The purpose of this study was to investigate whether two work integrated learning modules were the appropriate means to achieve community engagement ends, and to what extent the introduction of an NGO component in the WIL curriculum raised awareness or understanding of community engagement amongst the students at a private higher educational institution. Theoretical fields that guided the research included community engagement studies by Butin(2010) and Lazarus (2008), experiential learning literature encompassing work integrated learning, and the literature on service learning and transformative learning with a particular focus on Kolb's (1984) experiential learning cycle and the important role of critical reflection. This was a single case study conducted at a private higher education institution, which employed qualitative research methodology to analyse two work integrated learning modules. McCowan's (2008) curricular transposition framework was used to analyse whether the community engagement ideal was realised, and to identify any disjunctures that inhibited its implementation and realisation. To accomplish this four groups of participants were interviewed, each representing a different stage in McCowan's model. These were curriculum developers, work integrated learning lecturers, students from each work integrated learning module and a representative from the chosen NGO. From their perspectives key themes emerged revolving around levels of conviction of all stakeholders, forms of learning and degrees of student transformation. All of these indicated disjunctures between the "ideal" and what was actually achieved, and these acted as constraining factors which affected the transposition from ideal to real. My data suggests that WIL modules can be an appropriate means to achieve community engagement ends, but the "ideal" needs to have the support of all stakeholders and should be embedded firmly in the curriculum. The data also shows that because of the lack of conviction on the part of all stakeholders the community engagement awareness or understanding happened almost implicitly, as part of the hidden curriculum. Additionally, even though some awareness of community engagement did occur for students, the superficiality of the NGO engagement provided a superficial student experience. The evidence points to the conclusion that the use of work integrated learning modules as a means to promote community engagement awareness was moderately successful, but a lot more needs to be done to make it a viable and worthwhile option. Belief in the concept, clarity on goals and objectives, proper training and development of lecturers, constructive feedback loops, more intensive NGO engagement and support from all stakeholders involved are issues that need to be addressed to move towards realisation of the "ideal".

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 127-129). / How do multiple perspectives enable or disturb the reaching of sound classifications? The question underlying the study arose out of the ostensibly conflicting paradigms that a multi-disciplinary assessor panel imputed to an interior design moderation event. The study seeks to understand how disciplinary specialisations shape their judgements. Given assessors' plausible susceptibility to their individual schemas, the study explores the manner by which a heterogeneous social milieu approximates sound assessment practices and identifies legitimate interior design productions. For the study, the multi-disciplines were explicated as an organised community of individually-embodied social practices upon which coherent discourse and the exercise of power were dependent. Bourdieu's social theory is drawn upon to make sense as to how the theoretical constructs of capital and habitus are located within particular disciplinary groups and, how they are reproduced as the recursive internalisations endemic to individual specialisations. Capital and habitus are used to position the individually specialised assessors within the field. The specialist positions are premised as sites of opposition where dispositions are coterminous with position taking and competition for legitimacy. In this way, the study interrogates whether the act of assessment may be a function of how assessors operationalise their social practices. The assessor values and their corresponding knowledge and attitudes were seen as constituting the means by which appraisals and classifications were being made and calibrated. This necessitated a qualitative analysis of the complex aggregations of values and behaviours, typical of the socially differentiated panel. Primary to the investigation was the need to penetrate the actual moderation debates to access the tacit habitus and pervasive power that lay embedded and thus obscured from scrutiny. These deliberations represent a symbolic, structuring system - produced and interpreted against a common social field. For this reason four moderation cruces, seen as illumining the assessors' habitus that their particular capital resources advocated, were identified as relevant samples. The analysis hones into what the assessors draw on in order to make sense of the productions, i.e. their primary informants, or as encapsulated by Shay, their interpretive frameworks.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-79). / The primary aim of this this research is to explore the question of how learning programmes in higher education are constructed by craft-specific film, television and media industry professionals. This research gathers information from these professionals, tasked with the development and design of their relevant programmes, and focuses on uncovering the influences on their decision-making in the programme design process, and relating these influences of pedagogic theory.

