Unisa Press Journals (University of South Africa)
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Conceptualisation of Open Educational Resources, Audiovisual Resources and Electronic Information Resources: A Literature-based Study of Selected Academic Libraries in Ebonyi State Nigeria
No full textTeaching, learning and research at every level of the education system cannot be successful without appropriate resources. Adequate, quality resources are not readily available, especially in resource-constrained countries like Nigeria. These resources come in various formats (physically and/or electronically). Audiovisual resources (AVRs), electronic information resources (EIRs) and open educational resources (OERs) are examples of teaching and learning materials that could be procured by educational institutions and accessed by students and other members of the academic community. The instrument for data collection was a literature review directed to the librarians of the selected university libraries. The educational resources—in terms of availability and usage—were presented in tables comparatively. Findings show that each of the three university libraries has certain types of AVR, EIR and OER, which are available for students’ use. Strategies for the effective use of these educational resources in Nigeria’s academic libraries were discussed. It is recommended that adequate learning facilities, other than books, be provided by the government or private individual owners of the academic libraries in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. There is also a need for academic librarians and users to keep themselves abreast of the skills necessary for the appropriate use of educational resources (subscription or free-based) in the institutions where they are available
Predictors of the Entrepreneurial Intentions of Undergraduate Students at the Faculty of Communication and Information Science of the National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe
No full textThis study sought to establish the predictors of entrepreneurial intentions among undergraduate students of the faculty of Communication and Information Science (CIS) at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Zimbabwe with regard to the unemployment rate that is steadily rising in Zimbabwe. The research objectives were to establish how attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, entrepreneurship education, and motivational factors influence entrepreneurial intentions among undergraduates in the faculty. A quantitative descriptive research design was used. The study employed a cross-sectional survey method to collect data using a closed-ended questionnaire from a population of 154 graduating students of the four departments. Data were analysed using SPSS version 21 and Microsoft Excel. The findings revealed that students’ attitude, friends, role models and classmates, and knowledge and skills played a statistically significant role in entrepreneurial intentions among the undergraduate students in the faculty. The study concluded that the antecedents of the Theory of Planned Behaviour predict entrepreneurial intention among undergraduate students. In view of these findings and conclusions the study recommends that students should be encouraged to form or be part of business clubs, organisations, training, and workshops where they can find encouragement and inspiration
Nursing Interventions to Improve Self-management in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Scoping Review
No full textBackground: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease that remains a public health problem both in developed and developing countries. As the prevalence of diabetes mellitus increases, nurses can take part in managing this disease so that health outcomes can also be improved. Strategies for sustaining diabetes self-management are, therefore, pivotal.
Objective: This review aimed to identify existing evidence regarding interventions performed by nurses in enhancing self-management of patients with T2DM.
Methods: This study was a scoping review with T2DM adults as the population of interest. The literature search was conducted in May 2023 using PubMed, CINAHL, and Medline as the resource databases. The study selection followed PRISMA guidelines. The keywords were “nursing interventions,” “type 2 diabetes mellitus,” and “self-management.”
Results: A total of 22 studies were included for review, including 10 RCT studies, one quasi-experimental study, two qualitative studies, one systematic review, one qualitative systematic review, and seven meta-analyses. The studies were undertaken in Australia, the United States of America, Norway, Spain, Turkey, South Korea, China, Singapore, Ethiopia, Taiwan, and Iran. Of those studies, 10 discussed technology-based intervention, five reported a nurse-led education approach, two reported a patient-centred self-management approach, one reported motivational interviewing, two discussed an empowerment-based approach, one reported psychological intervention, two reported a case management programme, and one reported structured as well as individualised education approaches.
Conclusion: Various nursing interventions can be implemented to improve self-management of T2DM patients. This review can inform nurses regarding intervention options applicable to their workplace conditions
Hybridisation as a Normal Process of Life: A Contribution to the “Ukuthwasa” Conversation within the Methodist Church of Southern Africa
No full textThe Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA) is currently engaged in a conversation on ukuthwasa (initiation into an ancestral calling). The conversation has sparked different reactions within the Church. Some are uncomfortable engaging in this conversation as it is seen as an unnecessary and unChristian conversation to have within the Church. There are also some who have gone through the ukuthwasa and feel that the conversation is long overdue within the MCSA. Furthermore, some believe in sangomas and are happy about this conversation. While this conversation is taking place within the MCSA, it is shrouded in suspicion and fear. There is fear that it might lead to the conversion of the Church to African traditional religion, which many feel is the opposite of Christianity. This paper is intended as a contribution to this conversation by using secondary or desk research as a methodology. Firstly, the paper defines the African worldview in which ukuthwasa is embedded. Secondly, it explores the meaning of hybridisation. Thirdly, it indicates areas within the Christian faith where hybridisation has become part of worship and belief. Finally, the paper concludes by recommending openness in this conversation as a likely solution that could lead to the Methodist vision of a “Christ healed Africa for the healing of nations.
The Genealogical-Paternity Succession Model: The “Mother of All Succession Models in African Initiated Churches”
No full textThe nexus between the genealogical and paternity models of leadership succession in African Independent Churches (AICs), also known as father-to-son, and generations of familial inheritance, respectively, are prevalent yet divisive. These models are rooted in African traditional customs, where the church is viewed as an extension of the founder’s intellectual property, to be inherited by children or relatives upon their death. The founder’s family and relations regard the church as their estate, leading to economic determinism and materialism, influencing disputes and splits within AICs. Economic determinism, a concept coined by Karl Marx and Fredrick Engels in 1848, posits that economic factors shape historical events and societal structures. In the context of AICs, this means that the distribution of material resources and goods within the church is central to understanding historical events and power struggles. The founders’ numerous sons from polygamous marriages and the complications brought about by the involvement of extended relations often led to struggles over the church and its resources and, hence, battles for control and ownership.
