An investigation into the use of guidelines and patterns in the interaction design process
- Authors: Cowley, Niel Lester Orr
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Human-computer interaction , Web sites -- Design , User interfaces (Computer systems) -- Design
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10466 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1062 , Human-computer interaction , Web sites -- Design , User interfaces (Computer systems) -- Design
- Description: Design guidelines are used in interaction design (IxD) for physical design and for evaluating the usability of designs and interactive products. Guidelines are widely used for physical design and evaluation, but have a number of problems. IxD patterns have been proposed as an alternative to guidelines, as they are claimed to have several advantages over guidelines. A small number of empirical studies provide evidence that patterns are beneficial when used in IxD. Additional research on the usefulness of IxD patterns is required. The primary research question investigated in this thesis was thus: How useful are IxD patterns as physical design and evaluation aids in IxD, as compared to design guidelines? The role of guidelines and patterns as design and evaluation aids in IxD was investigated and a comparison of guidelines and patterns, based on a set of guideline and pattern properties, was conducted. The concept of pattern and guideline usefulness was explored and a research agenda for guidelines and patterns was identified, together with a set of research questions for an empirical study. The empirical study of the use of patterns for evaluation, redesign and new design, as compared to guidelines, was conducted at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in 2004. The participants were a purposive sample of post-graduate Computing students, who were regarded as novice interaction designers. Two equivalent groups were formed, one that used patterns and one that used guidelines. Patterns were found to be as useful as guidelines when used as evaluation aids. Guidelines and patterns were identified as effective tools for identifying and explaining usability issues and design features. Best-effort matched sets of guidelines and patterns produced substantially different result sets when used to identify issues and features, with fairly low overlap. A substantial evaluator effect was observed for the use of guidelines and patterns for evaluation, and the results obtained were similar to those obtained by Molich et al. in their Comparative Usability Evaluation (CUE) studies. There was no statistically significant difference between the effectiveness of guidelines and patterns for evaluation. There was also no statistically significant difference between the perceived efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction in use of guidelines and patterns for evaluation. Guidelines and patterns were found to be used in similar ways for evaluation. Patterns were found to be more effective than guidelines for redesign. Patterns were found to be as useful as guidelines when used for new design. There was no statistically significant difference between the effectiveness of guidelines and patterns for new design. There was also no statistically significant difference between the perceived efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction in use of guidelines and patterns for redesign and new design. Guidelines and patterns were found to be used in similar ways for design. There was no statistically significant difference between the perceived usefulness of the format, content, ease of learning, and usefulness as personal and shared design languages, of guidelines and patterns. Both participant groups were equally agreeable to using guidelines and patterns in the future. The perceived usefulness of pattern collections was found to depend on the usability of the collection interface and the content quality of the patterns. The results of the empirical study thus provided empirical evidence that patterns were as useful as guidelines for evaluation and new design, and were perceived as positively as guidelines were. Patterns were found to be superior to guidelines for redesign. Patterns can therefore be used with a measure of confidence as early stage design aids for physical design and evaluation in the future. In addition to these findings, a number of opportunities for further research were identified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Cowley, Niel Lester Orr
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Human-computer interaction , Web sites -- Design , User interfaces (Computer systems) -- Design
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10466 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1062 , Human-computer interaction , Web sites -- Design , User interfaces (Computer systems) -- Design
- Description: Design guidelines are used in interaction design (IxD) for physical design and for evaluating the usability of designs and interactive products. Guidelines are widely used for physical design and evaluation, but have a number of problems. IxD patterns have been proposed as an alternative to guidelines, as they are claimed to have several advantages over guidelines. A small number of empirical studies provide evidence that patterns are beneficial when used in IxD. Additional research on the usefulness of IxD patterns is required. The primary research question investigated in this thesis was thus: How useful are IxD patterns as physical design and evaluation aids in IxD, as compared to design guidelines? The role of guidelines and patterns as design and evaluation aids in IxD was investigated and a comparison of guidelines and patterns, based on a set of guideline and pattern properties, was conducted. The concept of pattern and guideline usefulness was explored and a research agenda for guidelines and patterns was identified, together with a set of research questions for an empirical study. The empirical study of the use of patterns for evaluation, redesign and new design, as compared to guidelines, was conducted at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in 2004. The participants were a purposive sample of post-graduate Computing students, who were regarded as novice interaction designers. Two equivalent groups were formed, one that used patterns and one that used guidelines. Patterns were found to be as useful as guidelines when used as evaluation aids. Guidelines and patterns were identified as effective tools for identifying and explaining usability issues and design features. Best-effort matched sets of guidelines and patterns produced substantially different result sets when used to identify issues and features, with fairly low overlap. A substantial evaluator effect was observed for the use of guidelines and patterns for evaluation, and the results obtained were similar to those obtained by Molich et al. in their Comparative Usability Evaluation (CUE) studies. There was no statistically significant difference between the effectiveness of guidelines and patterns for evaluation. There was also no statistically significant difference between the perceived efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction in use of guidelines and patterns for evaluation. Guidelines and patterns were found to be used in similar ways for evaluation. Patterns were found to be more effective than guidelines for redesign. Patterns were found to be as useful as guidelines when used for new design. There was no statistically significant difference between the effectiveness of guidelines and patterns for new design. There was also no statistically significant difference between the perceived efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction in use of guidelines and patterns for redesign and new design. Guidelines and patterns were found to be used in similar ways for design. There was no statistically significant difference between the perceived usefulness of the format, content, ease of learning, and usefulness as personal and shared design languages, of guidelines and patterns. Both participant groups were equally agreeable to using guidelines and patterns in the future. The perceived usefulness of pattern collections was found to depend on the usability of the collection interface and the content quality of the patterns. The results of the empirical study thus provided empirical evidence that patterns were as useful as guidelines for evaluation and new design, and were perceived as positively as guidelines were. Patterns were found to be superior to guidelines for redesign. Patterns can therefore be used with a measure of confidence as early stage design aids for physical design and evaluation in the future. In addition to these findings, a number of opportunities for further research were identified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An investigation into user interface factors impacting on user experience: Pastel accounting case study
- Authors: Mashapa, Job
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: User interfaces (Computer systems) -- South Africa , Accounting -- Data processing , Accounting -- Computer programs , Small business -- South Africa -- Computer network resources
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9762 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1184 , User interfaces (Computer systems) -- South Africa , Accounting -- Data processing , Accounting -- Computer programs , Small business -- South Africa -- Computer network resources
- Description: The purpose of this research is to propose metrics to evaluate the user interface factors that impact on the user experience of Software Accounting Applications (SAAs) used to support the accounting business activities in Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) operating in developing countries. The research commences by outlining the conceptual background that introduces the study. In the introductory chapter, the problems together with the objectives that motivate the significance of the study are presented. In the same chapter, the overall research focus and how each of the research questions are treated to accomplish the intended goals are defined. In Chapter 2, the typical accounting business activities for SMMEs operating in developing countries are investigated. Findings from the preliminary survey revealed that Pastel accounting is the commonly used SMME accounting application used in developing countries. Inventory management, cash book processing, preparation of financial statements, customer and supplier documents processing are revealed as the most prevalent SMME accounting activities. This chapter highlights the problems that inhibit the implementation and the delivery of full benefits of using these SAAs. After indentifying the SAA problems, user experience aspects of the SAA are addressed in Chapter 3. User experience (UX) is defined and existing UX evaluation criteria are discussed. The findings form the basis for choosing the applicable criteria for evaluating the User Interface (UI) factors impacting on the UX of Pastel accounting. The proposed user experience evaluation metrics are described in Chapter 4. A discussion on how the metrics are implemented and what UI aspect they measure is presented. The research design and methodology followed is discussed in Chapter 5. The chapter outlines the possible research philosophy, strategy, methods and data collecting methods. A choice is made about the appropriate approach to answer the stated research questions to satisfy the intended overall research objective. A phenomenologist, qualitative inductive approach is adopted in the study. A contextual inquiry case-study strategy is chosen as applicable to this research. Data is collected using expert reviews, user observation and subjective questionnaires. After the choice of the research techniques, the case study results are presented and analysed in Chapter 6. It is found that Pastel UI is attractive and the users are happy with the visual design of the application. The major factors that impact on Pastel accounting are its lack of 4 feedback and its complexity which makes it difficult for first time users to use the application and the paucity of the help function. After the observed findings, the conclusions and recommendations of the research are presented in Chapter 7. It has been concluded that Pastel accounting UI fails to captivate a positive user experience for first-time users; the users do not find the expected help from the Help function and are often left wondering about the status of the system and the outcome of their actions on a task. Recommendations on how designers would make Pastel user interface more helpful, easy to use, and provide adequate feedback are presented in Chapter 7.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Mashapa, Job
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: User interfaces (Computer systems) -- South Africa , Accounting -- Data processing , Accounting -- Computer programs , Small business -- South Africa -- Computer network resources
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9762 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1184 , User interfaces (Computer systems) -- South Africa , Accounting -- Data processing , Accounting -- Computer programs , Small business -- South Africa -- Computer network resources
- Description: The purpose of this research is to propose metrics to evaluate the user interface factors that impact on the user experience of Software Accounting Applications (SAAs) used to support the accounting business activities in Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) operating in developing countries. The research commences by outlining the conceptual background that introduces the study. In the introductory chapter, the problems together with the objectives that motivate the significance of the study are presented. In the same chapter, the overall research focus and how each of the research questions are treated to accomplish the intended goals are defined. In Chapter 2, the typical accounting business activities for SMMEs operating in developing countries are investigated. Findings from the preliminary survey revealed that Pastel accounting is the commonly used SMME accounting application used in developing countries. Inventory management, cash book processing, preparation of financial statements, customer and supplier documents processing are revealed as the most prevalent SMME accounting activities. This chapter highlights the problems that inhibit the implementation and the delivery of full benefits of using these SAAs. After indentifying the SAA problems, user experience aspects of the SAA are addressed in Chapter 3. User experience (UX) is defined and existing UX evaluation criteria are discussed. The findings form the basis for choosing the applicable criteria for evaluating the User Interface (UI) factors impacting on the UX of Pastel accounting. The proposed user experience evaluation metrics are described in Chapter 4. A discussion on how the metrics are implemented and what UI aspect they measure is presented. The research design and methodology followed is discussed in Chapter 5. The chapter outlines the possible research philosophy, strategy, methods and data collecting methods. A choice is made about the appropriate approach to answer the stated research questions to satisfy the intended overall research objective. A phenomenologist, qualitative inductive approach is adopted in the study. A contextual inquiry case-study strategy is chosen as applicable to this research. Data is collected using expert reviews, user observation and subjective questionnaires. After the choice of the research techniques, the case study results are presented and analysed in Chapter 6. It is found that Pastel UI is attractive and the users are happy with the visual design of the application. The major factors that impact on Pastel accounting are its lack of 4 feedback and its complexity which makes it difficult for first time users to use the application and the paucity of the help function. After the observed findings, the conclusions and recommendations of the research are presented in Chapter 7. It has been concluded that Pastel accounting UI fails to captivate a positive user experience for first-time users; the users do not find the expected help from the Help function and are often left wondering about the status of the system and the outcome of their actions on a task. Recommendations on how designers would make Pastel user interface more helpful, easy to use, and provide adequate feedback are presented in Chapter 7.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An investigation into visitors' satisfaction with Port Elizabeth's heritage museums
