An analysis of how Zimbabwean female audiences decode meaning from the Shona-language radio programme Nguva Yevanhukadzi (Time for Women) against the background of their lived experiences
- Authors: Chihota-Charamba, Audrey
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Radio and women -- Zimbabwe , Mass media and women -- Zimbabwe , Radio audiences -- Zimbabwe , Women in mass media , Mass media -- Zimbabwe , Women -- Zimbabwe -- Social conditions , Patriarchy -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3522 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011750 , Radio and women -- Zimbabwe , Mass media and women -- Zimbabwe , Radio audiences -- Zimbabwe , Women in mass media , Mass media -- Zimbabwe , Women -- Zimbabwe -- Social conditions , Patriarchy -- Zimbabwe
- Description: This study investigates the Zimbabwean women listeners of a gender-focused radio programme Nguva yevanhukadzi (Time for Women) to find out what meanings they take from the programme. Located within the broad theoretical framework of cultural studies and drawing on audience reception theories, the study focuses on the ways in which Shona-speaking women bring their understandings of their social roles, derived from their lived socio-cultural experiences of patriarchy, to their decoding of the text. The study was set in Harare’s high-density suburb of Mbare and used the qualitative research methods of individual and focus group interviews. The study was conducted against the backdrop of the signing of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) of September 2008, which ended the impasse among the warring political parties, ZANU PF, MDC-T and MDC and introduced a new era of collectively tackling socio-economic development, including redressing gender disparities through women’s empowerment. This study examines the factors shaping the audiences’ readings of the programme and seeks to establish whether the mass media has determining power on its audience in the reception of messages or if the audiences (women) have interpretive freedom. Using Hall’s (1980) Encoding/ Decoding model, the study examines the factors that influence the audiences’ choice in making preferred, negotiated or oppositional readings and the arguments they advance in line with those readings. While the interviews revealed that most of the female listeners “negotiated” the dominant encoded meanings, seeking their relevance to their varied situations and contexts (O’ Sullivan et al. 1994:152; Ang 1990: 159), of interest is the manner in which the women dealt with the discourse of patriarchy within the context of promoting women empowerment. The contestation between women empowerment and addressing patriarchy reflected the subverted notions of maintaining the status quo, while applauding the women’s commitment and ability to interrogate the practicality of issues under discussion and drawing lessons relevant to their day to day lives prior to making the preferred reading. As such, the study revealed that preferred readings are not always automated, but can be a result of intense interrogation among media audiences.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Chihota-Charamba, Audrey
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Radio and women -- Zimbabwe , Mass media and women -- Zimbabwe , Radio audiences -- Zimbabwe , Women in mass media , Mass media -- Zimbabwe , Women -- Zimbabwe -- Social conditions , Patriarchy -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3522 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011750 , Radio and women -- Zimbabwe , Mass media and women -- Zimbabwe , Radio audiences -- Zimbabwe , Women in mass media , Mass media -- Zimbabwe , Women -- Zimbabwe -- Social conditions , Patriarchy -- Zimbabwe
- Description: This study investigates the Zimbabwean women listeners of a gender-focused radio programme Nguva yevanhukadzi (Time for Women) to find out what meanings they take from the programme. Located within the broad theoretical framework of cultural studies and drawing on audience reception theories, the study focuses on the ways in which Shona-speaking women bring their understandings of their social roles, derived from their lived socio-cultural experiences of patriarchy, to their decoding of the text. The study was set in Harare’s high-density suburb of Mbare and used the qualitative research methods of individual and focus group interviews. The study was conducted against the backdrop of the signing of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) of September 2008, which ended the impasse among the warring political parties, ZANU PF, MDC-T and MDC and introduced a new era of collectively tackling socio-economic development, including redressing gender disparities through women’s empowerment. This study examines the factors shaping the audiences’ readings of the programme and seeks to establish whether the mass media has determining power on its audience in the reception of messages or if the audiences (women) have interpretive freedom. Using Hall’s (1980) Encoding/ Decoding model, the study examines the factors that influence the audiences’ choice in making preferred, negotiated or oppositional readings and the arguments they advance in line with those readings. While the interviews revealed that most of the female listeners “negotiated” the dominant encoded meanings, seeking their relevance to their varied situations and contexts (O’ Sullivan et al. 1994:152; Ang 1990: 159), of interest is the manner in which the women dealt with the discourse of patriarchy within the context of promoting women empowerment. The contestation between women empowerment and addressing patriarchy reflected the subverted notions of maintaining the status quo, while applauding the women’s commitment and ability to interrogate the practicality of issues under discussion and drawing lessons relevant to their day to day lives prior to making the preferred reading. As such, the study revealed that preferred readings are not always automated, but can be a result of intense interrogation among media audiences.
- Full Text:
An analysis of the impact of an official diagnosis and label of ʹdyslexiaʹ on pupils’ self-concept and self-esteem : a sociological case study involving pupils in Grahamstown
- Authors: Johnson, Gwendolyn Gay
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Dyslexic children -- Education -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Case studies , Dyslexic children -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Psychological aspects -- Case studies , Dyslexic children -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Case studies , Self-perception in adolescence , Emotions in adolescence , Dyslexia , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3375 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013124
- Description: The aim of this study is to develop an understanding of how Grahamstown teenagers are affected by the label ʹdyslexiaʹ; by providing a space in which their feelings about being labelled dyslexic and their experiences can be voiced. Historically much international and local research has focussed on causation and remediation of dyslexia and has neglected the social aspects of the diagnosis. Causation and remediation are categories which form part of the medical or educational models. A social model of dyslexia needs to be applied. Due to the paucity of South African literature on the social experiences of dyslexic teenagers, this research thesis aims to add to the body of knowledge and hopefully provide an avenue for more research within the context of Sociology. This is a micro study, situated in Grahamstown Eastern Cape, South Africa, and the author recognizes that responses cannot be generalized to the greater dyslexic population. All human environments consist of objects which are given meaning through social interaction. Meaning is central to human behaviour and therefor explains the ways in which humans conduct their lives based on these meanings. For this reason George Herbert Mead’s (1934) and Herbert Blumers (1969) symbolic interactionist positions have framed the theoretical approach to this research. Qualitative methods of interviewing provide an opportunity for dyslexic individuals to discuss the meaning dyslexia gives to them, from their perspective and in their own words. The following conclusions have been arrived at: Educational psychologists in Grahamstown are reticent to diagnose individuals as dyslexic. This lack of identification hinders early intervention which can be very detrimental to individuals struggling with reading, writing and spelling as well as the associated co-morbid conditions of dyslexia. Teenagers who have had early diagnosis and intervention with support structures in place identify with their dyslexic identity more positively as they are able to make sense of their struggles of a dyslexic nature.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Johnson, Gwendolyn Gay
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Dyslexic children -- Education -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Case studies , Dyslexic children -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Psychological aspects -- Case studies , Dyslexic children -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Case studies , Self-perception in adolescence , Emotions in adolescence , Dyslexia , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3375 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013124
- Description: The aim of this study is to develop an understanding of how Grahamstown teenagers are affected by the label ʹdyslexiaʹ; by providing a space in which their feelings about being labelled dyslexic and their experiences can be voiced. Historically much international and local research has focussed on causation and remediation of dyslexia and has neglected the social aspects of the diagnosis. Causation and remediation are categories which form part of the medical or educational models. A social model of dyslexia needs to be applied. Due to the paucity of South African literature on the social experiences of dyslexic teenagers, this research thesis aims to add to the body of knowledge and hopefully provide an avenue for more research within the context of Sociology. This is a micro study, situated in Grahamstown Eastern Cape, South Africa, and the author recognizes that responses cannot be generalized to the greater dyslexic population. All human environments consist of objects which are given meaning through social interaction. Meaning is central to human behaviour and therefor explains the ways in which humans conduct their lives based on these meanings. For this reason George Herbert Mead’s (1934) and Herbert Blumers (1969) symbolic interactionist positions have framed the theoretical approach to this research. Qualitative methods of interviewing provide an opportunity for dyslexic individuals to discuss the meaning dyslexia gives to them, from their perspective and in their own words. The following conclusions have been arrived at: Educational psychologists in Grahamstown are reticent to diagnose individuals as dyslexic. This lack of identification hinders early intervention which can be very detrimental to individuals struggling with reading, writing and spelling as well as the associated co-morbid conditions of dyslexia. Teenagers who have had early diagnosis and intervention with support structures in place identify with their dyslexic identity more positively as they are able to make sense of their struggles of a dyslexic nature.
- Full Text:
An analysis of the structure of knowledge and students' construction of knowledge in an introductory accounting course
- Authors: Myers, Lyndrianne Peta
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Knowledge, Theory of , Learning, Psychology of , Accounting -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1328 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013227
- Description: This research seeks to explain how students construct knowledge in introductory accounting. It was prompted by concerns over low pass rates for first-year Introductory Accounting students at Rhodes University and particularly low pass rates amongst novice (first-time) Accounting Students. In trying to get a better understanding of reasons behind these pass rates, this research focuses on the structure of knowledge in the discipline and what this means for how students should construct knowledge in the course. Bernstein’s Pedagogic Device and the dimensions of Semantics and Specialisation in Maton’s Legitimation Code Theory are used as theoretical and analytical frameworks to help understand the structure of knowledge in this course, how knowledge is recontextualised and finally how it is acquired by students. A group of students from the 2011 class were interviewed to gain a better understanding of how each of these students constructed knowledge during the semester. The analysis of these interviews reveals how students construct knowledge in the course and the implications this has for their success over the semester. Analysing this interview data, and comparing it with the levels of success for each student, permitted me to develop an improved understanding of how successful and unsuccessful students construct knowledge. As a teacher of Accounting, understanding and being explicit about the structure of knowledge in the discipline, and how this impacts on the construction of knowledge, will allow me to advise future students on how to most effectively construct knowledge in this course and to advise and guide colleagues on how best to present this course.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Myers, Lyndrianne Peta
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Knowledge, Theory of , Learning, Psychology of , Accounting -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1328 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013227
- Description: This research seeks to explain how students construct knowledge in introductory accounting. It was prompted by concerns over low pass rates for first-year Introductory Accounting students at Rhodes University and particularly low pass rates amongst novice (first-time) Accounting Students. In trying to get a better understanding of reasons behind these pass rates, this research focuses on the structure of knowledge in the discipline and what this means for how students should construct knowledge in the course. Bernstein’s Pedagogic Device and the dimensions of Semantics and Specialisation in Maton’s Legitimation Code Theory are used as theoretical and analytical frameworks to help understand the structure of knowledge in this course, how knowledge is recontextualised and finally how it is acquired by students. A group of students from the 2011 class were interviewed to gain a better understanding of how each of these students constructed knowledge during the semester. The analysis of these interviews reveals how students construct knowledge in the course and the implications this has for their success over the semester. Analysing this interview data, and comparing it with the levels of success for each student, permitted me to develop an improved understanding of how successful and unsuccessful students construct knowledge. As a teacher of Accounting, understanding and being explicit about the structure of knowledge in the discipline, and how this impacts on the construction of knowledge, will allow me to advise future students on how to most effectively construct knowledge in this course and to advise and guide colleagues on how best to present this course.
