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The equal sign: Teachers’ specialised content knowledge and Learners’ misconceptions.
No full textThesis (MEd (Education))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Numerical and algebraic equations require understanding of the equal sign as an
equivalence relation. Teachers and learners, however, often have an operational, rather than
a relational, understanding of the equal sign. This conception is viewed as a misconception.
This study investigates the extent to which Grade 6 learners at a particular school have this
and other misconceptions regarding equality, with the equal sign as focus. It also
investigates this school’s Grade 1 to 6 teachers’ specialised content knowledge (SCK)
regarding equality, again focusing on the equal sign. Ultimately the study wishes to establish
whether there might be a possible relationship between the level of these teachers’ SCK of
the equal sign and learners’ misconceptions of the equal sign. In particular, it tries to answer
the question whether teachers’ SCK of the equal sign could possibly promote or prevent the
forming of such misconceptions in learners, as well as whether teachers’ SCK of the equal
sign could possibly help them identify learners’ misconceptions and help learners form the
correct conceptions. This research project is framed within an interpretive paradigm. It
focuses on one school taking the form of a theory-led case study in which a mixed method
approach is used. Data collection methods include teacher questionnaires followed by two
focus group interviews with teachers, based on data collected from questionnaires. In
addition, data is collected through a series of lesson observations on number concepts and
assessment. Grade 6 learners answered a set of questions structured in the form of a test to
investigate their understanding of equality and the equal sign. Six learners were purposefully
selected, based on their answers to the questions, and interviewed. Although this school is a high-performing academic school, results indicate that few learners
have a flexible operational or basic relational view of the equal sign. The same group of
learners that struggle with closure seems to struggle with the misconception of using all the
numbers in an equation to solve a particular equation. The majority of Grade 6 learners
cannot define the equal sign correctly. According to results, the nature of Grade 1- 6
teachers’ SCK of the equal sign shows that teachers lack skills to prevent, reduce or correct
misconceptions about the equal sign
Supervisory motivational strategies to improve productivity of construction workers
No full textThesis (MTech (Construction Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.This research was carried out to assess the extent to which supervisory motivational strategies can transform construction workers to perform higher levels of productivity. While worker motivation has been proven to improve productivity globally, motivation was rarely implemented in South African conditions. This study gauges the construction workers’ viewpoint on how supervisory motivational strategies can improve worker productivity.
A pilot study was conducted in the initial stage of the study to gain more insight into the study. A qualitative research approach was employed using a semi-structured questionnaire to interview construction workers including bricklayers, plumbers, concrete workers, electricians and earthworks workers. The interviews were done in Bellville in the Western Cape at two conveniently selected construction companies. The data was analysed using content data analysis. Most prevalent in the findings of this study is the fact that the workers agreed that a lack of supervisory motivational techniques negatively impact their productivity. This information was helpful in setting up the questionnaires for the main study
An exploratory analysis of quality management audit findings at a nuclear power station
No full textThesis (MTech (Quality))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.The quality assurance role is an essential function in high risk industries
such as the nuclear power industry where process failures can potentially
have catastrophic results. As part of mitigating the risk inherent in such
industries, the need for reliable quality assurance cannot be
over-emphasised. Underpinning a reliable quality assurance function, lies
the need for effective identification of risk; as well as effective decision
making processes by competent auditors.
A nuclear quality assurance (QA) department has noted an increase in the
variability of its audit outcomes, which has resulted in the value of the
audit process being questioned by various stakeholders. The research endeavoured to: explore and describe the practice amongst
auditors when rating audit findings; potentially identify reasons for
inconsistencies amongst auditors when rating findings; and provide
recommendations to improve both the consistency amongst auditors when
rating audit finding and the overall performance of the audit process. An
exploratory study using the Delphi technique was adopted to enable
multiple iterations of qualitative and quantitative data collection and
analysis, mimicking elements of a sequential exploratory strategy
Integrating principles of sustainability into communication design pedagogy at selected HEIs in Cape Town : towards an industry-responsive curriculum
No full textThesis (MTech (Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.This research study investigates the level of awareness of, and engagement with Design for Sustainability (DfS) among three categories of actors within the Cape Town communication design fraternity: design educators, design students and design professionals. It focuses
specifically on the degree of application of DfS within three selected Higher Education
Institutions (HEIs) in Cape Town, while also interrogating the local industry’s need for
students who are knowledgeable and skilled in this subject.
