M.Ed. / The adult in today's society, is increasingly aware of his/her shortcomings regarding existing training skills and knowledge structures, as well as the need to supplement or refresh in order to keep up with demands. Conventional training methods alone cannot supply in the demand for competent educators to train the increasing number of adult learners, with their unique needs and approach to learning. The purpose of the study is the design of a self-study module as a possible training method for adult educators, as it is regarded as a cost-effective method to develop these educators by means of distance education and due to its availability regardless of their socio-economic background of the prospective educators. A study of literature and descriptive research was conducted to determine the structure and requirements of a selfstudy module. Relevant models of training program design were also studied. The information obtained was used to develop a selfstudy module dealing with the designing of training programs for adult learners, based on the Wheeler/KrUger model (1979). The following issues were addressed in the selfstudy module: A situation analysis, the planning of learning experiences for these adult learners, the setting of goals and objectives, the selection of teaching and learning opportunities, the development of teaching strategies, and evaluation of the training program. The selfstudy module is preceded by a short pretest for the prospective adult ducator. Each topic is succeeded by a selftest to assist the adult educator in determining his/her progress. On completion of the module he/she should be equipped to design a training program for adult learners. Although the designed module has not been tested, the conclusion could be made that selfstudy modules as a teaching method could supply in the demand for educators of adults. Self study modules seem specially appropriate in the South African setting with its geographically scattered society and varying academic and economic backgrounds.

M.Ed. / The building and construction industry is currently hampered by an unacceptably high number of incidents (accidents) which occur in the industry yearly. This results in huge financial and labour losses. Training of workers in occupational health and safety could address some of the causes of these incidents (accidents). In order to provide relevant and effective training for this industry their training needs regarding occupational health and safety training need to be determined. Based on these needs guidelines could be set to ensure the development of applicable training. In this study the needs of the building and construction industry is determined from which the researcher provides guidelines for curriculum development. The first chapter provides an introductory orientation to the study and provides an overview of incidents (accidents) in the building and construction industry. Chapter two is devoted to a literature study of occupational health and safety. Chapter three consists of a literature study with the aim to provide parameters for the empirical research component in the study. In chapter four the empirical data, collected by means of qualitative research, is analysed. Chapter five relates the findings of the study to the theory of curriculum development. In conclusion chapter six consists of conclusions and recommended guidelines for the development of an occupational health and safety curriculum for the building and construction industry, which forms the product of this study. The value of this study is that the guidelines provided are the result of empirical qualitative research conducted with various role-players in the building and construction industry. Therefore the results are the perceptions and opinions of the role-players in the industry and not the direct assumptions of the researcher.

D.Ed. / The training and development opportunities available in Human Resources in a country play an important role regarding the growth and progress of such a country and its people. The parameters wherein training and development is conducted determine to a large extend the direction the country takes towards the efficient productivity of individuals. In South Africa, in the past, the political system of apartheid, which created unequal opportunities between different races, played a major adverse role in the education and training facilities of its employable population. As a result common education standards became a victim of political expediency, and the school system created a forum of unequal education. After research conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council in 1980 to investigate the education system in South Africa it was concluded that it is impossible to implement a system focussed on equal quality education overnight. It is not until after the first multi-cultural election in the history of South Africa in 1994 that this situation started changing. The National Qualifications Framework and The South African Qualifications Authority was established. That brought about major change in the education and training system in the country, and it also shifted the emphasis to lifelong learning. It became apparent that for the quickest beneficial results a program of adult education had to be initiated to work hand in hand with the more gradual development of equal education at undergraduate levels. The shift that needs to be made from the traditional school system to the training of adults is however a difficult one. Adult education is not yet established in South Africa.