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An assessment of equilibrium in the Merensky Reef : a textural, geochemical and Nd isotope study of coexisting plagioclase and orthopyroxene from Winnaarshoek in the eastern Bushveld Complex, RSA
- Authors: Raines, Mark Douglas
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa -- Bushveld Complex , Plagioclase , Neodymium , Petrology , Electron probe microanalysis , Isotope geology , Mineralogical chemistry , Crystallization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5079 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015644
- Description: Evidence of mineral disequilibrium is presented for the Merensky Reef at Winnaarshoek in the eastern Bushveld Complex. Petrographic disequilibrium textures, disequilibrium in orthopyroxene, plagioclase and clinopyroxene mineral compositions as well as disequilibrium in Sm-Nd isotopic compositions of whole rock samples and coexisting plagioclase and orthopyroxene are presented. Disequilibrium textures presented include clinopyroxene exsolution lamellae in orthopyroxene; resorbed plagioclase in orthopyroxene or relict plagioclase; various inclusions such as orthopyroxene, plagioclase or clinopyroxene in larger oikocrysts of clinopyroxene or orthopyroxene; discontinuous rims of clinopyroxene surrounding orthopyroxene; resorbed orthopyroxene in clinopyroxene; and corona textures associated with olivine. These textures were used to derive a possible mineral crystallization sequence. At least two sequences of crystallization took place, both of which crystallized plagioclase first. One sequence then crystallized olivine which was then consumed to produce orthopyroxene which crystallized prior to late clinopyroxene. The other sequence indicates orthopyroxene crystallization after plagioclase crystallization, followed by crystallization of clinopyroxene. These sequences indicate at least two magmas were responsible for the genesis of the Merensky Reef and its hanging wall and footwall units. Compositionally, disequilibrium is evident in the range of compositions found in coexisting orthopyroxene, plagioclase and clinopyroxene with stratigraphic height, with particular reference to the change in mineral composition in each of the hanging wall, Reef and footwall units. Orthopyroxene compositions range in Mg numbers between 74.6 and 82.9 (77.4) in the hanging wall, 78.5 and 87.0 (avg. 81.1) in the Reef, and 77.9 and 84.1 (avg. 81.3) in the footwall. Plagioclase compositions range in An content between An64.9 and An82.3 (avg. An75.1) in the hanging wall, An56.8 to An70.8 (avg. An62.7) in the Reef, and An54.2 to An86.3 (avg. An73.2) in the footwall. In terms of Sm-Nd isotopic compositions, disequilibrium is evident between both whole rock samples and coexisting plagioclase and orthopyroxenes. Bulk rock Sm-Nd isotopic compositions show a range in ԐNd values between ԐNd (2.06 Ga) = -4.8 to -6.4 in the hangingwall, ԐNd (2.06 Ga) = -6.3 to -8.5 in the Reef, and ԐNd (2.06 Ga) = -4.5 to -6.3 in the footwall. Similar ԐNd values are present in the hanging wall and footwall units, with a clear “spike” in the Merensky Reef. ԐNd values in plagioclase are between ԐNd (2.06 Ga) = -5.8 and -7.8, while orthopyroxene isotopic Sm-Nd values are between ԐNd (2.06 Ga = -7.1 and -9.1. The mineral disequilibrium features presented within this study help elucidate the crystallization sequence of the magma as well as to constrain the contamination of the magma upon ascension and emplacement of the Merensky Reef. The results of this study favour a model where a mantle plume resulted in the ascent of a new magma which was contaminated by the assimilation of old, lower crust. Contamination took place prior to the possible lateral emplacement of the Merensky reef as a density current. 5-10% contamination of depleted mantle or a B2-“like” source by Archaean TTGs is modeled to achieve the contamination “spike” of ԐNd = -8.5 in the Merensky Reef.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Raines, Mark Douglas
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa -- Bushveld Complex , Plagioclase , Neodymium , Petrology , Electron probe microanalysis , Isotope geology , Mineralogical chemistry , Crystallization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5079 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015644
- Description: Evidence of mineral disequilibrium is presented for the Merensky Reef at Winnaarshoek in the eastern Bushveld Complex. Petrographic disequilibrium textures, disequilibrium in orthopyroxene, plagioclase and clinopyroxene mineral compositions as well as disequilibrium in Sm-Nd isotopic compositions of whole rock samples and coexisting plagioclase and orthopyroxene are presented. Disequilibrium textures presented include clinopyroxene exsolution lamellae in orthopyroxene; resorbed plagioclase in orthopyroxene or relict plagioclase; various inclusions such as orthopyroxene, plagioclase or clinopyroxene in larger oikocrysts of clinopyroxene or orthopyroxene; discontinuous rims of clinopyroxene surrounding orthopyroxene; resorbed orthopyroxene in clinopyroxene; and corona textures associated with olivine. These textures were used to derive a possible mineral crystallization sequence. At least two sequences of crystallization took place, both of which crystallized plagioclase first. One sequence then crystallized olivine which was then consumed to produce orthopyroxene which crystallized prior to late clinopyroxene. The other sequence indicates orthopyroxene crystallization after plagioclase crystallization, followed by crystallization of clinopyroxene. These sequences indicate at least two magmas were responsible for the genesis of the Merensky Reef and its hanging wall and footwall units. Compositionally, disequilibrium is evident in the range of compositions found in coexisting orthopyroxene, plagioclase and clinopyroxene with stratigraphic height, with particular reference to the change in mineral composition in each of the hanging wall, Reef and footwall units. Orthopyroxene compositions range in Mg numbers between 74.6 and 82.9 (77.4) in the hanging wall, 78.5 and 87.0 (avg. 81.1) in the Reef, and 77.9 and 84.1 (avg. 81.3) in the footwall. Plagioclase compositions range in An content between An64.9 and An82.3 (avg. An75.1) in the hanging wall, An56.8 to An70.8 (avg. An62.7) in the Reef, and An54.2 to An86.3 (avg. An73.2) in the footwall. In terms of Sm-Nd isotopic compositions, disequilibrium is evident between both whole rock samples and coexisting plagioclase and orthopyroxenes. Bulk rock Sm-Nd isotopic compositions show a range in ԐNd values between ԐNd (2.06 Ga) = -4.8 to -6.4 in the hangingwall, ԐNd (2.06 Ga) = -6.3 to -8.5 in the Reef, and ԐNd (2.06 Ga) = -4.5 to -6.3 in the footwall. Similar ԐNd values are present in the hanging wall and footwall units, with a clear “spike” in the Merensky Reef. ԐNd values in plagioclase are between ԐNd (2.06 Ga) = -5.8 and -7.8, while orthopyroxene isotopic Sm-Nd values are between ԐNd (2.06 Ga = -7.1 and -9.1. The mineral disequilibrium features presented within this study help elucidate the crystallization sequence of the magma as well as to constrain the contamination of the magma upon ascension and emplacement of the Merensky Reef. The results of this study favour a model where a mantle plume resulted in the ascent of a new magma which was contaminated by the assimilation of old, lower crust. Contamination took place prior to the possible lateral emplacement of the Merensky reef as a density current. 5-10% contamination of depleted mantle or a B2-“like” source by Archaean TTGs is modeled to achieve the contamination “spike” of ԐNd = -8.5 in the Merensky Reef.
- Full Text:
An assessment of human carnivore conflict in the Kalahari region of Botswana
- Authors: Klein, Rebecca Ann
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Carnivores -- Botswana , Carnivores -- Effect of human beings on -- Botswana , Human-animal relationships , Predatory animals -- Control -- Botswana , Wildlife depredation -- Botswana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5876 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013132
- Description: Human wildlife conflict is a considerable conservation challenge that threatens many carnivore species worldwide and is a result of complex socio-economic and ecological processes. An understanding of the drivers of conflict is essential for any efforts to achieve coexistence. This study investigated the levels of conflict, livestock management and tolerance amongst the farming communities of the Southern and Western Kalahari in Botswana. A questionnaire survey was completed with 310 farmers throughout the region. The majority of respondents regarded coexisting with carnivores as a challenge, with losses due to depredation perceived as the greatest problem facing farmers. Conflict was widespread throughout the study area, with some spatial variations for certain species. Cattle management levels were low and while smallstock management was better, the use of improved levels of management could reduce current levels of conflict. Tolerance levels were generally low with few respondents seeing the benefits of coexistence with carnivore species. The results indicated that farm type, gender, education level, source of income, livestock numbers, location and land use all have an effect on perceived conflict and tolerance levels and strongly interact with each other. In general cattleposts were characterised by higher proportions of females, lower education levels, more benefits derived from wildlife and veld products and fewer livestock than fenced ranches. They also experienced more conflict, carried out more management and had better tolerance levels. It could be that closer connections to the land and deriving benefits from natural resources resulted in more tolerance and this is certainly worth further investigation. An improvement in the use of effective methods of livestock management, targeted environmental education programs to develop a greater awareness for the conservation value of carnivores and a diversification of livelihoods to include benefits from natural resources have the potential to reduce conflict and improve tolerance in the Kalahari region.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Klein, Rebecca Ann
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Carnivores -- Botswana , Carnivores -- Effect of human beings on -- Botswana , Human-animal relationships , Predatory animals -- Control -- Botswana , Wildlife depredation -- Botswana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5876 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013132
- Description: Human wildlife conflict is a considerable conservation challenge that threatens many carnivore species worldwide and is a result of complex socio-economic and ecological processes. An understanding of the drivers of conflict is essential for any efforts to achieve coexistence. This study investigated the levels of conflict, livestock management and tolerance amongst the farming communities of the Southern and Western Kalahari in Botswana. A questionnaire survey was completed with 310 farmers throughout the region. The majority of respondents regarded coexisting with carnivores as a challenge, with losses due to depredation perceived as the greatest problem facing farmers. Conflict was widespread throughout the study area, with some spatial variations for certain species. Cattle management levels were low and while smallstock management was better, the use of improved levels of management could reduce current levels of conflict. Tolerance levels were generally low with few respondents seeing the benefits of coexistence with carnivore species. The results indicated that farm type, gender, education level, source of income, livestock numbers, location and land use all have an effect on perceived conflict and tolerance levels and strongly interact with each other. In general cattleposts were characterised by higher proportions of females, lower education levels, more benefits derived from wildlife and veld products and fewer livestock than fenced ranches. They also experienced more conflict, carried out more management and had better tolerance levels. It could be that closer connections to the land and deriving benefits from natural resources resulted in more tolerance and this is certainly worth further investigation. An improvement in the use of effective methods of livestock management, targeted environmental education programs to develop a greater awareness for the conservation value of carnivores and a diversification of livelihoods to include benefits from natural resources have the potential to reduce conflict and improve tolerance in the Kalahari region.
