M.Cur. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Ed. / The ultimate aim of this study is to reveal the influence which the principal exerts, by means of his management style and more specifically his management by objectives, on the effective use of media in the primary school. Firstly media are reviewed in a didactic-pedagogical perspective on the basis of the four didactical fundamentals games (play), conversation, example and assignment. An inter-relationship exists between the four didactical fundamentals, and they must be seen as a unit from which the teaching method can be deducted ...

This project was intended to demonstrate how teachers can tailor classroom instruction to save time, increase student participation, enhance learning outcome, and build student self-esteem using a multimedia approach.

This project investigated the role of the advanced placement program in the classroom. The research suggested that implementation of inquiry-based methods in science classrooms, including advanced placement biology courses, would improve student understanding.

Project THINK was designed as a classroom project that combined the use of instructional multimedia technology, linked to the California History/Social Science standards, which engaged gifted middle school students in the design of these standards-based video materials.

Text in Afrikaans / Die probleem wat in hierdie studie aangespreek word, is die gebrek aan 'n didakties gefundeerde mediabenuttingstrategie vir afstandsonderwys. So 'n mediabenuttingstrategie behoort op 'n wetenskaplike ondersoek wat bestaande kennis en navorsing met 'n didaktiese besinning oor die moontlikhede en beperkinge van mediabenutting integreer, gebaseer te wees. Om hierdie probleem te oorkom word daar gepoog om 'n didakties verantwoorde grondslag vir die mediakundige ontwerp van mediabenutting in afstandsonderwys daar te stel waaruit 'n mediabenuttingstrategie vir afstandsonderwys saamgestel kan word wat ook binne die konteks van die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika toegepas kan word. Daar word dus vanuit 'n didaktiese perspektief na mediabenutting in afstandsonderwys gekyk. Daar word gepoog om aan te dui dat mediabenutting (van die mees eenvoudige tot die mees ingewikkelde) voorafgegaan behoort te word deur didakties gefundeerde mediakundige ontwerp. Eerstens word 'n aantal basiese uitgangspunte ten opsigte van didaktiese fundering en mediabenutting geformuleer. Die belangrikste aspekte wat aangespreek word, is die didaktiese situasie en mediabenutting, enkele grondliggende didaktiese riglyne, leerervarings, leergeleenthede en leerstofverwerking. Hierdie aspekte word as die onderbou beskou waarop doeltreffende mediakundige ontwerp in afstandsonderwys gefundeer behoort te word. Daarna word daar teen die agtergrond van didaktiese ontwerpmodelle, kommunikatiewe beeldeienskappe en media-eienskappe aangetoon dat mediakundige ontwerp 'n integrale deel van didaktiese ontwerp behoort te wees. 'n Uitgebreide model vir die beplanning van doeltreffende mediabenutting word daargestel om benut te kan word as 'n kontrole-instrument vir die mediakundige ontwerp van doeltreffende didaktiese gesprekke. In hierdie verband word daar klem gelê daarop dat 'n verskeidenheid van kundighede (vakinhoudelik, didaktiese fundering, afstandsonderwys, mediakundige antwerp, praktiese en tegniese mediakundige aspekte, en so meer) nodig is om op 'n doeltreffende wyse sinvolle mediabenutting tydens didaktiese gesprekke te verseker. Enkele aspekte rakende afstandsonderwys in die algemeen word daarna vanuit 'n mediakundige perspektief ondersoek met verwysing na die kernaspekte wat in definisies en beskrywings van afstandsonderwys voorkom. Enkele aspekte, spesifiek ten opsigte van mediabenutting in afstandsonderwys, word bespreek en 'n aantal tendense uit die literatuur word geidentifiseer. 'n Moontlike scenario ten opsigte van mediabenutting in afstandsonderwys word voorgestel met spesiale verwysing na die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika. Die tersiere afstandsonderwyssituasie en mediabenuttingsmoontlikhede in afstandsonderwys word ook binne die konteks van die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika verbesonder. Hieruit word 'n didakties verantwoorde strategiese plan vir mediabenutting aan die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika gesintetiseer. Laastens word aandag geskenk aan 'n aantal verbandhoudende bevindings, gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings wat uit die studie voortvloei. Hierdie aspekte gee dan ook aanleiding tot aanbevelings vir toekomstige navorsing binne die veld van mediabenutting in afstandsonderwys. / The problem addressed in this study is the lack of a didactically based strategy for media utilisation in distance education. A strategy such as this should be based on a scientific investigation integrating existing knowledge and research with didactic reflection on the prospects for and limitations of media utilisation. To surmount this problem, an attempt is made to create a didactically responsible basis for media design for media utilisation in distance education. It is pointed out that media utilisation should be preceded by didactically based media design. First, a number of basic points of departure are formulated with regard to didactic grounding and media utilisation. The most important aspects that are addressed are basic didactic guidelines, learning experiences, opportunities for learning and the processing of the learning material. These aspects are regarded as the substructure on which effective media utilisation in distance education should be based. Next, against the background of didactic design models, communicative image characteristics and media characteristics, it is demonstrated that media design should be an integral part of didactic design. An expanded model for planning effective media utilisation is proposed. In this connection emphasis is placed on the need for a variety of skills in order to ensure effective and significant media utilisation during didactic discourse. Some aspects of distance education in general are then investigated from a media-related perspective, with reference to the central aspects that appear in definitions and descriptions of distance education. Some aspects that specifically relate to media utilisation in distance education are discussed and a number of trends in the literature are identified. A proposal is made regarding a possible scenario regarding media utilisation in distance education, with special reference to the University of South Africa. Tertiary distance education and the prospects for media utilisation in distance education are also highlighted within the context of the University of South Africa. Finally, attention is given to a number of related findings, conclusions and recommendations that emanate from the study. These aspects also lead to recommendations for future research within the field of media utilisation in distance education. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Didaktiek)

