The challenge to create learning environments that could promote learning is an aspect which currently enjoys much attention in the higher education environment. According to the outcomes based approach, learners are required to be equipped with relevant and applicable skills when entering the workforce on completion of their studies. With this as background, this study investigated the applicability of experiential learning as an approach that could enable learners to make optimal use of changing learning environments. Experiential learning mainly takes place through learners’ exposure to concrete experiences which are then critically reflected upon. The concept of action learning is often used as synonym for experiential learning, as the principles underlying these concepts and the philosophical assumptions are the same. Service learning is an application field of experiential learning that differs from the traditional learning approach. Learners learn from their exposure to learning experiences, whereas service rendering takes place simultaneously. In this study attention will be paid to the importance of reflection in the learning process. On completion of the learning experience learners critically investigate their own values, preconceptions, insights they have gained in the process and actions. The reflective learning process gives learners the opportunity to monitor their own learning objectives, to enhance insight and understanding and observe the interaction between theory and practice. In addition to this the process allows them to optimise human potential by applying what they have learned. According to the process followed in this study, learners have developed and implemented certain psycho-social interventions in collaboration with a specific community. At the start of the process learners were requested to keep their dairies up to date and use these to reflect on any aspect of their learning experience. With the consent of the learners a quantitative analysis was done of the content of their dairies and certain themes have manifested. The main themes that have been identified refer to the experiences during the development and implementation of the intervention and these relate mainly to the learning facilitator. Initially learners were quite dependent on familiar structures but once they became more at ease with the process, they were able to observe and manage the process with greater freedom. One aspect that is prominent in this study is the significance of group processes - not only for the individual learner, but also as part of the greater environment. Learners were specifically challenged to manage the unpredictability of the various processes – something which has required greater adaptability and leniency of learners. Learners’ reflections on the achievement of learning outcomes centre on opportunities to practically apply their theoretical knowledge. In many learners the interaction between theory and practice has resulted in the expansion of their cognitive content. Many references were also made to the improvement of life skills which relate specifically to the group processes and personal enrichment. A reflective attitude in a learning environment facilitates opportunities for learners to build on their current knowledge and develop a greater emotive conscience of the various processes and people involved in the learning environment. In addition to this individual life skills can also become more prominent. Reflection on learning experiences is a critical component by which learners could make sense of their experiences and apply their knowledge, emphasise the greater environment and support the interaction between people and the self as part of the learning process. / Dissertation (MA (Research Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Psychology / unrestricted

According to the South African White Paper 5 on Early Childhood Development (ECD), the initiative of the Department of Education (DoE), whereby grade R is being implemented as part of compulsory education, is directed at the poorest of the poor. Grade R teachers responsible for the education of 5/6 year old learners will therefore have to possess knowledge and skills to enable them to lead grade R learners from deprived circumstances to optimal development and learning readiness. For under-or unqualified Foundation Phase teachers who work and live in rural areas, distance learning is often the only option for professional development and concurrent increase in compensation. The School of Continuing Teacher Education of the North-West University designed an open distance learning model to provide in the educational needs of under and unqualified teachers. The Foundation Phase Curriculum within the Professional Educator Development programme of the Advanced Certificate in Education presented by the North West University (hereafter referred to as the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme) is delivered via open distance learning. The National Curriculum Statements (Grade R-9) include grade R to three in the Foundation Phase Curriculum and therefore the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme will be a financially viable option to train a large number of grade R teachers to provide in the need for qualified grade R teachers. This study investigates the way in which the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme enables grade R teaching competency as programme outcome. To attain the research aims of the study a literature and empirical study were performed. The research aims of the literature study include the establishment of the knowledge, skills and attitudes to be included in a training programme with the aim of capacitating grade R teachers to facilitate the optimal development of five/six year olds from deprived circumstances. The literature is further researched to determine national and international criteria for effective design and content for training programmes for teachers of 5/6 year old learners. Through the literature study the criteria for effective training programmes for grade R teachers are determined and more specific the criteria for the effective implementation of distance learning for the training of grade R teachers. A comparative study between the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme and similar distance learning programmes implemented internationally also serves as benchmarking for the evaluation of the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme. Findings from the literature study serves as benchmark for the evaluation of the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme and for the designing of questionnaires as measurement instruments for the empirical study. The empirical research has as its first aim to determine how the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme