A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Education in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master Of Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instructional Studies at the University Of Zululand, 2017 / This study was influenced by the persistently poor performance of learners in Accounting in the uThungulu district. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has revealed that in 2012 the poor performance in most districts was caused by teachers’ poor knowledge of the content in the subject of Accounting. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has also revealed that the challenge of curriculum implementation is caused by the use of an unclear methodology. The main purpose of this study was to identify strategies that would improve the implementation of the Accounting curriculum to provide effective approaches for quality education. This study briefly aimed at (a) determining the level of teachers’ command of the content knowledge in teaching Accounting; (b) establishing whether teachers are equipped with appropriate teaching approaches to teach Accounting; and (c) identifying challenges experienced by the Accounting teachers’ in teaching the subject in the uThungulu district. This study provided new ideas to all role players in the implementation of the Accounting curriculum on how they can use approaches in curriculum implementation to improve learners’ academic performance. It also provided insight into shortcomings that might be a challenge in implementing the Accounting curriculum. Various items in the literature were reviewed to give depth to the study. The methods of the case study were used, and twelve teachers were interviewed and observed in the classroom from four circuits under one circuit management. The analysis of data from both structured interviews and observations was separately presented. Three themes, with subthemes, were formulated from both structured interviews and observations. The following are some of the recommendation that arose from this study: The Department of Basic Education must work in collaboration with the Department of Higher Education to sharpen teachers’ content knowledge; qualified trainers must be used to train teachers on teaching strategies; the Department of Basic Education must work with the Department of Higher Education and accounting professional bodies to develop a handbook on teaching strategies which may help in teaching accounting at high school; The matric Accounting paper must be divided into two; and the Department of Basic Education must review the curriculum content, hours for teaching EMS, and all other challenges on teaching and learning EMS.

The aim of this study was to describe ways in which Grade 1 teachers use creative teaching practice in Mathematics. An interpretivistic approach was used with qualitative research principles guiding the research process. The research design was a case study design. Three primary school teachers at an Afrikaans private school were purposefully selected. A multi-method approach to data gathering was taken. Firstly, the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (Foundation Phase): Mathematics was analysed to determine the guidelines of the Department of Basic Education regarding creative teaching practice in Mathematics. Secondly, the three participants each made a visual representation (poster) of their understanding of creative teaching practice in Mathematics, where after each participant's poster was discussed with her. Thirdly, a total of five Mathematics lessons were observed and one semi-structured interview was conducted with each participant. Fourthly, personal opinions, reflective thoughts and impressions of the research study were noted in the researcher's research journal. Results were derived from inductive thematic analysis of the documented data. After member checking, four themes were identified. Firstly, some fundamental principles for the use of creative teaching practice in Mathematics were deducted, which included sensitivity for learner differences, the use and development of learners' current knowledge, active learner participation in lessons, interest and joy in Mathematics lessons, and the inclusion of the life world of the learners in the Mathematics lessons. Secondly, the participants suggested possible implementation strategies for creative teaching practice in Mathematics, namely the implementation of problem solving skills, concrete experiences and resources, group learning and social interaction. Thirdly, some teacher qualities that promote creative teaching practice in Mathematics were indicated, namely teachers as specialist subject experts in Mathematics, motivators of learners, creators of a positive learning and teaching environment, interpreters and designers of learning programmes and material, and adaptability. The fourth theme emphasized the challenges regarding the use of creative teaching practice in Mathematics where environmental factors were indicated. Based on the findings the conclusion can be made that domain relevant skills, skills regarding creativity, intrinsic task motivation and the social environment are components that can be incorporated to promote the successful use of creative teaching practice in Mathematics. / Die doel van hierdie studie was om te beskryf op welke wyses Graad 1-onderwysers kreatiewe onderrig in Wiskunde gebruik. Die studie is vanuit 'n interpretivistiese benadering onderneem met kwalitatiewe navorsingsbeginsels wat die navorsingsproses onderlê het. 'n Gevalstudie-ontwerp is as navorsingsontwerp gebruik. Drie laerskoolonderwysers, verbonde aan 'n Afrikaanse privaatskool, is deur 'n gerieflikheidseleksie geselekteer. Data is deur 'n multi-metodiese benadering versamel. Eerstens is die Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (Foundation Phase): Mathematics ge-analiseer, om sodoende die Department van Basiese Onderwys se riglyne betreffende kreatiewe onderrigpraktyk in Wiskunde te identifiseer. Tweedens het die drie deelnemers elk 'n visuele voorstelling (plakkaat) gemaak wat hul begrip aangaande kreatiewe onderrigpraktyk in Wiskunde uitbeeld, waarna elke deelnemer se plakkaat met haar bespreek is. Derdens is vyf Wiskunde-lesse in totaal waargeneem en een semi-gestruktureerde onderhoud met elke deelnemer gevoer. Vierdens is persoonlike opinies, reflektiewe gedagtes en indrukke van die navorsingstudie aangeteken in die navorser se navorsingsjoernaal. Induktiewe tematiese analise van die gedokumenteerde data het gedien as basis vir die resultate. Deelnemerkontrole is uitgevoer en vier temas is geïdentifiseer. Eerstens is van die fundamentele beginsels vir die gebruik in kreatiese onderrigpraktyk in Wiskunde afgelei, wat insluit sensitiwiteit vir leerderverskille, die gebruik en ontwikkeling van leerders se bestaande kennis, aktiewe leerderbetrokkenheid by lesaanbieding, interessantheid en genotvolheid van Wiskunde-lesse, en die insluiting van leerders se leefwêreld by Wiskunde-lesse. Tweedens het die deelnemers moontlike implementeringstrategieë vir kreatiewe onderrigpraktyk in Wiskunde aangedui, naamlik die implementering van probleemoplossingsvaardighede, konkrete ervaringe en hulpbronne, groepsleer en sosiale interaksie. Derdens is sommige onderwyserkwaliteite ter bevordering van kreatiewe onderrigpraktyk in Wiskunde aangedui, naamlik onderwysers as spesialis vakkenners in Wiskunde, leerder-motiveerders, skeppers van 'n positiewe leer- en onderrigomgewing, interpreteerders en ontwerpers van leerprogramme en -materiaal, en aanpasbaarheid. Die vierdie tema het die uitdagings rondom die gebruik van kreatiewe onderrigpraktyk in Wiskunde beklemtoon, waar onder andere omgewingsfaktore aangedui is. Op grond van die bevindinge kan die gevolgtrekking gemaak word dat domein-relevante vaardighede, kreatiwiteitsvaardighede, intrinsieke taakmotivering en die sosiale omgewing komponente van die samestellende teorie van kreatiwiteit (Amabile, 2012) is, wat ingesluit kan word om die suksesvolle gebruik van kreatiewe onderrigpraktyk in Wiskunde te bevorder. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Educational Psychology / MEd / Unrestricted

