Submitted by Magalhães Madeira Ana Verena (madeira@ufba.br) on 2015-06-11T19:57:47Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE AVMADEIRA CD.PDF: 2140230 bytes, checksum: 6d2732fe6a352ffe3ed4d73fc2c4a490 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Auxiliadora da Silva Lopes (silopes@ufba.br) on 2015-08-28T17:23:45Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE AVMADEIRA CD.PDF: 2140230 bytes, checksum: 6d2732fe6a352ffe3ed4d73fc2c4a490 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-08-28T17:23:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE AVMADEIRA CD.PDF: 2140230 bytes, checksum: 6d2732fe6a352ffe3ed4d73fc2c4a490 (MD5) / CAPES - Programa de Doutorado Sanduiche no Exterior (PDSE) / Este trabalho trata de investigação acerca dos processos formativos, identitários e implicacionais de professores universitários, que lecionam disciplinas específicas, na formação de seus alunos como professores de Ciências e Biologia. Foi desenvolvido no âmbito dos cursos de licenciatura em Ciências Biológicas da União Metropolitana de Educação e Cultura (UNIME) e da Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana (UEFS), cujos Projetos Pedagógicos de Curso (PPC) estão em consonância com as normativas legais sobre formação de professores para a educação básica, derivadas da Lei de Diretrizes e Bases da Educação Nacional (LDB). O estudo teve abordagem qualitativa, de cunho etnometodológico com centralidade nos princípios da etnopesquisa crítica e implicada. Como dispositivos de coleta de informações constam as narrativas dos docentes (Memoriais de Formação e Entrevistas Semiestruturadas), bem como os Diários de Observação de aulas e reuniões nas duas IES e respectivos PPCs. As informações assim produzidas foram analisadas a partir de procedimentos da Análise de Conteúdo. A interpretação, de base hermenêutica, se deu ao longo da pesquisa e valorizou o contexto de produção da linguagem, das práticas e dos etnométodos dos docentes. No processo de categorização dos processos formativos foram agrupadas as experiências relativas ao contexto familiar; à escolha profissional; à formação formal; à atividade profissional, incluídas pessoas de referência. Destacam-se a ênfase ao aprendizado pela prática, caracteristicamente isolada e pouco refletida, a falta de ações de formação continuada e a imitação. As identificações dos docentes com a profissão docente ou de biólogo, bem como os conflitos e tensões de identidade reflete um fenômeno de hibridação epistemológica e formativa. Na análise das implicações dos docentes na formação dos seus alunos a ênfase nos processos afetivos e libidinais como forma de vinculação à função de formador foi surpreendente. Os docentes também estabelecem implicações relativas à dedicação ao ensino; ao envolvimento com ações do curso (inclusive proposta curricular); às ações de articulação teoria/prática e ao investimento no desenvolvimento profissional. A legislação educacional pósLDB representa um marco acerca da formação de professores no Brasil, que está relacionada à Prática como Componente Curricular (PCC) e suas formas de recontextualização curricular. O Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso (TCC) também se mostrou relevante. Assim as opções da UNIME e UEFS, ao favorecerem a implicação dos professores de disciplinas específicas na formação do aluno, avançam em superar dicotomias das licenciaturas, notadamente a formação inicial/prática profissional, bem como as dimensões pedagógica/específica no curso. No entanto, fica evidente a necessidade de investimento pessoal e institucional na profissionalização da docência por processos que considerem os estudos sobre educação de adultos e as experiências de caráter colaborativo de forma a transformar a realidade da formação de professores na universidade brasileira. / ABSTRACT This research involves the investigation of formative, identity and implicational processes for university lecturers who teach specific subjects to train their students as Science and Biology teachers. This was developed within the domain of degree courses in Biological Sciences at the Metropolitan Union of Education and Culture (União Metropolitana de Educação e Cultura - UNIME) and State University of Feira de Santana (Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana - UEFS), whose Pedagogical Course Projects (PPCs) are in line with the legal regulations on training teachers for basic education, deriving from the Law of Directives and Bases for National Education (LDB). The study had a qualitative approach, of an ethnomethodological nature, centered on the principles of critical and implied ethnoresearch. The lecturers’ accounts (training memoirs and semi-structured interviews), and Observation Diaries from lessons and