This thesis focuses on the use of virtual reality in adult education. The virtual reality is a new technology, which can be used in many areas, including adult education. The concept of the virtual reality is ambiguous, therefore the first part of the thesis defines and characterizes this concept and describes its main effects. The main topic of the theoretical part of this work is existing knowledge about the use of the virtual reality and application of this knowledge to adult education. Virtual reality cannot be considered an absolutely perfect tool in all educational situations. It is therefore important to point out basic advantages and limits of its use in adult education. All these areas have been investigated by quantitative research. Keywords: Virtual reality, ICT in education of adults, using of virtual reality, virtual education, new trends in education

This research project focuses on a model designed for the evaluation of ABET instructional programmes. In the light of rapid changes in the socio-economic and political contexts in Africa and particularly in South Africa, this study examines adult basic education and training, which has become acknowledged as an indispensable tool for the transformation and development of societies. Since 1994 education has become a constitutional right for all citizens of South Africa. In an attempt to offer basic education and training to all adults many institutions and departments have established ABET programmes offering adults the skills they may need in order to contribute to the development of their communities. The lack of guidelines for instructing, assessing and evaluating ABET programmes prompted the choice of research topic. The study begins with a review of relevant literature pertaining to the field of adult education and also provides a general discussion on didactics as it .is relevant to adult education. The study proposes a model for evaluating ABET instructional programmes. Focus group discussions are employed as a research tool to validate the proposed model and its accompanying guidelines. The study reveals that, for ABET instructional programmes to be outcomes based, relevant, conducive to critical thinking and creativity and productive of meaningful assessment, a model for evaluating the programmes' performance in these areas is essential. Based on this presupposition, the study proceeds to develop a model for the evaluation of ABET programmes. It draws on literature pertaining to educational evaluation in general and extrapolates the findings to construct a model appropriate for evaluating ABET programmes. In the field component of the study, endeavour is made to validate the model according to the perceptions of a sample of ABET practitioners. In-depth focus interviews are conducted to validify the various components of the model. In conclusion, the study recommends further research into the didactics of adult education and training (ABET) in order to improve adult education practices. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Didactics)

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Text in Afrikaans / Die Landelike Stigting poog om deur die proses van gemeenskapsontwikkeling die lewenstandaard en ontwikkelingspeil van die plaaswerkergemeenskap te verhoog. Binne hierdie proses word volwasse onderwys as belangrike instrument aangewend. Vervolgens is die probleem wat nagevors is die toepassing van volwasse onderwys deur die Landelike Stigting binne landelike ontwikkeling. Eerstens is ondersoek ingestel na die doelstellings en filosofiese orientasies van volwasse onderwys. Binne hierdie kognitiewe raamwerk het hierdie studie tweedens die bepaling van die Landelike Stigting se filosofie en doelstellings behels. Die Landelike Stigting se volwasse onderwysprogram toon duidelike ooreenkomste met radikale volwasse onderwysdenke. Die teoretiese onderbou van die program is vereenselwigbaar met kontemporere ontwikkelingsdenke wat mensgesentreerde, deelnemende en handhawingsontwikkeling beklemtoon en fokus op ontwikkeling as 'n leerproses. Met hul teoretiese uitgangspunte slaag die Landelike Stigting daarin om 'n volwasse onderwysprogram daar te stel wat nie-rassige, nieseksistiese en demokratiese leerbeginsels ondersteun. Hierdie uitgangspunte manifesteer egter tans nie in die praktyk nie. / The Rural Foundation strives to promote the living standard and level of development of the farm worker community through the process of community development. Adult education is an important instrument within this process. Consequently the problem researched is the application of adult education in rural development. Firstly, the objectives and philosophical orientations of adult education were explored. Following from this cognitive framework this study secondly determined the objectives and philosophy of the Rural Foundation. The adult education programme of the Rural Foundation closely corresponds to radical adult education thinking. The theoret i ca 1 substructure of the programme is comp at i b 1 e with contemporary deve 1 opment thought which emphasises people-centred, participatory and sustainable development and focuses on development as a learning process. With their theoretical premises, the Rural Foundation succeeds in establishing an adult education programme which supports non-racial, non-sexist and democratic learning principles. However, these premises do not manifest in practice. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Administration)

