The recognition of prior learning (RPL) is an assessment process through which experience gained outside academic contexts is recognised. The purpose of the research was to determine the influence the learner profile has on RPL assessment. To realise the purpose, the learner profile was described and consequently learning outcomes formulated for a portfolio workshop. The method which the study followed was a qualitative interpretative approach. The research comprised a literature study about adult learning theories that served as a theoretical framework for the study, as well as an overview of RPL assessment, followed by an empirical study. The empirical research component followed a multiple data collection method. The personal life stories of the research participants were analysed in order to compile a learner profile. The role the workshop played was determined from a learner perspective by means of an open questionnaire for participants. It included a collection of workshop photographs. Finally, the reflection of a group of RPL learners about their personal learning experiences was analysed. The research found that the learner profile included distinctive personal traits, such as motivation, task orientation, a sense of responsibility and an orientation towards the future. The nature of the learner profile as well as of informal learning gained within diverse learning contexts require directed preparation for assessment. The learners regarded the portfolio workshop as a sustainable learning process and as a transformational learning experience. The role the workshop played was multidimensional, as it served as preparation for compiling the portfolio. It also empowered and prepared the learner on a personal level for the context of tertiary education. Based on the research findings, the recommendations for an RPL approach should include the following: Firstly, the learner‟s voice should be afforded recognition. Secondly, preparation for assessment is essential. Thirdly, the preparation should follow an approach of assessment as a sustainable learning process. Finally, the learning outcomes for the portfolio workshop make a contribution to support the learners in bridging the learning contexts of informal learning and academic learning. The research makes a valuable contribution, as the empirical research shows that the holistic learner profile guides the approach to assessment. The mission of RPL to bring about transformation will only become a reality if a learner-centred approach recognises and empowers the learner on a personal and academic level. / Die Erkenning van Vorige Leer (EVL) is 'n assesseringsproses waardeur ervaring wat buite akademiese kontekste verwerf is, erken word. Die doel met die navorsing was om die invloed van die leerderprofiel op EVL-assessering te bepaal. Om die doel te bereik, is die leerderprofiel beskryf en voortvloeiend daaruit leeruitkomste vir 'n portefeuljewerkswinkel saamgestel. Die metode wat die studie gevolg het, was 'n kwalitatiewe interpretiewe benadering. Die navorsing bestaan uit 'n literatuurstudie oor volwasse leerteorieë wat as teoretiese raamwerk vir die studie gedien het, asook 'n oorsig oor EVL-assessering, gevolg deur 'n empiriese studie. Die empiriese navorsingskomponent het 'n meervoudige dataversamelingsmetode gevolg. Die navorsingsdeelnemers se persoonlike lewensverhale is geanaliseer om sodoende 'n leerderprofiel saam te stel. Die rol van die werkswinkel is vanuit 'n leerdersperspektief bepaal deur middel van 'n ope-vraelys aan deelnemers, wat 'n versameling werkswinkel-foto's ingesluit het. Laastens is die reflektering van 'n groepie EVL-leerders oor hulle persoonlike leerervaringe ge-analiseer. Die navorsing het bevind dat die leerderprofiel onderskeidende persoonlike kenmerke, soos motivering, taakgerigtheid, 'n verantwoodelikheidsin en 'n toekomsgerigtheid insluit. Die aard van die leerderprofiel, asook die aard van informele leer verwerf binne diverse leerkontekste vereis gerigte voorbereiding tot assessering. Die leerders het die portefeuljewerkswinkel as 'n volhoubare leerproses en as transformasionele leerervaring beskou. Die rol van die werkswinkel is meervoudig, aangesien dit dien as voorbereiding tot die saamstel van die portefeulje, asook die leerder op persoonlike vlak bemagtig en voorberei vir die konteks van tersiêre onderrig. Die aanbevelings tot 'n EVL-benadering behoort, op grond van die navorsingsbevindinge, die volgende in te sluit. Eerstens moet erkenning aan die stem van die leerder gegee word, tweedens is voorbereiding tot assessering noodsaaklik en derdens behoort die voorbereiding 'n benadering van assessering as 'n volhoubare leerposes te volg. Laastens lewer die leeruitkomste vir die portefeuljewerkswinkel 'n praktykgerigte bydrae om die leerder te ondersteun om die leerkontekste van informele leer en akademiese leer te oorbrug. Die navorsing lewer 'n waardevolle bydrae aangesien die empiriese navorsing toon dat die holistiese leerderprofiel die benadering tot assessering rig. Die missie van EVL om transformasie te weeg te bring, sal slegs 'n realiteit word indien 'n leerdergesentreerde benadering die leerder op persoonlike en op akademiese vlak erken en bemagtig. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The concept duty of care is defined as heedful, careful guarding, supervision of a minor, and/or overseeing. An obligation rests on teachers to scrupulously see to the safety (and also the well-being) of all learners entrusted to them. Hence teachers are responsible for the physical safety of learners and for creating a safe haven for them. The Civil Technology workshop teacher has an increased caring duty towards his learners due to the potential life-threatening circumstances and conditions that can prevail in his workshop compared to, for instance, the ordinary classroom environment. Furthermore, a specific legal duty rests on a person when he is placed in control of dangerous objects or machinery, seeing that he has to see to it that he ensures the safety of others through positive action. Internationally, the circular saw is statistically speaking seen to be the most dangerous woodwork machine in the Civil Technology workshop. Circular saws are responsible for more accidents than any other machine, and the most claims for damages against teachers and school managements also arise from it. Due to the underlying dangers inherent to circular saws and the presence thereof in Civil Technology workshops, it increases the risks attached to the caring supervision duty of the Civil Technology teacher to a great extent. Civil Technology workshop teachers are therefore confronted by unique challenges in their workshops. Hence it is essential that they be equipped with sufficient knowledge pertaining to educational law so as to make head against these challenges. Civil Technology workshop teachers should therefore not only be aware of all common law principles, relevant legislation and case law as applicable to workshops, but also be able to apply it in practice in the workshop environment. This practical application furthermore requires workshop teachers to be knowledgeable to be able to maintain workshop machinery in a safe working condition through regular upkeep and maintenance. An empirical investigation (n=38) was launched, based on a questionnaire filled in by all Civil Technology teachers and their heads of department North West where Civil Technology is presented as a choice subject at high schools. The aim of the empirical investigation was to determine: * what the level of Civil Technology workshop teachers‘ expertise and knowledge is regarding legal key issues concerning their caring supervising duty, and * to what extent effective safety management of woodwork machinery in Civil Technology workshops is applied. The empirical investigation found, amongst others, that: * The respondents do not have sufficient knowledge of the principles pertaining to educational law to apply it in the Civil Technology workshops of the study population practically. * Civil Technology workshop teachers and heads of department should have a high degree of expertise with a view to execute their duty of care. Poor educational law training can possibly be proffered as reason why their level of expertise cannot be seen to be sufficient in a case where an increased level of duty of car is required in potentially dangerous workshops. Following on above-mentioned findings, specific recommendations were made to all role-players involved that are involved in learner safety in Civil Technology workshops. These recommendations may possibly contribute to increased and more effective caring supervision in promoting learner safety. / Thesis (MEd (Education Law))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

The concept duty of care is defined as heedful, careful guarding, supervision of a minor, and/or overseeing. An obligation rests on teachers to scrupulously see to the safety (and also the well-being) of all learners entrusted to them. Hence teachers are responsible for the physical safety of learners and for creating a safe haven for them. The Civil Technology workshop teacher has an increased caring duty towards his learners due to the potential life-threatening circumstances and conditions that can prevail in his workshop compared to, for instance, the ordinary classroom environment. Furthermore, a specific legal duty rests on a person when he is placed in control of dangerous objects or machinery, seeing that he has to see to it that he ensures the safety of others through positive action. Internationally, the circular saw is statistically speaking seen to be the most dangerous woodwork machine in the Civil Technology workshop. Circular saws are responsible for more accidents than any other machine, and the most claims for damages against teachers and school managements also arise from it. Due to the underlying dangers inherent to circular saws and the presence thereof in Civil Technology workshops, it increases the risks attached to the caring supervision duty of the Civil Technology teacher to a great extent. Civil Technology workshop teachers are therefore confronted by unique challenges in their workshops. Hence it is essential that they be equipped with sufficient knowledge pertaining to educational law so as to make head against these challenges. Civil Technology workshop teachers should therefore not only be aware of all common law principles, relevant legislation and case law as applicable to workshops, but also be able to apply it in practice in the workshop environment. This practical application furthermore requires workshop teachers to be knowledgeable to be able to maintain workshop machinery in a safe working condition through regular upkeep and maintenance. An empirical investigation (n=38) was launched, based on a questionnaire filled in by all Civil Technology teachers and their heads of department North West where Civil Technology is presented as a choice subject at high schools. The aim of the empirical investigation was to determine: * what the level of Civil Technology workshop teachers‘ expertise and knowledge is regarding legal key issues concerning their caring supervising duty, and * to what extent effective safety management of woodwork machinery in Civil Technology workshops is applied. The empirical investigation found, amongst others, that: * The respondents do not have sufficient knowledge of the principles pertaining to educational law to apply it in the Civil Technology workshops of the study population practically. * Civil Technology workshop teachers and heads of department should have a high degree of expertise with a view to execute their duty of care. Poor educational law training can possibly be proffered as reason why their level of expertise cannot be seen to be sufficient in a case where an increased level of duty of car is required in potentially dangerous workshops. Following on above-mentioned findings, specific recommendations were made to all role-players involved that are involved in learner safety in Civil Technology workshops. These recommendations may possibly contribute to increased and more effective caring supervision in promoting learner safety. / Thesis (MEd (Education Law))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

