The importance of mental skills training (MST) is emphasized by previous/available research findings which show that by combining MST with physical training it enhances players’ ability to cope with the demands of the sport and subsequently results in better sport performance. The main aims of the present study (presented in two articles which can be read independently) were twofold. The first was to determine field hockey players’ perceived need for MST, and their perception regarding their ability to prepare psychologically for matches, as well as compile a general profile of their psychological skill for the total group and by gender. The second aim of the study was to determine the possible positional differences in mental skill levels among 91 South African tertiary institutions’ male field hockey. A total of one hundred and ninety seven (91 males and 106 females) South African field hockey players who competed in the 2008 University Sport of South Africa tournament participated in the study. The participants completed the Psychological Skills Inventory (PSI) and the Ottawa Mental Skills Assessment Tool–3 (OMSAT–3) questionnaires. The results from Article 1 showed significant gender differences from the Psychological Skills Inventory (PSI) according to which the males outperformed the females in the skills of concentration, activation and activation control. In addition, significant gender differences were observed for mental skills training (MST) measures for goal–setting and commitment in which the females outperformed the males, whilst the males fared better than the females in stress reaction. The hockey players perceived MST as important to enhance performance in field hockey. The players furthermore perceived their ability to prepare psychologically for matches as good, which contradicts the results from the questionnaires as the players showed poor mean scores for five of the six subscales of the PSI questionnaire. The results from article 2 showed that the goalkeepers had the lowest scores for seven of the 12 tested skills, whereas midfielders outperformed the other positions in six of the 12 subscales. It is clear from these results that MST is important for field hockey and therefore warrants the attention of all role players in field hockey. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Sport Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Violence against women in cohabiting and marital relationships is, at present, a prominent phenomenon in South Africa. Domestic violence against women and children in South Africa is widespread and on the increase, also in Potchefstroom. Yet limited interventions are available. The interventions that are available include the SAPS, the court for the protection order, NGO’s and social workers. Female victims need measures that focus on building and empowering them with skills. Therefore the researcher adapted the Personal Growth Programme of FAMSA in Welkom to cater for the needs of female victims of domestic violence who are currently or were previously in an abusive relationship. The newly formulated Personal Empowerment Training Programme (PETP) is a tool that provides the female victims with the opportunity to deal with poor self–image, emotional demoralisation, loss of selfhood, self–blame and shame. Aim The aim of the research was to determine the effect of the PETP on the knowledge, attitude and behaviour of female victims of domestic violence in Potchefstroom. Method The main core of the research can be depicted as programme evaluation in which an evaluative research design was used. In the main study an experimental group was subjected to the PETP, while the control group was not. However, both experiential group and control group had to complete the pre–post questionnaire. Results The results proved that the PETP had a positive impact on the knowledge, attitude and behaviour of female victims affected by domestic violence. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

The tourism industry is one of the biggest economic contributors in South Africa and it is predicted that the industry will grow significantly over the years to come. This growth pressures South Africa to stay competitive and adhere to the needs of the visitors. The latter being one of the core functions of any tourism establishment. Labour structures in the tourism industry are constantly changing and to deliver quality products, employees should be well skilled and prepared for the demands of the industry. The accommodation sector, one of the biggest sectors in the tourism industry, provides a variety of services to tourists when visiting this country. It was determined in the literature review that the skills needed by an accommodation manager, to provide the expected services include flexibility, people skills, the ability to train other employees and the ability to explore the ever changing needs of the tourist. Higher education organisations in South Africa educate potential tourism employees in a variety of skills and knowledge. However, some employees are still of the opinion that these students are not adequately prepared for the demands of the industry and therefore complain. Added to this, there is very little communication between the industry and higher education organisations. Therefore the tourism industry feels that students are not employable which creates challenges for students, higher education organisations and the tourism industry. Education and skills development should contribute directly to the economic growth of South Africa and the government, a very important role player in the tourism industry, encourages education opportunities in South Africa. