Cape Peninsula University of Technology
CPUT Electronic Theses and Dissertations RepositoryNot a member yet
2175 research outputs found
Sort by
Students’ and lecturers’ perceptions of the usefulness of LMSs in studio-based teaching and learning spaces at a University of Technology
No full textThesis (MTech (Graphic Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018.Rapid advances in information technology and the Internet continue to create higher education learning
solutions for the networked-world learner. Given the potential of these resources, opportunities and initiatives must be seized to promote the enhancement of student learning in higher education. The promise of faster communication networks and changes in students’ expectations have rendered urgent the understanding of technology and online learning for use in studio-based teaching and learning spaces in the networked global village of the 21st century. Paradoxically, however, the use of e-learning solutions in design-related education remains limited. In studio-based courses such as graphic and architectural design, for example, the facilitation of learning through electronic media at South African universities ranges from the minimal to the non-existent. A hands-on approach to studio-based teaching and learning is preferred, supported by the argument that it is hard to facilitate experiential learning through semi-synchronous online tools. The danger of this unsubstantiated model of thinking is that it is likely to lead to under-usage of Learning Management System (LMS) tools by educators in studio-based teaching and learning spaces. The problem is that no research has been done on this area in South Africa that is capable of providing conclusive evidence on which corrective measures can be based. Hence, the aim of this study is to understand the reasons for the limited adoption and use of LMSs in studio-based teaching and learning in South African higher education design-related disciplines. Within the interpretive epistemological paradigm, a qualitative research approach was adopted to source and analyse interview data from design students and lecturers at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). An Activity Theory (AT) analytical framework was employed. The findings suggest that reservations regarding the use of LMSs are more a function of prevailing perceptions than they are substantive. Unfounded negative assumptions about the functionality, relevance (usefulness), accessibility and ease of use of the systems emerged as the leading constructions of and explanations for the challenges faced. The study provides not only clarity on LMS usage patterns in studio-based educational spaces, but also useful comparative data on how an activity theory-grounded in ActAD framework can enhance the analysis
of LMS activities in studio-based teaching and learning within the curricula for subjects like graphic design
and architecture
The effectiveness of social media in the marketing of a selected commercial bank in the Western Cape, South Africa
No full textThesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018.The key objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of social media as a banking communication tool for a selected commercial bank in the Western Cape, South Africa. A secondary objective is to measure bank users’ perceptions regarding the use of social media to market various banking products and portfolios. The study employs a confusion matrix design to collect and analyse data, combining quantitative and qualitative research methods to understand and address the research problem. An emerging understanding of integrated banking communication is the foundation on which this research is built. It provides a context for the study, and highlights the effectiveness and limitations of social media in banking. A review of the relevant SMBA affirmed the importance of the social media in banking, and provided the basis for a framework and approach to interactive banking. A comprehensive social media banking application (SMBa) could be designed in line with banking practices to create an enabling business environment. This could reinforce banking communication for South African banks and enable a tailor-made banking communication model aligned to social media, in order to develop a sharing-culture
A correlational study of project management maturity and project managers’ attributes and influence in South Africa
No full textThesis (MTech (Business Administration in Project Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018.The purpose of the study reported in this dissertation was to establish if there is a relationship between project managers’ attributes and their organisations’ project management maturity. To achieve this, the study evaluated the existence of relationships between the project managers’ power, project managers’ technical expertise, and project managers’ project management experience and their organisations’ project management maturity. The study was based on a survey of self-identified project managers in South Africa. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire of 306 respondents from 1500 invitations to members of a project management association. The collected data was edited and descriptively and inferentially analysed using a commercial statistics package. From the descriptive analysis, the study found that South African organisations are responsive to changes in project resources, are benchmarking the capability, are becoming aware of the importance of project management as a strategic enabler and are embracing a project culture within their operations. From the inferential analysis, the study found that project managers’ power and project managers’ technical expertise have a weak have a weak positive correlation with organizational project management maturity The study contributes to knowledge on project management maturity by showing that project managers, particularly the power that they have and their technical expertise, cannot be ignored in initiatives that organisations embark on to improve their project management maturity
Investigation and design of an integrated monitoring, protection, and control system of a power reticulation network
No full textThesis (Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018.As far as substation automation systems are concerned, one of the prime requirements of most
