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Assessing teaching capacity of novice teachers through mentoring in primary schools.

  • Authors: Mthi,Tanduxolo Nicholas
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Mentoring in education Teachers -- In-service training
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16566 , vital:40732
  • Description: The quality of teacher education seems to have become a crucial point of debate worldwide. However, teaching seems to be one of the careers without a recognised apprenticeship. Therefore, mentoring has been seen as an appropriate way for experienced teachers to guide, assist, coach and motivate teachers in their teaching capacity. Teaching capacity is described as having a broad content which can be related to quality teaching, teacher effectiveness and teacher behaviour in the classroom or in the school. The lens with which the study was viewed was through Lave and Wenger’s (1998) theory, Community of Practice (CoP). Community of Practice is defined as a process of social learning that occurs when people who have a common interest in a subject or area collaborate over an extended period of time, sharing ideas and strategies, determining solutions and building innovations. The study used mixed methods and concurrent triangulation design in sampling 60 participants for quantitative data and 6 participants for qualitative data. The unit of analysis were novice teachers who were randomly and purposively selected. Data gathering methods included questionnaires, classroom observations and document analysis. The focus was on the primary schools, Foundation Phase (FP) novice teachers. The findings revealed utilisation of different mentoring approaches such as one on one; Foundation Phase Team and school- based mentoring. Although the study reveals that the work of the mentor teachers and novice teachers has evolved to include Learning Teams to improve the teaching capacity of teachers; some mentoring approaches were less effective. The study suggests, therefore, that schoolbased and district-based mentoring programmes to be formally organised as part of developing novice teachers’ teaching capacity.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Community engagement principles for implementation of information technology for development by higher education institutions in South Africa

  • Authors: Nkombachoto, Jacquiline
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Information technology Telecommunication Community development
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13171 , vital:39471
  • Description: Community engagement in South Africa is now recognised as an integral part of Higher Education Institutions’ (HEIs) educational system. The South African Council on Higher Education requires HEIs to become equitable institutions of higher learning, whereby the activities of the HEI are mutually beneficial for both learners and their communities. This entails that, community engagement activities undertaken by HEIs should be reciprocal in nature. The HEIs should help solve issues affecting their communities, whilst also gaining knowledge through experiential learning. One such way is through undertaking Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) projects in communities outside the physical boundaries of the HEI. Over the years, HEIs in South Africa have been involved in undertaking ICT4D projects aimed at benefiting their communities. This is because ICTs have the potential to improve and contribute to the development of individuals, businesses, and communities in various ways, be it socially or economically. However, the ICT4D projects have failed or partially succeeded to attain their goals. This study, thus proposes a model for HEI researchers for the successful implementation of ICT4D projects through application of community engagement principles. The proposed model was formulated using the case study approach. Four cases of ICT4D projects were used as sample to help identify factors required for the successful implementation of ICT4D projects by HEIs. Data was collected using semi structured interviews, observations and literature. The data was then analysed using cross case analysis in the form of themes. The findings were that operational community engagement policies, understanding user needs, creation of long term partnerships, synchronisation of timelines and monitoring and evaluation are vital for the successful implementation of ICT4D projects by HEI researchers in the communities.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Surgical counting practices of registered nurses in private operating rooms in the Eastern Cape region

  • Authors: Lines, Ina-Mari Adele'
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Surgical instruments and apparatus -- Safety measures Operating room nursing
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45377 , vital:38603
  • Description: The study aim was to explore and describe surgical counting practices of registered nurses in private operating rooms in the Eastern Cape region. A quantitative, explorative, descriptive, and contextual research design was implemented to reach the objective of the study. The research population consisted of 84 registered nurses working in six different private Hospitals. All-inclusive sampling was used. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Face and content validity of the questionnaire were ensured by making use of a statistician and an expert in the field. The collected data was analysed by making use of a statistician and Statistical version 12. The research results indicated that registered nurses who work in private hospitals in the Eastern Cape region generally abide by the recommended practice guidelines of WHO. The results were documented and presented by means of graphs and tables. Recommendations were made at the end of the study.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

The promotion of local economic development in the Chris Hani District Municipality

