Multiple voices: exploring fluid identities in the advanced programme English experience
- Authors: Kromhout, Jessamy
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching Student-centered learning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18674 , vital:28705
- Description: This study is focused on Advanced Programme English (AP English), which is an additional subject registered through the Independent Examinations Board. The subject is aimed at grades ten to twelve and it is dedicated to the study of English literature. This study explores the AP English experience from the learner perspective, thus it highlights the potential opportunities of learner participation in AP English. In a traditional school context, emphasis is placed on assessment. As a response to this achievement driven focus, this study instead seeks to understand the social context of AP English, and the way in which the AP English experience has been integrated into the learners’ lives. The focus of this study is to understand the AP English perspective through the lens of identity, and the way in which identity permeates all experiences of AP English as a whole. The construction of identity is explored through the activities of reading and writing. These are integral to the AP English experience. By incorporating a number of different perspectives from educational and literary spheres to make sense of the AP English experience, this study broadens conceptualisations of the learner perspective. It also complements traditional conceptualisations of education by including commentary from a diverse range of voices. This study characterises AP English as an alternative space that has the potential to provide a sense of belonging for its learners. The AP English social context offers learners the opportunity to construct their identities in relation to the literature they study, and to their classmates. This meaningful learner engagement may provide learners with the space and freedom to construct their identities in an authentic, self-reflexive manner. Various theories on identity support how AP English can provide a platform for learners to inhabit multiple voices or perspectives. By using literature as a reference point, learners have the opportunity to make sense of themselves through a multiplicity of perspectives. This study therefore provides insight into the way AP English might facilitate a flexible approach to conceptualising identity, which is often overlooked in the education context, thus this study advocates the AP English experience as an important aspect of identity construction. On a larger scale, it places the learner perspective at the forefront, and in this way offers an alternative conceptualisation to traditional, assessment focused schooling methods.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The presentation of African government leaders or Sovereigns' in selected African and mainstream films
- Authors: Tjalle, Rosalie Olivia Vanessa
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Motion pictures -- Political aspects -- Africa Political science -- Philosophy , Sovereignty
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12392 , vital:27062
- Description: African Cinema is an entity as diverse as the various countries, languages and cultures on this continent. The entertainment value of Cinema has been more popular than the study of its ideological significance, but nevertheless in a contemporary Africa where politics affect the social, cultural and economical survival of its citizens, Cinema can be used as a valuable asset and a powerful means of communication that can conscientize and educate African audiences. Thomas Hobbes’s leadership model and political theory of sovereignty, though a XVIIth century framework, can theoretically contribute in the analysis of the representation of African leadership styles in Cinema. This article analyzes four fiction films representing four different political leaders in, respectively, South Africa, Uganda, Cameroon and Nigeria. A film content analysis will explore the different representation of leadership styles, the personality of each leader, the power struggles in each society and how this may suggest value judgments about African leadership to the films’ various target audiences.
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- Date Issued: 2015
Experiences and survival strategies of informal traders in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Seh, Vera Mantoh Ngwe
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Informal traders -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:18447 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1007299
- Description: This study investigated the experiences and survival strategies of informal traders in Mthatha, paying more attention to women. This has included their daily activities to sustain themselves and improve business performance. It has however elaborated on the reasons why people engage themselves in informal trade. Literature review shows that the reasons why people are involved in this form of trade are mainly due to unemployment, lack of education and lack of knowledge. The significance of this form of trade to the economy cannot be underestimated. Emphasis was laid on the challenges encountered by these traders. Such challenges include lack of access to financial facilities such as credit and savings; lack of shelter; harsh weather conditions and harassment and confiscation of their goods by Metro Police. The methodology of this study is primarily based on both quantitative and qualitative methods of research. Several data collection instruments were used. These included questionnaires, participant observation, in-depth interview and photography. Fifty questionnaires were administered to the informal traders and an interview schedule was used to gather information from members of the community and municipality. Description of study site, ethical consideration, limitations and delimitation has equally been presented. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS and manually. The results revealed that informal trading is a survival strategy to a large population of the people in Mthatha and the only source of income. Most of them are breadwinners who support a large number of dependents.
