Thesis (MTech (Radiography))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2006 / This research was performed to obtain consensus of opinion on the clinical competencies required of newly qualified diagnostic radiographers in South Africa in an attempt to improve alignment between educational practices, assessment practices and workplace requirements. Methods: The Delphi technique, an effective group communication process was employed to recruit a panel of experts representing the radiography profession in South Africa. Three rounds of structured questionnaires together with controlled feedback were sent to the panel members for comment. The same four point Likert scale was employed in all three rounds of the questionnaire. Consensus of opinion was predetermined at >75% agreement for each clinical competency. Results: Response rates for rounds I, 2 and 3 were: 84% (n=49), 78% (n=45) and 69% (n = 40) respectively. Of the 109 clinical competencies listed in the first round questionnaire, 94 (86%) achieved consensus as being necessary clinical competencies required of newly qualified diagnostic radiographers. The remainders were further investigated in terms of whether they should be excluded or included in role extension possibilities. An additional 22 clinical competencies were also suggested by the panel in round I and further developed in subsequent rounds

Thesis (MTech (Marketing))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2007 / In South Africa, SME development has been identified by government as a priority in creating jobs to solve high unemployment. SMEs also often battle to survive in a tough and ever changing business world. There is a high failure rate among many SMEs. Some of the reasons for the high rate of failure are that the owner or manager is unfamiliar with established business practices, lack of managerial expertise in business management and lack of finance to fund the business. It is essential that the individuals responsible for the management of the business have the necessary training and expertise to equip them for the successful running of the business. It is therefore crucial that all employees in the SME sector irrespective of the department they work in obtain some degree of training and expertise. These employees also need some knowledge of the financial position of the business. This can only be made possible if all employees have a fair amount of financial knowledge so that decision~making is made easier. The curriculum of the CPUT subject 'Accounting for Marketers' may not meet the requirements of SMEs. It is an advisable that SMEs requirements should be continually measured against the course offering to ensure that the course equips the students with the financial knowledge needed by SMEs. This can be done as CPUT has close ties with these SMEs through co-operative education and intemships. An attempt was made to identify the skills and techniques required by the marketing students pertaining to the SUbject 'Accounting for Marketers' in practice and to comparing the syllabi used in education. This comparison would hopefully lead to a clear understanding of the gaps between education and practice, if any, which will enable the researcher to make recommendations regarding the 'Accounting for Marketers' syllabi. The main purpose of the study was to measure the gap, if any, between the subjects 'Accounting for Marketers' offered at CPUT and the requirements of the SMEs. If indeed a gap exists, the institution can broaden certain aspects of the syllabi, by incorporating case studies on legitimate companies, which will aid the students to stay informed about Accounting in their field of expertise. There will be better integration of theory and practice. A descriptive research method was followed using a census survey research design to present a structured comprehensive questionnaire to the total population of SMEs affiliated with the Department of Cooperative Education and that have participated in the experiential training program. The number of SMEs who completed and returned the questionnaires was 15. This resulted in a response rate of 50 percent which was a fair representation of the entire census. In support of the findings recommendations were made regarding each component that formed part of an accounting syllabus. The results indicated that certain components in the accounting syllabus were rated as very important and others not. Components that were referred to as important but which were not a part of the syllabus will be under scrutiny by the researcher to come to a resolution, where these components will be accommodated in the accounting syllabus for marketing students for 2008.