- Full Text:
An electrospun nanofiber colorimetric probe for detection of Alkaline Phosphatase for diagnosis of liver toxicity
- Authors: Mohale, Mamello
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54532 , vital:26581
- Description: A novel electrospun nanofiber colorimetric probe for the detection of Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) for diagnosis of liver toxicity was developed through electrospinning of a para nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) functionalised nylon polymer. The chemical stability of the enzyme substrate (pNPP) and its two products (para nitrophenol (pNP) and para nitrophenolate (pNPL)) was evaluated in biological (pH 7.4), acidic (pH 2) and alkaline (pH 9) pH, respectively. Enzyme kinetics models of Michaelis Menten (MM) and Lineweaver Burk (LB) were used to characterise free ALP. Solution and nanofiber assaying of free ALP and 10x diluted serum (spiked with ALP) was also carried out. The results demonstrated that pNPP and pNP were colourless while pNPL was yellow which indicated that all reagents were chemically stable. In addition, the chromophore of pNPL exhibited a strong molar extinction coefficient (ε) of 18,458 M-1 cm-1. LB plot being the most accurate compared to MM showed Vmax, Km and excess substrate concentration of 5.5 × 10-3 μmol/min-1, 0.025 mM and 0.25 mM respectively. Solution and nanofiber assaying of free ALP and serum confirmed a direct proportional correlation between the pNPL yellow colour intensity and enzyme activity up to 858 IU/L and 820 IU/L respectively. The dipping of the nanofiber layer into solution showed that the leaching rate of pNPP was extremely high at 1.37 × 10-3 A/min-1 as was observed after only the first 0.25 min interval. However, this was not of great concern since it was also observed that administration of the sample (20 μL) by a dropwise method minimised leaching compared to dipping. The preliminary findings on the effect of temperature on the chemical stability of pNPP indicated that it was stable below temperatures of 40°C while it hydrolysed at 80°C. Therefore a sensitive, rapid and simple colorimetric probe for the detection of ALP was developed. The probe exhibited characteristics that make it suitable to be incorporated into point of care colorimetric liver toxicity diagnostic devices for applications in resource poor settings and telemedicine.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mohale, Mamello
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54532 , vital:26581
- Description: A novel electrospun nanofiber colorimetric probe for the detection of Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) for diagnosis of liver toxicity was developed through electrospinning of a para nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) functionalised nylon polymer. The chemical stability of the enzyme substrate (pNPP) and its two products (para nitrophenol (pNP) and para nitrophenolate (pNPL)) was evaluated in biological (pH 7.4), acidic (pH 2) and alkaline (pH 9) pH, respectively. Enzyme kinetics models of Michaelis Menten (MM) and Lineweaver Burk (LB) were used to characterise free ALP. Solution and nanofiber assaying of free ALP and 10x diluted serum (spiked with ALP) was also carried out. The results demonstrated that pNPP and pNP were colourless while pNPL was yellow which indicated that all reagents were chemically stable. In addition, the chromophore of pNPL exhibited a strong molar extinction coefficient (ε) of 18,458 M-1 cm-1. LB plot being the most accurate compared to MM showed Vmax, Km and excess substrate concentration of 5.5 × 10-3 μmol/min-1, 0.025 mM and 0.25 mM respectively. Solution and nanofiber assaying of free ALP and serum confirmed a direct proportional correlation between the pNPL yellow colour intensity and enzyme activity up to 858 IU/L and 820 IU/L respectively. The dipping of the nanofiber layer into solution showed that the leaching rate of pNPP was extremely high at 1.37 × 10-3 A/min-1 as was observed after only the first 0.25 min interval. However, this was not of great concern since it was also observed that administration of the sample (20 μL) by a dropwise method minimised leaching compared to dipping. The preliminary findings on the effect of temperature on the chemical stability of pNPP indicated that it was stable below temperatures of 40°C while it hydrolysed at 80°C. Therefore a sensitive, rapid and simple colorimetric probe for the detection of ALP was developed. The probe exhibited characteristics that make it suitable to be incorporated into point of care colorimetric liver toxicity diagnostic devices for applications in resource poor settings and telemedicine.
- Full Text:
An evaluation of macroinvertebrate-based biomonitoring and ecotoxicological assessments of deteriorating environmental water quality in the Swartkops River, South Africa
- Authors: Odume, Oghenekaro Nelson
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Water -- Pollution -- South Africa -- Swartkops River , Water quality biological assessment -- South Africa -- Swartkops River , Environmental toxicology -- South Africa -- Swartkops River , Environmental monitoring -- South Africa -- Swartkops River , Aquatic invertebrates -- Effect of water pollution on -- South Africa -- Swartkops River , Chironomidae -- Effect of water pollution on -- South Africa -- Swartkops River , Freshwater ecology -- South Africa -- Swartkops River
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:6046 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013156
- Description: Freshwater resources are increasingly subject to pollution because of escalating human population growth, accompanied by urbanisation, industrialisation, and the increased demand for food. Consequently, freshwater quality, and aquatic ecosystem structure and function have been severely impaired. The Swartkops River, which drains an urbanised and industrialised catchment in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, is no exception. An integrated environmental water quality (EWQ) approach is needed to measure the impacts of deteriorating water quality on its aquatic ecosystem structure and function to sustain these vital ecosystem-attributes. In this study, an integrated EWQ approach, which included i) analysis of water physico-chemical variables; ii) macroinvertebrate-based family-level taxonomic- and traits-based community analysis; iii) Chironomidae species-level taxonomic- and traits-based community analysis; iv) Chironomidae deformity-based sub-lethal analysis; and v) experimental investigation of long-term wastewater effluent effects, using model stream ecosystems, were applied to investigate environmental water quality in the Swartkops River. One upstream reference site and three downstream sites in the Swartkops River were monitored over a period of three years (August 2009 – September 2012). The family-level taxonomic community responses based on the South African Scoring System version 5 (SASS5) and a newly developed Swartkops multimetric index indicated very poor river health conditions for the three downstream sites, compared with the good condition of the upstream site. The Chironomidae species-level responses in the three downstream sites provided evidence of differences in biotic impairments, which were not evident with the family-level taxonomic data at these sites, thus highlighting the importance of species identification in freshwater biomonitoring. The family-level traits-based approach (TBA) showed that macroinvertebrates with gills and lungs were more abundant at the upstream site, decreasing markedly at the downstream sites. The relative abundance of macroinvertebrates relying on aerial and tegument respiration increased at the downstream sites compared with the upstream sites. The results of the family-level TBA highlighted the inextricable link between the traits-based approach (TBA) and taxonomic identification, clearly showing that the TBA is additional to, and not an alternative to, taxonomic recognition because important traits, e.g. reproductive cannot be used at a coarse taxonomic identification. A novel chironomid species traits-based functional strategies approach developed in this study, based on species combining similar sets of traits, proved sensitive in diagnosing the main abiotic water physico-chemical stressors. The functional traits responded predictably to deteriorating water quality and provided an adaptive and mechanistic basis for interpreting chironomid species occurrences at the four sampling sites, providing insight into why certain chironomid species occurred at one site but not at the other. Chironomid deformities provided evidence of sub-lethal in-stream biological response to deteriorating water quality. A newly developed deformity-based extended toxic score index proved sensitive, enabling the discrimination of the sampling sites, indicating that a biomonitoring tool based on sub-lethal effects could be used to assess the effects of deteriorating water quality before it reached lethal levels. Empirical evidence based on the taxonomic, traits and sub-lethal responses suggested that the changes in macroinvertebrate community structure were caused chiefly by the discharge of wastewater effluents into the river. This was supported by the model-stream ecosystem results indicating significant effects of effluents on the macroinvertebrate community structure, similar to the observed in-stream responses. The model stream results indicated that improved physico-chemical effluent quality compliance after 50% effluent dilution did not significantly reduce the effects of the effluent on the macroinvertebrate communities, showing that ecologically-based methods rather than physico-chemical measures alone are necessary to assess effluent quality. Finally, the results of the multi-criteria approach were integrated to propose tools to manage environmental water quality in the Swartkops River, and the benefits of the study were highlighted in the context of biomonitoring in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Odume, Oghenekaro Nelson
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Water -- Pollution -- South Africa -- Swartkops River , Water quality biological assessment -- South Africa -- Swartkops River , Environmental toxicology -- South Africa -- Swartkops River , Environmental monitoring -- South Africa -- Swartkops River , Aquatic invertebrates -- Effect of water pollution on -- South Africa -- Swartkops River , Chironomidae -- Effect of water pollution on -- South Africa -- Swartkops River , Freshwater ecology -- South Africa -- Swartkops River
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:6046 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013156
- Description: Freshwater resources are increasingly subject to pollution because of escalating human population growth, accompanied by urbanisation, industrialisation, and the increased demand for food. Consequently, freshwater quality, and aquatic ecosystem structure and function have been severely impaired. The Swartkops River, which drains an urbanised and industrialised catchment in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, is no exception. An integrated environmental water quality (EWQ) approach is needed to measure the impacts of deteriorating water quality on its aquatic ecosystem structure and function to sustain these vital ecosystem-attributes. In this study, an integrated EWQ approach, which included i) analysis of water physico-chemical variables; ii) macroinvertebrate-based family-level taxonomic- and traits-based community analysis; iii) Chironomidae species-level taxonomic- and traits-based community analysis; iv) Chironomidae deformity-based sub-lethal analysis; and v) experimental investigation of long-term wastewater effluent effects, using model stream ecosystems, were applied to investigate environmental water quality in the Swartkops River. One upstream reference site and three downstream sites in the Swartkops River were monitored over a period of three years (August 2009 – September 2012). The family-level taxonomic community responses based on the South African Scoring System version 5 (SASS5) and a newly developed Swartkops multimetric index indicated very poor river health conditions for the three downstream sites, compared with the good condition of the upstream site. The Chironomidae species-level responses in the three downstream sites provided evidence of differences in biotic impairments, which were not evident with the family-level taxonomic data at these sites, thus highlighting the importance of species identification in freshwater biomonitoring. The family-level traits-based approach (TBA) showed that macroinvertebrates with gills and lungs were more abundant at the upstream site, decreasing markedly at the downstream sites. The relative abundance of macroinvertebrates relying on aerial and tegument respiration increased at the downstream sites compared with the upstream sites. The results of the family-level TBA highlighted the inextricable link between the traits-based approach (TBA) and taxonomic identification, clearly showing that the TBA is additional to, and not an alternative to, taxonomic recognition because important traits, e.g. reproductive cannot be used at a coarse taxonomic identification. A novel chironomid species traits-based functional strategies approach developed in this study, based on species combining similar sets of traits, proved sensitive in diagnosing the main abiotic water physico-chemical stressors. The functional traits responded predictably to deteriorating water quality and provided an adaptive and mechanistic basis for interpreting chironomid species occurrences at the four sampling sites, providing insight into why certain chironomid species occurred at one site but not at the other. Chironomid deformities provided evidence of sub-lethal in-stream biological response to deteriorating water quality. A newly developed deformity-based extended toxic score index proved sensitive, enabling the discrimination of the sampling sites, indicating that a biomonitoring tool based on sub-lethal effects could be used to assess the effects of deteriorating water quality before it reached lethal levels. Empirical evidence based on the taxonomic, traits and sub-lethal responses suggested that the changes in macroinvertebrate community structure were caused chiefly by the discharge of wastewater effluents into the river. This was supported by the model-stream ecosystem results indicating significant effects of effluents on the macroinvertebrate community structure, similar to the observed in-stream responses. The model stream results indicated that improved physico-chemical effluent quality compliance after 50% effluent dilution did not significantly reduce the effects of the effluent on the macroinvertebrate communities, showing that ecologically-based methods rather than physico-chemical measures alone are necessary to assess effluent quality. Finally, the results of the multi-criteria approach were integrated to propose tools to manage environmental water quality in the Swartkops River, and the benefits of the study were highlighted in the context of biomonitoring in South Africa.
