Paramedics are exposed to high levels of stress and trauma in their working environment. Research has its focus on the coping mechanisms and trauma incidents escalating into Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. This study examines the paramedics’ working environment in relation to the help available, and suggests a pastoral counselling method which may be utilized as an effective method of assisting in the coping process and prevention of PTSD. Emergency Medical Services as a helping profession is mainly concerned with the welfare of their patients. This study has its focus on helping the helper, with the main focus on assisting the paramedic to cope with his working environment. Implications of the research include kerugmatik counselling and narrative therapy, incorporated in a pastoral counselling method to assist the paramedic with the healing process. The main findings were that stress and coping of the paramedic in his working environment was a reality which was often overlooked, as these paramedics had their focus on caring for their patients. In most cases there is help available, but the paramedic is hesitant to seek it out. Paramedics are mostly self-reliant in their coping mechanisms as their understanding and relationship with God and with the church had been damaged. The researcher followed the four tasks of practical theology as theoretical framework, as explained by Osmer: Descriptive-empirical Task – Priestly listening Interpretive Task – Sagely wisdom Normative Task – Prophetic discernment Pragmatic Task – Servant Leadership / Thesis (MA (Pastoral Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Paramedics are exposed to high levels of stress and trauma in their working environment. Research has its focus on the coping mechanisms and trauma incidents escalating into Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. This study examines the paramedics’ working environment in relation to the help available, and suggests a pastoral counselling method which may be utilized as an effective method of assisting in the coping process and prevention of PTSD. Emergency Medical Services as a helping profession is mainly concerned with the welfare of their patients. This study has its focus on helping the helper, with the main focus on assisting the paramedic to cope with his working environment. Implications of the research include kerugmatik counselling and narrative therapy, incorporated in a pastoral counselling method to assist the paramedic with the healing process. The main findings were that stress and coping of the paramedic in his working environment was a reality which was often overlooked, as these paramedics had their focus on caring for their patients. In most cases there is help available, but the paramedic is hesitant to seek it out. Paramedics are mostly self-reliant in their coping mechanisms as their understanding and relationship with God and with the church had been damaged. The researcher followed the four tasks of practical theology as theoretical framework, as explained by Osmer: Descriptive-empirical Task – Priestly listening Interpretive Task – Sagely wisdom Normative Task – Prophetic discernment Pragmatic Task – Servant Leadership / Thesis (MA (Pastoral Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Daar is baie onbeskryfde ruimtes en identiteite in Suid–Afrika; gemeenskappe waarvan die woordkunspotensiaal van die vertellers en skrywers nie ontgin is nie. Die kompleksiteit van die Suid–Afrikaanse samelewing, veral met betrekking tot taal en die geletterdheidskontinuum, veroorsaak dat gemeenskapseie woordkunsprojekte nie op n eendimensionele vlak beskou kan word nie. In een gemeenskap is daar byvoorbeeld lede wat steeds in die mondelinge tradisie funksioneer, maar ook ander vir wie die skriftelike tradisie toeganklik is. n Nuwe, sogenaamde “sekondêre mondelinge tradisie” speel ook n rol, en daar is komplekse intervlakke tussen hierdie tradisies. In elke gemeenskap deel mense mini–narratiewe met mekaar, maar is daar ook meesternarratiewe waardeur die betrokke gemeenskap, en die samelewing as geheel, beïnvloed word. Die oorkoepelende doel van die studie is om vas te stel watter rol oraliteit en identiteit speel in die bevordering van gemeenskapseie woordkuns in Suid–Afrika. As navorsingsmetode word daar vanuit n heuristiese en interpretatiewe benadering afleidings uit bestaande literatuur en gevallestudies gemaak. Die studie bestaan uit n teoretiese en praktiese deel. Die teoretiese deel behels n metateoretiese raamwerk wat uit die literatuurstudie gevorm word. Dit vorm as't ware die “bril” waardeur die res van die studie beskou word. Drie teoretiese sfere word betrek, naamlik (1) identiteit en ruimte, (2) die woordkuns en (3) gemeenskapsontwikkeling. Tydens die praktiese deel word daar veral van die praktykgebaseerde navorsingsmetode gebruik gemaak, asook op deelnemende waarneming en outo–etnografie gesteun. Insigte word uit twee gevallestudies oor gemeenskapseie woordkunsprojekte en die bespreking van n aantal eenmalige