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An investigation into the relationship between leadership and cognitive styles of supervisory employees in the automotive industry

  • Authors: Attwell, Terry-Anne
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Supervisors, Industrial , Cognitive styles , Leadership , Automobile industry and trade
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:9403 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1009320 , Supervisors, Industrial , Cognitive styles , Leadership , Automobile industry and trade
  • Description: Human attributes that constitute a good leader in terms of leadership qualities and thinking styles are somewhat limited. The latter situation makes it difficult to employ the right person with the right leadership qualities in the continuously changing world of work (Lussier & Achua, 2000). The researcher investigated the relationship between cognitive styles and leadership styles of individuals who are employed in the automotive industry and in a supervisory position. A quantitative research methodology was employed for the study of (n= 115) using the Cognitive-Style Indicator (COSI) developed by Cools and van den Broeck (2007) and the Leadership-style questionnaire developed by Clark (2007). Leadership styles have been researched throughout the world, but a dearth of research specifically pertaining to cognitive styles was rather limiting in the context of the research that was undertaken. On the one hand, leadership focuses on three main dimensions, namely: Authoritarian, Participative and Delegative Leadership Styles. According to Clark (2007), the above three dimensions are the core styles that are used within the workplace. On the other hand, a three-dimensional cognitive style model, as proposed by Cools and Van den Broeck (2007) incorporates three dimensions with specific characteristics pertaining to each style. These three dimensions were labelled as: Knowing (K), Planning (P), and Creating (C) styles, which were utilised to find a significant relationship between the various leadership styles. Significant relationships were found between the Cognitive-Planning style and the Participative Leadership style, the Delegative Leadership style and the Knowing-Cognitive style, the Creative-Cognitive style and the Delegative Leadership style, and the Knowing-and-Planning Cognitive style. Similarities were also found between the Coloured and African groups, as the Delegative style is relevant to both the Coloured and African groups, while the participative style is more prominent in the White racial group. No significant correlations were produced for the Asian group, however. Organisations are rapidly changing and adapting to various types of change; and it is essential for all employees – and not only those within a leadership position – but it is imperative that leaders should not only understand and know their cognitive and leadership style, but also of those individuals who are reporting to them.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

An investigation into the role of social media in the political protests in Egypt (2011)

  • Authors: Ramphobole, Thabo
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Social media , Social movements
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:8416 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012119 , Social media , Social movements
  • Description: Social media's role in formenting protest action in Egypt has often been lauded by proponents of these web 2.0 technologies, to the extent that the collective protest actions that swept the Middle East and North Africa from December 2010 to the present have been referred to as "Twitter Revolutions" in recognition of the pivotal played by Twitter in mobilising citizents.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

An investigation into the roles and functions of community health committees

  • Authors: Wood, Sally Dawn
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Community health services , Public health
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:9071 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008403 , Community health services , Public health
  • Description: Community participation has been a popular method of people centred, grassroots development in many developing countries. With an emphasis on primary health care (PHC) through the signing of the Declaration of Alma Atta in 1978, there was a renewed commitment to community participation within the health care system. In South Africa, the end of the apartheid era announced a new dedication towards the principles of a comprehensive, promotive and preventative health care in line with the principles of PHC. These changes were outlined in The White Paper on Transformation of the Health System (1997) and advocated the importance of community involvement in the health care system. These roles were formalised in the National Act Health (61 of 2003) with the provision for the establishment of the clinic and community health centre committees as statutory bodies. The initial implementation of the committees had no guidelines or policy to direct their functioning and therefore led to them being differentiated and poorly functioning. In 2009, the Eastern Cape Department of Health issued a Policy on the Establishment and Effective functioning of Clinic and Community Health Centre Committees. In 2010, the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s Community Development Unit, in collaboration with the Health Department, provided a program to formally establish and train all the community health committees in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in accordance with the new policy. This research aimed to investigate the community health committees (CHCs) in the Nelson Mandela Bay District, specifically the way in which they were functioning, three years on from this establishment process, with regards to the roles and functions outlined in the Policy document. This report highlights the extent to which the roles are being met, the challenges impeding the fulfilment of these roles and other factors which inhibit the effective functioning of the CHCs. A qualitative research method was used including focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with key informants to illicit the necessary data. These results were transcribed and analysed to identify recurring themes in order to draw conclusions. The CHCs were found to have varying levels of functionality but had similar challenges in fulfilling the roles. Generally there was a poor level of awareness of the policy and the roles defined within and in addition to this there was confusion over the terminology used within the Policy. The role of Advocacy was undertaken enthusiastically by the CHCs with many forms of education and health programs being promoted. However, a lack of knowledge of the PHC model was evident, which inhibited the CHCs from advocating the importance of this. Oversight was seen by the CHC members as being the most important role for them to fulfil, as the level of medical care received in the clinic was perceived to be poor. The CHC members readily monitor levels of medication, staff presence and service provision but do not feel that they have much power to improve the situation. The role of Social Mobilisation was poorly fulfilled due to a lack of outreach into the community and therefore social upliftment only takes place when community members come to the clinic to use the services. Finally, fundraising was the most unsuccessfully achieved role of the CHCs. A combination of a lack of formal recognition and misguided ideas, have resulted in little means of funding for the CHCs. Generally the major inhibiting factors that the CHCs face are; an incomplete fulfilment of the outlined membership of the committees, lack of comprehensive community representation, a lack of commitment from the Health Department and a feeling of isolation. All of these factors are reducing the motivation of the dedicated CHC members. Recommendations were made at the end of the study to help increase the impact these committees are having on their communities. It is hoped that the Provincial Health Department can work together with the CHCs and other stakeholders to implement these recommendations to help sustain the CHCs further.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

