Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Reading problems have become a worldwide phenomenon, even in a first world country like America. Literacy figures in South Africa are even worse. Results of the PIRLS study indicated that the reading skills of 80% of South African children are not fully developed by the time they reach grade 5. In recent literacy tests South African children did worse than children from African countries like Mozambique, Botswana, Swaziland and Tanzania. Despite everything that is being done to improve literacy and numeracy, South African children do not reach their potential. Many South African schools are labeled as being „dysfunctional‟ and 79% of schools do not have libraries. This is a complex matter with multiple causes. Reading programs may contribute to addressing this issue. There are different types of reading programs and it can take place at different levels. One type of program includes the use of pets. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of an animal-assisted reading program on the reading skills of grade 3 children in an Afrikaans medium primary school in the Western Cape. The secondary aim was to determine whether this type of reading program could also have an influence on other factors related to reading, like reading self-concept, self-efficacy, anxiety and school attendance of grade 3 children. All the grade 3 children were assessed with a series of tests. Those who were identified by the ESSI Reading Test as unskilled readers (N=102) were randomly assigned to three experimental groups and one control group. The Dog Group (n=27) read to a dog with a facilitator present, the Facilitator Group (n=24) read to a facilitator while the Teddy Bear Group (n=26) read to a teddy bear with a facilitator present. The Control Group (n=25) continued with their normal school activities. Collection of the data took place before the start of the reading program (Time 1) and directly after completion of the program (Time 2) with a follow-up measurement eight weeks later (Time 3). Once a week during the 10 week animal-assisted reading program all the children read for approximately 20 minutes from grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3 level reading books which they chose themselves. The children were called from their classrooms, individually, to another room where they could read calmly and peacefully to either a dog and a facilitator, or to a facilitator, or to a teddy bear and facilitator, depending on the group they were in. During Time 2 and Time 3 the Dog Group performed significantly better in the ESSI Reading Test than the other three groups. The reading comprehension of the Dog Group, as measured by the Neale Individual Reading Test, also improved significantly compared to that of the other three groups. Mixed results were found regarding reading self-concept, self-efficacy and anxiety. The shortcomings of the present study and recommendations for further research are also discussed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Leesprobleme is ʼn wêreldwye probleem, selfs in eerstewêreldlande soos Amerika. In Suid-Afrika is die geletterdheidsyfers selfs baie swakker. Die resultate van die PIRLS-studie dui daarop dat 80% van Suid-Afrikaanse kinders se leesvaardighede nie ten volle ontwikkel is wanneer hulle graad 5 bereik nie. Suid-Afrikaanse kinders het ook swakker gevaar in ʼn geletterdheidtoets as kinders van lande soos Mosambiek, Botswana, Swaziland en Tanzanië. Ten spyte van alles wat gedoen word om geletterdheid en syfervaardigheid te verbeter, vaar Suid-Afrikaanse kinders baie swakker as hul potensiaal. Baie Suid-Afrikaanse skole word geëtiketteer as „disfunksioneel‟ en 79% van skole het geen biblioteke nie. Hierdie saak is kompleks en die oorsake veelvuldig. Leesprogramme mag moontlik ʼn bydrae lewer om hierdie kwessie aan te spreek. Dit kan verskeie vorms aanneem en kan op verskillende vlakke plaasvind. Een tipe program behels die gebruik van troeteldiere. Die doel van die huidige studie was om die effek van ʼn troeteldier-ondersteunde leesprogram (TOL) op die leesvaardighede van graad 3-kinders in ʼn Afrikaansmedium laerskool in die Wes-Kaap te bepaal. Verdere doelstellings was om te bepaal of hierdie tipe leesprogram ook ʼn invloed kon hê op ander leesverwante faktore soos leesselfkonsep, self-effektiwiteit, angs en ook die skoolbywoning van graad 3-kinders. Al die graad 3-kinders is getoets met ʼn reeks instrumente en dié wat deur die ESSI Leestoets geïdentifiseer is as nievaardige lesers (N=102) is verder ewekansig toegewys aan drie eksperimentele en een kontrolegroep. Die Leeshondgroep (n=27) het vir ʼn leeshond en leesfasiliteerder gelees, die Leesfasiliteerdergroep (n=24) het vir ʼn leesfasiliteerder alleen gelees terwyl die Teddiebeergroep (n=26) vir ʼn teddiebeer en ʼn leesfasiliteerder gelees het. Die Kontrolegroep (n=25) het voortgegaan met hul normale skoolaktiwiteite. Data-insameling het plaasgevind voor die aanvang van die leesprogram (Tyd 1), direk ná voltooiing van die leesprogram (Tyd 2) en ʼn opvolgmeting het ag weke later (Tyd 3) plaasgevind. Tydens die 10-weke-troeteldier-ondersteunde leesprogram (TOL) het die kinders in elk van die groepe vir ongeveer 20 min. gelees uit graad 1-, 2- en 3-vlak boekies wat hulle self gekies het. Die kinders is individueel uit die klas geneem na ʼn ander lokaal in die skool waar hulle rustig vir óf die leeshond en ʼn leesfasiliteerder, óf die leesfasiliteerder alleen óf ʼn teddiebeer met ʼn leesfasiliteerder gelees het, afhangende van die groep waarin hulle was. Kinders in die Leeshondgroep het beduidend beter gevaar in die ESSI Leestoets tydens Tyd 2 en Tyd 3 as die kinders in die ander drie groepe. Die leesbegrip van die Leeshondgroep, soos gemeet deur die Neale Individuele Leestoets, het ook beduidend verbeter in vergelyking met dié van die ander drie groepe. Gemengde resultate is gevind met leesselfkonsep, self-effektiwiteit en angs. Die tekortkominge en aanbevelings vir verdere navorsing word ook bespreek.