utilities today is the interoperability between Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) of different manufacturers. The standard IEC 61850 - Communication Networks and Systems in Substations - allows such interoperability between IEDs for protection and automation of substations. Presently, many manufacturers have implemented, or are in the process of implementing this standard in their IEDs. This has encouraged some utilities to specify IEC is to ensure that both system requirements are met and the features and benefits of the standard are fully exploited. The author of this thesis investigated and brought forward the design of an integrated monitoring protection and control system of a network in Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) campus based of the IEC 61850 standard. A method of testing the physical IED based on Hardware-In-Loop (HIL) configuration with the Real-Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) is developed and implemented. Mapping of IED Substation Configuration Language (SCL) with that of the RTDS GTNET cards is discussed and implemented to further exploit the use of realtime testing with Generic Object Oriented Substation Event messages (GOOSE). The thesis
highlight the benefits of interconnecting the reticulation IEDs into a standardised communication network for protection, control and monitoring of each substation event. This improves the access to information and reduces maintenance cost on the reticulation network
The IEC 61850 standard-based protection scheme for power transformers
No full textThesis (Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018.Transformer Differential and overcurrent schemes are traditionally used as main and backup protection respectively. The differential protection relay (SEL487E) has dedicated harmonic restraint function which blocks the relay during the transformer magnetizing inrush conditions. However, the backup overcurrent relay (SEL751A) applied to the transformer protection does not have a harmonic restraint element and trips the overcurrent relay during the inrush conditions. Therefore, to prevent the malfunction caused by the transformer magnetizing inrush current, a novel harmonic blocking method is developed, implemented and tested in the RSCAD simulation environment. The IEEE 14 bus transmission system is considered as a case study. The IEEE 14 bus system is modelled and simulated in the DIgSILENT and RSCAD simulation environments respectively. The developed harmonic blocking scheme is implemented in the Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) simulation environment using Real-Time Digital Simulator and numerical protection IEDs. The developed scheme uses the Harmonic Blocking element (87HB) of the transformer differential relay (SEL487E) to send an IEC61850 GOOSE-based harmonic blocking signal to the backup overcurrent relay (SEL751A) to inhibit it from tripping during the transformer magnetizing inrush current conditions. The hardwired and GOOSE simulation results are analysed for the transformer differential protection and the backup overcurrent protection schemes for internal, external events and transformer magnetizing inrush current conditions. The simulation results proved that the IEC61850 standard-based protection scheme is faster than the hardwired. Therefore, the speed and reliability are improved using the IEC61850 standard-based GOOSE applications to the transformer digital protective relaying system
The effectiveness of internal control activities to combat occupational fraud risk in fast-moving consumer goods small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME’s) in the Cape Metropole
No full textThesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Internal Auditing
in the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of TechnologySouth African Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) play an important role in the stimulation of the national economy. However, according to previous research studies, these business entities have one of the worst sustainability rates in the world as approximately 80% of South African SMMEs tend to fail after being in operation for only three years. Taking the weak sustainability rate of these business entities into account, further studies suggest that South African SMMEs operate in a harsh economic environment, which, in turn, creates a breeding ground for risks to realise in, including that of occupational fraud risk. According to scholarly literature, the occurrence of occupational fraud risk is believed to stem from the utilisation of inadequate and/or ineffective internal control activities – South African SMMEs, in general, are believed to make use of inadequate and/or ineffective internal control activities. For this research study, focus was placed on investigating the effectiveness of internal control activities used within South African fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) SMMEs to combat occupational fraud risk. This was achieved by conducting a literature review (see Chapter 2) to assist in the development of a survey to, in turn, conduct empirical research by collecting quantitative data from respondents (see Chapter 3). All relevant quantitative data gleaned were analysed using both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (see Chapter 4). Based on the analysed data, it was found that although implemented internal control activities in sampled South African FMCG SMMEs were customised, a few internal control activities assisted in the combating of occupational fraud risk while the bulk of internal control activities did not assist in combating occupational fraud risk. Stemming from the study conducted, the inference was made that the occurrence (realisation) of occupational fraud risk may be exacerbated by the implemented internal control activities in South African FMCG SMMEs due to their ineffectiveness
Developing a conceptual framework which supports teachers of learners diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome and high functioning autism
No full textThesis (DEd)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018.Recent research into pedagogical practices regarding Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) learners has been developing and transforming at a significant rate. However, there has been a dearth of empirical research into how teachers identify and respond appropriately to the basic personality traits of Autistic Spectrum/High Functioning Autistic (AS/HFA) learners. This thesis addresses this specific gap in the research field by undertaking an intensely empirical examination of three AS/HFA learners in transition from Grade 3 to Grade 4 who experience behavioural adaptation challenges. The investigation was conducted in the Western Cape, South Africa, at three schools: one government mainstream and two private schools. Three Grade 3 teachers and three Grade 4 teachers were involved in the project. One facilitator, a class assistant, a teacher for Learners with Special Eductional Needs (LSEN) and an educational psychologist took part. Three learners, aged 9 years transitioning from Grade 3 to Grade 4, were observed: all three were clinically diagnosed as AS/HFA. Of the learners, two were boys and one was a girl. The duration of the project was from August/September 2013 to August/September 2014.