- Full Text:
An evaluation of resistance to change of the East London industrial development zone (ELIDZ) structural realignment
- Authors: Moonieya, Vernon Craig
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Organizational change -- South Africa -- East London -- Case studies , Organizational behavior -- South Africa -- East London -- Case studies , Industrial development projects -- South Africa -- East London -- Case studies , Organizational change -- Management -- South Africa -- East London -- Case studies , Management -- Employee participation -- South Africa -- East London -- Case studies , Communication in management -- South Africa -- East London -- Case studies , Industrial management -- South Africa -- East London -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:834 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013303
- Description: From Integrative Summary: This research paper comprises of three sections that include: an evaluation report, a literature review and the research methodology. The first section assesses the management of resistance to change as encountered during the ELIDZ structural re-alignment initiative. The assessment was done after the change initiative had been implemented to see what could be learnt from the exercise, in order to be better prepared for future change programmes. The implemented change was initiated by the CEO of the ELIDZ but its criticality in terms of purpose, or the need for the change was unclear to many employees at the time of initiation. An examination of the literature on change management highlighted the importance of managing resistance to change as part of a change initiative, so as to ensure a successful transition. The review of the literature on management of resistance to change in section 2 of this paper examines the definition of management of resistance to change and in particular, covers key factors like change readiness, participation in change and change communication. These key concepts underpin effective management of resistance during change. The literature on management of resistance to change with respect to the role of change readiness, participation in change and change communication was used to develop a questionnaire that was used to assess the ELIDZ change initiative. The questionnaire was developed in a Likert Scale format with questions across the spectrum of change readiness, change participation and change communication. Section 3 of this paper describes how the quantitative research was provided to the population sample of employees from the ELIDZ where the questions on change readiness, change participation and change communication was used to assess the effectiveness of management of resistance to change during the ELIDZ change initiative. In addition section 3 provides an explanation of how the results of the research were derived. The results on change readiness suggest that the ELIDZ change initiative did not address change readiness adequately. There is therefore a risk of resistance to change that could manifest. This also indicates that change readiness must be planned more thoroughly in future change endeavours. Most of the population sampled did not feel that they participated in the change initiative, suggesting that the ELIDZ did not address participation in the change initiative adequately. Not enabling employees to actively participate in the change is tantamount to decreasing the potential for acceptance of change and increasing the risk of resistance to change. In order to ensure that future change initiatives are not met with employee resistance to change, the ELIDZ should plan for employee participation throughout the change process. The extent to which change communication was addressed in the ELIDZ change initiative was demonstrated by very poor results. The results from the population sampled suggest that the change was not well communicated to employees. As change communication is known to reduce the potential for resistance to change, it is imperative for the ELIDZ to plan for comprehensive communication strategies to cover the change process for future change action.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Moonieya, Vernon Craig
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Organizational change -- South Africa -- East London -- Case studies , Organizational behavior -- South Africa -- East London -- Case studies , Industrial development projects -- South Africa -- East London -- Case studies , Organizational change -- Management -- South Africa -- East London -- Case studies , Management -- Employee participation -- South Africa -- East London -- Case studies , Communication in management -- South Africa -- East London -- Case studies , Industrial management -- South Africa -- East London -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:834 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013303
- Description: From Integrative Summary: This research paper comprises of three sections that include: an evaluation report, a literature review and the research methodology. The first section assesses the management of resistance to change as encountered during the ELIDZ structural re-alignment initiative. The assessment was done after the change initiative had been implemented to see what could be learnt from the exercise, in order to be better prepared for future change programmes. The implemented change was initiated by the CEO of the ELIDZ but its criticality in terms of purpose, or the need for the change was unclear to many employees at the time of initiation. An examination of the literature on change management highlighted the importance of managing resistance to change as part of a change initiative, so as to ensure a successful transition. The review of the literature on management of resistance to change in section 2 of this paper examines the definition of management of resistance to change and in particular, covers key factors like change readiness, participation in change and change communication. These key concepts underpin effective management of resistance during change. The literature on management of resistance to change with respect to the role of change readiness, participation in change and change communication was used to develop a questionnaire that was used to assess the ELIDZ change initiative. The questionnaire was developed in a Likert Scale format with questions across the spectrum of change readiness, change participation and change communication. Section 3 of this paper describes how the quantitative research was provided to the population sample of employees from the ELIDZ where the questions on change readiness, change participation and change communication was used to assess the effectiveness of management of resistance to change during the ELIDZ change initiative. In addition section 3 provides an explanation of how the results of the research were derived. The results on change readiness suggest that the ELIDZ change initiative did not address change readiness adequately. There is therefore a risk of resistance to change that could manifest. This also indicates that change readiness must be planned more thoroughly in future change endeavours. Most of the population sampled did not feel that they participated in the change initiative, suggesting that the ELIDZ did not address participation in the change initiative adequately. Not enabling employees to actively participate in the change is tantamount to decreasing the potential for acceptance of change and increasing the risk of resistance to change. In order to ensure that future change initiatives are not met with employee resistance to change, the ELIDZ should plan for employee participation throughout the change process. The extent to which change communication was addressed in the ELIDZ change initiative was demonstrated by very poor results. The results from the population sampled suggest that the change was not well communicated to employees. As change communication is known to reduce the potential for resistance to change, it is imperative for the ELIDZ to plan for comprehensive communication strategies to cover the change process for future change action.
- Full Text:
An evaluation of the City of Johannesburg’s Igoli 2002 programme from 2003 to 2010
- Matebese, Zolani Loyiso Chukwuemeka Bantu, Musengi-Ajulu, Sandra
- Authors: Matebese, Zolani Loyiso Chukwuemeka Bantu , Musengi-Ajulu, Sandra
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Municipal government -- South Africa -- Johannesburg , Local government -- South Africa -- Johannesburg , Expenditures, Public -- South Africa -- Johannesburg
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:828 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012949
- Description: Integrative Summary: Municipalities are the third level of government and are responsible for delivery of basic services to citizens. They carry the developmental mandate of government and are often the first point of interaction between government and citizens. Being at the front line of service delivery, the issue of fiscal stability of municipalities and their ability to deliver sustainable services is of grave importance (Carter & Ajam 2003). Unfortunately in a South African context most municipalities are not fiscally sustainable (Roos & Stander 2005). In a study of 142 South African municipalities, it was found that poor collection of outstanding debt and irregular or wasteful expenditure were the biggest causes of fiscal stress (Roos & Stander 2005). In fact, in 2004 the difficulties appear to have reached crisis level (Lubbe & Roussouw 2005). The fiscal situation within municipalities was so bad that the South African Local Government Authority (SALGA) implemented a unit specifically to assist municipalities that were at “crisis point” (Roos & Stander, 2005 p. 165). This research report focuses on the evaluation of Igoli 2002 which was a response to fiscal crisis within the City of Johannesburg metropolitan municipality when in 1997 the City of Johannesburg was declared insolvent. The research evaluated the long term sustainability of the Igoli 2002 programme to determine its success in addressing the issues of fiscal stress and crisis facing the municipality. The research also attempted to assess the applicability of international indicators of fiscal stress and crisis to the City of Johannesburg. The research evaluated the Igoli 2002 programme via a financial condition analysis, against international indicators of fiscal stress and crisis and against a logic framework detailing the goals of the programme. The research found that ultimately, the Igoli 2002 intervention implemented by the City of Johannesburg was successful in improving the fiscal position and sustainability of the City. In addition, indicators from predictive models of fiscal stress and crisis were found to be relevant to the City of Johannesburg.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Matebese, Zolani Loyiso Chukwuemeka Bantu , Musengi-Ajulu, Sandra
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Municipal government -- South Africa -- Johannesburg , Local government -- South Africa -- Johannesburg , Expenditures, Public -- South Africa -- Johannesburg
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:828 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012949
- Description: Integrative Summary: Municipalities are the third level of government and are responsible for delivery of basic services to citizens. They carry the developmental mandate of government and are often the first point of interaction between government and citizens. Being at the front line of service delivery, the issue of fiscal stability of municipalities and their ability to deliver sustainable services is of grave importance (Carter & Ajam 2003). Unfortunately in a South African context most municipalities are not fiscally sustainable (Roos & Stander 2005). In a study of 142 South African municipalities, it was found that poor collection of outstanding debt and irregular or wasteful expenditure were the biggest causes of fiscal stress (Roos & Stander 2005). In fact, in 2004 the difficulties appear to have reached crisis level (Lubbe & Roussouw 2005). The fiscal situation within municipalities was so bad that the South African Local Government Authority (SALGA) implemented a unit specifically to assist municipalities that were at “crisis point” (Roos & Stander, 2005 p. 165). This research report focuses on the evaluation of Igoli 2002 which was a response to fiscal crisis within the City of Johannesburg metropolitan municipality when in 1997 the City of Johannesburg was declared insolvent. The research evaluated the long term sustainability of the Igoli 2002 programme to determine its success in addressing the issues of fiscal stress and crisis facing the municipality. The research also attempted to assess the applicability of international indicators of fiscal stress and crisis to the City of Johannesburg. The research evaluated the Igoli 2002 programme via a financial condition analysis, against international indicators of fiscal stress and crisis and against a logic framework detailing the goals of the programme. The research found that ultimately, the Igoli 2002 intervention implemented by the City of Johannesburg was successful in improving the fiscal position and sustainability of the City. In addition, indicators from predictive models of fiscal stress and crisis were found to be relevant to the City of Johannesburg.
- Full Text:
An evaluation of the delivery of the Eskom Customer Safety Education Programme in the Queenstown Customer Services Area.
- Authors: Mtyalela, Kanyisa Highly
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Eskom (Firm) , Customer relations -- Management , Safety education -- South Africa -- Queenstown , Safety education -- Evaluation , Safety consultants -- Rating of -- South Africa -- Queenstown , Public safety -- South Africa -- Queenstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:839 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013569
- Description: The aim of this research is to evaluate the Eskom customer safety education programme in the Queenstown Customer Services Area. The research focuses on the implementation of the programme with the aim of assessing whether there is need for optimisation in the way that the customer education and training is delivered. The paper consists of three sections. Section one is directed to Eskom and is made up of (i) a review of the literature that is relevant to the Eskom safety education programme, (ii) the findings made from the study and (iii) recommendations from the author. Section two is a review of the key concepts which were identified for this paper and these are: (i) education and training, (ii) consumer education, (iii) citizenship education, (iv) training programme development, and (v) training programme evaluation. Section three provides detail on and justifies the research methodology that was followed for this paper. The author adopted the deductive approach and collected data from literature sources and Eskom documents as well as face-to-face interviews with the Eskom trainers and customers. Qualitative data was collected from the interviews and is presented in section one of the report in the form of (i) narratives, (ii) graphs and (iii) tables. The research has identified some shortcomings in the delivery of the training and recommendations have been made on how these shortcomings can be addressed. Trainer skills, training evaluation and training tools are amongst the issues that require attention in the Queenstown Customer Services Area. The results revealed that 67 percent of the trainers have not received training related to conducting customer forums. Inconsistencies with regard to the evaluation of the training interventions were also identified and there were differences in terms of the training tools that are utilised at the forums. The recommendations made by the author are based on the literature that was reviewed as part of this study and are aimed at addressing the delivery of the training. The respondents all displayed an understanding of the objectives of the Eskom safety education programme and made recommendations in terms of how Eskom can reduce the tampering of Eskom equipment. The recommendations made included the involvement of the community as well as unannounced door-to-door audits aimed at identifying damaged and tampered Eskom equipment. These recommendations are in line with the guiding principles of safety education presented in McWhirter (2008: 32) which include the involvement of young people in real decisions to help them stay safe, as well as the use of active approaches in addressing safety issues. A review of the electrical contact incidents which were reported to Eskom in 2011/12 revealed that in 61,5 percent of the cases that occurred in the Eastern Cape, Eskom had conducted electricity safety education before the incidents occurred. The recommendations in terms of the training delivery should be implemented to improve the delivery of the training. The author however recommends further research on how Eskom can reduce the number of electrical contact incidents that occur, as it has been proven through previous studies that safety education “has an impact on knowledge, behaviour, risk and skills and no papers have provided evidence of the impact of safety education on injury rates” (Mulvaney, Watson and Errington, 2012: 27).
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mtyalela, Kanyisa Highly
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Eskom (Firm) , Customer relations -- Management , Safety education -- South Africa -- Queenstown , Safety education -- Evaluation , Safety consultants -- Rating of -- South Africa -- Queenstown , Public safety -- South Africa -- Queenstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:839 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013569
- Description: The aim of this research is to evaluate the Eskom customer safety education programme in the Queenstown Customer Services Area. The research focuses on the implementation of the programme with the aim of assessing whether there is need for optimisation in the way that the customer education and training is delivered. The paper consists of three sections. Section one is directed to Eskom and is made up of (i) a review of the literature that is relevant to the Eskom safety education programme, (ii) the findings made from the study and (iii) recommendations from the author. Section two is a review of the key concepts which were identified for this paper and these are: (i) education and training, (ii) consumer education, (iii) citizenship education, (iv) training programme development, and (v) training programme evaluation. Section three provides detail on and justifies the research methodology that was followed for this paper. The author adopted the deductive approach and collected data from literature sources and Eskom documents as well as face-to-face interviews with the Eskom trainers and customers. Qualitative data was collected from the interviews and is presented in section one of the report in the form of (i) narratives, (ii) graphs and (iii) tables. The research has identified some shortcomings in the delivery of the training and recommendations have been made on how these shortcomings can be addressed. Trainer skills, training evaluation and training tools are amongst the issues that require attention in the Queenstown Customer Services Area. The results revealed that 67 percent of the trainers have not received training related to conducting customer forums. Inconsistencies with regard to the evaluation of the training interventions were also identified and there were differences in terms of the training tools that are utilised at the forums. The recommendations made by the author are based on the literature that was reviewed as part of this study and are aimed at addressing the delivery of the training. The respondents all displayed an understanding of the objectives of the Eskom safety education programme and made recommendations in terms of how Eskom can reduce the tampering of Eskom equipment. The recommendations made included the involvement of the community as well as unannounced door-to-door audits aimed at identifying damaged and tampered Eskom equipment. These recommendations are in line with the guiding principles of safety education presented in McWhirter (2008: 32) which include the involvement of young people in real decisions to help them stay safe, as well as the use of active approaches in addressing safety issues. A review of the electrical contact incidents which were reported to Eskom in 2011/12 revealed that in 61,5 percent of the cases that occurred in the Eastern Cape, Eskom had conducted electricity safety education before the incidents occurred. The recommendations in terms of the training delivery should be implemented to improve the delivery of the training. The author however recommends further research on how Eskom can reduce the number of electrical contact incidents that occur, as it has been proven through previous studies that safety education “has an impact on knowledge, behaviour, risk and skills and no papers have provided evidence of the impact of safety education on injury rates” (Mulvaney, Watson and Errington, 2012: 27).