An investigation into the use of traditional Xhosa dance to teach mathematics: a case study in a Grade 7 class

  • Authors: Mbusi, Nokwanda Princess
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Primary) Teaching -- Aids and devices -- Research Xhosa (African people) -- Music Education, Primary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Music in mathematics education
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1617 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003499
  • Description: This study seeks to explore mathematical concepts embedded in traditional Xhosa dance and how these concepts can be incorporated into a learning programme for the teaching and learning of mathematics. The study seeks to gain insight into whether learners could benefit from the implementation of such a learning programme. Learners from a Grade 7 class in a rural school performed traditional Xhosa dances and their performances were captured through video recording. The video recordings were then observed and analysed to determine the mathematical concepts embedded in the dances. These concepts were then linked to those found in the Grade 7 mathematics curriculum. A learning programme integrating mathematical concepts from the dance activities with mathematical concepts from the Grade 7 curriculum was then designed. The learning programme contained mathematical problem solving activities that required learners to re-enact the dance performances in order to find the required solutions. The learning programme was then implemented with the learners over a period of three weeks. During the implementation, learners’ behaviour towards the learning experience was observed, their engagement with the problem solving activities as well as their strategies for solving the problems, were carefully observed. Also, their interactions with each other were noted. After the implementation of the learning programme, focus group interviews were held with learners to determine their opinions, attitudes and feelings about their experience of learning mathematics through traditional Xhosa dance. Key findings indicated that traditional Xhosa dance can be used as a medium for learning many concepts in the mathematics curriculum; the use of the dance gave learners an opportunity to learn mathematics from a familiar context and to participate actively and collaboratively in their learning. Also, it emerged that the use of dance to teach mathematics had potential to help improve learners’ attitudes towards mathematics. Conclusions were reached that the dance had potential for use as a means for the meaningful learning of mathematics. However, limitations and challenges with the study were identified, such as its limited replicability in other mathematics classrooms.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

An investigation into the use of Visual Technology for the Autonomous Learning of mathematics (VITALmaths) video clips through the medium of cell phones in the teaching of mathematics in selected South African Grade 9 classes: a case study

  • Authors: Hyde, Janet Catherine
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa Educational innovations -- South Africa Telecommunication in education -- South Africa Teaching -- South Africa -- Aids and devices
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1618 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003500
  • Description: This qualitative study examines the use of Visual Technology for the Autonomous Learning of mathematics (VITALmaths) video clips in three Grade 9 classrooms in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, two of which are in well-resourced ex-Model C schools and one in a semi-rural township school. The rapid development of mobile technology, especially in Africa, has opened up previously unexplored avenues in economy, communication and education (Aker & Mbiti, 2010), with a number of mobile learning initiatives being launched in South Africa (Botha & Ford, 2007; Vosloo & Botha, 2009). The VITALmaths project was developed collaboratively between the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland and Rhodes University in South Africa (Linneweber-Lammerskitten, Schäfer and Samson, 2010). As the main platform for dissemination of the video clips is the cell phone, the study looked at the various aspects involved in the use of cell phones by learners in the classroom, as well as the incorporation of the clips into the teaching of three teachers. Consideration was given to whether or not the clips assisted the teachers in teaching, as well as whether or not they encouraged further exploration. The study was divided into six stages during which data was collected and analysed using an interpretive approach throughout. Data collection methods included semistructured interviews, questionnaires, observation, journals and reflective essays. The study revealed the participating teachers, having incorporated the clips into several lessons, found that these had a meaningful effect on their teaching practice, as well as on the engagement of the learners in the lessons. The majority of the learners involved in the study had access to cell phones, either their own or borrowed, and were able to download the video clips onto their phones from the website (www.ru.ac.za/vitalmaths). A number of learners found that the clips helped them find examples of specific mathematical concepts outside of the classroom, thus leading to further enquiry and exploration, while several learners downloaded and viewed additional clips. Overall findings showed that the VITALmaths video clips could be incorporated into teaching with relative ease.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