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- Date Issued: 2013
Utilisation of print and electronic media by students at zamukulungisa campus of the Walter Sisulu University
- Authors: Nkaule, Nomnqweno Princess
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Print resources -- Electronic media , Print and online resources -- Library
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:18431 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1007152
- Description: The study looks at how the library users at Zamukulungisa Campus of the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in the Eastern Cape in South Africa perceive the print media versus electronic media as sources of information for their requirements. The study is aimed at investigating the extent of use of these media by the users of the institution under study and their reaction to print versus electronic media. It is understood that the Zamukulungisa Campus of the WSU users come from different backgrounds. Some come from underdeveloped rural areas where there are no basic amenities available such as running water, toilets, telephones or even electricity and libraries. These types of users depended on information from text books and from their teachers only. The rationale for the study is to examine the students‟ use of print and electronic materials available in the library of the institution under study with the view to identifying the gaps that need to be addressed in order to make recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of the service provision of information to the users by the librarians. With this purpose in mind, the study looks at: the frequency of library use; the nature of the media available in the library; the tools utilized by the users to access the media in the library; the preference of the library users for media usage; the users‟ perceptions and reactions to print and electronic media; the effects on users and; the background to the use of print and electronic media. A questionnaire was used to collect data for this research study from sampled students at Zamukulungisa Campus of the WSU. The findings may lead to potential solutions based on the users‟ reactions to the recommendations of their use of the print and electronic media. The references used are shown in the bibliography. Keywords: print media, electronic media, library users, different backgrounds, underdeveloped rural areas, basic needs, recommendation of the use of print and electronic media, service provision, provision of information, media usage, users‟ perceptions, users‟ reactions, study operations, presentation of findings, analysis of data, discussion of results, levels of study.
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- Date Issued: 2013
An investigation into the causes and ramifications of political conflict in Ivory Coast
- Authors: Suaka, Yaro David
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Conflict management -- Political aspects , Political conflicts , Ivory Coast
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:18444 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1007276
- Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the causes and the ramifications of the political conflict in Ivory Coast from 2002 to 2009. A purposive sampling was used to select fourteen respondents. Qualitative methodology was used for the study. The data collection instruments were semi-structured interview questions, open-ended Semi-structured questionnaire and documentary analysis. The analysed data revealed that the causes of the conflict were: competition for scarce resources, bad governance, media incitement, xenophobia, incessant political power struggle and the proliferation of small fire arms entering the country. The effects experienced during the conflict were human rights violation, destruction of property including UN premises and displaced people both internally and externally. Some recommendations made include: Efforts should be made by the Government to strengthen good relationship among different ethnic groups and help them adapt to new challenges that confront democratic developments in the country. The Government should organise the South African style of Truth and Reconciliation Commission to revisit the horrors of the past in order to heal wounds and prevent future occurance of the conflict. Employment opportunities and other income generationg ventures for Ivorian should be created by the Government by attracting local and foreign investors. The numerous rebels should be given special skills training in other for them to be able to live among the communities in Ivory Coast. Government of national unity should be encouraged in situation like this. ECOWAS as well as AU should make sure that when disarmament instituted, it should be done properly. They should always monitor it and not to allow the arms to get into the country again. It is the hope of the researcher that this study makes a contribution towards the prevention of similar conflicts in Africa in the future.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Factors influencing the implementation of mathematical word problems in foundation phase classrooms: theory and practice
- Authors: Van Zyl, Marinda
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Education -- Curriculum planning -- Foundation phase
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9564 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015954
- Description: This treatise investigated mathematical word problems (MWPs) and their implementation in Foundation Phase classrooms. Factors influencing the implementation of MWPs, with specific reference to the teachers and learners involved, emerged. Direct and indirect factors influencing the implementation of MWPs were acknowledged. Student teachers‟ reflections on classroom practices experienced during their teaching practice training period for their initial teaching qualification inspired me as lecturer to embark on my own journey of inquiry and study the phenomenon above. As this study was undertaken in South Africa, the need arose to take into consideration the changes that have occurred since 1994. Observations of how democratic values and desires feature, or do not feature, when engaging with the phenomenon had to be considered. This study also aimed to emphasise inequalities in everyday practice. The discovery of “good practice” (Cooper 2010:170) contributed towards addressing the factors that emerged as influencing the implementation of MWPs. Jansens (2009:170) book Knowledge in the blood presents compelling reasons for disclosing the state of current practice and seeks alternatives to promote the required change in mathematics teaching, with one of the perspectives on mathematics education being the emphasis on implementing MWPs in the Foundation Phase. Teachers often extend their own preferences into practice and emphasise their “knowledge in the blood” as their view of good practice. Learners‟ needs and learner diversity are often overlooked. Learners‟ assessment scores, both nationally and internationally, have revealed more negative facts. These low scores have often been, and often still are, news flashes, contributing to a negative view of teachers and education. In order to address the widespread sentiment that there is “no hope for teachers” (Jansen 2011:19), and to avoid a recycling of negativity, “good practice” (Cooper 2010:170) is key to success. This study aimed to discover hope for teachers and learners.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Teacher practices in the grade 10 first additional language classroom: a relevance study
