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1
Strumpher, Corrina Sonia. "Students’ perceptions of factors that contribute to drop-outs at a selected FET College in the Western Cape." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/2821.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018.<br>This study investigates students’ perception of factors that contributed to dropouts at a selected FET college. Despite receiving government funding, drop-out continues to increase. An understanding of perceived factors influencing drop-out rate would help to develop and deploy retention strategy for FET college students. Previous studies on drop-out shows that students that have dropped out are more likely to be unemployed and living in poverty compared to those students that have successfully completed their programmes. In 2006 the Minister of Labour declared that FET Colleges in South Africa have a major role to play in assisting youth in gaining skills and thereby halving poverty and the unemployment rate by the year 2014. This declaration highlights the importance of FET colleges and amplifies the need for a strategy to maximise students’ retention and minimise drop-out rate. This study utilise a random sampling method to select respondents. Data were collected using a questionnaire with a quantitative approach and designed in a Likert scale format. The study was limited to students at West Coast FET College’s campuses namely: Atlantis, Vredenburg, Malmesbury and Citrusdal. One hundred and fifty students were used as respondents and data were gathered from the questionnaires. The findings derived from the data revealed that multiple factors are perceived to be the cause of high student dropout. These factors are lack of finances for transport and accommodation especially for the first years and social context of individual learners. The study concludes that although finance and social context of individual learner are perceived drop-out factors, other personal attributes like learners’ attitude to learning and commitment also plays a role in students drop-out and drop-out intention.
2
Moleli, Malehlohonolo Florence. "Protective factors that could foster resilience in first year students." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2005. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&.
Full textAbstract:
Large numbers of students tend to experience failure and dropout in their first year at university. The fundamental aim of this research was to explore protective factors that could foster resilience amongst first year students. It is hoped that resilience research can give young adults the skills and support to survive academic challenges with the help of the university. This study undertook to determine resilience traits that could contribute to academic success. Students who enrolled at the University of the Western Cape for the first time during the year 2003 participated in this study.
3
Pillay, Paliga. "The utilisation of formative and summative electronic assessments in historically disadvantaged institutions (HDI) in the Western Cape." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2005. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_5571_1183428889.
Full textAbstract:
<p>In this thesis, I explore the benefit of electronic formative assessment on learner achievement. Studies had revealed the connection between throughput and assessment. There is great discrepancy between the throughput rate of Historically Disadvantaged Institutions (HDI) and Historically Advantaged Institutions (HAI), according to the National Plan for Higher Education. Previously, assessment was used primarily for summative and certification purposes. Now, with the introduction of Outcomes Based Education (OBE), a number of alternative forms of assessment can be used. In this study I establish the importance and necessity of frequent, electronic, formative assessments which would thereby improve learners&rsquo<br>achievement in the classroom.</p>
<p>The white paper on e-education (DOE: 2003) states that e-education must be transformed so that information and communication technology (ICT) can be successfully integrated to &ldquo<br>ensure that all learners will be equipped for full participation in the knowledge society&rdquo<br>. Recent research has reported significant increases in learner achievement through educational technology with the use of learning management systems (LMS) software (Stephens, 2001, Buchanan, 2000, DeKock, 1994). This study was built upon this body of research on educational technology and how it can be effectively integrated into classrooms. This research would impact on learner achievement through the use of formative assessment to assist under-prepared learners to improve their summative scores. In particular, the effect of formative electronic assessment on learner achievement in the subject Business Information Systems, for first year accounting learners, in the Business Faculty at Peninsula Technikon was investigated. This quantitative study utilized the use of questionnaires and the control group design. The control group design, which consisted of the control and experimental groups was used on a group of learners who had been exposed to the treatment. The treatment for the experimental group comprised of using a formative on-line learning assessment. Independent variables included the treatment condition, race, gender and home language. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used on assessment. Analysis firstly revealed that there was no statistically significant difference between achievement in the practical component between the experimental and the control group. The Kruskal-Wallis tests showed that there were no significant differences between genders. The control group performed better than the experimental group in the theory test. Secondly, analysis revealed statistically significant mean achievement differences between Coloured female with no prior computer usage (M= 78) and Black female with no computer usage (M=44). Based on these findings, implications of the results of this study, future avenues of research and implementation suggestions are offered.</p>
4
Blumberg, Kathy Robyn. "The effectiveness of the extended curriculum programme in the electrical engineering department at a University of Technology in the Western Cape, South Africa." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/2783.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MTech (Business Administration in Project Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.<br>Students who are not academically strong are finding it very difficult to enter a tertiary institution. The requirements are of a high standard which results in many students not having the option to further their education. The government recognised that there was a problem in this area and that the country as a whole is lacking in people with the necessary skills to improve the country and its economy. The introduction of the Extended Curriculum Programme has given students the opportunity to enter a tertiary institution and prove to themselves that with a little guidance and an academically lengthened year they will be able to use their skills to improve their situations. The ECP has been integrated into universities in various departments allowing for a diverse amount of options for the students to choose from. The introduction of the ECP has levelled the playing fields and allows students from all walks of life to enter an institution; however it must be noted that there are minimum requirements which are determined by the students’ academic history. Many a success story has emerged from the ECP. The course is spread over four years as opposed to three and it allows the student to settle into the tertiary lifestyle. It might take a little longer but the aims and goals have the same outcomes. The aim of this study to see how effective the ECP is in the Electrical Engineering Department at a University of Technology and to make recommendations where needed.
5
Burger, Johann Richards Vivian. "How do school leaders negotiate space in order to motivate teachers." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/79935.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MEd)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.<br>Bibliography<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This is an exploratory study of how school leaders can negotiate the various spaces in their schools in order to promote teacher motivation and, by implication, learner achievement. This research focuses on how three principals in the Western Cape Province have produced or re-appropriated spaces to create new, productive learning environments which positively engage the users of these spaces.
According to section 4 of the Employment of Educators Act 76 of 1998 (PAM), all school leaders are expected to create a learning space that is conducive to teaching and learning. In order to know what such a leadership responsibility may entail, this study tries to capture the dynamic interplay between physical (perceived) and mental (conceived) spaces as embodied in social (lived) spaces in a school. It uses Lefebvre‟s spatial triad as its theoretical lens.
Linked to the study‟s aim to investigate what the interplay is between the various Lefebvrean spaces in schools, is an examination of how school leaders can manage to negotiate the production of these spaces. For lived school spaces to have embodied meaning that is conducive to teaching and learning, they must be co-produced and co-owned by the users of that space. To illuminate the way in which school leaders can achieve this, the study draws on a model of transformational leadership.
The qualitative study uses a focus group, individual interviews and observations of three schools that have all achieved recognition as schools with excellent learner achievement: a public primary school, a public high school and an independent high school. The main research findings are that each of the three school leaders instinctively followed a transformational leadership style, and produced spaces that encouraged professional interaction amongst their teachers as well as strong collegial support for their spatial changes. The staffrooms have been modernised and equipped with lush furniture, flat screen TV‟s, appealing decorations and stimulating pictures, all with the purpose of lifting the spirits and energy levels of the staff. In addition, teachers‟ professional meeting rooms and confidential workspaces have been established. Classrooms have been changed into inviting and functional 21st century ICT learning spaces, with flexible use of furniture and stimulating visuals. Outdoor learning spaces and safe “emotional zones” have been constructed At all three schools the entrances and receptions areas have been made into welcoming spaces in which learners can gather for meetings, and the schools‟ symbols and achievements are showcased. Clear signposting makes the visitor feel engaged. Braai areas for teacher and parent functions ensure that the school keeps parents involved.
The main findings about the embodied spaces in the school are that the three school leaders have changed the physical spaces at their schools into new mental spaces which influence the perception, mood and motivation of the users of that space.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie verken hoe skoolleiers die verskillende ruimtes in hul skole kan aanwend ten einde onderwysermotivering, en gevolglik ook leerderprestasie, te bevorder. Die navorsing konsentreer op hoe drie skoolhoofde in die Wes-Kaapse provinsie ruimtes geskep of heringerig het om nuwe, produktiewe leeromgewings teweeg te bring wat die gebruikers van hierdie ruimtes op 'n positiewe manier by onderrig betrek.
Ingevolge artikel 4 van die Wet op Indiensneming van Opvoeders, Wet 76 van 1998 (PAM), moet alle skoolhoofde 'n bevorderlike ruimte vir onderrig en leer skep. Ten einde vas te stel wat sodanige leierskapsverantwoordelikheid behels, probeer hierdie studie die dinamiese wisselwerking tussen fisiese of waargenome (“perceived space”) en voorgestelde of veronderstelde (“conceived space”) ruimtes beskryf soos dit in die sosiale of belewingsruimtes (“lived spaces”) in 'n skool vergestalt word. Die navorsing gebruik Lefebvre se ruimtelike triade as teoretiese lens.
Benewens die studiedoelwit om ondersoek in te stel na watter wisselwerking daar tussen Lefebvre se verskillende ruimtes in skole plaasvind, val die soeklig ook op hoe skoolleiers die skepping van hierdie ruimtes kan hanteer. Belewingsruimtes in skole sal slegs oor die nodige vergestalte betekenis beskik om onderrig en leer te bevorder indien die gebruikers van daardie ruimtes dit help skep en as hul eie aanvaar. Die studie put uit 'n model van transformasionele leierskap om lig te werp op hoe skoolleiers dít kan bereik.
Hierdie kwalitatiewe studie gebruik 'n fokusgroep, individuele onderhoude sowel as waarnemings in drie skole wat bekend is vir hul uitnemende leerderprestasie: 'n openbare laerskool, 'n openbare hoërskool en 'n onafhanklike hoërskool. Die hoofbevindinge is dat elk van die drie skoolleiers instinktief 'n transformasionele leierskapstyl volg en ruimtes geskep het wat professionele wisselwerking tussen hul onderwysers sowel as sterk kollegiale steun vir hul ruimtelike veranderinge aanmoedig. Die personeelkamers is modern ingerig met gemaklike meubels, platskermtelevisies, aantreklike versierings en stimulerende prente, wat alles ten doel het om personeel se geesdrif en energievlakke te verhoog. Voorts is professionele vergaderlokale en vertroulike werkruimtes vir onderwysers tot stand gebring. Klaskamers is omskep in aantreklike en funksionele, 21ste-eeuse IKT-leerruimtes, met buigsame gebruik van meubels en stimulerende visuele elemente. Buitelugleerruimtes en veilige "emosionele sones" is ook geskep. By ál drie skole is die ingange en ontvangslokale in aanloklike ruimtes verander waar leerders vir vergaderings kan byeenkom en die skole se simbole en prestasies ten toon gestel word. Duidelike aanwysings betrek besoekers onmiddellik by die skoolomgewing. Braaigeriewe vir onderwyser-en-ouergeleenthede verseker ook voortdurende skakeling tussen die skool en ouers.
Die hoofbevinding oor die belewingsruimtes in die skole is dat die drie skoolleiers die fisiese ruimtes by hul skole in nuwe geestesruimtes omskep het, wat die opvattings, gemoed en motivering van die gebruikers van daardie ruimtes beïnvloed.
6
Sikhosana, Regina Balengane. "Managing electronic resources at selected tertiary institutions in the Western Cape, South Africa." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/2727.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MTech (Business Information Systems))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.<br>The aim of this research study is to explore the management of electronic resources used in libraries. Three tertiary institutions were used as case studies. The unit of analysis was the three libraries, with library employees (14) working and managing electronic resources being the unit of observation. Non-random, purposive sampling techniques were used. The finding of this study suggests that the participants do not use the Aleph integrated library system (ILS) optimally to manage electronic resources. Library employees do not keep up with current and new emerging technology trends in the library and academic environment. There is a lack of training, as well as understanding, of business processes and workflows. This is emphasised by a lack of knowledge of library system environments and, finally, the high cost of implementing the library systems. Electronic resource management (ERM) systems emerged in the early 2000s, and it became clear that traditional integrated library systems did not have sufficient capacity to provide efficient processing for meeting the changing needs and challenges of libraries at tertiary institutions. Libraries find it challenging to manage the wide range of licensed electronic resources, collaborating, cooperating and sharing resources with different libraries. The increasing number of electronic resource demands from users for remote or off campus access makes it difficult for libraries to manage electronic resources. As a result of this inability to manage the electronic resources, libraries are not effectively and efficiently using appropriate electronic resource systems to meet their business requirements.
7
Sinyenyeko-Sayo, Nondumiso Constance. "Improving library services through the application of business performance concepts." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2007. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_4120_1188477680.