An investigation into whether total productive maintenance is effectively applied at an automotive plant

  • Authors: Wentzel, Louis
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Production management , Automobile industry and trade
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8902 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020994
  • Description: For many manufacturing companies, equipment is the largest capital investment andeffective maintenance of these assets can impact on profitability. It extends equipment life, improves equipment availability and retains equipment in proper condition. Conversely, poorly maintained equipment may lead to more frequent equipment failures, poor utilisation of equipment and delayed production schedules. Malfunctioning equipment may result in scrap or products of poor quality. Total productive maintenance (TPM) is one of the most popular concepts for improving process dependability (Nakajima 1988). It focuses on increasing the effectiveness of maintenance which is commonly measured by the overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Ford Struandale Engine Plant (FSEP) applies lean manufacturing through its Ford Production System (FPS) which consists of twelve elements. One element of FPS is Ford Total Productive Maintenance (FTPM) with the objective to maximise the overall effectiveness of plant facilities, equipment, processes and tooling through the focused efforts of work groups and the elimination of the major losses associated with manufacturing equipment. The concern for FSEP management was that although FTPM is implemented, the OEE data revealed that equipment availability targets are not achieved. The researcher identified a gap to investigate the reasons for the poor performance. A literature study was conducted to search for relevant information on the subject. A questionnaire was constructed from the theoretical information and a survey was conducted. After data collection the results were captured and analysed. The researcher made conclusions based on the data and made recommendations. The main findings were that autonomous maintenance is not functioning well, spares management is not good and the Computerised Maintenance Management System is underutilised. The recommendations were that these issues must be addressed.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

An investigation of community conflict over basic service delivery in New Brighton township, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality

  • Authors: Mtwazi, Thembakazi
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Conflict management -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Social conflict -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , South Africa -- Social conditions -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
  • Identifier: vital:8297 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018926
  • Description: South Africa has been experiencing service delivery protests especially in the African communities. These protests are a manifestation of conflict and dissatisfaction of communities in the ruling party in government. In order to reduce conflict, it is critical that the ruling party in government addresses the basic needs of these communities as the people start to lose confidence in the government. The study seeks to investigate whether service delivery protests could be prevented through improved provision of basic services in the communities, focusing in the New Brighton Township community, in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality as the area of study. The provision of basic services is important for the livelihood of any community. The study analyses the extent to which poor service delivery can lead to community conflicts or revolt against the ruling party in government. Some areas of New Brighton Township community are experiencing a backlog of basic service delivery. Members of this targeted community fall within the previously disadvantaged category and expected the ruling party in government to meet their basic service needs. Chapter one provides an introduction which gives a brief overview of the study, problem statement, aims, research objectives and questions, preliminary literature review and research methodology to be employed by the study. Chapter two provide a literature review of community conflicts in relation to basic service delivery needs and peoples’ expectations. Chapter three provide the legislative framework for the developmental local government and the role of section/chapter nine (9) institutions especially the Public Protector’s role in relation to conflict. Chapter three will also provide reasons for the establishment of Local Municipalities. Chapter four provides proposals for the approaches and strategies to eliminate conflicts and policy implications. The chapter also provide an analysis of the participants’ responsesfrom the questionnaires. Chapter five will be a summary with concluding remarks and recommendations, as proposals with mitigating measures arising from the research.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

An investigation of community learning through participation in integrated water resource management practices