The recent global growth and popularity of open and distance learning (ODL) has been attributed to its advantages, such as flexibility for students who wish to study while working. Moreover, ODL is an effective tool in extending participation to students from less privileged social groups who are unreachable due to geographic location or cannot access higher education due to diverse factors, such as financial constraints or domestic arrangements. In the light of this, this study investigated learner support in the Department of Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) at the University of South Africa (Unisa), the largest, dedicated ODL institution in South Africa. A review of literature identified the Community of Inquiry model proposed by Garrison, Anderson and Archer (2001) as useful in this context and I used it as a conceptual framework for the empirical inquiry that I undertook. A mixed method approach comprising two consecutive phases was employed to investigate the research questions. A self-designed questionnaire was used to gather quantitative data from a random sample of 400 students registered for the ABET Diploma module (Phase One) followed by face to face interviews with selected lecturers and students (Phase Two). The scope of the study was limited to ABET lecturers, ABET diploma students and to selected Unisa learner support systems, such as myUnisa which includes a web-based discussion forum. The findings of the inquiry were presented and discussed under three main headings: the findings of Phase One, the findings of Phase Two and a summary in which the findings of the two phases were integrated where appropriate. The themes that emerged from the questionnaire and the interviews demonstrate clearly that learner support in the ABET Department is crucial in ensuring learner success. Interlinking themes are as follows: the context of the students, levels of computer literacy, accessibility of Unisa learner support systems, student motivation and time management. Many ABET students live in remote areas of the country and have little or no access to internet facilities. However, the majority of students agreed that they would like to interact more with other students through myUnisa in future. Lecturers and students agreed that myUnisa was a vital tool in teaching the students online; yet both students and lecturers still regarded contact discussion classes as the most important form of learner support. The findings suggested that the distance between the university and the student still has to be reduced more to ensure that student support reaches all students equitably. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a programme aimed at equipping adult mine workers in the North-West Province in computer-based skills. The study describes how the use of computers for learning has transformed some of the mine workers in an Own-Time learning environment, where computers were integrated in their learning activities, compared to the Full-Time adult learning environment, which did not present a similar opportunity. The perspective of using a combination of two teaching methodologies in the Adult Education and Training (AET) curriculum provided at this mine sought to minimise the conventional didactic instructional approaches, whereby the facilitator does most of the talking while learners become passive listeners. Activity theory (AT), in tandem with the reviewed literature, was well suited as a theoretical framework for this study, since it takes a developmental view of minds and technological interaction in context. The activity system was used to map how existing work-related practices fitted into each component, which includes the subject, object, rule, community and division of labour. A case study was applied as a guiding design in the study in which seventeen mine workers participated. The computer activity was illustrated from multiple perspectives, using a qualitative approach and associated epistemologies and beliefs regarding the engagement with mediational tools. Boundary crossings, the zone of proximal development, and the eight-step-model from activity theory were used to scrutinise the learners’ beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, practices and contradictions. These important aspects assisted in obtaining data through participant observation, interviews and field notes. To discover patterns, concepts, themes and meanings from the notes and transcripts, data analysis was blended with these aspects. This study demonstrated the use of the above-mentioned methods at appropriate times. Without ideal and effective research methods, the quality of evidence of this study would have suffered and elucidations of connections would have been inadequate. The findings revealed that the AET programme made an impact on the company and on the individual participants, in their homes, their place of work, and their communities. Change in the workers’ performance after attending AET computer-based programmes was noticeable especially regarding their literate and numerate knowledge and skills. Contradictions and disturbances in the AET programme were also identified, and an intervention was proposed to facilitate a computer programme that includes the curriculum components such as mouse skills, keyboarding, data manipulation and desktop publishing. The study proposes that the AET policy needs to cover Own-Time learners, even though their learning is not obligatory, in the same way as it covers the Full-Time learners. A modified activity theory, contextualised for a situation such as that in the mine in question, was contributed in the study. Furthermore, some limitations and recommendations for future research were identified from the findings. The proposed AT for adult learners suggests a new way of exploring the practices of mind and technology interaction for adult learners, incorporating cultural backgrounds, age, language, values and beliefs as well as reflective decision making. / Science and Technology Education / D. Ed. (Comparative Education)