Full textAbstract:
<p>In virtually any field of endeavour today, access to information is a prerequisite for success. Libraries form the repositories with user-friendliness their mission. This has lead to the need for new ways to evaluate library performance. Astute library managers will plan for such developments, taking into account current and future trends that impact on library services. Library services are also affected, for example, by financial considerations and staffing problems. Further complicating matters are the demands of their clients who have developed increased expectations of improved service, and also a desire for more self-service opportunities. Such changes raise the question: &ldquo<br>to what extent can libraries apply business performance management techniques to assess their performance.&rdquo<br>This, then, is the research question for this study.</p>
<p><br />
This work will evaluate library performance with the aim of improving service management. Its targets are the UWC library, and others, such as the Stellenbosch University, and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. The application of selected service management techniques and measures used in business will be explored. These techniques include The Balanced Scorecard, critical success factors and service quality. The study also touches on transformation and change management. An obvious source of information about library management is the corps of managers. The secondary source of information is the community of library users.</p>
8
Mcwatts, Susheela. "Job satisfaction and organisational commitment: a comparative study between academic and support staff at a higher education institution in the Western Cape." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2005. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&.
Full textAbstract:
Research suggest that increasing employee commitment and satisfaction impacts on employee productivity and job performance, and has implications for job related behaviours such as absenteeism, turnover and tardiness. Moreover, literature also suggests that downsizing and cost-cutting negatively impacts on the satisfaction and commitment of employees and impacts on the effectiveness of organisations. The contention is that in order to reconcile the need to achieve high quality and organisational effectiveness in an environment of declining per capita resources and change, it will be necessary to secure a high level of commitment and satisfaction from all those employed in the higher education sector. This study sought to investigate the factors that produce commitment and satisfaction in academic and support staff respectively and to understand any important similarities and differences that may exist.
9
Magerman, Yolande Nerissa. "Academic factors affecting learning at a nursing college in the Western Cape." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/6648.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MCur)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Nursing education, including the individual nurse educator, has a responsibility to
society and to students for providing quality education, for maintaining the highest
academic standards, for the proficient use of teaching strategies and for ensuring
adequate support to learners. These standards were threatened at a particular college
in the Western Cape which instigated this study.
This study aimed at investigating the academic factors that influenced learning at a
particular nursing college in the Western Cape. The objectives included the following
possible factors that may have contributed towards the unsatisfactory, academic
performances of students:
• Nursing as a career choice;
• Selection criteria;
• Approaches to learning;
• Motivation and learning;
• Language barrier to learning; and
• Factors affecting the learning environment.
A non-experimental, descriptive research design was applied with a quantitative
approach. The target population (N = 963) consisted of nursing students following the
course leading to registration as a professional nurse, according to the South African
Nursing Council’s regulation 425, as promulgated by the Nursing Act 50 of 1978, as
amended (Nursing Act 33 of 2005). Probability, stratified sampling was used to select
the sample of participants (n = 174).
A structured questionnaire, consisting of predominantly closed questions, was used for
the collection of data.
Ethical approval was obtained from Stellenbosch University to conduct this study.
Permission to conduct the research was also obtained beforehand from the
management of the nursing college being studied, whilst prior informed consent was
obtained from each participant. Reliability and validity of the study were assured by means of a pilot study and through
the use of experts in nursing research, methodology and statistics. Data was collected
and captured by the researcher personally.
The data was analysed with the support of a statistician and was expressed as
frequencies and in tables and histograms. Descriptive statistics and post-hoc analyses,
including tests for statistical associations, were performed.
The outcomes from this study showed that third year students (n = 49/23%) spent the
most time studying, whilst first years (n = 74/43%) and second years (n = 40/23%) only
spent 2.3 hours studying per day. Academic support classes, when offered, were
always attended by (n = 64/37%) and most times by (n = 72/42%). The majority of the
participants were able to cope with the workload most of the time (n = 107/61%), whilst
(n = 51/30%) and (n = 6/3%) of the participants indicated coping seldom and never,
respectively. A significant relationship between the ages of participants and being able
to cope with the workload (Spearman p-value = 0.02) existed. Results indicated that (n
= 83/48%) of the participants received support with language problems, whilst (n =
75/43%) indicated that they did not receive support with language problems. The
Afrikaans speaking participants coped the best with the workload (mean score = 1.72),
followed by the English speaking students (mean score = 1.68), and lastly the Isi-
Xhosa speaking learners (mean score = 1.65).
Recommendations made by participants included the following:
• Strict adherence to the selection criteria, which should help decrease the
attrition rate.
• English as a subject / module during the first year was proposed.
• The promotion of the proficiency in English, through interaction between English
speaking learners and students with English as second language, should be
encouraged.
• Regular updates of the contents of the curriculum.
• The importance of identifying ‘at risk’ students and pro-actively introducing a
mentorship programme.
• Information technology needed to be improved in many aspects, such as
accessibility of Web based communication. Results from the open ended questions showed that participants regarded the teaching
strategies as boring. Large classrooms were also mentioned as a problem. Smaller
classes were requested to enable more interaction in the class.
In conclusion, this study showed that specific academic factors were influencing
learning at the nursing college being investigated in the Western Cape. Therefore,
recommendations were made in this study, which, if implemented, should result in an
improvement in the overall academic performances of students.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Verpleegkundige onderrig, insluitende die individuele verpleegkundige opvoeder, het 'n
verantwoordelikheid teenoor die samelewing en teenoor studente om kwaliteit onderrig
te verskaf, om die hoogste akademiese standaarde te handhaaf, om die effektiewe
gebruik van onderrigstrategieë te bied en om die begeleiding van leerders te verseker.
Hierdie standarde was gedreig by ′n seker verpleeg kollege in die Wes Kaap en dus
was die studie geinisieër.
Hierdie studie het ten doel gehad om die akademiese faktore, wat moontlik leer by 'n
bepaalde verpleegkollege in die Wes-Kaap beïnvloed, te ondersoek. Die doelwitte het
faktore, wat moontlik die akademiese prestasie van studente kon beïnvloed het,
ingesluit:
• Verpleging as 'n loopbaankeuse;
• Keuringskriteria;
• Benaderings tot leer;
• Motivering en leer;
• Taalhindernis; en
• Faktore wat die leeromgewing affekteer.
'n Nie-eksperimentele, beskrywende navorsingsontwerp is toegepas, deur van ′n
kwantitatiewe benadering gebruik te maak. Die teikenbevolking (N = 963) het uit
verpleegkunde studente bestaan wat die kursus gevolg het wat tot registrasie as 'n
professionele verpleegkundige lei, in ooreenstemming met die Suid-Afrikaanse Raad
op Verpleging se regulasie 425, soos gepromalgeer deur die aangepaste Wet op
Verpleging 50 van 1978 (Wet op Verpleging 33 van 2005). Daar is van
waarskynlikheid-gestratifiseerde steekproefneming gebruik gemaak om die deelnemers
te kies (n = 174).
'n Gestruktureerde vraelys, bestaande uit hoofsaaklik geslote vrae, is vir die
invordering van data gebruik.
Etiese goedkeuring is vooraf van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch verkry om hierdie
studie uit te voer. Toestemming om die navorsing te doen is ook vooraf vanaf die bestuur van die verpleegkollege wat ondersoek is verkry, terwyl elke deelnemer
sy/haar ingeligte toestemming verleen het.
Betroubaarheid en geldigheid is deur middel van 'n loodsstudie verseker, tesame met
die gebruik van kundiges in verpleegnavorsing, metodologie en statistiek. Data is deur
die navorser persoonlik versamel en vasgelê.
Die data is met die hulp van ‘n statistikus ontleed en is as frekwensies en in tabelle en
histogramme illustreer. Beskrywende statistiek en post-hoc analises, insluitende toetse
vir statistiese assosiasies, is uitgevoer.
Die bevindings uit hierdie studie het daarop gedui dat derdejaarstudente (n = 49/23%)
die meeste tyd aan hul studies bestee het, terwyl die eerste- (n = 74/43%) en
tweedejaarstudente (n = 40/23%) daagliks slegs 2.3 ure aan hul studies spandeer het.
Waar akademiese ondersteuningsklasse aanbieding is, is dit altyd deur (n = 64/37%)
bygewoon en die meeste kere deur (n = 72/42%). Die meerderheid van deelnemers
was meestal in staat om die werkslading te hanteer (n = 107/61%), terwyl (n = 51/30%)
en (n = 6/3%) van die deelnemers, onderskeidelik, aangedui het dat hulle selde of ooit
die lading kon baasraak. 'n Beduidende verwantskap tussen die ouderdomme van die
deelnemers en hul vermoë om met die werkslading te kon volhou (Spearman p-waarde
= 0,02), het bestaan. Resultate het daarop gedui dat (n = 83/48%) van die deelnemers
steun met taalprobleme ontvang het, terwyl (n = 75/43%) aangedui het dat hulle nie
steun ontvang het nie. Die Afrikaanssprekende deelnemers het die werkslading die
beste hanteer (gemiddelde telling = 1.72), gevolg deur die Engelssprekendes
(gemiddelde telling = 1.68) en laastens die Isi-Xhosasprekende deelnemers
(gemiddelde telling = 1.65).
Aanbevelings deur deelnemers het die volgende ingesluit:
• Die streng nakoming van die keuringskriteria behoort die afname in die
uitvloeitempo te help bevorder.
• Engels as 'n vak / module gedurende die eerste jaar is voorgestel.
• Die bevordering van Engels as spreektaal, deur die interaksie tussen studente
met Engels as Moedertaal en Engels as tweede taal, behoort aangemoedig te
word.
• Gereelde opdatering van die die kurrikuluminhoud. Die belangrikheid om "hoë risiko" studente te identifiseer en ’n pro-aktiewe
mentorskapsprogram daar te stel.
• Inligtingstegnologie behoort in baie aspekte verbeter te word, soos bv
toeganklikheid tot Web-gebaseerde kommunikasie.
Die resultate tov die oop vrae het getoon dat deelnemers die onderrigstrategieë as
vervelig beskou het. Groot klaskamers is ook as 'n probleem geïdentifiseer. Daar was
versoeke vir kleiner klasse, ten einde beter interaksie tussen leerders en dosente te
bevorder.
Ter afsluiting het die studie getoon dat spesifieke akademiese faktore leer by die Wes-
Kaapse verpleegkollege, wat ondersoek is, beïnvloed het. Dus is aanbevelings in
hierdie studie gemaak, wat, indien geïmplementeer, 'n verbetering in die algehele
akademiese prestasie van studente behoort te help bewerkstellig.
10
Kunene, S. A. S. Z. "The impact of collection development policy on service rendering to undergraduates: a case study of the University of the Western Cape Library." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2006. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=init_3448_1180442380.
Full textAbstract:
<p>Collection development in academic libraries is going through technology-driven changes relating to the new information technologies ,e.g. -Electronic databases, the Internet and CD-ROM's, joint published materials and audio-visual resources. Libraries are also facing declining budgets and spiralling costs. This research project looked closely at what collection development is and the impact it has on service rendering to undergraduates at the University of the Western Cape. It is also aimed at establishing if the librarians that formulate these policies understand what they (Collection Development Policies) are, and what they should entail.</p>
11
Knipp, Shereene Natacha. "The academic and social integration of first-year students into higher education: a systematic review." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17978.
Full textAbstract:
Success rates remain a critical challenge in higher education. National and international data continue to suggest that the majority of students entering higher education withdraw before graduation. There is a strong indication in the literature that a student’s integration into the academic and social systems of higher education plays a critical role in student retention, persistence and success. In addition, research data demonstrates that student success is strongly influenced by the experiences students encounter in their first year of study. Established interventions have not helped to stem the tide of dropout rates. The primary aim of the study was therefore to investigate the academic and social integration of first-year students into the higher education system. The specific objectives were to explore the factors that contribute to academic and social integration, as well as the outcomes of academic and social integration in the first year of study. The study is grounded in Tinto’s theory of student integration, which holds at its centre, the constructs of academic and social integration. Tinto’s model proposes that academic and social integration are instrumental to students’ persistence in higher education. The methodology employed for the study is a systematic review, in an attempt to sum up the best available research in response to the research question. It involved identifying, selecting, appraising and synthesising all quality research relevant to the academic and social integration of first-year higher education students. Several themes emerged from the systematic review. The main factors found to be contributing to academic integration were: interaction with academic staff, classroom and curriculum centrality, preparatory education, self-efficacy, interaction with peers, academic engagement, motivation and issues related to first-generation higher education students. Those for social integration were: interaction with peers, sense of belonging and identity, interaction with staff, involvement and accommodation issues. The main outcomes for both academic and social integration were found to be student retention, persistence and academic success. The findings are consistent with past research on academic and social integration. Based on the emergent themes, recommendations were made with the aim of improving success rates in higher education. The results of the study could be of particular value in the South African higher education context by offering insights into the global and local trends with regard to academic and social integration. The findings could hopefully offer possible responses to current critical student success challenges experienced in South African higher education, especially in the light of the call by the #FeesMustFall movement for free and decolonised education.
