11613 research outputs found
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Teachers’ perceptions and practices of science, technology, engineering and mathematics Education Life sciences classrooms
No full textDissertation (M.Ed.(School for Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology Education), 2023This study was motivated by an observed need for more comprehension of the integration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education by teachers. To gain more insights into the research problem, this study explored teachers’ perceptions and practices of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in life sciences classrooms. A conceptual framework of Constructivism and STEM education was used to guide the study. The study was conducted using a qualitative research approach, an interpretive paradigm and an exploratory case study design. Purposive sampling techniques were used to select three life science teachers who taught Grades 10-12 in different schools from Thabo Mofutsanyana District of the Free State Province of South Africa. Data were gathered by means of semi-structured interviews with the teachers, lesson observations, and document analysis to elicit teachers’ perceptions and practices of STEM education integration in life sciences. The data generated from the three instruments were triangulated and analysed thematically as guided by the subsidiary questions. Four themes were identified as teachers’ perceptions of STEM education, the practice of STEM education in life sciences classrooms, challenges encountered during STEM integration, and opportunities provided by proper instruction of STEM education. Four significant findings emerged. First, teachers were aware of STEM education and the integrative nature of the STEM disciplines. However, the second finding showed that they were inadequately prepared to incorporate STEM integration approaches in their teaching lessons. The teachers struggled to integrate STEM disciplines into their classroom practices. Regardless of their comprehension of STEM education, their classroom practices were divorced from what STEM integration demands. Thirdly, it emerged that teachers encountered many challenges regarding STEM education. Other than individual challenges experienced by teachers, such as a lack of pedagogical strategies and being under-prepared to implement STEM education integration, there were also contextual factors which inhibited proper instruction of STEM education. The contextual factors included a lack of resources to carry out successful experiments and design projects, frequent power outages in the area, and overcrowding of learners. The study recommends the provision of sufficient support through conducting relevant workshops
Child guides of visually impaired parent beggars in Zimbabwe
No full textThesis(Ph.D.(Development Studies))--University of the Free State, 2023Zimbabwe is experiencing an economic crisis and increased street begging has resulted. Consequently, there has been an increase in the use of minor children guiding visually impaired parent beggars. The study explores the experiences of child guides who beg with and on behalf of their visually impaired parents, through the perspectives of the visually impaired parent beggars. The child guides miss opportunities and freedoms in the process of begging. Child guides need to be assisted to enhance their opportunities, capabilities and freedoms (to act as agents in making choices from the many opportunities available to all the children) as an alternative to guiding their visually impaired parent beggars in Zimbabwe’s streets.
This intrinsic multiple case qualitative study researched the visually impaired parent beggars and key informants (social workers) to provide insights into the begging experiences of the child guides. A sample of ten visually impaired parent beggars, ten child guides and three social workers was purposively selected for collecting (generating) data through interviews and observations. The data generation was guided by the descriptive and interpretive phenomenological reporting methods which were this study’s methodology and research process.
Thematic analyses guided the process of identifying and understanding the recurring data patterns and relationships that were relevant to answering the study’s research questions. Consequently, the findings of the study were guided by the emerging themes.
The main findings revealed the impact guided begging has on the child guides and the interventions that can be applied to free them from begging. Factors, such as poverty, deprived and socially excluded child guides from a range of capabilities when begging with and on behalf of their visually impaired parent beggars. These deprivations are related to specific rights which constitute missed opportunities or capabilities and freedoms such as education, health (rest), leisure, play and recreation.
It was also found that the child guides failed to enhance their capabilities and opportunities or child rights through interdependence with others. Thus, the deprivations were detrimental to the child guides’ wellbeing and development. Hence, it was argued that the child guides needed the application of the capability approach which sees development as possible through Ubuntu/Hunhu: interdependence with others, so that they are not socially excluded from various functions of society.