meetings at the two higher education establishments (IES) and respective PPCs comprise information collection devices. The information produced was analyzed using Content Analysis procedures. Interpretation, of a hermeneutical basis, took place throughout the research and gave value to the context of the lecturers’ language production, practices and ethnomethods. Experiences related to the familiar context when categorizing the training processes were grouped together: professional choice; formal training and professional activity, including references. The emphasis on practical learning which is characteristically isolated and receives little reflection, the lack of continued training activities and imitations are highlighted. The lecturers’ identification with the teaching profession or as biologists and the conflicts and tensions of identity reflect a phenomenon of epistemological and formative hybridization. On analyzing the lecturers’ involvement when training their students, the emphasis on affective and libidinal processes as a way of linking to their role as teachers was surprising. The lecturers also establish involvement with regards to dedication to teaching and course actions (including the curricular proposal); connecting theory/practical activities and investment in professional development. Educational legislation following the LDB represents a landmark for teacher training in Brazil. This is related to Practice as a Curricular Component (PCC) and its forms of curricular recontextualization. The Course Completion Project (TCC) was also seen to be significant. Therefore the options at UNIME at UEFS, which favor the involvement of lecturers of specific subjects when teaching students, make progress in overcoming the dichotomies of degree courses, notably initial training/professional practice and the pedagogical/specific dimensions of the course. However, the need for personal and institutional investment to professionalize the teaching staff using a process which considers studies on adult education and collaborative experiences in order to transform the reality of teacher training in Brazilian universities is clear.

The present study assessed the effectiveness of Entrepreneurship Education (EE) in Private Higher Education institutions in Botswana. The assessment of the effectiveness of EE serves as a context of finding ways of addressing challenges and proposing a model for implementing effective EE in Botswana Private Higher Education Institutions. The study adopted a positivism paradigm. A quantitative approach was employed. A survey design was used in the empirical study and a self-constructed questionnaire was used to collect data. Two hundred and forty-nine students exposed to EE and fifty-two commercial college/university lecturers participated in the study. The Social Science Statistical Package (SPSS) version 22 was applied to analyse the data. Chi-square tests were calculated. Ratios were calculated to show the ratings of each item. This study revealed that EE’s curriculum structure such as objectives, content, implementation, and assessment affected its effectiveness. The study also revealed that Botswana Private Higher Education Institutions did not have material resources to effectively EE. The current study also established that even though stakeholders had positive attitudes towards EE, entrepreneurial culture in Gaborone was weak. Findings of the study also revealed that there was no comprehensive EE policy for its effective implementation in tertiary institutions. The present study recommended that the implementation of EE would be improved through the restructuring of the curriculum, the provision of resources and the need to formulate mandatory policies and legislation for its implementation. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

The dissertation analyses job-related education, training and development in Soweto since 1940. The effect which the interference of the National Party government had on jobrelated education for black South Africans in Soweto is examined, as it is of importance to know that qualifiers were only permitted to operate as trades people in the bantustans and not in the "white" cities. It is discussed that prior to the assassination of prime minister Dr H F Verwoerd in 1966, the NP government had little interest in promoting urban black upliftment. Also mentioned is the economic situation at that time, which forced the N P government to introduce the Manpower Training Act, permitting Africans to qualify in trades which were until 1981 reserved for whites only. At the eentre of the discussion are the few Sowetan colleges which deal with job-related education. training and development in the African township. Despite the demand for skills training of black South Africans, training deteriorated and the dissertation investigates the reasons surrounding the loss of interest in the communities and why interest groups were no longer concerned about this type of training. The dissertation concludes with a possible future perspective which needs to be implemented to enable job-related education, training and development in Soweto to expand. The need to train Sowetans in their own colleges as opposed to colleges outside Soweto is examined. / History / M.A. (History)

