DEd (Curriculum Studies) / College students in Zimbabwe were facing many challenges in adopting proper dietary patterns which promote learning. This study sought to establish the impact of Socio-Economic factors and dietary patterns in particular on the academic performance of college students in Zimbabwe. The study established challenges that were faced by college students in making choices of dietary patterns that promote learning. Factors that influence choice of dietary patterns for college students were established in this study. The case study was Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic College in Zimbabwe with a population of 206 students and a sample of 102 participants was purposively selected. A mixed-methods research, using quantitative and qualitative approaches was employed and questionnaires, interviews, observation and document analysis were used to collect data. Findings are presented from both questionnaire and interview data in combination, with interview data playing the role of supplementing quantitative findings and probing detailed information. Quantitative data was analysed using the IBM SPSS Version 23.0 while qualitative data was coded into themes and synthesised into quantitative data to support or refute quantitative data. Research indicates that diet quality and overall health status of college students are among the prominent factors which contribute to poor student academic performance worldwide. The experiences and perceptions held by the college students and cooks were investigated. The main study findings showed that if students follow proper dietary patterns they may perform well in their studies since relationship between nutrition and academic work lies on the notion that a healthy body is able to maintain a healthy mind, which suggests that certain risk factors for a physically ill-health are also risk factors for cognitive impairment. This study made recommendations for dietary patterns that promote learning in academic domains. It also developed a model valuable for dietary patterns. / `

The main purpose of this study was to explore what the true worth or value of formative assessment was in the context of self-regulated learning. It sought to find out how the quality of formative assessment practices is characterised by the lecturers and students at Solusi University, Zimbabwe. The evidence from this was to be compared with what the course outlines and related documents suggested regarding the quality of formative assessment practices at Solusi University. The study also intended to find out how the self-regulated learning approach could add value to formative assessment practices in this university. This became important on account of the major functions of assessment in general and continuous assessment in particular to act as a barometer of the quality of learning going on in an institution. The qualitative research approach was adopted using interviews and analysis of formative assessment documents such as the course outlines as well as quizzes and tests. It emerged from the findings that formative assessment practices at Solusi University are characterised by performance as the major issue. Performance is the overemphasis of marks and scores whilst ignoring the other major learning aspects of formative assessment. This is so because there is no assessment guide to inform on the criteria and standards to follow. The course objectives were based on the lower-order levels of learning which dwell more on rote learning for the sake of grading or performance. Even though assignments were preferred, more quizzes were being used so as to garner enough marks. This picture could be altered if the theories that underpin this study namely, Self-Regulated Learning, the BEAR Assessment System and Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning Objectives respectively were applied in the formative assessment practices in the university. This would allow for transparency and collaboration in the formative assessment process with students being active participants. In this case the self-regulated learning approach would have been used to enhance the quality of formative assessment practices. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)