This study investigated misconceptions in Algebra of students enrolled for a N2 Engineering certificate at a Further Education and Training College. The study aimed to investigate these students’ misconceptions relating to Algebra which prohibited them to successfully complete their artisanship. The purpose of the research was to determine (i) the nature of these misconceptions, and (ii) the value of screencasts as a technology-enhanced learning (TEL) tool to improve instruction. The research gap that the researcher addressed related to the Mathematics misconceptions that the N2 students had, and whether these misconceptions could be adequately addressed by screencasts. The study method used was a case study design and methodology while simultaneously collecting quantitative and qualitative data. The findings encompassed the determining of main Mathematics misconceptions, producing screencasts, and assessing the screencasts with the intended target group. The study followed a four-phase strategy of testing, interviewing and analysing, and reflection based on qualitative and quantitative research strategies. During the quantitative research the research participants completed a biographical questionnaire, as well as a customised diagnostic Algebra test. The study sample comprised two groups from different trimesters at a rural FET college in the Northern Cape in Kathu, South Africa. The total population of full-time N2 Engineering students related to 113 participants. The diagnostic test comprised twelve questions from the three main Algebra concepts relating to: (i) exponents, (ii) equations, and (iii) factorisation. The same customised diagnostic test confirmed the misconceptions within the same group. Six questions from the customised diagnostic test identified the central misconceptions. The researcher consequently designed, developed, implemented and evaluated screencasts with the intended student population according to the design principles identified during the study. The six questions formed the basis of a second diagnostic test, which was used in phase three with interviews of ten research participants as part of phase 4 of the evaluation of the screencasts. At the end of the second trimester students were ask to complete a questionnaire regarding their use and perceptions of the screencasts—23 participants completed this voluntary questionnaire. At the end of the trimester ten participants were asked to explain their method of calculations during a walk-through evaluation while answering Algebra problems. The results indicated a number of misconception categories: (i) The main reason for misconceptions relating to equations was the participants’ inadequate understandings of the basic concepts of multiply methods used in equations; (ii) Index laws seemed to be the biggest misconception where participants demonstrated insufficient understanding of the laws; and (iii) The participants did not comprehend the basic concepts of factorisation—they could not identify which method to use while factorising. The qualitative findings indicate that the participants found the screencasts valuable when they prepared for tests and examinations, as well as when they did not understanding a basic Mathematics concept. Access to technology in rural areas remains an obstacle to integrate technology learning tools on a large scale at the FET College. / MEd (Curriculum Development), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

This study investigated misconceptions in Algebra of students enrolled for a N2 Engineering certificate at a Further Education and Training College. The study aimed to investigate these students’ misconceptions relating to Algebra which prohibited them to successfully complete their artisanship. The purpose of the research was to determine (i) the nature of these misconceptions, and (ii) the value of screencasts as a technology-enhanced learning (TEL) tool to improve instruction. The research gap that the researcher addressed related to the Mathematics misconceptions that the N2 students had, and whether these misconceptions could be adequately addressed by screencasts. The study method used was a case study design and methodology while simultaneously collecting quantitative and qualitative data. The findings encompassed the determining of main Mathematics misconceptions, producing screencasts, and assessing the screencasts with the intended target group. The study followed a four-phase strategy of testing, interviewing