provides grade R teacher-students the opportunity to develop the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to facilitate the optimal development and learning readiness of five/six year olds from deprived circumstances. Secondly the empirical study aims to determine how the design and content of the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme accommodates the profile and educational needs of the target population namely the teacher who will be responsible for the education of five/six year old learners from deprived circumstances. Although a combination of both qualitative and quantitative statistical methods is used in the empirical study, this evaluation research is primarily seen as a quantitative study grounded in the post-positivist epistemology. The mixed method serves as verification of findings on the data. Empirical data were captured by means of questionnaires comprising structured and open questions. Data captured through structured questions were statistically analysed Iwhile responses in open questions were interpreted qualitatively by the researcher. Data triangulation serves as verification of findings as the researcher gathered data from three study populations namely the NWU Foundation Phase ACE teacher-students, the facilitators who facilitate the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme at the various contact centres countrywide as well as lecturers presenting a similar Foundation Phase ACE programme at other tertiary institutions in the country. A comparison of responses from the structured questions and open questions with data from related literature further provides for methodological triangulation and verification of findings. Data from the literature study as well as from all three study populations in the empirical investigation converged regarding inadequacies in the way the design and content of the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme enable the development of grade R teaching competencies as outcome. Deficiencies were identified in the way the programme accommodates the situated and personal circumstances of the teacher student. The opportunity provided by programme design and content for an inexperienced grade R teacher-student to develop grade R knowledge and skills through experience learning, social learning and learning through reflection within the grade R teaching and learning context, was also found to be lacking. Recommendations based on the findings are made for consideration of future programme design. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

According to the South African White Paper 5 on Early Childhood Development (ECD), the initiative of the Department of Education (DoE), whereby grade R is being implemented as part of compulsory education, is directed at the poorest of the poor. Grade R teachers responsible for the education of 5/6 year old learners will therefore have to possess knowledge and skills to enable them to lead grade R learners from deprived circumstances to optimal development and learning readiness. For under-or unqualified Foundation Phase teachers who work and live in rural areas, distance learning is often the only option for professional development and concurrent increase in compensation. The School of Continuing Teacher Education of the North-West University designed an open distance learning model to provide in the educational needs of under and unqualified teachers. The Foundation Phase Curriculum within the Professional Educator Development programme of the Advanced Certificate in Education presented by the North West University (hereafter referred to as the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme) is delivered via open distance learning. The National Curriculum Statements (Grade R-9) include grade R to three in the Foundation Phase Curriculum and therefore the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme will be a financially viable option to train a large number of grade R teachers to provide in the need for qualified grade R teachers. This study investigates the way in which the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme enables grade R teaching competency as programme outcome. To attain the research aims of the study a literature and empirical study were performed. The research aims of the literature study include the establishment of the knowledge, skills and attitudes to be included in a training programme with the aim of capacitating grade R teachers to facilitate the optimal development of five/six year olds from deprived circumstances. The literature is further researched to determine national and international criteria for effective design and content for training programmes for teachers of 5/6 year old learners. Through the literature study the criteria for effective training programmes for grade R teachers are determined and more specific the criteria for the effective implementation of distance learning for the training of grade R teachers. A comparative study between the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme and similar distance learning programmes implemented internationally also serves as benchmarking for the evaluation of the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme. Findings from the literature study serves as benchmark for the evaluation of the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme and for the designing of questionnaires as measurement instruments for the empirical study. The empirical research has as its first aim to determine how the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme provides grade R teacher-students the opportunity to develop the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to facilitate the optimal development and learning readiness of five/six year olds from deprived circumstances. Secondly the empirical study aims to determine how the design and content of the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme accommodates the profile and educational needs of the target population namely the teacher who will be responsible for the education of five/six year old learners from deprived circumstances. Although a combination of both qualitative and quantitative statistical methods is used in the empirical study, this evaluation research is primarily seen as a quantitative study grounded in the post-positivist epistemology. The mixed method serves as verification of findings on the data. Empirical data were captured by means of questionnaires comprising structured and open questions. Data captured through structured questions were statistically analysed Iwhile responses in open questions were interpreted qualitatively by the researcher. Data triangulation serves as verification of findings as the researcher gathered data from three study populations namely the NWU Foundation Phase ACE