Thesis (MEd)--PU vir CHO

Thesis (MEd)--PU vir CHO

The aim of this study was to determine whether the underachievement of pupils in science is due to the fact that the pupils have not reached the phase of formal thinking. The question is whether the difference in achievement in science of pupils with the same I.Q. can be attributed to the fact that the underachiever is on a lower cognitive level than the better achiever. The child in the junior secondary school phase is in or somewhere between the phase of concrete operational thinking or phase of formal operational thinking. An analysis of the syllabi in the junior secondary school phase showed that formal operational thinking is required of pupils especially in standard 7. In this research the population was defined as the Afrikaans-speaking pupils in the junior secondary school phase of the schools in a big town. The experimental group consisted of pupils with I.Q. ≥ 108 with low marks in science while the control group consisted of pupils with I.Q. ≥ 108 who did well in science. In this study 58 pupils were tested individually with 4 tests of formal thinking namely the switches-test (an adaption of the combinations of coloured and colourless chemical bodies-test), equilibrium in the balance, flexibility of rods and the oscillation of a pendulum. A significant difference was found between the experimental and control groups. (F = 28,84, p < 0,001). This study proved the following: (i) Gifted pupils in the junior secondary school phase with poor marks in science haven't reached the level of formal thinking to the same degree as gifted pupils with good marks in science. (ii) Gifted children in standard 6 who did well in science had already reached a plateau with regard to the development of formal thinking. (iii) Pupils differ with regard to the level of cognitive development regardless of having the same I.Q. and age. The above conclusions have the following implications for didactics: - The curricula and syllabi must be combined in such a way that formal thinking is not expected of the child before he is capable of it. Every teacher must try to individualize his teaching methods in order to make provision for differences in the cognitive levels of the pupils in his class. / Thesis (MEd)--PU vir CHO

Childhood micronutrient deficiencies have negative effects on cognition. Little is known about the effects of combined consumption of micronutrients and sugar on growth and cognitive function. The aim of this thesis was to 1) investigate the effects of micronutrients and sugar, alone and in combination, in a beverage, on growth and cognition in South African children and 2) review recent evidence on iron status and anaemia prevalence in South African children since the National Food Consumption Survey-Fortification Baseline-2005 (NFCS-FB-2005). Children (n = 408, 6−11 years) were randomly allocated to a beverage containing 1) micronutrients with sugar, 2) micronutrients with non-nutritive sweetener, 3) no micronutrients with sugar, or 4) no micronutrients with non-nutritive sweetener for 8.5 months. Cognition was assessed using sub-tests from the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children-II. Growth was assessed as weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for-age and body-mass-index-for-age z-scores. Relevant internet search engines identified studies reporting iron status of South African children after 2005. Secondary analysis was conducted on NFCS-FB-2005 provincial data for children 7−9 years old. Positive intervention effects were observed for micronutrients (0.76; 95% CI: 0.10, 1.42) and sugar (0.71; 95% CI: 0.05, 1.37) on Atlantis (measure learning ability), and sugar on Rover (measure simultaneous processing) (0.72; 96% CI: 0.08, 1.35) test scores. Attenuating micronutrient x sugar interactions were observed on Atlantis, Number Recall (measure sequential processing) and Rover test performance. Micronutrients or sugar alone lowered WAZ. In combination, this effect was attenuated (significant micronutrient x sugar interaction). Four studies from four different provinces were identified. All reported lower anaemia prevalence than the NFCS-FB-2005 (KwaZulu-Natal (11.5% vs 14.4%), North West (6.9% vs 27%) Western Cape (17.2% vs 18.8%) and Northern Cape (5.4% vs 22.2%). A beverage fortified with micronutrients or added sugar had beneficial effects on cognition, but a lowering effect on WAZ in the children. Unexpectedly, the combination of micronutrients and sugar attenuated these effects. In the identified studies, anaemia prevalence in school-aged children was lower than reported in the NFCS-FB-2005. / Thesis (PhD (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the underachievement of pupils in science is due to the fact that the pupils have not reached the phase of formal thinking. The question is whether the difference in achievement in science of pupils with the same I.Q. can be attributed to the fact that the underachiever is on a lower cognitive level than the better achiever. The child in the junior secondary school phase is in or somewhere between the phase of concrete operational thinking or phase of formal operational thinking. An analysis of the syllabi in the junior secondary school phase showed that formal operational thinking is required of pupils especially in standard 7. In this research the population was defined as the Afrikaans-speaking pupils in the junior secondary school phase of the schools in a big town. The experimental group consisted of pupils with I.Q. ≥ 108 with low marks in science while the control group consisted of pupils with I.Q. ≥ 108 who did well in science. In this study 58 pupils were tested individually with 4 tests of formal thinking namely the switches-test (an adaption of the combinations of coloured and colourless chemical bodies-test), equilibrium in the balance, flexibility of rods and the oscillation of a pendulum. A significant difference was found between the experimental and control groups. (F = 28,84, p < 0,001). This study proved the following: (i) Gifted pupils in the junior secondary school phase with poor marks in science haven't reached the level of formal thinking to the same degree as gifted pupils with good marks in science. (ii) Gifted children in standard 6 who did well in science had already reached a plateau with regard to the development of formal thinking. (iii) Pupils differ with regard to the level of cognitive development regardless of having the same I.Q. and age. The above conclusions have the following implications for didactics: - The curricula and syllabi must be combined in such a way that formal thinking is not expected of the child before he is capable of it. Every teacher must try to individualize his teaching methods in order to make provision for differences in the cognitive levels of the pupils in his class. / Thesis (MEd)--PU vir CHO

