Koers (E-Journal)
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Professional development of teachers: Critical success factors
Get PDFProfessional development (PD) has attracted a great deal of attention in recent years. Despite research findings, the development of many PD programmes often rests on faulty assumptions of such research or even no research at all. The purpose of this article is threefold: to explain why some PD programmes have been unsuccessful; to outline key factors that may influence the effective implementation of PD and to explain the importance of contextual factors like environment, internal conditions and individual considerations as the major sources of momentum for PD in schools. Specific categories that are high-lighted include the following: learning styles of educators, educator commitment, transformational leadership, out-of-school conditions, in-school conditions and requirements of PD programmes. The design of PD requires a new way of thinking and interacting and, most importantly, should be a step towards improved learner performance
Why minds are changed: an inquiry into the decisions by the Gereformeerde Kerke in Suid-Afrika (GKSA) on the role of women in the church
Get PDFReading a text presupposes, at least to some extent, an attempt on the part of the reader to understand the text. This process is not always a smooth one, especially not when the text dates from a time and place very foreign to the reader. This article investigates one of the ways in which these “rough places”, that inevitably limits the understanding of an ancient text, can to some extent be overcome. It takes as point of departure a modern-day contribution to literary theory. This is placed within the framework of a discussion in the GKSA with regard to the role of women in the church. It is suggested that the continuation of an interpretative tradition depends on the interaction between such a tradition and society
Menseregte en menswaardigheid
Get PDFHuman rights and human dignity The concept of human rights includes a variety of entitlements which are commonly subdivided into natural rights of the individual, civil and political rights, economic, social and cultural rights and solidarity rights. It has come to be generally accepted that human rights are based on the principle of human dignity. However, there are instances where human dignity is not recognised as the basic norm of a bill of rights (for example in the USA), and from a Christian perspective human dignity does not represent the core element of being human. Dooyeweerd described the human person as above all being endowed par excellence with religiosity, while Timothy Jackson singled out “sanctity” as the most fundamental basis of human rights protection. This contribution focuses on the need for a Scriptural foundation of human rights
Waardegedrewe gemeenskaps-kommunikasie – die sosiale entstof teen MIV en VIGS?
Get PDFValue-driven community-based communication – the social vacine against HIV and AIDS? Recent statistics show the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in South Africa is still not decreasing, despite numerous intervention programmes and the formation of AIDS councils. In the medium to long term HIV/AIDS prevention could be more successful if there were to be a stronger paradigm shift towards more horizontal communication at the community level as opposed to the current mainly government-driven top-down approach which communicates solutions primarily through the national media. An interpersonal and interactive community approach, based on dialogue, is therefore urgently needed. Above all, this community focus should be based on clear values to ensure sustainability. Faith-based organisations should play a far greater role in AIDS campaigns in which the normative dimension is spelled out explicitly
’n Historiografiese verkenning van watergeskiedenis
Get PDFA historiographical survey of water history In this article historiographical information is utilised to indicate the potential of water as a subject of historical research. In particular applicable practical needs in contemporary society that pose a challenge to the historian to look at the past from a different perspective, are emphasised. Attention is given to the socio-economic and political aspects of the hydrosphere and areas in which historians can render a valuable contribution. The history of water is noted for its interdisciplinary character. A variety of disciplines in the natural sciences and humanities are of value to the historian. Ultimately, when relevant questions are posed within the framework of historical water research, it is clear that the field has considerable potential to stimulate transdisciplinary scientific work
Systematic perspectives on diverging mathematical orientations
Get PDFThe popular view that mathematics is “objective” and “neutral” in the sense that it does not know different standpoints is contradicted by the factual state of modern mathematics. In the light of the dominant one-sided trends in the history of mathe-matics, fluctuating between arithmeticism and a geometrisation of this discipline, this article explores some provisional starting-points for a different view. This third option is explored by investigating some features of an acknowledgement of the uniqueness of number and space without neglecting the inter-aspectual connections between these two modal functions. An argument is advanced regarding the inevitability of employing analogical (or elementary) basic concepts, and this perspective is articulated in terms of the theory of modal aspects. Numerical and spatial terms are discussed and eventually focused on a deepened understanding of the meaning of infinity. In addition to a brief look at the circularity present in the arithmeticist claim that mathematics could be fully arithmetised (Grünbaum), attention is also asked for the agreement between Aristotle and Cantor regarding the nature of continuity – assessed in terms of the irreducibility of the numerical and spatial aspects of reality. Finally a characterisation is given of the ontological assumpt-ions of intuitionism and axiomatic formalism