  • Authors: Phiri, Charles M
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Water-supply -- Management -- South Africa Water conservation -- South Africa -- Management Water resources development -- South Africa -- Citizen participation Rain and rainfall -- South Africa Water quality management -- South Africa Integrated water development -- South Africa Water -- Management -- South Africa -- Study and teaching Social learning -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1622 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003504
  • Description: South Africa is a semi arid country in which the average rainfall of 450mm/year is well below the world average of about 860mm/year. As a result, South Africa’s water resources are scarce in global terms and limited in extent. Current predictions are that demand will outstrip water availability in the next 15 years. A coordinated approach to improve both water quality and quantity is needed and in order to achieve that, it is crucial to strengthen capacities of local community involvement in identifying the problems that affect them and strategies to solve them. This research was undertaken to develop a deeper understanding of community learning processes in integrated water resources management (IWRM) practices. The study drew on situated and social learning theory which explains that knowledge and skills are learned and embedded in the contexts in which knowledge is obtained and applied in everyday situations. Multiple data collection techniques were used within a case study design and included document analysis, interviews, focus group discussions and field observations. Data analysis was done in three phases and involved uncovering patterns and trends in the data sets. In this context I discovered, through careful observation and interviews with members of the different communities of practice, that people are learning through social learning interactions with other community members as they engage in their daily water management and food production practices. Learning interactions take place through both informal and formal processes such as meetings, training workshops, conversations and interactions with outsiders. I also discovered that people learn from ‘external groups’ or training programmes which bring new knowledge and expertise, but this needs to be contextualised in the local communities of practice. The research has also shown that there are a number of challenges that appear to exist in these learning contexts. For instance it was found that participation and social learning processes and interactions are influenced by a range of causal mechanisms that are contextual. These insights into how communities learn, as well as the tensions and difficulties that are experienced in the learning processes are important for furthering learning and participation in community-based IWRM practices, projects and programmes.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

An investigation of how enquiry-based fieldwork develops action competence in Grade 12 Geography: a Namibian case study

  • Authors: Simasiku, Frederick
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Competency-based education -- Namibia -- Hardap Geography -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia -- Hardap Student-centered learning -- Namibia -- Hardap Active learning -- Namibia -- Hardap Environmental education -- Namibia -- Hardap Environmental education -- Activity programs -- Namibia -- Hardap
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1629 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003511
  • Description: The goal of the study was twofold: firstly to investigate and describe how senior secondary school geography teachers were implementing enquiry-based learning through fieldwork. Secondly, to investigate and document how enquiry-based learning through fieldwork facilitated the development of action competence amongst learners in a geography classroom. In order to address the first goal, a survey questionnaire was utilised to generate descriptive data from a sample of seven geography teachers in the Hardap region of Namibia. Although teachers engaged learners with enquiry-based fieldwork learning activities it is suggested, based on the findings of data of this goal, that teachers face severe limitations in terms of integrating environmental learning into the geography curriculum. The main limitations of the teachers include: limited practical knowledge of and training in how to teach fieldwork skills; a lack of teaching resource materials; time constraints; heavy personal loads; and lack of school support for environmental education. In addressing the second goal an enquiry-based fieldwork learning unit was planned and implemented in the researcher’s classroom. Observation, focus group interviews, and audio records of learning interactions, were used as data generation methods for this cycle of the study. An indicator framework for identifying action competence in learners was constructed as a data analysis tool. In terms of the findings of goal two it is evident that enquiry-based learning through fieldwork facilitated the development of action competence amongst learners. Six overarching benefits of this type of learning were identified in this study, namely: - It empowered learners to develop contextual knowledge and understanding of issues that they investigated. - It facilitated commitment thus motivated learners to take indirect action. - It promoted social interaction and group cohesion amongst learners thus enhanced their decision-making ability for problem-solving and action taking. - It elicited emotional responses and a greater understanding of learners’ own and others’ attitudes and values towards issues. - It fostered critical thinking thus permitted learners to envisage a future based on their learning experiences. - It enabled learners to plan and take indirect action during the learning process. Based on the research findings, some lessons learned are presented in an attempt to contribute to the effective implementation of enquiry-based fieldwork at the classroom level.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

An investigation of how natural sciences teachers mediate learning of chemical reactions in Grade 9: a case study

  • Authors: Xipu, Bukelwa
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Chemical reactions Science teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Science teachers -- Rating of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1631 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003513
  • Description: This research study involves two Grade 9 Natural Sciences teachers from two schools in the Lady Frere District of the Eastern Cape. The reason for selecting these two teachers is that in 2009 they, like me, obtained an Advanced Certificate in Education (Science and Maths) from Rhodes University. As a result, we have a good working relationship. Furthermore, both teachers are actively involved in the Natural Sciences curriculum in the District and their schools are not far from the District Office where I work. The principal objective of this study was to investigate how Natural Sciences teachers mediated learning in order to enhance conceptual development and understanding of chemical reactions in Grade 9. It was triggered by the transformation in curriculum in South Africa as well as by my experience of working with Natural Sciences teachers in our rural district. The study is informed by an interpretive paradigm using a qualitative case study approach. The data was gathered by administering analysis of documents, semi-structured interviews, observations, field notes and journals. During the data analysis process, patterns and themes were illuminated using the inductive analysis method. Rich data sets in relation to the main research question on how Natural Sciences teachers mediated learning in order to enhance conceptual development and understanding of chemical reactions in Grade 9 emerged from the analysed data. The conclusions that can be drawn from the study indicate that when teaching chemical reactions, teachers should have adequate content knowledge as well as pedagogical content knowledge. It is thus recommended that teachers consider the prior knowledge of learners, use a variety of teaching and learning approaches including practical activities, to make learning meaningful. The major limitation of this study is that the two selected teachers do not represent the whole population of Grade 9 teachers in the Lady Frere District. Therefore, the findings cannot be generalized to represent the larger population. It is recognised, however, that within the qualitative inquiry, reliability and generalizability play a minor role.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