The purpose of the study was to find out why adult learners absent themselves from adult basic education programmes and to devise strategies to encourage them to attend classes. In order to achieve the aim of the study, the objective of the study were to investigate the economic and social reasons why adult learners do not attend classes. The research focus on a critical issue of absenteei(sm by adult learners at SEKGOSESE West Circuit adult centre in Limpopo Province. Literature review was engaged in the field of Adult Education and related to the research problem. The literature review presented an insight into theoretical frameworks and conceptual frameworks about causes of adult learner’s absenteeism. The researcher used sources which included journals, books, articles and dissertations. To collect information. This qualitative study explored the causes of adult learner absenteeism and came with strategies to reduce adult learner absenteeism. Critical theory was used as a theoretical framework. The theory deals with social economic factors and conditions under which people live. Data was collected through focus group interviews. There were sixteen participants who attend classes at Mosima adult learning centre, and they were selected homogeneously. It was discovered that adult learner absenteeism is caused by lack of motivation, lack of support from departmental officials, lack of adult learner commitment, lack of facilities, lack of qualified adult educators, lack of respect amongst adult learners and adult educators as a serious matter, lack of parental support for those who are still under parental care and lack of transport for adult learners who stay far from the centre. Based on the causes of adult learner absenteeism, recommendations are made for the Department of Education to address these causes in order to elevate adult learner absenteeism and further research efforts are recommended. It is recommended that the department of education include stationery material in their budget for adult basic education. Adult Basic education educators should also receive adequate training s o that they can be able to teach adult learners effectively. / ABET and Youth Development / M. Ed. (Adult Education)

The recent global growth and popularity of open and distance learning (ODL) has been attributed to its advantages, such as flexibility for students who wish to study while working. Moreover, ODL is an effective tool in extending participation to students from less privileged social groups who are unreachable due to geographic location or cannot access higher education due to diverse factors, such as financial constraints or domestic arrangements. In the light of this, this study investigated learner support in the Department of Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) at the University of South Africa (Unisa), the largest, dedicated ODL institution in South Africa. A review of literature identified the Community of Inquiry model proposed by Garrison, Anderson and Archer (2001) as useful in this context and I used it as a conceptual framework for the empirical inquiry that I undertook. A mixed method approach comprising two consecutive phases was employed to investigate the research questions. A self-designed questionnaire was used to gather quantitative data from a random sample of 400 students registered for the ABET Diploma module (Phase One) followed by face to face interviews with selected lecturers and students (Phase Two). The scope of the study was limited to ABET lecturers, ABET diploma students and to selected Unisa learner support systems, such as myUnisa which includes a web-based discussion forum. The findings of the inquiry were presented and discussed under three main headings: the findings of Phase One, the findings of Phase Two and a summary in which the findings of the two phases were integrated where appropriate. The themes that emerged from the questionnaire and the interviews demonstrate clearly that learner support in the ABET Department is crucial in ensuring learner success. Interlinking themes are as follows: the context of the students, levels of computer literacy, accessibility of Unisa learner support systems, student motivation and time management. Many ABET students live in remote areas of the country and have little or no access to internet facilities. However, the majority of students agreed that they would like to interact more with other students through myUnisa in future. Lecturers and students agreed that myUnisa was a vital tool in teaching the students online; yet both students and lecturers still regarded contact discussion classes as the most important form of learner support. The findings suggested that the distance between the university and the student still has to be reduced more to ensure that student support reaches all students equitably. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