teacher-students, the facilitators who facilitate the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme at the various contact centres countrywide as well as lecturers presenting a similar Foundation Phase ACE programme at other tertiary institutions in the country. A comparison of responses from the structured questions and open questions with data from related literature further provides for methodological triangulation and verification of findings. Data from the literature study as well as from all three study populations in the empirical investigation converged regarding inadequacies in the way the design and content of the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme enable the development of grade R teaching competencies as outcome. Deficiencies were identified in the way the programme accommodates the situated and personal circumstances of the teacher student. The opportunity provided by programme design and content for an inexperienced grade R teacher-student to develop grade R knowledge and skills through experience learning, social learning and learning through reflection within the grade R teaching and learning context, was also found to be lacking. Recommendations based on the findings are made for consideration of future programme design. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Text in Afrikaans / Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a life-threatening disease. When heart patients in the treatment of their disease, due to certain subjugating discourses practised by the biomedical model or biomedicine, are treated in a way that contributes to their anxiety and they feel themselves marginalised by society, then CAD becomes even more threatening. The narrative-pastoral approach of this study aims to treat heart patients in a way that has a calming effect on them that could assist them to deal with their heart disease more efficiently. This study shows how a heart patient's illness stories can be centralised by means of narrative therapy and how a pastoral and ethical attitude of love and respect can produce a climate that's conducive to better health and well-being. I indicate how my methodology of participatory action research succeeds in making the heart patients active participants to the research project. Their active participation indicates that meaning is not created on their behalf in therapy; rather, they are responsible for the process of richer construction of meaning. I describe how the participants socially co-constructed alternative and richer descriptions of their illness. Futhermore, I point out how their richer descriptions of illness contribute to perceptible and measurable results that are of value to the heart patients. / Koronere hartvatsiekte (KHS) is 'n lewensbedreigende siekte. Wanneer hartpasiente in die behandeling van hul siekte vanwee sekere onderdrukkende diskoerse van siekte vanuit die biomediese model of biomedisyne s6 hanteer word dat dit spanning op hul plaas en deur die samelewing gemarginaliseer word, word KHS des te meer gevaarlik. In hierdie studie gaan dit oor 'n narratief-pastorale benadering wat hartpasiente op 'n kalmerende manier hanteer sodat hulle kan kom tot 'n meer doeltreffende hantering van hul hartsiekte. Hierdie studie toon aan hoe hartpasiente se siekteverhale deur middel van narratiewe terapie gesentreer word en hoe 'n etiese en pastorale gesindheid van liefde en respek 'n klimaat skep wat bevorderlik is vir beter gesondheid en welwese. Ek dui aan hoe my metodologie van deelnemende aksienavorsing daarin geslaag het om die hartpasiente aktiewe deelnemers te maak aan die navorsingsprojek. Hul aktiewe deelname impliseer dat betekenis nie in terapie vir hulle geskep word nie, maar dat hulle self skeppend betrokke is in die proses van ryker betekeniskonstruering. Ek beskryf hoe die deelnemers altematiewe en ryker beskrywings van hul siekte sosiaal ko-konstrueer. Ek dui verder aan hoe hul ryker beskrywings van siekte bydra tot sigbare en meetbare resultate wat vir hartpasiente van waarde is. / Practical Theology / D. Th. (Praktiese Teologie)

Text in Afrikaans / Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a life-threatening disease. When heart patients in the treatment of their disease, due to certain subjugating discourses practised by the biomedical model or biomedicine, are treated in a way that contributes to their anxiety and they feel themselves marginalised by society, then CAD becomes even more threatening. The narrative-pastoral approach of this study aims to treat heart patients in a way that has a calming effect on them that could assist them to deal with their heart disease more efficiently. This study shows how a heart patient's illness stories can be centralised by means of narrative therapy and how a pastoral and ethical attitude of love and respect can produce a climate that's conducive to better health and well-being. I indicate how my methodology of participatory action research succeeds in making the heart patients active participants to the research project. Their active participation indicates that meaning is not created on their behalf in therapy; rather, they are responsible for the process of richer construction of meaning. I describe how the participants socially co-constructed alternative and richer descriptions of their illness. Futhermore, I point out how their richer descriptions of illness contribute to perceptible and measurable results that are of value to the heart patients. / Koronere hartvatsiekte (KHS) is 'n lewensbedreigende siekte. Wanneer hartpasiente in die behandeling van hul siekte vanwee sekere onderdrukkende diskoerse van siekte vanuit die biomediese model of biomedisyne s6 hanteer word dat dit spanning op hul plaas en deur die samelewing gemarginaliseer word, word KHS des te meer gevaarlik. In hierdie studie gaan dit oor 'n narratief-pastorale benadering wat hartpasiente op 'n kalmerende manier hanteer sodat hulle kan kom tot 'n meer doeltreffende hantering van hul hartsiekte. Hierdie studie toon aan hoe hartpasiente se siekteverhale deur middel van narratiewe terapie gesentreer word en hoe 'n etiese en pastorale gesindheid van liefde en respek 'n klimaat skep wat bevorderlik is vir beter gesondheid en welwese. Ek dui aan hoe my metodologie van deelnemende aksienavorsing daarin geslaag het om die hartpasiente aktiewe deelnemers te maak aan die navorsingsprojek. Hul aktiewe deelname impliseer dat betekenis nie in terapie vir hulle geskep word nie, maar dat hulle self skeppend betrokke is in die proses van ryker betekeniskonstruering. Ek beskryf hoe die deelnemers altematiewe en ryker beskrywings van hul siekte sosiaal ko-konstrueer. Ek dui verder aan hoe hul ryker beskrywings van siekte bydra tot sigbare en meetbare resultate wat vir hartpasiente van waarde is. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Praktiese Teologie)