In the world in which we live today, information and communication technology (ICT) has proliferated in all spheres of society, including in the corporate, social and academic arenas. Within these arenas ICT has made noteworthy contributions. In the academic space, which is the focus of this study, ICT has made a significant contribution to the communication and consultation between students and higher education institution staff. One such example has been the emergence of learning management systems (LMSs) in higher education institutions, both locally and globally, with LMSs providing higher education institutions with several possibilities as regards facilitating the online teaching and learning process. Nevertheless, research has shown that there is underutilisation of LMSs throughout the world. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to investigate the utilisation of LMSs in an open and distance learning (ODL) institution in South Africa to ascertain whether they are being used to their full potential. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Adult Education)

The aim of this study was to demonstrate how postgraduate students cope with the stress induced while adjusting to the various proposal and research report writing phases they are involved in. It is further purported that difficulties in adjusting to the various proposal and research report writing phases and lack of support lead to students experiencing stress. The population consisted of 815 students enrolled for masters and doctoral programmes at Unisa for the 2012 academic year. This study employed the Stress and Support Questionnaire for University Students to determine the stress postgraduate students encountered while adjusting to the proposal and research report writing phases they were in. Furthermore, this questionnaire was also used to understand how these students use support as a coping mechanism. The various research hypotheses were tested using an explanatory mixed method research design. The population consisted of 815 students enrolled for masters and doctoral programmes at Unisa for the 2012 academic year. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), Strata software and Microsoft Excel. Statistical analyses included tests, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and chi-square tests. The results demonstrated that students experience stress during the adjustment process to the various research report writing phases. However, masters students showed higher levels of stress while adjusting to the research report writing phases, compared with doctoral students. Some of the doctoral students reported that they felt fewer levels of stress, because they were already exposed to postgraduate studies and were aware of what is expected. Furthermore, students who reported feeling stress to a large extent indicated the reasons to be a lack of support from supervisors, delayed and insufficient feedback, lack of financial support, lack of social support, procrastination, and balancing work and studies. Some of the students iv indicated that they do not feel any stress at all because they have surrounded themselves with people who have travelled the path, and their environment is conducive to study. Support from colleagues at work, supervisors, friends and family have also shown to help students adjust to the research report writing phases of their programmes. Although some of the students indicated that they do not experience stress, it is imperative that interventions be designed for those students who do experience challenges when adjusting to the research report writing phases. / Psychology / MA (Psychology)

Text in Afrikaans / Die doel met hierdie studie was om didaktiese riglyne te formuleer waarvolgens die afstandsonderrig van ouditkunde, as deeldissipline in die opleiding van rekenmeesters en ouditeure, beplan, uitgevoer en deurlopend geevalueer kan word. Sodanige riglyne kan dien as rigtingwysers vir die verdere ontwikkeling van geskikte afstandsonderrigstrategiee. Ten aanvang is die leerinhoud van die ouditkunde vakgebied ontleed en afgebaken. Daarna is 'n didakties-gefundeerde onderrigmodel beskryf en op die ouditkunde vakinhoud, afstandsleerders en dosente toegepas. Hieruit is riglyne geformuleer wat gevolg kan word vir die wetenskaplike beplanning, uitvoering en evaluering van ouditkunde afstandsonderrig. Uit 'n evaluering van die huidige afstandsonderrigstrategiee vir ouditkunde aan Unisa het dit gebly~ dat sekere leemtes bestaan. Ten slotte is daar op grond van die didaktiese riglyne voorstelle gemaak om hierdie leemtes te oorbrug en is verskeie onderwerpe vir verdere navorsing ook geidentifiseer. / The aim of this study was to formulate didactic guidelines according to which the distance teaching of auditing, as part-discipline in the training of accountants and auditors, can be p 1 an ned, imp 1 emented and continually evaluated. These didactic guidelines can serve as guidelines for the further development of suitable distance education strategies. First, the auditing syllabus was analysed and delineated. Next, a didactically founded instructional model was described and applied to the subject matter of auditing, distance students and tutors. From this, guidelines were formulated which can be followed to scientifically plan, implement and evaluate the distance teaching of auditing. An evaluation of the existing distance teaching strategies for auditing at Unisa indicated that certain shortcomings exist. Finally, recommendations based upon the didactic guidelines were made to overcome the shortcomings. identified. / Auditing / M. Com. (Auditing)

