For immigrant adult learners, learning English is not only for survival and functioning in the target language (TL) culture, but it is also a means of being able to successfully deal with the inequitable power structures in place in the larger society which deny them access to the culture's social, economic, and political resources (Norton, 2000). In the United States, the computer is a culturally valued resource and tool used by TL speakers, yet this valued resource is not easily accessible to immigrant adults due to their limited language ability, lack of experience with computers, and/or financial reasons; thus, putting them at an immediate socioeconomic disadvantage in this country. Nevertheless, researchers have argued that today's language learners must know how to read, write and communicate through electronic mediums due to the computer's prevalence in many aspects of modern life (Warschauer, 2005).The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of technology on adult immigrant learners as they learn how to use computers formally for the first time within an English as a Second Language curriculum. Specifically, the study seeks to discover which factors contribute to successful computer literacy acquisition, the impact of computer literacy acquisition to their identities, and which pedagogical practices are best suited for this population. The research project took place at a local community college and looked at 25 students, focusing in on five case-profile learners. Using Lave & Wenger's (1991) Situated Learning Theory and Norton's (1995) Theory of Investment, Social Identity and Power as a means of examining the above issues, the findings provide evidence that teachers need to consider learners' identities when designing and implementing a computer literacy curriculum. This research also calls attention to the necessity of implementing a computer literacy course within an ESL curriculum so that students can learn language and computer literacy in an ESL supportive environment attentive to their specific needs. Moreover, the study points to the need for instructors to be more aware of their own cultural and learning style biases and how they affect learner participation in this population of students.

No description available.

Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA(DVS) / This study investigated the factors inhibiting learners from low socio- economic backgrounds from accessing higher education. The intention to investigate and identify these inhibiting factors was motivated by the growing body of evidence that suggests that there is a correlation between poverty and lack of education. The aim of the study was to investigate which pre-university factors have the most inhibiting impact on learners from low socio-economic backgrounds. The objective was to identify these factors in order to find ways in which they could be overcome and/or prevented. It was argued that, if the impact of the inhibiting factors could be minimised or eliminated, more learners would be able to access higher education successfully. The theoretical framework used in the study was based on Sen’s Capabilities approach. The list of capabilities applied to analyse the data were education and skill, economic resources, employment and working conditions, housing, and family and social integration. The study was positioned within a qualitative, interpretive research paradigm and used a case study design. The research site was a high school in Khayelitsha near Cape Town. Research participants were purposively selected and consisted of a total of twenty-nine learners from across Grade 10, 11 and 12, as well as three educators.The study used multiple sources of data instruments: secondary data (statistics and other census information about Khayelitsha), the participants’ June 2014 progress reports, a demographic information sheet, a reflective questionnaire and three focus group interviews (one per Grade).Content analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data through a three-stage open coding process. The list of inhibiting factors discussed in the literature, namely poor schooling, a lack of financial means, a lack of knowledge and information, and socio cultural factors was indeed confirmed by the data collected in this study. Other factors emerged from the data and these were regarded as new knowledge that this study contributes towards the body of knowledge. Lastly, the findings suggest that the inhibiting factor which had the greatest impact on learners from low socio-economic backgroundswas a lack of knowledge and information because this factor negatively impacted on all the capabilities listed above. Based on these findings, recommendations were proposed for the parents and community, school and educators, the Department of Basic Education, the Department of Higher Education and Training, and for higher education institutions.

The study investigates whether knowledge and understanding acquired by secondary school learners from sex education in schools contribute to meaningful reduction of sex-related problems amongst them. The study was undertaken in the Eastern Cape in the Libode District (Nonesi Circuit). Data was collected from one hundred and thirty learners of five junior secondary schools of the Libode District (Nonesi Circuit).The respondents were learners with ages varying between 12 and 18 years, grades 7-9 (females and males). A quantitative approach and qualitative approach (mixed-method approach) was used. A survey design in the form of questionnaire was selected in the study. Nonesi circuit has a population of twenty junior secondary schools with a total enrolment of 2500 learners. Out of this population, a sample of five junior secondary schools was used. The five junior secondary schools were selected purposively. The sample consisted of twenty-six learners from each junior secondary school. Questionnaires were personally distributed, administered and collected by myself in the five junior secondary schools. The study findings revealed that learners understand the knowledge they acquired from sex education to prevent pregnancy and sex related diseases. The study also showed that knowledge and understanding acquired by learners from sex education is not effective enough to empower them to prevent pregnancy and sex-related diseases. The study highlighted the point that secondary school learners know and use other available sources of information on sex education after school to empower them to reduce pregnancy and sex- related diseases. It also revealed that learners know but do not take responsibility for their own lives regarding prevention of sex-related diseases.

Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Education in fulfilment ofthe requirements for the degree Master ofEducation in the Department ofCurriculum and Instructional Studies at the University of Zululand, 2000. / Fieldwork is regarded as an educational activity that takes place outside the classroom. It is a learning experience of outdoors which gives reality to the subject and saves it from being arid and theoretical. As such, fieldwork is regarded by most Geographers as being central to their teaching, research and as intrinsic to the very nature of being a Geographer. Through fieldwork Geography learners can become more participative, purposeful, enthusiastic and more positive in their learning. This study investigates the implementation of fieldwork in Geography teaching in Secondary schools. A broad overview of the literature on fieldwork in general and fieldwork in Geography education in particular, was analysed. Grade 8, 9 and 10 Geography syllabus was analysed to establish the extent to which the syllabus, as a guideline for teachers, promotes fieldwork in the teaching of Geography. Further more 50 questionnaires were distributed to 50 Geography teachers to find the extent to which they understood fieldwork and to establish whether it was implemented in schools or not. The principal findings of the study were: 1. Qualification did not mean competence - All the respondents were well qualified and they claimed to be knowledgeable about fieldwork and yet their excuses and explanation of their modus operandi clearly showed that few if any of these teachers undertook fieldwork. Amongst other excuses teachers complained about lack of time, ignorance of syllabus and lack of finances to support field excursions. 2. Poor communication between the school and the parents- The research revealed that there was poor support from parents on the activities pertaining to fieldwork. This was as a result of poor communication between the school and the parents. Parents were not part of the planning of the annual school activities and they were only told when money was needed to undertake field-trips. Hence, there was poor support from their side. From the findings of this research, it is evident that fieldwork in Geography teaching has an important place in the South African curriculum.