- Hou, Yue
- Authors: Hou, Yue
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Art museum attendance -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Customer satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Heritage tourism -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Museums -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Tourism -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9361 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1250 , Art museum attendance -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Customer satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Heritage tourism -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Museums -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Tourism -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: Cultural and heritage tourism, one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry, is becoming a major pillar in the tourism strategy of many countries. Like elsewhere in the world, museums play a significant role in heritage tourism. South Africa has a rich history of intangible cultural heritage which manifests itself in oral history, traditional music and dance, social practices and indigenous knowledge systems. It is becoming more important for museum managers to identify the variables that will enhance the attraction and retention of museum visitors. The aim of the study was to determine tourists’ satisfaction with their visit to Port Elizabeth’s heritage museums by comparing their expectations and experiences. This could help museum marketers to better understand their customers, and design experiences that match their expectations. The literature review presented a brief overview of heritage tourism, the museum experience, and visitors’ satisfaction. Concepts of heritage tourism, functions of museums and the different museum attributes that might impact customer satisfaction were discussed. Literature on visitors’ satisfaction included descriptions of the expectations and approaches to measuring customer satisfaction. A museum satisfaction conceptual model resulted from these reviews. ii The proposed model was modified in the empirical study. The data were collected by means of a survey, using self-administered questionnaires distributed to visitors at three heritage museums in Port Elizabeth. Two hundred and twelve useable questionnaires were received. The empirical findings did not fully support the conceptual model. By conducting a factor analysis, the data was reduced to eight factors, namely, human interaction, physical evidence, facilities, facility quality, exhibition, edutainment, escape and aestheticism. It was found that the satisfaction mean scores were consistently higher than the expectation mean scores. This implies that museum visitors were satisfied with their experience of the three heritage museums in Port Elizabeth. Finally, the results of the paired sample t-test and regression analyses tested and explained formulated hypotheses. The principal recommendations emanating from this study are summarised in two groups, namely: • recommendations pertaining to the strategic implications of the findings in terms of service, facilities and experience. For example, the museum administration could establish more facilities for the disabled and the elderly, consider discounting and promotion programmes, and increase the use of technology in their displays. • recommendations for future research. For example, future studies could be applied to investigate visitors’ satisfaction with other heritage museums in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Hou, Yue
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Art museum attendance -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Customer satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Heritage tourism -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Museums -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Tourism -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9361 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1250 , Art museum attendance -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Customer satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Heritage tourism -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Museums -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Tourism -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: Cultural and heritage tourism, one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry, is becoming a major pillar in the tourism strategy of many countries. Like elsewhere in the world, museums play a significant role in heritage tourism. South Africa has a rich history of intangible cultural heritage which manifests itself in oral history, traditional music and dance, social practices and indigenous knowledge systems. It is becoming more important for museum managers to identify the variables that will enhance the attraction and retention of museum visitors. The aim of the study was to determine tourists’ satisfaction with their visit to Port Elizabeth’s heritage museums by comparing their expectations and experiences. This could help museum marketers to better understand their customers, and design experiences that match their expectations. The literature review presented a brief overview of heritage tourism, the museum experience, and visitors’ satisfaction. Concepts of heritage tourism, functions of museums and the different museum attributes that might impact customer satisfaction were discussed. Literature on visitors’ satisfaction included descriptions of the expectations and approaches to measuring customer satisfaction. A museum satisfaction conceptual model resulted from these reviews. ii The proposed model was modified in the empirical study. The data were collected by means of a survey, using self-administered questionnaires distributed to visitors at three heritage museums in Port Elizabeth. Two hundred and twelve useable questionnaires were received. The empirical findings did not fully support the conceptual model. By conducting a factor analysis, the data was reduced to eight factors, namely, human interaction, physical evidence, facilities, facility quality, exhibition, edutainment, escape and aestheticism. It was found that the satisfaction mean scores were consistently higher than the expectation mean scores. This implies that museum visitors were satisfied with their experience of the three heritage museums in Port Elizabeth. Finally, the results of the paired sample t-test and regression analyses tested and explained formulated hypotheses. The principal recommendations emanating from this study are summarised in two groups, namely: • recommendations pertaining to the strategic implications of the findings in terms of service, facilities and experience. For example, the museum administration could establish more facilities for the disabled and the elderly, consider discounting and promotion programmes, and increase the use of technology in their displays. • recommendations for future research. For example, future studies could be applied to investigate visitors’ satisfaction with other heritage museums in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An investigation of changing socio-economic conditions, opportunities and development interventions in small Eastern Cape towns in South Africa
- Authors: Keal, Duncan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Local Economic Development (Programme) Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Cities and towns -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Growth South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:4840 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005516
- Description: Small towns internationally and in South Africa are becoming increasingly marginalised, and they are often experiencing economic downturn, demographic shifts and a rearticulation of their role in the urban hierarchy. In the case of South Africa many of these small towns are also faced with low levels of social development. The urgent need to address such conditions is evident by the fact that a large proportion of the South African population resides in small towns, and their surrounding hinterlands. This said, there are examples of small towns, internationally and in South Africa which, through the use of various Local Economic Development actions, have managed to remain sustainable, and in some cases become economically viable localities once again. In light of the above, the research conducted for this thesis seeks first to establish the socio-economic changes occurring over time in three small towns in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, namely Stutterheim, Bedford and Hamburg. Secondly, the research aims to identify the nature of LED activities in the three small towns, highlighting those factors contributing to the success of LED initiatives as well as those factors inhibiting LED in small towns. This is done with the intention of developing future lessons for LED in small towns. The research was conducted using a mix of qualitative and quantitative data generated through the interviews with key role players in each town, as well as secondary data sources. Findings from the research suggest that the small towns investigated are characterised by low levels of socio-economic development. In addition, it appears that the development opportunities for the towns are limited. Current initiatives are being driven by private role players with local government being largely uninvolved. Such initiatives are limited in nature, with benefits only felt by small groups of the local community. However, examples do exist of where LED has successfully benefited the broader spheres of the local community, thus suggesting that if implemented properly such an approach does have potential to assist in the socio-economic development of small towns. In light of this, a number of lessons are identified for LED in small towns, including the need for strong leadership, community involvement, partnerships between role players, and planning for project sustainability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Keal, Duncan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Local Economic Development (Programme) Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Cities and towns -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Growth South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:4840 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005516
- Description: Small towns internationally and in South Africa are becoming increasingly marginalised, and they are often experiencing economic downturn, demographic shifts and a rearticulation of their role in the urban hierarchy. In the case of South Africa many of these small towns are also faced with low levels of social development. The urgent need to address such conditions is evident by the fact that a large proportion of the South African population resides in small towns, and their surrounding hinterlands. This said, there are examples of small towns, internationally and in South Africa which, through the use of various Local Economic Development actions, have managed to remain sustainable, and in some cases become economically viable localities once again. In light of the above, the research conducted for this thesis seeks first to establish the socio-economic changes occurring over time in three small towns in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, namely Stutterheim, Bedford and Hamburg. Secondly, the research aims to identify the nature of LED activities in the three small towns, highlighting those factors contributing to the success of LED initiatives as well as those factors inhibiting LED in small towns. This is done with the intention of developing future lessons for LED in small towns. The research was conducted using a mix of qualitative and quantitative data generated through the interviews with key role players in each town, as well as secondary data sources. Findings from the research suggest that the small towns investigated are characterised by low levels of socio-economic development. In addition, it appears that the development opportunities for the towns are limited. Current initiatives are being driven by private role players with local government being largely uninvolved. Such initiatives are limited in nature, with benefits only felt by small groups of the local community. However, examples do exist of where LED has successfully benefited the broader spheres of the local community, thus suggesting that if implemented properly such an approach does have potential to assist in the socio-economic development of small towns. In light of this, a number of lessons are identified for LED in small towns, including the need for strong leadership, community involvement, partnerships between role players, and planning for project sustainability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An investigation of lower primary teachers' content knowledge of mathematics in Ohangwena region in Namibia
- Authors: Haufiku, Amon
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: SACMEQ Namibia. Presidential Commission on Education, Culture and Training Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Namibia Education -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1637 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003519
