Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Continuous assessment Capacity building'

This study explores the assessment practices of adult educators in Mamelodi Adult Learning Centers using a qualitative methodology. The study recognizes that assessment is an important activity within the education and training enterprise since it can be used to improve the quality of teaching as well as improve and support the learning process. The study sets out to investigate how Mamelodi adult educators conceptualize assessment
the skills levels of these educators
the nature of support and training these educators received to enhance their assessment practices
the different assessment methods employed by the adult educators to assess learners
and the educational validity and efficacy of these practices.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2006.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Non-profit organisations play an increasingly important role in our society as they often represent community interests. The ability of the non-profit sector to perform effectively has become more critical. In order to maintain their value and effectiveness they require continuous renewal. The increased demand placed on this sector as it partners with government to deliver basic services to the community has amplified the need for this renewal process. The non-profit sector is constantly required to develop new ways of building its capacity in an attempt to meet its challenges. Despite the emphasis placed on the importance of capacity building, the term itse~ is frequently too expansive to be meaningful to decision makers. This paper attempts to develop a working definition of capacity building and assess the capacity building levels of TB Care Association. TB Care Association, founded in 1929, provides a service to tuberculosis patients and their families. Over the last decade, the organisation has moved from being a welfare organisation to a developmental health promotion organisation. The survey conducted on TB Care Association indicates that the scores obtained by the organisation coincide with the organisation's stage of development according to Korten (Mukasa, 2003). The results further revealed that fund raising, over dependence on government funding, lack of succession planning and human resources strategies are potential issues that could impede organisational growth and development.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Nie-vir-wins organisasies speel 'n al hoe meer belangrike rol in ons samelewing deurdat hulle die belang van die gemeenskap op die hart dra. Die vermoe van hierdie sektor om effektief te wees raak dus al hoe belangriker. Om voortdurend die vlak van waarde en effektiwiteit vol te hou vereis voortdurende vernuwing. Die toenemende vereistes wat gestel word aan hierdie organisasies deurdat hulle met die regering saamspan om basiese dienste te lewer aan die gemeenskap, het die nodigheid van hierdie vernuwende proses beklemtoon. Die nie-vir-wins sektor moet gedurig nuwe maniere vind om kapasiteit te bou om hierdie uitdagings die hoof te bied. Ten spyte van die klem wat geplaas word op kapasiteitsbou, is die term self gereeld te wyd om betekenisvol te wees vir besluitnemers. Hierdie verslag poog om 'n prakties-georienteerde definisie van kapasiteitsbou daar te stel en om die kapasiteitsbou vlakke binne die TB Sorg Vereniging te bepaal. Die TB Sorg Vereniging, gestig in 1929, bied 'n diens aan tuberkulose pasiente en hul families. Oor die laaste dekade het die vereniging beweeg van 'n maatskaplike rol tot die van 'n vereniging wat fokus op die bevording van ontwikkelingsgesondheid. Die opname by die TB Sorg Vereniging toon dat die tellings behaal deur die instansie ooreenstem met die fase van ontwikkeling soos voorgestel deur Korten (Mukasa, 2003). Die resultate toon verder dat fonds-insameling, oor-afhanklikheid van regeringsfondse, 'n tekort aan opvolger-beplanning en menslike hulpbron strategiee moontlike knelpunte kan wees wat organisatoriese groei en ontwikkeling kan belemmer.