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine, through industry participitation, what the management skills required within graded establishments in South Africa are. To achieve this aim, the following objectives were set: To analyse the literature available regarding the managerial theories, managerial levels, managerial processes and universal skills needed by managers, to analyse the tourism industry and hospitality sector, identify the important role played by managerial skills within this sector and to identify higher education programmes available in South Africa that focus specifically on managerial skills development for the accommodation sector. Thirdly, to collect and analyse the perceptions of accommodation owners and managers regarding the managerial skills and knowledge required by graduate managerial employees and then to draw conclusions and make recommendations to higher education organisations to adapt tourism management qualification programmes. This was achieved by making use of a quantitative research method by means of self-administered questionnaires, distributed to 254 Tourism Grading Counsil of South Africa’s (TGCSA) graded establishment managers in the nine (9) provinces of South Africa. The data, gathered from the questionnaire, was captured electronically by an online programme, SurveyMonkey. The data was then processed by means of SPSS and analysed. The descriptive results revealed that most of the responding accommodation establishments do employ graduates, but these graduates have to display certain characteristics. The top three characteristics for an accommodation manager included trustworthiness, responsibility and motivation in that order. Being ambitious, intelligent and sensitive rated the lowest. A factor analysis revealed that there are 10 important factors that contributes to being an effective accommodation manager. These skills included: 1) Personal characteristics, 2) Forecasting skills, 3) Strategic management skills, 4) Human resource skills, 5) Problem solving and crisis management skills, 6) Communication skills, 7) Information technology skills, 8) Customer service skills, 9) Financial skills and 10) Marketing skills. The comparisons (by means of ANOVA’s, t-tests and spearman rank order correlations) between skills needed by an accommodation manager and selected business characteristics (the province in which the accommodation establishment is located, the grading status, the size, the number of employees and the years that the accommodation establishment has been in operation) are unique to this study and various significant differences were identified. Comparisons have also been done between skills needed by an accommodation manager and selected personal characteristics (age, current position, duration of employment, level of higher education and the necessity of practical skills before employment of the respondent) which also revealed significant differences. The highest number of significant differences was identified for larger establishments, age, position of the respondents and the duration of employment. The results of this study can be used by higher education organisations to adapt their current tourism management qualifications, and by accommodation establishments to understand the training needs of employees. It did however voice the concerns of industry role players when it comes to new graduates and their employability. / MA (Tourism Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The tourism industry is one of the biggest economic contributors in South Africa and it is predicted that the industry will grow significantly over the years to come. This growth pressures South Africa to stay competitive and adhere to the needs of the visitors. The latter being one of the core functions of any tourism establishment. Labour structures in the tourism industry are constantly changing and to deliver quality products, employees should be well skilled and prepared for the demands of the industry. The accommodation sector, one of the biggest sectors in the tourism industry, provides a variety of services to tourists when visiting this country. It was determined in the literature review that the skills needed by an accommodation manager, to provide the expected services include flexibility, people skills, the ability to train other employees and the ability to explore the ever changing needs of the tourist. Higher education organisations in South Africa educate potential tourism employees in a variety of skills and knowledge. However, some employees are still of the opinion that these students are not adequately prepared for the demands of the industry and therefore complain. Added to this, there is very little communication between the industry and higher education organisations. Therefore the tourism industry feels that students are not employable which creates challenges for students, higher education organisations and the tourism industry. Education and skills development should contribute directly to the economic growth of South Africa and the government, a very important role player in the tourism industry, encourages education opportunities in South Africa. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine, through industry participitation, what the management skills required within graded establishments in South Africa are. To achieve this aim, the following objectives were set: To analyse the literature available regarding the managerial theories, managerial levels, managerial processes and universal skills needed by managers, to analyse the tourism industry and hospitality sector, identify the important role played by managerial skills within this sector and to identify higher education programmes available in South Africa that focus specifically on managerial skills development for the accommodation sector. Thirdly, to collect and analyse the perceptions of accommodation owners and managers regarding the managerial skills and knowledge required by graduate managerial employees and then to draw conclusions and make recommendations to higher education organisations to adapt tourism management qualification programmes. This was achieved by making use of a quantitative research method by means of self-administered questionnaires, distributed to 254 Tourism Grading Counsil of South Africa’s (TGCSA) graded establishment managers in the nine (9) provinces of South Africa. The data, gathered from the questionnaire, was captured electronically by an online programme, SurveyMonkey. The data was then processed by means of SPSS and analysed. The descriptive results revealed that most of the responding accommodation establishments do employ graduates, but these graduates have to display certain characteristics. The top three characteristics for an accommodation manager included trustworthiness, responsibility and motivation in that order. Being ambitious, intelligent and sensitive rated the lowest. A factor analysis revealed that there are 10 important factors that contributes to being an effective accommodation manager. These skills included: 1) Personal characteristics, 2) Forecasting skills, 3) Strategic management skills, 4) Human resource skills, 5) Problem solving and crisis management skills, 6) Communication skills, 7) Information technology skills, 8) Customer service skills, 9) Financial skills and 10) Marketing skills. The comparisons (by means of ANOVA’s, t-tests and spearman rank order correlations) between skills needed by an accommodation manager and selected business characteristics (the province in which the accommodation establishment is located, the grading status, the size, the number of employees and the years that the accommodation establishment has been in operation) are unique to this study and various significant differences were identified. Comparisons have also been done between skills needed by an accommodation manager and selected personal characteristics (age, current position, duration of employment, level of higher education and the necessity of practical skills before employment of the respondent) which also revealed significant differences. The highest number of significant differences was identified for larger establishments, age, position of the respondents and the duration of employment. The results of this study can be used by higher education organisations to adapt their current tourism management qualifications, and by accommodation establishments to understand the training needs of employees. It did however voice the concerns of industry role players when it comes to new graduates and their employability. / MA (Tourism Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Die ontwikkeling van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede is noodsaaklik om skoolsukses in graad 1 te verseker. Sodanige perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede word beïnvloed deur faktore soos die onderwyser se houding, en kennis en die gebruik van leer- en onderrigsteunmateriaal (LOSM). Om skoolsukses in graad 1 te verseker moet die leerder skoolgereed en skoolryp wees. Skoolgereedheid en skoolrypheid word beïnvloed deur eksterne faktore, soos die sosio-ekonomiese omstandighede, samelewing, gemeenskap, kultuur, die skool, die onderwyser, beskikbaarheid van leer- en onderrigsteunmateriaal, ouers en gesinstrukture. Daar is met die proefskrif gepoog om eerstens die effek van ʼn leerondersteuningintervensie op perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede van graad R-leerders in gedepriveerde omgewings te bepaal. Tweedens is daar bepaal of die leemtes in graad R-onderwysers se kennis van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede die skoolgereedheid van graad R-leerders kan beïnvloed. Die derde doelstelling was om die verband tussen sekere biografiese veranderlikes en die graad R-onderwyseres se houding teenoor die ontwikkeling van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede van graad R-leerders te bepaal. Die vierde doelstelling het die impak van die gebruik van toepaslike LOSM op die ontwikkeling van graad R-leerders se perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede, met die fokus op klein- en grootmotoriese vaardighede bepaal. Om doelstelling 1 te ontleed het die proefskrif eerstens gepoog om die effek van ʼn leerondersteuningintervensie op skoolgereedheid gebaseer op perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede van graad R-leerders in gedepriveerde omgewings te bepaal. ʼn Leerderondersteuningintervensie wat gefokus het op die ontwikkeling van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede van graad R-leerders vanuit lae sosio-ekonomiese samelewings is saamgestel. ʼn Kwantitatiewe navorsingsmetode is gevolg met ʼn drie-groep-voortoets-natoets-ontwerp. Die populasie vir hierdie doelstelling het bestaan uit drie graad R-skole wat deur middel van ʼn gerieflikheidsteekproef gekies is. Twee kwintiel 1-skole, ʼn kontroleskool (n = 30) en ʼn eksperimentele skool (n = 25), asook een kwintiel 3-skool (n = 22) is gekies. ʼn Leerderondersteuningintervensie wat gefokus het op die ontwikkeling van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede is oor ʼn tydperk van nege