This study investigated the effect of a blended-learning approach in the learning of problem-solving skills in a first-level distance education physics module. A problem-solving type of instruction with explicit teaching of a problem-solving strategy was implemented in the module, which was presented through correspondence, online using an in-house learning management system as well as two face-to- face discussion classes. The study used the ex post facto research design with stratified sampling to investigate the possible cause-effect relationship between the blended-learning approach and the problem-solving performance. The number of problems attempted, the mean frequency of using strategy in problem solving and the achievement marks of the three strata were compared using inferential statistics. The finding of the study indicated that the blended-learning approach had no statistically significant effect in the learning of problem-solving skills in a distance education module. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Open and Distance Learning)

Never before has the learning experience of incarcerated persons been captured by one of their fellow inmates. Public perception is that prisoners should be denied access to educational opportunities and be punished for the crimes committed. In this groundbreaking study, situated in the qualitative paradigm, I recorded the learning experiences of a group of inmates who are studying at undergraduate level, via distance learning. This phenomenological study originated from my experience of studying while incarcerated, and is aimed at increasing our knowledge of, and enhancing our understanding of incarcerated persons. The study focuses on the learning experiences and challenges encountered by these students. Data was collected from the participants using qualitative methods and analysed using content analysis. Interpretation of the data revealed a number of factors which impede the studies of these students. The investigation is of importance to all persons involved in the Corrections environment but also the general public as inmates return to their communities upon release. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

Delivering education through open and distance learning (ODL) mode imposes upon ODL institutions a responsibility to provide support services deemed adequate to address students’ expectations and learning needs. Student support services are a vital part of academic success in distance learning environments because of the nature of distance education. Therefore, it is critical to provide student support services whose quality levels are acceptable to those who use them. Quality and its measurements are a contentious issue in higher education and distance education. Efforts to help service quality researchers in distance education understand service quality and its evaluation have come from marketing researchers. Among different approaches of service quality assessment is the SERVQUAL model. This study explored and examined the quality of students’ support services in distance learning environments from students’ perspective, using a modified SERVQUAL model. The objectives of the study were to examine students’ expectations and perceptions of the quality of support services; analyse the gaps between expectations and perceptions; develop and validate a service quality model and a scale to evaluate the quality of distance education students’ support services. A sequential mixed methods design was used to collect and analyse the data. Data were collected in two phases. The first phase involved collecting data qualitatively. The qualitative data were used to develop a context specific service quality model and a scale. The model and the scale were validated in the second (quantitative) phase of the study. The results of the study showed that the students’ expectations exceeded the perceived performance levels of the student support services. The largest gaps related to feedback, study material delivery and spaces for quiet learning. The study also found that distance education student support services can be measured by four service quality dimensions, namely: tangibles, reliability, delivery and assurance. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

Following the postmodern discourses of spatial conceptualisation, this study examined the manner in which space in an Open Distance Learning (ODL) University enables or constrains academics’ work as they go about the process of constructing their academic identities. Focusing on academics’ engagement in one college of the University, the study was premised on the assumption that, in the current higher education (HE) dispensation, academic identity construction presumes and demands the existence of supportive space for academics to effect the academic practices. Lefebvre’s (1991) social production of space and Soja’s (1996) Thirdspace were used as lenses to examine the multiple dimensions of space in relation to spatial practices in the College, the spatial policies and the experiences of academics as the users of the Institutional space. Qualitative ethnographic research methods that were used to collect data included a review of the Institutional policies, intranet posts and emails; the observation and photographing of academics’ offices and administrative office space; observation of departmental meeting proceedings and the conducting of semi-structured interviews with academics of different academic ranks. Findings suggested that although some forms of space are supportive of spatial practices that contribute to academic identity construction, the imagined space of the ODL Institution can be unfairly inclusive and inconsiderate of academics’ unique spatial needs. Such inclusivity of space seemed to be inconsistent with the appropriate ODL space as imagined by some participants where academics may work comfortably and with limited restrictions. The study concluded by making recommendations on how the Institution and the academics may manage space for optimal academic identity construction in the College. / Educational Foundations / D. Ed. (Philosophy of Education)

