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Effectiveness of a learning management system in developing grade 10 learners’ conceptual understanding of Functions in Mathematics
No full textThesis (MEd (Education))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Learning Management Systems (LMS) have come into common use recently and most
educational institutions from basic to higher education are increasingly adopting them,
mainstreaming them into their daily teaching and learning of functions. The Western Cape
Education Department piloted the Moodle (Modular Object Oriented Dynamic Learning
Environment), a Learning Management System (LMS) aimed at improving teaching and
learning. The aim of this research was to ascertain the effectiveness of this LMS in
developing Grade 10 learners’ conceptual understanding of Functions in Mathematics
with minimum educator assistance. The research investigated two classes; one class
used the traditional chalk and talk teaching (control) while the other class was exposed to
the Moodle LMS. The thesis unpacked the functionalities in Moodle that makes learning
of Functions in Mathematics easier. Learners constructed their knowledge by using
resources embedded in Moodle using “ScenTRLE” learning model that follows Vygotsky‘s
Theory of Social Constructivism. The hybrid e-learning framework was used, where
learners were expected to gain pedagogically by interacting with computers. Their
interaction was monitored and results are recorded using online surveys and tests. A
quasi-experimental design was used to compare the groups, then statistically analysed in
comparison with the traditional way of learning.
Results showed that the functionalities embedded within the Moodle LMS were
instrumental in improving the learning and understanding of Functions in Mathematics
Theoretical and practical perspectives of employee wellness programmes at a selected South African university
No full textThesis (DTech (Human Resource Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.In attempting to contribute to social transformation, South African Higher Education has undergone considerable changes, taking on greater student enrollment, increasing curriculum responsiveness, and prioritising pass- and graduation rates, all of which have put universities’ resources, specifically their human resources, under considerable pressure and stress (Rensburg, 2013: 5). Paradoxically, there has been no meaningful attempt to address the negative effects of these pressures and stress on the wellness of those who are expected to cope with the enormous changes. In addition, Higher Education Institutions’ (HEIs’) mergers, although honourable in intention, have resulted in negative, unintended consequences for staff. Previous research studies have highlighted the growing occupational stressors experienced by HEIs’ staff; however, limited sustainable solutions have been forthcoming. It is on this premise that this research study aimed to develop a holistic employee wellness programme model that would provide a support system for university staff. This model would alleviate the impact of challenges experienced in staff daily work and on their personal lives, and ultimately aid in promoting quality of work life and balance within the institution. The intention was to prevent university staff from experiencing job burnout and health-related problems, thereby promoting their optimal wellness and performance at work.
A mixed methods research design was adopted involving a case study and a quasi-experimental research design. Purposive sampling was applied within the case study unit which included both academic and non-academic staff, as they shared similar attributes and wellness experiences within a university. Triangulation mixed methods that was applied combined, with equal importance, both quantitative and qualitative data which were brought together for comparison.
This research study identified thirteen employee wellness factors that formed the foundation of a holistic employee wellness programme. Each employee wellness factor was allocated according to three types of interventions, namely primary – prevention, secondary – reduction, and tertiary – treatment, in order to promote employee-organisational health and wellness. The prevention intervention firstly promotes quality of work life and balance through a number of wellness factors, namely, Wellness working environment, Organisational intervention expectations, Organisational wellness support, Organisational culture, Human relations, and Social support; and, secondly, workplace health is promoted through the wellness factors, Physical health and wellness, and Lifestyle. The reduction intervention builds psychological capital through Psychological health and wellness, Resourcefulness, Resilience, and Basic work life skills
Development of a search engine marketing model using the application of a dual strategy
No full textThesis (DTech (Informatics))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Any e-commerce venture using a website as main shop-front should invest in marketing
their website. Previous empirical evidence shows that most Search Engine Marketing
(SEM) spending (approximately 82%) is allocated to Pay Per Click (PPC) campaigns
while only 12% was spent on Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). The remaining 6% of
the total spending was allocated to other SEM strategies.