Multijurisdictional agreements among local and regional authorities have emerged as an effective way to manage Virginia’s watersheds. These agreements generally result in the development of goals and objectives for the watershed environment, and the implementation of various strategies designed to achieve these goals. Successful agreements often result in stabilized or improved water quality in the region. The Environmental Protection Agency has developed the Watershed Protection Approach and recommended it to manage water quality. While accepted, the Approach has not been well demonstrated in practice. Ten Virginia case studies are conducted to determine (1) if the Approach is represented in the program components and (2) if the components are effective in achieving program objectives. The case studies were developed through document review and interviews with program personnel, including local and regional agencies and non-governmental organizations. Critical components of these multijurisdictional approaches are identified and compiled to assist other regions and localities in their watershed management programs. The EPA Approach identifies four relevant watershed management features; however, these are general and do not describe nor clarify its potential implementation. This thesis four categories corresponding to critical components of watershed management programs identified in the case studies, which illustrate and expand on EPA’s Approach, particularly its implementation: institutional framework and planning, stakeholder involvement, implementation strategies, and monitoring. These case studies demonstrate that regional policies and plans provide the necessary institutional framework; that participation of key stakeholders, especially those involved in implementation is critical in plan development; that local implementation land-use strategies including both regulatory and non-regulatory land-use measures, and structural and non-structural land practices, are most effective in achieving regional watershed management objectives; and that monitoring is needed to measure effectiveness and can effectively engage non-governmental groups and citizen volunteers. / Master of Urban and Regional Planning

Using curriculum mapping to align the expected curriculum and the actual curriculum has been demonstrated as an effective approach for ensuring educational equity for all students. To improve student achievement, a private high school in the Midwest implemented curriculum mapping to better align curriculum and eliminate gaps and repetition between and within grade levels. The purpose of this qualitative study was to determine fundamental implementation strategies for the mapping process and teachers' and administrators' perceptions of those strategies. The theoretical framework was based on change theory. Data were collected from 10 participants through individual interviews and observations. Teachers and administrators were observed during their curricular mapping meeting time in order to record the strategies used, and each participant was interviewed in order to gather individual perceptions of the strategies used. Data were transcribed and then open coded based on repeating concepts. Thematic analysis indicated that administrators and teachers perceived a need for curriculum mapping training, using standards, collaboration time, and accountability. The outcome of the study was a professional development project for teachers incorporating curriculum mapping at the local site. Implications for positive social change include providing educational leaders with curricular alignment strategies to promote educational equity and the academic success of all students