A critical interpretive qualitiative case study methodology and purposive sampling were deployed. Non-participant observations, semi-structured interviews and probing techniques suited the nature of this specific investigation. It was necessary to employ these methods to identify the social cognitive and social functioning challenges of these three learners. Analysis of effective pedagogical procedures was used to show by what means the researcher was able to extrapolate Bandura’s principles of environment, personal and behaviour which were developed for typical learners, and apply these principles to atypical learners such as the three AS/HFA subjects under observation in this thesis. Effective pedagogical procedures were analysed in terms of a paradigm of reflective cognition. Such analysis of the detail of classroom procedures allowed the researcher to proceed in an inductive manner; from the specific to the general. Balancing this empirical investigation of specific details, was a generally deductive structure which was based on national and international research in the research area. The latest DSM-V document provided a blue-print which set out the boundaries for this area of study. Before reaching the issue of knowledge that is needed to support teachers confronted by, and too often perplexed by, the inappropriate behaviour of AS/HFA learners in the classroom, it is vital to situate the whole endeavour within the context of Inclusive Education; as reflected in South African policy documents
The activation of stable isotopes, their migration in soil and groundwater at a radionuclide production facility : a case study in Faure, Cape Town, South Africa
No full textThesis (MTech (Environmental Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018.The iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Sciences (iThemba LABS or iTL), a facility governed by the National Research Foundation (NRF) based in Cape Town has embarked on a project called the South African Isotope Facility (SAIF). Part of the SAIF will be a project called the Low Energy Radioactive Ion Beam (LERIB) for the production of radioactive beams with the Separated Sector Cyclotron (SSC). The LERIB project is anticipated to generate significant prompt sources of ionising radiation such as neutrons displaced by protons during bombardment of targets. At present, the facility has 3 - 5 m thick concrete walls designed to shield against 200 MeV neutrons. The floor thickness varies from each vault according to the behaviour and characteristics of the produced radiation. The LERIB facility concrete floor is envisioned to be 1 m thick. Insufficient floor shielding might expose the sub-surface strata below the floor with ionising radiation. Some matter in the exposed strata might undergo activation and consequently produce undesirable radioactive isotopes. Exposure to radioactive isotopes can pose potential risks to the general public and the receiving environment. In the sub-surface, the activated isotopes can spread through the soil and groundwater bodies. Groundwater being mobile in nature might act as conduit for activated isotopes to migrate in the subsurface. The half-lives of the formed radionuclides were used to estimate the distance the radionuclides can migrate in the sub-surface before decay. The X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Inductive Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) were used to quantify the mass fraction of elements from soil and groundwater samples. The Inductive Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used to measure dissolved metals of major and minor oxides in groundwater samples. These scientific techniques were applied in order to measure mass fractions of elements present in the sub-surface anticipated to be exposed with neutron radiation. Results revealed that the sub-surface in the study site constitutes Si, Al, Na and Fe in abundance. This suggests that, these elements might have a high probability to undergo activation compared to those occurring at lower concentrations, such as minor and trace elements. However the neutron capture cross-section for these elements varies and hence some elements such as Si and Al were not activated. To investigate elements measured from the ICP-MS, ICP-OES and XRF which might undergo activation, soil and water samples were irradiated for an hour with neutrons from a Beryllium target from a range of 0 – 66 MeV energy. The results revealed that activating the sub-surface with neutron radiation will result to the formation of short and long-lived unstable isotopes. However, isotopes with long half-lives such as 22Na, 52Mn, 54Mn and 46Sc only occurred in soil samples and none measured from the water samples except a short-lived isotope 24Na. These results agrees with the reviewed literature that, water being a product of two hydrogens and one oxygen, with 1H from H2O considered to be a good neutron moderator should have absorbed the neutrons so as to reduce neutron capture cross-sections