- Description: The poor performance in mathematics of learners in schools in Namibia, especially in the grades where learners sit for the national examinations, has been a concern of everybody. Since independence, the Ministry of Education in collaboration with several donor agencies has been aware of the poor performance in mathematics in the country. Several international and local studies have been made in an effort to identify the problems that are hindering learners’ performance in mathematics in Namibia. The findings of some studies that were conducted in the country such as the Southern Africa Consortium Monitoring Education Quality (2004), the Presidential Commission on Education, Culture and Training (1999), and the Mathematics and Science Teachers Extension Program (2002) revealed that the inadequate proficiency of primary teachers in mathematics content could be responsible for learners’ poor performance in mathematics. This study, therefore, is aimed at investigating the mathematical proficiency of lower primary (LP) teachers in Namibia. The study used three instruments to collect data namely, a profile questionnaire – to collect teachers’ demographic data, a proficiency test – to test their proficiency level of mathematics using the content of Grade 4 and 5 learners’ mathematics syllabi and a semi-structured interview schedule – to get views about their own mathematics content knowledge, attitudes towards mathematics as well as problems that hinder effective teaching and learning of mathematics at LP phase. The study was conducted with 30 lower primary teachers from five primary and combined schools in the Ohangwena circuit of the Ohangwena region. The study found out that: (1) the mathematical proficiency of LP teachers is below the Grade 7 Mathematics content. Most teachers are not able to solve the content of mathematics at upper primary (UP) phase. (2) LP education is receiving very little support from the Ministry compared to other phases. (3) There are no workshops or training courses organised for LP teachers. They do not receive enough textbooks and materials, their classrooms are overcrowded and teachers cannot pay attention to individual learners. (4) There is a dire need for LP Head of Departments (HODs) who are specialised at LP; most HODs for LP at schools are not specialised in this area. When it comes to views about future content of mathematics that should be given to LP teachers in Namibia, respondents recommended that future LP teachers should have knowledge of mathematics up to at least Grade 10 but preferably up to Grade 12. They do not want to be restricted to LP mathematics, but would like to have a broader knowledge of mathematics content. This would make them more confident in solving their children’s problems in mathematics. Overall, participants recognised the value of mathematics and the role that it plays in society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Haufiku, Amon
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: SACMEQ Namibia. Presidential Commission on Education, Culture and Training Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Namibia Education -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1637 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003519
- Description: The poor performance in mathematics of learners in schools in Namibia, especially in the grades where learners sit for the national examinations, has been a concern of everybody. Since independence, the Ministry of Education in collaboration with several donor agencies has been aware of the poor performance in mathematics in the country. Several international and local studies have been made in an effort to identify the problems that are hindering learners’ performance in mathematics in Namibia. The findings of some studies that were conducted in the country such as the Southern Africa Consortium Monitoring Education Quality (2004), the Presidential Commission on Education, Culture and Training (1999), and the Mathematics and Science Teachers Extension Program (2002) revealed that the inadequate proficiency of primary teachers in mathematics content could be responsible for learners’ poor performance in mathematics. This study, therefore, is aimed at investigating the mathematical proficiency of lower primary (LP) teachers in Namibia. The study used three instruments to collect data namely, a profile questionnaire – to collect teachers’ demographic data, a proficiency test – to test their proficiency level of mathematics using the content of Grade 4 and 5 learners’ mathematics syllabi and a semi-structured interview schedule – to get views about their own mathematics content knowledge, attitudes towards mathematics as well as problems that hinder effective teaching and learning of mathematics at LP phase. The study was conducted with 30 lower primary teachers from five primary and combined schools in the Ohangwena circuit of the Ohangwena region. The study found out that: (1) the mathematical proficiency of LP teachers is below the Grade 7 Mathematics content. Most teachers are not able to solve the content of mathematics at upper primary (UP) phase. (2) LP education is receiving very little support from the Ministry compared to other phases. (3) There are no workshops or training courses organised for LP teachers. They do not receive enough textbooks and materials, their classrooms are overcrowded and teachers cannot pay attention to individual learners. (4) There is a dire need for LP Head of Departments (HODs) who are specialised at LP; most HODs for LP at schools are not specialised in this area. When it comes to views about future content of mathematics that should be given to LP teachers in Namibia, respondents recommended that future LP teachers should have knowledge of mathematics up to at least Grade 10 but preferably up to Grade 12. They do not want to be restricted to LP mathematics, but would like to have a broader knowledge of mathematics content. This would make them more confident in solving their children’s problems in mathematics. Overall, participants recognised the value of mathematics and the role that it plays in society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An investigation of newsroom convergence at the MoAfrika media company in Lesotho and its implications for gatekeeping: a qualitative case study
- Authors: Senthebane, Teboho
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: MoAfrika Convergence (Telecommunication) Mass media -- Management -- Lesotho Journalism -- Management -- Lesotho Journalism -- Technological innovations -- Lesotho
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3501 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006112
- Description: This research is based on a case study of MoAfrika, a news organisation that has embraced digitisation to produce and distribute content across three platforms. It draws upon observation and in-depth interviews to show how MoAfrika's embrace of a degree of convergence has led to a fragmentation for journalists whose daily work now include additional responsibilities and pressures of time. While there is an increase in the quantity of news disseminated via radio, newspaper and online, questions arise about the quality of such news produced in a multi-skilled, multiple media news production environment. The result is repurposed stories with little original content and augmented employee workloads without training and compensation. The study examines these issues drawing on theories of gatekeeping and convergence. The decision to include a news story at MoAfrika depends partly on which medium it fits into most easily. News values, deadlines, organisational norms and national trends are some of the considerations which factored into gatekeepers' decisions. Primary decision-making was made within a group which also considered expense and expertise, and where the Managing Editor made the final call and set the frameworks for how content played across the enterprise's three platforms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Senthebane, Teboho
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: MoAfrika Convergence (Telecommunication) Mass media -- Management -- Lesotho Journalism -- Management -- Lesotho Journalism -- Technological innovations -- Lesotho
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3501 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006112
- Description: This research is based on a case study of MoAfrika, a news organisation that has embraced digitisation to produce and distribute content across three platforms. It draws upon observation and in-depth interviews to show how MoAfrika's embrace of a degree of convergence has led to a fragmentation for journalists whose daily work now include additional responsibilities and pressures of time. While there is an increase in the quantity of news disseminated via radio, newspaper and online, questions arise about the quality of such news produced in a multi-skilled, multiple media news production environment. The result is repurposed stories with little original content and augmented employee workloads without training and compensation. The study examines these issues drawing on theories of gatekeeping and convergence. The decision to include a news story at MoAfrika depends partly on which medium it fits into most easily. News values, deadlines, organisational norms and national trends are some of the considerations which factored into gatekeepers' decisions. Primary decision-making was made within a group which also considered expense and expertise, and where the Managing Editor made the final call and set the frameworks for how content played across the enterprise's three platforms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An investigation of school gardens in the curriculum: recontextualising the biodiversity discourse in the national curriculum statement: a case of Mount Zion Junior Secondary School
- Tundzi, Kenneth Simphiwe Vuyisa
- Authors: Tundzi, Kenneth Simphiwe Vuyisa
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: South African National Biodiversity Institute Curriculum change -- South Africa Case studies Environmental education -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Case studies School gardens -- South Africa -- Case studies Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Case studies Teacher participation in curriculum planning -- South Africa -- Case studies Educational change -- South Africa -- Case studies Education -- South Africa -- Curricula Education and state -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1642 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003524
- Description: With the dawning of a new era in South African politics in 1994 it became evident that education was going to be re-organised along with other government structures in South Africa. I begin the study by reviewing this curriculum change in South Africa that has taken place since 1995. This involved the development Curriculum 2005 (C2005) and the subsequent revision of C2005, which is now the National Curriculum Statement (NCS). This curriculum introduced an environmental focus into all the Learning Areas, which gave teachers a mandate not only to teach about environmental concepts and issues (such as biodiversity) at schools but to also address them in the communities outside the schools. This study considers biodiversity issues as biodiversity is a new focus in South African policy more broadly, and particularly in the Natural Science Learning Area. Our school has received vegetable and indigenous plant gardens from the South African National Biodiversity Institute, which provides a rich new resource for teaching about biodiversity, particularly in the Natural Sciences. My interest in the study was to investigate how schools (teachers) can use school gardens in the recontextualisation of the National Curriculum Statements focusing on the Natural Science Learning Area in Grade 7 at my school. I used Bernstein’s (1990) concepts of delocation, relocation, ideological transformation and selective appropriation and Cornbleth’s (1990) theory of curriculum contextualization to understand and interpret the recontextualisation process in the four lessons studied. In this research I was involved in the planning of the lessons with the Grade 7 Natural Science teacher. I taught one lesson as a demonstration and then observed while the teacher taught the other three lessons. I conducted this study as an action research case study. I used focus group interviews, classroom observations, document analysis and interviews as methods of data collection. The study found that the use of school gardens for teaching biodiversity can help with the recontextualisation of NCS in schools, and for the teaching of biodiversity, but that there is a need to understand and address various recontextualisation issues if this is to be done effectively. The study revealed that use of the school gardens for learning about biodiversity in the NS Learning Area is influenced by teachers’ knowledge, experience, teaching styles and available resources, as well as management issues and the complexity of the NCS discourse itself. The study also revealed that socio-cultural and structural factors (e.g. language and class size) also affect how biodiversity is taught in schools, and thus how the recontextualisation of the NCS takes place. The study concludes by making recommendations for taking this work forward in the context of our school as it addresses the gap that exists between policy and practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Tundzi, Kenneth Simphiwe Vuyisa
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: South African National Biodiversity Institute Curriculum change -- South Africa Case studies Environmental education -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Case studies School gardens -- South Africa -- Case studies Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Case studies Teacher participation in curriculum planning -- South Africa -- Case studies Educational change -- South Africa -- Case studies Education -- South Africa -- Curricula Education and state -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1642 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003524