The dissertation analyses job-related education, training and development in Soweto since 1940. The effect which the interference of the National Party government had on jobrelated education for black South Africans in Soweto is examined, as it is of importance to know that qualifiers were only permitted to operate as trades people in the bantustans and not in the "white" cities. It is discussed that prior to the assassination of prime minister Dr H F Verwoerd in 1966, the NP government had little interest in promoting urban black upliftment. Also mentioned is the economic situation at that time, which forced the N P government to introduce the Manpower Training Act, permitting Africans to qualify in trades which were until 1981 reserved for whites only. At the eentre of the discussion are the few Sowetan colleges which deal with job-related education. training and development in the African township. Despite the demand for skills training of black South Africans, training deteriorated and the dissertation investigates the reasons surrounding the loss of interest in the communities and why interest groups were no longer concerned about this type of training. The dissertation concludes with a possible future perspective which needs to be implemented to enable job-related education, training and development in Soweto to expand. The need to train Sowetans in their own colleges as opposed to colleges outside Soweto is examined. / History / M.A. (History)

Abstracts in English, Zulu and Xhosa / The study developed a management model to address burnout among teaching staff at private universities in Uganda. It examined the causes of burnout among teaching staff; explored the effect of prolonged stressors on burnout; and investigated the impact of burnout on the performance of teaching staff. A qualitative research approach with a case study design was followed. Lecturers (50), senior lecturers (40), faculty deans (25), and directors of teaching and learning and academic registrars (5) from five private chartered universities in central Uganda participated in the study. Participants were purposively selected to constitute multiple case studies. This study was ethically cleared by the research ethics committees of the University of South Africa (Unisa) and Gulu University. The Uganda National Council for Science and Technology subsequently permitted the adoption of an inductive thematic synthesis to analyse the qualitative data. Empirical data revealed that burnout among teaching staff had institutional causes such as: • conflicting directives • teaching staff’s need to accomplish tasks by a known deadline • delays in the issuance of teaching staff contracts • job insecurity • teaching staff’s incompetence due to skills gaps • limited teaching staff support leading to inadequacy • students’ disruptive behaviour • workload Interpersonal causes were: • unresolved family challenges • being overly ambitious • failing to progress academically • financial obligations • limited resources The study indicated that prolonged stress, such as stress caused by being part of a sub-quality product or having limited authority, leads to emotional burnout. Prolonged stress also leads to physical burnout, as was evident in the panic that ensued when payments were delayed after examination results had been submitted. Prolonged stress results in emotional exhaustion and behavioural challenges in the work environment. Participants reported the following: • limited autonomy • overload and pressure arising from deadlines • teaching staff incompetence • conflicts of responsibilities Empirical data revealed that burnout led to the following: • cognitive workplace deficiencies • emotional detachment • employee turnover • ineffectiveness • poor relationships Psychological burnout among teaching staff presented as unfriendliness towards students and poor student performance. A burnout management model was developed based on the findings of the study to address burnout among teaching staff at private universities. The model emphasises individual and institutional management strategies. Suggestions for further research were made. / Lolu cwaningo lusungule isifanekiso sokuphathwa ukwethulwa inkulumo ngokutubeka phakathi kwabafundisi