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Arendse, John Paul. "Psychosocial factors predicting academic performance of first-year college nursing students in the Western Cape, South Africa." University of Western Cape, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/11394/8004.
Full textAbstract:
Magister Curationis - MCur<br>Academic performance of students is influenced by a combination of several psychosocial factors which include seeking academic help, use of various sources for academic learning, extent of the student seeking academic help, seeing academic help-seeking as a threat to self-esteem, interest in a subject, self-motivation and stress related to academic workload. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate psychosocial factors predicting the academic performance of first-year college nursing students, using a quantitative research method with a descriptive survey design. The population for this study was all first-year nursing students registered at a college of nursing in 2019. An inclusive sampling technique was used to include all 171 members of the student population in the study.
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Ayuk, Julius Nkongho. "A cross-sectional study of tuberculosis among workers in Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Western Cape province, South Africa." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/85836.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MMed)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction: The morbidity and mortality associated with tuberculosis (TB) disease is of grave
consequences for the health and employment of afflicted individuals. Healthcare workers are identified
amongst high risk groups in communities. The prevalence/incidence of TB is dependent on the presence
of associated risk factors which varies in diversity and intensity in different communities and
workplaces. Understanding the risk factors operating in any given environment is indispensable to any
tuberculosis control programme.
Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the occurrence and trends of TB disease as well as
to determine the risk factors associated with the disease among Tygerberg hospital employees.
Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study design with a nested case-control component was used to
determine the occurrence (and trends) and risk factors of TB disease respectively.
Occurrence and trends of tuberculosis: The frequencies, distribution and trends of TB disease from 2008
to 2011 were obtained by calculating and comparing the annual incidence rates for each variable. Cases
were identified from the occupational health clinic TB register, while the various denominator data were
obtained from the Human Resource database.
Determination of risk factors: Cases were recruited from the occupational health clinic TB register and
controls were randomly selected from unaffected workers during the study period. Self-administered risk
factor questionnaires were completed by both cases and controls. Multivariate logistic regression analysis
was used to determine the association between known and suspected risk factors and the occurrence of
TB disease amongst employees. Results: Sixty six cases of TB disease occurred in the workforce during the study period resulting in an
annual average incidence rate of 397/100,000 population (95% CI: 307/100,000-505/100,000). Twenty
three (34.8%) of the 66 cases occurred in Housekeeping staff, making them the most affected sub-group
[1181/100,000 population (95% CI: 747/100,000-1768/100,000)]. The rate of TB disease in nurses was
1.7 times (95%CI: 1.4-2.0) that of doctors. Workers in the 40-49 years age-group experienced the highest
incidence [490/100,000 population (95%CI: 329.6/100,000-706.8/100,000)] of TB disease compared to
the other age-groups. There was no obvious difference in gender occurrences. Disease rates varied
among different racial groups, with the highest rate in black employees [1473/100,000 population,
(95%CI: 924/100,000-1981/100,000)]. Distribution of TB disease in the institution was widespread, with
security department being the most affected [2500/100,000 population (95%CI: 311/100,000-
9262/100,000)]. There was a downward but statistically insignificant (annual range 9-23; p=0.28) trend in the rate of disease occurrence over the study period. No previous training on TB prevention (OR: 2.97,
95% CI: 1.15 - 7.71), HIV (OR: 67.08, 95% CI: 7.54 – 596.64) and working without knowledge of TB
risk profile of the workplace (OR: 8.66, 95% CI: 1.10 – 67.96) were associated with TB disease
occurrence.
Conclusion: Occurrence of TB disease among Tygerberg hospital employees was low compared to that
of the general population of its drainage areas. Disease occurrence in the facility was wide and varied
with respect to occupational groups, workplaces and time. Well-established risk factors for TB infection
(and disease) were found to be determinants of disease occurrence in the facility.
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Booi, Xolelwa. "Perfluorinated compounds and trihalomethanes in drinking water sources of the Western Cape, South Africa." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/863.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
MAGISTER TECHNOLOGIAE: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
in the
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
at the
CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
2013<br>This study focused on quantifying two types of internationally regulated contaminants found in drinking water: 1) Trihalomethanes (THMs) and 2) Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs).
The first contaminants monitored were THMs, classified as a group of chemicals that are formed along with others during the disinfection of water using liquid chlorine, chlorine dioxide or chlorine gas. Hence, the resulting compounds are called disinfection by-products (DBPs). The disinfectant reacts with natural organic matter in water to form common THMs, which include chloroform (CHCl3 or CF), bromodichloromethane (CHCl2Br or BDCM), dibromochloromethane (CHClBr2 or DBCM) and bromoform (CHBr3 or BF), with chloroform being the most common in chlorinated water systems. The current study has focused on THMs for two primary reasons: 1) THMs have raised significant concern as a result of evidence that associate their presence in drinking water with potential adverse human health effects, including cancer and 2) the levels of THMs in drinking water post-treatment is not monitored regularly in South Africa and thus far, there is inadequate and limited information about their concentration levels for drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) and distribution stations (DWDSs) of the Western Cape, South Africa before, distribution to various suburbs, including townships. THMs normally occur at higher levels than any other known DBPs and their presence in treated water is a representative of the occurrence of many other DBPs.
THMs were quantified in chlorinated drinking water obtained from seven (7) DWTPs, namely; Atlantis, Blackheath, Faure, Brooklands, Steenbras, Voelvlei and Wemmershoek, and one DWDS in Plattekloof. This included determining THMs concentration in tap water collected from various suburbs including townships, to assist local authorities in obtaining information on their concentration and whether or not the presence of residual chlorine and organic matter on post-treatment results has increased THMs at the point of use.
THM analysis was performed using liquid-liquid extraction/gas chromatography with electron capture detector (LLE-GC-ECD) analytical process according to the EPA method 501.2, which was used with minor modifications. The instrument operational conditions were as follows: Column → DB5-26, 30 mm, 0.53 mm, 1.0 μm df HP-1 (Agilent Technologies, USA); Carrier gas → Helium at a constant inlet pressure of 15 kPa; Make-up gas → 99.9% Nitrogen gas at 60 L/min; Injector temperature → 40°C; Oven temperature → 270°C and Detector temperature → 300°C. Since natural organic matter (NOM) in raw water is a precursor for THM formation, NOM analysis was performed as total organic carbon (TOC) using Spectroquant TOC test kits. Other drinking water quality parameters analysed were pH, residual free chlorine, conductivity and total dissolved solids (TDS).
The average Total THM concentrations detected from seven of the DWTPs, including the DWDS, ranged from 26.52 μg/L (for Plattekloof) to 32.82 μg/L (for Brooklands), with the observed concentrations being comparable. The average chloroform concentrations were the
highest in all the water samples, ranging from 11.74 μg/L (for Plattekloof) to 22.29 μg/L (for Voelvlei), while DBCM had the lowest concentration. The only DWTP that was not comparable with the seven DWTPs was Atlantis, with the highest average TTHM concentration of 83.48 μg/L and a chloroform concentration of 46.06 μg/L. From the tap water samples collected from 14 Western Cape suburbs, the average TTHM concentrations ranged from 5.30 ug/L (for Mandalay) to 13.12 μg/L (for Browns Farm, Philippi), and all these concentrations were lower than the TTHM concentrations detected in the water samples from the DWTP. Overall, the average total THM and individual THM species concentrations were below the recommended SANS 241:2011 and WHO drinking water guideline limits. This included the observed pH (6.39 to 7.73), residual free chlorine (0.22 to 1.06 mg/L), conductivity (121 to 444 μS/cm), TDS (93.93 to 344.35 mg/L) and TOC (0.38 to 1.20 mg/L). All these water quality parameters were within the specification limits stipulated in SANS 241. However, the average residual free chlorine concentration for Atlantis was very low (0.06 mg/L), which was below the WHO minimum residual free chlorine concentration guideline value of 0.2 mg/L for a distribution network – an indication that suggested the need for a re-chlorination station prior to distribution to households. Low chlorine content might result in the formation of unwanted biofilms in the distribution network, thus reducing the organoleptic properties of the water. Additionally, there was no direct link between several water quality parameters quantified (i.e. pH, TOC and water temperature) to TTHM formation. However, a high chlorine dose was observed to result directly in a higher concentration of chloroform in treated water prior to distribution.
The second contaminants monitored were Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), which are non-biodegradable, persistent and toxic organic chemicals known for their ability to contaminate environmental matrices, including drinking water sources. In recent years, many researchers considered it essential to identify and quantify PFC levels in drinking water worldwide with the main focus being on the two most abundant PFCs; namely Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Their toxic effects to human health, plants and wildlife were also evaluated, classifying them as possible carcinogens. We know from the literature reviewed that, although the presence of PFCs in drinking water has been documented worldwide, there is limited information about their presence specifically in South African drinking water sources, even about less studied PFCs such as Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUA), Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDeA) and the well-known PFOA including PFOS. Although several other PFCs have been detected in water sources and reported in various studies, the USEPA only issued drinking water guideline limits for Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) of 400 ng/L and 200 ng/L, respectively, with no mention of the other PFCs. However, these PFCs have similar properties to those of PFOA and PFOS as they have been shown to impose similar detrimental health effects on human health. This study thus
focused on the detection of PFCs in both raw and treated drinking water in the Western Cape DWTPs such as Atlantis, Blackheath, Faure, Brooklands, Steenbras, Voelvlei and Wemmershoek, and one DWDS in Plattekloof.
Water samples (raw and treated water) used in this study for PFC analysis were collected in 2L polypropylene screw capped bottles. PFC analysis was performed in four sample batches for each location collected through the period of October to December 2012 (summer). PFCs were analysed in accordance with a modified EPA method 537, which entails solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by analysis using a liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometer (LC/MS/MS). The slight modification was with the water sample volume used for extraction, which was increased from 250 mL to 500 mL. The instrument used was an HPLC - Ultimate 3000 Dionex HPLC system and MS model - Amazon SL Ion Trap, with the following MS/MS operational conditions and Ion mode: MS Interface → ESI; Dry temp → 350C; Nebulizing pressure → 60 psi; Dry gas flow → 10 L/min; Ionisation mode → negative; capillary voltage → +4500V; End plate offset → −500V while the separation column was a Waters Sunfire C18, 5 μm, 4.6 × 150 mm column (Supplier: Waters, Dublin, Ireland) with an operational temperature of 30C.
From the results obtained in this study, seven different PFCs (i.e. PFHpA, PFDoA, PFNA, PFUA, PFDeA, PFOA and PFOS), were detected in raw and treated water with PFOA and PFOS being the least detected PFCs as they were detected only in raw water (PFOA) from Faure, as well as raw and treated water (PFOS) from Brooklands. The highest concentration observed in treated water was for PFHpA, which was quantified at a maximum average concentration of 43.80 ng/L (Plattekloof). The maximum average concentrations of other PFCs detected were as follows: PFDoA - 4.415 ng/L for Faure raw water; PFNA - 2.922 ng/L for Plattekloof outlet; PFUA - 7.965 ng/L for Brooklands treated water and PFDeA - 2.744 ng/L for Faure raw water. Another observation from the results was that the concentration of the majority of the PFCs detected in treated water was higher than that quantified in raw water, suggesting possible contamination by materials used during water treatment.
In conclusion, THMs detected in treated water from various DWTPs and one DWDS in the Western Cape met the required local and international drinking water quality guidelines, while the presence of PFOS, PFOA, PFHpA, PFDoA, PFNA, PFUA and PFDeA in treated water requires that local water professionals continue to monitor their presence to ensure that measures for their reduction are in place. Furthermore, the National standards (SANS 241) for municipal drinking water guidelines must be updated to include the monitoring of PFCs, including the lesser known and less studied PFCs such as PFHpA, PFDoA, PFNA, PFUA and PFDeA.
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Lephoto, 'Mapasane. "Information technology and deskilling of professional cataloguers with special reference to academic libraries in the Western Cape." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/17439.
Full textAbstract:
Bibliography: pages 77-81.<br>An investigation was undertaken to establish whether it was possible to assume that information technology has had an influence of the skills levels in the jobs of cataloguers. The research was conducted in two parts: the literature survey and the empirical investigation. The survey of literature was done on the literature from the United States of America (USA), from the United Kingdom (UK) and also from limited South African resource. The overseas literature was related to the situation in South Africa. The empirical investigation was confined to the academic libraries in the Western Cape region of South Africa. For the empirical investigation a mail questionnaire was constructed and sent to respondents in order to determine whether information technology was indeed affecting the skills of cataloguers in the academic libraries. 'The analysis of data obtained from the results of the questionnaire indicated that there was no sign of a negative influence in the skills levels of cataloguers in Western Cape Africa. Indeed, it seemed was apparent from the analysis of data that cataloguers find information technology to be a positive influence on their skills and on enhancing their status.