- Full Text:
An evaluation of the quality of customer service provided to large power users by Eskom in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Caza, Akhona Nobusi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Eskom (Firm) -- Evaluation , Customer services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Evaluation , Customer services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Quality control , SERVQUAL (Service quality framework) , Gap analysis (Planning)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:862 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020610
- Description: The aim of this research is to evaluate the level of service quality provided by Eskom to its Large Power User (LPU) customer segment in the Eastern Cape. The research uses the SERVQUAL model in order to assess the customers’ expectations and perceptions of the service provided by Eskom. This evaluation report comprises three sections. Section one consists of (a) a review of service quality literature that exists and is applied to Eskom where relevant, (b) a summary of the method used to conduct the research, (c) the research findings, and (d) a discussion of the research findings and recommendations. Section two consists of a review of the key concepts identified for this study as follows: (a) defining customer service quality by looking at the concepts of the customer, service, quality and the dimensions of quality, (b) the importance of service quality, (c) the components of service quality in Eskom, (d) models of service quality, and (e) the SERVQUAL model used in this study. Section three consists of the detail of the research methodology used to conduct this study. The Gap Model of Service Quality (Parasuraman et al., 1985:44) is evaluated in order to understand the gaps between expected and perceived service. The provider gap (Zeithaml et al., 2006: 34) is also reviewed in order to identify the gaps that occur within the organisation. An extensive review of customer service quality models is undertaken before a discussion of the SERVQUAL model, which was used in this evaluation study, is provided. The researcher adopted the critical realism research paradigm and quantitative data was collected from a sample of 120 Eskom customers within the LPU customer segment in the Eastern Cape. These customers were randomly selected from the Eskom Customer Care and Billing database and comprised customers from Port Elizabeth, Aliwal North, Mthatha and East London Areas within the Eastern Cape. The data was collected online through a questionnaire which was based on SERVQUAL and modified for electricity services. The quantitative data obtained from the study is presented in the form of tables and graphs created from the data obtained from the 45 customers who responded to the questionnaire. The gaps between LPU customer perceptions and expectations were calculated for the five SERVQUAL dimensions. The research identifies the existing gaps in the service delivered by Eskom; this is based on the perceptions and expectations of the LPU customers in the Eastern Cape, who participated in the study. The results reveal that gaps exist between LPU customer perceptions and their expectations of the service provided by Eskom in the Eastern Cape. The key findings reveal that the largest gaps are within the reliability and empathy dimensions and the smallest gap is in the tangibles dimension. The recommendations were made on the basis of the gaps which were identified and these focus on the training of the front line staff responsible for servicing customers. It is recommended that this training should include an overview of the organisation’s policies and procedures to enable employees to respond adequately to customer queries. Recommendation is also made on training staff to interact with customers effectively in order to resolve customer queries satisfactorily. Finally, it is recommended that regular assessments of the existing customer service quality levels are conducted in order for the organisation to remain aware of the current customer perceptions and expectations
- Full Text:
- Authors: Caza, Akhona Nobusi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Eskom (Firm) -- Evaluation , Customer services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Evaluation , Customer services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Quality control , SERVQUAL (Service quality framework) , Gap analysis (Planning)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:862 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020610
- Description: The aim of this research is to evaluate the level of service quality provided by Eskom to its Large Power User (LPU) customer segment in the Eastern Cape. The research uses the SERVQUAL model in order to assess the customers’ expectations and perceptions of the service provided by Eskom. This evaluation report comprises three sections. Section one consists of (a) a review of service quality literature that exists and is applied to Eskom where relevant, (b) a summary of the method used to conduct the research, (c) the research findings, and (d) a discussion of the research findings and recommendations. Section two consists of a review of the key concepts identified for this study as follows: (a) defining customer service quality by looking at the concepts of the customer, service, quality and the dimensions of quality, (b) the importance of service quality, (c) the components of service quality in Eskom, (d) models of service quality, and (e) the SERVQUAL model used in this study. Section three consists of the detail of the research methodology used to conduct this study. The Gap Model of Service Quality (Parasuraman et al., 1985:44) is evaluated in order to understand the gaps between expected and perceived service. The provider gap (Zeithaml et al., 2006: 34) is also reviewed in order to identify the gaps that occur within the organisation. An extensive review of customer service quality models is undertaken before a discussion of the SERVQUAL model, which was used in this evaluation study, is provided. The researcher adopted the critical realism research paradigm and quantitative data was collected from a sample of 120 Eskom customers within the LPU customer segment in the Eastern Cape. These customers were randomly selected from the Eskom Customer Care and Billing database and comprised customers from Port Elizabeth, Aliwal North, Mthatha and East London Areas within the Eastern Cape. The data was collected online through a questionnaire which was based on SERVQUAL and modified for electricity services. The quantitative data obtained from the study is presented in the form of tables and graphs created from the data obtained from the 45 customers who responded to the questionnaire. The gaps between LPU customer perceptions and expectations were calculated for the five SERVQUAL dimensions. The research identifies the existing gaps in the service delivered by Eskom; this is based on the perceptions and expectations of the LPU customers in the Eastern Cape, who participated in the study. The results reveal that gaps exist between LPU customer perceptions and their expectations of the service provided by Eskom in the Eastern Cape. The key findings reveal that the largest gaps are within the reliability and empathy dimensions and the smallest gap is in the tangibles dimension. The recommendations were made on the basis of the gaps which were identified and these focus on the training of the front line staff responsible for servicing customers. It is recommended that this training should include an overview of the organisation’s policies and procedures to enable employees to respond adequately to customer queries. Recommendation is also made on training staff to interact with customers effectively in order to resolve customer queries satisfactorily. Finally, it is recommended that regular assessments of the existing customer service quality levels are conducted in order for the organisation to remain aware of the current customer perceptions and expectations
- Full Text:
An examination of validation practices in relation to the forensic acquisition of digital evidence in South Africa
- Authors: Jordaan, Jason
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Electronic evidence , Evidence, Criminal , Forensic sciences , Evidence, Criminal -- South Africa -- Law and legislation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4706 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016361
- Description: The acquisition of digital evidence is the most crucial part of the entire digital forensics process. During this process, digital evidence is acquired in a forensically sound manner to ensure the legal admissibility and reliability of that evidence in court. In the acquisition process various hardware or software tools are used to acquire the digital evidence. All of the digital forensic standards relating to the acquisition of digital evidence require that the hardware and software tools used in the acquisition process are validated as functioning correctly and reliably, as this lends credibility to the evidence in court. In fact the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 in South Africa specifically requires courts to consider issues such as reliability and the manner in which the integrity of digital evidence is ensured when assessing the evidential weight of digital evidence. Previous research into quality assurance in the practice of digital forensics in South Africa identified that in general, tool validation was not performed, and as such a hypothesis was proposed that digital forensic practitioners in South Africa make use of hardware and/or software tools for the forensic acquisition of digital evidence, whose validity and/or reliability cannot be objectively proven. As such the reliability of any digital evidence preserved using those tools is potentially unreliable. This hypothesis was tested in the research through the use of a survey of digital forensic practitioners in South Africa. The research established that the majority of digital forensic practitioners do not use tools in the forensic acquisition of digital evidence that can be proven to be validated and/or reliable. While just under a fifth of digital forensic practitioners can provide some proof of validation and/or reliability, the proof of validation does not meet formal international standards. In essence this means that digital evidence, which is preserved through the use of specific hardware and/or software tools for subsequent presentation and reliance upon as evidence in a court of law, is preserved by tools where the objective and scientific validity thereof has not been determined. Since South African courts must consider reliability in terms of Section 15(3) of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 in assessing the weight of digital evidence, this is undermined through the current state of practice in South Africa by digital forensic practitioners.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Jordaan, Jason
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Electronic evidence , Evidence, Criminal , Forensic sciences , Evidence, Criminal -- South Africa -- Law and legislation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4706 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016361
- Description: The acquisition of digital evidence is the most crucial part of the entire digital forensics process. During this process, digital evidence is acquired in a forensically sound manner to ensure the legal admissibility and reliability of that evidence in court. In the acquisition process various hardware or software tools are used to acquire the digital evidence. All of the digital forensic standards relating to the acquisition of digital evidence require that the hardware and software tools used in the acquisition process are validated as functioning correctly and reliably, as this lends credibility to the evidence in court. In fact the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 in South Africa specifically requires courts to consider issues such as reliability and the manner in which the integrity of digital evidence is ensured when assessing the evidential weight of digital evidence. Previous research into quality assurance in the practice of digital forensics in South Africa identified that in general, tool validation was not performed, and as such a hypothesis was proposed that digital forensic practitioners in South Africa make use of hardware and/or software tools for the forensic acquisition of digital evidence, whose validity and/or reliability cannot be objectively proven. As such the reliability of any digital evidence preserved using those tools is potentially unreliable. This hypothesis was tested in the research through the use of a survey of digital forensic practitioners in South Africa. The research established that the majority of digital forensic practitioners do not use tools in the forensic acquisition of digital evidence that can be proven to be validated and/or reliable. While just under a fifth of digital forensic practitioners can provide some proof of validation and/or reliability, the proof of validation does not meet formal international standards. In essence this means that digital evidence, which is preserved through the use of specific hardware and/or software tools for subsequent presentation and reliance upon as evidence in a court of law, is preserved by tools where the objective and scientific validity thereof has not been determined. Since South African courts must consider reliability in terms of Section 15(3) of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 in assessing the weight of digital evidence, this is undermined through the current state of practice in South Africa by digital forensic practitioners.