- Description: With the dawning of a new era in South African politics in 1994 it became evident that education was going to be re-organised along with other government structures in South Africa. I begin the study by reviewing this curriculum change in South Africa that has taken place since 1995. This involved the development Curriculum 2005 (C2005) and the subsequent revision of C2005, which is now the National Curriculum Statement (NCS). This curriculum introduced an environmental focus into all the Learning Areas, which gave teachers a mandate not only to teach about environmental concepts and issues (such as biodiversity) at schools but to also address them in the communities outside the schools. This study considers biodiversity issues as biodiversity is a new focus in South African policy more broadly, and particularly in the Natural Science Learning Area. Our school has received vegetable and indigenous plant gardens from the South African National Biodiversity Institute, which provides a rich new resource for teaching about biodiversity, particularly in the Natural Sciences. My interest in the study was to investigate how schools (teachers) can use school gardens in the recontextualisation of the National Curriculum Statements focusing on the Natural Science Learning Area in Grade 7 at my school. I used Bernstein’s (1990) concepts of delocation, relocation, ideological transformation and selective appropriation and Cornbleth’s (1990) theory of curriculum contextualization to understand and interpret the recontextualisation process in the four lessons studied. In this research I was involved in the planning of the lessons with the Grade 7 Natural Science teacher. I taught one lesson as a demonstration and then observed while the teacher taught the other three lessons. I conducted this study as an action research case study. I used focus group interviews, classroom observations, document analysis and interviews as methods of data collection. The study found that the use of school gardens for teaching biodiversity can help with the recontextualisation of NCS in schools, and for the teaching of biodiversity, but that there is a need to understand and address various recontextualisation issues if this is to be done effectively. The study revealed that use of the school gardens for learning about biodiversity in the NS Learning Area is influenced by teachers’ knowledge, experience, teaching styles and available resources, as well as management issues and the complexity of the NCS discourse itself. The study also revealed that socio-cultural and structural factors (e.g. language and class size) also affect how biodiversity is taught in schools, and thus how the recontextualisation of the NCS takes place. The study concludes by making recommendations for taking this work forward in the context of our school as it addresses the gap that exists between policy and practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An investigation of social computing
- Authors: Schlenkrich, Lara
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Online social networks , Online social networks -- Law and legislation , Interpersonal communication , Internet in education , Education -- Communication system , Education -- Data processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1149 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006194 , Online social networks , Online social networks -- Law and legislation , Interpersonal communication , Internet in education , Education -- Communication system , Education -- Data processing
- Description: Social network sites have recently become extremely popular online destinations as they offer users easy ways to build and maintain their relationships with each other. Consequently, students, lecturers, teachers, parents and businesses are using these tools to communicate with each other in a fast and cost-effective manner. However, literature suggests that the full potential of social network sites has not yet been revealed since users are still battling to overcome the various negative characteristics surrounding these sites. A framework for appropriate use of these sites is needed so that users are able to overcome these negative aspects, allowing them to be more effective and use the sites successfully. The goal of this research is to construct a framework for perceived successful use of social computing tools in educational institutions. This framework will include critical success factors that need to be adopted by users in order to develop the positive aspects of social computing, while at the same time overcoming the disadvantages experienced by users. Factors for successful use were derived from the literature and consolidated into a theoretical framework in order to understand the factors that drive successful use of social network sites. Measures used to test successful use of social network sites were also derived from these sources and were included in the same theoretical framework; these measures allow users to evaluate the extent of perceived successful use of social network sites. This framework was tested empirically by means of a pilot study and online survey, and revised according to the results of the survey. The factors were identified using Cronbach alpha coefficients (in the pilot study) and exploratory factor analysis to confirm the reliability of the scales developed. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient analysis, t-tests and Pearson Chi-Square tests were used to measure the relationships amongst the variables in the framework proposed in this research. The factors influencing perceived successful use of social network sites were identified by the empirical study as: • Privacy and Security Settings need to be enabled. These are split into: - Settings: content that users allow others to see - Viewers: people who are allowed onto a user's profile • It is necessary for users to practise Legal and Acceptable Activities when using social network sites • Suspect Information needs to be checked before sharing it with others • Personal and Professional Time needs to be separated to ensure that work is completed before social activities occur • Users need to practise Professional and Ethical Behaviour • Users need to have a Positive Attitude when using social network sites • Usability of sites affects their success. This includes: - technical capacity (broadband) - ease of use - functionality (range of features and functions) • Current and Controversial Issues need to be discussed on social network sites. The extent to which social network sites are being used successfully can be evaluated by the presence of the following measures: • Range of Content must be available to users. This includes: - Content displayed on profiles - Viewers able to visit profiles • Visitors Behaviour is monitored and no unwanted visitors are present users' profiles • Social Contracts found on sites are followed by users • Critical Thinking Skills and Accurate Information are displayed by users • Work is completed before social activities occur on sites • A Variety of Users is present on sites • Collaboration between people as well as variety of opinions exist on sites • Social Capital (well-being) is present after users have been on sites • Learning and Advising Skills are enhanced on sites. The framework developed provides users with a useful instrument to overcome the negative characteristics associated with social network sites. If used successfully, social network sites can offer lecturers and students a unique method to develop their relationship, creating a positive learning experience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Schlenkrich, Lara
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Online social networks , Online social networks -- Law and legislation , Interpersonal communication , Internet in education , Education -- Communication system , Education -- Data processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1149 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006194 , Online social networks , Online social networks -- Law and legislation , Interpersonal communication , Internet in education , Education -- Communication system , Education -- Data processing
- Description: Social network sites have recently become extremely popular online destinations as they offer users easy ways to build and maintain their relationships with each other. Consequently, students, lecturers, teachers, parents and businesses are using these tools to communicate with each other in a fast and cost-effective manner. However, literature suggests that the full potential of social network sites has not yet been revealed since users are still battling to overcome the various negative characteristics surrounding these sites. A framework for appropriate use of these sites is needed so that users are able to overcome these negative aspects, allowing them to be more effective and use the sites successfully. The goal of this research is to construct a framework for perceived successful use of social computing tools in educational institutions. This framework will include critical success factors that need to be adopted by users in order to develop the positive aspects of social computing, while at the same time overcoming the disadvantages experienced by users. Factors for successful use were derived from the literature and consolidated into a theoretical framework in order to understand the factors that drive successful use of social network sites. Measures used to test successful use of social network sites were also derived from these sources and were included in the same theoretical framework; these measures allow users to evaluate the extent of perceived successful use of social network sites. This framework was tested empirically by means of a pilot study and online survey, and revised according to the results of the survey. The factors were identified using Cronbach alpha coefficients (in the pilot study) and exploratory factor analysis to confirm the reliability of the scales developed. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient analysis, t-tests and Pearson Chi-Square tests were used to measure the relationships amongst the variables in the framework proposed in this research. The factors influencing perceived successful use of social network sites were identified by the empirical study as: • Privacy and Security Settings need to be enabled. These are split into: - Settings: content that users allow others to see - Viewers: people who are allowed onto a user's profile • It is necessary for users to practise Legal and Acceptable Activities when using social network sites • Suspect Information needs to be checked before sharing it with others • Personal and Professional Time needs to be separated to ensure that work is completed before social activities occur • Users need to practise Professional and Ethical Behaviour • Users need to have a Positive Attitude when using social network sites • Usability of sites affects their success. This includes: - technical capacity (broadband) - ease of use - functionality (range of features and functions) • Current and Controversial Issues need to be discussed on social network sites. The extent to which social network sites are being used successfully can be evaluated by the presence of the following measures: • Range of Content must be available to users. This includes: - Content displayed on profiles - Viewers able to visit profiles • Visitors Behaviour is monitored and no unwanted visitors are present users' profiles • Social Contracts found on sites are followed by users • Critical Thinking Skills and Accurate Information are displayed by users • Work is completed before social activities occur on sites • A Variety of Users is present on sites • Collaboration between people as well as variety of opinions exist on sites • Social Capital (well-being) is present after users have been on sites • Learning and Advising Skills are enhanced on sites. The framework developed provides users with a useful instrument to overcome the negative characteristics associated with social network sites. If used successfully, social network sites can offer lecturers and students a unique method to develop their relationship, creating a positive learning experience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An investigation of social media as a dimension of the social identity formation among female adolescents in King William's Town
- Authors: Mbinjama, Adelina
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Online social networks , Social media -- South Africa -- King Williams Town
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8393 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1015 , Online social networks , Social media -- South Africa -- King Williams Town
- Description: According to Jensen (2000:215), though we talk of the growing digital divide between rich and poor countries, Africa has shown encouraging signs that it is rapidly adopting the Internet and making innovative use of the technology. Nevertheless, the continent is still well behind other developing regions of the world in taking advantage of the information and communication revolution. The main reasons for this are the limited and expensive telecommunication infrastructure, small markets, and lack of skills and awareness. At the end of 1996, just 11 of Africa’s 54 countries had local Internet access, but by February 2000 all of the continent’s countries had access in the capital cities (Jensen 2000:215). Excluding South Africa, the number of computers permanently connected to the Internet in Africa exceeded 10,000 early in 1999 (Jensen 2000:215). By January 2000, the total had increased to about 25,000, which means Africa, with an estimated population of 780 million people, has about as many Internet-connected computers (hosts) as Latvia, which only has a population of 2.5 million (Jensen 2000:215). Measuring the actual number of Internet users is difficult, but figures for the number of dial-up accounts supplied by Internet service providers (ISPs) show that Africa has more than 500,000 subscribers (Jensen 2000:215). Each computer with an Internet or e-mail connection supports an average of three users, a recent study by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has found (Jensen 2000:215). This puts current estimates of the number of African Internet users at somewhere around 1.5 million. Most are in South Africa with approximately 1 million (Jensen 2000:215). Apart from the widespread use of Internet for business and entertainment purposes, social networking sites are becoming widely popular in South Africa. Although there has been little academic research on social networking sites in South Africa, there have been a few articles on websites, newspapers, and magazines that have touched on this phenomenon. Social networking sites, particularly Facebook, have become very popular among the adult internet user population, as both business and private applications. BMW South Africa, for example, has a Facebook page where video posts of recent car models and photos of cars are placed. The Facebook page also has a link to the company’s website (www.bmw.co.za) on the profile which takes a user straight to the commercial website. FM Tech (www.fmtech.co.za) is technology industry news and opinion website edited by Duncan McLeod, associate editor at the Financial Mail, South Africa’s top-selling and best-read weekly business, technology and current affairs magazine. McLeod’s article, What SA Internet users searched for in 2008, revealed that “Facebook”, “Cape Town” and “games” are the terms that South African Internet users searched for most often in 2008. Farber (2008) suggests that this is according to the results of US Web search giant Google’s annual “Zeitgeist” survey of the top searches worldwide. Farber also includes the year’s list of fastest-rising search terms which showed an enormous interest in international social networking sites. 1.2 Articles from popular media The following four popular articles describe the nature of social networking sites and its influence on South African users. Article 1: Cathryn Reece (2007) wrote an article entitled Facebook fever grips SA. “Cape Town - South Africans have embraced the internet social networking revolution, with over 50 000 new users signing on to the local Facebook network. The Facebook "South Africa" network currently has over 87 000 members - up from 35 000 in May. When a user registers on the site, they are given a blank profile page which they can update with their personal information and are encouraged to join a network. Members can then search the site for their friends and link up to each other, re-creating their social circle on the internet.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Mbinjama, Adelina
