Thesis (MEd (Curriculum Studies))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The numerous changes to the South African education system since January 1998 have had far reaching effects on schools and the training of educators (Government Gazette, 31 May 2002:13). Changes in subject content have occurred in various subjects, and the General Science (now Natural Science) syllabus is no exception. The General Science syllabus previously catered mainly for Chemistry, Physics and Biology, but the Curriculum 2005 (C2005) Natural Science syllabus includes subject matter on Physical Geography (Climatology, Astronomy, and Geomorphology) (Department of Education, 2002b:6). The problem with this is that educators that previously taught General Science are not necessarily qualified to present the Physical Geography component of the new syllabus. This study investigates the impact of the changes in the new curriculum. The review of existing literature on curriculum development in Natural Science education in South Africa emphasises key changes made in the development and implementation of C2005 and the Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS). It also explores the characteristic features of misconceptions, before considering specific misconceptions in Natural Sciences. The first part of the two-tiered empirical investigation is based on the results of questionnaires and interviews completed by different groups of Natural Sciences educators. The questionnaires, which drew in part on existing questionnaires used in similar studies, were based on information used for the literature review. The second part of the empirical investigation consisted of interviews conducted with Natural Sciences Departmental Heads at randomly selected schools. An attempt was made to determine how these senior educators experienced the implementation of C2005 and RNCS and what their attitude to the new curriculum were. The data obtained from the questionnaires and the subsequent interviews were categorised, interpreted and coded for statistical processing.

Thesis (MEd)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Reading is an important skill for the 21st century and are one of the cornerstones of learning. Research shows an escalating concern about the reading ability of South African learners. In an attempt to improve the literacy levels of learners, the Northern Cape Department of Education, issued a circular to schools instructing them to implement a daily reading period of 30 minutes. It is required of schools to indicate the reading period on the timetable and reading must be formally instructed. The purpose of the study was to determine the perspectives of teachers regarding the use of the reading period and school libraries. It is hypothesized that teachers do not provide enough exposure to learners regarding reading. Secondly It is hypothesized that teachers do not a create a reading culture or foster a positive attitude towards reading, because they ignore the reading period and do not use the library as a resource. A mixed method approach was followed, where both quantitative and qualitative research designs was used. The study consisted of a literature review and an empirical study. The empirical study was conducted at two high schools in the Namaqua District. The data was collected by means of a questionnaire which was completed by 16 Grade 8 and 9 teachers. Focus group interviews were also conducted with the participating teachers. An analysis of the empirical data showed the following : - According to the results the majority of the teachers are aware of the reading period. - The teachers indicated that the reading period is not implemented at both of the schools. - The teachers did not receive any guidance or support from the Northern Cape Education Department to assist learners with reading problems. - The data showed that both schools do have a school library. - From the responses of the teachers it seems that the library resources are old and insufficient. - The data indicated that the teachers do not use the school library as a resource to promote teaching and learning. - The learners are not exposed to the library to assist them with curriculum assignments. The research confirmed the research hypothesis that the reading period is not implemented and that the school library is not used by the teachers to promote the literacy levels and academic performance of the learners. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Lees is ʼn noodsaaklike vaardigheid in die 21ste eeu en is een van die boustene van leer. Navorsing in Suid-Afrika dui daarop dat leesprobleme in Suid-Afrika besig is om ernstige afmetings aan te neem. Om die leesvermoëns en geletterheidvlakke van leerders te verhoog, het die Noord-Kaapse Onderwysdepartement (NKOD) ʼn omsendskrywe uitgestuur, waarin skole verplig word om daagliks ʼn leesperiode van 30 minute in te stel. Hierdie leesperiode moet op die skool se rooster aangedui word. Binne die leesperiode moet lees op ʼn gestruktureerde manier aangebied word. Die breë navorsingsdoelstelling van die studie is om ondersoek in te stel na die perspektiewe van opvoeders rakende die gebruik van die leesperiode en die skoolbiblioteek. As navorsingshipotese is eerstens gestel dat opvoeders nie aan die leerders genoeg blootstelling rakende lees gee nie. Tweedens is gestel dat opvoeders nie ʼn kultuur van lees skep nie of ʼn positiewe houding teenoor lees by die leerders kweek nie, want hulle verontagsaam die leesperiode en ignoreer die biblioteek as hulpbron. In hierdie studie is daar gebruik gemaak van ʼn gemengde navorsingsontwerp, waarvolgens beide kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodes gekombineer word om die navorsingsprobleem beter te verstaan. Die studie het bestaan uit ’n literatuurstudie en ’n empiriese ondersoek. Die empiriese ondersoek is by twee geselekteerde hoërskole in die Namakwa-distrik gedoen. Die data is versamel deur ‘n vraelys wat voltooi is deur 16 graad 8- en 9- opvoeders van die geselekteerde skole. Fokusgroeponderhoude is ook met die deelnemers gevoer. ʼn Ontleding van die empiriese data het getoon dat: - die meerderheid van die opvoeders kennis dra van die leesperiode. - die leesperiode by nie een van die twee skole geïmplementeer word nie. - die opvoeders geen leiding en ondersteuning vanaf die Noord-Kaapse Onderwysdepartement ontvang het rakende hulpverlening aan leerders met leesprobleme nie. - beide skole beskik oor ’n skoolbiblioteek. - die skoolbiblioteek se bronne onvoldoende is en meestal verouderd is. - die opvoeders nie die skoolbiblioteek gebruik om onderrig en leer te bevorder nie. - die leerders ook geen blootstelling kry aan die skoolbiblioteek om take binne die kurrikulum te doen nie. Die navorsing bevestig die navorsingshipotese dat die leesperiode nie geïmplementeer word nie en dat die opvoeders nie die skoolbiblioteek as ʼn bron gebruik om die geletterdheid en akademiese vordering van leerders te bevorder nie.

