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Experiences of undergraduate nursing students during their experiential learning in Boland Overberg healthcare facilities
No full textThesis (Master of Nursing)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019Nursing is a practice-based discipline, which makes experiential learning an important part of nursing education. The main purpose of experiential learning is to give students an opportunity to transfer theory into practice. It also equips the undergraduate student nurse with the skills and knowledge needed to provide high-quality care based on patients'/clients' needs and to produce competent and confident decision makers who are ready to accept personal and professional accountability. Experiential learning is accomplished by placing the undergraduate nursing students within a clinical learning environment. The success of the nursing programmes depends on appropriate clinical experience. The purpose of this research was to explore and describe the experiences of undergraduate nursing students during experiential learning in healthcare facilities at the Boland Overberg Campus in the Western Cape. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive design was applied. Data collection was done using focus-group interviews to ascertain the undergraduate student nurses' experiences during clinical practice in healthcare facilities in the Boland Overberg area. Thirty-eight undergraduate nursing students from Boland Campus were selected, using purposive sampling. The ethical principles relevant to this study were observed. Colaizzi's method of coding and thematic content analysis were used to interpret the data. The results of this study revealed that students were not satisfied with the clinical learning environment, which was not conducive to their learning. The students were not supported and supervised by the registered nurses in the facilities. This resulted in a lack of theory and practice integration. Furthermore, the results revealed that the students faced challenges during clinical practice. One of the most challenging factors was negative staff attitudes. It was evident that even though being in clinical settings was sometimes very challenging and frightening, there were also joyful moments. Seeing the patient recover gave students satisfaction and a reason to return the next day
Organic binder mediated Co3O4/TiO2 heterojunction formation for heterogeneous activation of Peroxymonosulfate
Full text linkThesis (Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019.A shortage of water has resulted in the need to enhance the quality of wastewater that is released into the environment. The advanced oxidation process (AOP) using heterogeneous catalysis is a promising treatment process for the management of wastewater containing recalcitrant pollutants as compared to conventional processes. As AOP is a reliable wastewater treatment process, it is expected to be a sustainable answer to the shortage of clean water. AOP using heterogeneous catalysis based on Co3O4 particles and PMS, in particular has been found to be a powerful procedure for the degradation and mineralization of recalcitrant organic contaminants. In addition, due to the growing application of Co3O4 in lithium batteries, large quantities of these particles will be recovered as waste from spent lithium batteries, so there is a need to find a use for them. Although this method has received some promising feedback, challenges still need to be addressed, such as the toxicity of cobalt particles, the poor chemical and thermal stability and particle aggregation, and the prompting of lower catalytic efficiency in long haul application. Furthermore, the removal of the catalyst after the treatment of pollutants is also an issue.
In order to be applicable, a novel catalyst must be produced requiring the combination of Co3O4 with a support material in order to inhibit cobalt leaching and generate better particle stability. From the available literature, TiO2 was found to be the best support material because it not only provides a large surface area for well dispersed Co3O4, but it also forms strong Co-O-Ti bonds which greatly reduced cobalt leaching as compared to other support materials. Moreover, it also greatly encourages the formation of surface Co–OH complexes, which is considered a crucial step for PMS activation. Therefore, the issues cited above could be avoided by producing a Co3O4/TiO2 heterojunction catalyst
A framework for e-Learning support to language lecturers at a university of technology
Full text linkThesis (DTech (Informatics))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019.This study explored the perceptions and expectations that language lecturers have of e-Learning support. E-Learning has promised to enhance teaching and learning practices and yet it has not been optimally implemented. In the current complex context of Higher education in South Africa all lecturers are confronted with challenges. Language lecturers however have added strain being tasked with preparing students from the demanding, multi-cultural and multi-lingual context to communicate academically in the language of learning and teaching across all subject areas. Universities, in line with expectations from the White Paper on e-Education (South Africa. Department of Education, 2004), require lecturers to use a Learning Management System (LMS) during academic activity even though some lecturers are reluctant, for various reasons, to do so. Lecturer support has been identified as one way in which to promote smooth and optimal e-Learning uptake. Support is a service and for that reason the service delivery industry was consulted to find possible service quality solutions in aid of the assistance for lecturers.
