One major challenge facing mathematics education in South Africa in general and Limpopo in particular, is learners’ underachievement and lack of motivation to learn the subject. Some studies have shown that one of the topics that learners dread is linear functions. Many teachers also find it difficult to teach the topic effectively. Studies in other parts of the world have advocated the integration of graphing software with the teaching and learning of functions to enhance learners’ learning of mathematics. This study therefore investigated the effect of integrating GeoGebra graphing software into the teaching of linear functions on the achievement of Grade 9 learners. The study was guided by APOS theory which, in accordance with constructivist theories, posits that an individual needs to construct the necessary cognitive structures in order to make sense of mathematical concepts. A total of 127 Grade 9 learners from four schools in a circuit in Mopani district of Limpopo Province participated in the study which followed a pretestpost- test quasi-experimental study design. Two schools, namely B (35 learners) and D (33 learners) formed the experimental groups while school A (31 learners) and school C (28 learners) were the control groups. Data were collected using an achievement test and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The pretest results showed that the groups were of comparable cognitive abilities. The post-test results showed that there was a significant difference between the mean scores of the experimental groups and control groups. There were also statistically significant differences between group treatment means (p < .05). Bonferroni post-hoc test results showed that there were no statistically significant differences between treatments A and C. The results showed that the learners in the two control groups were of comparable cognitive abilities. The implications of the findings are discussed and recommendations made. / Mathematics Education / M. Sc. (Mathematics Education)

Recent episodes of financial instability have motivated researchers as well as policy makers to intensify research on financial stability. This thesis contributes to current research and policy discussion by elaborating and empirically testing methodologies, which can be used to measure financial sector vulnerabilities and identify potential risks for financial stability. It further focuses on the link between real and the financial sector as well as possible implications of household financial distress on the aggregate economy. Together with the proposed framework we provide the survey of the current literature on these topics as well as the empirical results. We argue in favour of stress testing methodologies covering the key risks on banks' balance sheets. These frameworks can also be used for emerging markets where data availability is typically limited. It is shown that due to high volatility of credit growth in emerging economies, the static approach assuming constant balance sheet items is not very appropriate. Furthermore, the feedback effect between the financial sector and the real economy might play an important role under certain assumptions, and therefore it should be taken into account by policy makers. This effect can also emerge in the real sector itself as potential instability can...

The objective of my work is to describe associational life in the town of Louny since 1861 to 1914. The years correspond with the year of "October Diploma" issue (1861), resp. the outbreak of World War I. (1914). In the first passages I tried to show the development of the town in the second half of the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century from the urbanistic, demographical, industrial and political point of view. All these aspects influenced the associational life there. After the outline of the development of the associational life within the monarchy I aimed at it in Louny. I introduced various types of active notable local personalities in the profiles of Josef Havránek, the representative of the beginning of associational life; long-standing mayor Dr. Petr Hilbert, the owner of the local spa Josef Krýzl and extraordinary socially active woman Mrs Kristýna Ehrlichová. Then I aimed at associational activities in the town. I divided many of the societies into subchapters according to the prevailing orientation: choral dramatic and educational societies, walking and hiking, sport, womens' groups, Jewish associations and amusement societies. Associational life in Louny was influenced by its geographical position, at the Czech-German linguistic border. The town became the hub of...

Investment Company with Variable Capital (SICAV) The thesis elaborates on the Czech regulation of the investment company with variable capital ("SICAV"). It is divided into six chapters. In chapter one, the theory of collective investments and its practice in the Czech Republic is described, along with data of the use of SICAVs. Next, the legislation concerning SICAVs, and reasons for its introduction, are summarised. Chapter three includes the definition of Czech SICAV and its features as an investment fund and join-stock company. In chapter four, the variability of its capital is discussed in broader context of the Czech law system, which is based on a different conceptual approach, and also the capital requirements of SICAVs are mentioned. Chapter five concerns with the obligatory division of assets of Czech SICAVs, leading to the last chapter describing the founders' and investment shares, and rights of shareholders tied to them. The primary aim of the thesis, in context of an absence of any thorough publications on Czech SICAVs, is to provide a comprehensive description of the distinctive character of Czech SICAVs, and on this basis to point out the parts of legislation that are not set appropriately. In these cases, a specific interpretation of problematic parts of regulation is suggested, and in case...

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.

The master thesis Development of czech extreme right-wing after 1989 deals with three the most significant far right-wing parties in Czech republic after 1989. These parties are Association for republic - Czechoslovak Republican Party (SPR-RSČ), National Party (NS) and Workers' Party (DS). The only far right-wing body shall, which was able to enforce on Czech political scene and obtain representation in the Parliament was SPR-RSČ. Other two parties were unsuccessful in elections. Thesis has an ambition to make clear, why SPR-RSČ was that successful and other parties were not. But at the beginning of the thesis is explained concept of far right-wing. After this, is a chapter about SPR-RSČ, which was significant political party in the 90's. Nevertheless after unsuccessful elections in 1998 became piece by piece minor political force. Next part refers about NS, which was very unsuccessful in elections, but was able to attract attention of Czech media by its actions. Thesis also include chapter about DS, which was, as the only one after 1989, dissolved by the Supreme Administrative Court. However the party works under the name DSSS and nowadays is the most successful far right-wing party in Czech Republic. After that is a chapter, which clarifies the reasons why was SPR-RSČ successful and the other...

The Pre-listening Stage in L2 Listening Instruction to A2 - B1 Adult Learners By Hana Ždímalová This dissertation deals with listening instruction to adult EFL learners in the Czech Republic and the phenomenon of pre-listening, which is currently under-researched. It examines adult EFL students' perspectives and perceptions of listening instruction and of the inclusion of different pre-listening techniques, particularly at CEFR A2-B1 proficiency levels. The theoretical part of the study focuses on current developments in listening research and the historical context of the development of listening instruction in classical FLT methodology. The pre-listening stage has been integral to L2 listening instruction since the beginning of Communicative Language Teaching. However, some controversial issues have recently been raised. For example, teachers are sometimes suspected of spending too much time on the pre- listening stage (Field 2002; 2008) and the overall usefulness of previewed comprehension questions in testing listening has been challenged (Sherman 1997). Moreover, adult students' listening needs and their perceptions of listening instruction have not yet been thoroughly researched (Graham 2006; Graham and Macaro 2008). This study argues that we should ask the students about their perceptions...

The dissertation Magical Realism in Persian and Saudi Narrative Writing views as essential the assumption that the phenomenon of magical realism is not restricted solely to the cultures with colonial legacy, but is transferable to literary works created under systematic and systemic violence anywhere in the world. Previous research of the dissertation's author proved the existence of parallels in the dynamics of sociopolitical development of Iran and Saudi Arabia in the 20th century, foremost in the power relation of the states to their citizens and in the status of women in the society, while there was a strong tendency towards institutionalization of the traditional patriarchal, androcentric and misogynic societal paradigms since the second half of the 20th century. In the last thirty years, women have countered this situation through increased literary activity that has turned out to be an important means of self-fulfillment and emancipation. The fact that some of the most significant Iranian and Saudi women writers use magical realism directed the research to examination of this concept's relevance for the Persian and Saudi narrative writing, inquiry into the reflection of the gender issues and their comparison in both literatures. A detailed case study of two works, each from one country, led...