- Full Text:
An exploration into the use of webinjects by financial malware
- Authors: Forrester, Jock Ingram
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Malware (Computer software) -- Analysis , Internet fraud , Computer crimes , Computer security , Electronic commerce
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4697 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012079 , Malware (Computer software) -- Analysis , Internet fraud , Computer crimes , Computer security , Electronic commerce
- Description: As the number of computing devices connected to the Internet increases and the Internet itself becomes more pervasive, so does the opportunity for criminals to use these devices in cybercrimes. Supporting the increase in cybercrime is the growth and maturity of the digital underground economy with strong links to its more visible and physical counterpart. The digital underground economy provides software and related services to equip the entrepreneurial cybercriminal with the appropriate skills and required tools. Financial malware, particularly the capability for injection of code into web browsers, has become one of the more profitable cybercrime tool sets due to its versatility and adaptability when targeting clients of institutions with an online presence, both in and outside of the financial industry. There are numerous families of financial malware available for use, with perhaps the most prevalent being Zeus and SpyEye. Criminals create (or purchase) and grow botnets of computing devices infected with financial malware that has been configured to attack clients of certain websites. In the research data set there are 483 configuration files containing approximately 40 000 webinjects that were captured from various financial malware botnets between October 2010 and June 2012. They were processed and analysed to determine the methods used by criminals to defraud either the user of the computing device, or the institution of which the user is a client. The configuration files contain the injection code that is executed in the web browser to create a surrogate interface, which is then used by the criminal to interact with the user and institution in order to commit fraud. Demographics on the captured data set are presented and case studies are documented based on the various methods used to defraud and bypass financial security controls across multiple industries. The case studies cover techniques used in social engineering, bypassing security controls and automated transfers.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Forrester, Jock Ingram
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Malware (Computer software) -- Analysis , Internet fraud , Computer crimes , Computer security , Electronic commerce
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4697 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012079 , Malware (Computer software) -- Analysis , Internet fraud , Computer crimes , Computer security , Electronic commerce
- Description: As the number of computing devices connected to the Internet increases and the Internet itself becomes more pervasive, so does the opportunity for criminals to use these devices in cybercrimes. Supporting the increase in cybercrime is the growth and maturity of the digital underground economy with strong links to its more visible and physical counterpart. The digital underground economy provides software and related services to equip the entrepreneurial cybercriminal with the appropriate skills and required tools. Financial malware, particularly the capability for injection of code into web browsers, has become one of the more profitable cybercrime tool sets due to its versatility and adaptability when targeting clients of institutions with an online presence, both in and outside of the financial industry. There are numerous families of financial malware available for use, with perhaps the most prevalent being Zeus and SpyEye. Criminals create (or purchase) and grow botnets of computing devices infected with financial malware that has been configured to attack clients of certain websites. In the research data set there are 483 configuration files containing approximately 40 000 webinjects that were captured from various financial malware botnets between October 2010 and June 2012. They were processed and analysed to determine the methods used by criminals to defraud either the user of the computing device, or the institution of which the user is a client. The configuration files contain the injection code that is executed in the web browser to create a surrogate interface, which is then used by the criminal to interact with the user and institution in order to commit fraud. Demographics on the captured data set are presented and case studies are documented based on the various methods used to defraud and bypass financial security controls across multiple industries. The case studies cover techniques used in social engineering, bypassing security controls and automated transfers.
- Full Text:
An exploration of an environmental resource management course for sustainable development practitioners in Kenya : a case study
- Authors: Oteki, Jane Bosibori
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Environmental management -- Kenya Sustainable development -- Kenya Environmental management -- Study and teaching -- Kenya Sustainable development -- Study and teaching -- Kenya Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- Kenya Environmental sciences -- Study and teaching -- Kenya Technical University of Kenya
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1964 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011611
- Description: Environmental challenges facing the world currently call for efforts that can avert eminent disasters related to these challenges. In an effort to engage in conservation, the Environmental Resource Management course at Technical University offers an opportunity to train for sustainable development in the country. However, the development and implementation of courses aimed at developing careers in sustainability in institutions of higher learning are coming under scrutiny as questions are being asked about their contributions to sustainable development. This research explored the Environmental Resource Management course to understand how it was developed and implemented to address a practitioner in the environmental resources conservation sector. The study surfaced the contradictions in the course which can be used as a lens to re-orient the course to enable a practitioner in education for sustainable development to emerge. In Kenya, vocational courses in environmental education are a career choice for secondary school leavers and those engaged in the environmental conservation sector. This study carried out at Technical University of Kenya (TU-K) between January 2009 and April 2012 aimed at exploring how a diploma course: Environmental Resource Management (ERM) enabled the learners to become practitioners in environmental resource management. It surfaced contradictions and suggested transformative approaches to re-orient the course for sustainable development. This was necessitated by the paradigm shift in environmental education from environmental conservation education that emphasised ecological studies to Education for Sustainable Development that is broader and more holistic, encompassing social, economic and environmental aspects. The course has to be re-orientated to enable a practitioner in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) to emerge considering the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD, 2005-2014). The course aims at training personnel for deployment in environmental conservation and management organisations to work as resource officers/supervisors in national parks, forestry management, water management, energy development projects officers, etc. Data was gathered through document analysis, questionnaires, interviews, observation and focus group discussions. Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) was engaged in surfacing contradictions in the Environmental Resource Management learning system in terms of its development and implementation. While Communities of Practice (COP) principles were used as the ontological underpinning for the ERM course. The results indicate that the ERM course was revised between 1998 and 2002 by experts from Saskatchewan Institute of Science and Technology (SIAST) in collaboration with TU-K staff under the programme, enhancing environmental management in Kenya. The research also established that the ERM course review process was informed by sustainable development principles, as outlined in Agenda 21. Further it was realised that the Develop a Curriculum (DACUM) process was engaged to develop the learning units. This course development envisaged Competency Based Education (CBE) as the main mode of the ERM delivery. CBE is student centred and allows for multi-entry and exit. The study however realised that at implementation this approach was partially incorporated, as the country’s education system is examination oriented and time bound. The study findings indicate that most of the units taught were on ecosystem management with the social and economic aspects having less space and time, therefore the three pillars of Education for Sustainable Development were not adequately addressed in the course to enable a practitioner in the concept to emerge. Also teaching and learning in the course was found to be more theoretical than practical with little hands-on activities because the main focus of the course was to enable the learners to acquire a certificate through examination rather than gain the appropriate competencies. Although the course was found to be enhancing ESD in relation to global and local sustainability issues, there were contradictions or challenges in the system that affected full realisation of the skills, knowledge, values and attitudes. For example the exclusion of the recipient staff in the planning of the course, lack of training of the lecturers on how to train on CBE, insufficient practical field excursions devoid of community engagement, lack of funds, lack of equipment and poor coordination. This study recommends a re-orientation of the course to a more practical approach to teaching such as: • Engagement of students with the community to solve real-life environmental problems; • Mainstreaming ESD in all courses in the institutions of higher learning so that environmental concerns are addressed by everyone; • Reviewing the educational policy to encourage solving of real-life environmental problems rather than passing theoretical examinations; • Enhancing competency based learning to enable students to become competent in their areas of specialisation; • Encouraging networking and direct involvement of the students in the community instead of spending more time in class; and • Establishing a Community of Practice among the students in Higher Education Institutions to enhance conservation practices. The study contributes in-depth insight into exploring courses in Technical Vocational Education and Training institutions using Communities of Practice as a lens within the Kenyan context. It gives some empirical and explanatory insight into how learning can emerge and be expanded in Education for Sustainable Development through relevant courses such as tje Environmental Resource Management course. It also provides learning tools to work with contradictions that arise from socio-cultural and historical dimensions of learning about natural resources in the Kenyan context. Its other key contribution is that it provides further insight into the re-orientation of the ERM courses to embrace ESD for a broader and a more holistic approach to natural resources conservation and poverty alleviation processes that are critical for responding to socio-ecological issues and risks and development challenges in Kenya.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Oteki, Jane Bosibori
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Environmental management -- Kenya Sustainable development -- Kenya Environmental management -- Study and teaching -- Kenya Sustainable development -- Study and teaching -- Kenya Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- Kenya Environmental sciences -- Study and teaching -- Kenya Technical University of Kenya
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1964 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011611
- Description: Environmental challenges facing the world currently call for efforts that can avert eminent disasters related to these challenges. In an effort to engage in conservation, the Environmental Resource Management course at Technical University offers an opportunity to train for sustainable development in the country. However, the development and implementation of courses aimed at developing careers in sustainability in institutions of higher learning are coming under scrutiny as questions are being asked about their contributions to sustainable development. This research explored the Environmental Resource Management course to understand how it was developed and implemented to address a practitioner in the environmental resources conservation sector. The study surfaced the contradictions in the course which can be used as a lens to re-orient the course to enable a practitioner in education for sustainable development to emerge. In Kenya, vocational courses in environmental education are a career choice for secondary school leavers and those engaged in the environmental conservation sector. This study carried out at Technical University of Kenya (TU-K) between January 2009 and April 2012 aimed at exploring how a diploma course: Environmental Resource Management (ERM) enabled the learners to become practitioners in environmental resource management. It surfaced contradictions and suggested transformative approaches to re-orient the course for sustainable development. This was necessitated by the paradigm shift in environmental education from environmental conservation education that emphasised ecological studies to Education for Sustainable Development that is broader and more holistic, encompassing social, economic and environmental aspects. The course has to be re-orientated to enable a practitioner in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) to emerge considering the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD, 2005-2014). The course aims at training personnel for deployment in environmental conservation and management organisations to work as resource officers/supervisors in national parks, forestry management, water management, energy development projects officers, etc. Data was gathered through document analysis, questionnaires, interviews, observation and focus group discussions. Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) was engaged in surfacing contradictions in the Environmental Resource Management learning system in terms of its development and implementation. While Communities of Practice (COP) principles were used as the ontological underpinning for the ERM course. The results indicate that the ERM course was revised between 1998 and 2002 by experts from Saskatchewan Institute of Science and Technology (SIAST) in collaboration with TU-K staff under the programme, enhancing environmental management in Kenya. The research also established that the ERM course review process was informed by sustainable development principles, as outlined in Agenda 21. Further it was realised that the Develop a Curriculum (DACUM) process was engaged to develop the learning units. This course development envisaged Competency Based Education (CBE) as the main mode of the ERM delivery. CBE is student centred and allows for multi-entry and exit. The study however realised that at implementation this approach was partially incorporated, as the country’s education system is examination oriented and time bound. The study findings indicate that most of the units taught were on ecosystem management with the social and economic aspects having less space and time, therefore the three pillars of Education for Sustainable Development were not adequately addressed in the course to enable a practitioner in the concept to emerge. Also teaching and learning in the course was found to be more theoretical than practical with little hands-on activities because the main focus of the course was to enable the learners to acquire a certificate through examination rather than gain the appropriate competencies. Although the course was found to be enhancing ESD in relation to global and local sustainability issues, there were contradictions or challenges in the system that affected full realisation of the skills, knowledge, values and attitudes. For example the exclusion of the recipient staff in the planning of the course, lack of training of the lecturers on how to train on CBE, insufficient practical field excursions devoid of community engagement, lack of funds, lack of equipment and poor coordination. This study recommends a re-orientation of the course to a more practical approach to teaching such as: • Engagement of students with the community to solve real-life environmental problems; • Mainstreaming ESD in all courses in the institutions of higher learning so that environmental concerns are addressed by everyone; • Reviewing the educational policy to encourage solving of real-life environmental problems rather than passing theoretical examinations; • Enhancing competency based learning to enable students to become competent in their areas of specialisation; • Encouraging networking and direct involvement of the students in the community instead of spending more time in class; and • Establishing a Community of Practice among the students in Higher Education Institutions to enhance conservation practices. The study contributes in-depth insight into exploring courses in Technical Vocational Education and Training institutions using Communities of Practice as a lens within the Kenyan context. It gives some empirical and explanatory insight into how learning can emerge and be expanded in Education for Sustainable Development through relevant courses such as tje Environmental Resource Management course. It also provides learning tools to work with contradictions that arise from socio-cultural and historical dimensions of learning about natural resources in the Kenyan context. Its other key contribution is that it provides further insight into the re-orientation of the ERM courses to embrace ESD for a broader and a more holistic approach to natural resources conservation and poverty alleviation processes that are critical for responding to socio-ecological issues and risks and development challenges in Kenya.