maande by die eksperimentele skool (skool E) geïmplementeer deurdat hulp aan die onderwysers verleen is en die leeromgewing van die leerders opgegradeer is. Die leerders is voor- en na die intervensie deur middel van ʼn skoolgereedheidstoets geevalueer. Die resultate is deur middel van ʼn variansie-analise (ANOVA), kovariansie-analise (ANCOVA) en afhanklike t-toetse geanaliseer om die verskille tussen en binne groepe te bepaal. ʼn Beduidende verband tussen skoolgereedheid en perseptueel-motoriese ontwikkeling is gevind waar faktore soos die omgewing, minimum leer- en onderrigsteunmateriaal en beperkte kennis van die onderwyser ʼn rol gespeel het. Vanaf die voortoets tot die natoets was die persentasie skoolgereedheid onderskeidelik soos volg kontroleskool 1 (32% - 56%), kontroleskool 2 (58% - 70%), eksperimentele skool (34% - 66%). ʼn Groter verbetering in die skoolgereedheid kan by die eksperimentele skool waargeneem word. Die resultate het aangedui dat ʼn perseptueel-motoriese intervensie leerders in lae sosio-ekonomiese omgewings kan help om faktore soos ʼn gebrek aan LOSM, leemtes in onderwysers se kennis en houdings wat skoolgereedheid moontlik kan beïnvloed, te oorkom. Doelstelling 2 het die verband tussen leemtes in graad R-onderwysers (n = 25) se kennis van perseptueel-motoriese ontwikkeling en die stand van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede by graad R-leerders ondersoek. ʼn Gekombineerde-navorsingsmetode vanuit ʼn post-positivistiese paradigma is hiervoor onderneem en dit is volgens ʼn fenomenologies-interpretivistiese perspektief uitgevoer. ʼn Selfopgestelde vraelys wat bestaan het uit geslote-en oopeind-vrae is as meetinstrument gebruik om vyf-en-twintig (n = 25) graad R-onderwysers se kennis oor die ontwikkeling van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede van graad R-leerders in die Potchefstroomdistrik, in te win. Die vraelys het bestaan uit die invul van biografiese gegewens, tien vrae waar die onderwyser se kennis met betrekking tot perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede bepaal is, sestien vrae waar ʼn scenario met ʼn foto en beskrywing geskets is en die onderwyser die korrekte perseptueel-motoriese vaardigheid daaraan moes koppel en agt vrae waar die onderwyser se kennis ten opsigte van die ontwikkeling van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede in graad R bepaal is. Die inligting uit die vraelyste is deur middel van Atlas.ti™ en statistiese ontleding geanaliseer. Interne itemkorrelasie van die vraelys is vasgestel en ʼn Cronbach Alpha met ʼn waarde van 0,74, gebaseer op die statistiese analise, is bepaal. Die resultate het leemtes in graad R-onderwysers se kennis met betrekking tot aspekte wat verband hou met perseptueel-motoriese onwikkeling getoon. Onvoldoende opleiding is by 80% van die respondente geïdentifiseer, wat tot die leemte in die onderwysers se kennis kon bydrae. Verder het dié onderwysers nie oor die voldoende kennis beskik oor die volle omvang van die Kurrikulum- en Assesseringsbeleidsverklaring nie en ʼn groot persentasie was onseker oor hoe om kurrikulumvoorskrifte effektief te implementeer. Die verband tussen sekere biografiese veranderlikes en die graad R-onderwyseres se houding teenoor die ontwikkeling van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede van graad R-leerders is vir doelstelling 3 bepaal. ʼn Kwantitatiewe navorsingmetode is gevolg waar graad R-onderwysers (n = 25) wat volgens beskikbaarheid geselekteer is, ʼn selfontwikkelde vraelys voltooi het, waar die hoeveelheid tyd wat aan verskillende vakke bestee word, aangedui is. Resultate is statisties geanaliseer deur gebruik te maak van beskrywende statistiek sowel as Spearman se rangorde-korrelasie om te bepaal of daar ʼn verband bestaan tussen die onderwysers se houding, soos gemeet aan die hoeveelheid tyd wat aan die onderrig van die verskillende vakke in graad R bestee is, die ouderdom en ondervinding van die onderwysers, die aantal leerders in die klas en die sosio-ekonomiese omstandighede van leerders in die klas. Tweerigting-frekwensietabelle is verder gebruik om Chi-kwadraattoetse en Cramer’s V wat die sterkte van die verband tussen ras, taal van onderrig en die vrae wat verband hou met houding te bepaal. ʼn Beduidende verband is gevind tussen ouderdom en ondervinding van die respondente en die hoeveelheid leerders in die klas, die sosio-ekonomiese omgewing en die tyd wat aan onderrig van vakke bestee word. Hierdie aspekte kan moontlik bydra tot die onderwysers se houding ten opsigte van die onderrig van Lewensvaardighede, wat perseptueel-motoriese ontwikkeling insluit. Indien dié aspekte aangespreek kan word deur intervensie en indiensopleiding, kan die onderwyser se houding teenoor die onderrig van Lewensvaardighede moontlik verander, wat sal bydra tot groter klem op die ontwikkeling van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede. Doelstelling 4 het die impak van die gebruik van toepaslike leer- en onderrigsteunmateriaal op die ontwikkeling van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede met die fokus op groot- en klein (fyn) motoriese vaardighede by die graad R-skole bepaal. Om die doelstelling te bereik is leerders van twee skole binne dieselfde sosio-ekonomiese omstandighede se skoolgereedheid tydens ʼn voortoets bepaal. ʼn Gekombineerde navorsingsmetode met ʼn tweegroep-voortoets-natoets-ontwerp is gevolg. Leerders van twee graad R-skole (kwintiel 1) met ʼn gemiddelde ouderdom van 5,2 (± 0,5) jaar in die Potchefstroomdistrik is met ʼn gerieflikheidsteekproef geselekteer. ʼn Perseptueel-motoriese intervensie, wat gefokus het op die