  • Authors: Nqwazi, Noxolo Lindiwe
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19773 , vital:28962
  • Description: Despite the commitment by government to reduce poverty after 1994, poverty is still increasing in rural areas such as the Chris Hani District. This is because development practitioners have not yet developed strategies based on the needs of the communities in order for development to succeed. Local government has to support initiatives by local communities that are economically viable by providing an enabling plan, finance, expertise and infrastructure. It is important that local activities stimulate local economies through local economic development (LED). The Integrated Development Plan (IDP) is a strategic planning document that places emphasis on LED as a key element in reducing poverty. The primary objective of the study was to obtain a better understanding of how the Chris Hani District seeks to reduce poverty. The aim is to improve the quality of life for communities in the district. LED is perceived as an appropriate intervention that local governments can engage in to improve socio-economic condition. The history of LED has shown that countries that did not provide services in their municipalities failed to succeed in LED compared to those with adequate service delivery. The study was based on research objectives. The first objective was to identify the constraints to local economic development in the district; the second was to ascertain what can be done to alleviate the plight of the Chris Hani district municipalities. The third objective was to ascertain was has been done to promote local economic development in the Chris Hani district. The main finding of the first objective is that there are structural constraints to LED. These constraints such as inadequate and unaffordable basic services hinder the economic development of local communities. Therefore, government has to invest in infrastructure that uses more labour to create job opportunities. In terms of the second objective the main finding is that community development can assist in alleviating the plight of the Chris Hani district municipalities. Empowerment of communities involves skills and training, education and access to basic services, expertise regarding credit, land and income-generating projects. The main finding in terms of the third objective is that the district has spheres of economic development such as community and locality development, Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and livelihoods development (agricultural development). This is not unique to the Chris Hani district. In the developing world, focus is mainly on small-scale and community based initiatives, utilizing indigenous skills and seeking primarily to ensure survival.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An investigation into instability in post- Gaddafi Libya, Mali and Nigeria: a comparative theoretical approach

  • Authors: Chindoga, Melody
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Terrorism Insurgency Terrorism -- Government policy
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sci
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2667 , vital:27982
  • Description: Since the ousting of Gaddafi from power in 2011, Libya, Mali and Nigeria have experienced high levels of instability. An investigation into the causes of instability is employed in the study to gain insights into the major cause of conflict in post-Gaddafi Libya, Mali and Nigeria. The study considered instability as a consequence of a combination of existing exogenous and endogenous factors which were examined according to various theoretical lenses. A comparative theoretical analysis was used so as to interpret and analyse data. The analysis was subjected to theoretical scrutiny according to four mainstream International Relations theories namely; realism, critical theory, constructivism and the “clash of civilizations” hypothesis, in order to determine whether they could effectively explain post-Gaddafi violence and instability. The research findings revealed that the distinction between internal and external variables is artificial and the various causes cannot be exclusively differentiated from one other. The research also identified constructivism as the best possible explanation of instability in the particular context under investigation, through its recognition of the significance of normative as well as material elements, and the emphasis placed on the role of identity and ideas in shaping political actions.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

An investigation into the interaction effects of simultaneous physical and cognitive task execution on performance, perceptual and physical responses

  • Authors: Ross, Natalie
  • Date: 2016
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3562 , vital:20525
  • Description: Many modern day work environments require some degree of dual tasking, particularly the simultaneous performance of cognitive jobs alongside physical activity. The nature of such tasks is often job dependent and may require cognitive functions such as perception, decision making, memory, or response selection/execution in conjunction to task specific physical requirements. Previous research has indicated a possible relationship between concurrent physical and cognitive demands and task performance, safety and efficiency. However, this research is limited and inconsistent. The current study aimed to identify the interaction, if any, between concurrent physical and mental demands, and determine the impact of sensory modality and stage of information processing on this interaction, with specific focus on the performance, perceptual and physical responses during different types of cognitive tasks performed concurrently with a lifting task. 20 (10 male, 10 female) Rhodes University students participated in this study. Each participant performed 9 test conditions - a physical lifting task, a visual and an auditory memory task, and a visual and an auditory decision making task in isolation, as well as the lifting task concurrently with each of these cognitive tasks. Performance was recorded via accuracy and work output of cognitive tasks and the number of lifts for each condition. Perceptual measures were obtained via the Borg RPE and Subjective Workload Assessment Technique. Spinal kinematics were measured using the Lumbar Motion Monitor, while muscle activity of the Erector Spinae, Rectus Abdominis, Rectus Femoris and Biceps Femoris muscles were recorded using the Biometrix Data Logger surface EMG equipment. Mean results were analysed using a dependent T-test to observe any general interaction, and a Two-way ANOVA for the impact of sensory modality and stage of processing. Individual responses were also considered to gain better understanding of both intra and inter-human variability under the various test conditions. Results showed a significant decrease in cognitive performance, increased perception of physical effort, time pressure, mental effort and psychological stress under simultaneous physical and mental demands, while no significant differences in physical responses were observed. Further observations included increased dual-task interference during visual and decision-making tasks when combined with physical demands compared to that of auditory and memory tasks respectively. Individual responses showed large variability between individuals indicating the presence of positive, negative and non-responders to concurrent physical and mental demands. Results therefore imply an individual specific interaction between concurrent physical and mental demands that may or may not be detrimental to worker productivity, job error, injury rates and worker well-being, and that the type of cognitive task performed may impact this interaction.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