Teaching is a highly complex activity where pedagogy is significant in the incorporation of technology, which is what the TPACK (Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge) framework underscores. This framework represents the complexity of introducing technology to teaching, considering pedagogy, coupled with CALL (computer assisted language learning), which is a contemporary research domain. To aid the lecturer in introducing TPACK a qualified and trained support service is key. The insights and perspectives of an extensive literature review about the complex context of higher education in South Africa, language lecturers, e-Learning and support as a service are presented. The rationale for the inclusion of attention to service delivery with specific focus to perceptions and expectations is investigated and key issues related to language lecturers’ perceptions and expectations of LMS support are explored. This study identifies relevant elements of a support service for technology to optimise the teaching practice of language lecturers in a complex environment of higher education. The discrepancy between intended use of LMS and actual use thereof is addressed, while a framework of gaps regarding LMS support within a university of technology in South Africa was developed. This framework can assist with optimal support and ultimately contribute to the vision for higher education in South Africa as set out by the Department of Higher Education and Training in their White Paper on post-school Education and Training (2013) calling for transformation
Triple bottom-line framework as a tool for measuring the sustainability of manufacturing SMEs in the Cape metropole
No full textThesis (Master of Internal Auditing)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019Over the past two decades, the triple bottom line (TBL) framework has gained prominence as an acquainting tool to enhance the operations of various companies by providing lenses of sustainability. TBL is a contemporary tool for reporting and accounting, encompassing environmental and societal aspects of business operations. Different sectors and enterprises have become aware of TBL and are increasingly becoming adapted with utilising the TBL tool. It serves as a fundamental tool on matters of profitability and sustainability. The high failure rate of South African Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) remains a national challenge requiring attention. The survival battle that these SMEs face does not only threaten their sustainability but also impair their future competitive advantage. This is even more prevalent among manufacturing SMEs. Manufacturing SMEs are commonly endowed with the potential capability for providing opportunities and eradicating poverty more sustainably. They act as catalysts for socio-economic growth and industrial development. At the same time, they are acknowledged for their extensive contribution towards the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). They are recognised for being champions of job creation that promotes rural economies and rural development. Manufacturing SMEs in urbanised and peri-urban centres such as the Cape Metropole are becoming more actively engaged in environmental and social programs. Although they are increasingly becoming active, SMEs operating in emerging markets such as South Africa are still struggling with issues pertaining to sustainability, a focal matter of this study. This research was conducted with the main objective to determine the extent to which manufacturing SMEs in South Africa utilise the TBL framework as a tool to measure the sustainability of their enterprises. The researcher would want to know if all manufacturing SMEs operate with some form of sustainability lenses, focusing on balancing social and environmental programmes in their operations. It would be interesting to find the balance in the three pillars of sustainability. The subjects of this study were the manufacturing SMEs operating in the Cape Metropole, located in the Southern Peninsula of the Western Cape Province, with a coastline of 294 km. The importance of this study lies in the fact that until now, there has been relatively limited research conducted in the Cape Metropole concerning the research topic of this nature. The study focuses on providing the content which obtain a comprehensive understanding of sustainable business advancement, and also the research that investigated the knowledge of SMEs management on the importance of acknowledging and finding balance in the three pillars of sustainability. The study is also pursued to establish SMEs accounting for social and environmental aspects of operations, resulting in a better rate of their sustainability. This study applied a quantitative design to purposively select a sample of 200 respondents who were considered the decision-makers of manufacturing SMEs in the Cape Metropole. The researcher distributed questionnaires to the directors of operations, supervisors, owners, and managers. These respondents were classified to be at the decision-making equivalent positions in manufacturing SMEs. The respondents were also deemed to be suitable to report the decisions made regarding the operational strategies and the results of the environmental and social agendas implemented by manufacturing SMEs. As such, for this study, the importance lies in