ontwikkeling van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede is deur middel van onderwyser-ondersteuning en die skep van ʼn effektiewe leeromgewing, vanaf Februarie tot November (nege maande) by die eksperimentele skool (n = 25) uitgevoer, terwyl geen addisionele hulpverlening in die kontroleskool (n = 30) plaasgevind het nie. Die kwantitatiewe resultate is ontleed deur middel van ʼn afhanklike- en onafhanklike t-toets en ʼn ANCOVA is gebruik om verskille tussen en binne die skole te bepaal. Die kwalitatiewe navorsing is deur middel van ʼn multi-metode-benadering met die fokus op foto-analise en beskrywende inligting geanaliseer. Voor intervensie was geen van die leerders in die twee skole skoolgereed nie. Na die intervensie was die aangepaste gemiddeldes wat behaal is in die natoets vir klein- en grootspier-koördinasie by die eksperimentele skool prakties betekenisvol beter as dié van die kontroleskool. In die eksperimentele skool was 17 uit 20 leerders na die intervensie skoolgereed, terwyl daar uit die kontroleskool slegs 8 uit 28 leerders skoolgereed was. Die resultate dui daarop dat perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede van leerders vanuit ʼn lae sosio-ekonomiese omgewing met effektiewe LOSM gestimuleer kan word om hul skoolgereedheid te verbeter. Vroeë intervensie in die vorm van onderwyser-ondersteuning en opgradering van die leeromgewing wat fokus op die ontwikkeling van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede in graad R, kan moontlik agterstande in die verband aanspreek en sodoende bydra tot die verbetering van skoolgereed. Op grond van bogenoemde resultate kan daar tot die gevolgtrekking gekom word dat die graad R-leerder in gedepriveerde omgewings se perseptueel-motoriese ontwikkeling wel deur verskeie faktore negatief beïnvloed kan word. Van hierdie faktore is onder meer die onderwyser se houding, leemte in kennis, onvoldoende opleiding en beskikbaarheid van leer- en onderrigsteunmateriaal. Daar word gevolglik aanbeveel dat leerders wat in lae sosio-ekonomiese omgewings grootword aan ʼn vroeë intervensie, wat fokus op die ontwikkeling van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede en effektiewe LOSM, blootgestel moet word. Daarbenewens behoort onderwysers se leemte in kennis oor perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede asook hul houding oor die belangrikheid van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede aangespreek te word deur onder andere indiensopleidingsprogramme. Die belang van die aanstelling van goed opgeleide onderwysers, gerig op vroeë kinderontwikkeling behoort ook by die Departement van Basiese Onderwys aandag te geniet. Sodoende kan dié leerders se agterstande tydig oorkom word en hul skoolgereedheid verbeter word. / PhD (Human Movement Science), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Die ontwikkeling van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede is noodsaaklik om skoolsukses in graad 1 te verseker. Sodanige perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede word beïnvloed deur faktore soos die onderwyser se houding, en kennis en die gebruik van leer- en onderrigsteunmateriaal (LOSM). Om skoolsukses in graad 1 te verseker moet die leerder skoolgereed en skoolryp wees. Skoolgereedheid en skoolrypheid word beïnvloed deur eksterne faktore, soos die sosio-ekonomiese omstandighede, samelewing, gemeenskap, kultuur, die skool, die onderwyser, beskikbaarheid van leer- en onderrigsteunmateriaal, ouers en gesinstrukture. Daar is met die proefskrif gepoog om eerstens die effek van ʼn leerondersteuningintervensie op perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede van graad R-leerders in gedepriveerde omgewings te bepaal. Tweedens is daar bepaal of die leemtes in graad R-onderwysers se kennis van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede die skoolgereedheid van graad R-leerders kan beïnvloed. Die derde doelstelling was om die verband tussen sekere biografiese veranderlikes en die graad R-onderwyseres se houding teenoor die ontwikkeling van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede van graad R-leerders te bepaal. Die vierde doelstelling het die impak van die gebruik van toepaslike LOSM op die ontwikkeling van graad R-leerders se perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede, met die fokus op klein- en grootmotoriese vaardighede bepaal. Om doelstelling 1 te ontleed het die proefskrif eerstens gepoog om die effek van ʼn leerondersteuningintervensie op skoolgereedheid gebaseer op perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede van graad R-leerders in gedepriveerde omgewings te bepaal. ʼn Leerderondersteuningintervensie wat gefokus het op die ontwikkeling van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede van graad R-leerders vanuit lae sosio-ekonomiese samelewings is saamgestel. ʼn Kwantitatiewe navorsingsmetode is gevolg met ʼn drie-groep-voortoets-natoets-ontwerp. Die populasie vir hierdie doelstelling het bestaan uit drie graad R-skole wat deur middel van ʼn gerieflikheidsteekproef gekies is. Twee kwintiel 1-skole, ʼn kontroleskool (n = 30) en ʼn eksperimentele skool (n = 25), asook een kwintiel 3-skool (n = 22) is gekies. ʼn Leerderondersteuningintervensie wat gefokus het op die ontwikkeling van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede is oor ʼn tydperk van nege maande by die eksperimentele skool (skool E) geïmplementeer deurdat hulp aan die onderwysers verleen is en die leeromgewing van die leerders opgegradeer is. Die leerders is voor- en na die intervensie deur middel van ʼn skoolgereedheidstoets geevalueer. Die resultate is deur