The study made some recommendations which were directed at the government, particularly the Department of Social Development and Harare City Council. The recommendations centred on satisfying the needs of child guides and were grounded on the capabilities approach and Ubuntu/Hunhu (An African theory of humaneness) inspired by social inclusion model to ensure that child guides were not socially excluded from their beings and doings
The effects of pedagogical content knowledge in learning Grade 12 mathematics using problem-based learning
No full textThesis (Ph.D.(Mathematics, Science and Technology Education))--University of the Free State, 2023This study investigated the effects of teacher’s pedagogical content knowledge in learning Grade 12 Mathematics using problem-based learning (PBL) in two selected secondary schools in the Amajuba district in KwaZulu-Natal. The problem behind the poor performance of Grade 12 Mathematics learners in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) for 2019, 2020, and 2021 is that most learners find it difficult to analyse and evaluate problem-based questions because they may be taught by some unqualified Mathematics teachers with insufficient MPCK and their low knowledge of subject content knowledge and low pedagogy. This study used Vygotsky's social constructivist theory and an inductive, exploratory qualitative case study approach. Data was collected by posing semi-structured interview questions to Mathematics teachers and open-ended questions to focus groups on learners and observing how Mathematics teachers interact with learners in the classroom. This was done to answer the "what" and "how" questions to generate theoretical insights into the phenomena under review. The findings suggest that teachers' MPCK equipped them to use inclusive educational strategies for teaching and learning Grade 12 mathematics, and had a positive outcome on learners' performances. Furthermore, the study's findings proposed that Mathematics teachers should be masters of the content, producing learning content to cognitively stimulate learners to work independently and strive for improved achievements in their current learning. More so, Mathematics teachers should be skilled at applying various teaching and learning methodologies appropriate to the learning abilities of all learners in the classroom so that learners can successfully acquire the content. The success of Grade 12 Mathematics learners adequately learning Mathematics depends on, amongst others, the teachers' ability to facilitate lessons by concretising abstract content using interactive activities in collaborative group learning. The study recommends that Grade 12 Mathematics teachers need training in using PBL as an instructional approach to teaching Mathematics. DBE needs to review the scope of the Grade 12 CAPS document so that PBL, as the preferred instructional strategy, can be adopted in teaching and learning Mathematics.
___________________________________________________________________Hierdie navorsing het die uitwerking van onderwysers se pedagogiese inhoudskennis in die leer van graad 12 Wiskunde, deur probleemgebaseerde leer (PBL), in twee geselekteerde hoërskole in die Amajuba-distrik in KwaZulu-Natal ondersoek. Die probleem was dat gr. 12’s swak gevaar het in die Nasionale Senior Sertifikaat-eksamen (NSS) vir 2019, 2020 en 2021 omdat meeste van hulle dit moeilik vind om probleemgebaseerde vrae te ontleed en te evalueer, moontlik weens sommige ongekwalifiseerde Wiskunde-onderwysers met onvoldoende pedagogiese inhoudkennis van Wiskunde (MPCK), min vakinhoudelike kennis en lae pedagogiek. Vygotsky se sosiaal-konstruktiwistiese teorie en ’n induktiewe, verkennende kwalitatiewe gevallestudiebenadering is gebruik. Data is ingesamel deur semi-gestruktureerde onderhoudsvrae aan Wiskunde-onderwysers te stel, asook oop vrae aan fokusgroepe van leerders, en waar te neem hoe Wiskunde-onderwysers met leerders in die klaskamer omgaan. Dit is gedoen om die “wat”- en “hoe”-vrae te beantwoord om teoretiese insigte te genereer oor die verskynsels wat nagevors word. Die bevindinge dui daarop dat onderwysers se MPCK hulle toegerus het om inklusiewe strategieë vir die onderrig en leer van graad 12 Wiskunde te gebruik, wat ’n positiewe uitkoms op leerders se prestasies gehad het. Die navorsing stel verder voor dat Wiskunde-onderwysers kenners van die inhoud moet wees en leerinhoud moet gebruik om leerders kognitief te stimuleer om onafhanklik te werk en te streef na verbeterde prestasies in hul huidige studies. Dit is selfs belangriker dat Wiskunde-onderwysers vaardig is in die toepassing van verskeie onderrig- en leermetodologieë wat geskik is vir die leervermoëns van alle leerders in die klaskamer, sodat leerders die inhoud suksesvol kan verstaan. Die sukses van graad 12 Wiskunde-leerders wat Wiskunde voldoende bemeester, word onder meer bepaal deur die onderwyser se vermoë om lesse te fasiliteer deur abstrakte inhoud konkreet te verduidelik deur interaktiewe aktiwiteite in samewerkende groepleer te gebruik. Die navorsing beveel aan dat graad 12 Wiskunde-onderwysers opleiding benodig om PBL as ’n onderrigstrategie tot die onderrig van Wiskunde te gebruik. Die Departement van Basiese Onderwys moet die omvang van die Caps-dokument vir graad 12 hersien sodat PBL as die voorkeur onderrigstrategie in die onderrig en leer van Wiskunde ingesluit kan word.
