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by Chan Yung. / Bibliography: leaves 53-58 / Thesis (M.A.Ed.) -- Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1983

Effective teaching is determined by a host of factors, not least of which is the educational guidance given to the teacher. This guidance should come about through an effecctively designed support structure initiated by the school principal as part of his management strategy. Very little has been written on this topic, particularly with reference to primary schools. In the past, geography teachers were trained, appointed to a school and expected to get on with their teaching. However, present-day teachers, in order to be effective educators, require in-service training. This should occur In a variety of ways and on a continuous basis, because teaching is an on-going business and not a job to be learned once and for always. This thesis investigates the organisational structures that exist for the teaching of geography in selected medium and large primary schools in the Eastern Cape. The author found that principals used either a subject head or standard head model. In large primary schools a subject head model was preferred i.e. a specialist geography teacher was responslble for developing the subject vertically from standard 2 to 5. The opposite was true in medium-sized schools. Principals of these schools preferred to delegate responsibility to a standard head. It was the duty ot the standard head, usually a generalist teacher without specific training in geography, to develop geography horizontally among, for example, all the standard 3 pupils. The role played by key members of a primary schools' instructional leadership team, namely the principal, subject head, and the standard head are examined in detail. The author offers justification why geography should be included In the primary curriculum. It is his contention that geography contributes to a child's general education, develops basic geographical skills, extends general mental abilities and fosters positive attitudes towards other people with whom he shares this world. A management model is proposed for principals, flexible enough for application in all schools. It is designed to ensure that teachers continue growing professionaIIy within the structure of a small group. There is no best way to organise the teaching of geography because each school has its own unique resources which should be optimally utilised in order to bring about learning. The professional development of geography teachers is possible because someone competent in geographical education should assume leadership of the qroup. This will enable ideas to be shared, plans made and strategies implemented in an eftort to improve teacher-competence through an efficiently organised geography department. In the final chapter conclusions are drawn and a recommendatlon is made for primary school principals to Implement an organlsatlonal model for the teaching of geography. A choice may be made from three models, namely a standard head, subject head or a comblnation of both models. It Is within the parameters of one of these structures that the subject can be properly managed, for example, field-trips planned, teaching aids purchased, envlronmental educatlon programmes designed, teaching strategies discussed and examinat(ons set. Thls view is supported by Cawood and GIbbon's (1980) empirical evidence. They found that good educatlonal leadership fosters effective teaching in schools.

This pilot study attempts to assess the correlation between language ability and a projective Tree-drawing test. The hypothesis tested is that expounded by Sandra Michel, a psychologist working with Dr. A. A. Tomatis at the Language Centre in Paris. The theory of Language from which her work derives is that put forward by A. A. Tomatis in Vers l'écoute humaine (Towards Human Hearing), (1977) and Education and Dyslexia trans . , Louise Guiney, (1972). This hypothesis states that the Tree-drawing can give a clear indication of the kind of dialogue the testee will be able and willing to use. The claims for projective Tree-drawing 'tests' or techniques have been mainly concerned with personality or psychological assessments and sometimes with intelligence testing since Charles Koch first began his work in this field in the early forties. Sandra Michel in "The Tree Test", translated by T . Brown, (unpublished paper), Tomatis Centre (Scarbrough, Ontario, 1980) discusses a Tree-drawing scale that indicates both the developmental level of the child's language ability and his/her motivation towards dialogue and communication at this level. To test this hypothesis a sample of 1094 Tree-drawings was used. The drawings were done by Primary School children of both sexes from Sub. A. to Std . 5, collected over four years of research. These drawings were studied to see if the Tree scale of drawings described by Michel did in fact occur and if they occurred in the sequence she suggests. As a result of these preliminary investigations a developmental scale was devised and proposed as a refinement of Michel's scale. Scores from these two Tree-scales were correlated with English language scores using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and the Spearman Rank techniques. The sample for this correlation study was a group of 54 Std. 5 pupils whose English language ability was evaluated by (i) a school English Examination mark, (ii) a Questionnaire scoring receptive and expressive language behaviours and (iii) Verbal I.Q. scores. The positive correlation between these language scores and the Tree-drawing projective test scores are discussed and the implications for English language teaching and suggestions for further research mentioned.

The aim of my diploma thesis is to explore the wakeboard market in the Czech Republic by revealing, describing and developing the profile of segments in this market. I used primary and secondary data. Primary data I gained through primary research (on-line questioning). This information I then processed in the statistical program SPSS Statistics. Secondary data I gained from the data MML/TGI, which are included in the program Data Analyzer. Based on the outputs of the two programs I revealed, described and interpreted the individual segments. With this interpretation, I was able to make a suggestion marketing recommendation that might be in the market of the Czech Republic very useful.