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Online social networks , Social media -- South Africa -- King Williams Town
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8393 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1015 , Online social networks , Social media -- South Africa -- King Williams Town
- Description: According to Jensen (2000:215), though we talk of the growing digital divide between rich and poor countries, Africa has shown encouraging signs that it is rapidly adopting the Internet and making innovative use of the technology. Nevertheless, the continent is still well behind other developing regions of the world in taking advantage of the information and communication revolution. The main reasons for this are the limited and expensive telecommunication infrastructure, small markets, and lack of skills and awareness. At the end of 1996, just 11 of Africa’s 54 countries had local Internet access, but by February 2000 all of the continent’s countries had access in the capital cities (Jensen 2000:215). Excluding South Africa, the number of computers permanently connected to the Internet in Africa exceeded 10,000 early in 1999 (Jensen 2000:215). By January 2000, the total had increased to about 25,000, which means Africa, with an estimated population of 780 million people, has about as many Internet-connected computers (hosts) as Latvia, which only has a population of 2.5 million (Jensen 2000:215). Measuring the actual number of Internet users is difficult, but figures for the number of dial-up accounts supplied by Internet service providers (ISPs) show that Africa has more than 500,000 subscribers (Jensen 2000:215). Each computer with an Internet or e-mail connection supports an average of three users, a recent study by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has found (Jensen 2000:215). This puts current estimates of the number of African Internet users at somewhere around 1.5 million. Most are in South Africa with approximately 1 million (Jensen 2000:215). Apart from the widespread use of Internet for business and entertainment purposes, social networking sites are becoming widely popular in South Africa. Although there has been little academic research on social networking sites in South Africa, there have been a few articles on websites, newspapers, and magazines that have touched on this phenomenon. Social networking sites, particularly Facebook, have become very popular among the adult internet user population, as both business and private applications. BMW South Africa, for example, has a Facebook page where video posts of recent car models and photos of cars are placed. The Facebook page also has a link to the company’s website (www.bmw.co.za) on the profile which takes a user straight to the commercial website. FM Tech (www.fmtech.co.za) is technology industry news and opinion website edited by Duncan McLeod, associate editor at the Financial Mail, South Africa’s top-selling and best-read weekly business, technology and current affairs magazine. McLeod’s article, What SA Internet users searched for in 2008, revealed that “Facebook”, “Cape Town” and “games” are the terms that South African Internet users searched for most often in 2008. Farber (2008) suggests that this is according to the results of US Web search giant Google’s annual “Zeitgeist” survey of the top searches worldwide. Farber also includes the year’s list of fastest-rising search terms which showed an enormous interest in international social networking sites. 1.2 Articles from popular media The following four popular articles describe the nature of social networking sites and its influence on South African users. Article 1: Cathryn Reece (2007) wrote an article entitled Facebook fever grips SA. “Cape Town - South Africans have embraced the internet social networking revolution, with over 50 000 new users signing on to the local Facebook network. The Facebook "South Africa" network currently has over 87 000 members - up from 35 000 in May. When a user registers on the site, they are given a blank profile page which they can update with their personal information and are encouraged to join a network. Members can then search the site for their friends and link up to each other, re-creating their social circle on the internet.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An investigation of teachers' perceptions of their professionalism: a case study of three schools in the Butterworth district, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mpahla, Ntando Elliot
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Teacher effectiveness -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Province
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16163 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/206 , Teacher effectiveness -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Province
- Description: The study investigates teachers’ perceptions of their professionalism and how this professionalism is observed by both teachers and school community. The investigation takes place at three Junior Secondary Schools. In composing the research, the researcher adopted a qualitative and quantitative approach based on an interpretive paradigm. The study is concerned with how teachers view themselves as professional people. Since the extent of teachers’ professionalism is always questioned by the school community, teachers’ professionalism is not guaranteed to be easily accepted and recognised. The findings reveal that teachers in general accept the fact that they face an enormous challenge in performing their duties as they are required to act professionally and ethically at all times. SACE, the education “watchdog” has further strengthened the issue by proclaiming legally enforced ethical standards for teachers in South Africa. The study describes how teachers who joined the teaching profession for different reasons conceptualise teacher professionalism differently from each other but also agreeing on other issues. The findings of this study also show how educational policies, teachers’ conditions of service, personal beliefs and relationships between parents, learners and teachers can influence teacher professionalism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Mpahla, Ntando Elliot
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Teacher effectiveness -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Province
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16163 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/206 , Teacher effectiveness -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Province
- Description: The study investigates teachers’ perceptions of their professionalism and how this professionalism is observed by both teachers and school community. The investigation takes place at three Junior Secondary Schools. In composing the research, the researcher adopted a qualitative and quantitative approach based on an interpretive paradigm. The study is concerned with how teachers view themselves as professional people. Since the extent of teachers’ professionalism is always questioned by the school community, teachers’ professionalism is not guaranteed to be easily accepted and recognised. The findings reveal that teachers in general accept the fact that they face an enormous challenge in performing their duties as they are required to act professionally and ethically at all times. SACE, the education “watchdog” has further strengthened the issue by proclaiming legally enforced ethical standards for teachers in South Africa. The study describes how teachers who joined the teaching profession for different reasons conceptualise teacher professionalism differently from each other but also agreeing on other issues. The findings of this study also show how educational policies, teachers’ conditions of service, personal beliefs and relationships between parents, learners and teachers can influence teacher professionalism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An investigation of the challenges facing grade 10 science learners in sense-making of mechanics problems : a case study
- Authors: Malunguza, Julius
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal -- Case studies Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal -- Case studies Physical sciences -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1647 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003529
- Description: The research study was conducted at Ixopo High School, an English medium, former model-C, co-educational school in Kwazulu-Natal. The research is located within an interpretive paradigm and is informed by the constructivism theoretical framework. The learners and educators who participated in this research study did so voluntarily. The principal objective of this case study was to investigate the challenges faced by 30 Grade 10 Science learners in understanding the problems posed in the mechanics section of the Physics syllabus. This investigation was carried out using two learning strategies: problem solving and practical work. Various authors have noted some sections in the Physics syllabus are often misunderstood by the learners, for different reasons. From the literature and from the author’s personal experience it was found that mechanics is a topic that the learners of different races and age groups find difficult to conceptualise. In general, learners have misconceptions and make errors in Physical Sciences. Often educators view children’s errors and misconceptions in terms of low intelligence, low mathematical aptitude, perceptual difficulties or learning disabilities instead of attempting to discover the real causes of the errors. Educators need to find out why the learners make these mistakes, in order to help them. In most cases Mathematics forms a basic common element in scientific study. Hence, science learners need to be able to deal with numbers, operations, symbols and mathematical formulae. The term “science” embraces a very wide area of subject matter. Different learners will have widely differing interests within the many subdivisions of this field. This presents a problem when preparing learners for the scientific language they will need to study different branches of science. This implies that failure to understand the meaning of words or symbols inevitably impairs communication. The data analysed was collected using a variety of data collection tools. The main data generation tools were science tasks, structured interviews and group interviews and questionnaires. The analysis revealed that learners were lacking in mathematical skills and science register (terminology). Both first and second language English speakers encountered problems in science register but the study found that the problem was more pronounced in the latter. The findings of this study also highlighted that learners understand how to think mathematically when they are resourceful, flexible, and efficient in their dealing with new mathematical problems in mechanics. However, mathematical problem solving performance is built on the foundation of basic mathematical knowledge. The study suggested that even when the challenges of a general understanding of English as the medium of instruction and scientific language (register) are overcome, learners are still challenged by mathematical problem solving strategies; reading and writing of science; making meanings of symbols and signs; graphs and scientific mathematical equations in sense making of mechanics problems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Malunguza, Julius
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal -- Case studies Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal -- Case studies Physical sciences -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1647 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003529
- Description: The research study was conducted at Ixopo High School, an English medium, former model-C, co-educational school in Kwazulu-Natal. The research is located within an interpretive paradigm and is informed by the constructivism theoretical framework. The learners and educators who participated in this research study did so voluntarily. The principal objective of this case study was to investigate the challenges faced by 30 Grade 10 Science learners in understanding the problems posed in the mechanics section of the Physics syllabus. This investigation was carried out using two learning strategies: problem solving and practical work. Various authors have noted some sections in the Physics syllabus are often misunderstood by the learners, for different reasons. From the literature and from the author’s personal experience it was found that mechanics is a topic that the learners of different races and age groups find difficult to conceptualise. In general, learners have misconceptions and make errors in Physical Sciences. Often educators view children’s errors and misconceptions in terms of low intelligence, low mathematical aptitude, perceptual difficulties or learning disabilities instead of attempting to discover the real causes of the errors. Educators need to find out why the learners make these mistakes, in order to help them. In most cases Mathematics forms a basic common element in scientific study. Hence, science learners need to be able to deal with numbers, operations, symbols and mathematical formulae. The term “science” embraces a very wide area of subject matter. Different learners will have widely differing interests within the many subdivisions of this field. This presents a problem when preparing learners for the scientific language they will need to study different branches of science. This implies that failure to understand the meaning of words or symbols inevitably impairs communication. The data analysed was collected using a variety of data collection tools. The main data generation tools were science tasks, structured interviews and group interviews and questionnaires. The analysis revealed that learners were lacking in mathematical skills and science register (terminology). Both first and second language English speakers encountered problems in science register but the study found that the problem was more pronounced in the latter. The findings of this study also highlighted that learners understand how to think mathematically when they are resourceful, flexible, and efficient in their dealing with new mathematical problems in mechanics. However, mathematical problem solving performance is built on the foundation of basic mathematical knowledge. The study suggested that even when the challenges of a general understanding of English as the medium of instruction and scientific language (register) are overcome, learners are still challenged by mathematical problem solving strategies; reading and writing of science; making meanings of symbols and signs; graphs and scientific mathematical equations in sense making of mechanics problems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An investigation of the factors influencing vegetation stress in a part of the Keiskamma catchment, Eastern Cape : a remote sensing and GIS approach