This study was conducted in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape, South Mrica. Triggered by the demands of South Mrican post-apartheid curriculum transformation, the study focused on establishing a sustainable science teachers' trans formative and continuous professional development (TTCPD) network with the view to improving their practice. It is premised on the assumption that teachers are capable of taking responsibility for their own professional development. It is a case study carried over a period offour years with a group of eight teachers. Rooted in the socially critical-emancipatory orientation in conjunction with the participatory action research approach, and located in the qualitative and interpretive research paradigms, it focuses on doing research in democratic and egalitarian ways through working with teachers rather than on them. Such a stance supposes a collaborative partnership and a dialogic relationship viewed as being both reciprocal and mutually enriching for the teachers who were seen as co-learners and co-researchers in this study. Two main goals of the study may be identified. For the first goal, the actors in this study established a sustainable and participative approach to professional development. This was explored through the formation of a TTCPD network which was informed by the actor-network theory framework. Our focus was on co-construction of scientific knowledge utilising the development and adaptation of learning and teaching support materials (LTSMs) as a catalyst to drive the process. The second goal was to examine how the TTCPD network enhanced the teachers' subject-content knowledge, pedagogical-content knowledge as well as individual and collaborative reflections. The research process evolved into three mam phases: The initial phase involved adapting and modifying LTSMs which were initially used in conjunction with microscale science kits and pilot tested with a group of Grade 10 students. This led to the second phase of the research project, which was aimed at gaining insights into the science teachers' capabilities in developing teaching and learning units of work. ii \ The second phase focused on the development of a collaborative orientation to the development of LTSMs and culminated in the formation of sub-networks responsible for certain tasks within the broader network. AB common ground, we focused on developing teaching and learning units of work on the following science topics: electrostatics, electricity, and electrochemistry, to illuminate and foster integration within science. The third phase was concerned with gaining insights into the science teachers' practice in their classrooms. This phase focused on putting theory into practice through the collaborative implementation of teaching and learning units of work. Feedback on the lessons was discussed during our workshops as an attempt to further enhance collaborative reflections. Data was generated usmg workshop discussions with reflective notes; active interviews; focus group discussions; co-teaching, participant observation and videotaped lessons with reflective notes; and a research journal. A variety of data generation techniques were employed to enhance validity and quality of the research. Techniques for validation and trustworthiness of data included triangulation; member checks orface validity; prolonged engagement; catalytic validity and peer validation. The study exposed the underlying historical, ideological and epistemological contradictions of the teachers' past educational backgrounds. It emerged that the ways in which they were taught were at times an inhibitor to innovativeness, perpetuating transmissive approaches to teaching and learning. Lack of professional development and support, and the tensions between policy formulation and implementation exacerbated this. Reflections from the teachers' experiences further revealed that, for teachers to be effective agents of change in the reform process, empowerment opportunities are vital. AB a result, exposure to the TTCPD network was useful in capacitating the teachers with the development of LTSMs, which led to the enhancement of their pedagogical, and science content knowledge conceptual development as well as collaborative reflections.The main findings of this study is that, science teachers' transformative and continuous professional development based on participative approaches and mutual collegial support are indispensable, and that teachers' socio-cultural contexts and experiences should be taken into consideration during this process. Teachers should be regarded as central in the process, and mutual respect and dialogical relationships are pivotal. A further recommendation of this study is that capacity-building is critical for quality teaching and learning, and there is a need to move beyond the rhetoric of complacency to pro-activism, supporting ongoing development of teachers in professional transformative networks.
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The purpose of this descriptive case study was to examine the role of the central office staff and the strategies used to support capacity building in elementary principals in a rapid growth district. By synthesizing research and models from education reform scholars, the conceptual framework of professional capital, intrinsic motivation, the educational change process, and professional learning communities was generated to advance the understanding of utilizing PLCs as a foundation for central office to initiate and sustain continuous improvement in a rapid growth district. The Professional Learning Community Assessment - District Support developed by Olivier, Huffman, and Cowan was administered to 126 participants within the curriculum and instruction department and three elementary schools to collect data to analyze the five dimensions of PLCs within the school district. Eleven interviews were conducted with members of the curriculum and instruction department and elementary principals. According to the eleven interviewees, and PLCA-DS, six themes emerged to support the role of capacity building in elementary principals using the PLC model as a framework. The PLC infrastructure, supportive central office, collaborative culture, continuous improvement, differentiated opportunities to learn, and data use were the six themes generated by the participants to support continuous improvement in elementary principals. Each of the five PLC dimensions were visible throughout the themes as the findings illustrated six key practices currently in motion within the rapid growth school district used to build capacity in elementary principals.

Older adult safe driving is a growing public health issue; however, the skill set of occupational therapists that provide services to these older clients is unclear. The extent to which occupational therapists possess the skills to evaluate an elderly person's ability to operate safely an automobile is unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional survey was to determine the current capacity building needs of occupational therapists (OT) related to older driver screening, assessment, and intervention. The ecology of human performance framework was the theoretical base of the study. The independent variables were the OTs' training related to older drivers, the OTs' current driving-related professional activities, and the OTs' continuing education interests. The dependent variable was the reported levels of competence in screening, assessment, and intervention, and the covariates were years of experience, level of education, practice setting, gender, and regional location. The survey was disseminated through technological channels of social media and e-mail. The responses from 61 participants were used for analysis. In a descriptive analysis, OTs felt that addressing driving through screening, assessment, and intervention is somewhat important, that currently OTs seldom address driving, and OTs are not very likely to take continuing education courses related to driving in the next 2 to 3 years. In addition, a linear regression analysis determined a relationship between an OT's actual practice and perceived competence. A positive social change of this study emphasized a better understanding of OT's ability to provide driver rehabilitation services to a growing aging population, which in turn promotes safety on the roads.

Family support programs serve vulnerable families by providing various forms of support, such as education, health services, financial assistance, and referrals to community resources. A major feature of evaluation involves assessing program effectiveness and learning from evaluation findings (Mertens and Wilson, 2012). Collaboration and cultural responsiveness are important topics in evaluation which remain largely distinct in the literature. However, evaluation capacity building provides a context for exploring possible intersections. Data about seven programs were collected via semi-structured interviews and document analysis. This study revealed that the program leaders feel that their programs are unique, complex, and misunderstood. The findings also suggest that program leaders believe that evaluation is important for program improvement and funding. Although participants did not anticipate evaluation capacity building and did not readily express a desire to develop their own evaluation skills, participants from all seven programs enthusiastically expressed interest in evaluation capacity building once explained. Although participants did not discuss cultural responsiveness as it relates to race, they expressed a need to overcome a community culture of reluctance to participate in programs and aversion to educational pursuits. Given the programs' shared population of interest, similar outcomes, and common challenges, evaluation capacity building in a group setting may give Roanoke family support program leaders the evaluation knowledge, skills, and peer support to engage in program evaluation that is both collaborative and culturally responsive.
Master of Science in Life Sciences

