This exploratory study provides a qualitative and quantitative report on the integration of a specific online information system into the science curriculum using authentic tasks in a class setting. It investigates how they use an online information database and tools to create meaning. An in-depth analysis was done to understand students&amp / #8217 / perceptions about the usability of a web-based learning tool used in science course, properties of a web-based learning tool, the quality of the content, and the structure of web-based instruction. It also aimed to explore the effects of the Web-based learning in a science course on students&amp / #8217 / achievement and attitudes toward science learning. The subjects of this study were 51 &Ouml / zel Bilim Okullari students in secondary school (6th, 7th and 8th grades) classes. It was conducted throughout the academic year of 2004-2005. The Science Achievement Test and attitude scales for science learning were given as pre-tests at the begging of academic year. They were given as post-tests and the students were interviewed in groups of five at the end of the academic year. The total time of using the web site of the course was kept by Web log-system. The quantitative findings of the study indicated that there were significant differences between the pre-tests and post-tests of the science achievement test and attitude scale. In addition, there were a positive relationship between the site usage time and achievement and attitude of the students towards science learning. The qualitative findings of this study showed that the amount of information supplied in the web site of the course, access to the Internet, doing assignments and taking online exams played important roles in students&amp / #8217 / science learning. However, the students did not prefer to use e-mails and chat rooms to collaborate with their fiends. They preferred to communicate face to face with their friends, and they preferred SMS because of ease of use. The results and the discussion set out in this study have some important implications for teachers and instructional designers. The study contributes to an understanding of online learning and provides a basis for empirical study of learners performing real educational tasks. The insights gained in this small-scale study will help teachers construct better online learning environments with regard to pedagogy and technological innovation.

The aim of this study is to conduct a thorough theoretical study on the establishment of a web-based cession collateral registration platform for agri-financiers in South Africa. The agricultural industry is earmarked for growth due to pressures of food security and the role it could play in rural development, job creation and social upliftment. Agri-finance to farmers for primary input costs, is the catalyst which kick-starts the agricultural value chain. Due to many reasons, the traditional asset-based collateral in the fashion of mortgage bonds will become more and more unavailable to agri-financiers to secure their loans. Agri-financiers will have to rely on commodity-based collateral (cession) as security for repayment of their loans. The law of cession and trite common law principle of first in time first in right creates an undue credit risk to agri-financiers. A market gap exists to establish a cession collateral registration platform in South Africa to mitigate the aforementioned credit risk assumed by agri-financiers. This platform is an entrepreneurial opportunity which could be operated as a viable and sustainable business enterprise. The results of the empirical research have shown that the market will embrace such platform as solution to the credit risk associated with commodity-based collateral in the form of a cession of crop income. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The aim of this study is to conduct a thorough theoretical study on the establishment of a web-based cession collateral registration platform for agri-financiers in South Africa. The agricultural industry is earmarked for growth due to pressures of food security and the role it could play in rural development, job creation and social upliftment. Agri-finance to farmers for primary input costs, is the catalyst which kick-starts the agricultural value chain. Due to many reasons, the traditional asset-based collateral in the fashion of mortgage bonds will become more and more unavailable to agri-financiers to secure their loans. Agri-financiers will have to rely on commodity-based collateral (cession) as security for repayment of their loans. The law of cession and trite common law principle of first in time first in right creates an undue credit risk to agri-financiers. A market gap exists to establish a cession collateral registration platform in South Africa to mitigate the aforementioned credit risk assumed by agri-financiers. This platform is an entrepreneurial opportunity which could be operated as a viable and sustainable business enterprise. The results of the empirical research have shown that the market will embrace such platform as solution to the credit risk associated with commodity-based collateral in the form of a cession of crop income. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Customer involvement in innovation activities is a common practice among companies in most industries. It has been widely researched by scholars to demonstrate its risks and advantages. Yet, the growing importance and recognition of the Internet are transforming the scope, boundaries, and dynamics of interactions among firms and customers. Progressing information and communication technologies (ICTs) (including the Internet) enable faster, cheaper, and more efficient collaboration. The demonstrated benefits of using various web-based methods for customer involvement in innovation activities have encouraged companies to adopt a new approach. Despite this, there is a lack of knowledge about associated challenges. In addition, prior research was unable to provide empirical evidence of the claimed benefits ensuing from web-enabled customer involvement. As a result, companies may experience unforeseen difficulties and may not be able to achieve what they expect from their implementation of web-based methods. This thesis aims to address this research gap by exploring web-enabled customer involvement from a firm’s perspective. The overall purpose of this dissertation is to increase the understanding of web-enabled customer involvement in innovation activities by exploring its use and its impact on firms’ innovation, as well as management competences needed for its efficient realization. The thesis draws on the concept of absorptive capacity and includes four empirical studies from various industries. The adoption levels of a wide range of web-based methods were identified and compared with the findings of the previous study, thereby uncovering interesting changes in their popularity, as well as differences in adoption among companies in various industries. The empirical findings of this thesis show that web-based methods increase a company’s probability to introduce service innovations. Three types of challenges related to different types of web-based methods were identified and verified. It was also possible to identify corresponding management practices to handle these challenges. The management practices form three firm competences, constituting a specific absorptive capacity. It was proved that all dimensions of this specific absorptive capacity are needed for successful and effective customer involvement. Insights of this thesis contribute to increasing the understanding of web-enabled customer involvement. Therefore, the thesis provides companies with empirically verified knowledge that is necessary to make decisions about the implementation and management of web-enabled customer involvement.