- Full Text:
An exploration of James Dreier’s Standard Tune Learning Sequence in a self-directed learning environment : an interpretative phenomenological analysis
- Authors: Ellis, Stephen James
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Dreier, James Drum -- Performance -- Studies and exercises Drum -- Methods -- Self-instruction Drum -- Instruction and study Drummers (Musicians)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2680 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011312
- Description: This qualitative case study was undertaken in order to explore the experiences of drum set students who apply themselves to James Dreier’s Standard Tune Learning Sequence (STLS) in a self-directed learning environment. These experiences ultimately shed light on how best to implement Differentiated Instruction to the STLS. The study draws on the experience of three adult drum students under the instruction of the author. The students were provided with the STLS and left to proceed with it on their own. They were asked to keep a record of their progress in the form of a learning journal. These learning journals were used, in conjunction with transcribed interviews and learner profiles, as data for this study and as such were subjected to Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The study recognizes three factors which affect the student’s successful progression through the STLS: readiness, interest and meaning. Each factor is discussed in relation to literature on differentiated Instruction. Recommendations are made regarding the implementation of Differentiated Instruction to the STLS.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ellis, Stephen James
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Dreier, James Drum -- Performance -- Studies and exercises Drum -- Methods -- Self-instruction Drum -- Instruction and study Drummers (Musicians)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2680 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011312
- Description: This qualitative case study was undertaken in order to explore the experiences of drum set students who apply themselves to James Dreier’s Standard Tune Learning Sequence (STLS) in a self-directed learning environment. These experiences ultimately shed light on how best to implement Differentiated Instruction to the STLS. The study draws on the experience of three adult drum students under the instruction of the author. The students were provided with the STLS and left to proceed with it on their own. They were asked to keep a record of their progress in the form of a learning journal. These learning journals were used, in conjunction with transcribed interviews and learner profiles, as data for this study and as such were subjected to Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The study recognizes three factors which affect the student’s successful progression through the STLS: readiness, interest and meaning. Each factor is discussed in relation to literature on differentiated Instruction. Recommendations are made regarding the implementation of Differentiated Instruction to the STLS.
- Full Text:
An exploration of the other and the disruption of self in schizophrenia
- Authors: Stopforth, Penny
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Self , Schizophrenia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3254 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016362
- Description: Hermans’ (2002) Dialogical model of Self advocates for a construction of Self that is fluid, diverse and dialogically constructed. He argues that development of ongoing dialogues from within and without the Self constitute the Self. These parts of Self that participate in this internal dialogue are referred to by Hermans (2002) as I-positions. Healthy, dynamic internal dialogue between I-positions is argued to contribute to maintaining a unified sense of Self. The Self is also argued to be socially constructed, in so far as Others outside the Self participate in these internal dialogues and are able to influence and occupy I-positions. Research has shown that people with a diagnosis of Schizophrenia experience a unique form of Self disruption. It has been postulated that this disruption is due to disruptions in this internal dialogue. To date, seminal research has primarily focussed on the internal mechanisms and phenomenological accounts of these disruptions. However, little research has focused on the role that Others outside the Self play in these disruptions. Since the Self is also constructed as a social entity, the aim of this research is to explore in what ways the Other contributes and/or minimises this disruption in people with a diagnosis of Schizophrenia. In order to achieve this, I made use of archival data which was made up of the transcripts from semi-structured interviews previously conducted with people with a diagnosis of Schizophrenia as part of a Self and Schizophrenia study. The interviews were analysed using deductive thematic analysis, and utilised Herman’s theory of the Dialogical Self as the theoretical lens for this study. The emergent themes were organised according to those that were present before a diagnosis of Schizophrenia was given and those themes that were present post-diagnosis. The themes reflected that the Other plays a significant role in the both the maintenance of healthy dialogue post diagnosis and well as in the disruption of dialogue. This disruption was primarily observed throughthecompromising of previous I-positions and in the development of new performative and deficit I-positions that contributed to the disruption in internal dialogue.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Stopforth, Penny
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Self , Schizophrenia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3254 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016362
- Description: Hermans’ (2002) Dialogical model of Self advocates for a construction of Self that is fluid, diverse and dialogically constructed. He argues that development of ongoing dialogues from within and without the Self constitute the Self. These parts of Self that participate in this internal dialogue are referred to by Hermans (2002) as I-positions. Healthy, dynamic internal dialogue between I-positions is argued to contribute to maintaining a unified sense of Self. The Self is also argued to be socially constructed, in so far as Others outside the Self participate in these internal dialogues and are able to influence and occupy I-positions. Research has shown that people with a diagnosis of Schizophrenia experience a unique form of Self disruption. It has been postulated that this disruption is due to disruptions in this internal dialogue. To date, seminal research has primarily focussed on the internal mechanisms and phenomenological accounts of these disruptions. However, little research has focused on the role that Others outside the Self play in these disruptions. Since the Self is also constructed as a social entity, the aim of this research is to explore in what ways the Other contributes and/or minimises this disruption in people with a diagnosis of Schizophrenia. In order to achieve this, I made use of archival data which was made up of the transcripts from semi-structured interviews previously conducted with people with a diagnosis of Schizophrenia as part of a Self and Schizophrenia study. The interviews were analysed using deductive thematic analysis, and utilised Herman’s theory of the Dialogical Self as the theoretical lens for this study. The emergent themes were organised according to those that were present before a diagnosis of Schizophrenia was given and those themes that were present post-diagnosis. The themes reflected that the Other plays a significant role in the both the maintenance of healthy dialogue post diagnosis and well as in the disruption of dialogue. This disruption was primarily observed throughthecompromising of previous I-positions and in the development of new performative and deficit I-positions that contributed to the disruption in internal dialogue.
- Full Text:
An exploration of the way in which values and valuing processes might strengthen social learning in water stewardship practices in South Africa
- Authors: Barnes, Garth
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Integrated water development -- South Africa -- Case studies , Water conservation -- South Africa -- Case studies , Water-supply -- Moral and ethical aspects -- South Africa , Environmental education -- South Africa , Social learning -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1975 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012940
- Description: This qualitative study, focussing on the way in which values and valuing processes might strengthen social learning in water stewardship practices in South Africa, is located within the broader global narrative that describes the scale of human impact on our Earth systems and that is setting humanity on a trajectory that threatens to place us beyond the safe operating spaces called planetary boundaries. For humanity to live within planetary boundaries – one of which is global freshwater use –will take a new way of relating to the environment called Earth stewardship, which calls for a new ethic of responsibility towards Earth systems. It is at the local level of stewardship within a global approach to water resources management called integrated water resources management that this qualitative study is contextually bound. Two case studies, located in the catchment management forums (CMFs) of the Upper Vaal catchment of Gauteng, South Africa, are used in an exploration of the way in which values and valuing processes might strengthen social learning in water stewardship practices in South Africa. The meta-theory of critical realism is used to help explore this relationship between values, practice and social learning. The study uses document analysis, interviews and observation of selected water stewardship practices to identify held and assigned values, and valuing processes and their influence on social learning, and the framing and de-framing processes that occur in social learning oriented towards water stewardship practices. The study differentiates between held and assigned values and identifies a strong altruistic-held values tendency that characterises forum participants who practice water stewardship in the two case study sites. Most water stewardship practice, identified in the case study sites, manifests as compliance activities in the public – or forum – space, while private-sphere environmentalism is mostly left to the confines of the individual’s private household. Lastly, the CMFs seem to have the potential to provide a space for social learning that is not yet maximised. Drawing from these key findings, the study’s major recommendation is that forums that facilitate learning, either using the current CMF structure or creating new opportunities, need to be provided as a conduit for social learning and reflexivity to make the existing boundaries between private and public forms of water stewardship more porous. This social learning may expand social practice and thus strengthen social change processes that expand water stewardship practices.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Barnes, Garth
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Integrated water development -- South Africa -- Case studies , Water conservation -- South Africa -- Case studies , Water-supply -- Moral and ethical aspects -- South Africa , Environmental education -- South Africa , Social learning -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1975 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012940
- Description: This qualitative study, focussing on the way in which values and valuing processes might strengthen social learning in water stewardship practices in South Africa, is located within the broader global narrative that describes the scale of human impact on our Earth systems and that is setting humanity on a trajectory that threatens to place us beyond the safe operating spaces called planetary boundaries. For humanity to live within planetary boundaries – one of which is global freshwater use –will take a new way of relating to the environment called Earth stewardship, which calls for a new ethic of responsibility towards Earth systems. It is at the local level of stewardship within a global approach to water resources management called integrated water resources management that this qualitative study is contextually bound. Two case studies, located in the catchment management forums (CMFs) of the Upper Vaal catchment of Gauteng, South Africa, are used in an exploration of the way in which values and valuing processes might strengthen social learning in water stewardship practices in South Africa. The meta-theory of critical realism is used to help explore this relationship between values, practice and social learning. The study uses document analysis, interviews and observation of selected water stewardship practices to identify held and assigned values, and valuing processes and their influence on social learning, and the framing and de-framing processes that occur in social learning oriented towards water stewardship practices. The study differentiates between held and assigned values and identifies a strong altruistic-held values tendency that characterises forum participants who practice water stewardship in the two case study sites. Most water stewardship practice, identified in the case study sites, manifests as compliance activities in the public – or forum – space, while private-sphere environmentalism is mostly left to the confines of the individual’s private household. Lastly, the CMFs seem to have the potential to provide a space for social learning that is not yet maximised. Drawing from these key findings, the study’s major recommendation is that forums that facilitate learning, either using the current CMF structure or creating new opportunities, need to be provided as a conduit for social learning and reflexivity to make the existing boundaries between private and public forms of water stewardship more porous. This social learning may expand social practice and thus strengthen social change processes that expand water stewardship practices.