No empirical work was found on how marketing expenses compare when used solely for
either the one or the other of the two main types of SEM. In this study, a model will be
designed to guide the development of a dual SEM strategy
Ceramic coaxial resonator filter in a CubeSat system
No full textThesis (MTech (Electrical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.RF and microwave filters can be implemented using ceramic coaxial resonators. This technology has been widely employed in nanosatellite communications systems recently, owing to its large quality factor (Q), permitting them to have low loss and narrow bandwidth. Features such as high selectivity, high power handling, excellent rejection, and low passband insertion loss are just a few of the key performance areas offered by ceramic coaxial resonators. This feature makes them suitable for use in bandpass filters.
Applications with demanding specifications requiring low volume and mass make use of this technology. Fulfilling the required performance goals can be challenging, given the size and weight restriction. Difficulties such as finding the correct length of resonators and the coupling capacitors’ structure to meet the size restriction, limit the type of ceramic coaxial resonators to use.
This thesis presents the design of a bandpass filter using ceramic coaxial resonators, which provides evidence of the concept for F’SATI’s future needs. This design will be used in an imminent space mission and the intention is to mount the bandpass filter in the receiver communications system. An intensive investigation was conducted into the use of filters for nanosatellite communication systems. The Chebyshev LC ladder low pass prototype was used to derive the conventional bandpass filter. Thereafter, the coupled resonator bandpass filter was derived using the conventional bandpass filter topology combined with the admittance inverter. Following this, using the ceramic coaxial resonators datasheet and information provided by the manufacturers, the coupled resonator bandpass filter was converted into a 3D model for further simulations, using CST Microwave Studio®. The ceramic coaxial resonator filter fabricated using Rogers’s material provided satisfactory results at its operating frequency between 2.2 GHz and 2.3 GHz. A radiation level test was performed on the filter to justify the use of the metallic enclosure. The test presented a low level of radiation measured at the filter operating frequency (2.25 GHz). The filter was also subjected to temperature cycling.French–South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI)
National Research Foundation (NRF
A load management system for fixed appliances in a safe DC RDP house
No full textThesis (MTech (Electrical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.This dissertation represents the design and development of a load management system for fixed appliances in a safe direct current (DC) Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) house. A combination of valley filling, load shifting and peak clipping load management techniques were employed to assist in reducing the peaks observed in the RDP house load profile during peak hours.
A DC RDP house laboratory model was developed. The study is based on the assumption that the normally 220 V alternative current (AC) grid is replaced by a 350 V DC grid. The assumption is thus that 350 V DC is available at the distribution box in the RDP house laboratory model. All theoretical work was based on a 350 V DC system, but due to the lack of a laboratory 350 V DC supply, all physical tests were conducted by making use of a 300 V DC supply which was available. Consequently all calculations were thus based on 300 V DC as well.
The geyser was the main fixed appliance focused on since it contributes to a significant portion of the power used. An AC geyser was successfully modified in order to be used in the DC network. Safety of the system was considered in order to interrupt the power in case of overcurrent or to isolate the power. Electronic switches were also developed and implemented to ensure that the DC power could be safely switched on and off and that the low power DC was isolated from the high power DC.
LabVIEW allowed all other appliances in the DC RDP house to be virtually represented so that a holistic view of the power use of the house could be represented. This also allowed the system to be successfully simulated before any physical work was conducted.
The load management system was successfully implemented by making use of power line communication. This proved to be a cost effective means to apply the load management algorithm. The algorithm consisted mainly of power on / off instructions that were executed during peak and off-peak times. It follows the normal use of timers used in the AC system to help reduce demand.
