The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand teacher perceptions of blended learning as an instructional methodology for addressing the needs of diverse learners. The researcher explored the perceptions of teachers who were participating in an ongoing professional development program within their school district. This program focused on improving teaching and learning through the implementation of a blended learning approach. The researcher examined the experiences of teachers as they learned to adapt pedagogical practices to address the learning needs of 21st century students through blended learning. The researcher sought to gain a better understanding of how teachers perceived that utilizing a blended learning methodology impacted pedagogical beliefs, practices, and student learning. Based on the research questions guiding this study, data was collected from individual, in-depth interviews with fifteen educators. Twelve participants were classroom teachers and three participants were school administrators. The analysis of this data identified the following commonalities regarding teacher perceptions of blended learning as an instructional methodology for addressing the needs of diverse learners: knowledge and understanding of effective instructional practices, enhancing instruction with the strategic use of technology, personalizing learning, technology-enabled assessments to support instruction, engaging and empowering learners, and relevant professional development and support. These results can benefit educators in adapting effective instructional practices to reach all learners.

Beim Parameter „Druscheignung“ eines Bestandes wird gemeinhin angenommen, dass dieses Kriterium durch die Genetik der Sorte und den Witterungsverlauf, weitgehend unbeeinflusst von Landwirt, festgelegt ist. Und dennoch verändert der Landwirt mit all seinen Entscheidungen von der Auswahl der Sorten, über die Düngung, den Pflanzenschutz bis hin zum Erntemanagement die Druscheignung stetig. Zur Ernte, als letzten Abschnitt der Verfahrenskette, entfaltet die Druscheignung dann außerordentlich große ökonomische Auswirkungen. Anhand verschiedener Beispiele aus Züchtung, Pflanzenernährung, Pflanzenschutz und Erntetechnologie wurde dargestellt, wie auf die Druscheignung Einfluss genommen werden kann und wie diese Auswirkungen monetär zu bewerten sind. Aus dem Bereich der Züchtung wurde die Entwicklung eines neuen Wuchstyps bei den Rapshalbzwergen ausgewählt, der mit weniger Biomasse konkurrenzfähige Erträge erzielt. Die Abreife ist einheitlicher, der Erntetermin kann problemloser fixiert werden, der Drusch ist leistungsstark und verlustarm. Späte und intensiv geführte Sorten sind mit Hilfe einer Sikkation zeitlich früher und leichter zu beernten. Das schafft Erntesicherheit bei geringeren Verlusten, höheren Mähdrescherleistungen und sinkendem Kraftstoffverbrauch. Die bedarfsgerechte Ausbringung des Stickstoffs in Art, Menge und Zeit, entsprechend der kleinräumigen Heterogenität eines Schlages, führt zu einer Homogenisierung der Bestände. Die Bestände reifen gleichmäßiger ab und führen zu etwa 20 Prozent höherer Mähdrescherleistung sowie geringerem Kraftstoffverbrauch. Am Beispiel des Hochschnitts wurde verdeutlicht, wie sich die bessere Beerntbarkeit auf Maschinenkosten, Gesamternteverluste, Qualität und Trocknung auswirkt. Hebt man die Stoppellänge um 10 Zentimeter an, lässt sich die Mähdrescherleistung um ca. 15 bis 20 Prozent steigern. Diese Beispiele unterstreichen zugleich die Forderung, dass die Druscheignung nicht erst zur Ernte diese Führungsrolle übernimmt, sondern auch in den vorgelagerten Verfahrensabschnitten als ein starkes Entscheidungskriterium gelten muss. / The parameter “threshability” of a stand is commonly assumed to be a criterion defined by the genetics of the strain and the weather conditions which is mainly not influenced by the farmer. Nevertheless, the farmer continuously changes the “threshability” with all his decisions, from the selection of the strains, via the use of fertilizers to the harvest management. For harvest, as the last stage of the process chain, the threshability develops extraordinarily high economic effects. On the basis of several examples from cultivation, plant nutrition, plant protection and harvest technology it was described, how the threshability can be influenced and how this effect is to be assessed monetarily. In the field of cultivation, the development of a new growth type of semi-dwarf rape has been selected, which yields competitive returns with less bio mass. Ripeness is more homogeneous, the harvest date can be fixed without problems, threshing is efficient and with low loss. Using the method of siccation, late and intensively controlled strains can be harvested earlier and easier. This offers harvest safety with low loss, higher combine harvester performance and reduced fuel consumption.The need-based spreading of nitrogen referring to type, quantity and time according to the small-scale spatial heterogeneity of a field leads to a homogenisation of the stands. The stands ripen more evenly and this fact causes about 20 percent higher combine harvester performance, as well as reduced fuel consumption. Using the example of high-cut top harvest it was clarified how the better harvestability influences the machine costs, the total harvest losses, the quality, and the drying process. If the length of the stubbles is extended by 10 centimetres, the combine harvester performance can be increased by 15 to 20 percent. These examples also emphasize the requirement that the threshability does not just take over the leading role for the harvest but has also to be considered as a strong decision criterion within the prior stages of the process.