Landscapes of division: social movements and the politics of urban and rural space in the Grahamstown region of the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: O’Halloran, Paddy
  • Date: 2016
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3950 , vital:20572
  • Description: This thesis investigates the politics of two grassroots social movements, the Unemployed People’s Movement (UPM), based in Grahamstown, and the Rural People’s Movement (RPM), based in the rural areas near Peddie, forty miles east. Observing that urban and rural are political designations, the primary question of this thesis is: Do the politics of these social movements challenge the conception of urban and rural as discrete political spaces? To some extent, it responds to and complicates Mamdani’s theory of a bifurcated state in post-apartheid South Africa in which urban zones are the site of civil society and rural zones the site of traditional authorities, and only the former a democratised space (1996). Three themes—race, space, and citizenship—are employed and interrogated in the process of answering the principal question. Broadly historical in nature, and understanding the present political context to be a product of historical processes, the thesis begins with an historical study of the Grahamstown region from the time of the town’s founding in 1812 until the end of apartheid in 1994, keeping the three key themes in focus. Then the politics of UPM and RPM are explored through a series of interviews aimed at understanding the context and experience of movement members and seeking their insight into the question of urban and rural space. Their responses are presented as a dialogue employing a theoretical strategy from Aguilar (2014) that distinguishes between and provides a framework to measure the ‘practical scope’ and the ‘interior horizon’ of movements. The thesis concludes with a discussion of important themes arising in the interviews: citizenship, NGOs, and political parties, and, of course, space. The backdrop to this concluding discussion is the xenophobic violence which occurred in Grahamstown in October 2015, helping situate the research and themes within the broader context of South African politics.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The design of offices for the Amathole district council in Stutterheim, Province of the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Njoba, Athenkosi Sinoxolo
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Office buildings -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Designs and plans Business parks -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Designs and plans , Municipal buildings -- Designs and plans
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18896 , vital:28747
  • Description: South Africa is 20 years into democracy and it prides itself in the 1994 democratic elections. This document briefly looks into the era of the democratic governance and its impact on the less developing settlements in the Amathole and Amahlathi districts. The meanings and concepts of democratic governance are explored. Consequently, the findings convey that not everyone in South Africa and Eastern Cape are able to practice their right of accessing information or voicing their opinion concerning government in a formal platform. This contradicts the core values to democracy which imply a people centered approach where people lead the country (themselves) through the governing authorities. The frequent protests against service delivery are a clear indication that there is a break down in the communication between government and South African citizens. Material from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) revealed that overpopulation, unemployment, poor education and lack of service delivery are the primary issues that hinder the progress of the region with reference to service delivery. Thus the primary objective of this research is to find ways to rehabilitate communication breakdown by creating a medium of clear dialogue between the government and its people. The architectural aim of this research is to design a district municipality that will be a connector of other municipalities, towns, settlements and precincts. The building aims to be a catalyst for development in the district that celebrates the heritage of the region. The project aims to communicate its fundamental concepts in the expression of the design, for example the permeability of the building will promote transparency, accessibility and integration with the community. In this way, democracy and its core principal of governing with the people will be done with less spatial hindrances.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

Determination and validation of medicinal plants used by farmers to control internal and external parasites in goats in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  • Authors: Sanhokwe, Marcia
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Goats -- Parasites -- Control
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2249 , vital:27718
  • Description: The broad objective of the study was to determine and validate medicinal plants used by resource-limited farmers to control internal and external parasites in goats in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A survey was conducted among 50 farmers and three herbalists to determine medicinal plants used to control parasites in goats. The survey revealed nine plant species belonging to eight families that were used. Among the identified plant species, Aloe ferox, Acokanthera oppositifolia and Elephantorrhiza elephantina were the plants having the highest Fidelity Level for their use, each scored 100.00 percent, followed by Albuca setosa (83.33 percent). These plants were then selected for validation studies. Gas-Chromatography-Mass-Spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed 7, 33, 26 and 32 bioactive phytochemicals in A. ferox, E. elephantina, A. oppositifolia and A. setosa, respectively. Terpenes and fatty acids were present, oxygenated terpenes being the most abundant hydrocarbons present in all the four plant species. The effect of acetone, methanol and ethanol extracts of leaves of Aloe ferox and Acokanthera oppositifolia on tick repellency and acaricidal activity were investigated on blood engorged Ambylomma hebraeum and Rhipicephalus decoloratus ticks at concentration 15, 30 and 50 percent. The 30 and 50 percent acetone extract of A. ferox and Dazzel dip had the highest acaricidal properties of 100 percent. The 50 percent methanol extract of A. oppositifolia and 50 percent acetone extract of A. ferox had the highest repellency activity of 89 percent and 85.33 percent, respectively. Results from this study revealed that the efficacy of medicinal plants used by farmers to control ticks vary with the type of solvent used for extracting the bioactive compounds. Furthermore, it revealed that Aloe ferox and A. opppositifolia plant extracts possess repellent and acaricidal activities. In a study to investigate the anthelminthic effect of crude extracts of Elephantorrhiza elephantina and Albuca setosa plants, significant anthelminthic effect on nematodes was observed in both plants. In this study, all E. elephantina and A. setosa extracts caused paralysis and mortality. Methanol was the most effective solvent in extracting bioactive compounds and methanol extract showed the best anthelminthic effects among the crude extracts investigated in both plants. The least time taken for the worms to be paralysed was 8.33 mins and 14.33mins in 100mg/ml methanol extracts of E. elephantina and A. setosa, resepectively. Methanol extract of E. elephantina and A. setosa (100mg/ml) had the highest anthelminthic activity and mortality was recorded after 18mins and 20mins, respectively. Results from this study revealed that these two plants possess anthelminthic activities. The study revealed that resource-limited farmers use medicinal plants to control internal and external parasites in goats. Gas-Chromatography-Mass-Spectrometry analysis showed that these plants contain bioactive compounds that have a potential in controlling parasites. Validation studies showed that A. ferox and A. oppositifolia possess repellent and acaricidal activities whereas A. setosa and E. elephantina possess anthelminthic activities.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