Aim To understand why organizational barriers exist during the development of information management systems or enterprise applications. . This study investigates if organizational barriers actually occur and if so, how we can understand these phenomena. Method Deductive research and exploratory research. Secondary research is evaluated how it is applicable in practice. Qualitative research was applied across multiple subsidiaries. Standardized interviews were conducted among 30 interviewees. As it is exploratory research, this is sufficient to present certain patterns and indications. To support this method, Criterion-based sampling has been applied to ensure appropriate units for this study. Results & conclusion In a competitive environment, subcultural groups tend to be formed to protect similar interests. Rewards were based on power and achievements. By forcing accomplishment of the implementation of the information management system, groups would be rewarded. Others would be negatively affected. Therefore individuals and groups would act on behave of their own even if they would harm co-workers with their actions. Especially, groups without decision power were highly affected by these negative effects. Organizational politics controls the organization’s power. Counter-implementation strategies were identified; when groups tried to act on behave of the shareholder and customers to influence the decision-makers. After many delays, they were unable to prevent the integration of a new Information management system.

This study examined the effects of implementing Web-enabled technology systems on the functional role of the community college registrar. The focus on systems implementation included in-house, outsourced, consortia, or combination of implementation strategies. A quantitative and qualitative approach included several interviews and a mailed survey questionnaire. The researcher developed the instrument from human resources position description forms, an adapted administrative Q-sort technique, and a role conflict and ambiguity perception questionnaire. The study targeted the members of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. The research findings indicated that some aspects of perceived role, role conflict (harmony), and ambiguity (clarity) were different for registrars whose colleges used in-house, outsourced, consortium, or a combination of implementation strategies, and for certain background characteristics. For example, the study identified different levels of involvement for some duties and some differences in collaboration among divisions and departments within institutions and with other organizations. Suggested uses of the research results include professional development programming for more efficient technology implementation. The research instrument could be adapted to study functional role of other job positions, implementation projects, and administrative strategies.

Organizational readiness for implementation (ORI) is a critical barrier to successfully implementing evidence-based practices (EBPs) that support the recovery of people with severe mental illnesses (SMI). Despite the importance of ORI, to date, no approach for enhancing readiness across an organization has been developed. The two studies conducted as part of this dissertation aimed to identify, organize, and confirm potential strategies to support ORI enhancement in community mental health (CMH) services. Study findings may inform the development of practices to increase ORI, and thus optimize implementation of evidence-based practices in the CMH services. The first study aimed to develop a typology of pre-implementation strategies focused on ORI enhancement. A panel of implementation experts participated in a modified Delphi process to classify pre-implementation strategies into stages of organizational readiness. The experts selected strategies from a well-accepted compilation of 73 implementation strategies, developed as part of the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) project. The Transtheoretical Model of behavioral change guided the experts in choosing strategies relevant during pre-implementation and classifying them into three readiness stages: Pre-contemplation, Contemplation, and Preparation. The experts identified 48 of the ERIC strategies as relevant to pre-implementation readiness enhancement and agreed on their classification into the three ORI stages. Several strategies were identified as relevant to more than one stage. The purpose of the second study was to confirm and expand the expert-based typology based on empirical data relevant to the implementation of mental health evidence-based practices. The study employed qualitative methods to learn about the experiences of various CMH stakeholders who participated in a recent implementation project. Participants’ feedback about the use of different ORI strategies was compared with the expert-based typology to identify consistencies and discrepancies. Two-thirds of the strategies and their ORI stage designation suggested by the experts were congruent with the second study participants' experiences. Participants also assigned several strategies to different stages than those indicated by the experts and mentioned additional strategies not included in the expert-based typology. The second study highlighted the applicability of the expert-based typology to the CMH field and offered suggestions for potential expansions. Together, these two studies provide an essential step towards conceptualizing and operationalizing the construct of ORI and the strategies for enhancing it in the CMH context. The high congruence between experts and implementers suggests the applicability of the Transtheoretical model for organizing the strategies associated with each stage. This dissertation provides a promising foundation for the future development of a systematic approach to ORI enhancement at various levels of readiness for a practice change. Direct targeting of ORI enhancement could increase the uptake of EBPs and ensure that more people with SMI benefit from state-of-the-art interventions supporting their recovery. / 2023-05-14T00:00:00Z

