Distance education, and therefore the writing of distance materials, is a growing field in South Africa. This makes it potentially a site of innovation and change as writers experiment with ways of creating effective teaching situations at long range. The Fort Hare Distance Education Project materials seem to be a response to both the increased need for teacher upgrade programmes and the need for innovation to tailor those programmes to the needs of local teachers in a changing society. This innovative attempt to communicate with tertiary distance students has unusual features which suggest that they are worth investigation. Using discourse analysis, including the work of Scollon and Scollon on politeness theory, and an analysis of visual elements using categories developed by Kress and van Leeuwen, this study focuses on 18 pages of a sample text, booklet 9, “A Whole Language Approach,” to investigate how the writer-reader relationship and the identity of the reader are constructed. The analysis reveals a complex, interlocking construction of identity and relationship, producing and resolving apparent contradictions as writers move from one position to another while they negotiate their ongoing and evolving relationship with the readers. Features of identity and relationship operating through the text include issues of authority, changing roles of teachers and learners, trust, what constitutes appropriate language and materials, acknowledging prior learning in under-qualified professionals, ownership of the text, hierarchy and egalitarianism, and stereotyping. The study suggests that the Fort Hare Distance Project materials offer an example of strategies suited to local students which should benefit those who design such courses. It further suggests that visual analysis together with discourse analysis provides insights which seem not to be accessible through a study of the verbal text, and that an analysis of visual elements may widen a researcher’s options. It reveals ways in which writers can negotiate conflicting positions and consciously or unconsciously attempt to resolve contradictions and ambivalence. It suggests issues which need to be negotiated in any text written in South Africa for a similar audience.

Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Orthpedagogics)

Text in Afrikaans / In hierdie studie word afstandsonderrig soos dit tans deur die Universiteit van Suid-Mrika aangebied word, krities en indringend ontleed. Die gevolgtrekking hieruit was dat afstandsonderwys wesenlik aan studente die keuse behoort te hied van waar, wanneer en hoe hulle wil studeer. Daar is bevind dat Unisa agtergeraak het omdat die huidige onderrigmodel baie ooreenkom met 'n negentiende-eeuse Victoriaanse model, waarvolgens Unisa aan sy studente eintlik net die keuse oorlaat van waar gestudeer word. Die huidige Unisamodel toon ook sterk ooreenkomste met 'n geindustrialiseerde of fabrieksmodel: op feitlik alle vlakke word eenvormigheid van sy studente vereis; ten opsigte van registrasie- en eksamendatums, inleweringsdatums vir werkopdragte - dikwels ook hoe werkopdragte en eksamens afgehandel moet word. 'n Belangrike rede hiervoor is blykbaar dat die Universiteit agtergeraak bet ten opsigte van die gebruik van moderne rekenaartegnologie, wat dit vir baie departemente makliker gemaak bet om vas te steek in 'n Victoriaanse model as om na 'n oop model te beweeg. Daar is enkele departemente wat nogtans reeds begin bet om die eerste tree in hierdie rigting te gee. 'n Grondige ondersoek na die kenmerke van die volwassene student het aangedui dat hulle voortgesette studie benader as 'n wyse waarop oplossings vir probleme in heersende omstandighede gevind kan word. Om hierdie en ander redes behoort andersoortige eise aan bulle gestel te word: die min of meer klakkelose reproduksie van kennis moet plek maak vir probleemoplossingsbenaderings. 'n Didakties gefundeerde, verantwoordbare model word in hierdie studie geformuleer, waarvolgens rekenaartegnologie ingespan word om op gefntegreerde elektroniese wyse afstandsonderwys aan tersiere volwassene studente te voorsien - met inagneming van die feit dat sodanige model studentgesentreer behoort te wees, maar dat daar ook in die dosent se behoeftes aan akademiese en administratiewe rekenaarstelsels voorsien moet word. Ten slotte word riglyne voorgestel om die model in bedryf te stel; daar word ook aanbeveel dat verdere navorsing gedoen moet word ten opsigte van geidentifiseerde leemtes wat buite die bestek van hierdie studie geval het. Slegs deur 'n model soos die voorgestelde een, met of sonder aanpassings te aanvaar, kan Unisa weereens die voortou neem in afstandsleer en afstandstudie. / This study presents a critical analysis of distance education, as it is currently offered by the University of South Africa. The conclusion is that distance education should offer students choices as to where, when and how they want to study. Unisa has fallen behind in this respect, because its particular model for providing distance education closely resembles a Victorian teaching model, and only really allows students to choose where they wish to study; not really when or how. In many respects it also resembles an industrial (factory) model: uniformity is demanded of its students in almost all respects; in respect of registration and examination dates, due dates for assignments, and often also how assignments and examinations should be completed. It appears that a fundamental reason for this is that the University has fallen behind by not employing modern technology, which made it easier to cling to a Victorian model, rather than move towards an open teaching model. However, some departments have already taken the first steps in moving towards such a model. A thorough examination of students as adults indicated that they approach further and continuing studies as a means of solving problems encountered in their daily situation. For this reason, amongst others, different demands should be made of them: rather than expecting them merely to reproduce knowledge more or less verbatim, they should be expected to adopt a problem solving approach. A didactically sound model is formulated in this study, by means of which computer technology may be integrated and employed in the electronic provision of distance education for adult tertiary students. Such a model should be student centred, providing also for the needs of lecturers in respect of academic and administrative computer systems. Finally, guidelines are suggested for putting this model into practice. It is also suggested that further research be done to fill in the gaps which fell beyond the bounds of this thesis. Unisa will only be able to take the lead in distance learning and distance education once again if a model such as the proposed model is adopted- with or without amendments. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Didaktiek)