Female identity in the post-millennial Nigerian novel: a study of Adichie, Atta, and Unigwe

  • Authors: Wambui, Mary Theru
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi, 1977- -- Criticism and interpretation , Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi, 1977-. Purple hibiscus , Atta, Sefi -- Criticism and interpretation , Atta, Sefi -- Everything good will come , Unigwe, Chika. Criticism and interpretation , Unigwe, Chika. Fata Morgana -- English , Nigerian fiction -- History and criticism , Women -- Identity , Women in literature , Feminism in literature
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:2330 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020013
  • Description: This thesis project examines the work of three female Nigerian authors: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Sefi Atta and Chika Unigwe. They are part of a growing number of young African writers who are receiving international acclaim and challenging narratives that have long defined the continent in pejorative terms. They question what it means to be female and African in a transcultural, global world but counter discourses that are both restrictive and prescriptive. Their female characters are not imaged in binary terms as either victims or villains. For all three writers, the African story has to be told in its entirety incorporating what some may argue are negative stereotypes but doing so in a manner that examines and undermines those same stereotypes. For the purposes of the thesis, I focus on their first novels: Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus, Atta’s Everything Good Will Come and Unigwe’s On Black Sisters’ Street. Chapter One examines Purple Hibiscus and argues that the novel is much more than a coming of age story or, as some critics have posited, an allegory of the postcolonial state. Chapter Two highlights Atta’s use of fairly familiar feminist theories but grounds them in the lived realities of the African city. All three authors are concerned with issues of violence and death. Unigwe’s novel, which forms the focus of Chapter Three, offers a critical perspective on how both of those themes intersect with the increasing commercialisation of global culture. Her characters are female sex workers whose lives are irrevocably altered by the murder of one of their colleagues. I conclude by arguing that the three novels offer a nuanced if not necessarily new understanding of the various social, economic and political forces that continue to shape the lives of women on the continent.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

Understanding how students' relationships with their cellphones inform their experience of social participation online and offline

  • Authors: Oosthuizen, Jess
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Cell phones -- South Africa -- Psychological aspects , Social participation , Cell phones -- South Africa -- Social aspects , College students -- South Africa , Social media addiction
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:3264 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017887
  • Description: The pervasive presence of cellphones in the lives of urban young people around the globe has led to widespread research to evaluate the impact that this device has on young people’s overall psychosocial development. This relationship is often characterised as “addictive”. This research study presents a unique South African youth perspective in a field of research that is predominantly conducted in the United States, Europe and Asia. It explores the relationship that students (ages 18–21) at Rhodes University have with their cellphones in order to understand how this device informs their experience of social participation online and offline. Central to the design of this study is a “social media detox” which involved the research participants volunteering to restrict their social media and cellphone use for an agreed-upon period of time. The study employs interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to uncover key themes from in-depth interviews before and after the detox. Eight respondents were interviewed twice; once before and once after their detox. This study provides insights into the integral role of a cellphone as reported from a young adult’s perspective. Communicating on social media platforms using a cellphone has become normalised among this age-group and the respondents described how the cellphone feels like “a part of you”. Unlike interacting face-to-face which is potentially awkward and involves effort, socialising on a cellphone offers the respondents a sense of companionship, control and instant access to their peer groups. The respondents in this study seemed unaware of their own agency in social situations until their participation in the social media detox. By participating in this study, the participants became more aware of how their cellphone use influences social behaviour, both online and offline. The study proposes that the term “addiction” undermines the positive association young people have with their cellphones. Instead, this study suggests that “social fitness” would be a more relevant construct through which to encourage and support young people to exercise agency in their social lives. This exploratory study raises new questions for researchers, programme developers and educators to take up in future studies and programme development
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  • Date Issued: 2015