Childhood micronutrient deficiencies have negative effects on cognition. Little is known about the effects of combined consumption of micronutrients and sugar on growth and cognitive function. The aim of this thesis was to 1) investigate the effects of micronutrients and sugar, alone and in combination, in a beverage, on growth and cognition in South African children and 2) review recent evidence on iron status and anaemia prevalence in South African children since the National Food Consumption Survey-Fortification Baseline-2005 (NFCS-FB-2005). Children (n = 408, 6−11 years) were randomly allocated to a beverage containing 1) micronutrients with sugar, 2) micronutrients with non-nutritive sweetener, 3) no micronutrients with sugar, or 4) no micronutrients with non-nutritive sweetener for 8.5 months. Cognition was assessed using sub-tests from the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children-II. Growth was assessed as weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for-age and body-mass-index-for-age z-scores. Relevant internet search engines identified studies reporting iron status of South African children after 2005. Secondary analysis was conducted on NFCS-FB-2005 provincial data for children 7−9 years old. Positive intervention effects were observed for micronutrients (0.76; 95% CI: 0.10, 1.42) and sugar (0.71; 95% CI: 0.05, 1.37) on Atlantis (measure learning ability), and sugar on Rover (measure simultaneous processing) (0.72; 96% CI: 0.08, 1.35) test scores. Attenuating micronutrient x sugar interactions were observed on Atlantis, Number Recall (measure sequential processing) and Rover test performance. Micronutrients or sugar alone lowered WAZ. In combination, this effect was attenuated (significant micronutrient x sugar interaction). Four studies from four different provinces were identified. All reported lower anaemia prevalence than the NFCS-FB-2005 (KwaZulu-Natal (11.5% vs 14.4%), North West (6.9% vs 27%) Western Cape (17.2% vs 18.8%) and Northern Cape (5.4% vs 22.2%). A beverage fortified with micronutrients or added sugar had beneficial effects on cognition, but a lowering effect on WAZ in the children. Unexpectedly, the combination of micronutrients and sugar attenuated these effects. In the identified studies, anaemia prevalence in school-aged children was lower than reported in the NFCS-FB-2005. / Thesis (PhD (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