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctorate of Technology: Language Practice, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015. / The innovative application of an online educational portal in everyday teaching and learning is proposed to meet the needs of the new generation of students entering Universities of Technology (UoTs). The setting is against a background of educationally under-prepared but multimedia-literate students, and the university vision of integrating eLearning into the curriculum. The emergence of the Academic Commons Attribution has facilitated the channelling of free-to-use/open source educational information through the dedicated artefact. The investigation combined the challenges of artefact design with the necessity of authenticating subject content so that it was geared to the needs of the students in the Photography Programme. This study highlights the importance of managing knowledge so that it can be passed down to current and future generations in ways which keep pace with their exponential development of digital expertise. This research was carried out within Bhaskar’s critical realist philosophy, which argues that there is a real world which exists independently of one’s perception of it. It must be stressed that the artefact contained in the multimedia portal did not follow a linear, logical development but was a process of transformational iterative change, very similar to the developmental consistency described by Bhaskar. Bhaskar’s philosophical overview was complemented by Archer’s morphogenetic approach. The latter showed that the application of technology in teaching and learning is not just about use of “better tools” but signals a shift in social structure. The main technical challenge was for the researcher to standardise the multimedia resources so that they could be used on most personal computers, with the option of downloading short tutorials on mobile phones for later use. The resulting multimedia portal provides strong support in guiding inexperienced students and novice academics to choose resources appropriate to both the Photography curriculum and rapidly changing Industry requirements. The portal can also reduce the number of time consuming searches on various themes or topics, as it directs users to specific hyperlinked online resources in any given syllabus item. The curated educational portal is, therefore, currently being introduced as an enhancement to the traditional teaching and learning methods hitherto used in the Photography Programme. While the traditional methods have the strong humanist leanings essential for personal development, they are not geared to tackle the cutting edge technological advances required by industry. Moreover, in promoting the Durban University of Technology (DUT) as a centre using cutting-edge multimedia tuition, the portal might better establish influences with Industry (one of the core functions of a UoT) as well as attract international academics and students. The end result is to offer a blended learning model of tertiary programme delivery which is supported by the literature as currently being one of the most effective options. / D