It was found that the load management system successfully reduced the demand during peak hours without compromising the basic needs of the user. The power line communication modem proved to be very reliable in implementing the load management algorithm
Managing small and medium enterprises using project management principles
No full textThesis (MTech (Business Administration (Entrepreneurship)))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Although SMEs are aware of project management, it seems that a vast majority of firms are not actually well-informed about what project management is, and therefore, might not even be adhering to project management principles. Hence, the main objective of this study was to determine the extent to which SMEs (involved in construction, events and information technology and located in the Cape Metropolitan area in South Africa) apply project management principles. This study used a mixed method approach (both qualitative and quantitative) and various relevant instruments to collect and analyse data. A total of 223 questionnaires were administered to employees working in conjunction with a project management department, and five face-to-face interviews were conducted with owner-managers of selected SMEs. The statistical package for social science (SPSS) was used to analyse the quantitative data with results presented in a tabulated format; content analysis was used to transcribe qualitative data and categorise this data into themes.
The study found that the project management sector is still predominately male-dominated, and project teams are not selected on the basis of experience. Furthermore, those who lack experiences are not trained. The nature of work done, company understaffing, time and financial constraints and poor team dynamics were all cited as factors affecting the application of project management principles within SMEs.
Several recommendations emerged from the findings. First, it was recommended that women be empowered as active participants in project management, thereby reducing the evident gender imbalance; training and development should regularly be conducted to fully equip employees with vital skills and competencies. This will more strongly ensure that clients are satisfied with quality outcome and thereby establish a good reputation for SMEs. Project managers should create contingency plans for potential challenges. Additionally, the project manager should ensure that by virtue of the company being understaffed, specific roles and responsibilities of individuals should be clearly delineated, clearly communicated and clearly understood. Alternatively, the company may employ more personnel for particular projects, or independent contractors could be hired to assist. Moreover, time constraints can be eradicated by establishing timelines through the Gantt chart and measuring milestones. Finance and other resources should be allocated economically with and ongoing budget-cost analysis for monitoring expenditure. It was also deemed advisable that project managers send their teams for wellness training to avoid negative team dynamics, and as for labour unrest, senior managers should engage proactively with unions and delegates
An assessment of the capacity management process of the information technology infrastructure library (ITIL) framework in delivering value in public sector
No full textThesis (MTech (Information Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.In Information Technology (IT) service management, the Information Technology
Infrastructure Library (ITIL) has been established as a standard and framework for managing
IT services within private and public sector. However, in South African public sector, the
value of this framework including the capacity management process has not been
determined. The aim of the study was to assess the capacity management process within the
service design stage of the ITIL framework in managing IT services at a selected public
organisation in South Africa. Assessing capacity management in the context of this research
was to judge whether it adds value to the organisation. Main questions asked were: to what
extent has ITIL been implemented in the public sector in South Africa?, what benefits have
been achieved through the implementation of ITIL in the public sector in South Africa? and
how effective is the capacity management process of ITIL in the South African public sector?
The study adopts a qualitative approach based on primary and secondary data. A purposive
sampling method was used to collect data through interviews of ICT officials in Pretoria and
Western Cape regions. It is evident in terms of the findings that capacity management within
the organisation is practiced, but the organisation still has challenges in managing the
process. Findings reveal challenges around user account management, ICT skills shortage
and capacity constraints, information, network monitoring tools, and ITIL implementation.
DeLone and McLean theoretical framework was used to analyse the capacity management
process to explain the findings. A lack of clear ICT planning among the leadership is a
contributing factor. Lack of adhering to standards, procedures and processes make it almost
impossible to manage capacity. Efforts to address the technical and organisational
challenges such as technical skills and stakeholders immediately reporting the users that
need to be terminated on systems prohibit the success of capacity management process.
Drawing the conclusion, it is recommended that efforts to address challenges should move
beyond just ICT, into a comprehensive action by all stakeholders in respective of inter
departmental units and executive who make decisions. Solutions should be embedded with
ICT being able to manage technology, auditing of processes, and capacity to ensure
excellence through reduced risk, increased efficiency, confident forecasts, and cost
effectiveness is essential
Morphology and mineral content of cowpea lines in response to planting date and zinc application rate
No full textThesis (MTech (Agriculture))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is an important grain and fodder legume grown around the world. It is a dual purpose grain legume crop, providing food for man and livestock. Cowpea is identified as a potential crop to diversify food production, minimize production input by improving soil fertility and improve micronutrients of seed, therefore, improving human nutrition. There is limited information available on cowpea production and suitable agronomic practices including planting date to best suit different environmental conditions in South Africa. The objective of this study was therefore to i) evaluate two soil types (sandy and clay soil) and its effect on cowpea, yield components and mineral composition, ii) the effect of different planting date and iii) assess the effect of zinc fertilizer application rate on vegetative, reproductive parameters and mineral content of cowpea seed.
