Thesis (D. Tech.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2004 / For some years, proponents of distance and online learning have touted the efficacy of their methods, while traditionalists have argued the superiority of face-to-face learning environments. Each side in this debate has pointed to strengths in their own methodologies, while criticising the lack of comparable features in the methodologies of their opponents. Blended learning, as the name implies, allows practitioners to combine traditional education with a variety of instructional technologies – solving the argument by joining forces, and creating a better overall product as a result. With this study the researcher aims to explain the concepts of blended learning and discuss the factors that make each form of educational delivery successful. The thesis addresses the necessary components of a computer literacy programme and Outcomes-Based Education, as well as elaborate on good teaching principles. These strands of research are then combined into the foundations for a unique programme, to deliver a computer literacy course using blended learning techniques to South African students. The programme was developed, implemented and tested through three cycles of action research.

Mini-study project (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A study project is presented on the development and implementation of a Quality Management System for the Eastern Cape Technikon, that being informed by the Higher Education Legislation of the Republic of South Africa and its Statutory Bodies in an attempt to ensconce the provision of quality teaching and learning, academic and developmental research, and academic support services in Higher Education. Beginning with the conceptualisation of quality as a concept, evolving to being a quality system, and followed by how, when successfully developed and implemented, can it be monitored and evaluated for the achievement of Higher Education objectives, both nationally . and internationally. Emphases is on how the Eastern Cape Technikon can be successfully effective, efficient and economical in its attempt to develop, implement, monitor and evaluate such a system in comportment that will appropriately fit its programmes, including its operations in general, to the national agenda of providing quality higher education that is opportune for all, especially for the bucolic, rural and underdeveloped community that Eastern Cape Technikon seeks to serve. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: geen opsomming

M.Phil. / With this study the better understanding of the skills in, the background with relation to and the attitude towards communicative Afrikaans of .a specific group of Public Administration students of the Technikon Northern-Transvaal is investigated. The focus is principally on the socio-cultural factors that influence the mastering of Afrikaans. The reseach design, including the problem identification, is vested in the theoretical Vygotskyan concept of zone of proximal development. Founded on the theories of both MM Bakhtin and LS Vygotsky, the researcher establishes an own interpretation of the zone of proximal development, when she proposes an integration thereof with the H-model as thought heuristics (Henning 1996). According to this integrated model, the study of students' zone of proximal development in Afrikaans as foreign language encompasses the study of: their language skills; their knowledge of the language; personal and socio-cultural influences; and their metalinguistic skills. This exposition serves as framework for data gathering, data analysis and chapter division. The format of the study is that of case studies which implies that an in-depth investigation is done of various types of data - obtained from a quantitatively small, but sociologically representative group of Public Adminsitration students, The various types of data which are referred to, are: data from talks delivered; written texts; data from listening and reading protocols; and data from interviews. With the interpretation of the data an attempt is not only made to come to an own understanding ("verstehen" - Weber (1958)) of the community of learners' experience and usage of Afrikaans, but also to cultivate a sensitivity for this with the wider teaching and research community.

This study assessed the information literacy (IL) skills of first-year students at Mangosuthu Technikon (MANTEC) at a pre-library orientation and instruction phase. What is evident is that students do, to a greater or lesser degree, display inadequate levels of IL skills. What is not so evident is the extent and nature of these inadequacies. The purpose of the study was to establish the level of these inadequacies. Background information concerning the MANTEC library orientation and instruction programme and the Eastern Seaboard Association of Libraries (esAL) User Education Pilot Project study was provided and an overview of MANTEC and its library was given. The assessment of IL skills in higher education libraries, with reference to the MANTEC library was discussed. The MANTEC students' IL skills were assessed using Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives, which are evident throughout the objectives of the study. The research method used for this study was the descriptive survey method. The sample consisted of 170 first-year students. A purposive sampling procedure was used. The questionnaire consisted of two main sections, one which elicited demographic data of students and the other extracted data that addressed the objectives of the study. Results were coded and analyzed using the SPSS program. The findings of the survey indicated that there is a dearth of IL skills among the majority of MANTEC first-year students. Like many other studies it revealed that many first-year students, especially from the historically disadvantaged institutions (HDI) are under-prepared for tertiary education generally and for IL demands made on them at the tertiary level. Even those who have had previous library exposure appear to bring with them little or no IL competencies to tertiary institutions. Based on the findings for this study, recommendations were made with the aim of improving MANTEC students' IL skills. / Thesis (M.I.S.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

