Information literacy is a skill and forms the basis for life-long learning. The aim of this study is to investigate the information literacy skills of first year students at the Vaal Triangle Campus of the North-West University (NWU), with specific reference to the role of the academic library. The NWU‟s Vaal Triangle Campus Library supports first-year students in their studies by helping them to improve their information skills and teach them to find, evaluate and organise information in different formats. The purpose of this is to help first-year students to find relevant information that meet their information requirements. Students who are information literate not only have the necessary skills; but also have insight, comprehension, and knowledge at their disposal, while being life-long learners. A compulsory literacy module forms part of the curriculum for first-year students at the NWU‟s Vaal Triangle Campus, and is presented by academic staff. The credit-earning module (known as AGLE 121) consists of three components, namely computer and information literacy, reading literacy, and academic literacy. This study focuses on the module for basic information literacy, which is mainly of a theoretical nature. First year students were tested by questionnaires and interviews before and after completion of the information literacy module, to determine what contribution the module makes to their information literacy. This studyconcluded that after completing the information literacy module, first-year students have the theoretical knowledge at their disposal, but still do not know where to find databases or information. The role of the campus library regarding information literacy is to expand and improve students‟ information skills as well as being involved in the planning and development of the information literacy module. A recommendation is made that the information literacy module should already be offered during the first semester (instead of the second semester), so that students can use their information skills effectively for their studies. / Information Science / M. (Information Science)

The shifting focus in the role of academic libraries entail a better understanding, awareness and responsiveness to the needs of the library users. In an environment of change and an age of accountability academic libraries have to determine and demonstrate the impact their resources and services are having on their institutional mission. Service quality is not based exclusively on the perception of the librarians, but also dependent on the perception of users. Only customers judge quality; all other judgments are essentially irrelevant" (Zeithaml, Parasuraman, Berry 1999). The reason of this study was to assess quality in the library and to determine the perceptions of the Vaal Triangle Campus Library users as they relate to quality service and to develop a model to improve service quality. The aim was to determine library users' minimum expectations for services, their desired level of service and then to identify the extent of service they currently perceive on three dimensions of service quality: affect of service, library as place and access to information. A triangulation, mixed method research methodology was employed in this study. Data was collected using focus group as well as individual interviews and the LibQUAL questionnaire. Purposive sampling was used to determine participants for the interviews while a total market survey was employed for the questionnaire respondents. Findings indicate that there is a gap between the users' expectations and perception of service quality. The results indicate that there are variations within the different user groups regarding the expectations and perceptions of service quality at the Vaal Triangle Campus library. In view of the findings, the study concluded by developing a service quality model based on Deming's PDCA cycle, the ISO model and the Hoshin Kanri process / Information Science / M. Inf.

D.Ed. (Educational Psychology) / Since 1989 most of the schools in Lenasia which were under the auspices of the now dissolved House of Delegates, began to 'admit black children. Most of these children live at the informal settlements in Lenasia. Soon after the admission of these children many Indian teachers expressed their difficulties with them, especially with regard to language, teaching and learning. Teachers also complained that children from the informal settlement lacked discipline, they often came to school late and they had difficulty in completing their homework. As a result of the several complaints from teachers the researcher decided to conduct a study on the experiences of children from the informal settlements at predominantly Indian schools in Lenasia. A pilot study revealed that the experiences of the children at the informal settlements also needed to be taken into consideration. Standard six children from the informal settlements, parents from the settlements and members of the camp education committee were identified as the target populations in the study. A qualitative research design that is explorative, descriptive and contextual, specifically to the experiences of standard six children from the informal settlements was used for the study. The study was conducted in two distinct phases. Phase one of the study involved the collection of data on the experiences of standard six children from the informal settlements both at their schools as well as their place of residence. Data was collected through the use of phenomenological interviews, focus group discussions, life studies and a projective test. Phase one of the study also focused on the analysis of the data that were obtained. The analysis of the data showed that children from the informal settlements had several negative experiences both at their schools as well as at the informal settlements which caused them to feel disempowered...