South Africa has been on a difficult journey over the last two decades in its attempts to transform its higher education system. The key question around which major debates have revolved relates to achieving development within the context of a post-apartheid South Africa. At the heart of this question stand the twin imperatives of equity and excellence. This potential trade-off features extensively in the early theoretical work of Wolpe and Badat and is reflected in subsequent frameworks and policies. If the country had favoured excellence, as it was defined globally, the system's elite features would have been reproduced. Instead, South Africa aspired towards both excellence and equity. This choice has been critical, but it has not been easy for institutions to develop their own management strategies. Here, two critical global theories used to explain the drivers for human development, known as the human capital and human capability theories, were used to frame the research question. This study made use of these theoretical perspectives to understand the South African approach to the role of higher education in society. The political, social, economic, and ideological dimensions of development were thus deconstructed. With this background, the concepts of excellence and equity were further explored in relation to the higher education system's experience of massification and differentiation. Terms such as “quality”, “fitness for purpose”, “social justice”, and “equality” are relevant to this discussion and provide meaning for the concepts of excellence and equity. A grounded theory approach was used to gather data and sixteen leading experts in the field were participants representing an elite sample. These data provided the basis for the themes used to construct a qualitative framework for higher education transformation that reconciles both equity and excellence. This study led to the conclusion that transformation is founded on five key measurable indicators: individual transformation, student success, institutional culture, demographic representivity of staff and students, and defining and operationalising the South African knowledge project. The framework provides suggestions for understanding the project of higher education transformation and realising it through an ongoing process of consultation, action, and reflection.

The purpose of this study is to create a framework for theological education in an African context. It focuses on discipleship and mediated learning experience (MLE) because it encapsulates the fundamental idea of this study, namely that the concepts and principles of discipleship and MLE can effectively contribute to construct a framework that is appropriate for theological education in an African context. In an analysis of the discourse on theological education over the past five decades the following six models for theological education are identified: classical model; vocational model; dialectical model; neo-traditional model; missional model; and ecumenical-diversified model. Further evaluation of these six models lets four central themes emerge, namely leadership stature, practical effectiveness, relational capacity, and spiritual accuracy. These four themes are then compared with a competence-based model for learning in order to conceptualise a broad outline framework for theological education in an African context. The development of this framework must address the primary challenge of competent church leaders in Africa, but also contextual challenges like access to theological education, a lack of resources, socio-political and socio-economic illness, and an Africanized scholarship and curriculum. An analysis of the concept discipleship focuses on its use in ancient Greek, the Old Testament, the Intertestamental period, and the New Testament. Discipleship developed from the general referral to an apprentice in ancient Greek, up to a specialised term in New Testament times. Discipleship in the New Testament is the result of obedience to the call of Jesus, which often requires a cost of self denial. This cost has an effect on the relational proximity within discipleship. Following leads to imitating, this leads to representation. The context of discipleship in the New Testament is the eschatological kingdom of God. Each of the four Gospels emphasises a different aspect of discipleship, which relates broadly to the central themes identified within the discourse on theological education. Discipleship in Matthew largely relates to leadership stature, Mark to practical effectiveness, Luke to relational capacity, and John to spiritual accuracy. The conceptual analysis of mediated learning experience (MLE) focuses on its historical background, theoretical background, and core parameters of intentionality-and-reciprocity, mediation of meaning, and transcendence. MLE is rooted in the belief that the human mind is modifiable. Intelligence is not fixed but is defined as a propensity for change. A lack of MLE results in cultural deprivation but can be altered by MLE interventions. A mediated approach to learning stems from constructivism but stands opposed to its direct approach to learning. In MLE a human mediator (H) is placed between the stimulus (S) and organism (O), and between the organism (O) and the response (R); thus a relational sequence of S-H-O-H-R. Various research studies show that MLE brings about cognitive development for individuals in an African context. MLE and discipleship share a mediated approach to learning. Further comparison between these two concepts bring about three shared foci, namely: a focus on relationship; a focus on process (as opposed to product); and a focus on culture. A framework for theological education in an African context is constructed from two sides, namely: (1) from the previously defined broad outline framework for theological education; and (2) from the concepts and principles of discipleship and MLE. This construction first merges a competence-based model for learning with a mediated approach to learning against a contextual background. This basis is secondly fused with a shared focus on relationship, a shared focus on process, and a shared focus on culture. The third step incorporates the themes leadership stature, practical effectiveness, relational capacity, and spiritual accuracy into the framework as four competences and in so doing creates a three-dimensional diagram. The framework for theological education in an African context, developed by this research study, provides possible solutions for the contextual challenges theological education in Africa is facing. Eight recommendations, in the form of research questions, are made to advance the research findings of this study.