providing the proof to whether there exists a relationship between the dimensions of sustainability, business performance, and the usage of TBL within manufacturing SMEs. Stemming from the results, it is revealed that manufacturing SMEs drive for profitability at the expense of sustainability and their sparse investment on environmental and social programmes, threatens their efforts to induce positive business outcomes. The latter mentioned behaviour affected their business sustainability as well as their future business performance. Furthermore, it was discovered to be the possible reason that abrades their potential leverage for competitiveness. The study concludes by highlighting the implications of such behaviours and attitudes which led to the high failure rate of manufacturing SMEs, as well as proposing future possible research
The role of a correctional facility in the rehabilitation process of inmates in a selected prison in the Western Cape, South Africa
No full textThesis (MTech (Public Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019The increase of correctional facilities as institutions to punish convicted inmates was a process that developed over many decades from basic beginnings in the early sixteenth century to more contemporary approaches in the 21st century. Over the centuries, various models or approaches were adopted for the treatment of criminals. New correctional facilities emerged with new designs to keep offenders away from society. South African correctional facilities were designed and built according to international standards to accommodate offenders and to accomplish the objectives of punishment, which included retribution, rehabilitation, deterrence and protection of society. The focus on retributive justice changed gradually to incorporate restorative justice, which included rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is the responsibility of both the offender and the correctional official. The research attempts to demonstrate that, in the absence of uniform rehabilitation systems operating at correctional facilities, the expectations rehabilitation is unclear. The researcher investigates the effectiveness of a selected correctional facility in the rehabilitation of offenders. This presents a challenge for the effective management of rehabilitation and development. The data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire, which was the selected survey method. The purpose of the study was to assess the rehabilitation process in a selected correctional facility. The research method utilised for the study, was a survey that were distributed to correctional officials and offenders. Arising from the findings the following recommendations were made, namely that the correctional officials should be trained on how to effectively participate in the rehabilitation process and understand the term ‘rehabilitation’, it should be ensured that rehabilitation programmes take place continuously and that correctional officials should motivate offenders to have a positive attitude towards the rehabilitation programmes being offered by the Department of Correctional Services
Elemental Cu-doped Co3O4 thin film for highly sensitive non-enzymatic glucose detection
No full textThesis (Master of Engineering (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019This thesis is a study and analysis of the non-enzymatic glucose sensing ability of elemental Cu-doped Co3O4 thin film deposited on FTO. A facile chemical solution method was utilized to substitute elemental Cu into the Co3O4 host lattice structure. The morphology of the electrode was characterized by XRD, SEM, HRTEM, SAED and EELS. The introduction of Cu resulted in increased electrical conductivity, charge density and decreased charge transfer resistance in Co3O4. This ultimately resulted in enhanced electrochemical activity when compared to pristine Co3O4. The as prepared thin film exhibited very high sensitivity, 1850 μAcm-2mM-1, and linear range up to 7.6 mM. The sensor showed a limit of detection of 153 nM at a signal to noise ratio of 3. The developed sensor was used successfully to measure glucose level in human serum and spiked saliva sample
Development of two-component gassing system to sensitize explosive emulsions
No full textThesis (Master of Engineering (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019This study investigated explosive emulsions used in civilian mining for breaking rocks. These emulsions were highly concentrated (mass fraction greater than 90 %) and consisted of a dispersion of an aqueous solution of industrial grade ammonium nitrate in a fuel phase containing surface active agents. For such emulsions to detonate, they must be sensitized. This is usually done by generation of gas bubbles (voids) in-situ via a gassing reaction, whereby a gassing component is added to the emulsion to react with ammonium nitrate (present in large quantity), which is a one-component method. In this method, any excess of gassing agent gives rise to an undesired extent of gassing reaction, resulting in poor blasting performance. This study reports an alternative approach to sensitizing explosive emulsions, by using a two-component gassing system, one (KI) that was added to the fuel phase or to ammonium nitrate solution in a pre-determined amount prior to emulsification, and the other (H2O2) added to the explosive emulsion