Florida's United States History End-of-Course (EOC) Assessment performance outcomes are scheduled to impact student course grades, educator evaluation scores, and school grades. A professional learning plan to improve teaching and learning in support of student achievement on the Assessment does not exist. Neither Florida Statute nor the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) facilitate or fund professional learning in support of these influences. This dissertation in practice proposes the use of the U.S. History EOC Assessment Professional Learning Series to build educator capacity in support of student achievement on the Assessment. Implementation of professional learning could address the disparity between the legislated Assessment and its potential impacts. Tyler's (1949) curriculum development rationale and Shulman's (1986) notion of pedagogical content knowledge provided a conceptual framework for the proposed professional learning. Professional learning experiences were designed to include (1) an assessment simulation, (2) a correlation of simulated assessment items to item specifications, (3) a test item writing practicum, and (4) model lessons. The series was designed to support pedagogical content knowledge growth in planning, teaching, and assessing United States History; and improve instructional and professional efficacy. The ultimate purpose of the series is to improve teaching and learning to support student achievement on U.S. History EOC Assessment.
Ed.D.
Doctorate
Education and Human Performance
Education

Magister Philosophiae (Land and Agrarian Studies) - MPhil(LAS)
In 1994 the South African government embarked on a land reform programme to redistribute and return land to previously deprived and displaced communities and individuals. Concerns have, however, been raised about the impact of land reform on the environment and its natural resources. The Department of Land Affairs (DLA) has attempted to deal with this problem through the National Training Programme, which was specifically initiated to develop capacity among officials of the DLA to integrate environmental planning into the land reform programme. This study assesses the National Training Programme to determine whether the participants who attended the Nationa lTraining Programme are in fact integrating environmental planning into land reform projects. To achieve this aim a qualitative research methodology is used, which involves both the survey based method and a case study approach. From the literature review there is sufficient evidence to indicate that the enormous pressure on the land and the lack of environmental knowledge are the major contributors to environmental degradation in South Africa. The study points out that the South African experience suggests that land reform cannot be sustainable without adequate provision for environmental planning. In its assessment of the National Training Programme, the study finds that, although the participants had gained self-confidence and a positive attitude towards the environment, this has not been applied in practice. Of significance also is the fact that, given the evidence which indicates that where land reform takes place land resources might be degraded, the study clearly demonstrates how environmental planning has in practice been neglected by the DLA, due to a lack of capacity. In view of the outcomes of the assessment of the National Training Programme, the study recommends that further research be undertaken to investigate and indicate the extent and the rate of land degradation as a result of the neglect of environmental concerns in the land reform programme.

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2014
Capacity building is a process of building capabilities in individuals, groups, institutions, organisations, and societies at the local, national and international levels, to be more effectively prepared for and respond to public health threats of a crisis in a sustainable manner. This process is designed to reinforce or create strengths upon which communities can mitigate vulnerabilities as a result of emergencies and disasters. The main aim of the study was to assess capacity building in Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) funded projects in Capricorn District of Limpopo Province. The CASP programme was initiated to provide post-settlement support for farmers who have benefitted from the Land Reform programmes. Since zfthe inception of this programme, there has not been any assessment of capacity building as one of the pillars of CASP. The objective of the study was to assess capacity building on productivity and to determine the impact of capacity building on the CASP funded projects. The study hypothesed that an increase in the level of productivity of CASP funded projects depends on the level of capacity building. The term training refers to the acquisition of knowledge, skills and competencies as a result of the teaching of vocational or practical skills. In land reform projects, training is provided as the planned and organised activity of a consultant to impart skills, techniques and methodologies to employers and their employees, to assist them in establishing and maintaining employment and a place of employment that is safe and healthy. The Farmer training is offered in two different methods, viz., on-farm and off-farm training. The on-farm training involves a service-provider visiting the farmer and rendering the training at the farm, whereas the off-farm training requires a farmer to go to the planned venue or institution of training to receive the planned training. iv

Beekeeping is an important industry in South Africa yet it is in decline. The South African government and development agencies see the increasing production deficits in the industry as a business opportunity for income generation for social-economically disadvantaged groups. However, most of these developmental initiatives, which have taken the form of beekeeping training programmes have not succeeded in creating a profitable and sustainable source of income. My study interrogated one such project in order to determine how beekeeping training programmes could be revised to increase the likelihood of trainees becoming viable beekeepers. I have drawn on the International Labour Organisation’s knowledge and skills development framework (called Training for Rural Economic Empowerment) to assess the methodological processes used in the development and implementation of the beekeeping programme. I collected data using a combination of qualitative interviews, documentary sources and participant observation, and then used Miles and Huberman’s thematic coding approach to analyse the qualitative data. My main finding is that there were methodological gaps in the pre-training, training and post-training phases of the beekeeping programme, either because of the exclusion of participants’/targeted groups’ inputs in the processes, or because participatory decision-making processes with participants were misapplied. As a result, the beekeeping training programme did not match the participants’ needs, economic opportunities in their area, and their social situations, and these circumstances contributed, in large part, to the graduates not taking up beekeeping.