The present study was conducted in order to determine if a relationship exists between those comprehension processes measured by the Paragraph Comprehension subtest of the McGraw-Hill Basic Skills System Reading Test and the cloze test developed for this project. Two classes of undergraduate education majors enrolled in “Foundations of Performance-Based Education” were administered both the cloze test and the multiple choice comprehension test. A correlation coefficient was computed between the summary scores on the McGraw-Hill and the summary scores on the cloze test. The results yielded a correlation of .021. These results did not support the research hypothesis.

Text in English / Undergraduate students at the Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) experience great difficulty in developing their translation competence during their training period. On the one hand, they show many signs of poor quality during their training when they accomplish practical translation assignments on and off-campus. On the other hand, the quality of the final work submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Bachelor Honours Degree (Licenciatura) suggests that most students fail to go beyond the minimum standards with regard to translation competence. Yet, comprehensive research aimed at understanding factors hindering translation competence at the UEM has been scanty. Besides, the few studies available have some significant lacunae, for they focus on Portuguese language development; are limited to error analysis, and often ignore students‟ perspectives. Consequently, the problem of finding a balanced approach to developing students‟ translation competence has remained unaddressed. Therefore, this study has been conducted with the purpose of investigating the translation competence of the UEM undergraduates in order to establish the major obstacles to their translation competence development, and consequently come up with suggestions for improving the current translator-training degree programme. The study design uses qualitative methods translated into a case study approach. First, questionnaire data is analysed to gain lecturers‟ and students‟ perspectives on translation competence at the UEM. Second, a students‟ error typology is developed following a macro- and micro-textual analysis of their translations. The study concludes that substandard bilingual skills, compounded by curricular, attitudinal/motivational, pedagogical and infrastructural/instrumental factors, negatively impact the students‟ development of translation competence at the UEM and that addressing these may pave the way towards improving the current translation-training programme. / Linguistics and Modern Languages / M. A. (Linguistics)

The aim of this research was (1) to provide empirical data of learning potential and English language proficiency for work performance; (2) to establish whether race and gender influence work performance; (3) to evaluate practical utility and to propose recommendations for selection purposes. The Learning Potential Computerised Adaptive Test and the English Literacy Skills Assessment were used as measuring instruments to measure learning potential and English language proficiency respectively. Work performance data were obtained from the normal performance data system of the company where the research was conducted. ANOVA results showed differences between race and gender groupings. A regression analysis confirmed the predictive validity of learning potential and English language proficiency on work performance. The Spearman rho correlation coefficient (p < 0.05) showed a significant positive correlation between the investigated variables / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. A. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Quantitative Techniques is traditionally a subject with a poor pass rate at Walter Sisulu University. In search of a turnaround strategy, the purpose of this study was to determine the level of problem-solving proficiency of Quantitative Techniques students, which is suspected to influence achievement in this subject. A descriptive survey design was used in this research. Second-year ND (Marketing) students (128) took part in the study. A questionnaire and a written test were used to collect data. A profile of participants’ problem-solving was determined. Their weaknesses and strengths in problem-solving were investigated. The problem-solving proficiency of participants with regards to the biographical variables of Gender, Age, Mathematics background and whether they took Data Handling training at school or not were explored. A model, based on Polya’s four stages of problem-solving, was used to measure the students’ level of problem-solving proficiency, which was 59,16%. Findings suggest that the students achieved highest in understanding a problem (72,29%) and making a plan to solve the problem (73,77%). They are weakest at interpreting their results (29,38%). MANOVA results showed no statistical significance for the biographical variables. The univariate results suggest that age, Data Handling training at school and Gender could affect problem-solving proficiency. Since the findings of this study indicate a strong relationship between participants’ problem-solving proficiency and their actual achievement, some intervention is recommended. An intervention could be in the form of a section on problem-solving in the course, supplemental instruction or an introductory course. Course and curriculum content should be revised to address students’ proficiency in problem-solving. / Mathematical Sciences / M. A. (Statistics Education)