middel van ʼn variansie-analise (ANOVA), kovariansie-analise (ANCOVA) en afhanklike t-toetse geanaliseer om die verskille tussen en binne groepe te bepaal. ʼn Beduidende verband tussen skoolgereedheid en perseptueel-motoriese ontwikkeling is gevind waar faktore soos die omgewing, minimum leer- en onderrigsteunmateriaal en beperkte kennis van die onderwyser ʼn rol gespeel het. Vanaf die voortoets tot die natoets was die persentasie skoolgereedheid onderskeidelik soos volg kontroleskool 1 (32% - 56%), kontroleskool 2 (58% - 70%), eksperimentele skool (34% - 66%). ʼn Groter verbetering in die skoolgereedheid kan by die eksperimentele skool waargeneem word. Die resultate het aangedui dat ʼn perseptueel-motoriese intervensie leerders in lae sosio-ekonomiese omgewings kan help om faktore soos ʼn gebrek aan LOSM, leemtes in onderwysers se kennis en houdings wat skoolgereedheid moontlik kan beïnvloed, te oorkom. Doelstelling 2 het die verband tussen leemtes in graad R-onderwysers (n = 25) se kennis van perseptueel-motoriese ontwikkeling en die stand van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede by graad R-leerders ondersoek. ʼn Gekombineerde-navorsingsmetode vanuit ʼn post-positivistiese paradigma is hiervoor onderneem en dit is volgens ʼn fenomenologies-interpretivistiese perspektief uitgevoer. ʼn Selfopgestelde vraelys wat bestaan het uit geslote-en oopeind-vrae is as meetinstrument gebruik om vyf-en-twintig (n = 25) graad R-onderwysers se kennis oor die ontwikkeling van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede van graad R-leerders in die Potchefstroomdistrik, in te win. Die vraelys het bestaan uit die invul van biografiese gegewens, tien vrae waar die onderwyser se kennis met betrekking tot perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede bepaal is, sestien vrae waar ʼn scenario met ʼn foto en beskrywing geskets is en die onderwyser die korrekte perseptueel-motoriese vaardigheid daaraan moes koppel en agt vrae waar die onderwyser se kennis ten opsigte van die ontwikkeling van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede in graad R bepaal is. Die inligting uit die vraelyste is deur middel van Atlas.ti™ en statistiese ontleding geanaliseer. Interne itemkorrelasie van die vraelys is vasgestel en ʼn Cronbach Alpha met ʼn waarde van 0,74, gebaseer op die statistiese analise, is bepaal. Die resultate het leemtes in graad R-onderwysers se kennis met betrekking tot aspekte wat verband hou met perseptueel-motoriese onwikkeling getoon. Onvoldoende opleiding is by 80% van die respondente geïdentifiseer, wat tot die leemte in die onderwysers se kennis kon bydrae. Verder het dié onderwysers nie oor die voldoende kennis beskik oor die volle omvang van die Kurrikulum- en Assesseringsbeleidsverklaring nie en ʼn groot persentasie was onseker oor hoe om kurrikulumvoorskrifte effektief te implementeer. Die verband tussen sekere biografiese veranderlikes en die graad R-onderwyseres se houding teenoor die ontwikkeling van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede van graad R-leerders is vir doelstelling 3 bepaal. ʼn Kwantitatiewe navorsingmetode is gevolg waar graad R-onderwysers (n = 25) wat volgens beskikbaarheid geselekteer is, ʼn selfontwikkelde vraelys voltooi het, waar die hoeveelheid tyd wat aan verskillende vakke bestee word, aangedui is. Resultate is statisties geanaliseer deur gebruik te maak van beskrywende statistiek sowel as Spearman se rangorde-korrelasie om te bepaal of daar ʼn verband bestaan tussen die onderwysers se houding, soos gemeet aan die hoeveelheid tyd wat aan die onderrig van die verskillende vakke in graad R bestee is, die ouderdom en ondervinding van die onderwysers, die aantal leerders in die klas en die sosio-ekonomiese omstandighede van leerders in die klas. Tweerigting-frekwensietabelle is verder gebruik om Chi-kwadraattoetse en Cramer’s V wat die sterkte van die verband tussen ras, taal van onderrig en die vrae wat verband hou met houding te bepaal. ʼn Beduidende verband is gevind tussen ouderdom en ondervinding van die respondente en die hoeveelheid leerders in die klas, die sosio-ekonomiese omgewing en die tyd wat aan onderrig van vakke bestee word. Hierdie aspekte kan moontlik bydra tot die onderwysers se houding ten opsigte van die onderrig van Lewensvaardighede, wat perseptueel-motoriese ontwikkeling insluit. Indien dié aspekte aangespreek kan word deur intervensie en indiensopleiding, kan die onderwyser se houding teenoor die onderrig van Lewensvaardighede moontlik verander, wat sal bydra tot groter klem op die ontwikkeling van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede. Doelstelling 4 het die impak van die gebruik van toepaslike leer- en onderrigsteunmateriaal op die ontwikkeling van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede met die fokus op groot- en klein (fyn) motoriese vaardighede by die graad R-skole bepaal. Om die doelstelling te bereik is leerders van twee skole binne dieselfde sosio-ekonomiese omstandighede se skoolgereedheid tydens ʼn voortoets bepaal. ʼn Gekombineerde navorsingsmetode met ʼn tweegroep-voortoets-natoets-ontwerp is gevolg. Leerders van twee graad R-skole (kwintiel 1) met ʼn gemiddelde ouderdom van 5,2 (± 0,5) jaar in die Potchefstroomdistrik is met ʼn gerieflikheidsteekproef geselekteer. ʼn Perseptueel-motoriese intervensie, wat gefokus het op die ontwikkeling van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede is deur middel van onderwyser-ondersteuning en die skep van ʼn effektiewe leeromgewing, vanaf Februarie tot November (nege maande) by die eksperimentele skool (n = 25) uitgevoer, terwyl geen addisionele hulpverlening