Implementation of performance management development system in the Provincial Treasury, Province of the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Maseti, Kayakazi Bongiwe
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Eastern Cape (South Africa) -- Provincial Treasury , Performance -- Management , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Organizational effectiveness
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:8335 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020584
  • Description: A number of organisations are continuously searching for methods which can be used to improve performance. One such method entails implementing a performance management programme. However, despite a growing body of research that supports the positive impact that effective performance management can have on an organisation’s performance, evidence suggests that organisations in South Africa and elsewhere are not implementing the practices that are recommended by the theory of best practice in Human Resources and performance management (Kock, Roodt & Veldsman, 2002:83). The institutionalisation of performance management in the South African public service after 1994 came as a result of the need to change the legacy of poor performance of the public service (Malefane, 2010:1). This study seeks to examine the effectiveness of the implementation of performance management in the Provincial Treasury, Province of the Eastern Cape (Provincial Treasury). Literature reveals that there is consensus on the view that performance management is a tool that contributes to the effective management of employees in order to yield high organisational performance. Armstrong and Baron (2005 :vii) contend that if performance levels of individuals are raised, better organisational performance levels will follow. According to Dessler, (1997:372) performance management is a systematic approach to managing people, goals, measurement, feedback, and recognition as a way of motivating employees to achieve their full potential in line with the organisation’s objectives. In the South African context, performance management is described in terms of its role and outcome with regard to employee development; hence it is widely referred to by public sector employees as a Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) (Malefane, 2010:7). The Annual Performance Plan (APP) of the Office of the Premier (OTP APP, 2010/11:5) insists that the Eastern Cape Provincial Administration is still plagued with inter alia, a work ethic that is less desirable, weak human capital management culture, poor compliance with policies, lack of accountability and discipline as well as capacity challenges in critical areas which include planning, financial management, monitoring and reporting as well as systematic performance and an inability to respond to identified service delivery challenges. Public sector reforms have been adopted in this province in an attempt to improve performance in order to meet service delivery initiatives. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 30 participants of the Provincial Treasury (employees between salary levels 6 and 8 as well as managers from salary levels 9-13). A qualitative approach was preferred in this study to enhance objectivity which would have vanished if quantitative or experimental strategies were employed. The empirical findings revealed that the employees and the management of this Department perceive that there is no clearly defined purpose of performance management. There is also a feeling that performance management is not useful in identifying under-performers and ineffective in raising the performance of employees. Consequently, it is unable to assist the subordinates to grow. Others felt that performance management is not a developmental tool. It also emerged from the empirical findings of this study that the current rating system does not serve its intended purpose and therefore it should be replaced. Recommendations and suggestions are adopted in this study to address these perceptions.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

Understanding how trainee teachers engage with prior everyday knowledge and experience associated with biological concepts during integrated natural science education 5-7 : a case study

  • Authors: Enghono, Albertina Magano
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Biology teachers -- Training of -- Namibia -- Case studies Teacher educators -- Training of -- Case studies Teachers -- Training of -- Namibia -- Case studies Education -- Namibia -- Case studies Prior learning -- Namibia
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1970 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011972
  • Description: Since the Namibian independence in 1990, the education system has undergone some major revamping which involved the adoption of social constructivist perspectives in the teaching and learning of sciences. This learning theory acknowledges learners’ background prior knowledge as valuable tools in the effective construction of science concepts during lessons. A corollary is that the socio-cultural circumstances of learners might negatively influence the way learners construct new knowledge in the science classroom if they are not taken into consideration. This study was thus prompted by the need to understand how trainee science teachers engage with prior everyday knowledge and experiences, so as to enhance the conceptual development of biological concepts. The study was qualitative and it was underpinned by an interpretive paradigm with some elements of action research. Science trainee teachers at Katima Mulilo, Unam Campus were used as research participants. The techniques used to gather data included document analysis, brainstorming, observation, audio-visual, microteaching and semi-structured interviews. The results of this study showed that the changes that occurred during microteaching practices of the four trainee teachers involved in the study reflected their professional development in this approach. However, it emerged that prior everyday knowledge can be both a barrier and enabler to the construction of meaningful teaching and learning; hence its oversight may lead to instructional failures. The findings also indicated that selected platforms are essential to enable trainee teachers to incorporate prior everyday knowledge and experiences into the teaching of Western science. However, larger scale study should be conducted in order to deepen the understanding of the topic.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

Integrating spirituality and psychotherapy : experiences of a sample of terminally ill patients

  • Authors: Chemane, Bonginkosi Reginald
  • Date: 2013-07-15
  • Subjects: Psychotherapy Terminal care -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Hospices (Terminal care) Terminally ill -- Psychology Spiritual care (Medical care)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:3183 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008217
  • Description: The general aim of this study was to determine the experiences of a sample of terminally ill patients in using spiritually focused psychotherapy. This was a qualitative study conducted to a sample of 2 terminally ill patients from hospice in Grahamstown, South Africa. The research was conducted in 3 phases: an initial in-depth interview conducted to determine the participants' level of spirituality as well as the extent to which their terminal illnesses had affected their functioning. This was followed by a minimum of 6 spiritually focused therapy (SFT) sessions as a second phase of the research. To determine the participants' experiences of SFT, 2-3 in-depth interviews were conducted during the 3m phase of the research study. The research revealed that a belief in a higher power helps terminally ill patients cope better with their illness and that social disconnectedness is related to HIV / AIDS stigma. It also revealed that terminal illness is co-morbid with other psychiatric symptoms such as depression, evokes existential concerns, results in a change in the level of spirituality and affects the whole family. Participants blamed themselves for their illness, but found that engaging in the process of forgiveness of self and others brought about psychological healing for them. They experienced SFT as a coping resource that assisted them to deal with the fear of death as well as increased insight into the development of psychopathology and spiritual blockages. It is recommended that a comprehensive and holistic assessment during intake be undertaken so that where spiritual needs are available, therapy can be spiritually augmented to ensure that such needs/ struggles are addressed. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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An Android and Visual C-based controller for a Delta Parallel Robot for use as a classroom training tool