To successfully practice DfS, communication designers need to be responsive to the
possible environmental, social, cultural and economic impacts of their work. This study
argues for the early incorporation of principles of sustainability into communication design curricula in order to promote the uptake of DfS. An extensive review of literature facilitates the showcasing of practical examples of how
communication designers can positively address sustainability through their design solutions.
Further, it also unpacks the barriers and solutions to integrating DfS into both education and
practice. The study employs a qualitative research approach. Using purposive sampling, rich
data is gathered from the key informants through focus groups and semi-structured
interviews. Activity Theory is used as an analytical lens through which to examine the
dynamics between the three different actors who are involved in the activities of teaching,
learning and practicing DfS in communication design. The findings identify major gaps in the teaching of DfS as the subject is typically considered
to be applicable to environmental issues. There is also limited understanding of how to
practically apply principles of sustainability. Along with proposing appropriate strategies and
tools to enrich the education around DfS in a more holistic manner, the study highlights the
need for proactive re-curriculation so as to effectively sensitise students to the responsibility
of communication designers to tackle sustainability issues. A set of adaptable guidelines is
proffered as a way of making DfS more accessible to students while training them to channel
their unique skill set and enhance attributes of agility and resilience in preparation for
professional practice and an ever changing world. Educators are seen as playing the most
crucial role in effecting the proposed guidelines because they interface with both students
and industry; as well as straddle the critical domains of research, pedagogy and professional
praxis. Additionally, this study recommends establishing more robust, responsive and
meaningful connections between academia and industry in order to develop contextually
relevant industry standards that will promote and advance DfS best practice among the Cape
Town communication design fraternity
Adoption and use of electronic healthcare information systems to support clinical care in public hospitals of the Western Cape, South Africa
No full textThesis (MTech (Information Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.In the Western Cape, South Africa, despite the prospective benefits that e-Health information systems (e-Health IS) offer to support the healthcare sector; there are limitations in terms of
usability, functionality and peculiar socio-technical factors. Thus, healthcare professionals do
not make the most use of the implemented e-Health IS. Unfortunately, explanations remain
tentative and unclear, yet non-usage of the e-Health IS defeats the objectives of its adoption,
in the sense that the plan to improve and deliver quality healthcare service in the public
sector may not be achieved as envisaged. The aim of the study was to acquire explanations
to the causes of the limitations regarding the adoption and, particularly, the use (or non-use)
of e-Health IS by clinical staff in the public healthcare institutions in South Africa.
The choice of research approach was informed by the research problem, objectives, and the
main research question. By the reasons of the subjective and socio-technical nature of the
phenomenon, a deductive approach was adopted for this investigation. The nominalist
ontology and interpretivist epistemology positions were taken by the researcher as a lens to
conduct this research; which informed a qualitative methodology for this investigation. The
purposive sampling technique was used to identify the appropriate participants from different
hospital levels consisting of Hospital Administrative staff, and Clinical staff (Clinicians and
Nurses) of relative experiences in their clinical units. Subsequently, the Unified Theory of
Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and content analysis technique were used to
contextualize, simplify, and analysis the text data transcripts. The findings indicate that healthcare professionals have a high level of awareness and
acceptance to use implemented e-Health IS. There are positive perceptions on the expected
outcomes, that e-Health IS would improve processes and enhance healthcare services
delivery in the public healthcare sector. Also, findings indicate that social influence plays a
vital role especially on the willingness of individuals (or groups); as the clinical staff are
influenced by their colleagues despite the facilitating conditions provided by the hospital
management. Further, findings indicate that it is somewhat problematic to maintain balance
in running a parallel paper-electronic system in the hospital environment.