This research project focuses on a model designed for the evaluation of ABET instructional programmes. In the light of rapid changes in the socio-economic and political contexts in Africa and particularly in South Africa, this study examines adult basic education and training, which has become acknowledged as an indispensable tool for the transformation and development of societies. Since 1994 education has become a constitutional right for all citizens of South Africa. In an attempt to offer basic education and training to all adults many institutions and departments have established ABET programmes offering adults the skills they may need in order to contribute to the development of their communities. The lack of guidelines for instructing, assessing and evaluating ABET programmes prompted the choice of research topic. The study begins with a review of relevant literature pertaining to the field of adult education and also provides a general discussion on didactics as it .is relevant to adult education. The study proposes a model for evaluating ABET instructional programmes. Focus group discussions are employed as a research tool to validate the proposed model and its accompanying guidelines. The study reveals that, for ABET instructional programmes to be outcomes based, relevant, conducive to critical thinking and creativity and productive of meaningful assessment, a model for evaluating the programmes' performance in these areas is essential. Based on this presupposition, the study proceeds to develop a model for the evaluation of ABET programmes. It draws on literature pertaining to educational evaluation in general and extrapolates the findings to construct a model appropriate for evaluating ABET programmes. In the field component of the study, endeavour is made to validate the model according to the perceptions of a sample of ABET practitioners. In-depth focus interviews are conducted to validify the various components of the model. In conclusion, the study recommends further research into the didactics of adult education and training (ABET) in order to improve adult education practices. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Didactics)

This thesis is covering the Convention of the rights of the child, its consequences and use in pedagogical theory and practice according to the paragraph 42 of this convention. It has three main parts, which are aiming for following the logical consequence of the topic compilation. First part is covering theoretical base of the Convention, starting with its historical development and current state, legal position, institutional arrangement, approaches to the Convention by selected European countries, including analysis of individual articles and it also presents commentary to these articles in connection with legal regulations in Czech Republic and finding the causes and deficiencies of its implementation, observing to it and its fulfilling. Second part is covering the definition of article 42 of the Convention as to the further education of adults as a tool for exercising the rights of children and to other theoretical and practical possibilities of its further efficient dissemination. Third part is related to that as it provides practical exercises, directions and games, how to get children acquainted with the document of the Convention not only during the school, but also within their free-time activities, including the chance for children to take part in the children{\crq}s parliaments or establishing own school self-governments and thus participate on public matters.

MPM / Oliver Tambo Institute of Governance and Policy Studies / Adult basic education and training in South Africa is viewed as an instrument for social, economic and political development. However, over the years, the programme faced challenges relating to recruitment and retention of suitably qualified practitioners, resulting in high staff turn-over. The study focused on the perception of adult learners about the adult basic education and training practitioners turn-over at the Witbank education circuit to gain insight into the magnitude of the problem and recommend ways and strategies to address the identified challenges. The study used a mixed method approach, incorporating elements of both quantitative and qualitative research approach. The research sample comprised adult learners, educators, Adult center managers and adult basic education and training coordinators using purposive sampling technique. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed using the eight steps of Tesch in Cresswell (2009:186). The results of the study revealed that the participants were to a large extent, aware that ABET practitioners’ turnover is a serious problem at the Witbank education circuit. The study participants revealed that lack of commitment and recognition by government to address ABET practitioner turnover decisively is impacting negatively on learners’ motivation, morale, study progress and their relationship with practitioners. This leads ABET learners to not take the ABET programme seriously, and drop of the programme due to lack of progress whereas most ABET practitioners take ABET as a waiting station for better jobs. A number of strategies can be employed to address the challenge of ABET practitioners’ turnover. Amongst others are the following: the basic working conditions of ABET practitioners should be improved. This will automatically translate into job satisfaction and long tenure, thereby counteracting current levels of high staff turnover. ABET practitioners should also be afforded relevant skills development programmes to ensure continuous professional growth and development. / NRF