Technological advancement has changed the way things are done in this era. Instructing and erudition process in conventional and Open Distanced and e-Learning (ODeL) is no exception, thus, creating a stint in the manner in which educators educate and the manner wherein students learn. This dissertation focusses on the role of ICT in ODeL environment. Guided by the transactional distance theory and the rhizomatic learning, this study tried to investigate the role of ICT in ODeL environment. The design was to investigate: (a) The effectiveness of ICT tools for instructing and learning; (b) whether ICT boost learning interaction; (c) foster flexibility; (d) supports the students to make decisions; and (e) allows students to connect learning in ODeL. The study utilized a blended techniques approach, and data was congregated through a questionnaire and interviews. A sample of 52 registered postgraduate students in the master of education (M.Ed programme) and seven lecturers within the College of Education were purposively and conveniently selected in the study. The survey questionnaire comprised of 53 question items for students, and 48 question items questions for lecturers. The questionnaire for both students and lecturers also had open-ended questions. Considering distance learning, it was difficult for the researcher to administer a questionnaire using any other method except the online tools. The congregated data was analysed utilizing descriptive and inferential statistics. The outcomes revealed that the integration of ICT in ODeL environment was effective and enhanced the educational process, promote interaction, foster the flexibility of the education programmes, support student autonomy and allow students to connect with different learning nodes. It was established in the study that ICT in ODeL has helped in transforming the education process. The study recommends that the institution should avail ICT facilities and provide users with high speed Internet. The institution should also make provision for technical support to users. Furthermore, both students and lectures should be armed with relevant technological know-how and dexterities. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Technology Education)

There is a paramount need for online university education to effectively contribute in the development of students' ability to construct and create new knowledge. Online learning should thus go beyond the production of knowledge for knowledge's sake, but should result in relevant and meaningful learning on the part of the online learner. In addition, online learning ought to result in the application of knowledge to practice. While gains made by constructivism and observational learning are well documented, research addressing online media blends that best encourage constructivist and observational learning in open and distance and e-learning (ODeL) contexts is limited. In addition, guidelines that can be used by online learning facilitators and policy makers regarding media for constructivist and observational learning were lacking when this research was conducted. The research was deemed significant in contributing to the development of an online learning framework that could be used to guide policy formulation and practice in the area of online course implementation in ODeL institutions. Using an explorative qualitative approach, this study explored online media blends for constructivist and observational learning. The study comprised three phases. The first phase was a meta-ethnography study whose objective was to synthesise previous research theses in order to gain an understanding of lecturers' and students' experiences of online media, constructivism and observational learning. The second phase consisted of a phenomenological study conducted at the University of South Africa, to explore lecturers' experiences of online media in the facilitation of constructivism and observational learning. The final phase of the research was the development of a framework based on constructivism and observational learning to guide online teaching and learning. The findings of this research study revealed that lecturers did not use media blends to a large extent in their interaction with students. The study indicated that some cognitive processes need to be exercised on the part of the facilitators when online learning is offered. It is concluded that during the curriculum planning phase, lecturers should decide on methods and media to arouse the students' attention during online courses. This also implies a more reasonable lecturer­ student ratio because large numbers of students per lecturer is not feasible in online learning. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