Reliable, efficient and cost-effective energy supply is crucial for economic and social development. Mining and industrial sectors consumed close to 37% of the total energy produced in the world during 2013. The South African power network is strained by the rapid expansion of mining, industrial and public sectors. Generation, transmission and distribution of electrical energy are in progress, but supply will not meet demand in the near future. The South African electricity supplier needs capital for expansion. Electricity price increases have been significantly higher than increases in the gold price over the last few years. Mining companies are under pressure from government to improve their labour relations. They are obligated to spend money on local infrastructure development. Therefore, cost efficiency receives higher priority than ever before and requires an implementation strategy. Cooling systems on mines proved to be significant electricity consumers. These systems lack integrated management and efficient and optimised control. Electricity demand can be reduced through implementation of energy saving measures on these cooling systems. Energy saving measures reduce the operational costs of mining to ensure that mines stay globally competitive. The identification of long-term challenges for energy saving measures is crucial. Successful implementation of energy saving measures results in improved utilisation and performance of mine cooling systems. These measures must be maintained to ensure a constant positive impact on reduced electrical energy consumption. The electrical energy savings are dependent on external factors, such as ambient conditions. Improved implementation strategies of energy saving measures will prevent deterioration of utilisation and performance of the mine cooling systems. Monitoring and reporting of key performance indicators are crucial. Lack of integrated maintenance can lead to lost opportunities and the deterioration of equipment and machines. The improved implementation strategies in two separate case studies proved sustainable savings of 1.73 MW and 0.66 MW respectively. The electricity cost savings for Mine A and Mine B are R8.8 million and R2.9 million respectively. These savings have been sustained for periods of seventeen and seven months respectively, indicating the value of the study. / MIng (Mechanical Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Reliable, efficient and cost-effective energy supply is crucial for economic and social development. Mining and industrial sectors consumed close to 37% of the total energy produced in the world during 2013. The South African power network is strained by the rapid expansion of mining, industrial and public sectors. Generation, transmission and distribution of electrical energy are in progress, but supply will not meet demand in the near future. The South African electricity supplier needs capital for expansion. Electricity price increases have been significantly higher than increases in the gold price over the last few years. Mining companies are under pressure from government to improve their labour relations. They are obligated to spend money on local infrastructure development. Therefore, cost efficiency receives higher priority than ever before and requires an implementation strategy. Cooling systems on mines proved to be significant electricity consumers. These systems lack integrated management and efficient and optimised control. Electricity demand can be reduced through implementation of energy saving measures on these cooling systems. Energy saving measures reduce the operational costs of mining to ensure that mines stay globally competitive. The identification of long-term challenges for energy saving measures is crucial. Successful implementation of energy saving measures results in improved utilisation and performance of mine cooling systems. These measures must be maintained to ensure a constant positive impact on reduced electrical energy consumption. The electrical energy savings are dependent on external factors, such as ambient conditions. Improved implementation strategies of energy saving measures will prevent deterioration of utilisation and performance of the mine cooling systems. Monitoring and reporting of key performance indicators are crucial. Lack of integrated maintenance can lead to lost opportunities and the deterioration of equipment and machines. The improved implementation strategies in two separate case studies proved sustainable savings of 1.73 MW and 0.66 MW respectively. The electricity cost savings for Mine A and Mine B are R8.8 million and R2.9 million respectively. These savings have been sustained for periods of seventeen and seven months respectively, indicating the value of the study. / MIng (Mechanical Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Digital communication produces millions of emails, text messages, movies, images, and much more every day. As with all historical records, digital records are important to preserve because they allow us to study the past. There are, however, several challenges regarding their preservation. Unlike many of their analogue counterparts, digital records rely on a combination of hardware and software to be accessible, but hardware and software eventually degrade and become obsolete. This makes digital records inaccessible because the means to render them are no longer available. In addition to these technological challenges, there are issues surrounding appraisal, copyright, significant properties, and metadata. This thesis studies the challenges of digital preservation and what is being done to address them. I begin by introducing the challenges surrounding this topic and the methods of preservation that are currently available to archivists. I then analyse leading digital preservation standards such as the Reference Model for an Open Archival Information System (OAIS) and Preservation Metadata: Implementation Strategies (PREMIS) as well as digital preservation systems including Archivematica and Preservica. I also conduct a case study of Archivematica to analyse how well it manages the challenges of digital preservation. I conclude by explaining that there are no perfect solutions to digital preservation problems. The best that can currently be done is to manage the issues rather than solve them. / February 2017