The purpose of this descriptive study, "The Needs Maze: How Adult Educators Assess Needs," was to identify the relationship between Adult Basic Education (ABE) planners' theory (espoused) and what practitioners really did or did not do (theory-in-use) in assessing needs. The study examined the extent to which particular patterns, theories or models of needs assessment in adult education were actually used by practitioners in planning adult education programs. This study employed a predominately descriptive research design. The purpose of this study was to investigate how adult education practitioners conducted needs assessment. Among the questions that this study addressed were the following: What models of needs assessment are available for educators to consider? Do program planners use these models in planning programs? What do educators actually do in practice when they conduct a needs assessment? What can those who are facing the maze of needs learn from adult education planners who have gone through the process of conducting needs assessment for their particular programs?Since few studies have focused on how adult education planners really did needs assessment, the lack of sufficient information on what practitioners really did or did not do in the name of needs assessment left a large gap in our understanding of "theory-in-action" with respect to needs assessing. When adult educators talked about needs, they seemed to mean different things. Needs assessment appeared to have multiple meanings and modes of implementation. Needs assessments were conducted in a variety of ways. As a result of this ambiguity and diversity ofpractice, there were few studies conducted to discover ways practitioners conducted needs assessment. Since there existed a gap between what was known about needs assessment and what practitioners did, this study helped to uncover data that could narrow the gap in understanding how practitioners really used needs assessment and possibly can help practitioners chart a course between theory and practice that would make the use of needs assessment of value to them.The general methodology of this study was to survey through questionnaire, 83 Indiana Adult Basic Education (ABE) planners about the connection between their espoused theory and their "theory-in-use" (Argyis & Schon, 1974). Data was collected through the use of a questionnaire, 5 interviews, and 5 document reviews. The researcher had the ABE directors identify theories, principles, assumptions and beliefs from prominent adult education models that they might have encountered previous in doing their own assessing. They identified actual models and techniques/activities they used. The researcher then followed up with a structured interview with 5 respondents to check the validity of the survey findings and gain added clarity and motivation for why they did needs assessment in a particular way. During the interview session the researcher asked to examine a local needs assessment document to see if the methodology or techniques described by the participants were found in the documentation as evidence of their practice.A general picture which emerged from the study was that ABE directors surveyed had inadequate training in needs assessment. On the whole they understood needs assessment techniques; but there was a gap in what they perceived they were doing and what they were actually doing. As a rule, very little relationship between theory and practice existed. Respondents most frequently used techniques which were general and common to many of the models. They avoided techniques which required in-depth study of existing social systems or which put them into contact with learner populations. Respondents preferred techniques which could be done by a single person. Respondents did not generally use a single model for needs assessments, but chose different models in different situations or developed their own models. Needs assessment was found to be a maze through which educators wandered while planning programs. / Department of Educational Leadership