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Maladzhi, Wilson Rendani. "Analysis of innovative leadership and sustainability of SMEs in the Western Cape Province, South Africa." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/1295.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
Doctor of Technology: Mechanical Engineering
in the Faculty of Engineering
at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012<br>Over the years, many organisations are constantly under extreme pressure for their survival and sustainability due to globalization, rapid pace of technological innovation and growing knowledge of their customers. Leaders within the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) struggle in dealing with these pressures due to lack of management skills, market know-how, education and training, entrepreneurial drive, technological orientation, product distribution and networking, particularly when compared with large companies. Innovative culture becomes a major problem among these SMEs. This forces leaders to establish a sound environment where employees can be creative and innovative. However, innovative culture is relatively at a slow pace in South Africa compared with other countries. In an attempt to create an innovative environment for employees, many leaders introduced international based policies such as organisational restructuring and reengineering. Instead of these policies to ease the prevailing conditions, the stress levels within the workplaces elevated and crushed the little creativity left in them. Therefore, this study is undertaken to investigate the appropriate leadership style capable to spearhead the SMEs in instilling local based innovation culture for sustainability in the Western Cape, South Africa.
A group of participants including both employees (n1=336) and leaders (n2=130) took part in the research survey within 50 SMEs in the Western Cape. Nevertheless, different sample sizes were utilised in various stages through different case studies. This study has adopted the survey research method for its reliability and being quantitative in nature originated from positivism paradigm. An innovative leadership model covered the key characteristics of leadership was developed to achieve the research objectives. All the characteristics as variables were formulated into propositions and hypotheses to determine the state of innovative culture in these SMEs. Cronbach's-Alpha coefficient was used for reliability test of all the characteristics. In addition, descriptive statistical results such as means, standard deviations, correlations, and Chi-Square were generated.
The study results revealed that all leadership characteristics variables were found to have p values below (0.01) which suggested on the rejection of null hypotheses. From employees’ point of view, the results showed that the leaders lack inspirational and motivational and high gain risk-taking characters. Thus, employees were not satisfied with their management styles toward innovation. However, leaders rated themselves highly based on the responses. In essence, a mathematical model was also used to analyse the impact of innovative leadership on productivity and profitability. The research findings have confirmed that leadership has the ability to stimulate both productivity and profitability. The study results further indicated that innovative leadership contributed to low production costs that resulted in the increase of productivity and profitability.
This study concluded that innovative leadership was vital to the innovative culture within SMEs. The proposed leadership model can be used as a guideline for SMEs to create innovative culture. Moreover, the mathematical model can be utilised for any SMEs to predict their productivity and profitability.
ii
The rest of the thesis is organized as follows:
Chapter one emphasises on the research problems pointing out factors that affected leadership in South African SMEs. The importance of the SMEs in the economy of the country as well as their descriptions and definition of SMEs were discussed. The problem statement, research objectives, leadership definitions, research propositions were highlighted. A description of the proposed model was detailed, and finally, the significance of the study and ethical issues were addressed.
Chapter two focused on improving new product development (NPD) through innovative leadership qualities. In this regard, the key factors bearing the impact on NPD such as lack of understanding customer needs, business skills and understanding of innovation in NPD.
Chapter three discussed the impact of innovative leadership on organisational culture within SMEs in the Western Cape, South Africa. It outlined the key leadership characters such as visionary, passionate, charismatic, inspirational and motivational, immersed in progressive change, high gain risk taking, ability to network and fast and action oriented leadership, and how these characteristics influence leadership to create an innovative culture within SMEs.
Chapter four highlighted how passionate and charismatic leadership impacted creativity and innovation within the SMEs. The leaders in these SMEs were passionate and charismatic. However, it is not sufficient to instill an innovative culture.
Chapter five presents an approach on how to create an innovation culture through visionary leadership in the SMEs. The results revealed that employees were very satisfied with their leaders. However, the leaders needed to make more efforts in making employees to embrace their organisational vision in order to be competitive.
Chapter six alluded on the developed mathematical model to analyse the impact of innovative leadership on organisational sustainability in terms of productivity and profitability. The mathematical model predicts how changes of innovative leaders influence the increase of profits while production costs decreasing.
Chapter seven concluded the importance of innovation culture within the SMEs. This chapter also indicated that there is a tremendous lack of innovation drive within the leaders in the SMEs; such that employees are not motivated enough to bring new ideas that can add organisational values. The further study areas were highlighted as well.
Keywords: Innovation, leadership, culture, new product development, sustainability and SMEs
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Boqwana, Sizakele. "Teacher and learner perceptions of the relationship between gang activity and learner academic performance in township schools." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/1960.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MTech (Education and Social Sciences))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2009<br>This study examines the nature and the extent of school gang activity and how it
impacts on learner academic performance in South African township schools. The
research evidence shows that learners in South Africa have been exposed to
widespread school gang activity leading to poor learner academic performance in the
township schools. The effects of the phenomenon of school gang activity on learner
academic performance are given a more insightful understanding of its effects.
The literature review supports the central argument that school gang activity persists
in South African schools, especially in the townships. In addition, the literature
provides both international and local perspectives of the high prevalence of school
gang activity and claims that it results in an insecure teaching and learning
environment.
The specific research design selected for the study is a phenomenological study and is
qualitative, explorative and descriptive in nature. A semi-structured interview method
was employed to gather the data required.
The findings of the study reveal that many learners in the township schools
experience direct incidences of school gang activity either at school or on the way to
or from school. In addition, the findings reveal that feelings of insecurity are most
intense in the classroom situation because the opportunities to escape danger are
minimal.
The conclusions drawn from the study are that classrooms are dangerous places and
this impacts on the ability of learners to achieve academically. Based on the findings,
this mini-dissertation recommends collaborative efforts of all role-players to interact
and produce amicable strategies and solutions that will decrease the occurrence of
school gang activities and school violence.
Gang activity in schools severely hinders learner academic performance. Hence incorporating interdisciplinary perspectives, involving activities such as teamwork and programme development can provide some solutions.
This mini-dissertation is dedicated to my little angel, Avuyile Boqwana, in memory of
the day she was born. I said that day, "A professor is born in my house," trusting that
my wishes will be fulfilled one day. As young as she is, she is the source of all my
inspirations to pursue life-long learning. My little is a source of motivation every
time I look at her. She is my hope for the future. It was her enduring love when she
always missed her bedtimes waiting for me to come back from my late tiring sessions
that provided "the wind beneath my wings" to complete this educational journey.
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Simpeh, Frederick. "Current maintenance strategies of university building facilities in the Western Cape, South Africa." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/1048.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Technology: Construction Management (Facility Management)
Department of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying
In the Faculty of Engineering
At the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013<br>Universities generally have low budgets for building maintenance and this reality, often aggravated by further reductions, results in a decline in the condition and performance of buildings. This particular research investigated the current building maintenance strategies of Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). The aim of the research was to develop improvement, prioritisation and involvement strategies to guide the maintenance of the performance parameters of the lecture theatres to ensure a performance level that meets the satisfaction of students, thereby promoting their learning experience.
A mixed research design was used for the main study. A “case study” approach was adopted. CPUT was selected and three lecture theatres were selected as the cases for the research study. An exploratory study was carried out at the initial stage of the study, helping to formulate the research question and objectives for the main study. Observations, interviews and questionnaires were used to collect the primary data for the main study. A total of 430 questionnaires were distributed, out of which 283 representing a response rate of 65.8% were duly completed and returned. Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) model together with both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data.
The findings revealed that the performance of lecture theatres affects learning experience, and that all identified performance parameters were important to students’ learning experience. However, lighting, structural safety, ventilation and cleanliness were more highly ranked than fire safety & exit and aesthetics. It also became evident that, while all the performance parameters appeared to be underperforming, the performance of structural safety and lighting seemed satisfactory in all the lecture theatres, whereas ventilation, temperature, fire safety & exit (particularly old lecture theatres) and sound control were clearly underperforming. Furthermore, the study revealed that students are not involved in the maintenance management process of the lecture theatres whereas their involvement could ensure their satisfaction. Students perceived that instituting maintenance coordinators would be the most effective way of ensuring their involvement, followed by placing suggestion box in the department, or possibly organising forums at departmental level.
To achieve better lecture theatre performance, the CPUT maintenance department needs to improve on the HVAC system (ventilation and temperature), fire safety & exit (particularly old lecture theatres) and sound control but without neglecting the other performance parameters. A further study to include teaching staff, additional lecture theatres and more parameters is highly recommended as it will provide a broader perspective to further help the CPUT maintenance department better maintain the lecture theatres.
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Coughlan, Lisa-Mari. "Job satisfaction in selected five-star hotels in the Western Cape." Thesis, Bloemfontein : Central University of Technology, Free State, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/164.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (M. Tech. (Tourism and Hospitality Management)) -- Central university of Technology, Free State, 2013<br>One of the 2011 National Tourism Sector Strategy objectives is to "provide excellent people development and decent work within the tourism sector". The hospitality industry is, however, not regarded as a provider of decent work, a factor that has a direct bearing on the job satisfaction level of employees. It is for this reason that it was decided to investigate the job satisfaction level of employees in selected five-star hotels in the Western Cape Province. The instrument used to gather the quantitative data was a newly developed index based on the literature review conducted. The review was not restricted to the hospitality industry, but included all industries, as the existing knowledge on job satisfaction in the hospitality industry is limited.
A pilot study was conducted on one five-star hotel in Bloemfontein, and the empirical study was conducted in February 2012 among 124 employees of four five-star hotels in the Western Cape. The only biographic variable, for which a significant correlation with overall job satisfaction was calculated, was having a hospitality-related qualification. A significant correlation with overall job satisfaction was calculated for 38 of the 74 job satisfaction variables. The 38 job satisfaction variables were distributed among six internal, 18 external and 14 individual job satisfaction variables. The internal job satisfaction dimension predicted 39.97% of overall job satisfaction; the external job satisfaction dimension predicted 66.88%, and the individual job satisfaction dimension predicted 79.82%. In total, 79% of respondents indicated that they were satisfied with their current jobs. Recommendations were made to improve job satisfaction in the selected five-star hotels in the Western Cape.
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Kayi, Nolusindiso. "The progression of women to senior management positions at a South African University in the Western Cape." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/1018.
Full textAbstract:
Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
Master of Technology: Business Administration
in the Faculty of Business
at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013<br>In this research study, emphasis is placed on the progression of women to senior
management positions in higher education.
The main purpose was to determine whether there were any barriers that women
experienced in progressing to senior management positions in higher education. This study
specifically focused on a South African university in the Western Cape.
Normative criteria, which were derived from the literature survey included relevant books,
academic journal articles, legislation, policy directives, conference papers and the Internet in
order to extract relevant standards against which current practices could be measured. The
themes in the literature search for this study included organisational barriers that women
might have experienced in their places of work, gender stereotypes, organisational or
institutional cultures, and the importance of career planning. The South African labour
legislation was explored in terms of providing a framework for the transformation of the
workplace with regard to equity and skills development.
The data was submitted for professional statistical analysis, which was predetermined in
collaboration with a registered statistician. A questionnaire was designed by using the Likert
Scale, and was submitted to the registered statistician for analysis.
The results of this study showed that, firstly, in most instances, men and women had different
views of the current situation; that the institution had made strides in terms of transformation,
but that emphasis should still be placed on gender equity.
The research study provides evidence that women might still be facing barriers, whether
hidden or not, in order to progress to senior management positions in higher education. The
researcher has provided recommendations that could assist the institution in this respect.
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Boekstein, Mark Simon. "Revitalising the healing tradition - health tourism potential of thermal springs in the Western Cape." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/1623.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
Doctor of Technology: Tourism Management
Faculty of Business at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012<br>There are 11 thermal springs in the Western Cape, seven of which have been developed into eight resorts. Only one of these resorts has a focus on health and wellness, with appropriate facilities, with the others functioning primarily as family leisure resorts. Internationally there has been a move by traditional thermal spring resorts to begin offering a combination of health (medical and wellness) services in combination with leisure activities. In light of current international trends, as well as perceived domestic needs, it appears that the Western Cape‟s thermal spring resources are not being optimally utilized as tourist attractions, neither for domestic nor for international tourist markets.
This research sets out to evaluate the potential for health tourism development of thermal springs in the Western Cape. It analyses relevant aspects of both the supply and demand sides of thermal spring tourism in the Western Cape. A database is compiled of thermal spring resorts and undeveloped thermal springs in the Western Cape, which includes facilities and services, and relative locations with respect to tourist attractions and tourism routes. The mineral and radon gas contents of the respective thermal waters are measured and discussed in relation to known medicinal properties.