This study is an in-depth description of the application of Cognitive Control Therapy (CCT) in regard to an adolescent with Down syndrome. The literature review revealed a dearth of knowledge on the cognitive development and functioning of adolescents with Down syndrome. The interpretivist research paradigm was used as a philosophical basis for the qualitative case study that created an opportunity for close observation and critical reflection. The primary method of enquiry consisted of interliking therapeutic sessions during which CCT was applied as an intervention technique. The data generated through this process were verified in terms of recent literature, interviews and observations. The data analysis served to highlight the interactive relationship between such aspects as the adolescent’s genetic predisposition, as well as physical and psychological factors which to a large extent, influence the cognitive functioning and development, and therefore also the learning ability of the adolescent with Down syndrome. The findings show that the application of CCT resulted in an improvement (although limited) in the adolescent’s metacognitive abilities and distractibility and that there was a measure of transference in regard to the social and emotional domains. In conclusion, it appears that CCT was an effective intervention strategy for this adolescent because it accommodated his specific learning style. / Dissertation (MEd (Educational Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

Magister Educationis - MEd / In Suid-Afrikaanse skole word op 'n gereelde grondslag gevind dat nie alle leerlinge baat vind by gewone groeponderrig soos dit in die gewone klaskamer vergestalting vind nie. Enersyds is daar die groep wat op Buitengewone Onderwys aangewese is, en andersyds is daar die groep wat nie vir buitengewone onderwys kwalifiseer nie, maar nog steeds nie die mas in die gewone klas kan opkom nie. Laasgenoemde maak dikwels deel uit van 'n sosio-ekonomies of polities benadeelde groep en die grootste persentasie druipelinge en vroeë skoolverlaters, in vergelyking met die res van die skoolbevolking , kom uit die groep. Die swak akademiese prestasies van hierdie leerlinge word in die meeste literatuur gekoppel aan kognitiewe benadeeldheid. Opvoedkundige Sielkunde. Kognitiewe benadeeldheid word vir die doel van hierdie mini-tesis gelykgestel aan kulturele benadeeldheid, maar dit word gekoppel aan die definisie van Feuerstein wat dit beskou as 'n gebrek aan bemiddelde leerervaring (BLE). Te midde van 'n strewe na sosio-ekonomiese, politieke en opvoedkundige rekonstruksie in Suid-Afrika, is dit belangrik dat probleme met skolastiese prestasie op die intermediêre vlak aangespreek word. Alhoewel skole weinig kan doen om 'n radikale verandering in die omgewingstoestande van leerlinge teweeg te bring, kan dit egter 'n groot bydrae lewer in die ontwikkeling van die kognitiewe vermoëns van kinders. Om hierdie belangrike funksie te vervul, is ditnoodsaaklik dat onderwysers in hul voorbereiding vir hul taak deeglik toegerus moet word met gepaste teoretiese begronding, asook daaruitvloeiende maatreëls om kognitiewe benadeeldheid by hul leerlinge effektief te verklaar en te bekamp. Die fokus in hierdie mini-tesis is op die benadering ten opsigte van kognitiewe benadeeldheid by primêre skool leerlinge in die opleidingsprogramme - spesifiek die Opvoedkundesillabusse - van onderwyskolleges van die Departement van Onderwys en Kultuur, Raad van Verteenwoordigers (DOK:RV); en die Departement van Onderwys en Opleiding (DOO), asook ontwikkelinge op die gebied van kognitiewe onderwys in Suid-Afrika. Op grond van die leemtes in die betrokke opleidingsprogramme is die doel van hierdie mini-tesis om BLE as noodsaaklike komponent in die opleidingsprogram van primêre skoolonderwysers in Suid- Afrika aan te beveel.

