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An exploration of education's perceptions of the implementation of life sciences practical in grade 10 and 11 examinations in the Capricorn South District, Limpopo Province, South Africa
Get PDFThesis (M.Ed. (Science Education)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023The revised Basic Education curriculum has a significant influence on learning,
teaching, and evaluation of Life Science in the laboratory or classroom. Practical
examination must be an element of classroom teaching, learning, and evaluation in Life
Sciences, according to the policy statement. However, there is still a lot of uncertainty
about how educators perform practical examinations in their classes. This study
investigated perceptions of Grade 10 and 11 Life Sciences educators on the practical
assessments specifically the examination they are supposed to administer, as well as
how they implement these exams and their experiences about their implementation.
Rogan and Grayson's (2003) concept of curricular implementation were employed to
frame this research. The implementation profile and capacity to innovate led the data
analysis and research instrument for this study. An interpretive paradigm guided the
application of a qualitative case study. To find respondents, both purposive and
convenience sampling were employed. Educators at purposefully selected schools in
the Lebowakgomo District were surveyed using a free -form or open-ended
questionnaire.
According to the findings of this study, educators do conduct practical examinations, but
they have four fundamental attitudes regarding these assessments. Practical exams,
according to educators, increase learners' attention, aid in managing learners’
behaviour in class, allow learners to be hands-on, and encourage learning of Life
Sciences. However, an overwhelming 98 percent of educators had a negative
perception of the practical examination implementation or had had negative experiences
with it, with just 2 percent having positive perception. Because this positive perception is
based just on one element, "Learners take practical examination seriously," the positive
perception might also be perceived negatively.
Educators' negative perceptions stem from a variety of issues, including a lack of
resources for practical examination implementation, big classrooms, a lack of support
from schools and parents for successful implementation of Life Sciences practical
examination, and, finally, a lack of training in the implementation of practical work in
general. There is a disconnect between the curriculum and the actual educators
practice when they implement practical examination. The study found that practical
examination implementation is poor and insufficient for effective teaching and learning.
This study recommends that to improve practical examination implementation in
schools, the government, the School Management Team (SMT), educators,
communities, and other stakeholders must work together (Kibret & Adem, 2020)
An analysis of the relationship between corporate carbon disclosure and financial performance: a study of companies listed in the FTSE/JSE responsible investing index
Get PDFThesis (MBA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2023The international nature of the climate change challenge complicates the cost
analysis. Researchers have therefore concluded that atmospheric carbon
concentrations influence climate change, and that greenhouse gas emissions may
be a contributing factor, leading policy makers in several countries to examine
options for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide
(CO2). There are at least four ways to estimate the "cost of carbon emission
reductions: (1) the carbon tax necessary, which measures the marginal cost of the
final tonne of emissions cut; (2) the total direct cost, which measures the marginal
cost of all emissions reductions; (3) the loss in GDP." A wide range of businesses'
economic performance and behaviour are directly impacted by carbon emissions.
“This study was aimed at examining, using quantitative methods, the relationship
between Corporate Carbon Disclosure and Financial Performance of the top 30
companies listed in the FTSE (Financial Times Stock Exchange) and JSE
(Johannesburg Stock Exchange) Responsible Investing Index. The study results
showed that sales revenue is negatively correlated to carbon disclosure, although
the relationship is statistically insignificant. The regression results showed that the
relationship between Carbon Disclosure and Return on Equity is statistically
insignificant implying independence between the variables, despite the negative
correlation being established”. The study results also showed that Earnings per
Share is negatively correlated to Carbon Disclosure, although the relationship was
not statistically significant. The study recommends the crafting of comprehensive
Carbon Disclosure metrics, which enable objective measurement of the variable and
establishment of the statistically significant relationship with performance measures
and the improvement in stakeholder involvement and engagement in order to
improve the level of carbon disclosure and financial performance. Legislations
should be made in order to compel all organisation listed on the JSE to disclose the
impact of their operations on the environment. The study also recommends that
organisations diversify their activities to include environmentally friendly operations.