after manufacture, when sensitization was required. Thus, the primary goal of this research was to carry out a phenomenological study of the dependence of H2O2 and KI concentrations, as well as the effect of pH on the emulsion density over time, with a view to shedding light on the factors controlling the final gassed emulsion density, and on optimizing the process. Blasting experiments were also conducted to compare the performance of the new method to the one currently being used. Three industrial fuel phases were selected for this study: F800, Bullfinch and R602/45. The H2O2 solution (30 wt%) and KI concentrations were varied from 0.09 to 7.80 wt% and 0.004 to 0.1 wt% respectively. The pH values ranged from 4.4 to 6.5. The research showed that the stoichiometric reaction between KI and H2O2 was dominant rather than the catalytic decomposition of H2O2. It was also found that when KI was added to the fuel phase, the rate of density change increased and the final gassed emulsion density decreased with increasing H2O2 concentration. As with the effect of H2O2, an increase in rate of density change and a decrease in final emulsion density with increasing KI concentration were observed. For KI concentrations of 0.008 wt% (F800) and 0.004 wt% (Bullfinch and R602/45), the reference density was reached and the excess of H2O2 did not affect the extent of gassing reaction or the final gassed emulsion density. Unexpectedly, emulsions in which KI was added to the ammonium nitrate solution yielded exactly the same results. Interestingly, it was demonstrated that regardless of the phase in which KI is initially added prior to emulsification, the gassing reaction neither occurred in the fuel nor the aqueous phase but at the interface formed by the fuel and aqueous phases. Blasting experiments showed that emulsions sensitized by the new method (two-component system) yielded velocities of detonation 7 to 11% lower than the current method (one-component system). This was probably due to the differences in porosity of emulsions sensitized by different methods. The studies conducted have shown that the use of the two-component (H2O2 and KI) gassing system is suitable to regulate the extent of the gassing reaction in explosive emulsions for pH < 6.0. The two-component gassing system could be used in the explosives industry where consistent blasting performance is required
An energy management system for a hybrid reversible fuel cell/supercapacitor in a 100% renewable power system
No full textThesis (PhD (Electrical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019Hydrogen is likely to play a significant role in the concept of low-carbon power generation in support to renewable power systems. It is abundant, eco-friendly, highly efficient and have the potential to be more cost-effective than fossil fuels provided that the engineering challenges associated with its safe infrastructure development, economical extraction and storage are solved. In the concept 100% renewable power system, a hydrogen production system may be used in conjunction with a fuel cell to form an energy storage system for power balancing and energy shifting to hinder any mismatch caused by potential variation of renewable resources. However, one of the drawbacks of a typical fuel cell is the slow response which may shorten its lifetime in case of several occurrences of sudden load variations above the fuel cell acceptable load. To avoid this issue, a complementary energy storage device with fast power response may be used to deal with sudden load fluctuations and transient regimes. In this research, a renewable power system containing a photovoltaic system and a hybrid energy storage-based fuel cell and supercapacitors is considered. The challenge when dealing with such a system is a proper energy management to coordinate the operation of the overall entity. On the other hand, a well-designed renewable power system implies a technically and economically reliable system. The aim of this research is to develop an energy management algorithm able to maintain the balance between the renewable power system and load and manage sudden load variations. The load considered in this research consists of a three kilowatts variable DC load and a seven kilowatts non-variable AC load. Based on the solar radiation of the selected location, the results of the best possible system to satisfy such a load show a combined set of components consisting of a 29 kW photovoltaic array, a 15 kW electrolyser, a 10 kW fuel cell, a 7 kg hydrogen tank and a 7.6 kW power converter. On the other hand, mathematical models of the components involved into the proposed renewable power system and the energy management algorithm employing rules are developed. A system integrating models of components and the energy management algorithm is simulated using Matlab/Simulink environment. Due to high computing performance requirements, the obtained Simulink model is simulated for a short duration to evaluate the effectiveness of the developed energy management algorithm. The results are presented in four scenarios demonstrating the ability of the system to maintain the balance between the supply and the demand and to manage sudden peak power occurrences
Newly qualified teachers perceptions of teaching practicum as a component of initial teacher education at a Western Cape institution