This research surveys the Swiss missionaries' management of social transformation in South Africa (1873-1973). It has as its major focus the management of schools, hospitals and churches as the primary institutions of social change in society. The researcher's realisation that more often than not, the changes brought to bear on proselytes by the change forces take time to manifest themselves vividly induced him to extend the scope to include the dawn of the new political dispensation in this country in 1994. This need not surprise the readership as the triadic approach, which is synonymous with historical analyses compels researchers to avail readers of what happened in the past, present as well as what is likely to occur in future. In other words, readers will encounter the ethnic nationalism engineered by different change agents in this country and the repercussions thereof, and the schism within the Swiss Mission in South Africa/Evangelical Presbyterian Church in South Africa that started in 1989 and became reality in 1991. Finally, the thesis also appraises readers of what should be done in periods of rapid social change. / Educational Studies / D.Ed. (History of Education)

The study investigated the experiences of remaining nurse tutors at the Free State School of Nursing during the transformation of Nursing Colleges and downsizing of personnel. The study aimed at describing the experiences of individuals during changes in their work environment, with the purpose of contributing to the identification of guidelines for 'surviving' transformation and downsizing at the workplace. Three themes emerged from this study through the narrative descriptions and unstructured interviews. The first theme, affective responses, dealt with emotions, low morale, depressive moods and anxiety caused by transformation and downsizing. The second theme, cognitive and perceptual view, revealed the thoughts, beliefs, and opinions of remaining nurse tutors regarding transformation and downsizing. Perceptions of and opinions on how nursing education and human dignity were affected were also expressed. The third theme portrayed the coping responses, which described work-related personal and social adjustments nurse tutors made during the transformation of nursing colleges. Recommendations included communication, participation and counseling of nurse tutors and to meet the requirements of nursing colleges during transformation and downsizing. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

This research traces the developments in Europe that led to a rush for foreign missions i different parts of the world, with specific reference to South Africa. It describes the operations of the Swiss missionaries in South Africa from 1873 to 1975. This study also evaluates the motives for the evangelization of the African masses, and contradictions th existed in the relations that missionaries had with proselytes during the period under review. The sterling contributions of black evangelists in this period are demonstrated. It cannot be denied that the Swiss missionaries did a lot of good to the indigenous populac of South Africa-the importance of their services at Lemana Training Institution (1906) and Elim Hospital (1899) are indelibly inscribed in our historiography. They should also applauded for their response to the plight of the Shangaans, who had for reasons unkno to the researcher been by-passed by other missions during the "scramble for mission fields". But the missionaries also had their shortcomings, for instance their failure to ind the state to remove capital punishment from the statute books. They may nonetheless stil continue to be used by the present government of South Africa to assist in carrying the social transformation process forward. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (History of Education)

Researchers conceptually recommend inquiry-based learning as a necessary means to alleviate the problems of learning but this study has embarked on practical implementation of inquiry-based facilitation and learning in Euclidean Geometry. Inquiry-based learning is student-centred. Therefore, the teaching or monitoring of inquiry-based learning in this study is referred to as inquiry-based facilitation. The null hypothesis discarded in this study explains that there is no difference between inquiry-based facilitation and traditional axiomatic approach in teaching Euclidean Geometry, that is, H0: μinquiry-based facilitation = μtraditional axiomatic approach. This study emphasises a pragmatist view that constructivism is fundamental to realism, that is, inductive inquiry supplements deductive inquiry in teaching and learning. Participants in this study comprise schools in Tshwane North district that served as experimental group and Tshwane West district schools classified as comparison group. The two districts are in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. The total number of students who participated is 166, that is, 97 students in the experimental group and 69 students in the comparison group. Convenient sampling applied and three experimental and three comparison group schools were sampled. Embedded mixed-method methodology was employed. Quantitative and qualitative methodologies are integrated in collecting data; analysis and interpretation of data. Inquiry-based-facilitation occurred in experimental group when the facilitator probed asking students to research, weigh evidence, explore, share discoveries, allow students to display authentic knowledge and skills and guiding students to apply knowledge and skills to solve problems for the classroom and for the world out of the classroom. In response to inquiry-based facilitation, students engaged in cooperative learning, exploration, self-centred and self-regulated learning in order to acquire knowledge and skills. In the comparison group, teaching progressed as usual. Quantitative data revealed that on average, participant that received intervention through inquiry-based facilitation acquired inquiry-based learning skills and improved (M= -7.773, SE= 0.7146) than those who did not receive intervention (M= -0.221, SE = 0.4429). This difference (-7.547), 95% CI (-8.08, 5.69), was significant at t (10.88), p = 0.0001, p<0.05 and represented a large effect size of 0.55. The large effect size emphasises that inquiry-based facilitation contributed significantly towards improvement in inquiry-based learning and that the framework contributed by this study can be considered as a framework of inquiry-based facilitation in Euclidean Geometry. This study has shown that the traditional axiomatic approach promotes rote learning; passive, deductive and algorithmic learning that obstructs application of knowledge in problem-solving. Therefore, this study asserts that the application of Inquiry-based facilitation to implement inquiry-based learning promotes deeper, authentic, non-algorithmic, self-regulated learning that enhances problem-solving skills in Euclidean Geometry. / Mathematics Education / Ph. D. (Mathematics, Science and Technology Education)