A field trial was conducted in Agricultural Research Council (ARC), in two locations Nietvoorbij (clay loam soil) and Bien Donne’ (sandy soil) during the 2015 summer planting season. The trial layout was conducted in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with five replicates. The factors of the study include three cowpea lines: Cowpea Veg1, M217 and Qukawa with zinc application rate of (0, 15 and 30 kg/ha) through soil application and two planting date (2 October and 2 November 2015). The following agronomic variables were collected, in both locations: germination rate, number of leaves, number of branches, plant height, number of seed per pod, number of pods per plant, pod length, pods per treatment, pod weight, 100 seed weight, morphological traits, moisture content and seed mineral content. Vegetative data was collected on a fourth-night basis on six middle plants per treatment and reproductive parameters were taken after harvest. The variables were subjected to ANOVA using software SAS (2012). Treatments were tested at 5% level of significance and differences between treatments were separated using LSD and DMRT of the SAS 2012 test.
The results indicated that vegetative and reproductive parameters measured varied significantly among cowpea lines in each location and across locations due to different cowpea lines and soil type. Line Cowpea Veg1 and Qukawa were the best performing line in both vegetative and yield parameters across the two planting dates in 2015. These lines significantly obtained higher plant height than line M217. Yield and yield parameters were significantly affected by cowpea line. Qukawa obtained the highest seed yield at Bien Donne’ with a mean of 1184.2 kg/ha and seed yield of 686.25 kg/ha for Cowpea Veg1 at Nietvoorbij. The second planting date (2 November 2015) improved germination of plants across the two locations, therefore improving vegetative growth. Zinc (Zn) fertilizer significantly improved plant height across all treatments. An inconsistent response to yield parameters due to Zn application rate was observed. However, though not significant, Zn application of 15 kg/ha increased most of the measured parameters. It was concluded that line Cowpea Veg1 and Qukawa were the best performing lines. The second planting date (2 November) increase germination rate for both locations. It is therefore, recommended that future research should evaluate Zn fertilizer time of application
The use of interpretation services to address the communication challenges faced by Congolese asylum seekers at the refugee reception office in Cape Town
No full textThesis (MTech (Public Relations Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.This research analysed the use of interpretation services to address the communication challenges faced by Congolese asylum seekers at the refugee reception office in Cape Town. It examined the language challenges of Congolese asylum seekers, the role of the interpreters in addressing these challenges and the perceptions of refugees and home affairs officials about the quality of services provided by interpreters. It also discussed the implications for the outcome of Congolese applications for asylum.
This project was framed around Bell and Reiss’s theories of translation and the general communication model. Community interpreting and interpreting studies complimented these theories because all of them focus on the intricacies of interpreting messages and the implications for meaning making, especially in the case of oral accounts. The research design was a case study and its unit of analysis was a company called Zeenab, Remy, Gerald, and Buba (ZRGB) Interpretation, Translation and Social Services, which has for years been the main provider of interpretation services to the department of home affairs in Cape Town.
Since this project was a case study, it adopted a qualitative approach and used qualitative methods such as interviews, observations, focus group discussions and document analysis to collect data from respondents. These methods were suitable for this project because they provided unrestricted space for Congolese refugees and home affairs officials to express their views about the interpretation services and the implications thereof. All interviews took place in Cape Town between June and July 2016. The duration of interviews ranged from 25-65 minutes and the total number of respondents was 18.