An investigation of instructional leadership in a Namibian rural school

  • Authors: Namukwambi, Nahum
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Omusati Rural schools -- Namibia -- Omusati School management and organization -- Namibia -- Omusati Teachers -- Namibia -- Omusati Effective teaching -- Namibia -- Omusati Learning -- Namibia -- Omusati
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1633 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003515
  • Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate how instructional leadership manifests itself and can be strengthened in a Namibian rural school. As a teacher, head of department and later an education officer, I have long held the view that committed school leadership is essential for the school’s instructional and academic success. Equally, I have always been aware of the impact of the past segregation and the unequal education provided by the colonial government in South Africa and South West Africa/Namibia. The inferior education provided to Africans posed a serious challenge to the leadership and management of schools, as would be principals were not adequately trained to provide the necessary “ingredients” relevant for instructional success. Given this background, I attempted, using a case study of one secondary school, to investigate how instructional leadership is manifesting itself and could be strengthened in a rural school in the Omusati region of Namibia. Research questions that framed the study were: firstly, how does the leadership approach in the school promote teaching and learning; secondly, what is the role of external players in enhancing instructional leadership and thirdly, what are the strengthening and inhibiting factors of instructional leadership. The population of the study was composed of an Inspector of Education, a school principal, a head of department (HOD) and four teachers from a secondary school, located in the Omusati region in Namibia. Data were collected through interviews, document analysis and observation. With regard to data analysis, I first immersed myself in the data. I developed themes that formed the basis of my discussion with my research questions in mind. The analysis revealed that instructional leadership is strongly evidenced at the case study school. However, it emerged that despite the existence of strong instructional leadership at the school, as with all other organisations, there are several challenges that limit the effective implementation of the teaching and learning programme. These challenges vary from indiscipline, poor time management, to lack of teaching and learning resources. Participants also provided a number of possible solutions to the problems identified, including that the principal should be a good role model for the staff and that an enabling environment for both teaching and learning should be created. The study also strongly suggested that participative leadership and management is a cornerstone to the academic success of the school.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

An investigation of local economic development and income security in the Eastern Cape : the case of Amathole District Municipality

An investigation of media representation of the complexities confronting the concept of the 'Rainbow Nation' as a South African social reality: an analysis of the works of Trevor Noah

  • Authors: Magwaza, Isheunesu
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Noah, Trevor , Mass media -- South Africa , Stand-up comedy -- South Africa , South Africa -- Humor
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:8421 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015711
  • Description: This study is an investigation into the representation of complexities confronting the concept of the Rainbow Nation as a South African social reality. The study is based on the works of Trevor Noah, one of post-Apartheid South Africa‘s eminent stand-up comedians whose two media works, The Day Walker and Crazy Normal, tackle issues pertaining to the socio-political and economic realities that are prevailing in South Africa. The mass media products continue to receive wide acclaim from both, media circles and audiences from racially diversified societies. They are delivered in a mimetic stereotypical manner that cuts across the length and breadth of the South African society. Trevor Noah‘s comedy uses humour to provide the South African society with an opportunity ―[for brutal honesty] to explore, affirm, deny, and ultimately to change its structure and its values‖ (Turner, 1977:33). Representations made in his comedy, more than providing people with a tonic for laughter, also create for the society momentary instances of thought which transcend the theatre stage in which the humour is delivered. Courtesy of these representations, his comedy infiltrates the people‘s sub-consciousness and engages them on those issues pertaining to race-relations and multicultural tolerance which are more often than not trivialised but are influential in shaping the status quo.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

An investigation of strategies used by school principals in promoting professional development among teaching staff in the Keiskammahoek area