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Time[less] sk[etches]: unearthing the narratives of Portion Six on the farm Nooitgedacht through a Geoarchaeological Research Centre and field station
No full textDissertation (M.Arch. (Architecture))--University of the Free State, 2023The Northern Cape is a place where the landscape preserves and reveals time within the layers of the earth’s crust, unearthing the silent narratives of life. The region revealed phenomena that date back to 2.7 billion years (Almond, Pether, 2009: online), revealing the natural occurrences of the 300 Mya Dwyka Glacial Movement and the evidence of early civilization. It is known as the place where mankind grew up (Dipicio,2001: online), especially the San and KhoeKhoe communities. The only traces of their existence left in the barren landscape are that of the 93 engraving and 11 painting sites (Morris, nd: online). Portion six of the farm Nooitgedacht is one of the many points of origin within the historical plot of the Northern Cape’s Genesis. This provincial monument is a forgotten plot, its voice silenced as time seems to be the only character passing through the site. A Geoarchaeological Field School and Research center, located on portion six of the farm Nooitgedacht, is proposed to unearth and preserve the site's structured narratives and forgotten voices. Connected by the multiple narratives of the site, the lay of the land inspires an intervention that explores the possibilities of the Narrative as a dialogue of time between man and space. The intervention focuses on creating architecture that could narrate multiple narratives. The Geoarchaeological Field School and Research Center, funded by the Northern Cape’s Cape Department of Education, proposes an architectural narrative through the lens of African time, using time as the main character who navigates the visitor through carefully articulated events
Permissionless blockchain systems as pseudo-random number generators for decentralized consensus
No full textConsensus algorithms that function in permissionless blockchain systems must randomly select new block proposers in a decentralised environment. Our contribution is a new blockchain consensus algorithm called Proof-of-Publicly Verifiable Randomness (PoPVR). It may be used in blockchain design to make permissionless blockchain systems function as pseudo-random number generators and to use the results for decentralised consensus. The method employs verifiable random functions to embed pseudo-random number seeds in the blockchain that are confidential, tamper-resistant, unpredictable, collision-resistant, and publicly verifiable. PoPVR does not require large-scale computation, as is the case with Proof-of-Work and is not vulnerable to the exclusion of less wealthy stakeholders from the consensus process inherent in stake-based alternatives. It aims to promote fairness of participation in the consensus process by all participants and functions transparently using only open-source algorithms. PoPVR may also be useful in blockchain systems where asset values cannot be directly compared, for example, logistical systems, intellectual property records and the direct trading of commodities and services. PoPVR scales well with complexity linear in the number of transactions per block.Publisher's versio
The impact of the gender policy in a higher education institution in Mozambique: the case study of the University Eduardo Mondlane
No full textThesis(Ph.D.(Africa Studies))--University of the Free State, 2023The aim of this thesis was to analyze the impact of the implementation of the Gender Policy at the University Eduardo Mondlane. For this purpose I conducted a qualitative study, gathering original empirical data through questionnaires, focus group discussions, and individual interviews. My research participants were University Council members, Gender Unit employees, gender focal points, and selected academic community members (postgraduate students, administrative staff, and lecturers). These participants were purposively selected based on their presumed knowledge of the subject of study. I conducted thematic analyses on 13 individual interviews with University Council members, four focus group discussions (two with the Gender Unit employees and two with Gender Focal Points), and 27 questionnaires applied to selected members of the UEM academic community. Overall, my findings show that the Gender Policy has been unsystematically implemented at UEM for a variety of reasons that emerge from my data