The researcher used a thematic analysis approach to organise, analyse and interpret the data collected from participants. This process involved coding, defining and naming and penetrating themes, searching for multiple meanings embedded in the data. After interpreting the data, this research revealed firstly that the main challenge of Congolese asylum seekers was to communicate their experiences consistently and accurately in English language. Secondly, asylum seekers blamed the rejection of their applications for asylum on the poor quality of interpretation services provided by ZRGB. Thirdly, asylum seekers had different impressions of the role of interpreters in the refugee determination process. In terms of scholarly contributions, this study hopes to shed light on the communication challenges that francophone asylum seekers and refugees face during the application and interviewing process. In addition, it can contribute to the existing body of knowledge on the politics of asylum and the acquisition of refugee identity in post-apartheid South Africa
Functional role of ammonium and nitrate in regulating transpiration for mass-flow acquisition of nutrients in Phaseolus vulgaris L.
No full textThesis (MTech (Horticulture))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017Transpiration serves in leaf cooling, maintaining turgor pressure, promoting xylem transport of nutrient solutes from roots to shoots and delivering mobile soil nutrients to root surfaces. Soil availability of nitrogen can modulate transpiration rates, consequently powering nutrient delivery to the root surfaces (‗mass-flow'). Although such knowledge on N-regulation of transpiration is available, it remains unknown, however, whether it is NO3- or NH4+ that regulates transpiration. Given that both nitrogen forms co-occur in soils, it is not known how they interact at varying ratios in modulating stomatal behaviour. To test the functional role of NO3- and NH4+ in regulating water fluxes for mass-flow nutrient acquisition, P. vulgaris L. plants were grown with NO3- or NH4+ placed at one of four distances behind a nylon mesh, which prevented direct root access to nitrogen, whilst control plants intercepted the nitrogen source (Chapter 3). Day- and night-time stomatal conductance and transpiration, measured using Infra-Red Gas Analyser (IRGA) declined in NO3- fed plants with the increased distance behind a nylon mesh, with maximum water fluxes at the closest distance (ca. 0 mm), demonstrating a regulatory role of NO3- on stomata closure. An opposite trend was displayed by NH4+ -fed plants, which indicated the incapacity of NH4+ to down-regulate water fluxes and ammoniacal syndrome at high concentrations.
To test how different [NO3-] and [NH4+] regulate day- and night-time stomatal conductance and transpiration (Chapter 4), P. vulgaris was fed with six concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mM) of each nitrogen form. A biphasic trend emerged, as postulated in previous studies (Wilkinson et al., 2007; Matimati et al., 2013), characterized by an increase in stomatal conductance and transpiration as [NO3-] increased, attaining a maximum before declining with higher [NO3-]. Plants displayed 2-fold higher photosynthetic rates, 2.2-fold higher stomatal conductance and 2.3-fold higher transpiration rates at 4 mM than at 0.25 mM of [NO3-]. The lowest [NO3-] up-regulated night-time stomatal conductance and transpiration, indicating that NO3- -fed plants opened their stomata at night-time, but reduced night-time water loss at higher [NO3-]. NH4+-fed plants had the incapacity to regulate day- and night-time water fluxes, but rather displayed wilting and stress known as ‗ammoniacal syndrome'. Thus, under NO3- deprived soil conditions P. vulgaris may be opportunistic in their water uptake, transpiring more when water is available in order to draw nutrients through ‗mass-flow'.
This thesis explored and confirmed the functional role of NO3- in regulating day- and night-time water fluxes as a mechanism for increasing ‗mass-flow' acquisition of N and possibly other nutrients, signalling a down-regulation of day-time and night-time water fluxes when [NO3-] is replete (Chapter 3 & 4). Where both NO3- and NH4+ are present in soils, it is the [NO3-] and not [NH4+] that regulated stomatal conductance and transpiration. Since organic nitrogen forms such as amino acids also occur in soils, there is a need for further work on their role in stomatal behaviour. Using amino acids laced with 15N isotopes as a nitrogen source can allow their acquisition and role on stomatal behaviour to be discovered. Current trends in research are focussed around developing real-time in-situ sensing of soil nitrogen status to promote enhanced nitrogen and water use efficiency in agricultural systems. This thesis provides the vital literature on stomatal regulation by [NO3-]