A questionnaire-based survey was undertaken, involving 383 respondents at six resorts, and activity-based market segmentation was carried out using k-means cluster analysis. A four-segment user profile (typology) of current visitors, based on activity preferences, was compiled. It was found that there is considerable potential for the development of thermal spring health (medical and wellness) tourism products in the Western Cape, based on available resources. A framework for thermal spring health tourism product development in the Western Cape is proposed, and recommendations are made for future development and marketing. Key recommendations include the development of balneological treatments, and radon therapies, at certain resorts, and investigating of the availability of local resources that could be incorporated into medical or wellness tourism products.
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Chowdhury, Salma. "The management of academic libraries: a comparative study of the University of the Western Cape Library and Dhaka University Library." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2006. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_7559_1182223717.
Full textAbstract:
<p>This research project is a comparative study of management of two university libraries (University of the Western Cape and Dhaka University) from two different countries (South Africa and Bangladesh). This research was to identify and document how the functions of management are applied in both libraries.</p>
<p><br />
A sample of the two university libraries&rsquo<br>users, librarians, and library staff were taken. The questionnaire, interview, observation and documentary sources of information were major methods of data collection. In order to provide a brief presentation on how the management functions were applied at other university libraries, a description of how some university libraries in the U.K, U.S.A, Eastern countries and Africa are given. The findings of the study revealed that the problem of inadequate financial support is true for both University libraries, and is the major cause amongst other weaknesses. Both libraries still use a large percentage of non-professional staff and the library service is in desperate need of personnel. However, the observed difference between DUL and UWCL in this comparative study was significant. Services offered in both libraries differ in some cases such as: Consortia, Inter library loans, OPAC, CD-search, e-journals and multimedia. These areas still need to be developed at DUL. UWC have the most of these facilities. Although it needs to improve on aspects such as e-journals, access to data-bases and open access on the Internet.</p>
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Mzamo, Nokuzola Assunta. "Assessing contributions of tourism development to poverty alleviation programmes in Langa, Western Cape Province." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/1652.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
Master of Technology: Public Management in the Faculty of business
at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013<br>The study, which deals with Assessing Contributions of Tourism Development to Poverty Alleviation Programmes in Langa, Western Cape Province, was conducted against the background that Langa Township has all that it takes to be considered as a well developed tourist destination. Despite the great potential of tourism economic clusters in Langa Township, which covers its rich historical contribution in the history making of new the South Africa, cultural tourism and township tourism, the township faces a challenge of unemployment whilst there are few community members that perceive tourism as an escape industry that would create job opportunities for them, and hence contribute to a better life.
Conversely, this study locates the tourism industry as key in efforts to uplift the poor standard of living that the Langa township community faces. In South Africa, generally, the tourism industry is recognised as one of the key economic sectors that has great potential to contribute towards eradicating community-based poverty challenges.
The central focus of the study involves the viability of tourism business segments in Langa Township, community participation, community understanding and awareness of the tourism industry in the area, as well as basic infrastructure to support tourism industry.
The study employed both quantitative and qualitative methodology. The quantitative survey was administered by using Likert Scale questionnaires, which were distributed to community members who have stayed in Langa for more than five years. The quantitative survey was distributed to the Langa Local Economic Development Forum, tour operators based in Langa, and those who make use of Langa as a visiting destination, and community leaders.
The main findings of the study revealed that there are few tour operators who conduct business based in Langa township, whilst those tourism establishments that exist are not widely marketed and properly planned to both lead and benefit from the potential of tourism economic segments in order to keep these operators highly viable and sustainable. Community understanding and awareness of the tourism industry in the area is at a fair level of understanding and awareness, but with little in-depth knowledge on how these communities can use it for the improvement of their living conditions. However, basic
infrastructure to support the tourism industry in Langa is not at a high standard to attract tourist use. For example, the indoor sport centres, playing fields, and cultural yards are of a poor quality. This situation makes it difficult to currently position the tourism industry in Langa township, and drive it as a leading economic sector for poverty alleviation. Nonetheless, the study presents recommendation on how best to improve the current exploration on the tourism industry in Langa township for a positive impact on programmes towards poverty alleviation.
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Uctu, Ramazan. "The reconstruction of regional systems of innovation to allow the evolution of the biotechnology industry in non-high technology regions : the case of the Western Cape region in South Africa." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/86265.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates the efforts of stakeholders in a regional innovation system (RIS) to reconstruct the system to enable the development of the nascent biotechnology industry in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Various institutions and organisations played a crucial role in effecting these changes. One of the most important changes involved legislation that altered the role that universities play in bridging the gap between research outputs and reaping commercial benefits from such outputs. Following the logic of the regional innovation system, the study focused on the institutional changes, the mechanisms employed to bridge this gap (from creating spin-off firms, and licensing technologies based on university research, to designing programmes to support the development of bio-entrepreneurs). For a comparative perspective from another region that arrived on the biotechnology scene relatively late, the study includes a section on university spin-offs in biotechnology from Hong Kong universities. Since all the efforts to effect the changes to the RIS that would enhance the growth of this promising industry are relatively new, the study faced the usual problems associated with pioneering developments, such as small samples, a complete lack of databases, etc. For this reason, the questionnaire survey and case study methods were used throughout the study. Starting from the general to the specific, the thesis is divided into four complementary parts. Part I comprises the general literature survey and rationale for the study, while Part II narrows the focus to the organisations and mechanisms that connect knowledge creation and knowledge exploitation in the regional context in the Western Cape, South Africa and Hong Kong, China. Part III evaluates early efforts at building a bridge from science to business in the form of bio-entrepreneurship programmes. Part IV takes a micro view, tracking the evolution of biotechnology spin-offs from Western Cape universities, and highlighting the role that institutional changes played in the genesis, growth and, unfortunately, demise of some biotechnology spin-offs. The last section concludes.
Throughout the study a familiar refrain repeated itself with respect to the challenges faced by new spin-offs, namely the perennial culprits of a lack of appropriate skills, and funding. From our study, bearing in mind the small scale and the danger of generalisations, it would seem as if the reconstruction of the RIS and related changes in the national innovation system (NIS1) did not generate the results that the strategy hoped for (at least in the Western Cape, the focus of our study). A beam of light is the relative success achieved with the development and implementation of a bio-entrepreneurship training programme, which laid the foundation to build a more sustainable bridge between the science of biotechnology and the commercial world where the wealth creation opportunities reside.
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Higgins, Helena Johanna. "A quality management system (QMS) for a radiation oncology department in an academic hospital in the Western Cape, South Africa." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/1561.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree:
Master of Technology: Radiography (Therapy)
Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences
Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012<br>The focus of this study is to investigate the level at which quality management (QM) objectives, according to ISO standards, are met by the radiation oncology staff as well as doctors referring patients and patients receiving treatment at an oncology department. The study was undertaken at an academic hospital in the Western Cape, South Africa. The study addressed the following research question: “Do the QM system and practices at the division of Radiation Oncology at an academic hospital comply with ISO standards?”
Radiation therapy is the treatment of cancer with ionizing radiation. The department has Quality Assurance (QA) practices that assure the safe, consistent delivery of radiation to the target volumes that are defined for treatment from a technical point of view. Errors or incidents are inevitable and an understanding of when, why and how they occur could assure that systems are put into place to help minimize the frequency with which they occur. In order to do this, a systematically planned programme should be documented and implemented to assure that the treatment delivered meets the required standards. Such a programme is called a Quality Management System (QMS) and it must involve the documentation of all the processes that could influence or is involved in the treatment of patients. This includes the managerial, the psycho-social as well as the technical treatment planning processes. An important process is the identification of the QM objectives. Furthermore, the current levels of satisfaction with the QM programme needs to be assessed in order to improve the QMS.
The approach of the study is twofold. Firstly, the ISO standards regarding the first three QM objectives were identified and documented from literature and documents. The three QM objectives identified were: i) staff satisfaction and morale, ii) referring doctor satisfaction and iii) patient satisfaction. Secondly, the existing QM practices were investigated by means of an organisational satisfaction survey audit conducted with the staff in the department, the doctors referring patients to the department and the patients getting treatment at the department. The staff members were represented by a self-selecting sample group of 44 participants that completed a self-administered survey questionnaire. The referring doctors were also a self-selecting sample group of 64 participants that received a mailed or hand-delivered survey questionnaire. The patient group was a statistically calculated proportion sample of 230 patients that were interviewed with a structured administered survey questionnaire by the researcher.
The analysis of the data was layered and triangulated by means of identification of perspectives from different groups of people involved in the same setting. The first layer of analysis involved deconstructing and discussing the ISO documents, guidelines and policies in order to establish the required ISO standards regarding the three QM objectives researched in this study. The second layer of analysis involved quantitative descriptive analysis methods used to analyse the data generated by the Likert-scale questions. The third layer of analysis involved the analysis of the narrative data from
the open questions of the questionaires and structured interviews with the patients where content thematic analysis allowed categories to emerge by means of pattern matching. A benchmark of 50% was established from literature for satisfaction levels to be considered acceptable.
The findings of this study are expressed in terms of meeting this benchmark. In the staff group, five quality indicators were investigated. Three out of the five indicators of staff satisfaction (60%) met the 50% benchmark, which indicates that the department is meeting the standards set for this QM objective. The three indicators that met the benchmark were: i) working environment, ii) physical environment and safety and iii) job description. The two indicators not meeting the benchmark were i) recognition and ii) re-imbursement. In the referring doctor group a total of three quality indicators were investigated and two (66%) met the benchmark. The two indicators that met the benchmark were i) telephone etiquette and ii) patient management. The indicator not meeting the benchmark was follow-up reports. Therefore, the quality indicators for this specific QM objective are also meeting the standard required. The results for the last QM objective, patient satisfaction, shows that the seven indicators investigated have all (100%) met the benchmark set for satisfaction. The seven quality indicators investigated were i) administration, ii) atmosphere and comfort, iii) cleanliness of the department, iv) professionalism, v) information sharing, vi) cleanliness and safety in the ward and vii) patients’ general comfort in the ward.
The content analysis resulted in recommendations that were categorised as follows: i) specific recommendations according to the thematic content, ii) practical recommendations for future audits and iii) recommendations regarding the proposed QMS for the department. An important outcome of this study was the establishment of baseline data regarding these three QM objectives and the development of shortened survey questionnaires for use in future organisational survey audits.
In conclusion, it is argued that quality improvement should be seen as a continuous, structured process using a system that can create participation throughout the department to plan and implement processes that would meet and exceed the expectations and demands of the clients and staff utilizing the services of the department. This process, together with the structure provided by the ISO 9000 set of standards, is a valuable guideline for the development of a comprehensive QMS.
This thesis was an initial step towards a scientifically documented, implemented and regulated QMS that could guide the department in working towards achieving their set objectives and eventually towards attaining Radiation Therapy specific accreditation.
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Adams, Brandon. "The knowledge, skills and competency requirements for music librarians in academic music libraries in the Western Cape, South Africa." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/26881.
Full textAbstract:
The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge, skills and competencies required for music librarians in academic music libraries in the Western Cape of South Africa, in order for these libraries to effectively serve their scholarly communities. In addressing this objective, the following research questions were generated: What are user expectations of academic music library services in the Western Cape?; To what extent are these expectations currently being met?; and, What are the knowledge, skills and competency requirements for music librarians in academic libraries in the Western Cape of South Africa? The study was supported generally by Core competency theory and more specifically by the Music Library Association (MLA) core competencies for music librarians. The study's research approach was qualitative and exploratory, incorporating a multiple case study design. Empirical data were collected via semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with purposively sampled music librarians, academics and postgraduate students at the two higher education institutions in the Western Cape, Stellenbosch University and the University of Cape Town. Both these universities have music departments and music libraries. The data collected were analysed using thematic content analysis from recorded interviews and focus group discussions. The study's conclusions are centered on the main findings and discussion in the context of the reviewed literature and the theory supporting the study. It presents, based on the findings, knowledge, skills and competencies required to professionally and confidently serve the music library's scholarly community. While the study is empirically grounded in the music library and university environment in the Western Cape of South Africa, it has both practice and theoretical relevance to the broader world of music librarianship. The findings of this study to a large extent concur with the MLA core competency framework for music librarians but also updates it in terms of the modern digital information environment as well as a transformative society sensitive to cultural contextuality. It recommends to the music librarianship practice environment and contributes to the existing body of knowledge on competencies for music librarianship, an adjusted and extended MLA core competency framework (Hunter, 2002) which it hopes will be basis for further practice and research in the area of music librarianship.
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Andrews, Victoria. "The influence of workaholism and burnout on the intention to quite amongst academic employees at a selected university n the Western Cape." University of the Western Cape, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/11394/7223.