- Haindongo, Priscilla Nauwanga
- Authors: Haindongo, Priscilla Nauwanga
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Plants, Effect of stress on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Vegetation and climate -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Remote sensing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10652 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/975 , Plants, Effect of stress on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Vegetation and climate -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Remote sensing
- Description: Vegetation stress as a form of degradation is a widespread problem in many catchments in the Eastern Cape province. The Keiskamma is one of the catchments where considerable parts of the thicket biome are stressed. This necessitates an assessment of the status of the thicket biome by way of detecting vegetation stress in the area. The underpinnings of vegetation stress are investigated in this study. As a basic method to evaluate the thicket condition, remotely sensed data were acquired. High resolution ASTER imagery for the Keiskamma area at two different dates (2001 and 2005) was used to compute SVI and NDVI as indicators of vegetation stress conditions. A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) was used to derive slope angle and aspect. By way of digitizing from ortho-photo maps, various land-use types were mapped using Arc View GIS. The relationship between land use, terrain, soil erosion and vegetation stress was established. Field based techniques comprising stomatal conductance measurements were used and compared to remotely sensed data. The SVI and NDVI resultant images expressed similarities in areas depicting vegetation stress conditions at both epochs. A strong linear regression between NDVI and stomatal conductance measurements (mmol/m²) serve to confirm that the NDVI is a reliable indicator of vegetation stress condition. Slope angle and aspect were found to have a significant influence on vegetation stress conditions. Similarly variations in soil moisture and soil surface condition have strong implications for vegetation stress. Amongst other land-use types, abandoned lands were found to have the lowest NDVI values implying an association with the worst vegetation stress scenarios. It was concluded that an element of persistent stress conditions exists amongst the thicket vegetation of the Keiskamma catchment. This was mainly due to land use activities in the area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Haindongo, Priscilla Nauwanga
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Plants, Effect of stress on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Vegetation and climate -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Remote sensing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10652 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/975 , Plants, Effect of stress on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Vegetation and climate -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Remote sensing
- Description: Vegetation stress as a form of degradation is a widespread problem in many catchments in the Eastern Cape province. The Keiskamma is one of the catchments where considerable parts of the thicket biome are stressed. This necessitates an assessment of the status of the thicket biome by way of detecting vegetation stress in the area. The underpinnings of vegetation stress are investigated in this study. As a basic method to evaluate the thicket condition, remotely sensed data were acquired. High resolution ASTER imagery for the Keiskamma area at two different dates (2001 and 2005) was used to compute SVI and NDVI as indicators of vegetation stress conditions. A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) was used to derive slope angle and aspect. By way of digitizing from ortho-photo maps, various land-use types were mapped using Arc View GIS. The relationship between land use, terrain, soil erosion and vegetation stress was established. Field based techniques comprising stomatal conductance measurements were used and compared to remotely sensed data. The SVI and NDVI resultant images expressed similarities in areas depicting vegetation stress conditions at both epochs. A strong linear regression between NDVI and stomatal conductance measurements (mmol/m²) serve to confirm that the NDVI is a reliable indicator of vegetation stress condition. Slope angle and aspect were found to have a significant influence on vegetation stress conditions. Similarly variations in soil moisture and soil surface condition have strong implications for vegetation stress. Amongst other land-use types, abandoned lands were found to have the lowest NDVI values implying an association with the worst vegetation stress scenarios. It was concluded that an element of persistent stress conditions exists amongst the thicket vegetation of the Keiskamma catchment. This was mainly due to land use activities in the area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An investigation of the implementation of integrated development planning (IDP) as a mechanism to alleviate poverty in Port Elizabeth in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Befile, Temibsa
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9076 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1268 , Poverty -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: South Africa is characterised by inequitable growth and development, a high degree of poverty, increasing demands and limited resources and the challenge of integration. The need for improved standards of living and access to better infrastructure which are seen as crucial issues in addressing poverty have necessitated the introduction of Integrated Development Planning (IDP). The IDP looks at the economic and social development of the area as a whole. It aims to coordinate the work of the local government in a coherent plan to improve the quality of life for all the people living in an area. In view of the above there is a need for proper planning and implementation of projects, as well as monitoring and assessment of success on the part of local government in order to help to eliminate poverty in the community. In this study I investigated the implementation of IDP as a mechanism to alleviate poverty in Port Elizabeth in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality. Due to the vastness of the problem and the extensive nature of the geographical area of Port Elizabeth, this study focused exclusively on Motherwell and KwaZakhele. For the purposes of this study, a mixed methods research approach was employed. This means that the study followed both the qualitative and quantitative approaches for in-depth understanding and verification. The data collection tools/techniques and instruments used in this study were mainly closed-ended questionnaire and structured interview questions. Data was collected from residents by conducting surveys, making use of questionnaires. Structured interviews were conducted with municipality officials and councillors in order to understand the situation better. The findings of the study revealed that there is a lack of adequate public consultation. It is indicated that people are left in the dark and projects are implemented without proper consultation with the community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Befile, Temibsa
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9076 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1268 , Poverty -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: South Africa is characterised by inequitable growth and development, a high degree of poverty, increasing demands and limited resources and the challenge of integration. The need for improved standards of living and access to better infrastructure which are seen as crucial issues in addressing poverty have necessitated the introduction of Integrated Development Planning (IDP). The IDP looks at the economic and social development of the area as a whole. It aims to coordinate the work of the local government in a coherent plan to improve the quality of life for all the people living in an area. In view of the above there is a need for proper planning and implementation of projects, as well as monitoring and assessment of success on the part of local government in order to help to eliminate poverty in the community. In this study I investigated the implementation of IDP as a mechanism to alleviate poverty in Port Elizabeth in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality. Due to the vastness of the problem and the extensive nature of the geographical area of Port Elizabeth, this study focused exclusively on Motherwell and KwaZakhele. For the purposes of this study, a mixed methods research approach was employed. This means that the study followed both the qualitative and quantitative approaches for in-depth understanding and verification. The data collection tools/techniques and instruments used in this study were mainly closed-ended questionnaire and structured interview questions. Data was collected from residents by conducting surveys, making use of questionnaires. Structured interviews were conducted with municipality officials and councillors in order to understand the situation better. The findings of the study revealed that there is a lack of adequate public consultation. It is indicated that people are left in the dark and projects are implemented without proper consultation with the community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An investigation of the indigenous ways of knowing about wild food plants (imifino): a case study
- Authors: Cimi, Phumlani Viwe
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Wild plants, Edible -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Endemic plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Ethnoscience -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Science -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Curriculum change -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Competency-based education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1652 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003535
- Description: This study was conducted in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. It is a qualitative case study located within the interpretive paradigm and was carried out over a period of a year. The theory implicit in the interpretive paradigm is of human beings as interpreters and constructors of a meaningful world. Thus, the focus of this study was on investigating the benefits of indigenous ways of knowing about wild food plants (imifino) in conjunction with hands-on activity-based lessons. This was done with the view to promote a conceptual understanding of nutrition and conservation in the Natural Sciences. The transformation of the school curriculum in South Africa called Curriculum 2005 (C2005) underpinned by the outcomes-based education (OBE) philosophy also triggered this study. The C2005 and OBE emphasise that learners’ prior everyday knowledge should be taken into account during the teaching and learning processes. The intention of the curriculum is to promote the idea of grounding knowledge in local contexts, while being sensitive to global imperatives. Although the acquisition of western knowledge has been and still is invaluable to all, on its own, it has been incapable of responding adequately to modern society in the face of massive and intensifying disparities, untrammeled exploitation of resources, and rapid depletion of the earth’s natural resources. Essentially, indigenous knowledge systems represent both a heritage and resource that should be protected, promoted, developed and, where appropriate, conserved. It is a resource that should serve the present and succeeding generations as many people’s cultural practices still rely on the use of wild plants. Within this context it should be borne in mind that the overexploitation of natural resources threatens not only biodiversity but also local traditional knowledge systems and ultimately cultural heritage; and research has a role to play in this regard. The research process in this study evolved into two main phases. The initial phase involved mobilising Grade 7 learners’ prior everyday knowledge on wild food plants (imifino). This led to the second phase of the research project, which was aimed at developing concepts through three hands-on activity-based lessons. I invited a community member to give a lesson on what imifino is and how to collect and prepare it, with the belief that the involvement of parents and community members in learners’ education can help bridge the gap between everyday life and school science. It is for these reasons that I believe that the constructive perspective can provide an appropriate methodological framework, conceptual structure and terminology for analysis of teaching and learning activities on the use of wild food plants in this study. The data generation techniques used in this study were questionnaires, observations and interviews (semi structured and focus group). A wide range of data generation techniques were employed to crystallise and validate the data generated using triangulation. The results from the analysed data revealed that consideration of indigenous ways of knowing in conjuction with hands-on practical activities enhanced interaction and learning among the learners. Also, linking of scientific knowledge to learners’ everyday lives was useful in fostering meaning-making and conceptual development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Cimi, Phumlani Viwe
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Wild plants, Edible -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Endemic plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Ethnoscience -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Science -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Curriculum change -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Competency-based education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1652 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003535