Thesis (M. Environmental Science (Water Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Water resources in South Africa are scarce, and should therefore be protected against pollutants, also from persistent organic pollutants (POPs). This is emphasised by the Stockholm Convention on POPs, which aims at reducing and ultimately eliminating POPs. South Africa signed and ratified the treaty, and it became international law on 17 May 2004. POPS are highly stable, toxic, hydrophobic and lipophilic compounds, with the ability to accumulate in biological tissues. Previous research had shown that dioxin-like POPS are present in the aquatic environments of South Africa, with the highest concentrations of these substances measured in industrialised areas of South Africa. The present study aimed at investigating the extent of polychlorinated dibenzo-para-dioxin (PCDD), polychlorinated dibenzo-furan (PCDF) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) pollution in the Vaal Triangle, by targeting aquatic sediments and biota. Sediment samples were collected from the Blesbok Spruit, Taaibos Spruit, Leeu Spruit and Suikerbosrand River, and fish tissue samples were collected from Blesbok Spruit and Suikerbosrand River, to determine bio-accumulation. The samples were extracted with organic solvents, cleaned-up and fractionated. Raw extracts and fractions were analysed with the H4IIE-luc reporter gene bio-assay. This bio-assay is a rapid, sensitive and relatively cost-effective method, which measures the effects of dioxin-like compounds on rat hepatoma cells, transfected with firefly luciferase gene. Selected samples were analysed with gas chromatographylmass spectrometry (GCIMS) to confirm results. Only one site had quantifiable amounts of dioxin-like substances in the sediment, measured to be 52.35 ng/kg [Effective Concentration 50 (EC 50)]. This value exceeds many of the European and USA quality guidelines, proposed for sediments. No dioxin-like substances were found in fish tissues. The absence of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in aquatic sediments and fish tissues from the Vaal Triangle area might be due to the climatic conditions of the area, dilution effects in streams, and degradation of these compounds by UV-radiation and microbial organisms. / Thesis (M. Environmental Science (Water Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

The primary objective of this study was to identify and investigate the main restrictions automation suppliers encounter when attempting to promote and sell their products into the local Vaal Triangle manufacturing industry. Through the literature study that was conducted, a general investigation into the supply chains of some of the most prominent manufacturing industries within the geographical demarcation were analysed. Two manufacturing industries were chosen namely Sasol and Rand Water. The different criteria upon which they qualify their suppliers were identified and the reasoning behind it discussed. The identified criteria included product compliance restrictions; commercial restrictions as well as limitations placed on suppliers by the consumer themselves where suppliers are restricted to only a few per product or service. The commercial restrictions were identified as the only restrictions the supplier has total control over and for this reason, was investigated in detail. These commercial restrictions included the supplier's NOSA, ISO and CIDB rating, as well as their BBBEE status. After the literature review, an empirical study was conducted by making use of a questionnaire which was developed alongside the conduction of the literature study. This questionnaire was sent out to the top management of the identified local automation suppliers to be filled out. The completed questionnaires were analysed by the Statistical Consultation Services of the North-West University (Potchefstroom campus). After the reliability and validity of the questionnaire had been determined, the basic demographical information of the respondents was analysed. An assessment of the 12 constructs measured in the study was done and the relationships between the demographic variables and the constructs were identified. Following the detailed analysis, conclusions on the demographic information of the respondents as well as between all the demographic variables and the constructs measured which had practical significance were discussed. Practical recommendations regarding compliance to the commercial restriction studied were made. The success of the study was determined mainly based on the achievement of the primary and secondary objectives. The study concluded by making suggestions for further research on the topic at hand. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Water resources in South Africa are scarce, and should therefore be protected against pollutants, also from persistent organic pollutants (POPs). This is emphasised by the Stockholm Convention on POPs, which aims at reducing and ultimately eliminating POPs. South Africa signed and ratified the treaty, and it became international law on 17 May 2004. POPS are highly stable, toxic, hydrophobic and lipophilic compounds, with the ability to accumulate in biological tissues. Previous research had shown that dioxin-like POPS are present in the aquatic environments of South Africa, with the highest concentrations of these substances measured in industrialised areas of South Africa. The present study aimed at investigating the extent of polychlorinated dibenzo-para-dioxin (PCDD), polychlorinated dibenzo-furan (PCDF) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) pollution in the Vaal