Full textAbstract:
Magister Commercii (Industrial Psychology) - MCom(IPS)<br>Universities worldwide have to contend with a changing landscape due to the massification of education, additional pressure being placed on academia with respect to research outputs, teaching a transforming student base, along with political and social pressures. In South Africa, in particular, there has been increasing pressure on government to effect socio-political and legislative changes to ensure that those that were previously disadvantaged are granted free educational opportunities. Within an academic milieu, talent retention of staff at higher education institutions (HEIs) in South Africa has become a challenge.
Research highlights many changes in the nature of work over the past few decades, including an increasingly prevalent culture of long working hours and increasing work intensity across many sectors. Within academia, recent research indicates a culture of increasing work intensity over time often combined with decreasing resources and competing demands. Once assumed to be a low-pressure job, research reports that significant mind set shifts have been needed within academia in order to cope with the heavy workloads, administrative, teaching, community outreach and publishing requirements and expectations within this group of employees. These additional expectations are likely to result in burnout, which is defined as a prolonged response or “‘psychological syndrome’” in response to chronic interpersonal stressors on the job. Burnout affects all professions but tends to be more pervasive in human service occupations such as education. Despite this evident recognition, there is a paucity of research on burnout among South African academics. Amongst the studies conducted, however, evidence suggests that burnout is escalating, and consequently academic careers are becoming less attractive.
The extant research reveals that the repercussions of burnout are accompanied by declines in mental and physical health, low morale, substance abuse, weakening of interpersonal relationships, deterioration in teaching and research performance, increased absenteeism and ultimately considerations of leaving the profession. This is likely to be exacerbated in those academics who display a propensity towards workaholism. Workaholism has become a prevalent phenomenon within organisations, which needs to be managed more effectively to offset its damaging effects on employee health and productivity. Associations have been established between workaholism, absenteeism, psychological ill -health, physical ill ill-health, stress and burnout. Faced with increasing professional and operational challenges, academics may develop the resultant impact and be inclined to intend to quit.
The main objective of the research study was to determine the relationship between workaholism and burnout on the intention to quit amongst academic employees at a uUniversity in the Western Cape. A quantitative method was used to generate the result by means of survey distribution to the targeted population. Convenience sampling was used to select academic staff in the study. Questionnaires were sent electronically and an additional one hundred and fifty 150 hardcopy questionnaires were administered. Fifty-three responses were received electronically, and fifty-three53 hardcopy completed questionnaires. In total, one hundred and six106 questionnaires were completed, of which one hundred 100 questionnaires were used for the study.
The surveys included a biographical questionnaire, Workaholism Analysis Questionnaire (WAQ) (2013), the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) (1981) and the Turnover Intentions Questionnaire (TIQ) (2008). The results indicated that there is a significant positive relationship between Eemotional Eexhaustion and turnover, Eemotional Eexhaustion and workaholism, Ddepersonalisation and workaholism, and workaholism and turnover intention. In addition, the results further indicated a strong negative relationship between Ppersonal Aaccomplishment and Tturnover Iintention. The results further showed that a medium positive relationship between Ddepersonalisation and turnover intention exists. The regression analysis indicated that a significant proportion of the variance in turnover intention is explained by Eemotional Eexhaustion. Conclusions were drawn, and recommendations are made to the uUniversity in order to address this potential problem.<br>2021-04-30
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Johnson, Dawn Alice. "Learners’ understanding and experiences of bullying at a primary school in the Western Cape." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/1869.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
Master of Education
in the Faculty of Education and Social Sciences
at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology
2014<br>This study aimed to determine learners' understanding and experiences of the different types of bullying and to examine the extent of bullying and roles they have been exposed to in various types of bullying. The research question was: What are primary school learners. understanding and experiences of bullying?
Literature indicates that bullying can be executed in direct and indirect forms (Olweus, 1993:10; Boulton et al., 2002:354; Hunter & Boyle, 2002:324; Piskin, 2003:556; Lee, 2004:9). Direct bullying can be defined as relatively open attacks on a victim (Boulton et al., 2002:354) that are carried out face to face and may include pushing, kicking and fighting (Lee, 2004:10). Indirect bullying can be defined as being more subtle and less direct (Boulton et al., 2002:354) and will include behaviour such as social isolation and exclusion from a group.
This study used the Olweus Intervention Method (1995), which offers a theoretical framework that could help the researcher find meaning in respect of the roles of the bully, victim and bystander. Urie Bronfenbrenner.s ecological theory (Bronfenbrenner,1998:993-1027) of human development was used as a lens for understanding bullying. Bronfenbrenner places child development within four different interacting levels, for example, the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem and macrosystem (Sigelman & Schaffer, 1995:87).
The researcher used a mixed-method research design as it could provide a better understanding of how learners understand their experiences of bullying . whether they were the victim, bully or witness. The total sample comprised 296 Intermediate Phase learners. The study began with a quantitative method, testing the understanding of concepts, and using a questionnaire for learners, and thereafter concluded with a qualitative method comprising a small number of learners (interviews with a focus group), exploring their experiences of bullying. The quantitative data was analysed by means of descriptive statistics to present simple summaries about the sample and the measures. The responses were recorded in frequency tables and percentages were calculated to determine general trends. The qualitative data was systematically organised into themes and patterns to bring meaning to the themes by telling a story. Information obtained from respondents was treated as highly confidential and the research findings were presented with integrity.
The results indicated that most learners have not been exposed to bullying as victims, although a high number of incidences were reported. Older boys were mostly involved in incidences of physical violence. Of significance is the fact that the main kind of bullying was that of emotional bullying. Table 4.7 shows that mostly boys are teased (37.0%), while Table 4.16 shows teasing others mostly occurs between learners of the same age (30.4%). On the other hand, Table 4.17 reveals that mostly girls are prone to spread rumours about others (17.5%) of the same age as themselves (26%) and fall prey to this type of emotional bullying.
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King, Lizette. "Information literacy of incoming undergraduate Arts students at the University of the Western Cape: assessment of competencies and proficiencies." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2007. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_6777_1216992391.
Full textAbstract:
<p>The majority of incoming undergraduate Arts students at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) come from South African historically disadvantaged black schools. Because of enormous varying secondary school experiences and competencies as well as a lack of exposure to school and public libraries, students are deprived of the basic information skills. Without these crucial skills, students will find it difficult to cope successfully with their academic courses and measure up to the demands of employers. The study aimed to answer the following research questions: what are incoming Arts students' previous experiences with libraries and information technology? What are incoming undersgraduate Arts students information skills, competencies and proficiency? Is the Library Science 121 (Arts information Literacy) course sufficient for teaching information literacy and to address deficiencies?</p>
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Rodrigues, Tania Claudia Abreu. "An exploration of students experiences during the selection process for the M.Psych degree (clinical, counselling and educational) at the University of the Western Cape." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2002. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_2589_1190119396.
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Mabweazara, Rangarirai Moira. "Use of social media tools by library staff at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa and the National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe." University of the Western Cape, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/11394/4120.
Full textAbstract:
Magister Artium - MA<br>Academic libraries in the economically developed countries have taken the lead in adopting and appropriating various social media platforms to enhance services offered to their patrons. However, there are many unanswered questions on how libraries in the economically developing countries of the South, Africa in particular, are using social media in their service delivery, as well as in the personal lives of their librarians. Against this backdrop, this study investigated how librarians at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), South Africa and the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Zimbabwe deploy and appropriate social media technologies. It examined the familiarity, benefits, challenges as well as the factors shaping and constraining the use of social media by academic librarians in the two institutions. In doing so, the study adopted the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by Fred Davis (1989) as its conceptual framework. Methodologically, the study deployed a Web-based questionnaire (administered via e-mail) with 59 academic librarians at UWC and 40 academic librarians at NUST. To ensure the validity of the study the questionnaire was pretested among a few librarians at the NUST. The findings of the study show that UWC librarians are more adept at appropriating social media applications than NUST librarians. The study further revealed that UWC librarians are directly in charge of managing social media whereas at NUST the Information Technology (IT) department is responsible for managing the applications. Similarly, while UWC Library largely uses social media for marketing their services, NUST library uses the platforms for reference services. The study also notes that there is a thin line between personal and professional uses of social media. In particular, personal uses of the platforms have a direct influence on their use in work-related contexts. Some of the motivating factors for the use of social media by librarians across both universities are: patron demand, low cost, ease of use and functionality. The study also highlights the factors militating against the effective use social media and recommends that library management for both institutions should put in place supportive policies to encourage their effective use for the benefit of service users.
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Watermeyer, John Westerton. "Quality assurance in high schools through regression analysis." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/17553.
Full textAbstract:
Includes bibliography.<br>School Effectiveness is a relatively new and poorly defined domain for which a structure is proposed, to facilitate future discussion. Three fields within School Effectiveness are identified, namely School Effectiveness Research (SER), School Improvement (SI) and Quality Assurance (QA). Three divisions are identified within each field on the basis of various criteria. SER has methodological generations, Sl is classified by decade, and three themes of QA are described, including performance indicators (Pis). A definition of effectiveness in terms of regression lines is described and the concept of added value or adjusted achievement developed. This study is concerned with the development of Pis for use within a single school to monitor and promote improvement. The context of the study (a model C senior high school in a predominantly white southern suburb of Cape Town) and the data collected is described before a review is made of some of the analyses which could be used to monitor effectiveness. A technique whereby pupil achievement is adjusted (for prior achievement and other background variables) and the residuals (or adjusted achievement) derived from the regressions investigated with one-way A NOVAs is described and tested using various models and subjects. With respect to groups, it is proposed that statistical significance of differences between mean residuals could be used as a PI. With respect to individual pupils, educators could set their own criterion for investigating cases where adjusted achievement is very large or very small. Statistical significance requires interpretation, however, and the role of professional judgement in modelling and monitoring adjusted achievement is discussed. The view that techniques such as regression analysis can only indicate when professional investigation and intervention might be necessary is stressed. It would seem unwise to rank teachers or subjects on the basis of adjusted achievement.
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McLachlan, Maria Elizabeth. "Experiences influencing the academic performances of 1st year nursing students at the Western Cape College of Nursing, South Africa, during 2008." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2010. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_9892_1338815714.
Full textAbstract:
<p>This is a qualitative study, the aim of which is to explore experiences influencing the<br />
academic performance of 1st Year nursing students at the Western Cape College of Nursing,<br />
South Africa, during 2008 when the College was confronted with unprecedented failure rates<br />
among 1st Year students. It describes the Collegeâs collaboration with a higher education<br />
institution and the changes that emanated from this collaboration. The influence of<br />
situational factors on 1st Year nursing students is explored. These include the legacy of the<br />
inequality of past learning opportunities, institutional factors which hamper studentsâ sense of<br />
belonging, and the social and academic integration of students into their learning<br />
environment. The methodology used in the process of exploring these factors included focus<br />
group discussions with students and in-depth interviews with staff in order to explore their<br />
respective perceptions of the problem. From this it is hoped that the quality of human<br />
resources for health will be enhanced.</p>
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Mtongana, Bongiwe Olivia. "Factors influencing the deployment of enterprise architecture in the Provincial Government of the Western Cape." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/1389.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
Master of Technology: Information Technology
in the
Faculty of Informatics and Design
at the
Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012<br>The purpose of this research is to investigate Enterprise Architecture (EA) strategies, and experiences with EA in the Provincial Government of the Western Cape (PGWC). This research examines the organizational and individual impacts as well as the organizational and technological challenges associated with implementing EA. The principles of EA are conceptualised and mapped in a structured manner to obtain a means to assess the EA experiences of the PGWC.
The problem statement is: The efforts to implement Enterprise Architecture in the Provincial Government of the Western Cape have not delivered the desired benefits. This leads to the following objectives namely:
To establish an understanding of EA concepts and the basis for these concepts.
To investigate the current deployment status of the PGWC IT and business strategies.
To identify the stakeholders involved in EA deployment and how they participate in the deployment process.
To develop and propose a suitable framework for EA strategy deployment for PGWC.
The main research question for this study is: How can enterprise architecture be deployed in PGWC in order to deliver EA benefits (of reducing redundancy, achieving alignment between business and IT, minimising costs) to PGWC?
The main research sub-questions for this study are namely:
How did PGWC choose EA frameworks for their EA strategies?
How do PGWC deploy the chosen frameworks within the organisation?
What steps could be taken in order to deliver the benefits of EA at PGWC?
The research philosophy is an interpretive qualitative approach. The methods for this research were an in-depth literature review, interviews with key role players, and questionnaires that gained information from a wider set of respondents. The aim of this study was to understand and explain the problems of implementing EA in PGWC. A guideline and an EA framework are proposed for organizations to assist in the deployment of an EA strategy.
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Mbude-Shale, Beryl Ntombizanele. "Exploring the correlation between language medium and academic achievement: a comparative study of the language of learning and teaching (LoLT) and mathematics results in the 2010 Grade 12 National Senior Certificate examinations in the Eastern Cape." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001863.