This research surveys the Swiss missionaries' management of social transformation in South Africa (1873-1973). It has as its major focus the management of schools, hospitals and churches as the primary institutions of social change in society. The researcher's realisation that more often than not, the changes brought to bear on proselytes by the change forces take time to manifest themselves vividly induced him to extend the scope to include the dawn of the new political dispensation in this country in 1994. This need not surprise the readership as the triadic approach, which is synonymous with historical analyses compels researchers to avail readers of what happened in the past, present as well as what is likely to occur in future. In other words, readers will encounter the ethnic nationalism engineered by different change agents in this country and the repercussions thereof, and the schism within the Swiss Mission in South Africa/Evangelical Presbyterian Church in South Africa that started in 1989 and became reality in 1991. Finally, the thesis also appraises readers of what should be done in periods of rapid social change. / Educational Studies / D.Ed. (History of Education)

The study investigated the experiences of remaining nurse tutors at the Free State School of Nursing during the transformation of Nursing Colleges and downsizing of personnel. The study aimed at describing the experiences of individuals during changes in their work environment, with the purpose of contributing to the identification of guidelines for 'surviving' transformation and downsizing at the workplace. Three themes emerged from this study through the narrative descriptions and unstructured interviews. The first theme, affective responses, dealt with emotions, low morale, depressive moods and anxiety caused by transformation and downsizing. The second theme, cognitive and perceptual view, revealed the thoughts, beliefs, and opinions of remaining nurse tutors regarding transformation and downsizing. Perceptions of and opinions on how nursing education and human dignity were affected were also expressed. The third theme portrayed the coping responses, which described work-related personal and social adjustments nurse tutors made during the transformation of nursing colleges. Recommendations included communication, participation and counseling of nurse tutors and to meet the requirements of nursing colleges during transformation and downsizing. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

This research traces the developments in Europe that led to a rush for foreign missions i different parts of the world, with specific reference to South Africa. It describes the operations of the Swiss missionaries in South Africa from 1873 to 1975. This study also evaluates the motives for the evangelization of the African masses, and contradictions th existed in the relations that missionaries had with proselytes during the period under review. The sterling contributions of black evangelists in this period are demonstrated. It cannot be denied that the Swiss missionaries did a lot of good to the indigenous populac of South Africa-the importance of their services at Lemana Training Institution (1906) and Elim Hospital (1899) are indelibly inscribed in our historiography. They should also applauded for their response to the plight of the Shangaans, who had for reasons unkno to the researcher been by-passed by other missions during the "scramble for mission fields". But the missionaries also had their shortcomings, for instance their failure to ind the state to remove capital punishment from the statute books. They may nonetheless stil continue to be used by the present government of South Africa to assist in carrying the social transformation process forward. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (History of Education)