The recognition of prior learning (RPL) is an assessment process through which experience gained outside academic contexts is recognised. The purpose of the research was to determine the influence the learner profile has on RPL assessment. To realise the purpose, the learner profile was described and consequently learning outcomes formulated for a portfolio workshop. The method which the study followed was a qualitative interpretative approach. The research comprised a literature study about adult learning theories that served as a theoretical framework for the study, as well as an overview of RPL assessment, followed by an empirical study. The empirical research component followed a multiple data collection method. The personal life stories of the research participants were analysed in order to compile a learner profile. The role the workshop played was determined from a learner perspective by means of an open questionnaire for participants. It included a collection of workshop photographs. Finally, the reflection of a group of RPL learners about their personal learning experiences was analysed. The research found that the learner profile included distinctive personal traits, such as motivation, task orientation, a sense of responsibility and an orientation towards the future. The nature of the learner profile as well as of informal learning gained within diverse learning contexts require directed preparation for assessment. The learners regarded the portfolio workshop as a sustainable learning process and as a transformational learning experience. The role the workshop played was multidimensional, as it served as preparation for compiling the portfolio. It also empowered and prepared the learner on a personal level for the context of tertiary education. Based on the research findings, the recommendations for an RPL approach should include the following: Firstly, the learner‟s voice should be afforded recognition. Secondly, preparation for assessment is essential. Thirdly, the preparation should follow an approach of assessment as a sustainable learning process. Finally, the learning outcomes for the portfolio workshop make a contribution to support the learners in bridging the learning contexts of informal learning and academic learning. The research makes a valuable contribution, as the empirical research shows that the holistic learner profile guides the approach to assessment. The mission of RPL to bring about transformation will only become a reality if a learner-centred approach recognises and empowers the learner on a personal and academic level. / Die Erkenning van Vorige Leer (EVL) is 'n assesseringsproses waardeur ervaring wat buite akademiese kontekste verwerf is, erken word. Die doel met die navorsing was om die invloed van die leerderprofiel op EVL-assessering te bepaal. Om die doel te bereik, is die leerderprofiel beskryf en voortvloeiend daaruit leeruitkomste vir 'n portefeuljewerkswinkel saamgestel. Die metode wat die studie gevolg het, was 'n kwalitatiewe interpretiewe benadering. Die navorsing bestaan uit 'n literatuurstudie oor volwasse leerteorieë wat as teoretiese raamwerk vir die studie gedien het, asook 'n oorsig oor EVL-assessering, gevolg deur 'n empiriese studie. Die empiriese navorsingskomponent het 'n meervoudige dataversamelingsmetode gevolg. Die navorsingsdeelnemers se persoonlike lewensverhale is geanaliseer om sodoende 'n leerderprofiel saam te stel. Die rol van die werkswinkel is vanuit 'n leerdersperspektief bepaal deur middel van 'n ope-vraelys aan deelnemers, wat 'n versameling werkswinkel-foto's ingesluit het. Laastens is die reflektering van 'n groepie EVL-leerders oor hulle persoonlike leerervaringe ge-analiseer. Die navorsing het bevind dat die leerderprofiel onderskeidende persoonlike kenmerke, soos motivering, taakgerigtheid, 'n verantwoodelikheidsin en 'n toekomsgerigtheid insluit. Die aard van die leerderprofiel, asook die aard van informele leer verwerf binne diverse leerkontekste vereis gerigte voorbereiding tot assessering. Die leerders het die portefeuljewerkswinkel as 'n volhoubare leerproses en as transformasionele leerervaring beskou. Die rol van die werkswinkel is meervoudig, aangesien dit dien as voorbereiding tot die saamstel van die portefeulje, asook die leerder op persoonlike vlak bemagtig en voorberei vir die konteks van tersiêre onderrig. Die aanbevelings tot 'n EVL-benadering behoort, op grond van die navorsingsbevindinge, die volgende in te sluit. Eerstens moet erkenning aan die stem van die leerder gegee word, tweedens is voorbereiding tot assessering noodsaaklik en derdens behoort die voorbereiding 'n benadering van assessering as 'n volhoubare leerposes te volg. Laastens lewer die leeruitkomste vir die portefeuljewerkswinkel 'n praktykgerigte bydrae om die leerder te ondersteun om die leerkontekste van informele leer en akademiese leer te oorbrug. Die navorsing lewer 'n waardevolle bydrae aangesien die empiriese navorsing toon dat die holistiese leerderprofiel die benadering tot assessering rig. Die missie van EVL om transformasie te weeg te bring, sal slegs 'n realiteit word indien 'n leerdergesentreerde benadering die leerder op persoonlike en op akademiese vlak erken en bemagtig. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)