ezimfundweni eziphakeme ezizimele e-Uganda. Luhlole izimbangela zokutubeka phakathi kwabafundisi; luhlole umphumela ongapheli wabacindezeli ekutubekeni; futhi luphenye umthelela wokutubeka ekusebenzeni kwabafundisi. Indlela yocwaningo yokuqoqa nokuhlaziya ngokocwaningo oluhleliwe yalandelwa. Abafundisayo (50), abafundisayo abakhulu (40), abaphathi bezigaba zemfundo ezimfundweni eziphakeme (25), kanye nabaqondisi bokufundisa nokufunda kanye nababhalisi bezemfundo (5) kusukela ezimfundweni eziphakame ezinhlanu ezizimele ezingaphansi kwesivumelwano sikahulumeni wesifundazwe enkabeni yase-Uganda zibambe iqhaza kulolu cwaningo. Ababambe iqhaza bakhethwe ngokwenhloso ukuze bakhe ucwaningo oluningi. Lolu cwaningo lugunyazwe ngamakomidi okuziphatha ngokwezimiso aseMfundweni Ephakeme yaseNingizimu Afrika (Unisa), kanye neMfundo Ephakeme yaseGulu. Umkhandlu kaZwelonke wezeSayensi noBuchwepheshe e-Uganda kamuva uvumele ukwamukelwa kokungenisa kwenhlanganisela yendikimba ukuhlaziya kokuqoqwa komniningwano. Umniningwano wezobuciko wembule ukuthi ukutubeka phakathi kwabafundisi kube nezimbangela zesikhungo ezifana: • iziqondiso ezingqubuzanayo • izidingo zabafundisi ukufeza imisebenzi ngomnqamulajuqu owaziwayo • ukubambezeleka kokukhishwa kwezinkontileka zabafundisi • uvalo lokuphelelwa ngumsebenzi • Ukuhluleka kwabafundisi ngenxa yezikhala zamakhono • ukusekwa okulinganiselwe kwabafundisi okuholela kokungafanelekile • ukuziphatha okuphazamisayo kwabafundi • Izinga lomsebenzi izimbangela zokusebenzisana bekuyilezi: • izinselela zomndeni ezingaxazululwanga • ukuba ngovelele ngokweqile • ukwehluleka ukuqhubekela phambili ezifundweni • izibopho ngokwezimali • izinsiza ezilinganiselwe Ucwaningo lwakhombisa ukuthi ukucindezeleka okungapheli, okufana nokucindezeleka okubangelwa ukuba yingxenye yomkhiqizo engaphansi ngekhwalithi noma ekubeni negunya elilinganiselwe, kuholela ekutubekeni ngokozwelo. Ukucindezeleka okungapheli kuphinde kuholele ekutubekeni ngokomzimba, njengoba kwabonakala ovalweni olwalandela lapho izinkokhelo zabambezeleka emva kokuba imiphumela yokuhlolwa isithunyelwe. Ukucindezeleka okungapheli kubangela ukukhathala ngokozwelo nezinselela ekuziphatheni endaweni yomsebenzi. Ababambe iqhaza babike okulandelayo: • ukuzimela okulinganiselwe • umsebenzi omningi ngokweqile osuka kumnqamulajuqu • Ukungakwazi ukusebenza kwabafundisi • ukungqubuzana kwezibopho Umniningwano wezobuciko wembule ukuthi ukutubeka kwaholela kulokhu okulandelayo: • ukuntula kokuqonda endaweni yomsebenzi • ukuhlukanisa ngokozwelo • Inzuzo yomsebenzi • ukwehluleka • ubudlelwano obungebuhle Ukutubeka kwengqondo phakathi kwabafundisi kunikezwe njengokungabi nabungane maqondana nabafundi kanye nokungasebenzi kahle komfundi. Isifanekiso sokuphathwa sasungulwa ngokususelwe kokwatholakala kwesifundo ukwethula ukutubeka phakathi kwabafundisi ezimfundweni eziphakeme ezizimele. Isifanekiso sigcizelela amasu omuntu ngamunye nezikhungo zokuphathwa. Iziphakamiso zokuqhutshekiswa kocwaningo zenziwe. / Uphononongo lwavelisa imodeli yolawulo ukujongana nokudinwa phakathi kwabasebenzi abafundisayo kwiiyunivesithi zabucala eUganda. Luvavanye oonobangela bokudinwa phakathi kwabasebenzi abafundisayo; luvavanye impembelelo yezinto ezidala uxinzelelo lwexesha elide ekudinweni; kwaye iphande igalelo lokudinwa kwinkqubo yokusebenza kwabasebenzi abafundisayo. Inkqubo yophando esemgangathweni kunye noyilo lwezifundo lwalandelwa. Abahlohli (50), abahlohli abadala (40), iintloko zamasebe ezifundo (25), kunye nabalawuli bokufundisa nokufunda kunye nababhalisi bezemfundo (5) abavela kwiiyunivesithi ezintlanu zabucala ezinamalungelo kumbindi weUganda bathatha inxaxheba kolu phando. Abathathi-nxaxheba bakhethwa ngokwenjongo ukuba yinxalenye yezifundo zophando ezininzi. Olu phononongo lwacaciswa ngokusesikweni ziikomiti zokuziphatha zophando zeYunivesithi yoMzantsi Afrika (i-Unisa) kunye neYunivesithi yaseGulu. IBhunga leSizwe lase-Uganda lezeNzululwazi kunye neThekhnoloji kamva lavumela ukwamkelwa kwenkuthazo yokudityaniswa kwezihloko zokucalula idatha esemgangathweni. Idatha yangokwenene iveze ukuba ukudinwa phakathi kwabasebenzi abafundisayo (kwabafundisintsapho) kube ngoonobangela amaziko anje ngala: • izikhokelo eziphikisanayo • Iimfuno zabasebenzi abafundisayo ukugqiba imisebenzi ngomhla obekiweyo • Ukulibaziseka ekukhutshweni kweekhontrakthi zabafundisintsapho • Ukungaqiniseki ngomsebenzi • Ukungakwazi kwabasebenzi abafundisayo (abafundisi) ukufundisa ngenxa yezikhewu kwizakhono • Inkxaso engonelanga kubasebenzi abafundisayo ekukhokelela ekusileleni • Ukuziphatha okuphazamisayo kubafundi • ubungakanani bomsebenzi Oonabangela bonxibelelwano phakathi kwabantu ngaba: • iingxaki ezingasonjululwanga kusapho • ukuba namabhongo ngokugqithisileyo • ukungabi nankqubela phambili