in die kontroleskool (n = 30) plaasgevind het nie. Die kwantitatiewe resultate is ontleed deur middel van ʼn afhanklike- en onafhanklike t-toets en ʼn ANCOVA is gebruik om verskille tussen en binne die skole te bepaal. Die kwalitatiewe navorsing is deur middel van ʼn multi-metode-benadering met die fokus op foto-analise en beskrywende inligting geanaliseer. Voor intervensie was geen van die leerders in die twee skole skoolgereed nie. Na die intervensie was die aangepaste gemiddeldes wat behaal is in die natoets vir klein- en grootspier-koördinasie by die eksperimentele skool prakties betekenisvol beter as dié van die kontroleskool. In die eksperimentele skool was 17 uit 20 leerders na die intervensie skoolgereed, terwyl daar uit die kontroleskool slegs 8 uit 28 leerders skoolgereed was. Die resultate dui daarop dat perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede van leerders vanuit ʼn lae sosio-ekonomiese omgewing met effektiewe LOSM gestimuleer kan word om hul skoolgereedheid te verbeter. Vroeë intervensie in die vorm van onderwyser-ondersteuning en opgradering van die leeromgewing wat fokus op die ontwikkeling van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede in graad R, kan moontlik agterstande in die verband aanspreek en sodoende bydra tot die verbetering van skoolgereed. Op grond van bogenoemde resultate kan daar tot die gevolgtrekking gekom word dat die graad R-leerder in gedepriveerde omgewings se perseptueel-motoriese ontwikkeling wel deur verskeie faktore negatief beïnvloed kan word. Van hierdie faktore is onder meer die onderwyser se houding, leemte in kennis, onvoldoende opleiding en beskikbaarheid van leer- en onderrigsteunmateriaal. Daar word gevolglik aanbeveel dat leerders wat in lae sosio-ekonomiese omgewings grootword aan ʼn vroeë intervensie, wat fokus op die ontwikkeling van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede en effektiewe LOSM, blootgestel moet word. Daarbenewens behoort onderwysers se leemte in kennis oor perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede asook hul houding oor die belangrikheid van perseptueel-motoriese vaardighede aangespreek te word deur onder andere indiensopleidingsprogramme. Die belang van die aanstelling van goed opgeleide onderwysers, gerig op vroeë kinderontwikkeling behoort ook by die Departement van Basiese Onderwys aandag te geniet. Sodoende kan dié leerders se agterstande tydig oorkom word en hul skoolgereedheid verbeter word. / PhD (Human Movement Science), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Magister Educationis - MEd / In Suid-Afrikaanse skole word op 'n gereelde grondslag gevind dat nie alle leerlinge baat vind by gewone groeponderrig soos dit in die gewone klaskamer vergestalting vind nie. Enersyds is daar die groep wat op Buitengewone Onderwys aangewese is, en andersyds is daar die groep wat nie vir buitengewone onderwys kwalifiseer nie, maar nog steeds nie die mas in die gewone klas kan opkom nie. Laasgenoemde maak dikwels deel uit van 'n sosio-ekonomies of polities benadeelde groep en die grootste persentasie druipelinge en vroeë skoolverlaters, in vergelyking met die res van die skoolbevolking , kom uit die groep. Die swak akademiese prestasies van hierdie leerlinge word in die meeste literatuur gekoppel aan kognitiewe benadeeldheid. Opvoedkundige Sielkunde. Kognitiewe benadeeldheid word vir die doel van hierdie mini-tesis gelykgestel aan kulturele benadeeldheid, maar dit word gekoppel aan die definisie van Feuerstein wat dit beskou as 'n gebrek aan bemiddelde leerervaring (BLE). Te midde van 'n strewe na sosio-ekonomiese, politieke en opvoedkundige rekonstruksie in Suid-Afrika, is dit belangrik dat probleme met skolastiese prestasie op die intermediêre vlak aangespreek word. Alhoewel skole weinig kan doen om 'n radikale verandering in die omgewingstoestande van leerlinge teweeg te bring, kan dit egter 'n groot bydrae lewer in die ontwikkeling van die kognitiewe vermoëns van kinders. Om hierdie belangrike funksie te vervul, is ditnoodsaaklik dat onderwysers in hul voorbereiding vir hul taak deeglik toegerus moet word met gepaste teoretiese begronding, asook daaruitvloeiende maatreëls om kognitiewe benadeeldheid by hul leerlinge effektief te verklaar en te bekamp. Die fokus in hierdie mini-tesis is op die benadering ten opsigte van kognitiewe benadeeldheid by primêre skool leerlinge in die opleidingsprogramme - spesifiek die Opvoedkundesillabusse - van onderwyskolleges van die Departement van Onderwys en Kultuur, Raad van Verteenwoordigers (DOK:RV); en die Departement van Onderwys en Opleiding (DOO), asook ontwikkelinge op die gebied van kognitiewe onderwys in Suid-Afrika. Op grond van die leemtes in die betrokke opleidingsprogramme is die doel van hierdie mini-tesis om BLE as noodsaaklike komponent in die opleidingsprogram van primêre skoolonderwysers in Suid- Afrika aan te beveel.