This exploratory case study investigated the Graduate Assistant (GA) Scholarship Programme at Technikon Natal (TN) as a staff development mechanism. Although GA programmes are not a new concept and have been used internationally for decades as a means to develop academic staff, the programme at TN has some differences. This programme was initiated to address the development of young Black, and in the main African, academics in order to assist with meeting future employment equity requirements. The programme in its simplest form offers the GA the opportunity to gain teaching experience while studying for a post graduate qualification. Between 1995 and 2000, fifty GAs were involved in the programme at TN, with the majority of GAs studying at the BTech qualification level. This case study identified the juxtaposition of two perspectives of influence, those of the institutional and the individual issues. The institutional issues identified were categorised into policy and procedural issues and the individual issues focused on staff development and mentorship issues. Although the findings cannot be generalised, significant issues have been identified which could prove of value to a wider audience. In addition to developing Black academics, the programme makes a significant contribution to increasing the achievement of higher qualifications from the technikon sector. This is desirable in order to produce the technological foundation for South Africa's future economy. The study identified great potential in the GAs and in the community at TN who have embraced this opportunity to develop young academics of the future. Although there are a number of issues to be addressed, the key stakeholders of this study; the GAs and their Heads of Departments, are well supported by the management and relevant units at TN. / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of Natal, Durban, 2000.

Experiential learning is an integral part of most programs offered at the M.L.Sultan Technikon because of the technical nature of the programs. This study focuses on learning from experience when students from the technikon are placed in work-based settings. It considers how successful workplace experience are from the perspective of staff involved with the Dental Assisting program, students registered for the program that are placed for in-service learning and employers that are involved with these placements, in the light of student learning. With transformation and restructuring within the present higher education system, currently more emphasis is being placed on experiential learning at both universities and technikons. The primary objectives of this study therefore were: (1) to examine the link between education, work and personal development, (2) to document experiences which students lived through during their placements (3) to evaluate how successful workplacements were from the perspective of staff, students and employers in the Dental Assisting program. Two models of experiential learning, Kolb's Model (1984) as a learning cycle and Boud and Walker's model (1991 ) provided a framework for examining and strengthening the critical linkages among institution, the learner and the workplace supervisor. The study looks at student preparation before the placement; it considered thoroughly the environment in which students found themselves; the difficulties students faced in the workplace and reflection during and after the event. The study provides a holistic integrative perspective on learning and the total educational experience of students. A small sample was selected to afford the opportunity of assessing a lot of information through interviews. Data was analysed by identifying patterns of responses or embedded themes from the interviews. As a qualitative and ethnographic research project the results and recommendations made from the analysis can be utilised to improve my practice. Although student placements were successful in terms of their learning, there needs to be adequate pre-placement preparation for both students and employers in order to enhance the success of the placement. There is also a need to encourage students to reflect on their experience in order to make their learning more meaningful. / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of Natal, Durban, 2000