[EN] A simplified analytical method ("FAST") for the estimation of large-scale vulnerability of Reinforced Concrete (RC) Moment Resisting Frames with masonry infills is proposed and subsequently tested by using real damage scenario caused by the 2011 Lorca earthquake as a benchmark. FAST is a spectral-based approach that allows predicting the average non-structural Damage State expected for each class of building (defined by number of storeys, age of construction, infills ratio in plan and location) for a given demand level. It accounts for non-uniformity of infills in elevation, i.e. a reduction of infills ratio of the ground floor. FAST is based on: (i) the definition of approximated capacity curves of the infilled building, assuming that the RC frame is designed according to the corresponding seismic code; and on (ii) the assumption of "a priori" deformed shapes in accordance with the attainment of each non-structural damage state at 1st storey, estimated through experimental and numerical correlations. Two versions of FAST are proposed: a "simplified" approach aimed at the evaluation of uniformly infilled frames; and a "generalised" version which can account for any intermediate situation between uniformly infilled frames and pilotis frames (i.e. without infills at 1st storey). Also, some extensions of the method are highlighted. Aimed at testing FAST, the real damage scenario after the earthquake of Lorca (2011) is used as a benchmark, despite its impulsivity and directivity. In order to define the specific input parameters for the case study, information regarding ground motion, post-earthquake damage scenario and also building design practice must be collected. Hence, a detailed review of historical Spanish seismic codes and a critical analysis of current Spanish seismic code NCSE-02 in comparison with current reference performance-based codes such as Eurocode 8 are provided. Special emphasis is placed on provisions which can prevent a proper capacity design and that, in turn, can cause brittle failures or favour the interaction with infills. Also, the prescription of lower behaviour factor for wide-beam frames with respect to deep-beam frames -which is not present in most codes¿ is discussed; outcomes of several case studies suggest that such prescription is obsolete. Finally, FAST is applied to Lorca earthquake and predicted damage scenarios are obtained, considering different assumptions for input values. Results show proper agreement between predicted and real damages. Structural collapses were rarely observed, even though the PGA was three times higher than the typical acceleration of design, so FAST proves that masonry infills provided additional strength to RC frames.
[ES] Se propone un método analítico simplificado ("FAST") para la estimación de la vulnerabilidad a gran escala de edificios porticados de hormigón armado con tabiquería de fábrica, posteriormente testeado mediante la adopción del escenario de daño real correspondiente al terremoto de Lorca de 2011 como patrón de comparación. FAST es un procedimiento espectral que permite predecir el nivel de daño no estructural medio esperado para cada clase de edificio (definido por su número de plantas, año de construcción, densidad de tabiquería en planta y localización geográfica), considerando un nivel de demanda dado. El método tiene en cuenta la irregularidad de la tabiquería en alzado, es decir, la posible reducción relativa de tabiquería en planta baja. FAST se basa en: (i) la definición de curvas de capacidad aproximadas para los edificios tabicados, asumiendo que la estructura de HA se ha proyectado según la norma sísmica correspondiente en cada caso; y en (ii) la asunción de deformadas "apriorísticas" coherentes con cada grado de daño (suponiendo que éste se alcanza siempre en planta baja), estimadas a través de correlaciones experimentales y numéricas. Se proponen dos versiones de FAST: una "simplificada" para la evaluación de edificios uniformemente tabicados en altura, y otra "generalizada", que es capaz de tener en cuenta cualquier situación intermedia entre el prototipo uniformemente tabicado y el de planta baja diáfana. Además, se proponen ciertas extensiones al método. A fin de validar FAST, se elige el escenario de daño real correspondiente al terremoto de Lorca (2011) como patrón de comparación, a pesar de su impulsividad y directividad. Para definir los parámetros de input correspondientes al caso de estudio, es necesario recopilar previamente la información concerniente a la señal sísmica, el escenario de daño y las características del parque construido. Por tanto, se lleva a cabo una revisión exhaustiva de las normas sísmicas históricas en España y un análisis crítico de la norma sísmica española actual NCSE-02 en comparación con otras normas actuales de referencia basadas en el desempeño, como el Eurocódigo 8, haciendo énfasis en las provisiones que no garantizan el diseño por capacidad y que por tanto pueden provocar mecanismos frágiles o favorecer la excesiva influencia de la tabiquería. Además, se discute sobre la restricción del coeficiente de ductilidad en estructuras de vigas planas, cuestión que no se refleja en otras normas. Los resultados obtenidos mediante análisis de casos de estudio muestran que dicha prescripción resulta obsoleta para normas actuales. Finalmente, FAST se aplica al caso del terremoto de Lorca, obteniéndose predicciones de daño medio para diferentes asunciones. Los resultados muestran una coincidencia aceptable entre la predicción y los daños reales. FAST confirma que la causa principal de la práctica ausencia de colapsos (ante un terremoto con PGA triple que la típica de proyecto) hay que buscarla en la contribución estructural de la tabiquería de fábrica.
[CAT] Es proposa un mètode analític simplificat ("FAST") per a l'estimació de la vulnerabilitat a gran escala d'edificis porticats de formigó armat amb envans de fàbrica. Posteriorment, el mètode ha estat testejat mitjançant l'adopció de l'escenari de dany real corresponent al terratrèmol de Lorca de 2011 com a patró de comparació. FAST és un procediment espectral que permet predir el nivell de dany no estructural mitjà esperat per a cada classe d'edifici (definit pel seu nombre de plantes, any de construcció, densitat d'envans en planta i localització geogràfica), considerant un determinat nivell de demanda. El mètode té en compte la irregularitat de la distribució de envans al llarg de les diferents plantes del edifici. Es a dir, es pot tenir en compte que, freqüentment, hi ha una menor quantitat de d'envans a la planta baixa. FAST es fonamenta en: (i) la definició de corbes de capacitat aproximades que tenen en compte no sols la estructura del edifici sinó també els envans i assumint que l'estructura de HA s'ha projectat segons la norma sísmica corresponent en cada cas; (ii) l'assumpció de deformades "apriorístiques" coherents amb cada grau de dany (suposant que aquest es dona sempre a la planta baixa) que han estat estimades a través de correlacions experimentals i numèriques. Es proposen dues versions de FAST: una "simplificada" per a l'avaluació d'edificis amb envans uniformement repartits per totes les plantes, i una altra "generalitzada", que és capaç de tenir en compte qualsevol situació intermèdia entre el prototip uniformement paredat i el de planta baixa diàfana. A més, es proposen certes extensions al mètode. Per tal de validar FAST, es tria l'escenari de dany real corresponent al terratrèmol de Lorca (2011) com a patró de comparació, malgrat la seva impulsivitat i directivitat. Per definir els paràmetres de entrada corresponents al cas d'estudi, cal recopilar prèviament la informació concernent al senyal sísmica, l'escenari de dany i les característiques del parc construït. Per tant, es porta a terme una revisió exhaustiva de les normes sísmiques històriques a Espanya i una anàlisi crítica de la norma sísmica espanyola actual (NCSE-02) comparant-la amb altres normes actuals de referència, com l'Eurocodi 8, fonamentat en el concepte d'acompliment. També es fa èmfasi a les provisions que no garanteixen el disseny per capacitat i que, per tant, poden provocar mecanismes de col·lapse fràgils o afavorir la interacció de la estructura amb els envans. A més, es discuteix sobre la restricció del coeficient de ductilitat de les estructures de bigues planes ja que es una qüestió que no aborden la majoria de les normes. Els resultats obtinguts mitjançant l'anàlisi de casos d'estudi mostren que aquesta restricció resulta obsoleta a les normes actuals. Finalment, FAST s'aplica al cas del terratrèmol de Lorca, obtenint prediccions de dany mitjà per a diferents combinacions del paràmetres de entrada. Els resultats mostren una coincidència acceptable entre la predicció i els danys reals. FAST confirma que la causa principal de la pràctica absència de col·lapses (davant un terratrèmol amb PGA triple que la típica de projecte) cal buscar-la en la contribució estructural dels envans.
Gómez Martínez, F. (2015). FAST simplified vulnerability approach for seismic assessment of infilled RC MRF buildings and its application to the 2011 Lorca (Spain) earthquake [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/54780
TESIS
Premiado