Hence, the core factors that influence successful adoption and use of e-Health IS include;
willingness of an individual (or group) to accept and use a technology, the performance
expectancy, social influence among professionals in the healthcare scenery and adequate
facilitating conditions. In summary, it is recommended that there should be an extensive
engagement inclusive of all respective stakeholders involved in the adoption processes. This
would ensure that e-Health IS are designed to meet both practical organizational and clinical
needs (and expectations) with respect to the hospital contexts
The potential of mHealth technologies for maternal health-care services : a case of selected public hospitals' maternal units in Zimbabwe
No full textThesis (MTech (Information Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Zimbabwe has a fairly developed health-care delivery system that is served by public and private hospitals at district, provincial and national level. The public health-care system is the largest provider of health-care services and caters for the majority of the population but this is done in a resource-restricted context, typical of a developing context. In this context, this research sought to establish the potential of mHealth Technologies in Zimbabwe’s maternal health sector using Parirenyatwa and Harare hospitals as case studies. The reviewed body of knowledge, which was largely a comparative assessment of mHealth technology adoption in developing countries, indicated that the full adoption of the prevailing eHealth strategy in Zimbabwe remains hamstrung by the slow pace of policy implementation. This is a qualitative study and data was collected with unstructured interviews. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit the participants. The gathered data was analyzed through content and thematic analysis. Four broad themes emerged from the primary data collected during the interviews and these include: trends in information dissemination in Zimbabwe’s Public Health System; information needs for expectant women and midwives; the prevalence of ICT use in Zimbabwe’s Public Health System, and mobile technology use in the maternal health sector in Zimbabwe. The research was able to establish that while there is a high proliferation of smartphone use among most expectant women, this has not translated into their use for health information-related purposes
Growth responses within the Genus Cyperus exposed to aluminium and iron in hydroponics
No full textThesis (DTech (Environmental Health))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Generally, aluminium (Al) is required as a micronutrient by plants. The metabolism of Al within the plant can exert a number of effects within the plant. These include: interfering with cell division in both root tips and lateral roots, increasing cell wall rigidity, maintaining the correct cellular redox state, as well as the various other physiological and growth responses. Al is one of the most abundant elements in the earth’s crust and becomes toxic in many plants when the concentration is greater than 2-3 ppm, where the soil has a pH<5.5. Iron (Fe) is an equally important element, and the toxicity of this metal possesses constraints primarily on wetland plants growing in acidic soils that have high reducible iron content. The impact of metal toxicity (Al and Fe) requires an understanding of many aspects related to Al and Fe uptake, transport and distribution by plants in wetland ecosystems. In this study, three species of Cyperus viz. Cyperus alternifolius, Cyperus prolifer and Cyperus textilis were used to carry out phytotoxicity tests to monitor xenobiotic substances
Performance testing of a diesel engine running on varying blends of jatropha oil, waste cooking oil and diesel fuel
No full textThesis (MTech (Mechanical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.The high cost of fossil fuels and the fact that the world has arguably reached its peak oil production, has driven the need to seek alternative fuel sources.