Mineral analysis and proximate composition of leaves of (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) in response to boron application in pot experiments
No full textThesis (MTech (Agriculture)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018.Choumollier (narrow-stem kale) (Brassica oleracea, L.) has been progressively used in recent years as a supplementary forage harvest in many countries with a temperate climate. Boron (B) and calcium (Ca) are the two most important elements for supporting plant structure and function of plasma membranes. Boron nutrition is vital for obtaining high quality yields in vegetables. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the extent to which boric acid concentration can affect growth parameters (plant height, leaf numbers, chlorophyll levels, and leaf size) of Brassica olereacea var. acephala at different stages of growth and development. Treatment comprised of four concentrations of boron (0.3 mg/kg, 0.4 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg and 0.6 mg/kg). Yield and physiological growth responses were measured during the course of the study to ascertain effectiveness and influence of boron treatments on the test crops. Leaves of B. oleracea were harvested at weekly intervals (W1, W2, W3, W4 and W5) after each treatment regimen for approximate basic mineral analysis and composition. Soil pH did not vary much among the various orchard blocks tested, regardless of soil depth. Exchangeable cations Na+ and K+ levels did not vary significantly, but Ca2+ and Mg2+ levels fluctuated considerably among orchards analyzed. The Control Orchard exhibited a higher P content than the other orchards. Ca, Mg, Cu and B levels did not vary significantly among the orchards, but Na, Fe and Zn levels were markedly raised in the Orchard treated with 0.3 mg/kg boron) relative to the Control Orchard. Chlorophyll fluorescence was significantly dependent on the treatment dose of boron as compared to control. Chlorophyll fluorescence also increased significantly with the growth period, i.e., the duration following the initial treatment at all doses of boron. Boron at all did not significantly affect leaf count, leaf length and plant height. The work may add to the body of knowledge on the influence of boron on the physiological performance, mineral contents and proximate composition of leaves of the species. Furthermore, the findings may have important applications in achieving high quality yields in vegetable crops
Multicultural narratives in graphic design teaching and learning for diverse audiences at a university of technology
No full textThesis (MTech (Graphic Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018.This research is an investigation into how Graphic Design, a visual communication subject is taught and learnt at Cape Peninsula University of Technology in light of the dynamics that cultural semiotics present. There is a need to equip students with the cultural awareness to design communication that is sensitive to the varying needs of their consuming audiences. By its very nature, visual communication is vulnerable to an unintended array of misinterpretations because of the audiences’ differing semiotic backgrounds. The pedagogic duty of academy is to equip communication students in this case Graphic Design students with adequate tools to facilitate the understanding of their audiences, the communicative purpose of their designs is compromised. Vygotsky’s (1978) learning theory is therefore applied to examine the role of culture in the teaching and learning of culturally diverse students. Concepts from JoAnn Phillion’s (2002) Narrative Multiculturalism are also used to understand how the narratives collected from the respondent students, lecturers and an industry expert in this study offered guidelines for the effective teaching of Graphic Design. To investigate the teaching and learning of Graphic Design holistically the research employed a mini-ethnographic case study method. Data for this research were obtained through participant observations, semi-structured informal interviews of participants narratives and document analysis. The findings point to a lack of a cohesive and coordinated approach to teaching and learning, which in turn reflects a lack of sensitivity to cultural diversity in the Graphic Design department at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. This is evidenced in the unreformed curriculum and a culturally unbalanced staff complement. Industry’s lethargic participation also seems to have done nothing to ensure the standardisation of the curriculum to align with industry demands nor guide the career paths of students. As a result, the gap in these areas may leave some historically vulnerable students feeling excluded and despondent about both their academic and career prospects