Thesis (MMus) -- University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the modern Western world, secondary and tertiary learners generally have ready access to the use of computers, multimedia and the Internet. As a means to strengthen traditional education, computer-based methods and materials are increasingly being used in the education system and are also strongly recommended by many educational experts. The use of such electronic educational means has however resulted in various changes to the education system. Music educators, too, are subject to these changes. The aim of this study is to determine the extent to which computer-based education can contribute to the strengthening of traditional music education of the Western world. To this end, it is necessary to ascertain, in practice, the value of using computer-based material for the purpose of music education. A multimedia database of Xhosa music terminology was created in the Music Department of Stellenbosch University, with high school learners and undergraduate students as target group. In this thesis, the value of this database, as an example of computer-based material for music education, is assessed. It is intended to extend the database at a later stage through the addition of music terminology from other indigenous music cultures. In its current form, the database thus forms part of a larger whole and is not viewed as a completed enterprise. On the basis of the literature that was studied for the investigation, it is determined whether the multimedia database for Xhosa music terminology measures up to the criteria for effective computer-based programmes. Suggestions are also made for improving the database to ensure a more useful and user-friendly product. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die moderne Westerse wêreld het sekondêre en tersiêre leerders tans redelik algemeen toegang tot die gebruik van rekenaars, multimedia en die Internet. Rekenaargesteunde metodes en materiaal word toenemend ter versterking van die tradisionele onderwysstelsel aangewend, en ook deur talle opvoedkundiges aanbeveel. Die gebruik van dergelike elektroniese onderrigmiddele het egter verskeie veranderings in die onderwysstelsel teweeggebring. Ook musiekopvoeders word deur hierdie veranderings geraak. Die doelstelling van hierdie navorsing is om te bepaal tot watter mate rekenaargesteunde musiekonderrig 'n bydrae kan lewer tot die versterking van tradisionele Westerse musiekonderrig. Om hierdie doelstelling te bereik, is dit noodsaaklik om in die praktyk te bepaal watter waarde rekenaargesteunde onderrigmateriaal het vir die doeleindes van musiekonderrig. 'n Multimediadatabasis van Xhosa musiekterme is in die departement Musiek aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch geskep, met hoërskoolleerders en voorgraadse studente as teikengroep. In hierdie tesis word die waarde van hierdie databasis, as 'n voorbeeld van rekenaargesteunde onderrigmateriaal vir musiekonderrig, geëvalueer. Daar word beoog om die databasis op 'n later stadium verder uit te brei deur ook musiekterme uit ander inheemse musiekkulture by te voeg. Die databasis in sy huidige vorm maak dus deel uit van 'n groter geheel en word nie as 'n afgehandelde databasis beskou nie. Op grond van literatuur wat vir die doel van die ondersoek bestudeer is, word bepaal of die multimediadatabasis van Xhosa musiekterme voldoen aan die kriteria vir doeltreffende rekenaargesteunde onderrigprogramme. Daar word ook voorstelle gemaak oor hoe die databasis verbeter sou kon word om 'n meer bruikbare, gebruikersvriendelike produk te verseker.

This study made a comparative analysis of certain selected characteristics of a group of academically able male youth who persisted and those who did not persist in a five-year academic sequence in mathematics and science. Two major questions were dealt with in this study: 1. Can the persisting youth as a group be distinguished from those youth who did not persist in this academic sequence on the basis of their functioning in certain nonintellective areas? 2. Are the performances of the persisting youth on certain dimensions elevated in the same directions as are the performances of mature creatives who have been intensively studied on the same dimensions?

Recently, in an attempt to promote globalization and internationalization, the Chinese government has introduced AP (Advanced Placement) and IB (International Baccalaureate) programs in Chinese high school. Although it is one of the biggest countries to introduce international programs to its secondary education in an effort to prepare more students to go overseas to pursue their higher education, China does not have much research focusing on introduced foreign academic programs. The purpose of this study is to fill in some gaps in the research while providing a better understanding of the depth behind the phenomenon of introducing the AP program and the IB diploma program in China and that introduction’s impact on the existing general Chinese high school program in mathematics. Multiple sources of data were collected and used to make various kinds of analysis such as contextual analysis, cross-curricula comparisons and statistical analysis. The findings illustrated the differences and similarities between the AP program and the IB program in their respective schools in Ningbo, China. It further examined the differences and similarities between the AP program/ IB program and the intended Chinese high school program in mathematics education. It also explored mathematics instructors’ perceptions of the imported AP and IB programs in China. Limitations of this study include the absence of some test scores, the relatively small sample size and the circumscribed selection of interviewees. This study provides a guide to help Chinese students and their parents decide on a learning program based on individual preferences. Also, the results of this study indicate that a considerable gap exists between secondary education and higher education in Chinese mathematics, and also points to possible limitations for individualized learning. The findings imply the need to consider curricular reform and suggest that local teachers and non-local teachers who teach in the imported programs consider reinforcing their teaching by learning from each other. Policymakers need to make adjustments to consider local conditions when introducing international programs so as to offer the most suitable program possible to native students.