Triangle, by targeting aquatic sediments and biota. Sediment samples were collected from the Blesbok Spruit, Taaibos Spruit, Leeu Spruit and Suikerbosrand River, and fish tissue samples were collected from Blesbok Spruit and Suikerbosrand River, to determine bio-accumulation. The samples were extracted with organic solvents, cleaned-up and fractionated. Raw extracts and fractions were analysed with the H4IIE-luc reporter gene bio-assay. This bio-assay is a rapid, sensitive and relatively cost-effective method, which measures the effects of dioxin-like compounds on rat hepatoma cells, transfected with firefly luciferase gene. Selected samples were analysed with gas chromatographylmass spectrometry (GCIMS) to confirm results. Only one site had quantifiable amounts of dioxin-like substances in the sediment, measured to be 52.35 ng/kg [Effective Concentration 50 (EC 50)]. This value exceeds many of the European and USA quality guidelines, proposed for sediments. No dioxin-like substances were found in fish tissues. The absence of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in aquatic sediments and fish tissues from the Vaal Triangle area might be due to the climatic conditions of the area, dilution effects in streams, and degradation of these compounds by UV-radiation and microbial organisms. / Thesis (M. Environmental Science (Water Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

The primary objective of this study was to identify and investigate the main restrictions automation suppliers encounter when attempting to promote and sell their products into the local Vaal Triangle manufacturing industry. Through the literature study that was conducted, a general investigation into the supply chains of some of the most prominent manufacturing industries within the geographical demarcation were analysed. Two manufacturing industries were chosen namely Sasol and Rand Water. The different criteria upon which they qualify their suppliers were identified and the reasoning behind it discussed. The identified criteria included product compliance restrictions; commercial restrictions as well as limitations placed on suppliers by the consumer themselves where suppliers are restricted to only a few per product or service. The commercial restrictions were identified as the only restrictions the supplier has total control over and for this reason, was investigated in detail. These commercial restrictions included the supplier's NOSA, ISO and CIDB rating, as well as their BBBEE status. After the literature review, an empirical study was conducted by making use of a questionnaire which was developed alongside the conduction of the literature study. This questionnaire was sent out to the top management of the identified local automation suppliers to be filled out. The completed questionnaires were analysed by the Statistical Consultation Services of the North-West University (Potchefstroom campus). After the reliability and validity of the questionnaire had been determined, the basic demographical information of the respondents was analysed. An assessment of the 12 constructs measured in the study was done and the relationships between the demographic variables and the constructs were identified. Following the detailed analysis, conclusions on the demographic information of the respondents as well as between all the demographic variables and the constructs measured which had practical significance were discussed. Practical recommendations regarding compliance to the commercial restriction studied were made. The success of the study was determined mainly based on the achievement of the primary and secondary objectives. The study concluded by making suggestions for further research on the topic at hand. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The shifting focus in the role of academic libraries entail a better understanding, awareness and responsiveness to the needs of the library users. In an environment of change and an age of accountability academic libraries have to determine and demonstrate the impact their resources and services are having on their institutional mission. Service quality is not based exclusively on the perception of the librarians, but also dependent on the perception of users. Only customers judge quality; all other judgments are essentially irrelevant" (Zeithaml, Parasuraman, Berry 1999). The reason of this study was to assess quality in the library and to determine the perceptions of the Vaal Triangle Campus Library users as they relate to quality service and to develop a model to improve service quality. The aim was to determine library users' minimum expectations for services, their desired level of service and then to identify the extent of service they currently perceive on three dimensions of service quality: affect of service, library as place and access to information. A triangulation, mixed method research methodology was employed in this study. Data was collected using focus group as well as individual interviews and the LibQUAL questionnaire. Purposive sampling was used to determine participants for the interviews while a total market survey was employed for the questionnaire respondents. Findings indicate that there is a gap between the users' expectations and perception of service quality. The results indicate that there are variations within the different user groups regarding the expectations and perceptions of service quality at the Vaal Triangle Campus library. In view of the findings, the study concluded by developing a service quality model based on Deming's PDCA cycle, the ISO model and the Hoshin Kanri process / Information Science / M. Inf.