Emotions are one of the factors that define us as human yet, many people do not truly understand the extent to which our emotions are influenced by the external environment and how we allow emotions to control our behaviour which often translates into physiological and physical risk. The ability to recognise and manage our emotions is central to how we perceive and react to everyday life. Eskom as an organisation is totally committed to providing a safe environment for all their employees and no cost is spared in provided what they believe to be the best education and training to support their ZERO HARM philosophy. The question is however, with the unquestionable commitment to safety from management and staff alike; why is the vehicle incident rate (VIR) remaining at unacceptably high levels? This study was intended to identify the degree to which emotional intelligence, with specific reference to self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and managing relationshipâs impact on driver specific attitude and behaviour. Emotional self-awareness allows individuals to start understanding how and why they react to specific external stimuli. Only once individuals recognise and acknowledge their emotions, will they be in a position to control how they react to these emotions. Understanding oneâs emotions is only the starting point in learning how to control your emotions but without this first step, no meaningful change will be possible. Emotional self-management is more of a process than a change in oneâs personality. It is the ability to accept oneâs shortcomings and manage the observable external responses to stimuli for the benefit of self and others. self-management is essentially a skill and as such, must be learned and practiced before it can be perfected Social awareness and managing relationships are possibly the more difficult emotional domains to master from a driver perspective, as it may be considered strange to think of social reactions with other road users as oneâs own responsibility. The social domains however, do have serious implications as to how these incidental relationships ultimately affect the behaviour of road users. It is clearly documented that road rage is common place in our driving culture. Analysis of the qualitative and quantitative data clearly indicates that emotional inelegance has a significant impact on driver behaviour. The participants in this study sited driver related emotional behaviour to include characteristics associated with road rage and general emotional incompetence. The quantitative data was less significant in determining the impact of emotional intelligence (EI) and driver behaviour in regard to age, gender and race; the fact remains however that the data identified a significant relationship between persons with a low EI and vehicle incidents. The analysis of the quantitative data relating to group, age, gender and race, when viewed against the same participantâs qualitative response, as well as the theoretical arguments presented in this study, would suggest that the qualitative data may be influenced by response bias. The degree to which response bias may have contaminated the quantitative data will need to be established through further research. The recommendations in this study should be addressed in order to test the theories discussed in the study with the view of authenticating how customised education and training can positively impact on driver behaviour and how such education and training should be structured.

This research concentrates on the establishment of guidelines in various fields to provide needs driven programmes. The vision, mission and target markets of a transformed Further Education and Training sector (FET) were highlighted. Furthermore this research concentrated on the role the FET sector can play in addressing the social and economic needs of the institutions specific regions. With regard to this function of the FET sector, practical ways to make contact with stakeholders, responsive programmes, rural development and issues relating to the needs of regions have been discussed. An important focus for this research was to provide practical models on the research and management of curriculum for needs driven programmes. The different types of providers, accreditation, quality assurance and the training of different types of skills have been addressed in detail. Education and skills development legislation were discussed with respect to their contribution and involvement in the transformation of the FET sector in South Africa.