woordkuns–projekte verkry. Uit beide die teoretiese en praktiese dele van die navorsing word sekere merkers afgelei wat vir die skep van n model ter bevordering van die woordkuns in Suid–Afrika gebruik word. Die model is nie algemeen geldend nie; dit bied slegs beginsels wat as riglyne in die bevordering van gemeenskapseie woordkuns kan dien. Na afloop van die navorsing word tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat beide oraliteit en identiteit n sentrale rol in die woordkuns van gemeenskappe speel. Daar word gevind dat daar verskeie verbande bestaan tussen die identiteit en ruimte van n gemeenskap en die manier waarop hulle hulself in woordkuns uitdruk. Verder word vasgestel dat n deelnemende benadering tot gemeenskapsontwikkeling as n toepaslike filosofiese raamwerk vir gemeenskapseie woordkunsprojekte kan dien. Die benadering word ook (met inagneming van die konsepte ruimte en identiteit) as raamwerk vir die ontwikkeling van die model ter bevordering van gemeenskapseie woordkuns gebruik. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Afrikaans and Dutch))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The aim of this qualitative study was to explore and describe the experiences and needs of mothers of sexually abused children. A conceptual framework outlined the theoretical underpinnings of this study which focused on the core theoretical concepts of Gestalt therapy theory and the field of child sexual abuse with particular focus on the impact that the child’s trauma has on the mother. Semi–structured interviews were conducted with a sample of five mothers in order to gain rich data from their phenomenological experience. These interviews were transcribed into text and analysed. Several themes and categories emerged and were explored with the use of a literature control. These themes included the mother’s phenomenological experience of the sequence of disclosure, their awareness of the impact of their child’s sexual abuse on their holistic sense of self, their intra and interpersonal contact making styles, their need to facilitate a healthy sense of self and lastly their phenomenological knowledge gained through their field experience. The disclosure of their child’s sexual abuse signifies the start of the secondary trauma experienced by mothers, and the start of the cycle of a new experience that they struggle to bring to closure. This knowledge that their child has been sexually abused has an immediate negative impact on the mother’s field and their sense of self. Their process of healthy self–regulation is hindered due to the strong negative polarities in the self being formed and the self–blame that the mothers experience. This study therefore concluded and strongly recommended that mothers of sexually abused children receive support in the form of therapeutic intervention and education while their child receives therapy. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

In South Africa, Science and Technology Education faces many problems. Insufficient numbers of Science and Technology teachers, inadequate in–service training, large classes, instruction with the aim of narrowly orienting students towards examination passes an insufficient integration of technology in the curriculum, and insufficient physical infrastructure dominates the list. The Department of Education envisages the use of ICT as a tool for learning and teaching. ICT has the potential to improve the quality of education and training. If adequate resources are available, and teachers have confidence in the usefulness of ICTs, then the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) may improve the teaching and learning of Mathematics and Science. A review of the literature indicated that the deployment of ICT resources alone will not bring about desirable pedagogical practices in the classroom. There exists a need for interventions that will enhance ICT pedagogical practices in South Africa. The following main research questions were formulated: What are the ICT pedagogic practices used by grade 8 Mathematics and Science teachers in South African classrooms? How do the barriers that grade 8 Mathematics and Science teachers encounter, as well as the support they receive, influence their pedagogical practices? What is the Principal’s role in promoting the emerging pedagogic practices using ICT in South African classrooms? This research comprises a secondary data analysis of the SITES 2006 South African data base. The population and sample for this study was based on the South African grade 8 Mathematics and Natural science teachers. In SITES 2006, the samples comprised more than 504 schools. Due to the fact that ICT is only significantly implemented in two out of nine provinces in South Africa, 25 strata were created to secure fair representation of the population with 666 Mathematics teachers and 622 Natural Science teachers. Bromfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and Engeström’s Activity Theory was used to investigate Natural Science and Mathematics teachers’ progress in their ICT pedagogical practices through the time–frame 2004 to 2013, as stipulated in the South Africa’s White paper on e–Education policy. Statistical analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to address the research and sub–questions. The study found that South African Mathematics and Natural Science teachers’ level of ICT use is small; when they do use ICT, it is enhanced 21st century pedagogic practices. This is in accordance with findings from the international literature study. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Daar is baie onbeskryfde ruimtes en identiteite in Suid–Afrika; gemeenskappe waarvan die woordkunspotensiaal van die vertellers en skrywers nie ontgin is nie. Die kompleksiteit van die Suid–Afrikaanse samelewing, veral met betrekking tot taal en die geletterdheidskontinuum, veroorsaak dat gemeenskapseie woordkunsprojekte nie op n eendimensionele vlak beskou kan word nie. In een gemeenskap is daar byvoorbeeld lede wat steeds in die mondelinge tradisie funksioneer, maar ook ander vir wie die skriftelike tradisie toeganklik is. n Nuwe, sogenaamde “sekondêre mondelinge tradisie” speel ook n rol, en daar is komplekse intervlakke tussen hierdie tradisies. In elke gemeenskap deel mense mini–narratiewe met mekaar, maar is daar ook meesternarratiewe waardeur die betrokke gemeenskap, en die samelewing as geheel, beïnvloed word. Die oorkoepelende doel van die studie is om vas te stel watter rol oraliteit en identiteit speel in die bevordering van gemeenskapseie woordkuns in Suid–Afrika. As navorsingsmetode word daar vanuit n heuristiese en interpretatiewe benadering afleidings uit bestaande literatuur en gevallestudies gemaak. Die studie bestaan uit n teoretiese en praktiese deel. Die teoretiese deel behels n metateoretiese raamwerk wat uit die literatuurstudie gevorm word. Dit vorm as't ware die “bril” waardeur die res van die studie beskou word. Drie teoretiese sfere word betrek, naamlik (1) identiteit en ruimte, (2) die woordkuns en (3) gemeenskapsontwikkeling. Tydens die praktiese deel word daar veral van die praktykgebaseerde navorsingsmetode gebruik gemaak, asook op deelnemende waarneming en outo–etnografie gesteun. Insigte word uit twee gevallestudies oor gemeenskapseie woordkunsprojekte en die bespreking van n aantal eenmalige woordkuns–projekte verkry. Uit beide die teoretiese en praktiese dele van die navorsing word sekere merkers afgelei wat vir die skep van n model ter bevordering van die woordkuns in Suid–Afrika gebruik word. Die model is nie algemeen geldend nie; dit bied slegs beginsels wat as riglyne in die bevordering van gemeenskapseie woordkuns kan dien. Na afloop van die navorsing word tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat beide oraliteit en identiteit n sentrale rol in die woordkuns van gemeenskappe speel. Daar word gevind dat daar verskeie verbande bestaan tussen die identiteit en ruimte van n gemeenskap en die manier waarop hulle hulself in woordkuns uitdruk. Verder word vasgestel dat n deelnemende benadering tot gemeenskapsontwikkeling as n toepaslike filosofiese raamwerk vir gemeenskapseie woordkunsprojekte kan dien. Die benadering word ook (met inagneming van die konsepte ruimte en identiteit) as raamwerk vir die ontwikkeling van die model ter bevordering van gemeenskapseie woordkuns gebruik. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Afrikaans and Dutch))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The aim of this qualitative study was to explore and describe the experiences and needs of mothers of sexually abused children. A conceptual framework outlined the theoretical underpinnings of this study which focused on the core theoretical concepts of Gestalt therapy theory and the field of child sexual abuse with particular focus on the impact that the child’s trauma has on the mother. Semi–structured interviews were conducted with a sample of five mothers in order to gain rich data from their phenomenological experience. These interviews were transcribed into text and analysed. Several themes and categories emerged and were explored with the use of a literature control. These themes included the mother’s phenomenological experience of the sequence of disclosure, their awareness of the impact of their child’s sexual abuse on their holistic sense of self, their intra and interpersonal contact making styles, their need to facilitate a healthy sense of self and lastly their phenomenological knowledge gained through their field experience. The disclosure of their child’s sexual abuse signifies the start of the secondary trauma experienced by mothers, and the start of the cycle of a new experience that they struggle to bring to closure. This knowledge that their child has been sexually abused has an immediate negative impact on the mother’s field and their sense of self. Their process of healthy self–regulation is hindered due to the strong negative polarities in the self being formed and the self–blame that the mothers experience. This study therefore concluded and strongly recommended that mothers of sexually abused children receive support in the form of therapeutic intervention and education while their child receives therapy. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