Abstracts in English, Sesotho and Xhosa / Through learner progression in South African primary and lower secondary public schools, many learners proceed to the Further Education and Training (FET) Phase without proficiency in English First Additional Language (EFAL), the language of learning and teaching (LoLT). Compelled by this challenge, this multiple-case study aimed to explore the lived experiences of grades 10 and 11 teachers in teaching progressed learners to enhance communication proficiency in EFAL. The study was informed by a qualitative research approach, embedded in a constructivist paradigm, guided by Vygotsky (1978) social development theory. Observations and one-on-one, semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from a sample frame of five grades 10 and 11 EFAL teachers in selected rural secondary schools and thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Findings revealed that in this era where learner diversity requires differentiated teaching that appeals to the needs of diverse learners, teachers hold on to the past training one-size-fits-all teaching methods. Consequently, teachers experience challenges related to lack of exposure to teach complex grades of able and progressed learners together. Among others, recommendations are made to policy makers that the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) for EFAL be aligned with the needs of diverse learners. The EFAL teachers should also engage in a culture of reading and lifelong learning to empower themselves professionally in order to overcome challenges in the inclusive teaching of able and progressed learners who have barriers to learning the language. / Ka leano la ho fetisa baithuti leha ba sa atleha likolong tsa mathomo, le tse mahareng Africa Boroa, baithuti ba bangata ba fetela mokhahlelong oa thuto e phahameng ntle le bokhoni ba puo ea mantlha ea Senyesemane, puo ea ho ithuta le ho ruta. Ka ho susumetsoa ke qholotso ena, lipatlisiso tsena li entsoe ho hlahloba boiphihlelo ba mesuoe ea sehlopha sa leshome le leshome le motso o mong, ho ntlafatsa tsebo ea ho ruta ka Senyesemane. Boithuto bona bo ile ba etsoa ka lipatlisiso tsa boleng tse kenelletsang tataiso le khopolo ea ntšetso-pele ea sechaba ea Vygotsky (1978). Litebello le puisano tse hlophisitsoeng le mosuoe kapa mosuoetsana ka mong, li sebelisitsoe ho bokella lintlha ka ho qotsa le ho batlisisa ho mesuoe e mehlano ea puo ea mantlha likolong eleng Senyesemane. Ho khethiloe lihlopha tse bohareng le hlahlobo ea mantlha e sebelisitsoe ho shebisisa liphuputso. Se senotsoeng ke liphuputso tsena ke hore nakong eona ena eo barutoana ba hlokang thuto e ikhethang, e ipapisitseng le litlhoko tsa boiphihlelo ba bona, mesuoe e bonahala e tsitlalletse mokhoeng oa khale oa ho ruta, o nkang joalokaha eka barutuoa bohle bana le boinahano le boiphihlelo bo tšoanang. Ka lebaka leo, mesuoe e tobana le bothata ba ho ruta ka boiphihlelo baithuti ba atlehileng le ba fetisitsoeng ha ba kopa-kopane ka litsebo tse arohaneng. Mehato e nkiloeng ka boithuto bona e kenyeletsa ho eletsa baetsi ba manene-thuto hore Tokomane ea Leano la Lenane-thuto ea puo ea Senyesemane ea pele e lokele ho arabela litlhoko tsa baithuti ka bokhoni ba bona bo fapaneng, ‘me mesuoe e lokela ho ikoetlisa ho-ea-ho-ile e le ho ichorisa le ho itlhahlella thutong ea senyesemane e kenyelelitseng baithuti bohle le ba fetisitsoeng ba e-na le bothata ba puo ena. / Ngokuqhubela phambili kwabafundi kwzikolo zikarhulumente eziziiprayimari nezizezantsi ezikarhurumente, abafundi abaninzi baya kwinqanaba leMfundo ePhakamileyo noQeqesho ngaphandle kobuchule besiNgesi uLwimi lokuQala oLongezelelweyo, ulwimi lokufunda nokufundisa. Benyanzelwe ngulo mngeni, esi sifundo sinamacala amaninzi sijilise ekuhloleni amava aphilayo ootitshala beBanga le-10 nele-11 ekufundiseni abaqhubela phambili abafundi ukomeleza ubuchule bonxibelelwano kulwimi olongezelelweyo lesiNgesi. Olu phononongo lwalwaziswe ngendlela yophando olusemgangathweni, olungeniswe kwiparadise yabafundi, ekhokelwa yithiyori yophuhliso lwentlalo yaseVygotsky. Ukuqwalaselwa, udliwanondlebe olwenziwe ngamnye ngamnye eyakhelweyo, nohlalutyo lwamaxwebhu kwasetyenziswa ukuqokelela idatha kwisakhelo sesampula yootitshala abaLwimi abahlanu abakwiBanga leShumi elinanye ku-11 kwizikolo eziziisekondari ezikhethiweyo, kwaye nohlalutyo lobugcisa lwalusetyenziselwa ukuhlalutya idatha. Iziphumo zophando zibonisa ukuba ngeli xesha apho ukwahluka kwabafundi kufuna ukufundiswa okwahlukileyo okubonakalisa iimfuno zabafundi abahlukeneyo, ootitshala babambelela kuqeqesho lwangaphambili ngokweendlela zokufundiisa. Ngenxa yoko, ootitshala bafumana imiceli mingeni enxulumene nokungafikeli ekufundiseni amabanga anobunzima abafundi abakwaziyo nokuqhubela phambili kunye. Phakathi kokunye, izindululo zenziwa kubaqulunqi bomgaqo-nkqubo zokuba iNkcazo yoMgago-nkqubo woVavanyo lweKharityhulamu yolwimi lwesiNgesi oLongezelelweyo mayihambelane neemfuno zabafundi abahlukeneyo, kwaye ootitshala kufuneka bazixhobise kangangoko ukufunda ukuze bazixhobisele ukukwazi ukufundisa abantwana ngokwale mfundo iqukayo. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)