) from the early 1980s. Initially, NGO involvement was a response to the influx of refugees from neighbouring war-torn Mozambique. Since then, NGOs have been active in the development sector. Malawi, a small country, has widespread poverty, and has recently been in international headlines as a victim of floods, drought and food shortages. Economically unstable, with environmental problems, Malawi is in need of development assistance. NGOs have been centrally positioned in such efforts, but the academic literature on their role has been limited. NGO interventions in development efforts, generally, have been subject to controversy. While some argue that NGOs provide an essential means of development, especially where state capacity is limited, others argue that, with most NGOs headquartered or funded from abroad, their strategies and practices are often more accountable to external pressures than local needs. This thesis intervenes in these debates with a case study: with the aim of examining the sustainability, appropriateness, accountability and effectiveness of NGO projects, it looks at a project by the international NGO (INGO), Concern Universal (CU), which works in the central region in Dedza, Malawi. It examines the project, using fieldwork in three villages, looking at issues such as its use of participatory methods, relations with local government and village structures, capacity building methods, and donor relations. The thesis argues that (I)NGOs like CU exist in a conflicted situation: they have to remain in the good books of their donors, while, at the same time, maintaining accountability to their beneficiaries; they depend on their ability to manoeuvre through the conflict in order to ensure their continuity, and so, their impact is shaped by competing imperatives. CU has made a real impact on poverty alleviation efforts, but its methods and approaches are shaped by said competing imperatives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Mussa, Khadija Sungeni
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/1499 , vital:20063
- Description: Malawi, which became independent in 1964, attracted Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) from the early 1980s. Initially, NGO involvement was a response to the influx of refugees from neighbouring war-torn Mozambique. Since then, NGOs have been active in the development sector. Malawi, a small country, has widespread poverty, and has recently been in international headlines as a victim of floods, drought and food shortages. Economically unstable, with environmental problems, Malawi is in need of development assistance. NGOs have been centrally positioned in such efforts, but the academic literature on their role has been limited. NGO interventions in development efforts, generally, have been subject to controversy. While some argue that NGOs provide an essential means of development, especially where state capacity is limited, others argue that, with most NGOs headquartered or funded from abroad, their strategies and practices are often more accountable to external pressures than local needs. This thesis intervenes in these debates with a case study: with the aim of examining the sustainability, appropriateness, accountability and effectiveness of NGO projects, it looks at a project by the international NGO (INGO), Concern Universal (CU), which works in the central region in Dedza, Malawi. It examines the project, using fieldwork in three villages, looking at issues such as its use of participatory methods, relations with local government and village structures, capacity building methods, and donor relations. The thesis argues that (I)NGOs like CU exist in a conflicted situation: they have to remain in the good books of their donors, while, at the same time, maintaining accountability to their beneficiaries; they depend on their ability to manoeuvre through the conflict in order to ensure their continuity, and so, their impact is shaped by competing imperatives. CU has made a real impact on poverty alleviation efforts, but its methods and approaches are shaped by said competing imperatives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Views of grade nine learners regarding the marketing of nursing as a career to attract school-leavers to the profession in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Stevens, Annette Kay, Williams, Maggie
- Authors: Stevens, Annette Kay , Williams, Maggie
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Nursing -- Vocational guidance -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Nursing -- Practice -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Career development -- Nursing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12834 , vital:27125
- Description: Globally, the nursing profession is faced with a decline in school-leavers’ interest in nursing as a career. The decline in school leavers entering the nursing profession poses a threat to the future of nursing because, globally, the average age of nurses in many countries exceeds 40 years (International Council of Nurses, 2008). The role of marketing in attracting school leavers to careers of choice is well documented; however, there is a lack of documented marketing attempts by Nursing Education Institutions to market nursing as a career at secondary schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The purpose of the study was to determine the views that grade nine learners have regarding the marketing of nursing as a career to attract school-leavers to the profession. The researcher also explored and described how grade nine learners are being informed or wish to be informed of nursing as a career. Based on the findings of the study, broad guidelines were developed for nurse educators at Nursing Education Institutions so as to facilitate the marketing of nursing as a career for school leavers. To achieve the purpose of this study, a quantitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual study design was used. The study was conducted at selected senior secondary schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The research population in this study comprised of all grade nine learners at secondary schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. A simple random sampling method was used to select participants. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used as the data collection tool. The data collected were analysed with the help of the statistician, using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study findings revealed that grade nine learners in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality had a positive response to choosing nursing as a career and that schools situated in the lower socio-economic areas had the highest percentage of grade nine learners indicating an interest in nursing as a career. The study concludes with recommendations for nursing practice, education and research. Ethical principles have been maintained throughout the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Stevens, Annette Kay , Williams, Maggie