The research presented in this thesis is concerned with understanding underpreparedness, a phenomenon which is inextricably intertwined with the current South African higher education dilemma of poor throughput and high attrition rates. Considering the increased access to higher education institutions, a continuous need exists for ways to scaffold the underprepared student to succeed. For this reason a learning facilitation framework based on empirical research and current understanding about the potential benefits of engaged learning is presented. Based on descriptive-exploratory research, perspectives on underpreparedness experienced by higher education institutions in South Africa and in other countries are disclosed. The thesis focuses on what is meant by underpreparedness; factors contributing to underpreparedness; the domains of underpreparedness; and the typical circumstances underprepared students find themselves in. These four focus areas were in the first place investigated by means of a literature review to capture existing knowledge and research and, in the second place, by a questionnaire survey and structured interviews. These different interpretations and dimensions provided an opportunity for diverse perspectives on underpreparedness to be encompassed and enveloped, thereby becoming a basis not only for the framework recommended, but also for future research or initiatives to improve teaching and learning. In a search for educational approaches considered effective in dealing with underprepared students, research mainly focuses on three key concepts, namely general perspectives on the existing constraints of facilitating the learning of the underprepared; the perceived educational effectiveness of different educational approaches; and the significance that is coupled to interactive engagement. The overarching aim of this investigation was the identification of educational approaches that lessen the impact of underpreparedness on student learning. The thesis also discusses some of the findings identified by an action inquiry into reflective teaching. Reflective practices have the potential to improve teaching competence, a gain that will ultimately lead to improved student learning. In addition, the benefits of concept mapping were investigated through both quantitative and qualitative observation techniques. The quantitative and descriptive data presented indicate that concept mapping contributed not only to achieving efficiency, but also to conceptual development. The researcher sees these positive outcomes as effects of both the active generation of knowledge through the act of mapping and the social interaction during the collaborative concept map task. The findings of this investigation confirm works by others that indicate that the use of concept mapping as a teaching/learning tool can lead to achievement gain, meaningful learning and, ultimately, conceptual change. Moreover, there may also be an increase in self-regulation, selfefficacy, a deep learning orientation, and motivation  traits that are highly sought after to assure academic success in the underprepared student. The framework presented centres around learning facilitation strategies deemed effective in scaffolding the underprepared students ability to learn in mainstream courses. These learning facilitation strategies seek to delineate teaching approaches that advance learners' ability to learn more effectively. These learning principles, theories or practices are divided into several elements clustered into six domains of learning facilitation strategies, namely cooperative, generative or constructive, reflective, experienced, interactive and conceptual learning. Although the domains are unique, they are also interrelated: Reflection (reflective learning) stimulated by a learning event (experience-based learning) in a social context (cooperative learning) which leads to the construction (constructive learning) of knowledge. The framework intends to act as a guide or source for higher education educators and practitioners who want to improve their teaching effectiveness in dealing with the underprepared.

There seems to be a worldwide interest in enhancing the student learning experience, particularly through interactive learning - an educational philosophy that places the student at the centre of the learning process. Even more important is the fact that the learning facilitator is supposed to monitor studentsâ progress towards achieving specific and generic objectives much more progressively. However, to achieve these goals and to ensure that learning is maximised, it is imperative for higher education institutions to regularly receive feedback about the quality of the learning process and experience. Consequently, student evaluation of teaching and module content has been instituted by almost all higher education quality assurance agencies around the world. The responsibilities of the Higher Education Quality Committee in South Africa and its engagement in institutional audits, its support for institutionalising a culture of self-managed evaluation that builds on and surpasses minimum standards, and its endeavours to develop and implement accredited programmes in higher education institutions are examples in this regard. For many years, the impact of student evaluation on the South African higher education system has been limited. As governmental demands for educational accountability grow, the teaching profession finds itself under pressure to demonstrate its value with solid, credible data/evidence. However, in an environment in which there are so many emerging and competing demands, there is a danger that the essential focus on the teaching and learning function could be lost. Universities, therefore, need to quantify their value to provide hard evidence that they have succeeded in promoting learning among students. The most direct source of information about the quality of the learning experience in higher education is the students themselves. Accordingly, the purpose of student feedback is to meet quality assurance requirements and to demonstrate to internal and external stakeholders that students are receiving an adequate educational service. To make an effective contribution to internal improvement processes, the views of students need to be integrated into a regular and continuous cycle of analysis, reporting, action and feedback. The primary purpose of the study was to undertake research that would lead to the development of a model for student evaluation in order to enhance teaching and learning quality at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT). This research falls primarily