A nonlinear finite element analysis was performed for an existing road bridge in order to see if that could show a higher load bearing capacity, as an alternative to repairing or replacing. The regular linear analysis had shown that the bridge could not take any traffic load due to the effects from large and uneven support settlements. It is a five-span reinforced concrete bridge with a continuous slab on supports made out of rows of columns. The width-to-span ratio was around 1 and the supports were angled up to about 30°, giving rise to a complex three-dimensional behaviour, which was seen and studied in the nonlinear results. Since the bending moment was the limiting factor, the nonlinear analysis focused on that. The direct result was that the load bearing capacity was 730 kN for the traffic vehicle boogie load, B, in the ultimate limit state. This was however only for the load case tested, and several more disadvantageous vehicle positions may exist. Other aspects also became limiting, as the maximum allowed vertical deflection in the serviceability limit state was reached at 457 kN. The most restraining though, was the shear capacity from the linear analysis; 78 kN, since it was not possible to simulate that type of failure with the shell elements used in the nonlinear finite element analysis. The main aim of the thesis was nonetheless reached, since the nonlinear analysis was able to show a significant increase in load bearing capacity. A comparison was made with the settlements for the nonlinear case, to see how much influence they had on the load bearing capacity for traffic load. This was performed for both the bridge and a simple two-span beam. Both showed that there was no effect on the load bearing capacity in the ultimate limit. One thing to note was that the full settlements were applied, and with no relaxation due to creep. Another aim of the thesis was to make comments on the practical usability of the nonlinear finite element method in load bearing capacity assessments. A linear analysis was performed before the nonlinear in order to be able to determine the load case to be used in the latter. This worked well, as the strengths of the two methods could then be utilized. Convergence problems were however encountered for the nonlinear when using the regular static solver. Due to this, the dynamic explicit calculation scheme was used instead, treating the case as quasi-static. This managed to produce enough usable results. It was concluded that the nonlinear finite element method is useable for assessment calculations, but that its strengths and weaknesses must be known in order to make it an efficient method.