Green activities improve the image of the firm in the market which leads to
improvement in the financial activities. In addition, diversification to green activities
motivates the organisation to engage more on carbon disclosur
Investigation of single nucleotide polymorphisms of the growth hormone gene and its association with the growth traits of Dorper sheep
Get PDFThesis (M.Sc. (Animal Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023Determining body weight from growth attributes is the best, cheapest, and simplest approach, especially in rural areas where farmers lack the resources to purchase weighing instruments to assess an animal's body weight. Gene polymorphisms are regarded as elements to evaluate the animal’s economic value and thus serve as a viable technique in improving traits of critical economic importance. The study sought to uncover genetic markers of the growth hormone gene that could be utilized for selection during breeding to improve Dorper sheep growth traits. A total of fifty Dorper sheep (forty-three ewes and seven rams) between the ages of one and two years old were used in the study. Pearson’s correlation, simple linear regression analysis, PCR-FRLP, DNA sequences and marker-traits association were used for analysis to achieve the objectives. Coefficient of determination (R2) and mean square error (MSE) were used as the goodness of fit criteria to select the best regression model. Growth traits were measured from all randomly selected Dorper sheep. Growth traits: Heart girth (HG), Body length (BL), Withers height (WH), Sternum height (SH) and Rump height (RH) were measured with a centimetre-calibrated measuring tape (cm). At the same time, Body weight (BW) of each sheep was individually weighed in kilograms (kg) using a balanced weighing scale. Blood samples (2-3ml) were collected from each animal via the external jugular vein in the morning and DNA was isolated and purified using the Noegen's Genomic DNA Isolation kit process. Correlation coefficients (r) in ewes indicated that BW had a positive significant relationship with HG (r = 0.51), WH (r = 0.49) and BL (r = 0.41). Whereas in rams, BW showed to be positively and statistically correlated to WH (r= 0.78) and SH (r= 0.78). Simple linear regression results in ewes demonstrated the highest R2 value with the lowest MSE on HG while in rams SH and WH had the highest R2 with the lowest MSE. PCR-RFLP and DNA sequence findings showed a synonymous SNP (T/A) on position 735 of the coding region of the growth hormone gene in exon 4 and were named T735A. Moreover, Marker-trait association results showed that there was no statistical relationship between genotypes (AA and AB) and growth traits except for withers height whereby genotype AA had the highest impact on withers height. Correlation results suggest that increasing HG, WH and BL in ewes might cause BW to increase and an increase in WH and SH might result in an increase in BW in rams. Ram’s regression equation with SH shows that an increase in one centimetre of SH will increase BW by 0.84 kg and a model consisting of wither height reveals that an increase in one cm of WH will lead to a body weight increase of 0.60 kg. In ewes, the model with HG implies that an increase in one cm of HG will result in 0.62 kg of body weight. PCR-RFLP and DNA sequence results suggest that animals with genotype AA of growth hormone gene might be used when improving withers height. In conclusion, the findings of the current study will assist breeders in advising rural farmers who lack weighing equipment on how to predict the body weight of their animals using growth traits for a variety of reasons, including feeding, medication and breeding purposes. Furthermore, the findings will assist breeders in selecting animals based on molecular genetic markers to optimize withers height. Farmers should be educated on the association between body weight and growth traits, single nucleotide polymorphisms, and the significance of body weight in making good management decisions when feeding, medicating, marketing, and selecting replacement animals. However, more research on growth hormone gene polymorphisms and their association with growth traits need to be done with bigger sample size and more growth traits.National Research Foundation (NRF
Predictors of pharmacy students' performances in first year at a University of Technology in Gauteng Province : analysis using hierarchical regression models
Get PDFJournal article published in African Perspectives of Research in Teaching & Learning (APORTAL) Vol 7 (1) (2023)This cross-sectional quantitative study sought to identify factors associated with the performance of first-year pharmacy students. It made use of secondary data obtained from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). Even after adjusting for Grade 12 science subjects, the results of hierarchical logistic regression models show that male students were slightly less likely than female students to pass the first year of pharmacy in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Academic performance predictors could be used to reconfigure admissions criteria. As a result, a better understanding of the factors influencing pharmacy student performance may aid pharmacy educators in developing effective interventions to improve student performance. Identifying new predictors of academic performance may assist the TUT pharmacy
school to retain and graduate better pharmacists. This study suggests that a similar study should be conducted using structural equation models and hierarchical regression models to confirm the current results using a data set containing other important predictors mentioned in previous studies
Gender beliefs framed on culturo-techno-contextual approach about learning of difficult STEM concepts in African Secondary Schools
Get PDFJournal article published in African Perspectives of Research in Teaching & Learning (APORTAL) Vol 7 (1) (2023)This study employed a survey and quasi-experimental design. The purpose of this study is to find out the efficacy of the lecture method, and culturo-techno-contextual approach on students’ gender and attitude to logic gate. Results obtained from the survey in the first phase revealed logic gate, problem-solving skills, and machine language as the most difficult topic in computer studies. The second phase is a quasi-experimental design guided by two research questions with three public junior schools (equivalent to 8th grade) in Nigeria and Ghana. 38% (80) of the respondents were males while 62% (133) were females. Logic gate attitude (LGSAQ), and the student interview guide were used to collect data for the study. The data gathered was subjected to analysis of covariate (ancova), and the results showed no significant difference in students’ gender taught
using the culturo-techno-contextual approach, and the lecture method [F (1, 210) = 2.18; p>.05]. Based on the findings of the study, CTCA is recommended to computer studies teachers in Africa and beyond as a possible tool to set their teaching methods within culturally relevant and technologically appropriate contexts
Orphaned by the diaspora? school experiences of learners with parents in the diaspora in the Zimbabwean District of Mwenezi