  • Authors: Bezuidenhout, Sarel
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Robotics -- Human factors , Human-robot interaction , Wireless communication systems
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEngineering (Mechatronics)
  • Identifier: vital:9656 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020284
  • Description: This report will show the development of a Delta Parallel robot, to aid in teaching the basics of robotic motion programming. The platform developed will be created at a fraction of the cost of conventional commercial training systems. This report will therefore show the development procedure as well as the development of some of the example training material. The system will use wireless serial data communication in the form of a Bluetooth connection. This connection will allow an Android tablet, functioning as the human-machine interface (HMI) for the system, to communicate with the motion controller. The motion controller is based in the C environment. This will allow future development of the machine, and allow the system to be used on an integral level, should the trainers require an in depth approach. The motion control software will be implemented on a RoBoard, a development board specifically designed for low- to mid-range robotics. The conclusion of this report will show an example task being completed on the training platform. This will demonstrate some of the basic robotic motion programming aspects which include point to point, linear, and circular motion types but will also include setting and resetting outputs. Performance parameters such as repeatability and reproducibility are important, as it will indirectly show the level of ease with which the system can be manipulated from the software. Finally, the results will be briefly discussed and some recommendations for improvements on the training system and suggestions for future development will be given.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

Perceptions of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) housing beneficiaries in South Africa on the extent to which the project meet their housing needs: the case of golf course estate in Alice town, Eastern Cape Province

  • Authors: Manomano, Tatenda
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Alice (South Africa)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
  • Identifier: vital:11765 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1005996 , Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Alice (South Africa)
  • Description: The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of RDP beneficiaries on the extent to which the RDP housing project meets their housing needs in South Africa through a case study of Golf Course Estate in Alice Town with the following specific objectives; to assess the extent to which the Alice Golf Course housing project has achieved the RDP programme objectives; to establish beneficiaries‟ perceptions on the extent the RDP Alice Golf Course houses meet their needs; and to explore the level of satisfaction on the RDP houses by beneficiaries. This study utilized triangulation of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies with qualitative as the dominant approach while quantitative was less dominant. The qualitative design took the form of a case study while the quantitative took the form of mini survey. The study sampled 72 participants from the study population. The study utilized an interview guide and a questionnaire as instruments of data collection. The findings indicated that the gender representation of the beneficiaries was skewed. This is because there were more females heading the houses than males; unemployment was also high; most participants were unmarried and most were adults. This study also discovered that most people residing in these houses are not the real owners who were allocated the houses. There were qualitative problems associated with the components of these houses such as poor roofing, doors, windows, floors and walls. Service delivery complaints were based on inadequate access to clean water, small size and spacing of the RDP house. Security was also a challenge because all the houses did not have street lights and the roads were very bad. Though it is commendable that drainage and sewer facilities are available, but they are not serving their purpose since there is no water in these houses. The findings also indicated that there were discrepancies in allocation of the houses; pervasiveness of social ills; inadequate consultative meetings between the RDP Administrator or social worker and the beneficiaries; as well as the pervasiveness of HIV/AIDS among other issues. This researcher recommended that the government needs to promote economic empowerment to deal with unemployment; to improve the quality of the material building the houses; improvement on service delivery gaps; to beef up infrastructure; renovation and revamping of current houses; to establish commissions of inquiry to deal with corruption; to honour and monitor waiting lists. Partnership with other stakeholders was also critical, in addressing access to social services and helps deal with social ills and run behaviour modification campaigns. This researcher also recommended that there is a need to carry out further research on the role played by the municipalities in the RDP housing project as well as conducting a purely qualitative research to further explore the perceptions of other stakeholders, NGOs, traditional leaders, church leaders, and police on the implementation of the housing project. This researcher advises that such a research could be carried out through focus group discussions and also since this study was bound by a case study it is also necessary for similar research to be carried out in different places in South Africa.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

Academic experiences of faculty of education postgraduate students who have dropped out of a higher education institution in the Eastern Cape Province

