D.Ed.

D.Ed. (Educational Psychology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

In this dissertation, research was undertaken to trace the development of technical, . education in Zimbabwe and evaluate its role in community upliftment. The colonial era ( 1890-1979) and the post-colonial era ( 1980-2000) were examined in this connection. This involved, inter alia, analysing findings and recommendations of commissions of inquiry, and provisions of national development plans. Empirical analysis of the status and role of technical education in community upliftment was also undertaken. Finally, on the basis of the historical data, findings and conclusions regarding the history of technical education, as well as its role in community upliftment in Zimbabwe were made. As a way forward, some recommendations were made which would, if implemented, enhance the role of technical education in the individual's attainment of meaningful adulthood and improvement of society's quality of life. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (History of Education)

In this dissertation, research was undertaken to trace the development of technical, . education in Zimbabwe and evaluate its role in community upliftment. The colonial era ( 1890-1979) and the post-colonial era ( 1980-2000) were examined in this connection. This involved, inter alia, analysing findings and recommendations of commissions of inquiry, and provisions of national development plans. Empirical analysis of the status and role of technical education in community upliftment was also undertaken. Finally, on the basis of the historical data, findings and conclusions regarding the history of technical education, as well as its role in community upliftment in Zimbabwe were made. As a way forward, some recommendations were made which would, if implemented, enhance the role of technical education in the individual's attainment of meaningful adulthood and improvement of society's quality of life. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (History of Education)

The purpose of this interpretive qualitative study was to determine the extent of conceptual and procedural difficulties that NCV Level 4 students encountered when factorising and solving problems involving factorisation. This study is based on Kilpatrick, Swafford and Findel’s (2001) ideas on mathematical proficiency, focusing on conceptual knowledge, procedural knowledge and the flexibility of integrating both appropriately to solve algebra problems involving factorisation. This study also explored reasons why NCV Level 4 students demonstrated such difficulties and suggested possible ways that could assist them to understand and flexibly use factorisation to solve problems. A purposive sample consisting of 30 NCV Level 4 students and 5 Subject Matter Experts participated in this study, which adopted a phenomenological case study research design. Triangulation of method was adopted for consistent gathering of information. Data was collected through a written assessment on factorisation under controlled test conditions, and semi-structured interviews. The researcher reduced and analysed data by utilising an integration of constant comparison analysis and classical content analysis. The findings and relevant recommendations concluded this research. / Mathematics Education / M. Ed. (Mathematical Education)