Metacognition is commonly understood in the context of the learners and not their teachers. Extant literature focusing on how Mathematics teachers apply their metacognitive skills in the classroom, clearly distinguishes between teaching with metacognition (TwM) referring to teachers thinking about their own thinking and teaching for metacognition (TfM) which refers to teachers creating opportunities for learners to reflect on their thinking. However, in both of these cases, thinking requires a language, in particular appropriate mathematical language to communicate the thinking by both teacher and learners in the Mathematics classroom. In this qualitative study, which forms part of a bigger project within SANPAD (South Africa Netherlands Research Programme on Alternatives in Development), the metacognitive skills and mathematical language used by Mathematics teachers who teach at two township schools were interrogated using the design-based research approach with lesson study. Data collection instruments included individual interviews and a trigonometric assessment task. Lessons were also observed and video-taped to be viewed and discussed during focus group discussions in which the teachers, together with five Mathematics lecturers, participated. The merging of the design-based research approach with lesson study brought about teacher-lecturer collaboration, referred to in this study as the Mathematics Educators’ Reflective Inquiry (ME’RI) group, and enabled the design of a hypothetical teaching and learning trajectory (HTLT) for the teaching of trigonometric functions. A metacognitive performance profile for the two grade 10 teachers was also developed. The Framework for Analysing Mathematics Teaching for the Advancement of Metacognition (FAMTAM) from Ader (2013) and the Teacher Metacognitive Framework (TMF) from Artzt and Armour-Thomas (2002) were adjusted and merged to develop a new framework, the Metacognitive Teaching for Metacognition Framework (MTMF) to analyse the metacognitive skills used by mathematics teachers TwM as well as TfM. Without oversimplifying the magnitude of these concepts, the findings suggest a simple mathematical equation: metacognitive skills + enhanced mathematical language = conceptualization skills. The findings also suggest that both TwM and TfM are required for effective mathematics instruction. Lastly the findings suggest that the ME’RI group holds promise to enhance the use of the metacognitive skills and mathematical language of Mathematics teachers in Mathematics classrooms. / PhD (Mathematics Education), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Metacognition is commonly understood in the context of the learners and not their teachers. Extant literature focusing on how Mathematics teachers apply their metacognitive skills in the classroom, clearly distinguishes between teaching with metacognition (TwM) referring to teachers thinking about their own thinking and teaching for metacognition (TfM) which refers to teachers creating opportunities for learners to reflect on their thinking. However, in both of these cases, thinking requires a language, in particular appropriate mathematical language to communicate the thinking by both teacher and learners in the Mathematics classroom. In this qualitative study, which forms part of a bigger project within SANPAD (South Africa Netherlands Research Programme on Alternatives in Development), the metacognitive skills and mathematical language used by Mathematics teachers who teach at two township schools were interrogated using the design-based research approach with lesson study. Data collection instruments included individual interviews and a trigonometric assessment task. Lessons were also observed and video-taped to be viewed and discussed during focus group discussions in which the teachers, together with five Mathematics lecturers, participated. The merging of the design-based research approach with lesson study brought about teacher-lecturer collaboration, referred to in this study as the Mathematics Educators’ Reflective Inquiry (ME’RI) group, and enabled the design of a hypothetical teaching and learning trajectory (HTLT) for the teaching of trigonometric functions. A metacognitive performance profile for the two grade 10 teachers was also developed. The Framework for Analysing Mathematics Teaching for the Advancement of Metacognition (FAMTAM) from Ader (2013) and the Teacher Metacognitive Framework (TMF) from Artzt and Armour-Thomas (2002) were adjusted and merged to develop a new framework, the Metacognitive Teaching for Metacognition Framework (MTMF) to analyse the metacognitive skills used by mathematics teachers TwM as well as TfM. Without oversimplifying the magnitude of these concepts, the findings suggest a simple mathematical equation: metacognitive skills + enhanced mathematical language = conceptualization skills. The findings also suggest that both TwM and TfM are required for effective mathematics instruction. Lastly the findings suggest that the ME’RI group holds promise to enhance the use of the metacognitive skills and mathematical language of Mathematics teachers in Mathematics classrooms. / PhD (Mathematics Education), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014