Abstracts in English, Ndebele, Zulu and Venda / The study aimed to explore teachers’ experiences and to discover challenges encountered by mainstream teachers in the inclusion of learners with diverse barriers to learning in the Foundation Phase mainstream classrooms in the Vaal, Gauteng region. The study provides strategies that can be utilised by the teachers to enhance inclusive education practice in mainstream classrooms. Ten teachers were purposively selected from five mainstream primary schools with two participants from each school. All participants were grade three Foundation Phase teachers. Data were collected through in-depth interviews that enabled the researcher to delve deeply and find rich and relevant information for the study. For triangulation purposes, the researcher made use of document analysis as a second method of collecting data for this study. The study followed a qualitative data analysis method which derived the information from the perceptions of the informants and formed significant themes. The study revealed that teachers are challenged greatly by a lack of knowledge and skills to address diverse learning disabilities adequately; initial training that is ineffective in dealing with learners with diverse barriers to learning; a gap of knowledge that exists between theory and practice; a lack of adequate resources; poor infrastructure; large numbers of learners in a class; a lack of support from District Based Support Teams; and an inflexible curriculum. The study recommends collaborated teaching where teachers learn from each other; peer teaching; teacher exchange programmes; curriculum modification that caters for learners with barriers to learning; and workshop training that focuses on practical skills that will enhance inclusive education in mainstream schools. / Irhubhululo belinqophe ukuphenya ilwazi elihlangabezana nabotitjhere kanye nokuveza iintjhijilo ezihlangabezana nabotitjhere bomkhakha wefundo omkhulu lokha nakufakwa abafundi abaneenqabo ezahlukahlukeneko eziphazamisa ukufunda ematlasini weSigaba esisiSekelo (Foundation Phase) eLigwa (Vaal), esiyingini esise-Gauteng. Irhubhululo linikela amano lawo angasetjenziswa botitjhere ukuqinisa ihlelo lefundo efaka woke umfundi ematlasini womkhakha wefundo omkhulu. Abotitjhere abalisumi bakhethwe ngehloso eenkolweni zomkhakha omkhulu, eenkolweni ezihlanu zamabanga aphasi, kanti zinabadlalindima ababili abavela kuzo zohlanu iinkolo. Boke abadlalindima bekubotitjhere abaphuma kuGreyidi 3 wesikolo esisesiGabeni esisiSekelo. Idatha ibuthelelwe ngokusebenzisa iinhlolombono ezidephileko ezisize umrhubhululi bona angene atjhinge bese athole ilwazi lesifundo elinothileko nelifaneleko. Ngokulandela iinzathu zokusebenzisa iindlela ezinengi zokubuthelela idatha, umrhubhululi usebenzise ihlelo lokutsenga umtlolo (document analysis) njengendlela yesibili yokubuthelela idatha yaleli rhubhululo. Irhubhululo lilandele indlela