Thesis (MTech (Mechanical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2007. / Twelve years into a democracy, South Africa still faces many developmental challenges. Since 2002 Universities of Technology in South Africa have introduced Foundational Programmes/provisions in their Science and Engineering programmes as a key mechanism for increasing throughput and enhancing quality. The Department of Education has been funding these foundational provisions since 2005. This case study evaluates an aspect of a foundational provision in Mechanical Engineering, from the beginning of 2002 to the end of 2005, at a University of Technology, with a view to contributing to its improvement. The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), the locus for this case study, is the only one of its kind in a region that serves in excess of 4.5 million people. Further, underpreparedness in Mathematics for tertiary level study is a national and international phenomenon. There is thus a social interest in the evaluation of a Mathematics course that is part of a strategy towards addressing the shortage in Engineering graduates. This Evaluation of integration of the Foundation Mathematics course into Foundation Science, within the Department of Mechanical Engineering at CPUT, falls within the ambit of this social need. An integrated approach to curriculum conception, design and implementation is a widely accepted strategy in South Africa and internationally; this approach formed the basis of the model used for the Foundation programme that formed part of this Evaluation. A review of the literature of the underpinnings of the model provided a theoretical framework for this evaluation study. In essence this involved the use of academic literacy theory together with learning approach theory to provide a lens for this case study. The research methodology used was largely qualitative, with both qualitative and quantitative methods used for purposes of triangulation. The evaluation was conducted of four key aspects of integration of foundation mathematics into foundation science, namely conception, design, implementation and impact. This provided the framework for the main argument of this thesis, namely that conceptual and design flaws in the integration modelled to student learning of Mechanics concepts (in Foundation Science) not being effectively supported. The final section of the study outlines recommendations for improvement of the foundation mathematics course. It also identifies areas for future research. / National Research Foundation (NRF)

Thesis (MTech (Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015. / Mathematical literacy among the citizenry of a nation is considered indispensable to the economic welfare and global competitiveness of that nation (World Economic Forum, 2013a). In a world governed by technology, quantitative literacy is crucial (Colwell cited by Steen, 2002:8) and becomes a “most important professional and life skill” (Maloney et al., 2012:380). It is also seen as an individual’s ability to “manage situations or solve problems in practice” (Frith & Prince, 2006). Lastly, Jansen (2012) believes that sound mathematical literacy leads to an understanding of cause and effect and would guide citizens in their choices of actions. Yet, the belief that mathematical competence (or even just quantitative literacy) is the privilege of a small group of intellectually predisposed individuals is widely accepted in society, further entrenched by erroneous stereotyping (Eccles et al., 1990; Bonnot & Croizet, 2007; Mangels et al., 2011), as well as inadequate teaching methods in the Mathematics classroom/lecture theatre (Artigue, 1999; NSTF, 2009, 2010; Department of Basic Education, 2014). The consequences of this skewed view of Mathematics, and the emotional stress caused by regular failure at the subject, have resulted in wide-spread maths anxiety and maths avoidance among scholars and students. This dissertation examines an intervention programme which was designed to alter students’ negative perceptions of their intellectual ability to grasp mathematical concepts. Instead of attributing their past failures to internal, stable and uncontrollable causes, such as cognitive inability (Weiner, 1985), they were asked to consider factors which were internal or external, but certainly unstable and controllable, and which played a major role in their disappointing history in Mathematics. The interventions were aimed at bringing about a paradigm shift from a fixed mindset (entity theory) to a growth mindset (increment theory) as researched by Dweck since the 1980s. The intervention programme was implemented in the Foundation Course of a South African university of technology. It involved four interventions spread over roughly four months of the first semester and was comprised of the following lecture units and activities: a session of free-writing (Elbow, 1973), lectures on the plasticity of the brain (Hebb, 1949; Diamond 2001, Zull, 2002), the three memory systems (Eysenck & Calvo, 1992), a very basic version of Kolb’s experiential and reflective learning cycle (Atherton, 2009), and the notion of threshold concepts (Meyer & Land, 2003)

Thesis (MEd (Education))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / According to the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training Act (2013), only 15 percent of students in higher education complete their studies successfully. This is well below the international standard of 25 percent for students within a three-year degree course in contact education (residential education). The challenge facing universities is to ensure a higher throughput rate. This study aims to investigate a potential solution to one of the facets of this challenge. One such an initiative is Leesnet, an academic reading comprehension programme, which was implemented within the CPUT, Wellington campus since 2010. It is a reading comprehension strategy programme which aims to promote general academic performance in all content areas. The purpose of this research study is to explore and describe the nature and extent of transfer of reading comprehension strategies from Leesnet to a content area, Geography. A mixed method methodology was used. The qualitative research approach was used to explore and describe participants' descriptions of the nature of transfer of reading comprehension strategies and the quantitative data to explore and describe the extent of transfer of reading comprehension strategies. The study indicated that a degree of positive transfer occurred. It comments on the nature and purpose of the Leesnet programme, but also provides valuable information on participating students' metacognitive processes, highlights the conscious use of reading comprehension strategies and the context under which reading comprehension strategies were transferred. Conclusions and recommendations were made to identify focus areas for further research, to potentially improve transfer of reading comprehension strategies in the existing programme and to offer possible guidelines for the development of similar programmes.