Marketing research is an important part of marketing, it delivers information which can be used to support decision making, for creation of plans and strategies, and also for their subsequent evaluation. Monitoring the current market, competitors and consumer behaviour, marketing research creates a competitive advantage, increases the level of certainty and reduces the level of risk to the business. It is essential that the marketing research is conducted in a professional manner. The dissertation work of Libuše Laschoberová provides readers with one document which analyses marketing research in a complex way -- it comprises of detailed information about this market and its environment in context, basic theory, brief description of historical development, selective important data, international comparison, up-to-date trends, prediction, data and opinions of marketing research agencies and experts in this field. There are also practical examples which illustrate some theoretical findings. It is focused on analysis of the contemporary state of this branch, prediction of future development and international comparison. In a practical business environment this would help to gain a deeper understanding of the market research process via the collective and structured information contained in this dissertation. The analysis was conducted independently and objectively. From a practical point of view it is an especially important section which describes the possible future trends in the market. It enables the business to adapt to these trends, create appropriate strategies and therefore prepare the firm for likely future developments. The essential part of this dissertation is based around two separate research projects which resulted in new, previously unknown data. The obtained information confirmed the assumed hypothesis and brought experts' opinions on selected issues. It can be concluded that: 1) Czech firms change their point of view on marketing research -- they are beginning to understand its benefits and use them to their own advantage. 2) Clients' requirements for quality and professionalism of marketing research are increasing. 3) The percentage of international marketing research is growing, whereas the number of projects on national level is in decline.

Reading development in the Foundation Phase (FP) is central to children’s success as they progress through school. However, evaluations in South Africa such as the Annual National Assessments (ANAs) and the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) (2006) show that reading achievement in the Foundation Phase is low, especially for children learning with African languages as their home language. This thesis examines pacing and sequencing in three Grade 1 literacy classes where isiXhosa is the language of learning and teaching (LOLT). The research took the form of a case study, focusing on the teachers’ classroom practice and how they understand their practice. Documents related to reading development in the Foundation Phase are analysed with regard to pacing and sequencing, examining how the curriculum frames literacy for teachers in the Foundation Phase. The teachers’ understanding in relation to their social context is also an important part of this research. In the thesis the way in which the teachers sequence and pace learning is analysed, drawing on Bernstein’s notions of internal and external framing, and Bourdieu’s notion of the habitus. The intended curriculum and the implemented curriculum are then compared. The results confirm that in low socio‐economic status (SES) schools, the level of poverty has an impact on teaching practice. The results also show that pacing and sequencing are reliant on the degree of planning amongst teachers. The level of development amongst learners also plays a role in how teachers organise their practice in order to differentiate the teaching of reading for all learners. The understanding that teachers have about their teaching practice are layered and influenced by their experiences, history and memories as teachers. The thesis concludes that there is a need to develop teachers’ understanding of planning and organising the teaching of reading, especially when the learners are from poor communities and do not get support in the home. In order for teachers to improve their practice, it is important for them to have the opportunity to reflect on and understand their practice.

This study was conducted at a school designated as a higher primary school comprised of grade 0-9 learners (GET band) in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. With the advent of the new curriculum in South Africa, we are also grappling with the implementation of the new curriculum at this school. This motivated me to investigate the benefits of eliciting and integrating learners’ prior everyday knowledge and experiences during teaching and learning of acids and bases. Essentially, the study sought to gain insight into whether engaging learners during practical activities using easily accessible materials from their homes facilitated meaning-making of acids and bases. This study is located within an interpretive paradigm. Within this paradigm, a qualitative case study approach was conducted with the researcher’s Grade 7 class. To gather data, document analysis, semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, lesson observations, stimulated recall discussions while watching the videotaped lessons as well as focus group interviews with learners were used. An inductive analysis to discover patterns and themes was applied during the data analysis process. The validation process was done through watching the videotaped lessons with the teachers who observed the lessons. Also, transcripts of the interviews and a summary of discussions were given back to the respondents to verify their responses and check for any misinterpretations. Rich data sets were analysed in relation to the research questions which were: How do Natural Sciences teachers elicit and integrate learners’ prioreveryday knowledge and experiences to facilitate learning of scientific concepts of acids and bases in their classrooms? Does engaging learners in practical activities using everyday substances enhance their conceptual development and understanding of acids and bases? The findings from the study revealed that the use of learners’ prior everyday knowledge and experiences during teaching and learning of acids and bases facilitated meaningful learning. Furthermore, linking learning to learners’ everyday experiences enabled them to learn scientific concepts in a relaxed and non-threatening environment. It is thus recommended that teachers should be supported in their endeavours to incorporate learners’ real life experiences during their teaching and learning repertoires. Notwithstanding, as much as there were benefits in this study there were, however, also some challenges that were encountered, such as language, which warrants further research.

Competitive Intelligence as a supporting system for strategic management system provides system of data collection and analysis for the creation of competitive intelligence for strategic decision making in the company. This thesis analyzes the possibilities, advantages and pitfalls of setting up the system and focuses on both theoretical analysis of operation of the unit, and practical implications of its introduction in the company. The work evaluates the benefits of this system for the company and the particular example demonstrates the way the department works and creation of competitive intelligence, competitive intelligence.

The diploma thesis is focused on drawing up a strategic development plan of the small family business operating in minibus transport services. The theoretical part deals with definitions and assumptions about a possible development and growth of companies, specific features of a family business including descriptions of selected analytical and research methods used in these issues. The second, analytical part of the thesis contains practical application of selected methods of a business environmental analysis with the aim to identify key factors influencing the company. Subsequently, the choice of an appropriate alternative to the strategic development of the company is based on the results of the analyses and research. In the third part, the selected option is elaborating into a strategic plan that will lead to consolidate company’s position on the marketplace and to increase its sales. The proposals also include a risk analysis and an evaluation of benefits of the proposed changes.