ngokwezemfundo • izibophelelo zemali • izixhobo ezingonelanga Uphononongo lubonise ukuba uxinzelelo oluthathe ixesha elide, olufana noxinzelelo olubangelwa kukuba yinxalenye yemveliso ekumgangatho ophantsi okanye ukuba negunya elilinganiselweyo, kukhokelela ekudinweni ngokweemvakalelo. Uxinzelelo lwexesha elide lukwakhokelela ekudinweni ngokwasemzimbeni, njengoko kwakubonakala kuloyiko olwalulapho xa kulibaziseka ukuhlawulwa emva kokungeniswa kweziphumo zoviwo. Uxinzelelo lwexesha elide luba neziphumo zokudinwa ngokweemvakalelo kunye nemicelimngeni yokuziphatha kwindawo yokusebenza. Abathathi-nxaxheba baxele oku kulandelayo: • Ukuzilawula okunyiniweyo • umsebenzi omninzi kunye noxinzelelo oluvela kwimihla emiselweyo yokungenisa • umsebenzi. • Ukungakwazi kwabasebenzi abafundisayo ukufundisa ngokupheleleyo • Ukungqubana koxanduva lwemisebenzi Idatha yokongokwenene iveze ukuba ukudinwa kukhokelele koku kulandelayo: • ukusilela kwengqondo emsebenzini • ukukhululeka ngokweemvakalelo • Ukutshintsha kwabaqeshwa • ukungasebenzi kakuhle • ubudlelwane obubi Ukudinwa kwengqondo phakathi kwabasebenzi abafundisayo (abafundisi) kuboniswe njengokungenabubele kubafundi kunye nokusebenza kakubi kwabo.Imodeli yokulawula ukudinwa yaphuhliswa ngokusekwe kwiziphumo zophando ukujongana nokudinwa phakathi kwabasebenzi abafundisayo kwiiyunivesithi zabucala. Imodeli igxininisa izicwangciso zolawulo lomntu ngamnye neziko. Iingcebiso zophando olunokuqhutyelwa phambili zenziwa. / Educational Management and Leadership / D. Ed. (Educational Leadership and Management)

This study was conducted at the University of South Africa in the Department of Information Science and looked at the students’ perception about e-learning. The study context was Open Distance Learning (ODL) which allows multi-dimensional e-learning aimed at bridging the time, geographical, economic, social, educational and communication distance between student and institution, student and academics, student and courseware and student and peers. It has emerged in the literature that student’ perceptions and understanding of e-learning are susceptible to challenges related to infrastructure, geographic location, skills set, support services, pedagogical matters and other related matters. These challenges are likely to affect the students’ perceptions of e-learning which is likely to have a negative impact on effective learning as well as success and completion rates. The main aim of the study was to examine the perceptions of Information Science students towards e-learning. This study opted for multi-methods. The quantitative approach which involves the use of controlled questionnaires was employed. The questionnaire was designed in the web survey for the purpose of reaching scattered respondents and the opportunity to obtain large numbers of respondents to contribute. Also the qualitative method was considered as appropriate for this study because it helped to conceptualise the research and enabled the researcher to gather information from lecturers on influencing students and the strategies used to promote e-learning. The overall population of this study was 125 students and 17 lecturers. The study revealed that not all students knew what e-learning was, and the major challenge was the internet access as students complained about the shortage of internet bundles. Many students at UNISA considered e-learning as a flexible for teaching and studying method because it is not bound to a particular time and place, also they commended that the usability of myUnisa has created more accessibility in learning environment for tuition. If the current students are not assisted with the lowest prices for internet access, students might not continue interacting with lecturers in the e-learning platforms. Also, first year students at UNISA should be trained for the e-learning environment and be given an overview of the UNISA e-learning platform. / Information Science / M. Inf.

This study focuses on the composition of guidelines for the effective assessment of lecturers - hence the emphasis is on the principle that assessment may be regarded as indispensable for professional development and for making a meaningful contribution towards ensuring quality in the context of the National Qualification framework. To this end a literature study was firstly undertaken regarding the nature of and criteria for effective assessment. The literature indicated that a variety of changes took place in South Africa since 1994, amongst others in the area of education, training and development. There have been numerous debates about this on stages and in political council halls, schools, colleges, technikons, universities, the press and the general workplace. Often the debates also centred on the low levels