This dissertation begins by reviewing the difficulties experienced in teaching mathematics to pupiis, weak in mathematics, in the Senior Secondary phase of Cape Education Department schools. The possible use of computer-aided instruction (CAl) in improving the examination performance of such pupils is considered. A suitable CAl software program, viz. the SERGO system, is identified and its operation is described in detail. The researcher investigates, both from a quantitative and a qualitative aspect, the change in mathematics examination performance of a number of weak in mathematics pupils, as a result of receiving an extended period of extra tuition on the SERGO system. It needs to be noted that these pupils are passing candidates in other subjects, and have above average intelligence. They are not slow learners. The researcher identifies three categories of pupils who are weak in mathematics. Different programmes of remediation are recommended for each category. The possible use of the SERGO system as a stand-alone instrument of remediation , for pupils working in pairs, and the possible use by H.G. pupils in combined H.G./S.G. classes are also investigated.

The purpose of the study was to develop and evaluate a series of video-tape lessons to supplement the traditional lecture-discussion method of teaching a college course in advanced music theory. The specific problems investigated were: 1) to evaluate the effect of video-tape material on achievement in an advanced music theory course. 2) To assess the effect of the video-tape materials on the achievement in harmony, keyboard, sight singing, and ear training for students who had differential learning ability levels. 3) To assess the attitudes toward music theory and the use of the supplemental lessons. 4) To assess attitudes toward music theory and the use of the supplemental lessons and achievement for all students involved in the study. Analysis of co-variance, simple analysis of variance, t tests, and Pearson correlations produced statistical results that led to the following conclusions: 1) Students who used the video-tape supplemental lessons did not score higher on achievement tests in harmony, keyboard, sight singing, and ear training than the students who did not use those lessons. 2) Students who used the video-tape lessons had greater variance among the ability levels on the achievement tests; and for those using the lessons, students in the low beginning-ability level did not achieve at a corresponding rate with the students in the high and middle levels. 3) Attitudes toward music theory and the use of supplemental materials were less positive for the students who used the video-tape lessons. 4) Among all participants of the evaluation, a significant relationship was found between attitudes toward music theory and the use of supplemental materials and achievement in music theory.

M.Ed. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Ed. (Media Science) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Art history serves as a record of civilization's cultural heritage. Yet there is a paucity of art history or appreciation materials for the elementary level child that are historically ordered. The problem with which this study is concerned is the development of a prototype of a slide-tape series on art history for instruction of upper elementary students. The purpose of this investigation is to produce a slide-tape set that is designed to use advance organizers, direct attention, proceed with moderate speed, elicit responses, and give feedback. The series also guides the student in analyzing art with a historical approach. More over, the media stress key ideas on the culture and examine the relationship between the culture and the art produced.

Doctorat en sciences psychologiques / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

M.Ed. (Media Studies) / Curricular media use can be considered as the utilisation of media by a subject-teacher. This implies the selection and integration of media in the tuition study procedure in order to form an integral part of the total teaching-learning procedure. The problem identified in this study is that no research has been done on the Witwatersrand to establish the position of curricular media use in primary schools in the senior primary phase. The objective of this study is to attempt to establish the position of curricular media in the senior primary school phase on the Witwatersrand. This study will essentially be undertaken on the basis of literature and empirical research. In chapter one the context in which the study will be done is set, after which the problem and purpose of the study will be mentioned. In chapter two a study of the literature is undertaken with the focus on curricular media use in the senior primary school phase. Chapter three devotes attention to an exposition of the method of the empirical investigation, the use of this research instrument and the interpretation of the data obtained from the questionnaire. In chapter four a resume is given of the findings in an attempt to consolidate and a few recommendations regarding curricular media use are made. Within the context of the set target and on the grounds of the findings in chapter two and three, the following conclusions are made: It would appear that the position of and attitude towards curricular media use are reasonably positive. Not all of the respondents received tuition in curricular media use during their training as teachers and this is a field that calls for improvement. In-service training is given at schools but not on a regular basis. Teachers are not fully informed on curricular media use and media selection and they are aware of the features of the various educational media but their choice of media in the implementation of curricular media use contradicts their replies. Lack of funds is an important factor. Most of the schools do not have a budget for each subject for curricular media. There is a need for guidelines for the implementation of curricular media use in the senior primary school phase. The following recommendations are made: Primary schools need guidelines on how curricular media use can be implemented. In-service training must be given on a quarterly basis. In-service training must include curricular media use, media selection and media features make provision for this. Teacher training must also Funds must be made available by management for the purchase of curricular media. Further research can be done to establish guidelines for the implementation of curricular media use in the different subjects in the senior primary phase. A comparative study can be done to establish the difference (s) between scholars receiving education through curricular media use and those who do not. Herewith the research into the status of curricular media use in the senior primary school phase within the context of the set aim is provisionally completed.

M.Ed. (Education) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Ed. / Students exhibit misconceptions or deviations from universally accepted concepts. Constructivists trace these misconceptions back' to the unique conceptual frames of reference of students. Ausubel (1985:82) named prior knowledge as the single most important factor influencing learning. New teaching strategies were designed to prevent or eliminate these misconceptions. The strategies are based on guidelines postulated by researchers such as Posner and his co-workers (1982:211). Several strategies use media to motivate students or provide a more concrete base for concept formation. The side effects of the utilization of media are important to designers and users of media. An empirical investigation was launched to determine whether media could also stimulate the formation of misconceptions. The investigation indicated that two dimensional representations of atoms, molecules and ion lattices can lead to misconceptions. Greater care should be taken in the selection of illustrations for textbooks and other media. If these side effects are taken into account by media designers and teachers, media can play a major role in the prevention and elimination of misconceptions.

Post-apartheid South Africa is witnessing an education crisis of significant proportions. The new outcomes-based education system has failed to deliver and universities are suffering the consequences of under-preparation of learners for tertiary studies especially in mathematics. The educator corps is lacking and it has become common practice for universities to deploy augmented programmes in mathematics for secondary school learners in the surrounding areas. This thesis describes a particular approach of blended learning, devised for the Incubator School Project (ISP), an initiative of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The defining feature of this blended approach is that it incorporates DVD technology, which offers an affordable and accessible option for the particular group of learners and the schools they attend. The thesis poses the research question: How did the use of the DVD approach within a blended learning environment support the learning of mathematics? This case study explores the particular blended approach and reports six fold on the approach – qualitatively based firstly on a questionnaire completed by learners and secondly on interviews of learners, thirdly on the facilitators reports, fourthly quantitatively on learner performance before and after the intervention. Fifthly six schools are used as a case study where the mathematics performance of the learners who participated in the ISP is compared to those who did not participate in the ISP. Finally the scope of blending of this model is evaluated by means of a radar chart, adapted from an existing radar measure. This research revealed that using the DVD approach within a blended learning environment did lead to an improvement in learners perceptions about mathematics, an improvement in the manner in which they learned mathematics, an extension in their mathematics knowledge and provided learners with a supportive environment in which to learn mathematics. The elements which supported learning in this approach are presented. The findings of the study suggest that this approach impacted favourably on the mathematics learning and enhanced the mathematics learning and performance of these learners. Recommendations are offered for practice, teachers and schools and for further research possibilities.