yokutsenga enamathele kwingcoco, mayelana nokuhlukanisa ngeengaba kwedatha etloliweko, okuyidatha leyo umcwaningi ayisusele emiqondweni yabadlalindima begodu yakha iindikimba eziqakathekileko. Irhubhululo liveze ukuthi abotitjhere bahlangabezene neentjhijilo eziqakathekileko ezimalungana nokulandelako: Ukutlhayela kwelwazi namakghono ukulungisa ngokwaneleko iinkhinyabezo zokukhubazeka ezihlukahlukeneko; ibandulo lokuthoma elingasebenzi kuhle malungana nokuqalana nabafundi abanokukhubazeka okusiqabo eziphazamisa ukufunda; isikhala selwazi esikhona phakathi kwethiyori kanye nokwenza; ukutlhayela kwemithombo eyaneleko; umthangalasisekelo omumbi; imbalo ephezulu yabafundi abagcwele ngetlasini; ukutlhayela kwesekelo elivela eenqhemeni ezidzimelele kudistriki; kanye nekharikhyulamu e ngatjhugutjhugulukiko. Irubhululo lincoma ihlelo lokufundisa elitjhebisanako, lapho abotitjhere bafunda komunye; ukufundisana kwabafundi; amaphrogremu wokutjhentjhisana ngabotitjhere; ukutjhugululwa kwekarikhyulamu efaka abafundi abaneenqabo ezibavimbela ukufunda; kanye nesifundobandulo esiqale ekufundiseni amakghonofundwa wokusebenza azokusiza ukuqinisa ihlelo lefundo efaka woke umfundi eenkolweni zomkhakha wefundo omkhulu. / Ucwaningo beluhlose ukuphenya izinto ezihlangabezana nothisha kanye nokuveza izinselele ezihlangabezana nothisha abakwingxenye enkulu yemfundo kanti kuxutshwa phakathi abafundi abanezihibhe ezahlukahlukene eziphazamisa ukufunda emagunjini okufunda aseSigabeni esiyisiSekelo (Foundation Phase) ngase-Vaal, esifundeni sase-Gauteng. Ucwaningo lunikeza amasu angasetshenziswa wothisha ukuqinisa uhlelo lwemfundo oluxuba wonke umfundi emagunjini okufunda. Othisha abayishumi bakhethwe ngenhloso kwizikole zemfundo esebangeni eliphansi, kanti abadlalindima ababili bavela kuzo zonke lezo zikole. Bonke abadlalindima abangothisha ababekwiGreyidi 3 ye-Foundation Phase. Idatha yaqoqwa ngokusebenzisa izinhlolovo ezijulile ezasiza umcwaningi ukuba agxile ngokujulile futhi athole ulwazi olunothile nolufanele lwalesi sifundo socwaningo. Ngenhloso yokusebenzisa izindlela eziningi zokuqoqwa kwedatha, umcwaningi wasebenzisa uhlelo lokuhlaziya umbhalo njengendlela yesibili yokuqoqa idatha yalolu cwaningo. Ucwaningo luye lwalandela uhlelo lokuhlaziya idatha olugxile kwingxoxo (qualitative data analysis method), mayelana nokwehlukanisa ngezigaba kwedatha ebhalwe phansi, okuyidatha umcwaningi ayisusele kwimiqondo yabadlalindima kanti futhi iye yakha izindikimba ezisemqoka. Ucwaningo luveze ukuthi othisha bahlangabezene nezinselelo ezisemqoka mayelana nalokhu okulandelayo: ukusweleka kolwazi kanye namakhono okulungisa ngokwanele izihibhe eziphazamisa ukufunda; ukuqeqeshwa kokuqala okungenamthelela omuhle ekubhekaneni nabafundi abanezihibhe ezahlukahlukene zokufunda; isikhala solwazi esikhona phakathi kwethiyori kanye nalokho okuyizenzo eziphathekayo; ukusweleka kwemithombo yolwazi eyanele; ukwentuleka kwemithombo eyanele; ingqalasizinda