No full textThesis (MEd (Education))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019Simply put, Teaching Practicum refers to learning through experience. The learning opportunity is provided to trainees who have successfully completed teacher education. It is considered an important moment for newly qualified teachers because he or she is exposed to real classroom dynamics. Owing to the value placed in Teaching Practicum, specifically its necessity as a transformative step to building teaching and learning capacity for newly qualified teachers, it is important to continuously evaluate the extent to which the programme facilitates the important objective of sustaining the interest of newly qualified teachers’ interest in the profession of teaching. More so, foundation phase has been highlighted by researchers as challenging for newly qualified teachers. In this respect, researchers have noted a dearth of research about whether the initial teacher education programme, particularly Teaching Practicum at foundation phase transfers to actual classroom practice. This study therefore seeks to understand how newly qualified teachers perceive Teaching Practicum. Essentially, the main objective is to establish whether newly qualified teachers found Teaching Practicum beneficial in their first year of teaching. Teaching Practicum plays an integral role in the preparation of prospective teachers, to ensure that the practical aspect of teaching is sufficiently conveyed in relation to the content learnt at university. With the aim of obtaining in-depth information about the knowledge and skills gained during Teaching Practicum, this research employed a qualitative method within an interpretivist paradigm with the participation of newly qualified teachers in 2017. Data were collected through the use of focus group interviews to obtain in-depth data about the knowledge and skills acquired during Teaching Practicum. With this goal in mind, the researcher posed the following question: (1) How do NQTs perceive Teaching Practicum? To meaningfully obtain the perceptions of Teaching Practicum required the researcher to ask the newly qualified teachers whether Teaching Practicum was beneficial or not. This meant that the participants’ experiences during Teaching Practicum had to be explored. As indicated, data collected in 2017 served as the primary database for this study. The use of themes through content analysis enabled better analytical approach so as to clearly present meaning to the data. The findings indicate an overall positive perception of Teaching Practicum among the participants despite the views of some of the participants who were discontented with what they were exposed to during Teaching Practicum. Basically, while majority of the participants viewed Teaching Practicum positively there were few who felt they did not gain as much as they hoped. With the notion that South Africa education system is in a crisis requiring concrete solutions of which Teaching Practicum is seen as one of the possible solutions, this study breaks new ground in identifying such areas of concern and the value of the research resides chiefly in this location of weak spots, which deserve urgent attention. A major implication therefore of this finding is that even though Teaching Practicum has a value-add potential, the weak areas of Teaching Practicum training implies that universities need to examine the quality, value and efficacy as well as duration of their Teaching Practicum programmes. To provide quality teachers, the necessity of quality Teaching Practicum is vital
User affordances and patterns of behaviour associated with wearable fitness devices
No full textThesis (MTech (Information Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019This narrative study responds to a paper and statement by Yang (2016:256) who states that "despite the positive prospects and functionality of wearable devices, little research has been done on user acceptance and behaviours concerning them". This study made use of Engeström's second generation Activity theory (1983) to examine how wearable fitness devices influence and support a number of users' behaviour by attempting to uncover the underlying user affordances and patterns of behaviour that emerge when people interact with wearable fitness devices. Data was collected in the form of the content analysis that identified the hot areas of discussion in documents in the field. The second part of the case study was conducted through qualitative interviews with eight participants.. In addition, through emergent research data was coded and modified to best describe participant responses. All participants in this study were users' of wearable fitness devices which were identified via peers, referral and convenient target sampling. The snowballing sampling technique was also deployed to engage with willing participants. In addressing my research objective I have identified four user personas in relation to wearable fitness device usage. I also present some of the tensions and contradictions that users experience when engaging within their various individual wearable fitness device activity systems. My primary data analyses also identified seven themes which emerged from the obtained results, these include adoption, lifestyle management, a?ordances, self-reflection, community/normative influences, motivations/self-ecacy and goal setting and incentive