Full textAbstract:
In 2009, of the 68,129 learners who wrote Matric, only 34,731 learners passed. In 2010, there was an increase in the provincial pass rate causing much excitement across the board. The reality was that of the 64,090 learners who wrote, only 37,345 learners passed. In 2010, a result below 50% was recorded for Mathematics and Physical Science nationally (DBE; 2011). Despite efforts by the Education Department to support MSTE; establishing Mathematics and Science schools, NGOs and HEIs giving extra Mathematics and Science support to students and teachers, the offering of Saturday classes and incubation camps, we still get minimal return on investment. This thesis analyses these results against the backdrop of language planning theory, particularly language-in-education policies, pre and post-apartheid. The correlation between language medium and academic performance in language (LoLT) and Mathematics of Grade 12 learners is explored. Worldwide the issue of low achievement in Mathematics by ESL students is of great concern (Cuevas, 1984). The 2004 Systemic Evaluation sample of learners was in Grade 6 then; in 2010 they wrote Grade 12. The purpose of the systemic evaluation was to provide an insight into the levels of learner performance in Maths, Natural Science and LoLT in Grade 6 (IPSER, 2006). A major finding of the IPSER was that language was an important factor related to learner achievement. A major disparity was observed in this research, that although the Eastern Cape performed below the national average in the three subjects evaluated, the learners for whom LoLT was the same as their home language obtained scores that were significantly higher than those whose home language was different from the LoLT. The provincial average for Mathematics was 23.40% compared to the national average of 27.80%. For LoLT the province scored 30.16 against the national score of 38.03%. Of interest in this study is a juxtaposition of the Matric results of this same group of learners in 2010 and see whether issues that came up then are still significant in mitigating achievement in Mathematics and Language (LoLT). Some research studies have been conducted in South Africa (Adler, 1998; Setati, 1996-2002; Moloi, 2006) identifying the vital role language plays in learning Mathematics, especially for English L2 learners. Building on research and findings of academics such as the late Alexander, Ramani, Joseph, Hendricks, Heugh, Dalvit, Webb and Murray, this thesis suggests that a mother-tongue-based-bilingual approach to education should be adopted as a matter of urgency
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Paulse, Arnelia Natalie. "Investigation into the bacterial pollution in three Western Cape rivers, South Africa and the application of bioremediation strategies as clean-up technology." Thesis, [S.l. : s.n.], 2008. http://dk.cput.ac.za/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1026&context=td_cput.
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Daniels, Tracy. "An investigation into 2010 FIFA World Cup™ planning: a case study of the Eden District Municipality, Western Cape, South Africa." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/1610.
Full textAbstract:
Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
Master of Technology in Tourism and Hospitality Management
in the Faculty of Business
at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012<br>Sport tourism, mega-events and the impacts thereof, especially in developing countries, have, in the past, tended to have been overlooked academically. This study investigated 2010 Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) World Cup™ initiatives in the Eden District Municipality (EDM), Western Cape, South Africa, which is situated between the host cities of Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. The research investigated whether or not planning initiatives being conducted by the district and individual towns in the region were integrated or not, with special reference to the accommodation sector. The sector was the focus of the research, as most plans being conducted in the region were centred on the development of team base camps as accommodation satellites for travelling spectators.
The research design consisted of self-administered electronic questionnaires, which were sent to a sample of 587 accommodation establishments. From the survey, a response of 251 valid questionnaires were received. In addition to the questionnaires, five key informant interviews were conducted with representatives from towns in the EDM.
The findings indicated that, although stakeholders in the EDM were interested in becoming involved in 2010 FIFA World Cup™ planning, and despite the majority being involved in planning initiatives, little information reached the accommodation establishments in the region. As a result of such paucity of information, establishments were embarking on their own planning initiatives, which were not in conjunction with those being conducted by the EDM. The research also showed that awareness levels of plans being conducted by various stakeholders in the region were very low and that accommodation establishments knew very little about the plans concerned. Moreover, there was scant awareness of the roles of various stakeholders and involved parties in the region.
The research established that, although a large number of establishments were aware of the services offered by MATCH Event Services Pty, which was appointed by FIFA to administer its Tour Operator Programme on its behalf, not many had registered with the body, due to any one or more of a range of reasons.
Key informant interviews conducted as part of the study found that most of the above-mentioned respondents were working on projects in conjunction with other stakeholders, rather than in isolation, and that the level of buy-in from accommodation establishments was not very high. The majority of key informants agreed that there had not been sufficient or significant communication about the event from the EDM or from local municipalities and that the initiatives of which they were aware lacked a strong legacy focus.
From the research conducted, recommendations made were that there should be a more consolidated marketing and planning effort for all towns in the EDM concerned with an event of this nature, while the individual needs, offerings and the nature of each of the towns should still be considered. Planning initiatives in a district municipality should involve all levels of stakeholders, and both communication channels, as well as the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved, must be clearly defined. In planning for the hosting of such an event as the FIFA World Cup™, the long-term needs of the area and the legacy of the event should be the main considerations in ensuring community development and sustainability radiating from the event.
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Page, Richard Daniel. "The role that parents play in their children's academic progress at a previously disadvantaged primary school in Cape Town." University of the Western Cape, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/11394/5462.
Full textAbstract:
Magister Educationis - MEd<br>Different studies indicate that parents, who offer their services as volunteers at their children's school, assist with homework and participate in school activities, can influence the learners’ academic success in a positive manner (Lunenberg & Irby, 2002; Sanders & Sheldon, 2009). Therefore, parents are considered to be one of the most important and indispensable stakeholders in education. Parental involvement in their children's schooling is a critical factor that influences academic success of learners, but despite its importance, parental involvement at previously disadvantaged primary schools appears to be discouragingly low. This study explored the role parents play in their children's academic progress at a previously disadvantaged primary school in Cape Town. The study attempted to answer the following research questions: (i) How does parental involvement influence the academic achievement of their children? (ii) What roles do educators expect parents to play in the development of their children's academic achievement? (iii) Which factors enhance and hinder parental involvement across the phases of primary schooling? (iv) How does parental involvement in children's academic progress change over time as learners' progress through the primary schooling phase? The study is located within the interpretive paradigm, using qualitative case study design. The study began by undertaking a literature review to explore the phenomenon of parental involvement in their children's schooling and its relationship to the academic achievement of learners. Therefore, data was
collected using three groups of participants. Participants were purposively chosen with the aim of exploring perspectives about parental involvement (in their children’s schooling) from diverse role players. Data was collected via questionnaires and individual semi-structured interviews. Data was analysed thematically. The study's findings report on parental involvement in terms of both school-based (e.g. voluntary assistance at school) as well as home-based involvement (e.g. homework activities). The findings of this study revealed that parental involvement can positively influence academic achievement of primary school learners. The parent participants regarded education as important and this notion was affirmed by the learner participants. There was also sufficient evidence in this study to suggest that the parent participants associated the concept of parental involvement with more home-based activities. The learner participants in this study expressed both positive and negative feelings about their parents'
involvement with regard to their homework activities. The learner participants reported that their mothers rather than their fathers assisted them with homework. The weaker scholastic achievement learner participants reported that they received less homework assistance from their parents in comparison to the average and strong scholastic achievement groups. The parent participants also reported that they were unable to assist their children with certain homework activities. The parent participants reported that the homework workload was far too much for their children. Encouraging their children to read was more prevalent in the average and strong scholastic achievement categories than the weak scholastic achievement group. The findings revealed that those parents who were more involved in their children's schooling produced academically stronger learners than those who were less involved. The educator participants reported that parental involvement had a positive influence on the learners' academic achievement. The findings highlight the various factors responsible for enhancing and hindering parental involvement at a specific primary school. The study revealed that parental support declined as the learner's progressed from one phase to the next. There is no doubt that parental involvement plays a pivotal role in a learner's academic achievement.
Furthermore, since education is often regarded as the primary way to develop our country, encouraging
parental involvement in their children’s schooling is essential in developing an educational society
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Jackson, Vanessa Angela. "Investigation into the metal contamination of three rivers in the Western Cape and the subsequent application of a bioreactor system as remediation technology." Thesis, [S.l. : s.n.], 2008. http://dk.cput.ac.za/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1023&context=td_cput.
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Mrali, Amos Mzoxolo. "Educator perceptions of the impact of the departmental matric intervention strategies on selected under-performing schools in the Queenstown district." Thesis, University of Fort Hare, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006232.
Full textAbstract:
The problem of school under-performance as defined by the level of pass rates of learners in the matric examinations has been a point of educational debate in South Africa for a number of years, especially after the attainment of democracy. In the Eastern Cape, Matric Intervention Strategies (MIS) have been used to address the problem. The aim of this study was to investigate educator perceptions of the impact of the MIS on selected under-performing high schools in the Queenstown District.Two case study schools classified as consistent under-performers participated in the study. Data was collected through in-depth interviews of key educators in these schools. There were five main findings. First, educators felt that Departmental intervention strategies had not made any significant improvement in addressing underperformance in the two case study schools. Second, participants saw underperformance by schools as caused by a myriad of factors which include those related to leadership and management at school and district levels and educator and learner factors, as well as teacher union interference. They did not see MIS as being able to address the causes simultaneously. Third, the implementation of the (MIS) at school level was poorly monitored by the Departmental officials. It was reported that under-performing schools were hardly visited and supported by the subject advisors and (MIO)s. Fourth, educators perceived the role of subject advisors to be limited to CASS moderation as they did not provide any developmental support to educators experiencing content gaps. Finally, educators saw the MIS as a money making scheme for certain educators and district officials. They claimed this was linked to corrupt practices during the appointment of tutors. The teachers did not have confidence in the appointment procedures used by the district for tutors.It can be concluded that the Matric Intervention Strategies in the two schools arenot likely to achieve the intended results as long as educators do not think thatthe strategies are addressing the problems they face. Another conclusion is that the Matric Intervention Strategies are seen as ‘quick fix’ responses to what arereally deep-seated and systemic problems in education. Given the findings of this study, it is recommended that the impact of Matric Intervention Strategies be the focus of a survey research for which a probability sample must be drawn that can generate findings that are generalisable across the participating target population. For the delivery of the MIS it is recommended that the weaknesses identified by educators of the two schools be further investigated so that new implementation plans can be developed.
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Colli, Liesel Antoinette. "The performance management system of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (Western Cape)." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/1632.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
Magister Technologiae: Public Management
in the Faculty of Business
at the
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
2013<br>Service delivery is one of the key aspects of public and private organisations. It is therefore important for organisations to have a Performance Management System in place to monitor and evaluate the efficiency of its employees. A good Performance Management System sets a standard that determines whether an employee’s performance is of merit or has shortcomings. Furthermore it will aid the employee in being proficient in his\her work environment.
This research project examined the effectiveness of the Performance Management System used within the Department of Economic Development and Tourism in the Western Cape, South Africa. Problems encountered by employees were identified by the researcher and recommendations were forwarded to the employees on how to improve the Department’s Performance Management System.
The researcher undertook a quantitative research approach by administering a closed-ended questionnaire which was analysed by a registered statistician. The study found that most of the participants understood the Performance Management System used by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism. Furthermore the majority of participants understood their role within the Department and how they could meet the Department’s strategic objectives as set out in the Department’s annual performance plans..à h.
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Mchunu, Nokubalela Ntombiyethu. "Adequacy of healthcare information systems to support data quality in the public healthcare sector, in the Western Cape, South Africa." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/1387.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
Master of Technology (MTech) in Information Technology
In the Faculty of Informatics and Design,
at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), 2013<br>Healthcare services are vital to all human beings, as our daily lives depend on them. In South Africa approximately eighty per cent of the population uses the public healthcare services. In the current healthcare systems data corruption exists which threatens data quality in the systems. The aim of this study was to understand the existing information handling processes and factors that affect the accuracy and integrity of healthcare data. A qualitative research methodology, under the interpretive paradigm was used for this investigation. Activity theory is used to formulate an analytical framework, the “healthcare information system data quality activity theory framework”. This was very helpful for understanding the healthcare information handling process as an activity system that consists of actors with individual goals. Though the goals are varied, they are joined together by the common objective. The logic of the framework is that a realisation of goals in the activity system depends on a number of factors. At the beginning, there must be a synchronous inter-linkage between the goals of the actors, the mediating factors such as adequate tools, user skills, enabling policies, and the systematic procedures that are diligently enforced. It is assumed that any situation which prevents this inter-linkage will have a negative impact on the realisation of the sought objective. The framework therefore, was very helpful in informing questions, the data collection and ultimately, the analysis processes.