  • Authors: Mdyogolo, Winkie
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Dropouts -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Graduate work -- Case studies
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8317 , vital:32268
  • Description: The purpose of this study was to explore academic learning experiences of students who have dropped out of postgraduate studies in a Higher Education Institution in Eastern Cape. The study employed phenomenological approach using unstructured in-depth interviews to collect data from participants who have dropped out of Masters Programme in HEI in Eastern Cape. Four participants participated in this study. A lot of themes emerged from what the participants reported and similar experiences were noted as well as different experiences. Central to what this study ascertained is the relationship between the supervisor and supervisee. From the findings of the study it can be ascertained that for any postgraduate student to succeed in his/her studies he / she needs a positive relationship with the supervisor who will play a role of guide, mentor, supporter and a friend. However, the academic preparedness of the students in terms of academic reading and writing, computer literacy and determination to be an independent researcher is also key. Whilst this study provides insight to what the students have experienced academically its findings cannot be generalised because the experiences are those of individuals.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

Fire regimes in eastern coastal fynbos: drivers, ecology and management

  • Authors: Kraaij, Tineke
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Forest fires -- South Africa , Climatic changes , Prescribed burning , Fire ecology -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:10607 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008047 , Forest fires -- South Africa , Climatic changes , Prescribed burning , Fire ecology -- South Africa
  • Description: Conventional knowledge of fynbos fire ecology is based on the summer-autumn fire regimes of the western Cape Floral Kingdom (CFK) where the climate is Mediterranean. However, the climate in the eastern coastal-CFK is milder and rainfall occurs year-round, with presumed effects on fire regimes. The Garden Route National Park (GRNP) has recently been established in the region, in a landscape where indigenous forests, fire-prone fynbos shrublands and fire-sensitive plantations of invasive alien trees are interspersed. The park faces considerable challenges related to the management of fire, including significant pressure from the adjacent plantation industry to reduce wildfire hazard by burning fynbos at short intervals, and high levels of invasion by alien trees (largely Pinus species originating from plantations). This study sought to improve understanding of fire regimes in eastern coastal fynbos shrublands, and to provide guidelines for ecologically sound management of fire in the area. My approach entailed (i) an assessment of the context within which fire management was practiced during the past century; (ii) characterisation of the recent fire history and fire regime (1900–2010); (iii) characterisation of the seasonality of fire weather and lightning; (iv) estimation of minimum fire return intervals (FRIs) from juvenile periods and post-fire recruitment success of overstorey proteoids (non-sprouting, slow-maturing, serotinous Proteaceae); and (v) determination of the ecologically appropriate fire season from post-fire recruitment seasonality of proteoids. I established that historically, plantation protection enjoyed priority over fynbos conservation in the area that is now the GRNP. Fynbos close to plantations has most likely been compromised by frequent and low-intensity burning in the past, as well as by invasion by alien trees. In terms of area burnt (1900–2010), natural (lightning-ignited) fires dominated the fire regime, particularly in the east, whereas prescribed burning was relatively unimportant. Typical fire return intervals (FRIs; 8–26 years; 1980–2010) were comparable to those in other fynbos protected areas and appeared to be shorter in the eastern Tsitsikamma than in the western Outeniqua halves of the study area. Proteaceae juvenile periods (4–9 years) and post-fire recruitment success (following fires in ≥7 year-old vegetation) suggested that for biodiversity conservation purposes, FRIs should be no less than nine years in moist, productive fynbos. Increases in the total area burnt annually (since 1980) were correlated with long-term increases in average fire danger weather, suggesting that fire regime changes may be related to global change. Collectively, findings on the seasonality of actual fires and the seasonality of fire danger weather, lightning, and post-fire proteoid recruitment suggested that fires in eastern coastal fynbos are not limited to any particular season, and for this reason managers do not need to be concerned if fires occur in any season. The ecological requirements for higher fire intensity may nonetheless be constrained by a need for safety. I articulated these findings into ecological thresholds pertaining to the different elements of the fire regime in eastern coastal fynbos, to guide adaptive management of fire in the Garden Route National Park. I also recommended a fire management strategy for the park to address the aforementioned operational considerations within the constraints posed by ecological thresholds. Finally, I highlighted further research and monitoring needs.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

'I want to tell the story again': re-telling in selected novels by Jeanette Winterson and Alan Warner