of competence and performance of workers in South Africa. Sometimes even the abilities, competence and performance levels of graduates and diplomandi have been questioned. In the context of these doubts people started investigating the role played by higher education, and more specifically lecturers, in ensuring that competent human resources leave the higher education environment for the professional world. As a result the purposeful assessment of lecturers has been identified as imperative. Furthermore, certain important factors that may influence the nature of and criteria for assessment, are discussed in this study. These include, amongst others, issues such as the education and training system, outcomes-based education and training, competence, knowledge escalation, the assessment of competence arid performance, the professional development of the lecturer, the concept assessment, the relation between assessment and ensuring quality, Bloom's taxonomy, different assessment instruments, the management of quality and the appointment of lecturers. The assessment of lecturers is viewed from a development-oriented perspective, where the focus is on continuous assessment that may be beneficial for individual, professional and organisational development. It is shown that a variety of qualitative and quantitative assessment instruments may be optimalised during formative as well as summative assessment, with which the training, needs, abilities, skills, competencies, capacity and performance of lecturers may be determined. The assessment of lecturers is regarded as a contributing factor in delivering and ensuring quality. It is also shown that the process should be undertaken in a managerial manner in order to continuously promote quality. Thereupon a discussion of assessment practices follows. In this discussion the focus is on the roles of lecturers in government-supported higher education institutions. The discussion is guided by the context which is determined by the implementation of the principles of the National Qualification Framework. A number of actors are identified who are directly or indirectly involved in the assessment of lecturers' competencies, outputs and performance in the higher education environment. It is also indicated that the implementation of the National Qualification Framework is guided by a number of legislations of which government-supported higher education institutions must give account in the performing of their tasks and functions. From literature it is clear that countries like the United Kingdom, the USA, Australia and New Zealand use assessment practices to ensure quality in the higher education environment. The role of the lecturer in that process is highlighted, and it is indicated that the assessment of the lecturer is indirectly addressed in the process. An empirical study was performed to establish, in the first instance, whether lecturers have been subjected to effective and appropriate training regarding the implementation of the National Qualification Framework. The second objective of the empirical study was to identify the implications of the assessment of lecturers attached to government-subsidised or public higher education institutions for all stakeholders. It is found in this study that a distinction should be made between the competence and performance assessment of lecturers. In addition it is indicated that the competence certification of lecturers must be regarded as imperative in order to facilitate performance-oriented functioning in the higher education environment. It is also found that lecturers must to a large extent cope with the process of giving account of all the new legislations and resulting expectations - sometimes under great pressure and amidst uncertainty and insufficient competence levels because of inadequate training, assessment and feedback. As a result lecturers do not experience the implementation of the National Qualification Framework as effective. In order to accommodate the changed and changing environment of the higher education sector, a conceptual model is composed to serve as a guide for the assessment of lecturers. In this model it is indicated that systems being developed for the assessment of lecturers should make provision for and account for a variety of factors, such as quality, primary and secondary actors, legislation, and the abilities, skills, competencies, capacity and performance levels of lecturers, assessment instruments, proactive, reactive, formative, summative, qualitative and quantitative assessment interventions. The synchronization and purposeful structuring of these factors may make a contribution towards creating a context which is beneficial to the professional development of the lecturer and consequently to performance in the higher education system. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2003