Bias and illumination-dependent room temperature negative differential conductance in Ni-doped ZnO/p-Si Schottky photodiodes for quantum optics applications
No full textIn this article, evidence for the existence of illumination and bias-dependent negative differential conductance (NDC) in Ni-doped Al/ZnO/p-Si Schottky diodes, and the possible mechanism for its origin, are presented. The atomic percentages of Ni doping were 0%, 3%, 5%, and 10%. NDC is observed between -1.5 V to -0.5 V in reverse bias under illumination, but only at certain doping levels and specific forward bias. Furthermore, the devices show excellent optoelectronic characteristics in the photoconductive and photovoltaic modes, with device open circuit voltages ranging from 0.03 V to 0.6 V under illumination.Publisher's versio
Preparation of multiplex immunofluorescent platform for serology
No full textDissertation(M.Sc.(Virology))--University of the Free State, 2023Arboviruses are transmitted by blood-feeding insects such as mosquitoes and ticks, and pose significant global health challenges. In South Africa there are arboviruses that are known to occur causing outbreaks annually after heavy rainfall and there are arboviruses that have been detected historically but their medical and veterinary importance is unknown. Due to the unavailability of commercial assays for many arboviruses, the development of in-house assays becomes crucial. This study aimed to develop a cost-effective multiplexing technique using immunofluorescent polyvalent antigen slides for simultaneous screening of IgG antibodies against multiple arboviruses.
The nucleoprotein (NP), envelope domain III (EDIII), and capsid (C) genes for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), West Nile virus (WNV), and Sindbis virus (SINV) respectively were codon optimized and cloned into pcDNA 3.1+ plasmids. The plasmids were transfected into human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 mammalian cells, and the expression of these genes was confirmed through immunofluorescent assay (IFA). The expressed proteins were further validated by SDS and Western blot analyses. In-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were developed and optimized to screen human and cattle serum samples for IgG antibodies against SINV and CCHFV. A total of 386 human serum samples and 97 cattle serum samples were screened. Polyvalent IFA slides were developed and used to screen all positive serum samples, some negative and borderline from inhouse ELISAs.
The results demonstrated successful expression of CCHFV NP, confirmed through positive IFA reactions with anti-CCHF IgG. SDS and Western blot analyses further validated the size of the expressed CCHFV. WNV showed low IFA reactivity with antihis antibody and SINV showed no expression. Hence it was decided to continue using SINV-infected cells to replace SINV transfected cells, confirmed using IFA with antiSINV sera. WNV was omitted going forward due to low yield. Among the samples positive for SINV IgG ELISA, 39 exhibited concordant positive results with the polyvalent slides. Similarly, three samples positive for CCHFV IgG antibodies with CCHFV ELISA were concordant with polyvalent slides, while eight negative serum samples tested negative using the ELISAs and IFA. Three ELISA borderline samples for SINV ELISA tested positive for SINV suggesting increased sensitivity for IFA. Furthermore, specificity testing of IFA revealed an accuracy rate of 83.3%.
Multiplex assays offer a low-cost and fast method for simultaneous detection of IgG antibodies against multiple arboviruses on a single platform. The IFA results were concordant with the ELISA, suggesting the reliability of the developed technique. The positive reactors among the borderline samples for SINV antibody ELISA indicate that additional screening of negative samples could improve the cut-off value. Importantly, all samples tested negative with ELISAs were also negative with the multiplex IFA. This approach enables efficient serosurveillance, particularly in resource-limited regions. The accuracy and sensitivity of the multiplex assay were evident through the confirmation of IgG presence by monovalent IFA.