  • Authors: Kebeni, Mputumi
  • Date: 2012
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
  • Identifier: vital:16217 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1018603
  • Description: The fusion of the different Departments of Education after 1994 resulted in many changes in the education system of South Africa, which created confusion and uncertainty among educators. Among the changes was the introduction of the National Curriculum Statement and Outcomes-Based Education that was intended to transform teaching and learning in schools. To prepare educators for the myriad of changes, short courses were conducted via the cascade model, but these proved largely ineffective and educators have been crying out for proper Professional Development programmes to better prepare them for their crucial roles in the new South Africa. Amongst the many challenges in rural areas, multi-grade and multi-phase teaching is prevalent. Most educators were not adequately prepared for these during teacher training. The poor quality of training and lack of professional development have resulted in feelings of frustration and inadequacy among educators. To ameliorate the situation, the Department of Education instituted the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS), aimed at improving the quality of learning and teaching by empowering, motivating and training educators. However, professional development has remained elusive as the IQMS is not properly used since it has been characterised by political interference, and seems almost exclusively focused on salary progression. At the end of the day, it is often the overworked and over-burdened school principal who is attempting to provide professional development for staff, with little or no help from outside sources. Very little research that has been undertaken into what it is that rural school principals actually do to develop staff. The researcher has attempted to understand how principals undertake the professional development of educators, given that many are in remote and resource-poor areas, which makes development very difficult. Added to this is the heavy workload and burden of classroom teaching which many of the principals face, especially those in remote areas, where smaller schools are the norm. The researcher explored different strategies which school principals can use for the professional development of their staff before going to the field to see what it is that principals are actually doing. School principals are strategically situated to play a significant role in improving the quality of teaching and learning, as the success and failure of their schools rest on their shoulders. Every study is located within a paradigm. The paradigm used in this study is the interpretivist one, as it allowed the researcher to investigate the meanings and the interpretation of the social actors in a particular situation. Hermeneutic theory within a qualitative research approach was used, as its main concern is an understanding of the way in which individuals construct, modify and interpret the world in which they find themselves. The research design used was semi-structured interviews, chosen to elicit information from the participants about professional development in their schools. Interview questions were prepared that emanated from the main research question. Through fieldwork, the researcher developed an understanding of the challenges that face the principals, and of the strategies they use to promote professional growth and development. It was discovered that principals in smaller rural schools in Keiskammahoek make extensive use of delegation as a developmental tool, but that while there are other attempts to develop staff, there seems to be very little comprehensive planning or execution of professional development. Recommendations made are that school principals should use workshops regularly, encourage educators to plan together and monitor such planning, delegate duties, encourage group and team work among the teachers, implement the IQMS and encourage mentoring and coaching for development purposes. School principals should jointly form forums and clusters that are aimed at professional growth and development. Principals should also take initiative in professional development, even if they are faced with difficult situations and conditions. The Department of Education should invest in education by ensuring that all educators, no matter where they teach, should enjoy continuous professional development to improve the quality of learning and teaching in schools.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

An investigation of teacher participation in decision -making, curriculum and management issues: a case study of four secondary schools in the Fort Beaufort District, Eastern Cape Province

  • Authors: Latsha, Xolisa Noluvo
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Teacher participation in administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Teacher participation in curriculum planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape High school teachers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Decision making
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1851 , vital:27567
  • Description: The birth of democracy in 1994 in South Africa moved away from the authoritarian leadership style of the Apartheid era to a democratic style where accountability , democracy, transformational and distributed leadership style was encouraged at school. Leadership was not deemed to be the duty of the principal alone but leadership is shared among all the stakeholders at school. The above assertion prompted the researcher to engage in this study whose purpose was to investigate the extent of teacher participation in decision making in curriculum and management issues at schools. The study sought to assess:(i)To identify the categories of teachers who participated in decision making at school level (ii) To find out the areas in which teachers are involved in decision making at school (iii) To identify the strategies used by principals/ school management in involving the teachers in decision making (iv) To find out the views of principals and teachers regarding their involvement regarding their participation in decision making in curriculum and management issues. To achieve these objectives the researcher opted for the qualitative approach which is embedded in the interpretivist paradigm. The qualitative approach typically studies people by interacting and observing the participants in their natural setting and focusing on their meanings and interpretations. This methodology was relevant because it produced the desired results and gathered information directly from the respondents through interviews, observation, and document analysis. This methodology assisted the researcher to find out the extent of teacher participation in decision making. The data revealed that all teachers are expected to be involved in decision making but that depends on the nature of the issue. The study revealed that all teachers were involved in decisions concerning disciplinary, curriculum, sport as major school activities but some teachers were not involved in financial matters. The data also found out that male teachers feel that there is imbalance of contribution in staff meetings since female teachers are more than male teachers. Furthermore , the study showed that school principals used various strategies to involve teachers in decision making such as consultation on individual basis, group or at committee level. The study also revealed that the principals and teachers felt that when they work together as the school community all organizational goals and objectives will be achieved and owned by all teachers. Teachers also viewed non involvement as what resulted in the negative impact of the activities including high teacher absenteeism and demotivation.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