This study focuses on the composition of guidelines for the effective assessment of lecturers - hence the emphasis is on the principle that assessment may be regarded as indispensable for professional development and for making a meaningful contribution towards ensuring quality in the context of the National Qualification framework. To this end a literature study was firstly undertaken regarding the nature of and criteria for effective assessment. The literature indicated that a variety of changes took place in South Africa since 1994, amongst others in the area of education, training and development. There have been numerous debates about this on stages and in political council halls, schools, colleges, technikons, universities, the press and the general workplace. Often the debates also centred on the low levels of competence and performance of workers in South Africa. Sometimes even the abilities, competence and performance levels of graduates and diplomandi have been questioned. In the context of these doubts people started investigating the role played by higher education, and more specifically lecturers, in ensuring that competent human resources leave the higher education environment for the professional world. As a result the purposeful assessment of lecturers has been identified as imperative. Furthermore, certain important factors that may influence the nature of and criteria for assessment, are discussed in this study. These include, amongst others, issues such as the education and training system, outcomes-based education and training, competence, knowledge escalation, the assessment of competence arid performance, the professional development of the lecturer, the concept assessment, the relation between assessment and ensuring quality, Bloom's taxonomy, different assessment instruments, the management of quality and the appointment of lecturers. The assessment of lecturers is viewed from a development-oriented perspective, where the focus is on continuous assessment that may be beneficial for individual, professional and organisational development. It is shown that a variety of qualitative and quantitative assessment instruments may be optimalised during formative as well as summative assessment, with which the training, needs, abilities, skills, competencies, capacity and performance of lecturers may be determined. The assessment of lecturers is regarded as a contributing factor in delivering and ensuring quality. It is also shown that the process should be undertaken in a managerial manner in order to continuously promote quality. Thereupon a discussion of assessment practices follows. In this discussion the focus is on the roles of lecturers in government-supported higher education institutions. The discussion is guided by the context which is determined by the implementation of the principles of the National Qualification Framework. A number of actors are identified who are directly or indirectly involved in the assessment of lecturers' competencies, outputs and performance in the higher education environment. It is also indicated that the implementation of the National Qualification Framework is guided by a number of legislations of which government-supported higher education institutions must give account in the performing of their tasks and functions. From literature it is clear that countries like the United Kingdom, the USA, Australia and New Zealand use assessment practices to ensure quality in the higher education environment. The role of the lecturer in that process is highlighted, and it is indicated that the assessment of the lecturer is indirectly addressed in the process. An empirical study was performed to establish, in the first instance, whether lecturers have been subjected to effective and appropriate training regarding the implementation of the National Qualification Framework. The second objective of the empirical study was to identify the implications of the assessment of lecturers attached to government-subsidised or public higher education institutions for all stakeholders. It is found in this study that a distinction should be made between the competence and performance assessment of lecturers. In addition it is indicated that the competence certification of lecturers must be regarded as imperative in order to facilitate performance-oriented functioning in the higher education environment. It is also found that lecturers must to a large extent cope with the process of giving account of all the new legislations and resulting expectations - sometimes under great pressure and amidst uncertainty and insufficient competence levels because of inadequate training, assessment