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Nursing -- Vocational guidance -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Nursing -- Practice -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Career development -- Nursing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12834 , vital:27125
- Description: Globally, the nursing profession is faced with a decline in school-leavers’ interest in nursing as a career. The decline in school leavers entering the nursing profession poses a threat to the future of nursing because, globally, the average age of nurses in many countries exceeds 40 years (International Council of Nurses, 2008). The role of marketing in attracting school leavers to careers of choice is well documented; however, there is a lack of documented marketing attempts by Nursing Education Institutions to market nursing as a career at secondary schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The purpose of the study was to determine the views that grade nine learners have regarding the marketing of nursing as a career to attract school-leavers to the profession. The researcher also explored and described how grade nine learners are being informed or wish to be informed of nursing as a career. Based on the findings of the study, broad guidelines were developed for nurse educators at Nursing Education Institutions so as to facilitate the marketing of nursing as a career for school leavers. To achieve the purpose of this study, a quantitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual study design was used. The study was conducted at selected senior secondary schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The research population in this study comprised of all grade nine learners at secondary schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. A simple random sampling method was used to select participants. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used as the data collection tool. The data collected were analysed with the help of the statistician, using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study findings revealed that grade nine learners in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality had a positive response to choosing nursing as a career and that schools situated in the lower socio-economic areas had the highest percentage of grade nine learners indicating an interest in nursing as a career. The study concludes with recommendations for nursing practice, education and research. Ethical principles have been maintained throughout the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Visit the exotic birthplaces of transdisciplinarity
- Burt, Jane C, Cockburn, Jessica J, Fox, Helen E, Copteros, Athina
- Authors: Burt, Jane C , Cockburn, Jessica J , Fox, Helen E , Copteros, Athina
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68442 , vital:29256 , https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.1511.7048
- Description: Publisher version , Preface: Why a new approach to science? The world we live in is very different to the world of one hundred years ago. The world has never been so populated by humans and never before have the spe-cies ‘human’ influenced and manipulated the natural world in the way in which we do now. Academics are calling it the age of the Anthropocene. In the age of the Anthropocene we face different challenges to what hu- mans faced centuries ago. As we find ourselves in this new age we have had to not only question ‘what we know’ but also ‘how we know’ and whether the ‘how we know’ is the right kind of ‘how’ for the problems that we face today. This has led to a questioning of the way in which we generate knowledge and the way in which this knowledge is used. This critique is not aimed at all knowledge generation it is mostly a frustration that has arisen out of the physical and biological sciences with the realisation that doing good science is just not enough to bring about meaningful change in the world. Trans-disciplinary scientists and practitioners have begun this journey in search of a new kind of science - A science in service of society! This tourist trip will re- trace the few first steps of these emerging ideas so that we can understand where these new ideas have come from and how they may influence our own research. , This document was developed for a postgraduate course on Transdisciplinary research held at Rhodes University. It explores three key theoretical approaches to transdisciplinarity in relation to the question 'Why TD?'.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Burt, Jane C , Cockburn, Jessica J , Fox, Helen E , Copteros, Athina
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68442 , vital:29256 , https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.1511.7048