MA / Department of Educational Management / See the attached abstract below

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts in (Counselling Psychology) in the department of psychology, University of Zululand, South Africa, 2012. / Self-respect is defined as pride and confidence in oneself, a feeling that one is behaving with honor and dignity. The objective of the study was to find out the conceptualization of self-respect from high school learners. This study adopted a phenomenological approach to facilitate the understanding of the information gathered. The sample consisted of 10 participants: 5 males and 5 females. Participants were Grade 12 learners who were willing to participate. A self-administered questionnaire was given to the participants to fill. Results from the participants revealed that the concept self-respect means respecting yourself and others, as well as having self-confidence. Participants also mentioned that self-respect comes from home, from parents as well as friends. The study concludes with limitations of the study and recommendations for future research.

A thesis submitted to the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Faculty of Education at the University of Zululand, 2019. / This study explored substance abuse among high school learners in King Cetshwayo district. The main concern, on which this study was based, was on the rise in substance abuse by high school learners and the risk behaviours associated with it in spite of all endeavours being made against substance abuse by various non-governmental organisations and the government. Owing to the fact that all these endeavours did not seem to show expected results, the researcher felt that there was a need to look at substance abuse from an Afrocentric perspective. This study was motivated among others, by Afrocentric theory of Asante which emphasises the African identity from the perspective of African people as centred, located, oriented, and grounded and stresses the dire need for African people to be re-located historically, economically, socially, politically, educationally and philosophically. It was again also based on Bowen family systems theory, which is about the emotional functioning of the human species. This study adopted a mixed method approach making use of both qualitative and quantitative methods. Questionnaires were utilised for quantitative data collection and interviews were utilised to gather qualitative data from primary respondents (learners), parents and educators. The findings of the study revealed that the main substances of abuse by learners in King Cetshwayo district were cigarettes at 83%; alcohol at 64% and dagga at 27%. It was found that 77% of the learners were found to be influenced by friends or peers to abuse substances. The findings also revealed that learners were involved in substance abuse because of stress caused by parent-child relationships and stigmatisation both by parents and educators who failed to support them. It was also revealed that the family structure plays a role in substance abuse since 30% of the learners stay with their mothers only. The lack of role models in the community was one of the causes for learners’ abuse of substances. It was recommended that parent-child relationships be strengthened and that parents should teach their children about substance abuse and be role models to their children. Parents should again educate their children about African values and morals before they commence with schooling. Educators should also be skilled on how to reverse moral regeneration by focussing on Afrocentric norms and values to be emulated by learners. An Afrocentric model of understanding substance abuse should be adopted. This model is based on the idea that if people who are concerned with the development of a child, can be embedded with African morals and values and be empowered with the necessary skills, they can be in a better position to assist learners to fight against substance abuse.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor Educationis in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education Faculty of Education University of Zululand, South Africa, 2012. / The aim of this investigation was to determine learners’ attitudes towards language choice in secondary school. The focus was on secondary school learners attending schools where the medium of instruction is not in their mother tongue. An introductory literature review was provided of mother tongue education versus English as medium of instruction. Advocates of mother tongue education argue that a child learns better and quicker through the mother tongue than through an unfamiliar linguistic medium and it is also an important means of identification among the members of the community to which the child belongs. However, black communities are generally opposed to instruction in their home language because they view the indigenous languages as low status languages and as barriers to their upward mobility in a world dominated by English. In the South African society English is associated with prestige as it is in many other countries. An overview of the current language-in-education practices in South African high schools revealed that depending on which language is taught, as first language either English or Afrikaans is compulsory as a second language. English, as a first language and Afrikaans, which is their third or fourth language, as a second language. The problems experienced with second language instruction were discussed with reference to reading, writing, speaking and listening. For the purpose of the empirical investigation, a self-structured interview was conducted with the educators. A quantitative descriptive analysis was undertaken of the completed questionnaires and a qualitative analysis of the interviews. In conclusion a summary of the study and findings emanating from the literature and empirical investigation was presented. Based on these findings the following recommendations were made:  A school based language policy should be formulated in accordance with the national language-in-education policy but must also take into consideration the language needs of the learners in the school.  Indigenous languages must be developed and promoted by providing financial assistance and/or incentives for literature works and textbooks in the indigenous languages.  Educator training should include strategies to teach multilingual classes.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Education in fulfilment requirement for the Degree of Master of Education in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2009. / The performance of learners in national tests and examinations is broadly used as an indicator of the effectiveness of the school (Naidu, Joubert, Mestry, Mosoge & Ngcobo, 2008:39). According to Bernard (1999:28) learners test results have become such an accepted indicator of school performance that for manY,a school with high test scores is per force a good school. Often, academic results constitute the only criterion by which the success of a school is measured even to the extent that solely on this basis schools are labelled as effective or ineffective, resulting in unpleasant outcomes for the school regarded as 'failing' schools (Naidu etsl, 2008:39). This trend is manifested in Lesotho in the uproar generated by publication of case (Grade 12) examination results (setot, 1999:2).