In South Africa, Science and Technology Education faces many problems. Insufficient numbers of Science and Technology teachers, inadequate in–service training, large classes, instruction with the aim of narrowly orienting students towards examination passes an insufficient integration of technology in the curriculum, and insufficient physical infrastructure dominates the list. The Department of Education envisages the use of ICT as a tool for learning and teaching. ICT has the potential to improve the quality of education and training. If adequate resources are available, and teachers have confidence in the usefulness of ICTs, then the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) may improve the teaching and learning of Mathematics and Science. A review of the literature indicated that the deployment of ICT resources alone will not bring about desirable pedagogical practices in the classroom. There exists a need for interventions that will enhance ICT pedagogical practices in South Africa. The following main research questions were formulated: What are the ICT pedagogic practices used by grade 8 Mathematics and Science teachers in South African classrooms? How do the barriers that grade 8 Mathematics and Science teachers encounter, as well as the support they receive, influence their pedagogical practices? What is the Principal’s role in promoting the emerging pedagogic practices using ICT in South African classrooms? This research comprises a secondary data analysis of the SITES 2006 South African data base. The population and sample for this study was based on the South African grade 8 Mathematics and Natural science teachers. In SITES 2006, the samples comprised more than 504 schools. Due to the fact that ICT is only significantly implemented in two out of nine provinces in South Africa, 25 strata were created to secure fair representation of the population with 666 Mathematics teachers and 622 Natural Science teachers. Bromfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and Engeström’s Activity Theory was used to investigate Natural Science and Mathematics teachers’ progress in their ICT pedagogical practices through the time–frame 2004 to 2013, as stipulated in the South Africa’s White paper on e–Education policy. Statistical analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to address the research and sub–questions. The study found that South African Mathematics and Natural Science teachers’ level of ICT use is small; when they do use ICT, it is enhanced 21st century pedagogic practices. This is in accordance with findings from the international literature study. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Afrikaans text / Met hierdie studie is beoog om leerders se persepsies van skool vas te stel en om riglyne vir ouers daar te stel om leerders met negatiewe persepsies van skool te hanteer. Daar is beoog om hierdie riglyne deur middel van praktiese modelle en werksvelle te implementeer sodat ouers begrip vir kinders se persepsies kan verkry en dat konflik opgelos kan word deur middel van positiewe kommunikasie. In die literatuurstudie word ondersoek ingestel na persepsievorming en die oorsake vir die vorming van negatiewe persepsies van skool. ‘n Persepsie word gevorm deurdat betekenis aan ‘n ervaring, op grond van die persoon se verwysingsraamwerk gegee word. Interne- sowel as eksterne faktore speel ‘n rol wanneer persepsies gevorm word. Eksterne faktore behels die verhouding met rolspelers soos: die ouers, die skool en onderwysers, die portuurgroep en die leerder se verhouding met homself. Interne faktore wat in hierdie studie ondersoek is, behels: lokus van kontrole, motivering, emosionele probleme, kognitiewe probleme en gedragsprobleme.Die navorsingsprobleem is verken met behulp van ‘n loodsondersoek as ‘n voortoets en diagnostiese vraelys wat deur die navorsingsgroep van 50 leerders voltooi is. Onderhoude is met vyf leerders gevoer oor hulle ervaringe en behoeftes met betrekking tot hulle persepsies van skool. Bevindinge dui aan dat ongeveer ‘n vyfde van die skool se leerders oor ‘n negatiewe persepsie van skool beskik. In die vraelys is leerders se persepsies ten opsigte van verskeie rolspelers vasgestel. Daar bestaan behoefte by leerders dat ouers betrokke en ondersteunend sal wees en dat ouers begrip vir hulle persepsies sal toon. Deur middel van praktiese diagramme en werksvelle is begrip en positiewe kommunikasie tussen ouer en kind bewerkstellig. In Hoofstuk 6 word praktiese riglyne aan ouers gegee oor hoe om sy kind, met ‘n negatiewe persepsie van skool, te hanteer. Op hierdie wyse is gepoog dat leerders positiewe ervaringe sal geniet; ‘n positiewe verwysingsraamwerk sal vorm en sodoende positiewe persepsies van skool sal vorm. ‘n Bydrae is ten opsigte van ouerleiding gelewer. Ouers word toegerus om ‘n kind met negatiewe persepsies