Text in English with abstracts in English, Afrikaans and Zulu / The study was conducted within the interpretive research paradigm. Anchored in organisational justice theory, the study explored the incapacity management practices at an open distance learning (ODL) institution in South Africa. A qualitative research methodology, which applied a case study design, was used in this study. A purposeful sample of 16 (N=16) participants was chosen based on their experiences, knowledge and understanding on the topic of incapacity management. Semi-structured interviews were used as the primary data collection method, and documents were used as a secondary data collection source for triangulation purposes. The data analysis and reporting of the participants’ lived experiences drew on the thematic analysis technique. At theoretical level, the study provided insight into the notions of incapacity management in the workplace; the regulatory obligations in managing incapacity; and lastly, reasonable practices to accommodate incapacity. The literature review confirmed that an effective incapacity management framework should have four main dimensions, namely a supportive institutional culture; a policy and procedure providing for incapacity management practices; provisions for reasonable accommodation; and a multidisciplinary approach. From the empirical phase it emerged that although the literature presupposes a healthy institutional culture to ensure well-managed incapacity in the workplace, the current institutional culture at the institution under study was negative. This study also found several challenges relating to incapacity management in the ODL institution, namely a lack of knowledge and understanding of incapacity management due to the absence of a policy and procedure; a lack of understanding of the incapacity condition; and a lack of reciprocal communication among the key role players. The findings also demonstrated that reasonable accommodation practices could be improved and that the management of incapacity in the workplace requires a multidisciplinary approach. The study proposes an incapacity management framework for the ODL institution that encompasses the identified prerequisites and challenges. The study also added insights to the human resource management body of knowledge, especially knowledge of the management of incapacity due to ill health in the workplace, with specific reference to the ODL institution. / Hierdie studie is binne die interpretiewe navorsingsparadigma uitgevoer. Geanker in organisatoriese geregtigheidsteorie, ondersoek hierdie studie die onbekwaamheidsbestuurpraktyke by 'n opeafstandsonderriginstelling in Suid-Afrika. 'n Kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodologie wat 'n gevallestudie-ontwerp toegepas het, is in hierdie studie gebruik. 'n Doelgerigte steekproef van 16 (N=16) is gekies op grond van hulle ervarings, kennis en begrip van die onderwerp van onbekwaamheid bestuur. Semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude is gebruik as die primêre data-insamelingsmetode, en dokumente is gebruik as ’n sekondêre data-insamelingsbron vir trianguleringsdoeleindes. Tematiese ontledingstegniek is aangewend in die data-ontleding en -verslagdoening van die deelnemers se geleefde ervarings. Op teoretiese vlak, het die studie insig gebied in die opvattings van onbekwaamheidsbestuur in die werkplek; die regulatiewe verpligtings in onbekwaamheidsbestuur; en laastens, redelike praktyke om die onbekwaamheid te akkommodeer. Die literatuuroorsig het bevestig dat 'n effektiewe onbekwaamheidsbestuurraamwerk vier hoofdimensies moet hê, naamlik 'n ondersteunende kultuur in die instelling; ’n beleid en prosedure wat voorsiening maak vir onbekwaamheidsbestuurspraktyke; redelike akkommodasie; en 'n multi-dissiplinêre benadering. Uit die empiriese fase het dit geblyk dat alhoewel die literatuur 'n gesonde