Get PDFJournal article published in African Perspectives of Research in Teaching & Learning Journal (APORTAL) Vol 7 (2) (2023)The study sought to explore the school experiences of primary school learners from the
Mwenezi district of Zimbabwe whose parents were in the diaspora at the time the research was conducted. An interpretive paradigm that incorporated a qualitative research approach and case study design was adopted to gather data through face-to-face semi-structured interviews and through focus group discussions. The study had a total of 27 participants, comprising 2 heads, 13 teachers, 6 learners, and 6 guardians who were drawn from the two schools studied. Data were analysed using the thematic content technique and the generated narrative data were presented using verbatim transcriptions. It emerged that learners left behind got orphaned both materially and socially although their parents were alive because they got inadequate financial and moral guidance respectively due to the disruption of family systematic structures emigration caused. They were thus labelled by teachers as undisciplined and violent. Biological parents' emigration was reported to negatively influence motivation for school hence the learners left behind had negative attitudes towards education and their performance was largely poor. The left behind learners had difficulties coping with both home chores and school requirements and hence felt like dropping out of school to follow their parents. To minimize the negative educational effects on children orphaned by the diaspora, it is recommended that there should be a reorientation of communities and schools on a new type of orphaned child due to parental emigration into the diaspor
Open distance e-learning system in the institutions of higher learning in South Africa
Get PDFJournal article published in African Perspectives of Research in Teaching & Learning Journal (APORTAL) Vol 7 (2) (2023)The purpose of the study was to investigate the application of open-distance e-learning systems in the institutions of higher learning to encounter pandemic and student population increase in South Africa. The in-class contact teaching and learning system can have very serious negative effects on students when it comes to a limitation of intake to universities and lockdowns in relation to outbreaks like Covid-19. This study applies the literature to develop a framework for using the open-distance electronic learning system (Open Distance e-learning – ODeL). The study discovered that institutions of higher learning, especially contact institutions, could face risks and disruptions that may result in the suspension of academic programmes. The study provides a framework for the possible adoption of the Open Distance e-learning (ODeL) system by institutions of higher learning. The results of this study will provide alert and guidance to institutions of higher learning about the adoption of open-distance e-learning to accommodate all interested students and ensure continuity of learning during a pandemic like COVID-19. The
framework provided will assist institutions of higher learning with the how-to in terms of
implementation of Open Distance e-learning in case they decide to adopt it. Learners will be able to get admitted and enjoy learning in any institution of their choice without any limitation due to space shortage and institutions may ensure continuity in teaching and learning for their educational business even during the pandemic
The indelible Verwoerd’s edicts : a critical review of their indirect impact on South African basic mathematics education reforms
Get PDFJournal article published in African Perspectives of Research in Teaching & Learning Journal (APORTAL) Vol 7 (2) (2023)Several decades into having become a democratic state, the proclamation “What is the use of teaching the Bantu child mathematics when he cannot use it in practice" (Verwoerd, 1953 cited in Clark & Worger, 2004, p.48) haunts the mathematics classroom and its curriculum reform. Drawing from the ideas of Althusser’s ideological state apparatus and critical discourse analysis, this article argues the non-causal inference of Verwoerd’s mathematics ideological construct on the current mathematics education reforms. Significant discussions and efforts have been dedicated to improving basic mathematics education in South Africa, but many of these discussions and efforts have yielded inadequate outcomes. Policies in basic mathematics education have inadequately addressed the challenges faced in the mathematics classroom. This article critically reflects on Verwoerd’s ideological edict and how it has indirectly shaped and continues
to shape the culture and the state of mathematics teaching and learning and how the culture has translated into education policies
African Perspectives of Research in Teaching & Learning (APORTAL) Vol 7 (2) (2023)
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The impact of accountability mechanisms in enhancing municipal water service delivery :a case study of Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, Mpumalanga Province
Get PDFThesis (MPAM.) -- University of Limpopo, 2023The issue of accountability and the supply of water services has been a major concern for more than two decades in the Bushbuckridge local municipality. Poor water service delivery provokes unfavorable community reactions, which are typically the root of communities’ conflict. Despite the fact that the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996) provided the majority of South Africans optimism for a better life for everyone, however the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality has been receiving orders from communities’ members demanding adequate water service delivery. The continual demonstrations protests by the members of the communities’ shows that the municipality is failing to meet citizen’s demands. To this end, the study uses qualitative method to collect data for better understanding the historical and current concerns about water scarcity in Bushbuckridge Local Municipality. Data collection was gathered through face-to-face interviews, focus groups and semi-structured interviews questions. Data was effected, implied and classified into themes. The finding exposed that, the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality lack mechanisms in enhancing water service delivery to the citizens. The problems that were revealed involves: the lack of municipal budget, lack of public participation, unskilled and unqualified appointed municipal officials (cadre deployment), political interference, nepotism, racism, lack of Municipal officials training to have knowledge and skills in terms of water provision. The study recommended that the Municipality to introduce proper performance management system (PMS), strengthening Integrated development planning (IDP), to introduce strategies and mechanisms that will deal with corruption acts and public official’s unethical behavior, to monitor and evaluate the performance of each individual employee, to organise and initiate workshops that will teach Municipal officials about the essence of accountability on service delivery broadly