The overall objectives of this thesis were to assess the theory and evaluate the development roles of MFIs in Uganda and Bangladesh. The study in particular focussed on MFIs impact on poverty reduction, empowering women, promoting health, as well as promoting children's education in Uganda and Bangladesh. The study preferred the selected countries because Bangladesh is internationally considered as the best practice for microfinance, whilst Uganda is assumed to be well-positioned in terms of microfinance as compared to other developing countries in Africa. The question that guided this empirical investigation was whether MFIs empower women, reduce poverrty, promote children's education as well as health among its beneficiaries in Uganda and whether Bangladesh has important lessons of experience for Uganda.

As the world globalizes and people travel more, volunteering has never been more popular to combine with a cultural exchange. Many countries have volunteers and non-governmental organizations which try to help that country’s vulnerable. This study investigates the impact of non-governmental organizations through a case study done at one of ActionAid Denmark’s Global Platforms in Kenya. This Platform works as one of ActionAid’s training hubs where participants from mostly Denmark and Kenya take part in courses focusing on capacity building and global citizenship. Their aim is to provide knowledge to facilitate social change. By using qualitative data in the form of interviews and observation, this study makes an impact assessment and evaluates what impact the Mt. Kenya platform actually achieves and what challenges there might be. Questions about the impact and challenges are asked to a wide range of involved people at the Platform, namely participants, staff, locals and neighbors. This study’s theoretical concept employs the theories “4 Levels of Evaluation” developed by Donald Kirkpatrick and Robert Brinkerhoff’s “The Success Case Method” as well as Jack Mezirow’s theory of transformative learning and Beck’s & Purcell’s theory of social change. The analysis shows that the trainings themselves make a tremendous impact on the individuals participating in the Platform’s trainings. The courses are well structured and executed by the facilitators. The concept where different cultures meet and interact is a success in itself. To make even more impact in the community and for the people in the surrounding area, the Platform needs to be more visible to the locals and improve its marketing and communication activities so the locals want to participate more.

O trabalho desenvolveu-se no âmbito de um estágio curricular realizado na Fundação Eugénio de Almeida, uma Instituição de Direito Privado e Utilidade Pública, na área da qualificação para o terceiro Sector através da análise das formações certificadas já concluídas. Face à necessidade de desenvolver competências por parte das Instituições Particulares de Solidariedade Social, do Distrito de Évora, é necessário avaliar o impacto das formações destinadas aos seus líderes, de forma a perceber o seu impacto na qualidade da prestação de serviço à comunidade. Assim, através dos questionários de avaliação das formações já executadas, da realização de entrevista aos líderes das instituições participantes mais assíduas nas formações propostas pela FEA, será compreendida a pertinência e eficácia das formações no desenvolvimento das respostas sociais do Distrito de Évora; Abstract: The work was developed as part of a curricular internship at Fundação Eugénio de Almeida, an Institution of Private Law and Public Utility, in the area of qualification for the third sector through the analysis of the already completed certified training. In view of the need to develop skills by the Private Social Solidarity Institutions of the District of Évora, it is necessary to assess the impact of training for their lead-ers in order to understand their impact on the quality of service to the community. Thus, through the self-assessment questionnaires of the training already carried out, by conducting interviews with the leaders of the most frequent participating institutions in the courses proposed by the FEA, the relevance and effectiveness of the training in the development of social responses in the municipality of Évora will be understood.

Magister Public Health - MPH
Over the years major changes have occurred in the focus, approach and application of monitoring and evaluation systems as a result of increased levels of emphasis towards achieving results (outcomes) as opposed to activities and outputs. As the focus of management changes from activities to results, so too has the focal point of M&E shifted from the traditional M&E system of progress monitoring that only deals with assessing inputs and implementation processes, to a results-based M&E system that emphasizes the need to assess the contributions of intervention to development outcomes. Nowadays funders, stakeholders and donor agencies want to see the difference that development initiatives make in the livelihood of project beneficiaries.Results-based M&E systems are essential components of most organisational structures responsible for development services and this is very fundamental as it provides vital information and empowers policy makers to take better informed decisions. The foundation of an M&E system is the very first step which is in essence called a ‘readiness assessment’. Such an assessment must be conducted before the actual establishment of an M&E system. Just as a building must begin with a foundation, constructing an M&E system must also begin with the establishment of a readiness assessment. Without this assessment and an understanding of the preparedness and commitment of the organisation, establishing an M&E system may be fraught with difficulties and failure.The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Programme of Ikamva Labantu has always been in the form of a reporting-type check list. The Centre is in a process of establishing an effective M&E system. The problem being investigated in this study is whether Ikamva Labantu has achieved a sufficient level of readiness to establish a results-based monitoring and evaluation system. However, the study shall also highlight crucial aspect of PM&E and RBM&E that will have to be taken into consideration with the establishment of the actual M&E system.With the use of the qualitative research method, the aim of this study is to analyse and assess the readiness assessment phase for establishing a monitoring and evaluation system in the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Programmes of Ikamva Labantu Centre, Khayelitsha.