- Description: This study was conducted in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. It is a qualitative case study located within the interpretive paradigm and was carried out over a period of a year. The theory implicit in the interpretive paradigm is of human beings as interpreters and constructors of a meaningful world. Thus, the focus of this study was on investigating the benefits of indigenous ways of knowing about wild food plants (imifino) in conjunction with hands-on activity-based lessons. This was done with the view to promote a conceptual understanding of nutrition and conservation in the Natural Sciences. The transformation of the school curriculum in South Africa called Curriculum 2005 (C2005) underpinned by the outcomes-based education (OBE) philosophy also triggered this study. The C2005 and OBE emphasise that learners’ prior everyday knowledge should be taken into account during the teaching and learning processes. The intention of the curriculum is to promote the idea of grounding knowledge in local contexts, while being sensitive to global imperatives. Although the acquisition of western knowledge has been and still is invaluable to all, on its own, it has been incapable of responding adequately to modern society in the face of massive and intensifying disparities, untrammeled exploitation of resources, and rapid depletion of the earth’s natural resources. Essentially, indigenous knowledge systems represent both a heritage and resource that should be protected, promoted, developed and, where appropriate, conserved. It is a resource that should serve the present and succeeding generations as many people’s cultural practices still rely on the use of wild plants. Within this context it should be borne in mind that the overexploitation of natural resources threatens not only biodiversity but also local traditional knowledge systems and ultimately cultural heritage; and research has a role to play in this regard. The research process in this study evolved into two main phases. The initial phase involved mobilising Grade 7 learners’ prior everyday knowledge on wild food plants (imifino). This led to the second phase of the research project, which was aimed at developing concepts through three hands-on activity-based lessons. I invited a community member to give a lesson on what imifino is and how to collect and prepare it, with the belief that the involvement of parents and community members in learners’ education can help bridge the gap between everyday life and school science. It is for these reasons that I believe that the constructive perspective can provide an appropriate methodological framework, conceptual structure and terminology for analysis of teaching and learning activities on the use of wild food plants in this study. The data generation techniques used in this study were questionnaires, observations and interviews (semi structured and focus group). A wide range of data generation techniques were employed to crystallise and validate the data generated using triangulation. The results from the analysed data revealed that consideration of indigenous ways of knowing in conjuction with hands-on practical activities enhanced interaction and learning among the learners. Also, linking of scientific knowledge to learners’ everyday lives was useful in fostering meaning-making and conceptual development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An investigation of the main factors that have an impact on the decision of a foreign business to enter South Africa
- Authors: Chen, Heng
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Business enterprises, Foreign -- South Africa , Investments, Foreign -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Foreign trade regulation -- South Africa , Joint ventures -- South Africa , Export marketing -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9342 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1222 , Business enterprises, Foreign -- South Africa , Investments, Foreign -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Foreign trade regulation -- South Africa , Joint ventures -- South Africa , Export marketing -- Management
- Description: The new South Africa has an amazing economic growth that creates a significant opportunity for international companies to start their businesses in South Africa. For those companies which are interested in the South African market, it is very important for them to understand the factors that influence their entry-mode selection. The objective of this study is to determine the main factors that have an impact on the decision of a foreign business to enter South Africa. To achieve this objective, the researcher used an integrated study method, as follows: {u10007A} A systematic review of the popular entry-modes and the main factors influencing the entry-mode selection, sourced from the relevant literature. In addition, South African business was also introduced. {u10007A} Based on the factors related in the literature, an empirical survey was completed by those foreign companies who had already successfully entered into South Africa, in order to figure out the rank importance of these factors. With an integrated study of literature and empirical research, the rank importance of factors that have an impact on the foreign business entry-mode selection in South Africa is as follows: 1. Firm’s product 2. Control level of entry-mode 3. Ownership of entry 4. Resource commitment of entry-mode 5. Political factor 6. Firm’s objective 7. Technological factors 8. Economic factors 9. Firm’s experience in international marketing 10. Firm’s size 11. Dissemination risk of entry-mode 12. Socio-cultural factors 13. Flexibility of entry-mode Key terms: International market entry-mode South African business environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Chen, Heng
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Business enterprises, Foreign -- South Africa , Investments, Foreign -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Foreign trade regulation -- South Africa , Joint ventures -- South Africa , Export marketing -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9342 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1222 , Business enterprises, Foreign -- South Africa , Investments, Foreign -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Foreign trade regulation -- South Africa , Joint ventures -- South Africa , Export marketing -- Management
- Description: The new South Africa has an amazing economic growth that creates a significant opportunity for international companies to start their businesses in South Africa. For those companies which are interested in the South African market, it is very important for them to understand the factors that influence their entry-mode selection. The objective of this study is to determine the main factors that have an impact on the decision of a foreign business to enter South Africa. To achieve this objective, the researcher used an integrated study method, as follows: {u10007A} A systematic review of the popular entry-modes and the main factors influencing the entry-mode selection, sourced from the relevant literature. In addition, South African business was also introduced. {u10007A} Based on the factors related in the literature, an empirical survey was completed by those foreign companies who had already successfully entered into South Africa, in order to figure out the rank importance of these factors. With an integrated study of literature and empirical research, the rank importance of factors that have an impact on the foreign business entry-mode selection in South Africa is as follows: 1. Firm’s product 2. Control level of entry-mode 3. Ownership of entry 4. Resource commitment of entry-mode 5. Political factor 6. Firm’s objective 7. Technological factors 8. Economic factors 9. Firm’s experience in international marketing 10. Firm’s size 11. Dissemination risk of entry-mode 12. Socio-cultural factors 13. Flexibility of entry-mode Key terms: International market entry-mode South African business environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An investigation of the training experiences of the fourth year student nurses : a case study of the Port Elizabeth nursing campus
- Authors: Smith, Bridget
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Nurses -- In-service training -- South africa , Nurses -- Study and teaching , Universities and colleges -- Employees -- Training of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8227 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/893 , Nurses -- In-service training -- South africa , Nurses -- Study and teaching , Universities and colleges -- Employees -- Training of
- Description: Nursing lecturers are faced with the challenge to adapt their teaching styles and attitudes to accommodate the new nursing student that enters the nursing field. These students have expectations and demands which differ highly from past students. Another challenge for lecturers is the demands of a nursing curriculum. The students that commenced with the four year course during 2005 at the Port Elizabeth Nursing Campus experienced negativity with regards to their training. The objectives of the study are to explore and describe the training experiences of the fourth year student nurses of the Port Elizabeth Nursing Campus and to co-construct guidelines to assist nursing lecturers to gauge the understanding of students during their four years of nursing training. The participants used for the study were all fourth year nursing students. They had positive and negative experiences of their training during the four years. The negative experiences related to the demands of the curriculum, lecturers’ poor subject knowledge and insufficient material resources needed for their studies. Regardless of the negativity experienced, students encountered positivity with regards to lecturers’ attitudes. The researcher focused on a qualitative study using an explorative, descriptive, contextual and phenomenological approach. A semi-structured approach was adopted to obtain data. Once consent was obtained from the relevant authorities, four fourth year nursing students were interviewed. The interviews were conducted by an independent role-player within the Department of Health to ensure an unbiased approach. Guba’s model was used to assess trustworthiness and data was analysed. Ethical considerations were ensured throughout the research process. Themes and sub-themes were identified. Based on the research findings, guidelines were co-constructed to assist nursing lecturers to better understand nursing students during their training. The findings of the study will be brought to the attention of nursing lecturers and management personnel of the campus. It was concluded that nursing students need to be consulted on issues concerning their training and development before implementation, and that they be respected and cared for as students based on their human rights.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Smith, Bridget
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Nurses -- In-service training -- South africa , Nurses -- Study and teaching , Universities and colleges -- Employees -- Training of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8227 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/893 , Nurses -- In-service training -- South africa , Nurses -- Study and teaching , Universities and colleges -- Employees -- Training of
- Description: Nursing lecturers are faced with the challenge to adapt their teaching styles and attitudes to accommodate the new nursing student that enters the nursing field. These students have expectations and demands which differ highly from past students. Another challenge for lecturers is the demands of a nursing curriculum. The students that commenced with the four year course during 2005 at the Port Elizabeth Nursing Campus experienced negativity with regards to their training. The objectives of the study are to explore and describe the training experiences of the fourth year student nurses of the Port Elizabeth Nursing Campus and to co-construct guidelines to assist nursing lecturers to gauge the understanding of students during their four years of nursing training. The participants used for the study were all fourth year nursing students. They had positive and negative experiences of their training during the four years. The negative experiences related to the demands of the curriculum, lecturers’ poor subject knowledge and insufficient material resources needed for their studies. Regardless of the negativity experienced, students encountered positivity with regards to lecturers’ attitudes. The researcher focused on a qualitative study using an explorative, descriptive, contextual and phenomenological approach. A semi-structured approach was adopted to obtain data. Once consent was obtained from the relevant authorities, four fourth year nursing students were interviewed. The interviews were conducted by an independent role-player within the Department of Health to ensure an unbiased approach. Guba’s model was used to assess trustworthiness and data was analysed. Ethical considerations were ensured throughout the research process. Themes and sub-themes were identified. Based on the research findings, guidelines were co-constructed to assist nursing lecturers to better understand nursing students during their training. The findings of the study will be brought to the attention of nursing lecturers and management personnel of the campus. It was concluded that nursing students need to be consulted on issues concerning their training and development before implementation, and that they be respected and cared for as students based on their human rights.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An optimal skills development planning and implementation process flow model for local government
- Authors: Dowd-Krause, Amanda
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Employees -- Training of -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Skilled labor -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Skilled labor -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Local government -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8668 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1211 , Employees -- Training of -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Skilled labor -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Skilled labor -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Local government -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Description: The purpose of this study was to develop an optimal skills development planning and implementation process flow model for application within local government authorities, more specifically for application within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. To achieve this, a literature review was conducted which provided for an understanding on how skills development structures and strategies have changed in recent times and how the laws which provide the framework and landscape for skills development in South Africa, have been adapted to accommodate these changes. The literature review continued with an analysis of various theoretical training and skills development models in order to determine an optimal systematic approach to training and development in South Africa, and to determine the sequential flow of skills planning and implementation process flow steps. From the literature and theoretical models, an all-embracing skills development planning and implementation process flow model was developed for implementation in local government authorities. This model was used as the basis for the development of a survey questionnaire to establish to what extent metropolitan municipalities, agreed or disagreed, that it implemented the aspects of the proposed model developed in this study. Structured interviews were conducted using the survey questionnaire. The results obtained were used to adapt the theoretical model, and to align it with the viewpoints of the majority of the respondents. Although various facets of skills development were found to be implemented across metropolitan municipalities, the majority of the municipalities did not apply optimal skills planning, nor did they apply optimal sequential process steps to ensure effective and efficient skills development. iv The empirical study established without a doubt that a dire need exists for an optimal skills development planning and implementation process flow model within local government authorities. Based on the analysis and interpretation of the research findings, the model proposed for local government authorities was customised to produce a process flow model to facilitate optimal skills development planning and implementation within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Dowd-Krause, Amanda