D.Ed. / The aim of the research study is to design a methodological model for teaching Northern Sotho poetry at Colleges of Education so that teaching poetry will retain a spirit of delightfulness and cultivate a sensitivity of appreciation in pupils. They should grow as persons and learn to expand their imaginations so as to experience aesthetic pleasure. The various components of the syllabus for the Secondary Teachers' Diploma were investigated to determine whether they are relevant to secondary schools for which prospective teachers are being prepared. The opinions of lecturers, teachers and other educationists who are, or were involved in the teaching of Northern Sotho were considered and relevant study sources were used as a basis for the research study. A detailed comparative teaching and learning model for the study of Northern Sotho poetry was developed and a recommended model was designed which does not isolate Northern Sotho poetry teaching from that of classical languages, but identifies Northern Sotho poetry as having its own unique characteristics which, to a certain extent, provide its uniqueness. When analysing and determining the various types of Northern Sotho poetry and their characteristics, the difference between Western poetry and Northern Sotho poetry can be distinguished clearly. The historical development of Northern Sotho poetry, showing the various trends and thematic periods, was traced from as far back as 1935. The thesis provides a background of the types and characteristics of classical poetry and determines a model for the implementation of the teaching of Northern Sotho poetry, seeing that the absence of well-formulated aims and objectives is one of the weaknesses in the current Secondary Teachers' Diploma syllabus. Various pedagogical-didactical approaches are highlighted with emphasis on the communicative approach as a recommended childcentred approach. A model for teaching and evaluating Northern Sotho poetry has been formulated and its practical implementation is recommended. The research study culminates in practical pedagogic-didactical proposed measures which will enhance and improve the quality of teaching and evaluating Northern Sotho poetry. A selection of Northern Sotho poems, available for the various classes, was chosen and analysed in detail. The constitution and function of a Selection Committee and a Reviewing Book Committee was recommended with suggestions for membership. Outstanding poets and their contributions to Northern Sotho, which represent traditional as well as modern poetry, were selected as examples of the various methods used in preparing lesson/s on various poems. The thesis provides detailed information for prospective teachers in Northern Sotho poetry, which should be included in their syllabus, namely aims and objectives, content, teaching and learning methodology, testing and evaluation and also a model for evaluating literature and poetry in general. I sincerely hope that the study will be an incentive to developing a spirit of delight in Northern Sotho poetry as well as provoke critical response from lecturers, teachers and pupils alike, so that the teaching and learning of poetry will become the joy it deserves to be.

M.A. (Linguistics) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Freshman composition instructors at Christian institutions face a disturbing predicament: competing pedagogies, administrative pressure to prove freshman composition’s merit, public clamoring for greater return on the college investment, technology redefining what “writing” is, a postmodern audience, and most concerning, the challenge to find an instructional model in a sea of pedagogies void of Christian ideology. The field of composition and rhetoric, unlike literature and other disciplines, does not have a pedagogy that successfully reconciles faith and scholarship. The purpose of this Doctor of Education thesis is to ignite a conversation among Christian composition faculty by introducing a prototype Christian freshman composition pedagogy built on a Christian theological, philosophical, and educational foundation rather than maintaining the common practice of overlaying Christian ideas on secular pedagogies. The proposed writing pedagogy is beyond a perfunctory skills and service course because communication through writing is not only divinely modeled, it is essential for human flourishing. The structure of this Trinitarian writing theory is dually aimed at both the writing pedagogue, by providing the resources from which the teacher can develop an instructional pathway, and the student writer, by providing the resources from which the learner develops functional writing strategies encased within a biblically-grounded motivation for writing. Rooted in Kevin Vanhoozer’s Trinitarian Theology of Communication, this Christian writing pedagogical theory unfolds through a series of similarly-shaped triune-based structures that move from theological formation to methodological practice. Chapter 1 argues that composition pedagogy is in crisis, not only at Christian colleges and universities, but secular institutions as well. Providing a context for the aforementioned crisis, chapter 2 historically traces composition instruction trends in America. While Christian scholars have proposed ways to apply faith and learning in other academic fields, no thoroughly Christian writing pedagogy has yet been created. Chapter 3 overviews secular strategies developed in response to the composition instruction crisis and those strategies’ lack of effectiveness. Chapter 4 serves to build the theological and philosophical foundation of a new instructional design theory. Chapters 5-9 provide a detailed progression of the new writing theory from its theological inception to the methodological and practical culmination as an act of worship for the student writer. Craig Bartholomew’s Tree of Knowledge provides the systematic method this project uses to rebuild composition theory; Kevin Vanhoozer's Trinitarian Theology of Communication model is the theological base that provides the key theoretical categories of the new writing pedagogy. Chapters 10-12 examine how the theory’s biblically-based distinctives translate to the classroom.