The main objective of the current study is to determine the performance of a laboratory-mounted diesel engine when fuelled with varying laboratory prepared biofuel and biodiesel and whether the advancement of the injection timing parameters will improve the engine power output and improve the smoke effect of these different fuel blends. The laboratory prepared biofuels used in this project range from 100% bio-fuel (BF100) to 50%, 30% and 10% biodiesel blends (BF50, BF30 and BF10, respectively). It should be noted that these blends are not commercially available, since they were blended in the laboratory specifically for these tests. The overall results of the study show that there is a distinct opportunity for using certain bio-fuel blends in specific applications as the power outputs are no more than one quarter less than that of base diesel. Concomitantly, the smoke opacity in all of the blends is lower than that of base diesel, which is a significant benefit in terms of their overall air emissions
Antioxidant effects of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) derived from glucose-casein model systems
No full textThesis (MTech (Food Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.The Maillard reaction (MR) involves the condensation reaction between amino acids or proteins with reducing sugars, which occurs commonly in food processing and storage. Maillard reaction products (MRPs) were prepared from glucose-casein model system at pH 8, heated at 60, 75 and 90°C for 6, 12 and 24 h, respectively. Browning intensity (BI) of MRPs, as monitored by absorbance at 420 nm increased with an increase in reaction temperature. The reducing power (RP) of MRPs increased (p < 0.05) as the reaction time increased at 60 and 75°C, while at 90°C an increase in RP was observed from 6 to 12 h and thereafter a slight decrease was observed up to 24 h. The 2,2-Azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity (ABTS-RS) and Peroxyl radical scavenging (PRS) activity of glucose-casein MRPs produced at 90°C decreased as the reaction time increased. In this study, the ferrous chelation activity of MRPs was higher than that of tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) (0.02%) and Trolox (1 mM), respectively. Moreover, the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil radical scavenging (DPPH-RS) of MRPs increased (p < 0.05) as the reaction time increased irrespective of the heating temperature. The primary and secondary lipid oxidation products were measured using the Peroxide value (PV) and Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARs) assay in sunflower oil-in-water emulsion, respectively. MRPs derived at 90°C for 12 h had the lowest peroxide value, while the TBARs inhibitory by MRPs ranged from 39.05 – 88.66%. Glucose-casein MRPs displayed superior antioxidant activity than TBHQ (0.02%) and Trolox (1 mM), respectively, as measured by the TBARs assay. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Rancimat techniques set at 110°C were used to evaluate the oxidative stability the lipid-rich media containing MRPs. At the same temperature program, DSC gave significantly lower reduction times than the Rancimat. Furosine (N-ε-Fructosyl-lysine) and Pyrraline (2-amino-6-(2-formyl-5-hydroxymethyl-1-pyrrolyl)-hexanoic acid) were determined using high pressure liquid chromatography to evaluate the extent of the MR. Furosine concentration of glucose-casein MRPs ranged between 0.44 – 1.075 mg.L-1 in MRPs derived at 60°C, while at 75°C an increase as function of time was observed. MRPs derived at 60 and 75°C exhibited a varied concentration of pyrraline as the reaction time increased with higher temperatures resulted in higher concentrations (0.39 mg.L-1).
The results of this study clearly indicated that MRPs possess antioxidant activity and can be used as natural antioxidants in the food industry
GIS time series mapping of a former South African homeland
No full textThesis (MTech (Cartography))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.This case study investigates the change in the geographical boundaries by creating a Spatio-temporal mapping of Ciskei (one of the so-called Bantustans or Homelands) during the period of Apartheid. It examines the reasons for its establishment, and what impact the apartheid land legislation had on the geographical boundaries of Ciskei. GIS technology was used in this study to create time series animation and Static map to display the spatial change of the Ciskei boundaries. This investigation was split into quantitative and qualitative assessments. The aim of the quantitative assessments was to determine the amount of the spatial change of the Ciskei geographic boundary. The qualitative methods was used to investigate the map viewer’s understanding of the amount of the information in the static and animated maps. The results of qualitative assessments showed that static and animated maps have their respective advantages in the visualization of the map viewer. The importance of this research is to take advantage of time series mapping techniques to study the homeland areas in South Africa and see all the changes that have occurred as a result of a period of apartheid legislation. For this research, the following data were gathered: Attribute and metadata was the legislation and laws related to the land and the geographic data was the historical maps and coordinate data