- Description: Publisher version , Preface: Why a new approach to science? The world we live in is very different to the world of one hundred years ago. The world has never been so populated by humans and never before have the spe-cies ‘human’ influenced and manipulated the natural world in the way in which we do now. Academics are calling it the age of the Anthropocene. In the age of the Anthropocene we face different challenges to what hu- mans faced centuries ago. As we find ourselves in this new age we have had to not only question ‘what we know’ but also ‘how we know’ and whether the ‘how we know’ is the right kind of ‘how’ for the problems that we face today. This has led to a questioning of the way in which we generate knowledge and the way in which this knowledge is used. This critique is not aimed at all knowledge generation it is mostly a frustration that has arisen out of the physical and biological sciences with the realisation that doing good science is just not enough to bring about meaningful change in the world. Trans-disciplinary scientists and practitioners have begun this journey in search of a new kind of science - A science in service of society! This tourist trip will re- trace the few first steps of these emerging ideas so that we can understand where these new ideas have come from and how they may influence our own research. , This document was developed for a postgraduate course on Transdisciplinary research held at Rhodes University. It explores three key theoretical approaches to transdisciplinarity in relation to the question 'Why TD?'.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Vocational curriculum report 191(NATED) as a curriculum: a case study of three Eastern Cape TVET Colleges
- Authors: Sixabayi, Siyabonga Prince
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Vocational education -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Curriculum planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5126 , vital:29089
- Description: This study aimed to investigate if there are any possible gaps in the offering Vocational Curriculum Report 191, in terms of knowledge, skills and link to the world of work. This study was a case study of three Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges that offer Vocational Curriculum Report 191, and it was geographically limited to the province of the Eastern Cape. The five main findings from this study were that firstly, the curriculum offers theory without practice. Secondly, there is a mismatch between what is offered as curriculum at Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges and what the labour market wants. Thirdly, lecturers do not have the practical exposure that relates to their fields of study. Fourthly, Vocational Curriculum Report 191 does not promote self-employment of its students and lastly, the curriculum is outdated and does not comply with the criteria of current employment opportunities. The study recommends that the curriculum be reviewed and revised. Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges need to have in site practice facilities to cater for the practical application of theoretical knowledge of students. Partnerships between Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges, the labour market and Sector Education and Training Authorities are strongly recommended in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Sixabayi, Siyabonga Prince
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Vocational education -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Curriculum planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5126 , vital:29089
- Description: This study aimed to investigate if there are any possible gaps in the offering Vocational Curriculum Report 191, in terms of knowledge, skills and link to the world of work. This study was a case study of three Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges that offer Vocational Curriculum Report 191, and it was geographically limited to the province of the Eastern Cape. The five main findings from this study were that firstly, the curriculum offers theory without practice. Secondly, there is a mismatch between what is offered as curriculum at Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges and what the labour market wants. Thirdly, lecturers do not have the practical exposure that relates to their fields of study. Fourthly, Vocational Curriculum Report 191 does not promote self-employment of its students and lastly, the curriculum is outdated and does not comply with the criteria of current employment opportunities. The study recommends that the curriculum be reviewed and revised. Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges need to have in site practice facilities to cater for the practical application of theoretical knowledge of students. Partnerships between Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges, the labour market and Sector Education and Training Authorities are strongly recommended in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Walking into Africa in a Chinese way: Hua Jiming’s mindful entry as counterbalance
- Authors: Simbao, Ruth K
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/146167 , vital:38501 , ISBN 9791024005799 , https://books.google.co.za/books?id=VGSwDwAAQBAJanddq=Afrique-Asie:+Arts,+espaces,+pratiquesandsource=gbs_navlinks_s
- Description: Book abstract. The links between Africa and Asia are at the very heart of globalization. Understanding its richness and complexity requires a study carried out from various points of view. Particular attention to culture is essential. Centered on the work of visual artists and performers, on town planning, literature and spirituality, the essays gathered here call on many disciplines: art history and history, anthropology, sociology, geography, architecture, comparative literature, visual and culture studies. They constitute a network of crossed views on a subject which no serious reflection on globalization can do today.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Simbao, Ruth K
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/146167 , vital:38501 , ISBN 9791024005799 , https://books.google.co.za/books?id=VGSwDwAAQBAJanddq=Afrique-Asie:+Arts,+espaces,+pratiquesandsource=gbs_navlinks_s
- Description: Book abstract. The links between Africa and Asia are at the very heart of globalization. Understanding its richness and complexity requires a study carried out from various points of view. Particular attention to culture is essential. Centered on the work of visual artists and performers, on town planning, literature and spirituality, the essays gathered here call on many disciplines: art history and history, anthropology, sociology, geography, architecture, comparative literature, visual and culture studies. They constitute a network of crossed views on a subject which no serious reflection on globalization can do today.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016