This study seeks to explore aspects of the educational practice of the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) programme. The philosophy (the Christian underpinnings) and pedagogy (mastery learning) of the ACE programme as contemporary educational practice is examined against a background of educational reform movements such as outcomes-based education. In addition, the thesis examines the issue of what it takes for a student to succeed in tertiary education, investigates the stated claims of the ACE programme in this regard, and then scrutinises these claims, in an empirical study, that includes ACE graduates, their parents and university admissions officers. Finally recommendations are made to those who use the programme in schools regarding any perceived strengths and/or weaknesses in the programme itself, or in the management and implementation of the programme, with a view to enhancing the educational experience of high school students preparing to enter the realm of tertiary education. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed.(Educational Management)

Study-abroad in the United States traces its roots back to early colonial times. The concept of spending a semester or year abroad during the undergraduate degree programme is not a new one; however increasing emphasis has been placed upon the need for acquiring a global education to cope with the demands of an ever increasing internationalised world. The traditional locations for American undergraduates who chose to study-abroad have always been and continue to be Western Europe. Yet, with a culture similar to that of the United States, the question of what intercultural learning takes place is an apt one. Emphasis on non-traditional locations is increasing, yet few studies have been undertaken which examine the experience of American undergraduates who do choose non-traditional destinations for their study-abroad experience. This research examines, through a qualitative study, using in-depth, semi-structured descriptive interviews, the experience of six American undergraduates who chose to spend a semester in South Africa from January to June 2004. A focus group of professionals within the American university study-abroad setting was also interviewed in May of 2003 to determine factors of interest to professionals within the field. The major findings included: The traditional barriers to study-abroad were not applicable to the students studied, however, barriers dealing with lack of information or inaccurate information regarding South Africa and non-promotion of South Africa as a first world country were found to be relevant as deterrents to students choosing South Africa as a destination for study-abroad. The most relevant factors that influenced students to study-abroad in South Africa were found to be: prior academic coursework in African studies at the home institution, the perception that it was a destination that offered opportunities for personal enjoyment and learning prospects in a unique cultural setting in addition to the fact that the host institution's language of instruction was English. Based on these findings, relevant recommendations for further research in this field were suggested. / Educational Studies / DED (COMP EDUCATION)

This study presents a quantitative investigation of the influence of various social factors – including finances, secondary school attended, resources available, culture, and family support – on the perceptions of success (in terms of academic performance and skills gained) of adult learners who are using online learning as the primary educational medium. The research was conducted with 100 students of The International Hotel School in South Africa. A quantitative research methodology was followed and a survey questionnaire was used as the data collection method. The data from closed-ended questions was analysed using Statistical Analysis System (SAS), with the data from open-ended questions being used to aid in the interpretation of the information organised quantitatively. Findings suggest that certain social factor constructs namely: finances, secondary school preparation for tertiary education, and internet accessibility, significantly impact the perceptions the students have on being successful in online learning. Some recommendations that spring from the study are to provide more funding to students, better access to more suitable resources and providing students with unlimited access to the internet for longer periods of time. It is also recommended that a follow-up study with a larger and more varied sample (possibly including public sector tertiary education students), and more questionnaire items per social factor is necessary to cast further light on the impact of social factors on adult students’ online learning experiences. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (With specialisation in Adult Education)

The aim of this research was to determine the factors that influence the participation of students from Sub-Saharan Africa at the undergraduate level of study in United States. A literature study was undertaken which defined the various aspects involved in pursuing undergraduate study in the United States as applied to international students at three types of institutions, namely: two-year community colleges, four year private colleges and four-year public colleges. Quantitative research was also undertaken, the results of which evolved from two surveys, one sent to a combined group of two-year, four-year private and public U.S. institutions and one sent out to Educational Advising Centers within Sub-Saharan Africa. The findings indicated that the primary constraints Sub-Saharan African students face are a lack of funding as well as an inability to access information. A comparison of the results of the two surveys was undertaken as well as recommendations for further research. / Educational Studies / M. Ed (Comparative Education)