and analysing, and reflection based on qualitative and quantitative research strategies. During the quantitative research the research participants completed a biographical questionnaire, as well as a customised diagnostic Algebra test. The study sample comprised two groups from different trimesters at a rural FET college in the Northern Cape in Kathu, South Africa. The total population of full-time N2 Engineering students related to 113 participants. The diagnostic test comprised twelve questions from the three main Algebra concepts relating to: (i) exponents, (ii) equations, and (iii) factorisation. The same customised diagnostic test confirmed the misconceptions within the same group. Six questions from the customised diagnostic test identified the central misconceptions. The researcher consequently designed, developed, implemented and evaluated screencasts with the intended student population according to the design principles identified during the study. The six questions formed the basis of a second diagnostic test, which was used in phase three with interviews of ten research participants as part of phase 4 of the evaluation of the screencasts. At the end of the second trimester students were ask to complete a questionnaire regarding their use and perceptions of the screencasts—23 participants completed this voluntary questionnaire. At the end of the trimester ten participants were asked to explain their method of calculations during a walk-through evaluation while answering Algebra problems. The results indicated a number of misconception categories: (i) The main reason for misconceptions relating to equations was the participants’ inadequate understandings of the basic concepts of multiply methods used in equations; (ii) Index laws seemed to be the biggest misconception where participants demonstrated insufficient understanding of the laws; and (iii) The participants did not comprehend the basic concepts of factorisation—they could not identify which method to use while factorising. The qualitative findings indicate that the participants found the screencasts valuable when they prepared for tests and examinations, as well as when they did not understanding a basic Mathematics concept. Access to technology in rural areas remains an obstacle to integrate technology learning tools on a large scale at the FET College. / MEd (Curriculum Development), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The aim of this study is to ascertain what misconceptions N2 students have about DC resistive circuits and how screencasts could effect on the rectification of these misconceptions. This study was conducted at the Kathu Campus of the Northern Cape Rural Further Education and Training College in the town Kathu in the arid Northern Cape. The empirical part of this study was conducted during the first six months of 2013. A design-based research (DBR) method consisting of four phases was used. DBR function is to design and develop interventions such as a procedure, new teachinglearning strategies, and in the case of this study a technology-enhanced learning (TEL) tool (screencast) with the purpose of solving a versatile didactic problem and to acquire information about the interventions of the TEL tool (screencast) on the learning of a student. In the first and second phase of DBR quantitative data for this research were gathered with the Determining and Interpreting Resistive Electric circuits Concepts Test (DIRECT) in order to determine the four most common misconceptions. The DIRECT test was conducted in the first trimester to find the misconceptions; the test was conducted in the second trimester also to confirm the misconceptions. Further quantitative data were collected from a demographic questionnaire. The qualitative data were collected by individual interviews in the fourth phase of the research project. Phase three of this study was the development of screencasts in the four most prominent misconceptions in DC resistive circuits of the students. The respondents of this study were non-randomly chosen and comprised of two groups, one in the first trimester of the year and one in the second trimester of the year, which enrolled for the N2 Electrical or Millwright courses. The respondents were predominant male and representing the three main cultural groups in the Northern Cape namely: Black, Coloured and White. The four misconceptions on DC resistive circuits that were identified were: (i) understanding of concepts, (ii) understanding of short circuit, (iii) battery as a constant current source, and (iv) rule application error. Screencasts clarifying the four misconceptions were developed and distributed to the respondents. On the foundation of the results of this research, it can be concluded that the students have several misconceptions around direct current resistive direct current circuits and that the use of TEL like screencasts can be used to solve some of these misconceptions. Screencasts could supplement education when they were incorporated into the tutoring and learning for supporting student understanding. The results of this research could lead to the further development and refinement of screencasts on DC resistive circuits and also useable guidelines in creating