institusionele kultuur vooronderstel wat onbekwaamheid in die werkplek effektief bestuur, die bestaande institusionele kultuur by die instelling wat bestudeer is, negatief was. Hierdie studie het bevind dat daar verskeie uitdagings is wat verband hou met onbekwaamheidsbestuur in die opeafstandsonderriginstelling, naamlik 'n gebrek aan kennis en begrip van onbekwaamheidsbestuur as gevolg van die gebrek aan 'n beleid en prosedure; 'n gebrek aan begrip van die onbekwaamheidstoestand; en 'n gebrek aan wedersydse kommunikasie tussen die sleutelrolspelers. Die bevindings het ook getoon dat redelike akkommodasie praktyke verbeter kan word en dat die bestuur van onbekwaamheid in die werkplek 'n multi-dissiplinêre benadering vereis. Die studie stel 'n onbekwaamheidsbestuurraamwerk vir die opeafstandsonderriginstelling voor wat die geïdentifiseerde voorvereistes en uitdagings insluit. Die studie het ook insig gebied in die menslikehulpbronbestuur-kennisgeheel, veral kennis oor die bestuur van onbekwaamheid in die werkplek te wyte aan swak gesondheid, met spesifieke verwysings na die opeafstandsonderriginstelling. / Ucwaningo lwaqhutshwa ngokocwaningo womgomo wokuhumusha. Yakhelwe phezulu kwethiyoriyezobulungiswa, ucwaningo lwagxila ekunqundweni kwezindlela zokuphatha ezaziwa ngokuthi ukufunda okuvulelekile ngezobuchwepheshe okuthiwa yi-ODel esikhungweni saseNingizimu Afrika. Ucwaningo oluyindlela yokuklama oluphathelene nesimo, okuyinto esetshenziselwa ukufunda ngocwaningo lwesiqephu esithile, luye lwasetshenziswa. Kuye kwenziwa isampule olubalulekile lapho kuye kwakhethwa abantu ababebambe iqhaza abayishumi nesithupha (N=16) olwabe lwakhelwe phezulu kwesipiliyoni, ulwazi kanye nokuqonda ngodaba lokunqundwa kokuphatha. Izinhlolokhono ezihleliwe ezingaphelele ziye zasetshenziswa ngendlela yukuqoqa izibalo zangempela, kwabuye kwasetshenziswa imiqulu yemithombo yokuqoqwa kwedatha yesibili ukuqinisekisa okuhlosiwe. Ukuhlaziywa kwemininingwane kanye nokubika ebantwini abambe iqhaza ngezinto abahlangabezana nazo ezimpilweni zabo ix kwadala ukulethwa kokuhlaziya kwamasu okuhlaziya ezingqikithi ezithile. Ezingeni lesayensi, ucwaningo lusinikeza ukuqonda imibono yokunqundwa kokuphatha emsebenzini; izibopho zokulawula ukunqunda kokuphathwa; okokugcina,izindlela ezamukelekile zokubhekana nokunqundwa kokuphathwa. Ukubuyekezwa kwemibhalo kuqinisekise ukuthi uhlaka olusebenzayo lokunqundwa kokuphatha kumele kube nezinhlangothi ezine, okunguyisiko lokusekela izikhungoinqubomgomo nenqubo yokuhlinzeka izindlela zokunqunda ukuphatha; ukuhlinzeka izindlela ezamukelekile; kanye nenqubo ezihlukene yezifundo. Kusukela esigabeni somqondo wesasayensi kuye kwavela ukuthi nakuba imibhalo igcizelela isiko elihle neliphilasayo lemfundo ukuqinisekisa ukunqundwa kokuphatha kahle emsebenzini, isiko olukhona manje ezikhungweni alulungile. Ucwaningo luye lwathola ukuthi ziningi izingqinamba ezihambisa nokunqundwa kokuphatha ukufunda okuvulelekile ngezobuchwepheshe kuyizikhungo okuthiwa yi-ODL, okungabi khona kolwazi kanye nokuqonda mayelana nokunqundwa ukuphatha okudalwa ukungabikhona kwengqubomgomo nezingqubo ezithile; ukungaqondi izimiso zokunqunda; kanye nokuntuleka kokuxhumana ngokuvumelana phakathi kwabantu abadlala indima ebalulekile. Okuye kwatholakala kuye kwakhombisa ukuthi izindlela ezamukelekile zingathuthukiswa nokuthi ukunqundwa kokuphatha emsebenzini kudinga inqubo ehlukene yezifundo. Ucwaningo luhlongaza ingqubomgomo yokunqundwa kokuphatha kwezikhungo zemfundo evulelekile okuthiwa yi-ODL ezohlanganisa izinto ezidingekayo nezinselelo ezikhona. Ucwaningo lubuye lwafaka ukuqonda kokuba khona kwabantu abazoba umgogodla wolwazi abazoqashwa, kakhulukazi kulwazi lokunqunda ukuphatha okuzodalwa ukungabi esimweni esihle ngempilo emsebenzini, kakhulukazi uma kubhekiswa ekufundeni okuvulelekile ezikhungweni ezaziwa ngokuthi yi-ODL. / Human Resource Management / D. Com. (Business management)