and feedback. As a result lecturers do not experience the implementation of the National Qualification Framework as effective. In order to accommodate the changed and changing environment of the higher education sector, a conceptual model is composed to serve as a guide for the assessment of lecturers. In this model it is indicated that systems being developed for the assessment of lecturers should make provision for and account for a variety of factors, such as quality, primary and secondary actors, legislation, and the abilities, skills, competencies, capacity and performance levels of lecturers, assessment instruments, proactive, reactive, formative, summative, qualitative and quantitative assessment interventions. The synchronization and purposeful structuring of these factors may make a contribution towards creating a context which is beneficial to the professional development of the lecturer and consequently to performance in the higher education system. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2003

Introductory programming failure rate among students is high worldwide, including in South Africa. The failure rate remains a subject for investigation due to a high number of students who find learning to program difficult. This study evaluates factors that contribute to high failure rates in an introductory programming module at University of South Africa. The study evaluates curriculum, programming syllabus, and personal factors to evaluate reasons for high failure rates. Quantitative and qualitative research approaches are used to identify learning hindrances. The research results show that personal factors are the leading contributing factors, followed by the curriculum and then the programming syllabus. Personal factors relate to time, personal reasons, and commitments; curriculum involves tutorials; and programming syllabus factors are linked to programming concepts and application. The findings have implications for how teaching and learning in introductory programming can be improved. The study provides recommendations for improvement and future studies. Keywords: Learn to program; introductory programming; higher learning; personal / School of Computing / M. Tech (Information Technology)

The results of mathematics level 3 have always been a problem at TVET colleges as this hampers the certification rate and the progress of the students to level 4. Students who did not do well in the current subject are not allowed to register that subject in the following level. Even though the students are allowed to progress to level 4 they won’t be certificated for both levels until they pass the remaining subject. The above challenges made the researcher to check during the marking and moderation of November / December examination the course of poor results for mathematics level 3. In the process of checking the researcher discovered that rectangular hyperbola is one of the topics that the students of mathematics level 3 are struggling with. This study therefore focuses on exploring the challenges faced by TVET Level 3 NCV students in understanding the hyperbolic function in mathematics. In addition to the literature review, an empirical investigation based on a qualitative approach and involving semi-structured interviews with the students of a TVET college in North West was conducted to collect data. The analysis of documents relevant to the study was also used as the other method. The study used participatory action research, where the researcher, collaborators and students work alongside each other to collect data and to improve practice and follow the spiral pattern of reflection, analysing the results and adapting the action. The research design and methodology was qualitative. This helped the researcher to understand the challenges students faced in the learning of rectangular hyperbola and also came up with ways to minimise those challenges. The data collection methods used was interviewing using semi-structured questions, pre-test and post-tests. During data collection different interventions (IN1 –IN3) was used depending on the understanding of the students. For ethical consideration, ethical clearance was obtained from UNISA. DHET, the principal of the college, collaborators, parents and students will also give written consent on forms which will be sent out explaining what we envisage. Since research was voluntary, an explanation was given that this was not compulsory and that participation was completely voluntary and that they could withdraw at any time. In this study, various methods to empower students were recommended. Recommendations are also made on what was found in this study, as are recommendations for further study. / Mathematics Education / M. Ed. (Mathematics Education)