The aim of this research was to develop a competency model for auditors by identifying those characteristics and behaviours that predict success as an auditor. The Work Profiling System (WPS), the Repertory Grid Technique (RGT) and the Critical Incident Technique (CIT) were the tools and techniques used to achieve this aim. This research was conducted in two groups: trainee accountants (year 1- 3) and chartered accountants (year 4-5+). The results of the research, which was conducted within one of the Big 5 auditing firms, indicated that the competencies required of a trainee accountant are largely consistent with those of registered chartered accountants, working in the same environment. The most noticeable difference was the change in focus from cognitive or technical skills during the earty years to a focus on managerial competencies in later years. The competencies identified in this research compare well with reported models in literature. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)

Student selection is particularly challenging in South Africa. Heterogeneous educational backgrounds require that it is necessary to assess prospective students' potential rather than their current abilities that crystallised from inadequate school education. Dynamic assessment assesses learning potential versus traditional psychometric measures, which are static measures of cognitive ability, measuring what a person has already learned. The aim was to determine the predictive validity of a selection battery. The following predictors were included in the study; matric results, Potential Index Battery, LPCAT, bridging course status and gender. The results confirmed that static measures of intelligence and matric results showed lower predictive validity than learning potential tests. The learning potential measure appeared to be a more valid predictor of academic performance and is suitable to include in a selection battery. Gender and bridging course factors did not reflect significant differences in academic performance. There were indications that students perform better in successive years of study, once they have adjusted to tertiary education. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Comm. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Vehicle accidents by means of Public transport annually leads to a large number of passenger deaths and life long disablement. AsDu Toit, Martina Petronella a result, there is a need for preventative measures by identifying the psychomotor abilities of bus drivers during the recruitment and selection process of employment. The study was conducted among 398 bus drivers employed by a large bus company. The Vienna Test Battery was administered. It was found that distance estimation, ability to recognize forms and figures, concentration ability, eye-hand feet coordination and two-hand coordination predicted the effectiveness of bus drivers successfully. It is suggested that further research should focus on client services, attitude of bus drivers and learning potential, as factors that influence the effectiveness of bus drivers. / Industrial psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)

This study aimed at investigating the influence of locus of control and upbringing style on creative thinking of preparatory school learners in schools in the United Arab Emirates. Specifically, the study attempted to answer the following questions: *What is the effect of the family upbringing type (authoritative/authoritarian) on the creative thinking of grade 9 students in schools in the United Arab Emirates? *What is the effect of the type of locus of control (internal/external) on the creative thinking of grade 9 students in schools in the United Arab Emirates? *What is the effect of the interrelationships of family upbringing type and locus of control on the creative thinking of grade 9 students in schools in the United Arab Emirates? Three scales were used in this study: *The Arabized Rotter Internal-External Locus of Control Scale *Fawzi Abu jabal Scale of family upbringing style *Torrance Tests of creative thinking In order to answer the above-mentioned questions, a random sample from students in the ninth grade was selected. The sample consisted of (527) male and female students. In order to examine the questions of the study and to identify the effects of each of these independent variables, along with there interactions on creative thinking; the following statistical techniques were used: *T-tests *Chi-square tests *Pearson's bivariate and multi-variate correlation *Analysis of variance (2&#61620;2&#61620;2) *Stepwise regression analysis The findings of this study showed: *Upbringing style and the locus of control had a significant effect on creative thinking. All differences were in favour of the internal locus of control and the authoritative upbringing style. *Gender had no significant effect on creative thinking. *There were no significant effects for the dual and treble interactions of the independent variables (gender, upbringing style and locus of control) on creative thinking. The results were interpreted in light of a literature review and the students' socialization practices. / Early Childhood Education and Development / D.Ed. (Socio-Education)