  • Authors: Collett, Jenna Lara
  • Date: 2011
  • Subjects: Warner, Alan Criticism and interpretation Winterson, Jeanette, 1959- -- Criticism and interpretation English fiction -- 20th century -- History and criticism
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:2248 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002291
  • Description: This thesis investigates acts of ‘re-telling’ in four selected novels by Jeanette Winterson and Alan Warner.Re-telling, as I have defined it, refers to the re-imagining and re-writing of existing narratives from mythology, fairy tale, and folktale, as well as the re-visioning of scientific discourses and historiography. I argue that this re-telling is representative of a contemporary cultural phenomenon, and is evidence of a postmodern genre that some literary theorists have termed re-visionary fiction. Despite the prevalent re-telling of canonical stories throughout literary history, there is much evidence for the emergence of a specifically contemporary trend of re-visionary literature. Part One of this thesis comprises two chapters which deal with Winterson’s Sexing the Cherry (1989) and Weight (2005) respectively. In these chapters, I argue that, although the feminist and historiographic elements of her work are significant, there exist further motivations for Winterson’s acts of re-telling in both Sexing the Cherry and Weight. In Chapter One, I analyse Winterson’s subversion and re-imagining of historiography, as well as her re-telling of fairy tale, in Sexing the Cherry. Chapter Two provides a discussion of Winterson’s re-telling of the myth of Atlas from Greek mythology, in which she draws on the discourses of science, technology, and autobiography, in Weight. Part Two focuses on Warner’s first two novels, Morvern Callar (1995) and These Demented Lands (1997). In both novels, Warner re-imagines aspects of Christian, Celtic and pagan mythology in order to debunk the validity of biblical archetypes and narratives in a contemporary working-class setting, as well as to endow his protagonist with goddess-like or mythical sensibilities. Chapter Three deals predominantly with Warner’s use of language, which I argue is central to his blending of mythological and contemporary content, while Chapter Four analyses his use of myth in these two novels. This thesis argues that while both Winterson and Warner share many of the aims associated with contemporary re-visionary fiction, their novels also exceed the boundaries of the genre in various ways. Winterson and Warner may, therefore, represent a new class of re-visionary writers, whose aim is not solely to subvert the pre-text but to draw on its generic discourses and thematic conventions in order to demonstrate the generic and discursive possibilities inherent in the act of re-telling.
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  • Date Issued: 2011

Biological control of Pereskia aculeata Miller (Cactaceae)

  • Authors: Paterson, Iain Douglas
  • Date: 2011
  • Subjects: Pereskia -- Biological control -- South Africa Cactus -- Biological control -- South Africa Invasive plants -- Biological control -- South Africa Curculionidae -- South Africa Pyralidae -- South Africa Insects as biological pest control agents -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:5825 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007653
  • Description: Pereskia aculeata Miller (Cactaceae) is an environmental weed that is damaging to natural ecosystems in South Africa. The plant is native to Central and South America and was first recorded in South Africa in a botanical garden in 1858. In this thesis, research into the biological control of P. aculeata was conducted with the intention of improving the control of the weed. A pre-release study of the relationship between P. aculeata density and native plant biodiversity indicated that P. aculeata has a negative impact on native biodiversity. The native plant biodiversity associated with different P. aculeata densities was used to determine threshold values and goals for the control of the weed. A threshold value of 50% P. aculeata density was calculated, indicating that P. aculeata density must be maintained below 50% in order to conserve native plant biodiversity. The ultimate goal of the control programme should be to maintain P. aculeata densities below 30%. At these densities there was no significant difference in native plant biodiversity from if the weed were absent from the ecosystem. The biological control agent, Phenrica guérini Bechyne (Chrysomelidae), has been released in South Africa but the potential of the agent to impact P. aculeata is not known and no post release evaluation has been conducted. Impact assessment studies indicate that P. guérini does not impact P. aculeata, even at high densities, but the results of greenhouse experiments should be interpreted with caution because of problems with extrapolation into the field. Although observations in the field suggest that P. guérini has reduced P. aculeata densities at one site, it is clear that new biological control agents are needed to reduce the weed to acceptable levels. Identifying the origin of the South African P. aculeata population was believed to be important to the biological control programme due to the disjunct native distribution and intraspecific variation of the species. Natural enemies associated with plant genotypes in different parts of the native distribution may have developed specialised relationships with certain intraspecific variants of the plant, resulting in differences in agent efficacy on certain host plant genotypes. A molecular study indicated that the closest relatives to the South African weed population found in the native distribution were in Rio de Janeiro Province, Brazil. A bioassay experiment in which fitness related traits of the biological control agent, P. guérini, were measured on various P. aculeata genotypes was conducted to determine the importance of host plant intraspecific variation. There was little variation in fitness traits between genotypes and no evidence of intraspecific host plant specialization. Although intraspecific variation had no effect on agent efficacy in the case of P. guérini, it is possible that other natural enemies may be more specialized. Genotype matching is expected to be more important when natural enemies likely to be specialised to individual genotypes are considered for biological control. Potential biological control agents were prioritized from data collected on surveys in the native distribution. The most promising of these, based on the presence of feeding, incidence, predicted host range, climatic matching, genotype matching and mode of damage, are two species of Curculionidae, the current biological control agent P. guérini and the stem boring moth, Maracayia chiorisalis Walker (Crambidae). The two curculionid species and M. chlorisalis should be considered priorities for host specificity studies. Releases of P. guérini and any new biological control agents should be made at sites where the pre-release study was conducted so that post-release evaluation data can be compared with the pre-release data and the impact of biological control can be evaluated. Retrospective analyses of biological control programmes provide important ways of improving aspects of biological control programmes, such as methods of agent selection. The evaluation of success in biological control programmes is essential for retrospective analyses because factors that have lead to successes or failures can be analysed. Retrospective analyses of biological control programmes, such as this thesis, may improve weed management, thereby contributing to the conservation of natural resources.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2011
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