D.Litt. et Phil. / Technikon SA, situated in Florida, is the largest technikon in South Africa with an enrolment figure of more than 80 000 for 1995. As a technikon it is committed to the principle of cooperative education and it presents a large number of Diplomas and Higher Diplomas designed and developed for specific career paths. The South African Police Service is the largest employer using Technikon SA for training purposes. During 1993 the SAPS decided to implement a National Higher Diploma in cooperation with Technikon SA. One of the courses included in the curriculum is a course in African languages for members who do not have working knowledge of such a language. The SAPS as career path has unique demands and although a syllabus for a generic course in African languages does exist, it would not have suited the specific needs of the client. It was therefore necessary to do an in depth analysis of the needs of members of the SAPS as far as African languages are concerned. After the necessary permission was obtained from both the Council of Technikon SA as well as the Commissioner of Police, a questionnaire was drafted with the aid and input of the subject advisory committee of the Police. This questionnaire was given to research experts for evaluation and was edited to ensure readability. Finally it was distributed to a stratified sample of 3000 members. Before the empirical research took place, an extensive literature study was done. Aspects such as language acquisition, language learning, different models of language teaching, and syllabus design were investigated. This was done to ensure that the empirical study would be undertaken within a sound theoretical framework. A number of important conclusions were drawn from the literature study and it led to important guidelines for the planned course. The response to the questionnaires was 67%. It was proven beyond doubt that there is a great need amongst members of the Police Service to have a basic competency in an African Language. It was also indicated that this need is experienced to a greater extent in the work situation than at home. Important preferences-regarding teaching methods came to the fore and will be included in the design of the course. It was also possible to identify a number of language functions that can be regarded as critically important to a member of the SAPS. The final and very important conclusion was that the need for an African language is not limited to a specific group or rank. More than 95% of the respondents indicated that all the members would benefit by being able to communicate in an African Language. This implies that the present National Diploma should be re-curriculated to facilitate the inclusion of African languages.

M.A. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

HIV/Aids has become a household term in South Africa. Most people are aware of the existence of the disease and how it is transmitted. Several people have used this information as the impetus for behaviour change but there are many individuals who have not heeded this call and have not made any significant changes to their lifestyles. This is reflected in South Africa’s high infection rate. It would seem as if, for various reasons, people know how to protect themselves but have not used this knowledge to guard against possible infection. The purpose of this study is to explore the reasons why people have not changed their behaviour and to identify possible techniques that can be used to amend this situation. This will take the form of an intensive three-day prevention workshop where participants will be asked to think critically about their own behaviour. The aim of the programme will be to discuss, demystify and debate ideas. How will this programme be designed? The researcher will make use of focus groups consisting of Technikon students who will offer their thoughts and opinions. Once these focus groups have been conducted the researcher will undertake an intensive analysis of the data and identify certain key issues. A literature review will then follow. Therefore, the foundation of this programme will be based on the ideas of the participants, the researcher’s ideas and some points from formal behaviour change theories. The goal of this study is to add to the already growing body of HIV/Aids prevention literature and to design a programme that is useful and relevant. / Dissertation (MA (Counselling Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Psychology / unrestricted

Text in Afrikaans / Dit is belangrik vir 'n inligtingsdiens wat inligting aan die gemeenskap beskikbaar wil stel, om sekere faktore in ag te neem. 'n Belangrike aspek is of die instansie in staat is om 'n bepaalde diens te lewer wat betref voorraad, fasiliteite en personeel. 'n Vraag wat gevra moet word, is of hierdie diens teen betaling gelewer, of as 'n gratis diens aangebied moet word. 'n Belangrike aspek is die bemarking van dienste wat vroeer nie as deel van 'n ondememing sander winsoogmerke gesien is nie, maar deesdae deel van die bestuursproses uitmaak. Daar behoort ook 'n goeie verstandhouding en 'n vennootskap tussen die inligtingsdiens en die gebruiker in die gemeenskap te bestaan en samewerking tussen die partye behoort op hierdie wyse bewerkstellig te word. Om 'n pro-aktiewe inligtingsdiens aan te hied, is dit belangrik dat kennis geneem word van die inligtingsbehoeftes van die bestuurder in die handel en nywerheid. / Certain factors should be taken into consideration when an information service wishes to provide information to the community. An important matter is whether the institution is able to provide certain services as far as the collection, facilities and personnel are concerned. A question that should also be asked, is whether this should be a fee-based service, or a free service. Another important matter is the marketing of services, which in earlier times did not form part of a non-profit organization, but is nowadays regarded as part of normal management practice. There should also exist a good understanding and a partnership between the information service and the user in the community, and in this way co­ operation between both parties should be established. In order to provide a pro-active information service, it is important to have knowledge of the information needs of the manager in industry and commerce. / Information Science / M.Bibl. (Inligtingkunde)