The introduction of OBE in South Africa, a developing country, has been characterized by problems relating to the implementation process. Thus a comparative analysis of OBE was conducted in Australia, a developed country, to compare the implementation process. A small scale sample investigation was carried out in 11 Australian and 11 South African classrooms. Findings were that Australia is a country found to be we!! resourced, politically and economically stable, with at least 10 years experience in OBE. Furthermore, small classroom sizes, support structures and teacher aides have enhanced the implementation of OBE in Australia. However, the findings indicated that similar problems have emerged in Australia and South Africa regarding the structure of OBE, assessment and reporting and the extra workload associated with the implementation of OBE. This suggests that there are problems inherent in the system of OBE. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Comparative Education)

The dissertation is concerned with the values issue in the South African context, a multicultural education situation. South Africa is a pluralistic society. Being pluralistic, means that the country is rich in different cultures, belief- and value systems. Different cultures have different value systems. If an institution is practising multicultural education, the question is, which values are to be used? If we say the institution should use the values of the majority culture, will that not disadvantage minority cultures? If minority cultures are undermined by neglecting their cultures won't that cause conflict between minority cultures and the majority culture? Each society that is implementing multicultural education should consider that there are common human values and particular values. In multicultural education particular values are important because they show how a particular group behaves and what its beliefs and culture are. Common values develop from particular values and teachers must emphasise common values without neglecting particular values, to encourage tolerance and acceptance between different groups. / Psychology of Education / M.A. (Philosophy of Education)

Thesis (DTech (Education))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2009 / The phenomena of multi - grade schools has been absent both in educational policy making, educator training and only represented in a few local educational curriculum research projects. However, the practice of multi-grade is common in South Africa and especially in rural and farming South Africa. Our National Curriculum Statements implies that all schools are the same. This study addresses this anomaly. Farm schools, which started as a political means of cheap labour (Act 47 of 1953) presented a further complication to the ministry: public schools on private property govern by section 14 contract failed farm education (Forgotten Schools, 2004; Ministerial report on rural education, 2005; Commission on Human Rights, 2006). The political and ideological shift from People's Education, which, at first envision human rights in line with international treaties such Education For All, Convention on the right of the child, Africa Charter on the Rights of the Child to Human Capital Development has marginalize the farm and rural learner. Curriculum changes since Curriculum 2005 accepted the same political and economic vision. The first world technical National Curriculum Statements mismatch farm education as systemic results since 2004 has shown. The government’s deficit view and national curriculum influence farm and rural teaching and learning negatively. This study focuses on curriculum delivery (intended I implemented) planning. How the educator adapted the curriculum to suit the needs of third world farm learner, its multi-grade context and the ideology of the hegemony. The qualitative paradigm will be that of the critical theory and grounded theory methodology with the goal of uncovering the educators' views and practice. This has been done by holding interviews with various foundation phase educators and looking at the seating arrangements and planning. The sample was from the Breede River District. A focus group of nineteen ACE students with 312 collective years experience has been involved in the coding and analysing. Current practice and planning have been juxtaposed with international multi-grade practice. The research questions were aimed at uncovering how rural and farm educators plan for their multi-grade classes when faces with a national mono-grade curriculum. Various research methodologies were used.