D.Ed. / The question arises whether the present system of apprentice education in the Republic of South Africa is in pace with the current technological development or whether the present system is in pace with the changing educational needs and demands of learners. It is important to mention that no provision is made for accreditation of learner experience during screening tests, to determine whether the learner has the necessary admission qualification to be appointed as apprentice. The possibility of combining distance education with contact education in order to provide support (contact) to the learner, should be investigated. The question proceeding from the previous one is whether the emphasis should not fall on the mastering of a number of selective skills rather than the completion of the prescribed number of weeks of practical education. Besides, the present system is so complex that practical instruction is not possible at more than one institution. From the above, it is concluded that the present education system for tradesmen (is not sensitive enough with regard to) does not comply with the unique needs and problems of adult learners. There are mainly two groups of learners in the electrical trade that are handicapped to pass the final electrician trade test due to the present training system. The first group consists of persons who want to change their profession because they have become redundant or have reached a point of saturation in terms of stimulation or promotion in their particular profession. People who want to start their own business and who consequently want to receive training to make a success of it can also be classified in this group. These two groups of learners are respectively referred to as vocational changing and vocational facilitating learners. The second group of learners became educators due to a shortage of educators, without the necessary trade qualification. They do have a professional teaching qualification but they lack the practical experience especially with regard to the electrical trade. This group is referred to as the instructional learners. If the former group of learners can receive a trade qualification it can change their role of job hunters to job creators and improve their chances of getting fixed posts. The instructional group will, by obtaining a trade qualification, improve their professional qualifications and thus secure their posts. The first-mentioned learners reveal the same needs and problems with study as experienced by adult learners. Consequently, they give up their studies because traditional education at technical colleges and Technisa is mainly reserved, especially with regard to their needs and demands to the instructional-learner situation. This reservation can mainly be attributed to the fact that they do not get the opportunity to study at their own pace and that their study experience (mainly with regard to the electrical trade) is not taken into account, nor accredited in terms of subjects or modules already passed during the training situation. Different aspects are identified in the present electrician education system in the Republic of South Africa which indicate that the present education system should be reconsidered and where possible adapted to accommodate the first-mentioned groups. It thus seems possible to address these aspects by combining contact instruction at technical colleges and distance instruction at Technisa in order to promote the quality of training of especially the adult learner. Such components include a modular instructional system which can, together with a study guide, accompany the learner step by step through the electrical trade so that (s)he knows exactly what is expected of him/her. It also includes the component of reduced contact time. Communication is improved and the learner gets the opportunity to discuss problems. The study experience of the learner, especially concerning the electrical trade, can be-compiled by means of a portfolio. It is arranged in such a way that it indicates similarities and shortcomings in terms of the prescribed electrical trade criteria as contained in the National Qualifications Framework. On account of this portfolio, the learner can be referred to further training, or further job experience via the process of accreditation. Consequently, to enable the vocational changing, vocational facilitating and the instructional groups of learners to qualify as electrician trade persons, a combined contact and distance education programme is proposed for the purpose of this study. The guidelines to the framework of such an education programme include the following: a modular training system, a study guide, decreased contact time, a portfolio and accreditation procedure.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2006. / Bibliography / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is aimed at developing a curriculum framework for consumer learning at a higher education institution, using a case study design. To determine the need for consumer learning at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology – the “bounded context” of the study – a situation analysis was conducted as the first phase of curriculum development. Methods to triangulate data included the use of quantitative and qualitative research methods, together with a thorough literature study. The two sets of empirical data were obtained from two research instruments, namely self-administered survey questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with learning facilitators (lecturers) at the institution. The survey amongst first-year students was used to assist in the needs assessment for curriculum development at the CPUT and to determine the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes of first-year respondents regarding consumer rights and responsibilities, as well as other consumer-related issues. This not only provided data to analyse the situation, but also assisted in the planning and development of a curriculum framework for consumer learning. The researcher used semi-structured interviews to determine the views and perceptions of learning facilitators regarding the importance of consumer learning, and to gauge the need for such learning at the institution. Aspects relating to the contents, teaching strategies, level of introduction, potential for critical crossfield outcomes development, benefits and major obstacles in the implementation and/or integration into the curriculum were also investigated. The two-tiered situation analysis indicated that students expressed a clear need for consumer learning at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, especially regarding the areas of consumer rights and responsibilities. The importance of consumer learning and the “readiness climate” from the perspective of the learning facilitators was also clearly established. The study culminated in the development of a curriculum framework for consumer learning that is compatible with the requirements of the South African Qualifications Authority and the Higher Education Qualifications Framework in South Africa. Key findings reported in the form of a curriculum framework could serve as a guideline for the planning and implementation of a consumer learning programme at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie is onderneem met die doel om ‘n kurrikulumraamwerk vir verbruikersleer aan ‘n hoëronderwysinstelling te ontwikkel. ‘n Gevallestudie-benadering is gebruik om die sosiale verskynsel van verbruikersleer te ondersoek. Om die behoefte aan verbruikersleer aan die Kaapse Skiereilandse Universiteit van Tegnologie – die konteks van die studie – te bepaal, is ‘n situasie-analise onderneem as die eerste fase van kurrikulumontwikkeling. Metodes van triangulasie in hierdie navorsing sluit die benutting van kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe gegewens in, asook ‘n literatuurstudie. Die twee stelle empiriese gegewens is verkry vanuit ‘n self-geadministreerde opnamevraelys aan studente en onderhoude met leerfasiliteerders (dosente) aan die instelling. Die doel van die opnamevraelys was om te help met die behoeftebepaling vir kurrikulumontwikkeling aan die Kaapse Skiereilandse Universiteit van Tegnologie, en veral om die kennis, vaardighede, waardes en houdings van eerstejaarrespondente met betrekking tot verbruikersregte en -verantwoordelikhede te bepaal. Dit het nie alleen insig in die situasie-ontleding gegee nie, maar het ook gehelp met die beplanning en ontwikkeling van ‘n kurrikulumraamwerk vir verbruikersleer. Die doel met die gebruik van semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude in hierdie studie was om die navorser in staat te stel om die sienswyse en persepsies van leerfasiliteerders met betrekking tot die belangrikheid van verbruikersleer, asook die behoefte daarvoor by die instelling te bepaal. Aspekte wat verband hou met die inhoud, onderrigstrategieë, vlak van bekendstelling, potensiaal vir kritieke uitkomsontwikkeling, voordele en vernaamste struikelblokke in die implementering en/of integrasie van die kurrikulum is ook getoets. Die situasie-analise dui daarop dat studente aan die Kaapse Skiereilandse Universiteit van Tegnologie ‘n behoefte het aan verbruikersleer, veral met betrekking tot die bevordering van verbruikersregte en -verantwoordelikhede. Die belangrikheid van verbruikersleer en die “gereedheidsklimaat” daarvoor vanuit die perspektief van die leerfasiliteerders is ook bevestig. Die resultaat van die navorsing het gelei tot die ontwikkeling van ‘n kurrikulumraamwerk vir verbruikersleer wat versoenbaar is met die vereistes van die Suid-Afrikaanse Kwalifikasie-Owerheid en dié van die Hoëronderwys-Kwalifikasieraamwerk in Suid-Afrika. Sleutelbevindings in verband met verbruikersleer is ook in die raamwerk opgeneem. Hierdie bevindings kan as ‘n riglyn dien vir die beplanning en implementering van ‘n verbruikersleerprogram aan die Kaapse Skiereilandse Universiteit van Tegnologie.