A lot of changes have occurred in the Department of Education (DoE) since 1994. These changes require teachers to study, implement and assess learner outcomes while providing meaningful, engaged learning for a diverse learner population. To enable teachers to cope with changes in the education system, training and retraining of educators has become a major focus of the Department of Education (DoE). The Department of Education needs to ensure that training provided equips teachers with new knowledge and skills and thus enable them to provide education of high quality. Through the decentralization policy that characterises the new education dispensation in South Africa, School Management Teams (SMT) are required to see to it that training of teachers yields the desired results. To this end the School Management Team (SMT) should facilitate transfer of training among educators by providing ongoing support and coaching to trained educators. Ongoing coaching represents the concrete involvement of managers (principals) and supervisors (heads of department) in work–related transfer efforts. It appears, however, that SMTs are experiencing problems in facilitating transfer of training among educators in schools. These problems emanate from three key members of the training partnership, viz., managers, trainees and trainers. In general, problems seem to be related to trainee characteristics, work environmental factors, and training design and delivery. As a result, a research was undertaken to investigate the perceptions of SMTs about the seriousness of problems that they experience in facilitating transfer of training with the major aim of coming up with suggestion about how these problems can be eliminated. A cross–sectional empirical survey design using a questionnaire was used to collect data from 70 SMT members in 10 schools. The major findings from the research show that SMTs experience serious to very serious problems in the areas of providing time for professional development activities within the regular school day, giving incentives to educators for practicing skills learned in training, and providing resources that educators need to apply their newly gained skills. The major recommendation from this research concerns the training of SMTs in facilitating transfer of training prior to training of teachers. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

A lot of changes have occurred in the Department of Education (DoE) since 1994. These changes require teachers to study, implement and assess learner outcomes while providing meaningful, engaged learning for a diverse learner population. To enable teachers to cope with changes in the education system, training and retraining of educators has become a major focus of the Department of Education (DoE). The Department of Education needs to ensure that training provided equips teachers with new knowledge and skills and thus enable them to provide education of high quality. Through the decentralization policy that characterises the new education dispensation in South Africa, School Management Teams (SMT) are required to see to it that training of teachers yields the desired results. To this end the School Management Team (SMT) should facilitate transfer of training among educators by providing ongoing support and coaching to trained educators. Ongoing coaching represents the concrete involvement of managers (principals) and supervisors (heads of department) in work–related transfer efforts. It appears, however, that SMTs are experiencing problems in facilitating transfer of training among educators in schools. These problems emanate from three key members of the training partnership, viz., managers, trainees and trainers. In general, problems seem to be related to trainee characteristics, work environmental factors, and training design and delivery. As a result, a research was undertaken to investigate the perceptions of SMTs about the seriousness of problems that they experience in facilitating transfer of training with the major aim of coming up with suggestion about how these problems can be eliminated. A cross–sectional empirical survey design using a questionnaire was used to collect data from 70 SMT members in 10 schools. The major findings from the research show that SMTs experience serious to very serious problems in the areas of providing time for professional development activities within the regular school day, giving incentives to educators for practicing skills learned in training, and providing resources that educators need to apply their newly gained skills. The major recommendation from this research concerns the training of SMTs in facilitating transfer of training prior to training of teachers. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Doctor Educationis / ‘n Gevallestudie binne die kwalitatiewe metodologiese paradigma is gebruik om die hersiene Arbeidsterapiekurrikulum by die Universiteit van Wes-Kaapland te interpreteer. Die doel van die studie was om te bepaal hoe die hersiene kurrikulum aan die handelingsgerigte wetenskaplike raamwerk van die beroep, die gemeenskapsgebaseerde visie van die veranderde gesondheidsorgbenadering in Suid-Afrika na 1994, en aan die beginsels van studentgesentreerde opleiding voldoen. Eerstens, is konseptuele duidelikheid verkry omtrent die ontplooiende verwikkelinge in die Arbeidsterapieprofessie na ‘n teoretiese raamwerk van handelingsgerigte wetenskap en van transformasie van gesondheidsdienste in die land. Tweedens, deur die proses van konseptuele analise en deur die gebruik van dokumentêre analise, tematiese analise van studente se geskrewe evaluerings en ‘n fokusgroeponderhoud met Arbeidsterapiepersoneel, is die data ge-analiseer. Die konseptuele analise van die hersiene Arbeidsterapiekurrikulum het areas van kurrikulumstruktuur, onderrig en leer, studente-assessering, praktiese opleiding, personeel se professionele ontwikkeling en navorsing ingesluit. Vanuit die konseptuele analise is gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings gemaak. Die hoofgevolgtrekking wat na aanleiding van my interpretasie en bevinding in die Arbeidsterapiekurrikulummodel voorgestel word, is dat die Arbeidsterapiekurrikulum deur drie teoreties-opvoedkundige vertrekpunte naamlik: handelingsgerigte wetenskap, primêre gesondheidsorgbenadering en studentgesentreerde onderrigbenadering ondersteun word.