engathokozisi; inani eliphezulu labafundi emagumbini okufunda; ukusweleka koxhaso oluvela kumaqembu axhasayo esifundazwe; kanye nohlelo lwemfundo oluqinile. Ucwaningo luncoma uhlelo lokufundisa olusebenzisanayo, lapho othisha bafunda komunye; ukufundisana kwabafundi; izinhlelo zothisha zokuphakelana ngolwazi; ukuguqulwa kwekharikhyulamu efaka abafundi abanezihibhe ezibaphazamisa ukuthi bafunde; kanye nezinhlelo zokuqeqeshwa eziphokophele kuqeqesho lwamakhono okukhombisa ngezenzo, okungamakhono azoqinisa uhlelo lwemfundo oluxuba wonke umfundi kwizikole zengxenye yomkhakha wemfundo omkhulu. / Ṱhoḓisiso yo livhiswa kha u wanulusa tshenzhelo dza vhadededzi na u wanulusa khaedu dzine dza ṱangana na vhadededzi vhane vha funza kha zwikolo zwa vhagudiswa vha re na tshumelo dzo khetheaho musi vha tshi katela vhagudiswa vha re na zwithivheli zwa u guda zwo fhambanaho kha u guda kha Vhuimo ha Fhasi kiḽasini dza vhagudiswa vha si na tshumelo dzo khethea ngei Vaal, kha dzingu ḽa Gauteng. Ṱhoḓisiso yo ṋetshedza zwiṱirathedzhi zwine zwa nga shumiswa nga vhadededzi u khwinisa maitele a pfunzo nyangaredzi kiḽasini dza vhagudiswa vha si na tshumelo dzo khetheaho. Vhadededzi vha 10 vho nangwa ho sedzwa vhukoni u bva kha zwikolo zwa phuraimari zwiṱanu zwa vhagudiswa vha si na tshumelo dzo khetheaho. Vhadzheneleli vhoṱhe vho vha vhadededzi vha Gireidi ya 3 ya Vhuimo ha Fhasi. Data yo kuvhanganyiwa nga kha inthaviwu dzo ṱanḓavhuwaho ine ya konisa muṱoḓisisi u ṱoḓisisa nga vhudzivha na u wana mafhungo o pfumaho o teaho kha ngudo. Kha ndivho tharu, muṱoḓisisi o shumisa u saukanya ḽiṅwalwa sa ngona ya vhuvhili ya u kuvhanganya data ya ṱhoḓisiso iyi. Ngudo yo tevhedza ngona ya u saukanya ya khwanthithathivi data, u ya nga khethekanyo ya data yo ṅwalululwaho ye muṱoḓisisi a i bvisa kha kuvhonele kwa vhadzheneleli na u vhumba thero dza ndeme. Ṱhoḓisiso yo wanulusa uri vhadededzi vha tshenzhela khaedu dza ndeme musi zwi tshi ḓa kha zwi tevhelaho: u sa vha na nḓivho na zwikili u amba nga ha zwithivheli zwa u guda zwo fhambanaho nga nḓila yo teaho, vhugudeli thangeli vhu songo teaho kha u shumana na vhagudiswa vha re na zwithivheli zwa u guda zwo fhambanaho; phambano ya nḓivho ine ya vha hone vhukati ha thiori na nyito; ṱhahelelo ya zwishumiswa zwo teaho; ṱhahelelo ya themamveledziso; tshivhalo tshinzhi tsha vhagudiswa kiḽasini; u sa wana thikhedzo u bva kha thimu dza thikhedzo dza tshiṱiriki; na kharikhuḽamu ine ya thivhela u swikelela ṱhoḓea dzo fhambanaho dza vhagudiswa. Ngudo yo themendela tshumisano kha u funza, hune vhadededzi vha guda u bva kha muṅwe, pfunzo ya thangana ya murole, mbekanyamushumo dza u tshintshisana ha vhadededzi; u khwinisa kharikhuḽamu dzine dza katela vhagudiswa vha re na zwithivheli zwa u guda; na vhugudisi ha u pfumbudzwa ho sedzaho kha zwikili zwine zwa ḓo khwinisa pfunzonyangaredzi kha zwikolo zwa vhagudiswa vha si na tshumelo dzo khetheaho. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)