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

The purpose of the project was to develop an online course in the hopes of cutting some of the costs of the typical "brick and mortar" class while at the same time offering senior students the opportunity to take a class outside of the physical campus.

No description available.

By and large, contemporary design models do little more than acknowledge the art and science of media development, and instead, place inordinate emphasis on media selection. While many texts on instructional design will discuss, in general terms, the circumstances under which media needs to be developed, their primary focus is on the selection and customization (e.g., repurposing videodiscs} of extant materials that support previously adopted goals, objectives, and instructional strategies. Although contemporary instructional design models do acknowledge computer-assisted instruction in general terms as part of the media selection and development processes, they fail to address specifically the development issues confronted when digital video is selected as an integral component of computer-based applications. Practitioners wishing to develop their own instructional materials (particularly those which incorporate digital video) are provided few specific details for creating those products in the context of a systems approach to instructional development. This study examined the essential design tasks involved in incorporating digital video into computer-based applications. The strategy adopted for this study consisted of the following: 1) The author produced a computer-based application for The Museum of Natural History at Virginia Tech that integrated both digital motion-video sequences and still-image graphics; 2) Each of the development “steps” made by the author was preserved through a set of design notes as well as videotaped records of designer and participant comments; 3) The design notes and videotaped records were subjected to qualitative analyses borrowed from standard ethnographic research procedures; 4) Subsequent considerations for integrating digital video into computer-based applications were abstracted from the analyses and presented as practical guidelines for practitioner-developers pursuing media development. A “traditional” model of instructional design was also modified to reflect state-of-the-art media development strategies. The model illustrates the general procedure of media development and places it in the context of a larger, systems approach to instructional design. The development steps include defining the product, conducting research, brainstorming ideas, generating design solutions, developing the prototype, testing the prototype, and developing the end-product. The model also illustrated (by way of example) the creation of the computer-based application developed for The Virginia Museum of Natural History at Virginia Tech. / Ph. D.