van skool met begrip te hanteer. / The aim of this study was to determine learners’ perceptions of school and to provide guidelines for parents to deal with negative perceptions of school. These guidelines were implemented using practical models as well as work sheets. These were specifically aimed at enhancing parents’ understanding of the negative perceptions and resolving conflict through positive communication. In the literary study, the constitution of perceptions as well as the causes of the constitution of negative perceptions was investigated. A perception is established when a person gives meaning to an experience based on that person’s frame of reference. Internal and external factors play a part when perceptions are constituted. External factors in this study entail the relationship with parents, school and teachers, peer group and the learner's relationship with himself. Internal factors referred to in this study are locus of control, motivation, emotional problems, cognitive problems and behavioural problems. vii The research problem was explored using a pilot investigation as pre-test. A diagnostic questionnaire was also completed by 50 learners. Five learners were interviewed about their experiences and needs specifically in relation to their perceptions of school. Findings show that approximately one fifth of the learners of the school have negative perceptions of school. In the questionnaire, the learners’ perceptions with respect to a variety of role players were determined. There is a definite need for parents to be involved and supportive. Learners also need them to show understanding for their perceptions. Positive communication and understanding between parents and learners were established through practical diagrams and work sheets. In Chapter 6 practical guidelines are given to equip parents to understand how to handle the child with negative perceptions. The aim of this was to encourage learners to enjoy positive experiences, to form a positive frame of reference and therefore develop positive perceptions of school. A contribution towards parental guidance was made. Parents are left equipped to deal with a child with negative perceptions of school. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Sielkundige Opvoedkunde)

The aim of this dissertation is to investigate the attributive noun classes, as well as their suffixal counterparts, firstly in Bantu, and secondly in Zulu. The investigation will be done with reference to aspects such as the following: the general distribution, meaning and function of the attributive noun class prefixes in Bantu. This study will also investigate the distinction between those prefixes which are exclusively used to categorise size and shape deviations, namely those belonging to classes 12/13, 19, 20, 21 and 22; and those class prefixes which have a secondary function of indicating such deviations, namely the prefixes of classes 5/6, 7/8 and 11. The main concern is the way in which these prefixes are often associated with positive or negative emotive perceptions regarding size and shape, and are therefore often used to express amelioration and derogation. In languages such as Zulu and Northern Sotho the existence of possible frozen remnants of such attributive noun class prefixes will be investigated. Some Bantu languages such as Venda that express variations in size and shape as well as the emotive perception by means of suffixes, or by a combination of prefixes and suffixes will be investigated. The possible semantic overlap between the meanings expressed by attributive class prefixes, and/or between the meanings expressed by attributive class prefixes and so-called ‘attributive suffixes’ will also be scrutinized. Apart from the aspects mentioned above, the relationship between augmentative and diminutive suffixes and the notion [+ feminine] in languages such as Zulu and Northern Sotho will be scrutinized. The occurrence of the Zulu suffix -azana/-azane, which is apparently a combination of the diminutive and augmentative suffixes, will also be investigated. This study will firstly provide a typological overview of the various strategies employed in Bantu in order to express variations in shape and size, as well as of the emotive perceptions that accompany such variations. Secondly, this study will provide an insight into the way in which shape and size variations, amelioration and derogation are expressed in Zulu through the utilisation of diminutive and augmentative suffixes. An indication will also be given of the possible diachronic development of attributive categories in this language. This study will make a significant contribution not only to the field of diachronic and comparative Bantu linguistics, but also to Zulu linguistics. This research will furthermore lead to a deeper understanding of the strategies employed in Zulu to express the semantic nuances of amelioration and derogation. / Dissertation (MA (African Languages))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / African Languages / unrestricted