Ph.D. (Employment Relations) / Extensive research has been conducted within the field of HIV/AIDS, most of which has been epidemiological, as scientists work towards finding a cure. In the interim, social scientists continue to investigate ways to address social and behavioural aspects that encourage the spread of HIV/AIDS. Employment Relation practitioners are no different as they are sensitive to the impact of HIV/AIDS in the workplace. Programmes and policies are measures that have been established by Employment Relation and Human Resource practitioners in order to reduce the influence of the disease on the workforce. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) face similar challenges. Therefore, Higher Education HIV/AIDS Programmes (HEAIDS), together with the South African government, have developed a framework to guide HEIs in developing HIV/AIDS programmes and policies that are institution specific. Various HEIs within South Africa have developed their unique programmes based on the HEAIDS framework. However, none of these institutions at the time of commencement of this study have evaluated the effectiveness of their individual HIV/AIDS programmes. The main objective of this study was to evaluate an HIV/AIDS prevention programme at a South African university. The study investigated the university’s HIV/AIDS programme by comparing the programme against the HEAIDS framework. In order to ascertain programme effectiveness, stakeholders for whom the programme was designed were questioned on their experiences and perceptions of the university HIV/AIDS programme. Participants were asked to participate in a survey and were also interviewed. The study adopted a mixed method approach, which used a dominant explanatory sequential approach. The quantitative phase of the study was conducted with a sample size of 739 respondents. The survey included four sections: Section A included demographic-related questions; Section B included questions on programme awareness; Section C comprised of questions relating to health management; and Section D focused on HIV/AIDS programme content. The qualitative phase of the study was conducted with a sample of 14 participants...

Ph.D. (Marketing Management) / In South Africa there are a number of government and private institutions that provide higher education. Competition amongst these is intense and all are competing for students. Dobbelstein (2003: 3) argues that higher education institutions have to consider their relative competitive advantage in this landscape. The institutions that fulfil customers’ requirements the best will get the most students. This situation must be seen in the light of the current skills shortage in South Africa. In order to meet future demand for appropriately skilled managers and workers, ongoing collaboration and consultation between the business sector and higher education providers is required in order to ensure that the goals are met of all primary stakeholders – industry, educators, and students. Students getting workplace experience (or internships) can benefit all three stakeholders (Petrillose & Montgomery, 1998: 46 – 51). The present study seeks to determine the impact of an experiential learning project on the development of marketing students – by using an occupational interest questionnaire. Research conducted by the University of Johannesburg (UJ) indicated that there seems to be no general agreement on the use of terminology for concepts such as experiential learning (EL), work-based learning (WBL), work-integrated learning (WIL), or service learning (SL) (Geyser 2007: 5). There are subtle differences between the terms:  Experiential learning is a term traditionally used within the context of the former technikons to mean what is now known as ‘work-based learning’.  Work-based learning is a component of a programme of study: it focuses on the application of theory in an authentic, working context. It addresses specific competencies identified for the acquisition of a qualification. These competencies relate to the development of skills that will make the student employable, and will assist in developing personal skills.  Service learning is applied learning which is directed at specific community needs and is integrated into an academic programme or curriculum.  Work-integrated learning is a structured portion of a qualification in which the volume of learning allocated to WIL should be appropriate to the purposes of the qualification. WIL programmes must be appropriately structured, supervised, and assessed.  Co-operative education is a teaching and learning strategy which integrates classroom teaching and learning into structured learning that occurs in an authentic and approved setting. This concept is based on a partnership between the university, the student, and industry, or the community at large (Geyser 2007: 7).