In conclusion, the developed cost-effective multiplexing technique using immunofluorescent polyvalent antigen slides provides a valuable tool for simultaneous screening of IgG antibodies against multiple arboviruses. The accuracy and sensitivity of the multiplex assay were validated through monovalent IFA confirmation. Subsequent research and refinement of this technique hold the potential to broaden its platform, enabling the screening of a more extensive array of viruses
A critical analysis of medical parole in South Africa: a comparative study
No full textDissertation(LL.M.(Public Law))--University of the Free State, 2023In the early ages, the word "parole", originating from French, which means "word of honour", related to a promise by a captured soldier upon release not to take arms against his captor.¹ The word parole then later referred to a prisoner's promise not to attempt to escape from prison.² Since 1995, parole has been defined as a system of discretionary release of inmates from prison before finishing the maximum limit of their sentence.³ It is also a system of supervision and reintegration into the community until the end of the sentence.⁴ The philosophy of parole emanates from the view that an offender can serve part of his sentence in the community, which becomes one phase of the treatment process.⁵
Medical parole, sometimes called "compassionate release", is a specific form of parole and allows prisoners to seek early release from prison if they have terminal, other or chronic and age-related health issues.⁶ Medical parole is a correctional policy intended to benefit prisoners with specified health conditions by releasing them to parole before their expected release date.⁷ Different countries have different criteria in place which assist in determining eligibility for medical parole.⁸ In general, the eligibility for medical parole depends on the inmates' inability to perform activities of daily living or needing 24-hour nursing care.⁹
South Africa, like most other countries, has medical parole. The 111 of 1998 regulates the release of prisoners on medical parole in South Africa.¹º The amended and current section 79(1) of the Act stipulates:
Any sentenced offender may be considered for placement on medical parole, by the National Commissioner, the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board or the Minister, as the case may be, if—
(a) such offender is suffering from a terminal disease or condition or if such offender is rendered physically incapacitated as a result of injury, disease or illness so as to severely limit daily activity or inmate self-care.
(b) the risk of re-offending is low; and
(c) there are appropriate arrangements for the inmate's supervision, care and treatment within the community to which the inmate is to be released.¹¹
Despite amendments made, the medical parole system in South Africa still faces criticism. The release of Shabir Shaik, the financial advisor of former President Jacob Zuma, on medical parole after serving only three years of his fifteen years triggered public debate and put the issue of medical parole in the spotlight.¹² The early release of Mr Jacob Zuma has also brought the spotlight on the system and more criticism.¹³ Another issue which raised eyebrows was the fact that according to a study by Albertus,¹⁴ 60 per cent of prisoners released on medical parole did not die after being placed on parole
Die missionale ontwikkeling van die klein plattelandse gemeentes: ‘n empiriese ondersoek na die VGKSA Vrystaat/Lesotho
No full textThesis (Ph.D.(Teologie))--University of the Free State, 2023Ek glo van harte dat God die wêreld wil bereik deur gemeentes. Gemeentes klein of groot is God se voertuie/instrumente om ‘n stukkende en gebroke wêreld te kan bereik. Daarom behoort gemeentes missionaal in hulle identiteit, kultuur en karakter te wees. Gemeentes is in ‘n bepaalde plek, tyd en konteks, en behoort in die lig van die ‘n verskil te maak. verwys na die bestaansdoel van ’n gemeente. ’n Gemeente is daar om die evangelie en God se doel met die mens en wêreld uit te leef, of anders gestel, gemeentes is daar as die instrument waardeur die Koninkryk van God gestalte kry. Malan Nel (2015:89) onderstreep laasgenoemde as volg: “ ’ ”. ‘n Missionale gemeente is ‘n gemeente wat voortdurend onderskei oor die vraag naamlik: “Waarmee is God in die wêreld besig en hoe kan die gemeente by God se werk aansluit?” Malan Nel (2015:89) stel dit as volg: “ ; - ’ ”.
Kleingemeentes hoef nie te aspireer om eers groot te word om daardie verskil te maak nie. Kennon Callahan (2000) sê dat klein gemeentes nie hulle energie moet gebruik om groter te word nie, maar eerder om hulle sterk punte te ontwikkel. Callahan (2000:vii) sê verder: “ . , . , ”. God wil in Sy sending kleingemeentes gebruik ongeag hulle grootte, bronne en fisiese voorkoms. Daar is spreekwoorde in die Afrikaanse spreektaal wat lui: “ ”, ” ”. Die Skrif druk dit in Luk 17:6 so uit: “geloof soos ‘n mostert saad ”. Dit is ‘n metafoor wat aandui dat alhoewel die mostert saadtjies baie klein is, ontkiem dit en word dit baie groot. Toegepas op die klein plattelandse gemeentes beteken dit dat gemeentes, alhoewel klein, ‘n groot impak kan maak as hulle hul missionale identiteit herontdek en leef.
