Cape Peninsula University of Technology
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Aligning preservice teachers’ experiences for ICT integration in education in the school of education at the university of technology in South Africa
No full textThe poor correlation between fieldwork and the preservice teachers' coursework for technology integration has been observed since the introduction of technology as a teaching and learning tool in education. The quantity and quality of the preservice technological experiences as part of the teacher education program have a significant impact on how new teachers use technology. This paper highlights how the educational programs and the fieldwork experiences of the preservice teachers should be aligned to integrate technology in teaching and learning. To gain insight into the current practices in the School of Education at the University of Technology in South Africa, the embedded mixed method approach, was utilised. For quantitative data, a TPACK questionnaire was distributed to 480 preservice teachers. Observation, interviews, an open-ended questionnaire and document analysis were employed for qualitative data. To analyse quantitative and qualitative data, the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Atlas.ti were employed, respectively. The findings revealed a lack of synergy between the preservice teachers’ coursework and the fieldwork for technology integration in education. It was recommended that for the preservice teachers to thrive in integrating technology in teaching practicals and in their future workplaces, the School of Education should ensure the development of programs that involve coursework and fieldwork in the school context
Integration of ICT in schools: Context-Aware ICT Appropriation (CAIA) model
No full textThe integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into South African schools is problematic due to access inequalities. This study investigated the dynamics of access to and use of ICT in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The qualitative study used a phenomenological approach based on a posthuman philosophical framework and used the Actor-network theory (ANT) as a methodological approach to educational technology. Van Dijk's cumulative access model, combined with Jansen's dimensions of digital inequality, was employed as a theoretical and conceptual framework. ANT was used to identify the various actors involved in the process, to examine their interactions, to understand the use of technology, and to assess their integration into educational practices. The study confirms that access does not follow a simplistic linear progression of continuous phases and proposes the Context-Aware ICT Appropriation (CAIA) model that encompasses a broader contextual approach. This research supports the need for a more complex and nuanced understanding of the multifaceted concept of access to ICT, which more accurately reflects how teachers actively interact with technology in an increasingly technology-driven society. The study has contributed to the theoretical and practical aspects of the field and laid the foundations for future research. It is essential to assess the practical effectiveness and capacity of the CAIA model to overcome the limitations of isolated technology interventions. The researcher advocates for future studies to evaluate the applicability and efficacy of the proposed CAIA model in the real world
High-gain X-band patch antenna for spaceborne synthetic aperture radar applications
No full textThis paper presents a high-gain X-band rectangular microstrip patch antenna with edge feed for spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) applications. The increasing demand for high-resolution Earth Observation (EO) Satellite imagery prompts a growing necessity for high-gain antennas. PTFE (Teflon) substrate with a relative permittivity of 2.1 is used in this design which ensures high-frequency performance and resilience to space radiation. This substrate also delivers impedance stability, minimizing signal and dielectric losses. The substrate height has been set to 3 mm, a choice deemed more efficient for antenna performance. The antenna was simulated using HFSS with a fractional bandwidth (FBW) of 8.57% (8.7–9.48 GHz), which is depicted by the reflection coefficient (S11). A return loss of − 17.1 dB and a high gain of 8.1591 dBi is simulated at the resonant frequency (9 GHz). The proposed antenna has good impedance matching which makes it suitable for SAR applications
HsMM-based mobility aware cell association method for dynamic bandwidth management in 5G-FRANs
No full textIn this paper, a cell association method for proactively managing bandwidth in 5G fog radio access networks 5G FRANs) by considering user mobility is developed. The proposed method jointly utilises cell identifications (cell-IDs) information and distributions of sojourn time to develop a hidden semi-Markov model (HsMM) for predicting the most appropriate next cell that satisfies downlink rate requirements. Furthermore, the cell that offers the optimal rate is determined based on an optimization solution. The proposed HsMM considers ping-pong effects, missing values, and limited context from wireless networks to understand user mobility patterns. The result shows that the HsMM-based scheme yields a high accuracy performance according to the number of observation time intervals. Also, the proposed scheme produces an improved user satisfactory percentage compared to the existing schemes
Future dynamic multimedia content access via aerial computing system
No full textMultimedia content access sovereignty arises due to the intention of producers to enable subscribers from pre–defined regions access multimedia content. This limits the number of locations (with subscribers) that can access producer content. Therefore, the ability to access multimedia content across previously unconsidered locations is limited. The presented research addresses this challenge and focuses on multimedia content sharing among subscribers in arid and hyper–arid regions. The use of stratosphere based data centres (SBDCs) is proposed. The paper also presents multi–tier network architecture for network traffic management. This ensures that network traffic congestion does not limit access to multimedia content by subscribers across multiple regions. The use of SBDCs increases the number of locations that engage in the sharing of multimedia content. Evaluation shows that the proposed solution increases the number of data sharing locations by (75.8 – 88.2) % on average
Urban nature reserves waste challenges from neighboring informal settlements: Western Cape, South Africa