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Employees -- Training of -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Skilled labor -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Skilled labor -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Local government -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8668 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1211 , Employees -- Training of -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Skilled labor -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Skilled labor -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Local government -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Description: The purpose of this study was to develop an optimal skills development planning and implementation process flow model for application within local government authorities, more specifically for application within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. To achieve this, a literature review was conducted which provided for an understanding on how skills development structures and strategies have changed in recent times and how the laws which provide the framework and landscape for skills development in South Africa, have been adapted to accommodate these changes. The literature review continued with an analysis of various theoretical training and skills development models in order to determine an optimal systematic approach to training and development in South Africa, and to determine the sequential flow of skills planning and implementation process flow steps. From the literature and theoretical models, an all-embracing skills development planning and implementation process flow model was developed for implementation in local government authorities. This model was used as the basis for the development of a survey questionnaire to establish to what extent metropolitan municipalities, agreed or disagreed, that it implemented the aspects of the proposed model developed in this study. Structured interviews were conducted using the survey questionnaire. The results obtained were used to adapt the theoretical model, and to align it with the viewpoints of the majority of the respondents. Although various facets of skills development were found to be implemented across metropolitan municipalities, the majority of the municipalities did not apply optimal skills planning, nor did they apply optimal sequential process steps to ensure effective and efficient skills development. iv The empirical study established without a doubt that a dire need exists for an optimal skills development planning and implementation process flow model within local government authorities. Based on the analysis and interpretation of the research findings, the model proposed for local government authorities was customised to produce a process flow model to facilitate optimal skills development planning and implementation within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Analytic pricing of American put options
- Authors: Glover, Elistan Nicholas
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Options (Finance) -- Prices -- Mathematical models , Derivative securities -- Prices -- Mathematical models , Finance -- Mathematical models , Martingales (Mathematics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5566 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002804 , Options (Finance) -- Prices -- Mathematical models , Derivative securities -- Prices -- Mathematical models , Finance -- Mathematical models , Martingales (Mathematics)
- Description: American options are the most commonly traded financial derivatives in the market. Pricing these options fairly, so as to avoid arbitrage, is of paramount importance. Closed form solutions for American put options cannot be utilised in practice and so numerical techniques are employed. This thesis looks at the work done by other researchers to find an analytic solution to the American put option pricing problem and suggests a practical method, that uses Monte Carlo simulation, to approximate the American put option price. The theory behind option pricing is first discussed using a discrete model. Once the concepts of arbitrage-free pricing and hedging have been dealt with, this model is extended to a continuous-time setting. Martingale theory is introduced to put the option pricing theory in a more formal framework. The construction of a hedging portfolio is discussed in detail and it is shown how financial derivatives are priced according to a unique riskneutral probability measure. Black-Scholes model is discussed and utilised to find closed form solutions to European style options. American options are discussed in detail and it is shown that under certain conditions, American style options can be solved according to closed form solutions. Various numerical techniques are presented to approximate the true American put option price. Chief among these methods is the Richardson extrapolation on a sequence of Bermudan options method that was developed by Geske and Johnson. This model is extended to a Repeated-Richardson extrapolation technique. Finally, a Monte Carlo simulation is used to approximate Bermudan put options. These values are then extrapolated to approximate the price of an American put option. The use of extrapolation techniques was hampered by the presence of non-uniform convergence of the Bermudan put option sequence. When convergence was uniform, the approximations were accurate up to a few cents difference.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Glover, Elistan Nicholas
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Options (Finance) -- Prices -- Mathematical models , Derivative securities -- Prices -- Mathematical models , Finance -- Mathematical models , Martingales (Mathematics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5566 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002804 , Options (Finance) -- Prices -- Mathematical models , Derivative securities -- Prices -- Mathematical models , Finance -- Mathematical models , Martingales (Mathematics)
- Description: American options are the most commonly traded financial derivatives in the market. Pricing these options fairly, so as to avoid arbitrage, is of paramount importance. Closed form solutions for American put options cannot be utilised in practice and so numerical techniques are employed. This thesis looks at the work done by other researchers to find an analytic solution to the American put option pricing problem and suggests a practical method, that uses Monte Carlo simulation, to approximate the American put option price. The theory behind option pricing is first discussed using a discrete model. Once the concepts of arbitrage-free pricing and hedging have been dealt with, this model is extended to a continuous-time setting. Martingale theory is introduced to put the option pricing theory in a more formal framework. The construction of a hedging portfolio is discussed in detail and it is shown how financial derivatives are priced according to a unique riskneutral probability measure. Black-Scholes model is discussed and utilised to find closed form solutions to European style options. American options are discussed in detail and it is shown that under certain conditions, American style options can be solved according to closed form solutions. Various numerical techniques are presented to approximate the true American put option price. Chief among these methods is the Richardson extrapolation on a sequence of Bermudan options method that was developed by Geske and Johnson. This model is extended to a Repeated-Richardson extrapolation technique. Finally, a Monte Carlo simulation is used to approximate Bermudan put options. These values are then extrapolated to approximate the price of an American put option. The use of extrapolation techniques was hampered by the presence of non-uniform convergence of the Bermudan put option sequence. When convergence was uniform, the approximations were accurate up to a few cents difference.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Analyzing, digitizing and technologizing the oral word: the case of Bongani Sitole
- Kaschula, Russell H, Mostert, André
- Authors: Kaschula, Russell H , Mostert, André
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Sitole, Bongani, 1937- , Xhosa (African people) -- South Africa , Xhosa poetry , Folk poetry, Xhosa
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59368 , vital:27566 , https://doi.org/10.1080/13696810903259384
- Description: This article analyzes the oral poetry, izibongo, produced by Xhosa oral poet Bongani Sitole (both in book and technological form). It will trace this poetry from the moment it was orally produced, through to the technologizing and publication of this poetry in book form and on a website. The initial part of this article looks at the life and work of the poet. A contextual analysis of selected poetry is provided. The latter part of the article concentrates on issues related to technology and its relationship to the oral and written word. The term ‘technauriture’ has been coined in order to refer to this process. The contribution of eLearning4Africa (www.elearning4africa.com) to the digitization process of Sitole’s poetry is acknowledged.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Kaschula, Russell H , Mostert, André
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Sitole, Bongani, 1937- , Xhosa (African people) -- South Africa , Xhosa poetry , Folk poetry, Xhosa
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59368 , vital:27566 , https://doi.org/10.1080/13696810903259384
- Description: This article analyzes the oral poetry, izibongo, produced by Xhosa oral poet Bongani Sitole (both in book and technological form). It will trace this poetry from the moment it was orally produced, through to the technologizing and publication of this poetry in book form and on a website. The initial part of this article looks at the life and work of the poet. A contextual analysis of selected poetry is provided. The latter part of the article concentrates on issues related to technology and its relationship to the oral and written word. The term ‘technauriture’ has been coined in order to refer to this process. The contribution of eLearning4Africa (www.elearning4africa.com) to the digitization process of Sitole’s poetry is acknowledged.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Antiretroviral therapy in a South African public health care setting – facilitating and constraining factors
- Ruud, K W, Srinivas, Sunitha C, Toverud, E-L
- Authors: Ruud, K W , Srinivas, Sunitha C , Toverud, E-L
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:6453 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006831
- Description: The objective of the study was to identify and document facilitating and constraining factors in the antiretroviral therapy (ART) programme in a public health care setting in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Observations for the study were carried out in a district hospital and two down-referral clinics in Makana Local Services Area in the Eastern Cape Province. Two discussion groups with key stakeholders were conducted to gather information about opinions and experiences among the health care providers (HCPs). It was found that the operating ART programme in this setting has been integrated in the existing down-referral health care system, based on follow-up in primary health care (PHC) clinics. Treatment is provided free of charge. The treatment programme provides the patients with access to counselling, nutritional assistance, psychosocial support and social welfare evaluation. However, increasing patient numbers and lack of human resources leads to a heavy workload for the HCPs involved with the ART programme. The need for additional, educated health workers is a major constraint for progress in provision of health care to patients who have accepted their HIV status, and are enrolled, or waiting to be enrolled, on the ART. However, delegation of work tasks among available HCPs and good communication between HCPs in the different clinics is a facilitating factor that ensures efficient use of the human resources available. Conclusion: Taking into account the challenges in a resource-constrained setting, this programme shows potential for functioning well as a provider of ART for those who are able and willing to access it. Considering an already heavy workload for HCPs, limitations and challenges still exist in reaching out with adequate treatment to a greater number of people who need ART.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Ruud, K W , Srinivas, Sunitha C , Toverud, E-L
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:6453 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006831
- Description: The objective of the study was to identify and document facilitating and constraining factors in the antiretroviral therapy (ART) programme in a public health care setting in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Observations for the study were carried out in a district hospital and two down-referral clinics in Makana Local Services Area in the Eastern Cape Province. Two discussion groups with key stakeholders were conducted to gather information about opinions and experiences among the health care providers (HCPs). It was found that the operating ART programme in this setting has been integrated in the existing down-referral health care system, based on follow-up in primary health care (PHC) clinics. Treatment is provided free of charge. The treatment programme provides the patients with access to counselling, nutritional assistance, psychosocial support and social welfare evaluation. However, increasing patient numbers and lack of human resources leads to a heavy workload for the HCPs involved with the ART programme. The need for additional, educated health workers is a major constraint for progress in provision of health care to patients who have accepted their HIV status, and are enrolled, or waiting to be enrolled, on the ART. However, delegation of work tasks among available HCPs and good communication between HCPs in the different clinics is a facilitating factor that ensures efficient use of the human resources available. Conclusion: Taking into account the challenges in a resource-constrained setting, this programme shows potential for functioning well as a provider of ART for those who are able and willing to access it. Considering an already heavy workload for HCPs, limitations and challenges still exist in reaching out with adequate treatment to a greater number of people who need ART.
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- Date Issued: 2009