Die klein plattelandse gemeentes van die VGKSA Vrystaat/Lesotho beslaan die meerderheid van die gemeentes in die sinode. Die meeste van die gemeentes is in ‘n oorlewings stryd en kan na verwys word as oorlewingskerke. Die gemeentes is meestal vakant of word bedien deur ‘n tentmaker of konsulent.
Die kleingemeentes is in staat om ten spyte van haar grootte en tekort aan bronne, ‘n missionale identiteit te ontwikkel. Om dit ‘n werklikheid te maak is ‘n diepe nadenke nodig rondom vrae: Wie is ons? Waar is ons nou? Wat het ons? Wat sê die Woord? Wat verwag God van die gemeente in ‘n spesifieke tyd, plek en konteks? Waarheen is die gemeente oppad? Malan Nel noem gemeentes wat aan die vrae aandag gee identiteits gedrewe gemeentes (2015:89).
‘n Paradigma skuif is nodig van ‘n instandhoudings gemeente na ‘n missionale gemeente. Andersgestel, ‘n Paradigma skuif van ‘n ekklesiologiese verstaan van kerk wees na ‘n missionale ekklesiologiese verstaan van die kerk wees. Dit beteken dat die kerk ten volle bestaan vir die Missio Dei. Malan Nel beklemtoon dit as volg: “ , . ; - ’ (2015:89)”.
Om laasgenoemde skuif te laat gebeur word ‘n nuwe soort leierskap benodig. Alan Hirsch onderstreep dit wanneer hy sê: “ , (2006:152)”. Kleingemeentes kan slegs ontwikkel as missionale gemeentes indien daar ‘n wegbeweeg plaasvind van ‘n klassieke leierskapstyl na ‘n missionale leierskapstyl. Nelus Niemandt meen dat die huidige denke oor leierskap nie voldoende is om die kerk te help om missionaal te wees nie (2013:46)1. Mike Harrison onderstreep die belangrikheid van missionale leierskap om missionale gemeentes te ontwikkel: “ , (2017:343)2”.
Kleingemeentes moet hulle uniekheid herontdek. Callahan bevestig dit wanneer hy sê: “ , , (2000:)”.
___________________________________________________________________I sincerely believe that God wants to reach the world through congregations. Congregations small or large are God's vehicles/instruments to reach a broken world. Therefore, congregations should be missional in their identity, culture, and character. Congregations are in a particular place, time, and context, and should make a difference considering the Missio Dei. A missional church is a church that constantly discerns the question: "What is God doing in the world and how can they participate where God is at work?".
Small congregations do not have to aspire to first become big to make that difference. God wants to use them regardless of their size, resources, and physical appearance. There are proverbs in the spoken language that read: " ", " ". Scripture expresses it this way in Luke 17:6: "faith as mustard seed". Mustard seeds are small, but if they germinate, they make a large tree. It is a metaphor indicating that although the mustard seeds are very small, they germinate and grow very large. Applied to the small rural congregations, this means that congregations, though small can make a big impact if they rediscover and live their missional identity.
The small rural congregations of the URCSA Free State/Lesotho comprise the majority of the congregations in the Synod. Most of the congregations are in a struggle for survival and may be referred to as survival churches. The congregations are mostly vacant or served by a tentmaker or a relieving minister.
The small congregation is able to make a difference despite her size and lack of resources. To make this a reality, a deep reflection is needed around questions: Who are we? Where are we now? What do we have? What does the Word say? What does God expect of us in a specific time, place, and context? Where is the congregation going? Malan Nel (2015:89) calls congregations that address these questions identity-driven congregations.
A paradigm shift is needed from a maintenance church to a missionally oriented church. In other words, a paradigm shift from an ecclesiological understanding of church to a missional ecclesiological understanding of the church. This means that the church exists for the Missio Dei. Malan Nel (2015:89) emphasizes this: "It is not so much the case that God has a mission for the church in the world, . ; - ' ". Small congregations can only develop as missional congregations if there is a move away from a classical leadership style towards a missional leadership style.
Small congregations need to rediscover their uniqueness. Dudley puts it this way: . : “ . ”. Indeed, Carroll says: “ ”.
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