innovative screencasts on DC resistive circuits. / MEd (Curriculum Development), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The aim of this study is to ascertain what misconceptions N2 students have about DC resistive circuits and how screencasts could effect on the rectification of these misconceptions. This study was conducted at the Kathu Campus of the Northern Cape Rural Further Education and Training College in the town Kathu in the arid Northern Cape. The empirical part of this study was conducted during the first six months of 2013. A design-based research (DBR) method consisting of four phases was used. DBR function is to design and develop interventions such as a procedure, new teachinglearning strategies, and in the case of this study a technology-enhanced learning (TEL) tool (screencast) with the purpose of solving a versatile didactic problem and to acquire information about the interventions of the TEL tool (screencast) on the learning of a student. In the first and second phase of DBR quantitative data for this research were gathered with the Determining and Interpreting Resistive Electric circuits Concepts Test (DIRECT) in order to determine the four most common misconceptions. The DIRECT test was conducted in the first trimester to find the misconceptions; the test was conducted in the second trimester also to confirm the misconceptions. Further quantitative data were collected from a demographic questionnaire. The qualitative data were collected by individual interviews in the fourth phase of the research project. Phase three of this study was the development of screencasts in the four most prominent misconceptions in DC resistive circuits of the students. The respondents of this study were non-randomly chosen and comprised of two groups, one in the first trimester of the year and one in the second trimester of the year, which enrolled for the N2 Electrical or Millwright courses. The respondents were predominant male and representing the three main cultural groups in the Northern Cape namely: Black, Coloured and White. The four misconceptions on DC resistive circuits that were identified were: (i) understanding of concepts, (ii) understanding of short circuit, (iii) battery as a constant current source, and (iv) rule application error. Screencasts clarifying the four misconceptions were developed and distributed to the respondents. On the foundation of the results of this research, it can be concluded that the students have several misconceptions around direct current resistive direct current circuits and that the use of TEL like screencasts can be used to solve some of these misconceptions. Screencasts could supplement education when they were incorporated into the tutoring and learning for supporting student understanding. The results of this research could lead to the further development and refinement of screencasts on DC resistive circuits and also useable guidelines in creating innovative screencasts on DC resistive circuits. / MEd (Curriculum Development), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

This research project focused on the influence of animal-assisted play therapy on the self-esteem of adolescents with special needs. The goal of this study was to ascertain whether principles of animal-assisted play therapy from the gestalt approach would enhance the self-esteem of adolescents with special needs. In order to achieve this goal, the following objectives were set out: to create a theoretical knowledge base through a literature study and consultation with experts, to conduct an empirical study in order to obtain qualitative and quantitative data and to formulate conclusions and recommendations with regard to the use of animal-assisted play therapy with adolescents with special needs. A combination of the quantitative and qualitative approaches was utilized, and applied research was done, as the focus was on practical solutions that is suitable for practice. A research hypothesis was posed, namely: If animal-assisted therapy from the gestalt approach is used with adolescents with special needs, their self-esteem will be enhanced. Two adolescents were selected as respondents through purposive sampling as sub-type of non-probability sampling. An empirical study was conducted through the use of questionnaires and interviewing as data-collection methods. The quantitative data was gathered through the use of self-constructed questionnaires and the Psychosocial Functioning Inventory for High School Children (PFI – HIGH – C) from Perspective College. The researcher utilized the A-B-A research design to conduct a pre-test and a post-test. Qualitative data was gathered through interviewing using the combined animal-assisted and gestalt play therapy techniques Empirical data was gathered and indicated improvement in the self-esteem of both the respondents who were exposed to the play therapy techniques. The research has thus shown that the use of animal-assisted play therapy does enhance the self-esteem of adolescents with special needs, and has benefits for future practice. The hypothesis of the study is thus proven to be true. / Dissertation (MSD (Play Therapy))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Social Work and Criminology / Unrestricted