No full textNature reserves have played a crucial role in biodiversity conservation for decades. Rapid urban sprawl has increased the amount of solid waste created by littering and illegal dumping in metropolitan nature reserves. This paper examines how two nature reserves, Wolfgat Nature Reserve and Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserves, can combine community conservation with waste management. To determine aspects such as the socioeconomic impact of the nature reserves on the surrounding communities, questionnaires with a specific focus on the topic were distributed to the surrounding communities and subsequently administered. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews with key informants from the nature reserve staff and observational methods, and SPSS was used to analyze the data. Consistent with previous research, this study revealed that ignoring local populations frequently results in people disobeying the appropriate regulations in these protected areas and that education does not guarantee conservation support. Despite this, the survey revealed an absence of community participation; conservators were more reactive than proactive. In this study, the level of education, which in some studies is always associated with knowledge, was contradicted; those with post-secondary education knew little about these areas, and the vast majority of participants were unaware of the protected areas just a few kilometers away from their communities
Erroneous classification of Brassica juncea L. in South African studies: consequences for agricultural extension services
No full textAgricultural extension services play a crucial role by providing expert guidance on enhancing production and processing and facilitating the dissemination of knowledge and scientific findings into practical use. For this reason, researchers must generate accurate information for agricultural extension officers to relay to the ultimate beneficiaries - the farmers. In this paper, we highlight an instance of misidentification by researchers about one of South Africa's extensively researched vegetables, Brassica juncea L. Due to its broad adaptability, this crop has been the focus of numerous South African studies aimed at maximising its production for resource-poor farmers. Regrettably, the accumulated research on B. juncea reveals a prevalent issue of inconsistent naming and classification, leading to confusion with Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa subs. chinensis). Such inaccurate species identification fosters a disjointed body of knowledge, potentially generating conflicting results and thereby restricting the applicability of the research findings to farmers and other stakeholders. This literature review examines 20 years of South African research to guide future studies and extension efforts on B. juncea. It underscores the necessity for accurate species identification and nomenclature, thereby enhancing the reproducibility and relevance of research outputs
‘We grow together.’ Parent participation in an early childhood care and education centre
No full textBackground: The importance of parental involvement in children’s education, from the start, has been established by global research. Despite this rhetoric, there is limited research in South African Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) centres that explore how parents can participate democratically in early education, especially in areas of low-socio-economic standing.
Aim: The aim and objective of this study were to explore parents’ and teachers’ understanding and experiences of parent participation in one ECCE centre in Lavender Hill, Cape Town.
Setting: The research was conducted with the parents and teachers in one ECCE centre in Lavender Hill, Cape Town, South Africa.
Methods: This interpretive, qualitative research provided opportunities to give voice to all participants through semi-structured interviews, analysis of school documents, appreciative inquiry and parent journaling. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed to interpret the data.
Results: The rich data collected provided a platform for open dialogue, allowing stakeholders in the setting to listen to one another fostering meaningful connections and empowerment within the community. The findings revealed the importance of promoting parent agency through participation, which strengthens community ties and social cohesion.
Conclusion: Parents want to have an impact on the ECCE centre and are interested in their children’s lives within the setting. Meaningful participation and collaboration support individuals as a community of practice, which has the potential to influence the broader community surrounding the centre.
Contribution: The ongoing research impact focusses on co-constructing an ongoing, iterative and democratic model of parent participation
Influence of drafting system variables at speed frame on yarn tenacity and breaking elongation using Taguchi method
No full textThis study evaluates the impact of drafting systems and variables on yarn quality, emphasising tenacity and elongation. The study tries to determine the best drafting system setup and how spacer size and roller load affect yarn qualities. The investigation used PK 1500 3/3, 1600 4/4, and 1500 4/4 drafting systems. The front top roller load and spacer size varied for yarn samples. We examined and analysed yarn tenacity and elongation to evaluate their impacts. Statistics were used to evaluate the results and find relationships between drafting system setups and yarn quality. The PK 1500 3/3 drafting system produced the best average yarn tenacity, followed by PK 1600 4/4 and PK 1500 4/4. Spacer size had a smaller effect on tenacity than front top roller load, increasing and then decreasing with load. The 3/3 system was most affected by the front top roller load. The drafting system and overhang affected yarn elongation more than the front roller load, back roller load, and spacer size. The PK 1500 3/3 process produced the highest-breaking-elongation yarn. Lower R² results suggest ring frame specifications have a greater impact on yarn quality than roving quality. The research helps optimise drafting system settings and emphasises ring frame process parameters. The foundation for future research on textile manufacturing yarn quality factors is laid by this research
Systematic review of poultry slaughterhouse wastewater treatment: unveiling the potential of nanobubble technology
No full textAeration is crucial for the biological decomposition of organic compounds in wastewater treatment. However, it is a highly energy-intensive process in traditional activated sludge systems, accounting for 50% to 75% of a plant’s electricity consumption and making it a major cost driver for wastewater treatment plants. Nanobubbles (NBs), characterized by their tiny size with diameters less than 200 nm, have emerged as a potential alternative to the low efficiency of aeration and high sludge production in aeration systems. NBs proved effective in removing COD and other pollutants from wastewater. For example, when applied in flotation, aeration, and advanced oxidation, NBs achieved up to 95%, 85%, and 92.5% COD removal, respectively. Considering the recent advancements in wastewater treatment, a compelling need arises for a thorough investigation of the effectiveness and mechanisms of nanobubbles in this field. This systematic review summarizes recent advancements in understanding nanobubbles (NBs) and their unique properties that enhance physical, chemical, and biological water and wastewater treatment processes. Moreover, this study reviews various methods for generating NBs and provides an in-depth review of their applications in wastewater treatment, with a particular focus on poultry slaughterhouse wastewater (PSW) treatment