The purpose of this study was to examine teacher and parent perceptions of the impact of a high-family engagement model, Academic Parent-Teacher Teams (APTT). Teacher and parent surveys were administered to determine the relationship between the following variables: teacher leadership, administrative support, parental perceptions of effectiveness of communications, parental perceptions of convenience of scheduling of meetings, parental perceptions of usefulness of meetings, family engagement, and student academic achievement. Data from a Pearson correlation and a regression test were analyzed to determine which variables had the greatest significance on the impact of APTT on family engagement and student academic achievement. Based on the results of the study, parental perception of effectiveness of communications, parental perception of convenience of scheduling of meetings, and parental perception of usefulness of meetings had the greatest significance with family engagement and student academic achievement. Recommendations were suggested for policy-makers, district leaders, educational leaders, teachers, and future researchers.

This thesis deals with building survey of bridge register number 43-011 located near Česká. The part of thesis is literary reaserch dealing with system of management and cotrol of road bridges, precast bridge contructions made with DS-C type girgers and about general diagnostical methods. The practical section contains of in situ diagnostical survey and bridge inspection, laboratory evaluation and comparision, load bearing capacity calculation and suggestion of potencional technical precautions.

The aim of the diploma thesis is construction-technological project of the whole construction focusing on the main building object - Apartment building, which is based on large-diameter drilling piles. The basis of the work is the budget of the main building and its timetable. Part of the thesis is a solution of organization of construction and design of building site equipment, technological regulation of selected activities, quality control and solution of transport relations including oversized transport. In addition, the design of the machine assembly, assessment of lifting mechanisms, safety and health protection and protection of the environment are solved.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to examine the process of capacity building through the formation of a coalition in Georgia to reduce the hepatitis burden in the refugee community. The project sought to identify obstacles in the building of the Refugee Viral Hepatitis Coalition to improve the effectiveness of the initiative. Observations were made in order to inform recommendations for future action. Background: There has been a significant decline in the number of hepatitis cases nationally and internationally due to the routine use of vaccines. However, there exists a significant number of cases each year, most of which have been identified in newly arrived refugees in the community. In the past five years, the majority of cases screened for hepatitis B have been identified among this population during screening exams at the local board of health. Public health officials in the state and county have identified many of the major gaps that lead to the persistence and transmission of infection in the community and have begun the process of building a coalition to address those needs. Methods: A mixed-methodological approach combining participant observations and semi-structured interviews was used to assess the formation of the coalition. Observations of the quarterly meetings took place from August 2013 to March 2014. Semi-structured interviews were conducted of coalition members within a four day period in order to gain insights about the progress of the coalition. Interviews were conducted in person and over the telephone after an e-mail was sent to coalition members requesting their participation in a study to examine progress of the coalition. Results: Observations of the meetings showed that the coalition included community members, public health officials and members from a number of organizations that play a role in the health of refugees. Discussion topics included hepatitis B trends due to public health interventions, the Affordable Care Act and its impact on the refugee population in addition to the value of a support group for those living with hepatitis B. Seventeen members of the coalition were interviewed with a combination of in-person and telephone interviews. Answers were grouped into four themes which highlighted the motivation for the coalition, progress observed and recommendations for improvement of the coalition. Responses indicated that members were interested in improving awareness and treatment in the community, increasing formalization to promote growth of the coalition, increasing civic engagement and continuing to build on the strengths of the coalition. Conclusion: This study examined the process of coalition building to respond to the challenge of hepatitis B. Results indicated that members of the coalition play a role in the development of the coalition and influence the direction which it follows. The desire to continue on its current trajectory while improving formalization and recruitment efforts was expressed by members.

碩士
國立高雄應用科技大學
土木工程與防災科技研究所
98
Earthquakes usually occur in Taiwan and China Mainland, among which Chi-Chi earthquake in Taiwan and Wen-Chuan earthquake resulted in a lot of school buildings collapse and damage as well as loss of teachers and students. It is necessary to build up a systematic appropriate approach to a seismic capacity assessment of school buildings. However, there are some disadvantages in the existing analysis schemes such as construction period etc. are neglected and thus the results are often not in agreement with the practical situation by civil engineering. This thesis is proposed to improve the existing approach of a seismic capacity assessment. Based on ETABS software, after field investigation and record, and build up a scheme in which nonlinear pushover analysis of space frame structural system is conducted wherein the beams and columns are the major components, then bricks wall elements are included. Furthermore, arch effects of the first floor are investigated; color maps of zones of plastic hinge based on FEMA 273 codes, etc. are all employed. An existing pre-retrofit and aft-retrofit school building in Meinong is considered as the practical example of a seismic capacity assessment and the results are compared with those obtained by original investigator. The major concluding remarks are as follows: dislocation is easy to occur in the connection of original structural components and retrofit elements, there are many zones where effective crack initiations may start to develop based on plastic hinge diagram, and the additional capacity of brick walls on a seismic capacity might be under-estimated in the original investigators, and the pre-estimator had an error in analysis parameter. In a word, this research provides an effective improvement for a seismic capacity assessment of existing structures of school buildings.