within the qualitative research paradigm, although some of the data were gathered by utilising quantitative techniques. A qualitative approach was adopted since the experiences of and feedback from the various stakeholders were interpreted and described in a qualitative way. A variety of qualitative research methods were applied in this study. For example, an exploratory literature study was done, interviews with international and national experts/authorities were conducted and focus group discussions were organised. All of these techniques are applicable and appropriate when a case study is conducted, since case study methods involve an in-depth, longitudinal examination of a single event (Flyvjerg, 2006). It provides a systematic way of looking at events, collecting data, analysing information, and reporting the results. In the first place, the researcher explored the international and national driving forces behind the renewed interest in the enhancement of quality teaching and learning. Secondly, the researcher investigated student evaluation practices, both internationally and nationally, and thirdly, he determined which student evaluation measuring instruments are applied, internationally and nationally. Given the complexity of the student evaluation process, the unique and distinctive manner in which each of the various systems and measuring instruments in the United States of America, England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa is managed, was found to be truly remarkable. The knowledge gained during the development and implementation of the paper-based student evaluation system at the CUT since 2001, has provided valuable insight into the development of an online student evaluation system. The researcher looked at the rationale behind the implementation of an online student evaluation system, traditional paper-based evaluations versus online student evaluation surveys, the outcomes of recently conducted studies on online surveys in the USA and Australia, the advantages of online student evaluation practices, and the challenges associated with online student evaluation surveys. The knowledge and insight obtained in this regard led to the development of a model for online student evaluation of teaching and module content at the CUT. The researcher argued that the ultimate challenge of online evaluations is to convince students that their active participation will enhance the quality of teaching and learning practices. He foresees that it is inevitable that online evaluations will eventually match and replace the traditional paper-based student evaluation system. The inclusion of signposts at the end of each section in Chapters 2, 3 and 4, which refers to the implications a specific section has for the whole student evaluation system, adds further value to the study. This single case study provides a detailed description of the student evaluation process at the CUT and the researcherâs interpretation of the case. It promotes a better understanding of student evaluation of teaching and module content at the CUT and facilitates informed decision-making.

The overarching purpose of the study is: to compile a comprehensive database of the information infrastructures in the Free State province and investigate/determine how information from the database can be utilised by Library Information Services at Higher Education Institutions in response to what is regarded as their social responsibility towards the community, through possible community engagement projects. In realising the purpose of the study, the following objectives were pursued: ⢠To undertake a literature review in order to investigate the following aspects: o The HEIsâ social responsibility in terms of the South African legislation and other policy documents, with special reference to the community engagement role of the LIS of the HEIs. o The principle of community development, with special reference to people-centred development in the South African context, as well as the role of LIS in community development. o The various LIS sectors functioning in South Africa within the social systems of government, education, health, economic and the legal systems. o The changing role of information, within the post-1994 legislation, in community development, with special reference to the non-traditional information dissemination service points in South Africa. ⢠To gather comprehensive data from various resources, including databases, for example the Free State Department of Educationâs Education Management Information System (EMIS), annual reports and strategic plans of the relevant government departments of the Free State province, as well as other LIS related journals, for example the Free State Provincial Library Services, quarterly journal (Free State Libraries), making use of all possible means to identify the various information infrastructures functioning within the Free State province, including a questionnaire-survey to acquire supplementary information, that will be captured in a database. ⢠To utilise the database as part of a community profile analysis to be able to identify which communities lack which information infrastructure(s). The information infrastructures will be used in conjunction with the Census 2001 population statistics and the number of learners in the schools, according to the Free State Department of Educationâs EMIS system will be able to do the analysis. The results will then be used to identify possible community engagement project(s) for the LIS of the HEIs. The major conclusions of the study revealed the following: ⢠That LIS of HEIs have a social responsibility towards society and therefore must engage in community projects. ⢠That LIS can contribute towards community development, thereby providing better access to information, which will lead to empowerment of communities in general, but especially empowered individuals. The database compiled is presented on a CD-ROM with the 1729 identified information infrastructures in the Free State province, including Library and Information Services, as well as other non-traditional information dissemination service points. The recommendations spell out possible ways in which the Library and Information Centre of the CUT can contribute to community responsibility through possible community engagement projects, for example to facilitate workshops to conscientise the various Library and Information Services to the amount of people with disabilities in their communities, as well as suggesting technologies that can the aid the above-mentioned group or train-the-trainer workshops for information literacy, thereby enhancing life-long learning.