An investigation of teachers', learners' and parents' understanding and perceptions of a whole school approach to environmental learning in selected schools in the Oshana Region, Namibia

  • Authors: Nashilongo, Onesmus
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Environmental education -- Namibia -- Oshana Environmental education -- Curricula -- Namibia -- Oshana Environmental education -- Parent participation -- Namibia -- Oshana Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- Namibia -- Oshana Supporting Environmental Education in Namibia (SEEN) Sustainable development -- Study and teaching -- Namibia -- Oshana
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1646 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003528
  • Description: This study sought to investigate teacher, learner and parental perceptions and understanding of a whole school approach in environmental education (EE). There were five schools piloting environmental education through a whole school development approach in the Oshana Region of Namibia. The study was conducted in two rural schools in the Oshana Region. The schools were selected because they participated and piloted the infusion of environmental education themes in the curriculum through the whole school approach during the Supporting Environmental Education in Namibia (SEEN) project piloting phase from 2001 to 2005. This study was shaped and informed by international theories, practices and perspectives of a whole school approach as cited in chapter two of this study. In other words a whole school approach has provided theoretical background information and a practical framework on which this study was built. A whole school approach provides a theoretical understanding of how the school community, the biophysical environment, as well as the curriculum can benefit from EE projects through a whole school development approach. The whole school approach, discussed in this study, provides an opportunity to see the link between the whole school approach and ESD in order to understand the role a whole school approach plays in the implementation of ESD in Namibia. The research took the form of an interpretive case study focusing on a study of two teachers, two learners, and two members of the community. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, document analysis and site observations. This study was undertaken two years later after the Supporting Environmental Education Namibia (SEEN) pilot project phased out. The findings indicate that despite the training and support received by the schools during the operation of the Supporting Environmental Education Namibia (SEEN) pilot project, schools are still experiencing problems with the application of a whole school approach. The findings revealed that the curriculum should provide guidelines and examples to support teachers on how to integrate environmental education in the teaching and learning process. The results of the study indicate that teachers, learners and members of the community have a limited understanding about how a whole school development approach in environmental education is linked to Education Sustainable Development (ESD) and the four dimensions of the environment.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

An investigation of the impact of intrinsic motivation and job involvement on employee retention: a case of selected departments within the Eastern Cape Provincial Government

  • Authors: Mgedezi, Sipho
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Intrinsic motivation , Motivation (Psychology) , Employee retention -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee empowerment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Organizational commitment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Performance -- Management , Employee loyalty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
  • Identifier: vital:11554 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007094 , Intrinsic motivation , Motivation (Psychology) , Employee retention -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee empowerment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Organizational commitment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Performance -- Management , Employee loyalty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: This study investigated the impact of intrinsic motivation and job involvement, with employee retention acting as a mediating variable. As most organisations want to retain their best employees and sustain their organisational performance, this study strives to add to the body of knowledge on motivation, job involvement and employee retention, with specific reference to selected departments within the Eastern Cape Provincial Government in the South African context. Intrinsic motivation and job involvement were used as the independent variables. Employee retention is the dependent variable, which was measured using the cumulative Michigan Organisational Assessment Two-item Questionnaire (Camman, Fichman & Klesh, 1979) and a third assessment item from Landau & Hammer (1986). A quantitative relational design was employed to investigate the degree to which intrinsic motivation and job involvement predict an employee’s intention to quit their job. The data were collected through a self administered questionnaire from a convenience sample of 160 employees within the selected government departments in the study. The empirical results obtained from the data; using the Pearson correlation coefficients, indicated significant relationships between intrinsic motivation, job involvement and employee retention. Evidence was further found that employees’ intrinsic motivation and job involvement influenced the extent of employees’ intention to quit. Furthermore, a multiple regression analysis of the data indicated that intrinsic motivation is the strongest predictor of employee retention, followed by job involvement.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

An investigation of the learning processes that take place during practical work activities when using electrical circuit boards in grade: a case study