abstract: Many studies have shown that access to healthy food in the US is unevenly distributed and that supermarkets and other fresh food retailers are less likely to be located in low-income minority communities, where convenience and dollar stores are more prevalent grocery options. I formed a partnership with Phoenix Revitalization Corporation, a local community development organization engaged in Central City South, Phoenix, to enhance the community's capacity to meet its community health goals by improving access to healthy food. I used a community-based participatory approach that blended qualitative and quantitative elements to accommodate collaboration between both academic and non-academic partners. Utilizing stakeholder interviews, Nutrition Environment Measures Surveys (NEMS), and mapping to analyze the community's food resources, research revealed that the community lacks adequate access to affordable, nutritious food. Community food stores (n=14) scored an average of 10.9 out of a possible 54 points using the NEMS scoring protocol. The community food assessment is an essential step in improving access to healthy food for CCS residents and provides a baseline for tracking progress to improve residents' food access. Recommendations were drafted by the research partnership to equip and empower the community with strategic, community-specific interventions based on the research findings.
Dissertation/Thesis
M.A. Sustainability 2011

博士
國立臺灣大學
生物環境系統工程學研究所
106
Climate change causes significant impacts on water resources with high uncertainty. Decision makers in all sectors must choose wise and flexible adaptation method. For reducing the impacts of climate change, the standard procedure to develop climate change adaptation is the basis. In the water resources aspect, the resilient community in this study is defines as the water supply system of community with high resilience and low vulnerability in changing climate. This study used a design case which is analogous to the Xingshi village in Hsinchu, Taiwan, to demonstrate the adaptation procedure of water supply system. First of all, the key issue is the risk of water supply in the resilient community, and the historical water shortage events in Hsinchu are analyzed for determining the major causes of risk. The community water supply model and performance indicator system are constructed for assessing the current risk of water supply. And then they are further applied with the low frequency weather generator for generating baseline and future weather data to assess the future risk of water supply. Corresponding to the causes of risk, adaptation options are identified for enhancing the resilience of communities. The adaptation pathway map is decided by the setting target and the values of adaptation options. Finally, the adaptation pathway is implemented and monitored for preventing deviation from the adaptation pathway. When unexpected situations happen, the revision of adaptation pathway is needed. In this study, the design case is used to test adaptation procedure and develop tools. The community water supply model is developed to simulate water supply situation in the community, and its relationship with the external water supply system. The situation of community water resources is evaluated by the performance indicator system, including water saving efficiency, tolerance duration and water use efficiency. The low frequency weather generator is developed to produce daily weather data to hold the monthly statistics and the characteristics of low frequency for baseline and future climate scenarios to evaluate future risks. The adaptation pathways are established by using the option pricing model to qualify the values of adaptation options. The developed adaptation procedure, performance indicator system, and simulation models for the water supply system of a resilient community are proved to be able to help decision makers to assess the risk of water supply and build the adaptation capacity.

No
The first stage of the argument in this paper is that regulation of the biotechnology revolution is required. Put simply, this is because there will be both positive and negative impacts of the revolution, and there is also the possibility of misuse. In each area that the revolution impacts upon, there are both harms to be avoided and benefits to be promoted. An important component of this will be identification and assessment of risks. Regulation of the biotechnology revolution at local, national and regional levels is important, but the revolution and its impacts are global, and in several issue areas coordinated state action will be required ¿ here international regulation has an essential part to play. When looking at the global impacts of the revolution it is clear that they are not evenly distributed ¿ the benefits of the revolution may fail to reach those who need them most. From this analysis four key roles fro regulation of the biotechnology revolution can be identified: promotion of benefits; identification, assessment and management of risks; prevention or minimisation of negative impacts; and promotion of capacity building. There are various international regulations relevant to the control of the biotechnology revolution, but they do not form a coherent set. This presents problems for fulfilment of the four roles.

The research is based on the belief that the Earth's survival is reliant on an understanding of the interconnectedness between people and the planet. The premise that creative expression is an inherent need in human beings and a powerful agent for social change is at the core of this study. The arts permeate all aspects of life and can play a positive pro-active role in economic and social upliftment. The study therefore explored a contemporary public context in which artists intervene in society to provide practical and functional social spaces but also, with the ecological crisis of the planet, to create an awareness of the interconnectedness of life. Place-making was of specific concern and one of the aims was to examine ways of re-shaping the appearance and meaning of public spaces. An equally important issue was the role and responsibility of both the artist and the commissioning process in a social context and the relevance of individual expression as modes of addressing social concerns and as a tool of public empowerment within a new democratic South Africa that can have a genuine impact on community well-being and social inclusion. The research therefore exists in between the arts, social sciences and the ecology of place: that is, the understanding of the role of creative intervention within social spaces. The study provides a historical context and development of new trends in public and collaborative community arts, contextualises the notion of public and argues for a repositioning of assessment criteria for the arts within a social public domain and in the interest of the people. It is based on a critical survey of international collaborative arts and its potential as a guide to alternative solutions and implementation within a South African context for creative interventions and regeneration of public spaces and empowerment and capacity building of its citizens. The research discusses the relevance and the position of the arts and craft industry as a means of poverty alleviation, job creation and empowerment in South Africa. Rebuilding community demands both the rejuvenation of social spaces and the restoration of community esteem together with mutual and self-respect.
Art History, Visual Arts and Musicology
D. Litt. et Phil (Art History)