- Full Text:
An exploratory study of the implementation of a decentralized water provision model: a case of Chris Hani District Municipality
- Dyasi, Nobuhle Marjorie Pretty
- Authors: Dyasi, Nobuhle Marjorie Pretty
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/18532 , vital:22353
- Description: It is notable that successful implementation of strategy is very important in any organization - private or public. As such it is not surprising that public sector managers are expected to implement strategies to improve organizational performance and service delivery. Consequently, strategy implementation in the public sector has become an increasingly relevant and topical issue, especially because public sector organizations exist to meet the needs of particular stakeholder groups and maximize organizational performance rather than realize profits. Despite this growing focus of public sector management literature on strategy, “there have so far been few explanations about how public sector managers develop and implement new strategic approaches” (Pablo, Reay, Dewald and Casebeer, 2007:687). This qualitative study explores the implementation of a decentralised water service provision model at Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) which is located in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. The Chris Hani District Municipality is comprised of eight local municipalities: Lukhanji, Lady Frere, Sakhisizwe, Inkwanca, Tsolwana, Inxuba Yethemba, Intsika Yethu and Engcobo. All eight municipalities were delegated to perform the water service provision function of CHDM. The research questions are: How effective was the implementation of the CHDM decentralised water services provision model? and What are the enablers of and barriers to implementing a decentralised water provision model in CHDM? The study used the McKinsey 7S framework of strategy execution to evaluate the implementation of the decentralised water services provision model in CHDM, enablers and barriers to executing this model were also identified. Purposively, a total of seven area managers were interviewed as the eighth Area Manager resigned and left the employment of CHDM during the time of the study. Data was gathered from Area Managers who are intimately involved in the daily operation of water services provision. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews which were audio recorded, transcribed and data was coded and categorised according to the theoretical perspectives of the McKinsey 7S framework. The draft report was given to the research participants for verification or comments not only as input but also as a member check before the final report. Predominantly most of the Area Managers reflected that the implementation of the decentralised water services provision model by CHDM manifested four cornerstones: (a) reducing distance to water services, (b) delegating of water provision function and accountability, (c) improving delivery of water services, and (d) putting people first in water provision. Drivers and barriers of the implementation of the decentralized water provision strategy were identified to empower local municipalities and enhance operational efficiencies and service quality. Recommendations were made to CHDM on how the implementation of the decentralised water services provision model could be enhanced for better performance. This study will benefit CHDM on improving and strengthening the alignment of all the 7S’s elements of strategy execution to enhance the performance of the decentralised water provision model. Since no studies had been conducted previously to evaluate the implementation of a decentralised water services provision strategy at CHDM, this research is valuable to CHDM as it provides insight on the effectiveness of implementing the decentralised water provision model. Furthermore, the use of the McKinsey 7S framework to evaluate the decentralised model is valuable as it identifies and highlights the gaps where there is misalignment of the 7S’s of strategy execution. These are areas which CHDM needs to address in order to enhance or improve strategic performance.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dyasi, Nobuhle Marjorie Pretty
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/18532 , vital:22353
- Description: It is notable that successful implementation of strategy is very important in any organization - private or public. As such it is not surprising that public sector managers are expected to implement strategies to improve organizational performance and service delivery. Consequently, strategy implementation in the public sector has become an increasingly relevant and topical issue, especially because public sector organizations exist to meet the needs of particular stakeholder groups and maximize organizational performance rather than realize profits. Despite this growing focus of public sector management literature on strategy, “there have so far been few explanations about how public sector managers develop and implement new strategic approaches” (Pablo, Reay, Dewald and Casebeer, 2007:687). This qualitative study explores the implementation of a decentralised water service provision model at Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) which is located in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. The Chris Hani District Municipality is comprised of eight local municipalities: Lukhanji, Lady Frere, Sakhisizwe, Inkwanca, Tsolwana, Inxuba Yethemba, Intsika Yethu and Engcobo. All eight municipalities were delegated to perform the water service provision function of CHDM. The research questions are: How effective was the implementation of the CHDM decentralised water services provision model? and What are the enablers of and barriers to implementing a decentralised water provision model in CHDM? The study used the McKinsey 7S framework of strategy execution to evaluate the implementation of the decentralised water services provision model in CHDM, enablers and barriers to executing this model were also identified. Purposively, a total of seven area managers were interviewed as the eighth Area Manager resigned and left the employment of CHDM during the time of the study. Data was gathered from Area Managers who are intimately involved in the daily operation of water services provision. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews which were audio recorded, transcribed and data was coded and categorised according to the theoretical perspectives of the McKinsey 7S framework. The draft report was given to the research participants for verification or comments not only as input but also as a member check before the final report. Predominantly most of the Area Managers reflected that the implementation of the decentralised water services provision model by CHDM manifested four cornerstones: (a) reducing distance to water services, (b) delegating of water provision function and accountability, (c) improving delivery of water services, and (d) putting people first in water provision. Drivers and barriers of the implementation of the decentralized water provision strategy were identified to empower local municipalities and enhance operational efficiencies and service quality. Recommendations were made to CHDM on how the implementation of the decentralised water services provision model could be enhanced for better performance. This study will benefit CHDM on improving and strengthening the alignment of all the 7S’s elements of strategy execution to enhance the performance of the decentralised water provision model. Since no studies had been conducted previously to evaluate the implementation of a decentralised water services provision strategy at CHDM, this research is valuable to CHDM as it provides insight on the effectiveness of implementing the decentralised water provision model. Furthermore, the use of the McKinsey 7S framework to evaluate the decentralised model is valuable as it identifies and highlights the gaps where there is misalignment of the 7S’s of strategy execution. These are areas which CHDM needs to address in order to enhance or improve strategic performance.
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An investigation into the bacterial diversity associated with South African latrunculid sponges that produce bioactive secondary metabolites
- Authors: Walmsley, Tara Aisling
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Sponges -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay , Sponges -- Classification , Metabolites -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay , Marine metabolites -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay , PQQ (Biochemistry) , Bacterial diversity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4109 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012943
- Description: Algoa Bay Latrunculid sponges are well known for their production of cytotoxic pyrroloiminoquinones with speculation that these secondary metabolites may have a microbial origin. This study describes a thorough investigation into the bacterial community associated with Tsitsikamma favus, Tsitsikamma scurra a newly described Latrunculia sp. and a yellow encrusting sponge associated with T. scurra. Molecular and chemical characterisation were used in conjunction with traditional taxonomy in identification of the sponge specimens. The 28S rRNA and COX1 analysis confirmed the traditional taxonomy with T. favus and T. scurra being very closely related. Chemical analysis revealed that T. favus and T. scurra shared the discorhabdins 2,4-debromo-3-dihydrodiscorhabdin C, 7,8-dehydro-3-dihydrodiscorhabdin C and 14-bromo-1-hydroxy-discorhabdin V in common with each other and Tsitsikamma pedunculata indicating that these pyrroloiminoquinones are common to Tsitsikamma sponges in general. The bacterial community associated with T. favus was explored using 16S rRNA molecular techniques including DGGE, clonal libraries of full length 16S rRNA genes, as well as 454 pyrosequencing. DGGE analysis revealed that the bacterial community associated with T. favus appeared to be highly conserved, which was confirmed by both the clone library and 454 pyrosequencing, with the Betaproteobacteria as the most dominant class. Further exploration into T. favus, as well as T. scurra, Latrunculia sp. and the yellow encrusting sponge indicated that the bacterial populations associated with each of these sponge species were conserved and species specific. OTU analysis to the species level revealed that T. favus and T. scurra shared an abundant Spirochaete species in common while the most abundant species in the Latrunculia sp. and the yellow encrusting sponge belonged to the class Betaproteobacteria. The exclusivity of the tsitsikammamines to T. favus precipitated attempts to culture the T. favus associated bacteria, with a focus on the dominant betaproteobacterium as indicated by the 16S rRNA clone library. Actinobacteria associated with the Algoa Bay sponge specimens were also cultured and the actinobacterial isolates were sent for screening against Mycobacterium aurum with two Kocuria kristinae isolates and a Streptomyces albdioflavus isolate showing good antimycobacterial activity.
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- Authors: Walmsley, Tara Aisling
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Sponges -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay , Sponges -- Classification , Metabolites -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay , Marine metabolites -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay , PQQ (Biochemistry) , Bacterial diversity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4109 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012943
- Description: Algoa Bay Latrunculid sponges are well known for their production of cytotoxic pyrroloiminoquinones with speculation that these secondary metabolites may have a microbial origin. This study describes a thorough investigation into the bacterial community associated with Tsitsikamma favus, Tsitsikamma scurra a newly described Latrunculia sp. and a yellow encrusting sponge associated with T. scurra. Molecular and chemical characterisation were used in conjunction with traditional taxonomy in identification of the sponge specimens. The 28S rRNA and COX1 analysis confirmed the traditional taxonomy with T. favus and T. scurra being very closely related. Chemical analysis revealed that T. favus and T. scurra shared the discorhabdins 2,4-debromo-3-dihydrodiscorhabdin C, 7,8-dehydro-3-dihydrodiscorhabdin C and 14-bromo-1-hydroxy-discorhabdin V in common with each other and Tsitsikamma pedunculata indicating that these pyrroloiminoquinones are common to Tsitsikamma sponges in general. The bacterial community associated with T. favus was explored using 16S rRNA molecular techniques including DGGE, clonal libraries of full length 16S rRNA genes, as well as 454 pyrosequencing. DGGE analysis revealed that the bacterial community associated with T. favus appeared to be highly conserved, which was confirmed by both the clone library and 454 pyrosequencing, with the Betaproteobacteria as the most dominant class. Further exploration into T. favus, as well as T. scurra, Latrunculia sp. and the yellow encrusting sponge indicated that the bacterial populations associated with each of these sponge species were conserved and species specific. OTU analysis to the species level revealed that T. favus and T. scurra shared an abundant Spirochaete species in common while the most abundant species in the Latrunculia sp. and the yellow encrusting sponge belonged to the class Betaproteobacteria. The exclusivity of the tsitsikammamines to T. favus precipitated attempts to culture the T. favus associated bacteria, with a focus on the dominant betaproteobacterium as indicated by the 16S rRNA clone library. Actinobacteria associated with the Algoa Bay sponge specimens were also cultured and the actinobacterial isolates were sent for screening against Mycobacterium aurum with two Kocuria kristinae isolates and a Streptomyces albdioflavus isolate showing good antimycobacterial activity.
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An investigation into the development of knowledge and strategies for the teaching of visual literacy in under-resourced Eastern Cape schools
- Authors: Mbelani, Madeyandile
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64401 , vital:28540
- Description: This thesis reports on a multiple case study PhD project that aimed to investigate meaningful and critical development of knowledge and strategies to teach visual literacy, a component of English First Additional Language (FAL) in six under-resourced schools of the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The study begins by locating visual literacy within a broad framework of literacy as a social practice, and discusses its importance. Further, it discusses complexities of making sense of and teaching visual literacy, especially for the majority of in-service teachers who experienced visual literacy neither as learners nor as teacher trainees. The gap between the curriculum and teachers’ classroom practices is what triggered this study to adopt a transformative paradigm. The main research question is, “How can teacher professional development in English Language Teaching advance in-service teachers’ knowledge of and strategies for meaningful and critical teaching and learning of visual literacy?” To respond to this question, I drew on cultural historical activity theory (CHAT) and critical realism (CR) to design four phases of this study that incorporated the seven stages of an expansive learning cycle. These phases focussed on exploring and expanding teachers’ sense making and teaching of visual literacy. I collected data through interviews, document analysis, videoed lessons and change laboratory (CL) workshops. I designed a data analysis tool that brought together CHAT, CR, multimodal social semiotics, critical discourse analysis and pedagogical discourse to make sense of the data. Through a process of reflexivity, the study illuminated layers of factors that constrained meaningful and critical teaching of visual literacy in the empirical, the actual and the real domains of reality. These factors include teachers’ unconscious reproduction of discourses of domination, their intolerance of diverse cultural discourses, resistance to curriculum change, and the fact that they are comfortable with the status quo. I brought these factors to CL workshops for expansive learning. The study contributes in-depth insight into English FAL in-service teacher development in the area of visual literacy. By locating the study within meaning making and teaching of visual literacy, it was possible to interrogate access, diversity, domination and design in teachers’ classroom practices. As a result of this study participants were made aware of the extent to which these factors enabled or hindered meaningful and critical teaching. Participants repositioned themselves as subjects of the activity system, thereby mobilising their agency to take control of the structures and cultures that condition their teaching.
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- Authors: Mbelani, Madeyandile
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64401 , vital:28540
- Description: This thesis reports on a multiple case study PhD project that aimed to investigate meaningful and critical development of knowledge and strategies to teach visual literacy, a component of English First Additional Language (FAL) in six under-resourced schools of the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The study begins by locating visual literacy within a broad framework of literacy as a social practice, and discusses its importance. Further, it discusses complexities of making sense of and teaching visual literacy, especially for the majority of in-service teachers who experienced visual literacy neither as learners nor as teacher trainees. The gap between the curriculum and teachers’ classroom practices is what triggered this study to adopt a transformative paradigm. The main research question is, “How can teacher professional development in English Language Teaching advance in-service teachers’ knowledge of and strategies for meaningful and critical teaching and learning of visual literacy?” To respond to this question, I drew on cultural historical activity theory (CHAT) and critical realism (CR) to design four phases of this study that incorporated the seven stages of an expansive learning cycle. These phases focussed on exploring and expanding teachers’ sense making and teaching of visual literacy. I collected data through interviews, document analysis, videoed lessons and change laboratory (CL) workshops. I designed a data analysis tool that brought together CHAT, CR, multimodal social semiotics, critical discourse analysis and pedagogical discourse to make sense of the data. Through a process of reflexivity, the study illuminated layers of factors that constrained meaningful and critical teaching of visual literacy in the empirical, the actual and the real domains of reality. These factors include teachers’ unconscious reproduction of discourses of domination, their intolerance of diverse cultural discourses, resistance to curriculum change, and the fact that they are comfortable with the status quo. I brought these factors to CL workshops for expansive learning. The study contributes in-depth insight into English FAL in-service teacher development in the area of visual literacy. By locating the study within meaning making and teaching of visual literacy, it was possible to interrogate access, diversity, domination and design in teachers’ classroom practices. As a result of this study participants were made aware of the extent to which these factors enabled or hindered meaningful and critical teaching. Participants repositioned themselves as subjects of the activity system, thereby mobilising their agency to take control of the structures and cultures that condition their teaching.
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