  • Authors: Accom, Gerald Charles
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Competency-based education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Education -- Evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1961 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1009687
  • Description: Since the introduction of Outcomes Based Education (OBE) as a preferred method of teaching and learning with Curriculum 2005 in 1997, its existence has come under continuous threat for the past thirteen years. Its teething experiences included a revision in 2004 which saw the introduction of the Revised National Curriculum Statements (RNCS) and most recently, we are now standing on the threshold of the implementation of the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) in 2012. Throughout the turbulent educational milieu, social constructivism has always been upheld as the preferred teaching and learning methodology and millions of rands have been invested in this regard. This study is thus premised on the concern that now after all the years of actively promoting social constructivist methodologies, the implementation of the CAPS could seriously negate reasonable strides made in this regard. Triggered by these curricular issues, a qualitative case study was conducted at a school in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, investigating the learning processes occurring in group work sessions during lessons involving practical work in electricity using circuit boards in grade 8. Underpinned by an interpretivist paradigm, the study took place in two phases. The data was mainly generated through audio and video recording of two focus groups. An open coding system was employed to derive analytical categories and frequency tables were used to establish trends. In order to validate the data, two observer teachers were involved throughout the research process and this was followed up with semistructured interviews after the second phase. The two case studies, involving learners fitting a similar profile in respect of mother-tongue and age group, were engaged in a similar activity for almost a year apart. This study anticipated the revelation of the extent to which group practical activities in electricity promoted learning, how knowledge is constructed in group-settings and whether practical activities involving electrical circuit boards in grade 8 enhance learning? The main findings of my study revealed that these practical activities can promote learning and therefore should remain a preferred method of teaching.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

An investigation of the role of physical manipulatives in the teaching and learning of measurement in Grade 8 : a case study using surface area and volume

  • Authors: Chiphambo, Shakespear M E K
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Measurement -- Study and teaching -- Research Mathematics -- Education (Secondary) -- Study and teaching Teaching -- Aids and devices -- Research
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1657 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003540
  • Description: The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of physical manipulatives in the teaching and learning of measurement in Grade 8. The study focuses on how the use of physical manipulatives promotes learners' mathematical proficiency in relation to the five strands of Kilpatrick, Swafford and Findell (2001). The basis of the research is a case study in the interpretive paradigm involving 18 out of a cohort of 270 Grade 8 learners in the school where I teach. The data was collected using a range of methods including: (i) baseline assessment tasks, first piloted using 7 Grade 8 learners and then given to the target group; (ii) an intervention programme with intervention tasks; (iii) a post-intervention task; (iv) observations during the intervention; and (v) individual interviews. The results of the baseline assessment and the post-intervention tasks were analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. My research findings indicate an overall improvement of the performance after learners engaged in using physical manipulatives. The average mark of the learners in the baseline assessment task was 23% and after the intervention programme the average mark was 31 %. The responses from the learners interviewed showed that they were motivated and that the use of physical manipulatives assisted them in understanding the concepts of measurement, in particular surface area and volume. The results of my study thus reveal that the use of physical manipulatives in teaching and learning mathematics has a positive role to play in learners' understanding of surface area and volume at the Grade 8 level. The fmdings of this case study support other research regarding the importance of using physical manipulatives in teaching and learning mathematics. They align with other findings that assert that manipulatives are essential mediating tools in the development of the conceptual and procedural understanding of mathematical concepts, clarifying and helping learners to visualize abstract mathematical concepts.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

An investigation of the role of the ward councillors in relation to the National Urban Renewal Programme : a case study of the Motherwell, Nelson Mandela Bay

  • Authors: Mbusi, Pamela Boniwe
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Public administration -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Local government -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: vital:8300 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019706
  • Description: This study sought to investigate the extent to which Ward Councillors executed their Constitutional and developmental mandate to enhance basic service delivery in relation to the National Urban Renewal Programme (NURP). For practical purposes, a case study approach was chosen, using Motherwell in Nelson Mandela Bay as the specific area of focus. Motherwell was declared by the national government as one of eight nodal zones for urban renewal in South Africa. The Preamble to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, states that the injustices of the past have to be addressed and those who suffered for justice and freedom in the country should be honoured. The results of the 1994 national and 1995 local government elections marked a political breakthrough in South African politics. The new democratic and social reconstruction agenda necessitated the transformation of the legislative framework in various areas. In this study, the role of Ward Councillors was interrogated and investigated to establish whether the Urban Renewal Programme had benefited the Motherwell community in Nelson Mandela Bay in accessing basic services. In this regard, a legislative framework regulates and guides municipal Councillors in performing their developmental duties to achieve local government developmental outcomes. The legislative prescriptions that underpin the operations and activities of municipal Councillors in delivering public services to citizens and in ensuring the effective and efficient implementation of government policies generally, and the Motherwell Urban Renewal Programme in particular, were examined and interrogated. An overview of the National Urban Renewal Programme was presented. The legislative framework underpinning the Urban Renewal Programme was also reviewed. The study concluded with a number of recommendations based on the findings of the literature, legislative reviews and an empirical survey.
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  • Date Issued: 2012
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