The public healthcare sector is the main source of data; other sources were literature, the Internet and books. The analysis of data was done using content analysis to find what themes emerge and the relationship (s) between them in what is being analysed. The findings reveal a lack of adherence to information handling procedures and processes which lead to corrupt data in the systems. In addition, most users have limited skills, which is a hindrance to them in performing their duties as expected by the healthcare sector. In fact, the healthcare sector is also challenged by systems which are constantly slow or down, due to limited network capacity and human errors. The presence of these challenges suggests non-adherence to data handling procedures, which explains the existing corrupt data in the healthcare systems.
Therefore the recommendation is that the public healthcare administration must enhance their training programs. The training must be re-designed to cater for the needs of all users, regardless of their background. It needs to improve user skills and boast their confidence in using electronic systems. Obviously, any changes and improvements need to be sustainable, and the sector is unlikely to succeed without enforcement of new procedures. Therefore, adherence to data handling procedures must be strictly enforced, with policies thoroughly communicated to the users. That way, the sector will not only have systems and related policies, but also ensure their full exploitation for improved service delivery in the public healthcare sector in South Africa.
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Domingos, Joao Mateus. "Privatisation as a tenet of GEAR and its socio-economic impact on the poor in the Western Cape with specific reference to the township of Khayelitsha." [S.l. : s.n.], 2007. http://dk.cput.ac.za/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1086&context=td_cput&preview_mode=1&z=1263559683.
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Du, Plooy Lucinda Lucille. "An investigation of the pedagogic and contextual factors that contribute to learner achievement levels in South Africa : a study of selected public schools in the Western Cape." University of the Western Cape, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/11394/5099.
Full textAbstract:
Philosophiae Doctor - PhD<br>Poor performance by South African students especially in literacy and numeracy are at a level of national crisis. Theory, as well as international and national systemic tests, show that the reasons for this is both multiple and extremely complex. In this study I investigated the problems relating to learner achievement levels in South African education. The main question arising from this problem, which I addressed, is: What are the possible factors that contribute to learner achievement levels in South Africa? My conceptual focus is on pedagogic practices and the socialization of identity, and how these relate to learner achievement levels, working from the premise that children from different social classes experience schooling differently. My focus is on the classroom, phase and school contexts, whilst locating these in the wider national, continental and global contexts. The disciplinary approach used in this study is in the domain of sociology of education, drawing specifically on the work of leading sociologists Pierre Bourdieu and Basil Bernstein. Bourdieu’s notions of ‘habitus’, ‘field’ and ‘cultural capital’ helped in understanding structure and agency, and the interiority and exteriority of social relations, whereas Bernstein’s ‘code theory’ and his work on curriculum, pedagogic practices and pedagogic discourse was used to describe how formal knowledge is realized and transmitted, and its effects on different social groupings. Methodologically, this study is located within a qualitative interpretivist research paradigm. Research was conducted in three purposively selected public primary schools in the Western Cape using a qualitative multiple case study research design. The bounded cases were Grades 1, 4 and 7 learners in relation to their teachers and principals. The rationale for selecting these particular cases stems from the fact that research in these particular areas of schooling is lacking. The significance of the study lies in the fact that previous research on learner achievement used teacher behaviour as a predictor for achievement, whereas this study focused primarily on learner behaviour and the learners’ views on their own achievement. The study employed in-depth data collection procedures including questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, classroom observations and various document related sources. The contextual analysis reveals that there is clearly a need to understand the nature of the learner, what they bringing into school and how they make sense of schooling. Furthermore, it shows that the ways in which learners exercise their agency is reinforcing underachievement. It further reveals that teachers are under pressure to get learners to adhere to the middle-class ethos of schooling and as a result are pushed into the regulative discourse compromising the instructional discourse within pedagogy. Pedagogically, the analysis reveals that teachers are under pressure in terms of curriculum coverage having to work within restricted time-frames, and having to meet the requirements of the ANAs that they do not see the possibility to relax framing in terms of pacing. As a result they are leaving their learners behind. Furthermore, the unnecessary strong framing at the level of pacing, not making the evaluation criteria explicit, and the heavy reliance on systemic testing, as in the case of the ANAs, is creating homogenised and standardised learner identities, which translate into differential learner experiences and ultimately differential learner achievement levels.<br>National Research Foundation (NRF)
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Davids, Shafieka. "Intercultural communication amongst employees at the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development Western Cape." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/1637.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
Master of Technology: Public Management
In the Faculty of Business
at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology
2013<br>Over the past few decades the study of intercultural communication has expanded to cover a diverse set of variables deriving from the concepts "communication" and "culture" and the combination of communication and culture. As is the case for the communication discipline itself, the study of intercultural communication is influenced by traditional disciplines such as anthropology, linguistics, philosophy, psychology and sociology (Chen & Starosta, 2005:13). The development of a global mindset has become pivotal for further human progress. This mindset can only result from intercommunication among diverse people (Chen & Starosta, 2005:4).
Intercultural communication is essential to any organization or department as it is a process of sending and receiving messages between people whose cultural backgrounds could lead them to interpret verbal and non-verbal signs differently. The purpose of this study was to devise a communication strategy which will address intercultural communication, specifically designed to assist managers dealing with intercultural differences. The core objective of this study was to establish whether the existing Communication Policy of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJ&CD) adequately addresses intercultural communication in the work place and to verify the level of understanding of culture amongst employees of the DOJ&CD Western Cape Regional Office (WC RO) in order to determine whether a lack of cultural knowledge contributes to miscommunication in the department.
In order to reach its objectives, the study employed a quantitative research approach whereby a non-probability sampling design in the form of a convenience sampling method was adopted and considered appropriate for this study, with specific reference to the DOJ&CD (WC RO). In terms of collecting the data, the study made use of structured questionnaires as a data collection method whereby questionnaires were administered and distributed to 85 employees of whom 70 participated.
The results of the study reveal that cultural differences lead to misunderstandings, while lack of cultural knowledge is a major contributing factor of miscommunication within the DOJ&CD (WC RO). It is recommended that employees acquire knowledge about other cultures which will improve their understanding and reduce the chances of miscommunication in a multi-cultural environment to enhance intercultural communication and provide a harmonious working environment amongst employees of the DOJ&CD (WC RO) and the Public Service as a whole.
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Bagui, Laban. "Public participation in government: the place of e-participation in the City of Cape Town-Western Cape." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/1375.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
Magister Technologiae: Information Technology
in the Faculty of Informatics and Design
at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013<br>South Africa can be seen as one of the most advanced democracies on the African continent. Its 1996 constitution and state institutions were developed to enable a representative, deliberative and participative democracy. The legislature is predominant and public participation is expected like the element that legitimates the institutions of the state, their decisions and their initiatives. However, despite the use of ICTs to enhance the process of public participation, there remain profound misunderstandings between the government and its communities; expressed in demonstrations, strikes and other violent protests, as dissatisfaction in public service delivery grows and confidence in the government declines. The problem is that it seems that the potential of ICTs to better the processes of public participation is not fully understood and not fully realised.
The aim of the study was to seek out elements helping and hindering the use of Mobile, Web and Social media in public participation in the city of Cape Town.
This research endeavour falls under eParticipation research. It considers consultation for law and policy making in the city of Cape Town. It examines its democratic, social and communicational anchors in terms of facilitation and openness to change, on one hand; and it examines Mobile, Web and Social media, in terms of adoption and use for the purpose of public participation on the other hand.
The research adopted the Critical Realism philosophical paradigm for its ontology and epistemology. It set out to use existing knowledge, theories and models to work mainly with qualitative data. It followed a qualitative, exploratory, holistic, and cross-sectional approach developing a case study of eParticipation in the city of Cape Town from a triangulation of methods. Data was gathered from literature, documents, in-depth interviews, a focus group and observation of meetings. The data gathered was analysed using qualitative content analysis.
The case study analysis followed the structure of the research conceptual model and built the story of the development of eParticipation in the city, bringing together readiness achievements in individual community members‘ perceptions and attitudes to eParticipation, and readiness achievements in local government induced social facilitation of eParticipation. These eParticipation readiness elements were considered direct determinants of individuals‘ intention to participate using Mobile, Web and Social media, and of local government democratic engagement and openness to change, constituting the city‘s intensity of e-participation. That estimate of the intensity of eParticipation provided ground to sketch out it position towards achieving ‗cultural eParticipation‘ for the city of Cape Town.
This study has implications for theory, policy and practice: It develops analytical frameworks for assessing and determining the place of eParticipation; and it suggests a map of favouring and hampering elements to eParticipation in the city of Cape Town.
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van, der Vyver Rache. "Development of a food knowledge test for first-year students at a University of Technology in the Western Cape, South Africa." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/774.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree
Master of Technologiae: Consumer Science: Food and Nutrition
in the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Supervisor: Dr I Venter
Co-supervisor: Ms L du Toit
Cape Town
September 2013<br>Objective: To develop a valid and reliable test to determine the food knowledge of first-year students at
a university of technology (UOT) in the Western Cape, South Africa.
Design: Two preliminary food knowledge tests were developed covering the content domains, namely
fruit and vegetables and fats and oils, as these topics attend to the areas of concern in the dietary intake
of young adults. Both tests consisted of multiple-choice questions and incomplete statements compiled
following the test item construction rules. The items of both tests were evaluated by experts in the field
of food science and nutrition to ensure item content and face validity. Both tests were independently
administered to two sample groups represented by knowledgeable students (having food-orientated
subjects as part of their course) and less knowledgeable students (not having food-orientated subjects
as part of their course syllabus) at a UOT in the Western Cape, SA for the item analysis and test
construct validity and reliability determinations. The second preliminary test incorporating three
response alternatives was developed as the number of items retained after the item analysis of the first
preliminary test incorporating four alternatives was less than the envisaged number of about 20 items.
Results: After the item analysis of the first preliminary test (n = 72 items) only 10 and 13 items were
respectively retained after two administrations to two sample groups. The second preliminary test (n =
135 items) completed by knowledgeable (n=119) and less-knowledgeable (n=91) student sample groups
delivered 74 items after its item analysis across the two content domains, namely fruit and vegetables
(n=49) and fats and oils (n=25). The test was found valid, with a significant difference (p < 0.001) in the
knowledge scores between the two sample groups (Mann-Whitney test, z = 9.74) and highly reliable (KR20
and Cronbach's alpha= 0.934).
Conclusions: The test being a valid and reliable assessment tool can be used to determine the food
knowledge of first-year students at a UOT in the Western Cape, SA, across the two content domains to
establish if guidance and possible teaching is necessary to equip them with basic food knowledge to
support them in their food provision.<br>Cape Peninsula University of Technology
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Marumo, Tshipinare Renard. "A survey of the information seeking behaviour of the dental faculty lecturers and students at the University of the Western Cape's Oral Health Centre Library, in Mitchell's Plain." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2000. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_8949_1213362632.
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Cherenack, Genoveva Eilika. "Deciding what to teach in visual art lesson: what factors do teachers consider when lesson-planning for the intermediate in Western Cape schools." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/1947.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
Master of Education: Visual Art Education
in the Faculty of Education at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012<br>This thesis investigates the factors, specifically the constraints, that influence the choices intermediate phase teachers make when planning visual art lessons. The study is also concerned with how teachers deal with factors that they identify as constraints to teaching visual art. The study is framed within an interpretive framework and the work on teacher knowledge by Shulman (1986; 1987). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four class teachers, three Arts and Culture teachers, and four visual art teachers using a phenomenological methodology. Interviews were analysed systematically by indexing and organizing the data using the knowledge base for teaching as described by Shulman (1987) and Turner-Bisset (1999).<p></p>
The patterns in what teachers consider when planning visual art lessons, and their reasons for doing so, was better explained by a teacher’s training in visual art education rather than his/her role as a class, Arts and Culture, or visual art teacher. In this study, the teachers who are trained in visual art education generally work in situations with few contextual problems and their focus, when lesson-planning, centres around the best way visual art content knowledge can be integrated into lessons. In comparison, most of the teachers who are not trained in visual art education mentioned numerous contextual problems that affected their ability to teach visual art. These teachers plan their visual art lessons around what they believe they are able to manage within the context of the school they are working in, rather than specific visual art related outcomes. In addition, their lesson-planning decisions are generally based on limited visual art content knowledge and pedagogy. Hence, compared to teachers trained to teach visual art, their application of visual art content knowledge is haphazard and does not build on the foundation of the curriculum.<p></p>
Limited contact time and support from management are two contextual factors that were found to impact the way teachers in this study plan visual art lessons. To mitigate for the lack of contact time, the teachers trained in visual art education endeavoured to manage their lesson time efficiently and to setup clear routines with their learners so as to minimize the amount of time spent on non-learning activities.
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De, Pomeroy-Legg Jeanita. "Prevalence of side-effects and change in nutritional status during radical radiotherapy for head and neck malignancies at Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Western Cape, South Africa." Thesis, Link to the online version, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10019/1492.
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