Thesis (DTech (Education))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2007 / There are many challenges to girls' education. Each and every barrier is challenging in and of itself. Teenage pregnancy/motherhood is a major cause of schooling disruption. Research shows that about 4 in every 10 girls become pregnant at least once before age 20 (McDowell, 2003). In most cases, teen pregnancy/motherhood has resulted in the discontinuation of education for the girls, leading to the loss of a sustainable future. In South Africa, girls have the right to continue schooling in public schools even after becoming mothers. In the Western Cape, the Education Department introduced the Managing Learner Pregnancy Policy (MLPP) which guarantees pregnant or mothering learners a right to remain in public schools. Despite the MLPP, teen mothers face a number of challenges as learners - they feel marginalised by the schooling system. Consequently, it is not easy for the girls to succeed with their schooling. They experience pressure from teachers, fellow learners, parents and society. In most cases, the teen mothers receive very little support and they are usually misunderstood. Society perceives teen mothers as deviants, failures and irredeemable girls who can contaminate other girls and influence them to behave immorally. Teen mothers are stigmatised. The stigma and discourses that help to construct it are the forces that impact on the schooling processes of the teen mothers. In most cases, responses of educators, parents and communities towards teen mothers are affected by beliefs, values and attitudes situated in the discourses.

Thesis (DTech (Business)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010 / The aim of the research is to determine the predictive relationship between mental alertness, personality traits, psychomotor ability and learner performance, in the selection of clothing industry learners. A concurrent validity study is described in which 213 learners were given an assessment battery and assessed on their learning performance and work performance. The psychometric assessment battery measured the domains of mental alertness, personality traits and psychomotor ability in a four-hour session. A combination of paper-and-pencil and practical sewing work assessments were used to assess learner performance. The domain learner performance comprised the assessment scores for the learnership’s theoretical and practical modules. The work performance domain was measured by supervisor appraised work-quality and work-quantity. The assessment domains were then examined for their potential to predict work performance. Linear multiple regression equations reported R2 = 0,3266 for work performance.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: (Management) at the Durban Institute of Technology, 2004. / Since 1994 South Africa has been undergoing political change and this has impacted tremendously on education. There have been major shifts in education policy, structures and curriculum. Since the introduction of the new curriculum which is Outcomes-Based Education, educators, learners, parents, school governors and principals have been faced with numerous challenges and have also been confronted with a variety of problems / M

M.Ed. / Globally parent education is on the increase. This is due to the realisation that parents play a vital role in the development of their children and children in turn play a vital role in determining a country's future. Alarming phenomena such as the increase in suicide, substance abuse, rape, violence, depression, eating disorders and other psychological problems resulted in the questioning of the appropriateness of current parenting practices. Urban black parents in South Africa experience increasing pressure. The radical changes that occur globally in almost all dimensions of life also have an impact on them. The impact of these changes on parents are further intensified by political change, crime, violence, poverty and the challenge to raise children amidst diverse cultures and rival world views. Parent education can play a preventative and curative role in these circumstances. There is however, a lack of context relevant parent education programmes for these parents. The only available programmes are western ones based on individualistic principles. This study is premised on the assumption that the meaning of a construct cannot be transferred to another context without the risk of serious distortion. Therefore the objective of this study was to generate relevant themes that should be included in a parent education programme for urban black parents as well as guidelines for the implementation thereof. A qualitative research design was chosen to gather detailed and specific information from respondents residing in black urban communities. Workbooks completed by teachers who followed a course in parent education were analysed and four focus groups were conducted. The data thus gathered were analysed, coded and organised into categories and themes. The first theme that emerged from this analysis was that parents experience a great need for training in general life skills, including knowledge about normal child development, the expectations of schools from children, and the skills to prepare children sufficiently for fulfilling these expectations. Other needs identified were knowledge and skills on discipline, communication, conflict resolution, family relations, emotions, sex education and self management. The second theme that emerged was the important and responsible role of parents as educators. They emphasised the responsibility of parents in guiding their children with regard to their physical and psychological needs. The third theme revolved around the conflicting cultural experiences of urban black parents. These conflicts emanated from traditional gender stereotyping as well as from the highly individualistic environment in schools and the workplace that often clash with their cultural historical backgrounds. This cultural mid-position between different cultures, values and world views requires a serious review and evaluation of current parenting practices. This explains the urgent need for parent education expressed by participants in this study. Based on these finding the study concluded with proposals for parent education programmes