Tertiary education campuses are no more the heart of peacefulness and scholastic study. They are turned into battlefields, administration and lecture hall buildings become the objects of siege, invasion and occupation. This is caused by the demands by students for adequate financial aid, the declining financial resources from government and the government's call for more access to tertiary education especially for the historically disadvantaged students. The problems in tertiary education pertain not only to financial problems, they also include cultural diversity, social and political issues. The financial aid to tertiary institutions is the main theme in this research. The research is based on a study of international and South African tertiary education systems in order to find ways to manage student affairs in tertiary education effectively and efficiently and to establish management strategies that will be acceptable to students, management, parents, all stakeholders and interest groups. In the end the management in tertiary education institutions should be able to effect the transformation based on the profound deficiencies of the present system which inhibit Higher Education's ability to meet the moral, social and economic demands of the new South Africa in the context of national and global opportunities and challenges. / Educational Leadership and Management / M.Ed. (Educational Management)

This study set out to investigate how students construct their identities. Throughout their socialisation into academia, students are confronted with the paradox of learning as they negotiate the opposing discourses of enslavement and mastery that construct higher education. Utilising a critical discursive psychology approach this research aimed to examine the implications this paradox holds for the development of students’ identities. In-depth interviews with five master’s degree students allowed for an examination of the linguistic resources available for students to draw on in constructing their accounts of student-hood. Analysis of the interpretive repertoires and ideological dilemmas in the text revealed the uptake of contradictory subject positions in participants’ navigation of academic discourse. In order to address the inconsistencies associated with these conflicting ways of being a student, participants ‘worked’ a face in their interactions with academic discourse. Their face-work served to address the paradox by integrating the contradictory positions evident in their accounts. It is in the agency displayed in the integration of these disparate positions that the emancipating student is revealed. / Psychology / M.A. (Research Consultation)

No description available.

This thesis primarily focuses on employability of graduate of University of Economics in Prague with Accounting and Corporate Financial management field of study on the labor market. The first part presents theoretical background, especially basic information about the Faculty of Finance and Accounting and the above-mentioned field of study. Furthermore, publicly available research regarding employability of graduates are described. The practical part is divided into two main pillars. The first one is the study which consists of two surveys oriented on potential employers and students/graduates. Its main goal is to analyze and typify current situation on the economic labor market. The second part, as well as one of the main aims of this thesis, designs new and practically oriented subject that fulfills basic requirements of curriculum of University of Economics in Prague with respect to the surveys.

Diploma thesis "The conditions of university - educated mothers of little children re- entering the labour market in the Czech republic" deals with reasons of long term interruption of qualified womens' career. The most frequently, they stay at home taking care of children three years, inspite of the fact, that they are motivated by their human capital and their need of self fulfillment to get back to their job as soon as possible. The thesis is based on the assumption that there is a substantial tension between work and family life of university - educated women. The thesis identifies which factors influence the period these women stay away the labour market. Besides a human capital, there is a frame of the family and institutional policy, a kind of household division of labour and culture context. The thesis focuses on tertiary - educated mothers' preference on their professional and household engagement. It also focuses on structural conditions in the labour market, institutional policy and the role of employer in reconciliation of work and family life. The thesis brings a contribution for its focus on university - educated women with their specific characteristics, and for its focus on employers' family - friendly activities.

Education plays an increasingly important role in achieving success in life and the social ladder, because every individual should have the same opportunity to study regardless of their origin, social characteristics, educational family history or other ascriptive factors. This thesis deals with an access to higher education for those who come from low-income families or families where a higher education has no family history. It describes and analyzes the current access to tertiary education in the Czech Republic in the context of the equalization of opportunities of students from families with no tradition of higher education or lower socio- economic status. The theoretical part presents information about the issue of access to higher education. It explains the concepts which are often mentioned in this thesis, describes the historical development of the right to education and the path to the right of equal access to tertiary education in a modern society. The following describes the sociological theories on educational inequality and they are applied to the specific factors influencing equity of access to tertiary education. Finally, it outlines the current development in the Czech Republic. The practical part describes the support system for the largest university in the Czech Republic. This...