- Authors: Naadirah, Abader
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Action research in education , Reflective teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9438 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011093 , Action research in education , Reflective teaching
- Description: Teachers are key figures in the English First Additional Language learning process, their influence is fundamental to their learners‟ progress, or lack thereof. I am of the opinion that literacy in itself is not sufficient, as success lies in the learners‟ application of appropriate learning techniques. The purpose of my study was to reflect on and improve my own teaching practice, improve my learners‟ participation and enhance their academic outcomes in the poetry classroom. My study required that I reflect on my classroom practice to facilitate the improvement thereof. Successful learning within the classroom therefore involves interaction and collaboration between the learner, the materials, the teacher and the context. Scaffolding is a technique I used to actualize my learners‟ potential. I chose action research, because I wanted to research an educational problem (as experienced by my learners and myself), critically reflect on my classroom practice, evaluate my teaching methods, and consider practical solutions. Action research allowed me to record the events and happenings in my location, my reflection, beliefs and teaching philosophies, my ideas and my insights about my practice. In my journal I reflected on the events that took place during my poetry lessons. Both positive and negative comments were noted and I tried to closely monitor my learners during the lessons. After marking my classroom assessments, I immediately shared my thoughts regarding the assessment outcomes. My reflections gave me a better understanding of my teaching practice. I used photovoice as a data collecting strategy which is the intermingling of images and words. The actions taken through photovoice, taking photographs and telling stories as they relate to the photographs, were empowering. My study enabled me to understand the many challenges of teaching poetry. I learnt that if I teach well, poetry can add important aspects to my learners‟ language skills, including understanding metaphors, connotations and symbolic meanings. The teaching of poetry should promote a pleasurable understanding of language. This means that the language of the poem is as important as the content of the poem.
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- Date Issued: 2012
An investigation into the role of Traditional medicine in an era of biomedicine: Case of Qokolweni Location (KSDM), Eastern Cape, Republic of South Africa
- Authors: Tabi, Chama-James Tabenyang
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Traditional medicine -- Biomedicine , South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:18434 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1007165
- Description: In most African communities, the concept of disease goes beyond physical and mental pain. To many, societal imbalance, bad-luck, poverty and misery, misfortune, continuous unemployment and a host of others are treated as diseases. Despite biomedical attempts to explain and treat diseases, an ancient system of healing (traditional medicine) continues to thrive in Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) has since recognized and encouraged governments to accept traditional medicine as an alternative healthcare; to adopt healthcare policies that will promote traditional medicine. Despite this call for recognition, most governments are still reluctant to officially incorporate traditional healing into healthcare policies. Countries which have recognized the relevance of traditional medicine face greater challenges on modalities to control and include traditional medicine into mainstream healthcare. This study is concerned with the role and contribution of African traditional medicine to healthcare, in an era of biomedicine. It provides a public and self assessment of traditional healers. The study also raises concerns on the need for healthcare policies that will enhance cooperation between traditional healing and biomedicine. Information was obtained through the use of questionnaires, in depth and face-to-face interviews with respondents. The actual field research was conducted in Qokolweni location in the King Sabatha Dalindyebo (KSD) district municipality of Eastern Cape Province, Republic of South Africa. Findings reveal that traditional healers handle and manage complex hospital diagnosed health conditions. It also reveals that perceptions on disease aetiology influence health seeking behaviour. It is therefore necessary to understand the efforts of traditional healers in order to formulate healthcare policies that would officially involve them in the mainstream healthcare in South Africa. It is noticeable that traditional healing is not only limited to Qokolweni. It occurs mutatis mutandis else wherein the Eastern Cape and in the whole of South Africa.
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- Date Issued: 2011
Philosophies that inform discipline strategies among teachers
- Authors: Von Wildemann, Amy-Rose
- Subjects: School discipline -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9504 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1302 , School discipline -- South Africa
- Description: Numerous teachers in South Africa are experiencing ill‐discipline within the classroom environment. They are not receiving the necessary support and guidance from the relevant departments, and thus, rely on their own reactive measures to manage the disruptive behaviour present in the classroom. Previous studies have shown that the South African Education Department has not provided all teachers with the necessary training needed to implement the new discipline strategies proposed by the Department of Education. Therefore, teachers rely on what they perceive to be effective in maintaining discipline, which is an indication of their personal teaching philosophy, as they base their own knowledge on what they have experienced and learnt in the past. This study followed a qualitative enquiry, which is descriptive and explorative. The data generation tools that were utilised for the study were, ‘drawing’ and ‘photo album’, both of which represent visual methodology activities. Furthermore, the primary aim of the study is to determine the underlying teaching philosophies that inform selected township teachers’ approaches to discipline in their classrooms. However, the findings indicated that the use of corporal punishment is still visibly prevalent in this township school. Even though it was revealed that the prominent teaching philosophy was not that of fundamental pedagogics, but featured somewhere in between the humanising pedagogy and Noddings’ theory of caring, the effects of teaching during Apartheid under the principles of fundamental pedagogics is still existent in the township.
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