To gain ascendancy, family members construct and manipulate various leadership succession models, favouring their own ascendency. This leads to the proliferation of traditions and factions within AICs, ultimately resulting in splits and divisions. The church becomes a site of economic struggle, where family members vie for control over its human, material, and spiritual resources. This is what this article critically highlights in view of patriarchal and capitalist values, prioritising family lineage and economic interests over spiritual values. This is an intersection of economics, politics, and religion that acknowledges the complex web of power dynamics that shape these organisations. For this study, the genealogical-paternity may be both singular and plural as the model/s represent similar but differing perspectives of the nucleus and extended family among the Shona.
Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The nexus of the genealogical-paternity models of leadership succession in AICs relate to ecclesiology, missiology and soteriology as Church History has historical, anthropological, sociological, psychological, philosophical, political, hermeneutical, ecclesiological, eschatological, ethical, and practical perspectives of the history and theology of the Church
Looking Back at the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe’s Adoption of Individuals with Special Needs as Spiritual Workers
No full textThis article explores the progress made over the last 50 years by the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) in integrating people with special needs as spiritual workers. In 1891, missionaries from South Africa founded the RCZ. The Dutch Reformed Church propagated the gospel using various strategies and tactics, such as evangelism, education, healthcare, and literary translation. Missionaries utilised education as a means of evangelisation during the founding and development of the church. To serve those with unique needs, the church founded special institutions like the Henry Murray School for the Deaf and the Margaretha Hugo School for the Blind. There will be a historical synopsis of such an insertion. Subsequently, the focus of attention will be the adoption of special needs people ordained as pastors and evangelists in Zimbabwe’s Reformed Church throughout the last 50 years. Ultimately, this section will emphasise the accomplishments and efforts of specific pastors and evangelists. The article ends with recognising the inclusive approach used by the RCZ in sharing the gospel with people with special needs
A Short Overview of the Development of Historiography in Church History: Part 1–From the Development of Language to the Renaissance
No full textIn part 1 of the two articles on historiography in Church History, the reader is cursorily introduced to the field of historiography, its development that coincided with the development of language and the first written documents up to the end of the Renaissance. Part 2 discusses the modern, postmodern, and metamodern eras. Part 1 starts with a search for a suitable definition for historiography, adding philosophy to the argument to indicate its close relation to historiography and Church History. Only the most prominent and relevant proponents of each era are included in this historical literature review, which is done through document analysis. Although historiography forms part of all sciences, this research links the disciplines of theology, philosophy and history together by highlighting the overlaps that these subject areas have regarding historiographical development. It alerts to important principles of historiography used in research and practising in these disciplines that point towards opportunities for intern and multi-disciplinary interaction
From Dissertation to Christian Book: A Guide on Using a Thesis to Produce a Readable Publication by Ian Darke
No full textNexus between Faith and Therapeutic Interventions in the Rehabilitation of Offenders: A Case Study of the Muslim Minority Community in South Africa
No full textThroughout history, religion has been known to play an important role in regulating behaviour contributing to social order. It provides a moral foundation based on religious values and norms that prescribe and proscribe behaviour. Despite such a role, religion has been subjected to secular forms of social control through enacted rules for appropriate behaviour in society. Deviations from such rules are subject to prosecution and, in many instances, incarceration in correctional centres. In an attempt to rehabilitate the offender, both faith-based and secular therapeutic programmes are important aspects of rehabilitation. While this article briefly addresses secular intervention programmes, it focuses on how faith-based approaches can support and collaborate with other helping professions in promoting prosocial behaviour of offenders. The study draws on the experiences of other minority Muslims communities in the northern hemisphere, who have engaged with faith-based programmes in correctional centres. The case of the South Africa Muslim chaplaincy is presented to examine its nature, scope, and programmes offered to offenders in South African correctional centres. The study concludes that there is a space for faith-based approaches to be interfaced with and integrated in therapeutic programmes
“Our Identity is Our Dignity”: Digital Transformations: Palestinian Aspirations, Idealism, Reality and Pragmatism
No full textThis article reports on a collaborative project for the digital innovation of language teaching in Palestine, and it argues for the necessity of mobile learning to circumvent disruption created by the Israeli occupation causing challenges that result in marginalisation and disenfranchisement of opportunity. This partly occurs through the oppression of a sovereign curriculum that supports Palestinian self-determination. This oppression is against both the United Nations Development Goals protected rights for education and the Palestinian Ministry’s vision for a society with an education sector that embraces the use of technology to invigorate the value of its culture, produce knowledge and promote emancipation. The article proposes the integration of digital technologies with student-centred learning to enhance and support transformation through three main elements: 1. Digital competence to develop confidence and agency in teachers; 2. Continuous teacher learning to develop autonomy and collaboration within organisations; 3. Problem-solving competencies, which can result in continuous improvement loops and local solutions to barriers. This article will resonate with those recognising the need for critical theory to challenge policy and practice where it deepens disadvantage. It draws upon the voices of 20 teachers from four higher education institutions in Palestine, who reflect on the barriers to innovation and a reclaiming of educational terrain