Cape Peninsula University of Technology
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The time that design students spend on in- and out-of-class learning activities at a higher education institution in Cape Town
No full textThesis (MTech (Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Student workload is measured by the time it takes to complete the learning activities. This study determines the workload of Design students by determining the time spent on in- and out-of-class learning activities of a Design course at a higher education institution in Cape Town. The Design learning process typically engages students in several of the following learning activities: problem solving; research and development of ideas; and the mastering of various skills relating to visual communication. These afore-mentioned activities span the duration of a design project crossing the boundaries between subjects. The teaching of Design occurs in various locations such as the design studio and site visits. It therefore becomes difficult to unpack the time spent on in- and out-of-class learning activities for the purposes of workload calculations as prescribed and defined by higher education institutions and educational policies worldwide.
Workload is a significant variable in the curriculum and is of importance in the quality of the teaching and learning process in higher education. An analysis of the literature determined that student workload could be viewed as objective workload (notional hours), the perceived/estimated hours worked (as highlighted in student course experience surveys) or the actual hours reported over a period of time. The resulting discussions focused on the comparability of students‟ workload to the expected notional hours and grades. Thus far none of the previous studies considered time allocation or the workload of the Design student or Design education. Can it be assumed that notional hours apply to all subject fields and therefore, the time allocated to in- and out-of-class learning activities should be equal as well? A timesheet diary was used to determine the time spent on learning activities. The population consisted of Interior Design students. Participants indicated what they were doing in the class as well as the amount of time spent on learning activities outside of timetabled hours. This study determined that the time reported for text-based subjects aligned with the notional hours and timetabled hours. On the other hand, a drawing-related subject – because of project-based learning and individual crits – is allocated more timetable hours, which does not align with the notional hours. The contact time thus appears to be high in comparison to the notional hours and results in an overloaded timetable (28hrs). However, it was found that the individual average for in-class time (14hrs 54min) reported by the participants aligns with the notional hours. Further analysis of the reported time revealed that class duration should be considered in the light of the teaching methods. In addition the average workload in this study of 53hrs 7 min per week exceeds the notional 40 hours per week. The average workload was compared to the participant‟s term results, the notional 40-hours, and the 50% required for passing a subject. This revealed that participants whose workload exceeded 40 hours were likely to pass. This supports the notion that provision should be made in the curriculum to afford students the time to meet the learning outcomes. However, due to the small sample available the impact of workload on student retention and student success could not be determined
An industry-responsive model of professional practice for industrial design : a work-integrated learning case study at a local University of Technology
No full textThesis (MTech (Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Economic recession and job scarcity has led to a decline in the demand for design
services. Graduates in all fields are faced with the risk of unemployment beyond
graduation, with youth unemployment rates in South Africa and globally at alarming
levels. The evolving social and economic challenges of our times place increasing
pressure on the responsibility of higher education institutions to design learning
experiences that adequately prepare graduates for the world of work, whether in
employment or in entrepreneurial self-employment. However, there is a significant
gap between universities’ supply and industry’s demand for graduates with the
desired attributes, which research shows include not only subject-specific knowledge
and skills, but particularly ‘soft skills’ that make an employee effective at work. The
paradox of students graduating without professional experience can be overcome
through approaches such as work-integrated learning, which embed the lessons of
professional practice into design education curricula. This research project examines a case study of work-integrated learning at a South
African university of technology in order to develop an industry-responsive model of
professional practice in Industrial Design education. The case examined is the “R5K
project”, a year-long group project in BTech Industrial Design in which students are
challenged – simulating the world of work - to design, develop, manufacture, market
and sell a product, and earn at least ZAR 5 000. This research set out to assess the
extent to which the project effectively prepared students for work
User-centred design to engender trust in e-commerce
No full textThesis (MTech (Information Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Consumer trust is a core element for any e-commerce website. This study aimed to explore attributes of business-to-consumers (B2C) e-commerce websites that can communicate and engender trust from the users’ perspective using user-centred design. E-commerce websites are known to have features such as security certificates and encryption methods to ensure trust, but this requires technical knowhow to understand. The technologies used to develop websites have improved so far, but it has little effect on improving the trust of the users of e-commerce mostly in developing countries (Africa in particular). E-commerce users do not realise that these features have been put in place for the trustworthiness of the websites which contributes to their reluctance to conduct business transactions online, thus reducing their buying intentions. There is a need to design e-commerce websites to communicate/ convey trust from the users’ perspective. The study explored various sources of data to obtain insight and understanding of the research problem—user-centred design (UCD) group activity with users, interviews with developers, and secondary prior literature. Using UCD as the main methodology, an intensive UCD workshop activity with a group of eight e-commerce users was carried out. Furthermore, to obtain the view of experts (developers) on what is currently done to engender trust in B2C e-commerce websites, interviews with four respondents were also carried out. These interviews were intended to reduce any prejudice or bias and to obtain a clearer understanding of the phenomenon being studied. The findings from the study revealed six main attributes to engender trust, namely aesthetics design, security and information privacy, functionality design, trustworthiness based on content, development process, and vendor attributes. Proposed guidelines for each of the attributes were outlined. The findings from the users showed that those who were acquainted with the e-commerce technologies were those whose backgrounds are computer and technology related. Most users focused on aesthetics design, functionality, and security of their privacy and private details. Less emphasis was placed on the technology behind the e-commerce websites. Users use their aesthetic and cognitive value in their judgement for trust. The findings from the research were further validated using the Domestication of Technology Theory (DTT), which resulted in the development of a user-centred e-commerce trust model
An assessment of grievance investigations by the public service commission in South Africa
No full textThesis (MTech (Public Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.This study assessed the role of the Public Service Commission (PSC) in the public service grievance investigations in South Africa, with the intention of finding a feasible approach for constructing and attending to fair and just grievance procedure. This study also sought to investigate the effectiveness of the methods used by the PSC employee grievances with the intention of recommending an appropriate approach in dealing with grievances. The PSC, as a Constitutional oversight body, may be charged with responsibilities to assess if the public service deals with grievances of employees, but fail to assess itself. It is studies like this that mirror how the PSC assesses employee grievances in the public service and whether it succeeds in advancing effectively and effective on that
Inventory management practices of small, medium and micro enterprises in the Cape Metropole, South Africa
No full textThesis (MTech (Cost and Management Accounting))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa are perceived to be failing partly due to ineffective management practices. Using a questionnaire survey, this study sought to determine the inventory-management practices of SMMEs operating in the Cape Metropole, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the inventory-management practices currently used by these entities. In addition, the study sought to determine the challenges, if any, that are experienced by SMMEs from the inventory-management practices currently used. This study was motivated by a dearth of research on inventory-management practices of SMMEs.
The findings of the study revealed that most of the SMMEs used ‘Rule of Thumb’ as an inventory-management practice. Regarding the effectiveness of the practices used, the study revealed that the SMMEs investigated were perceived to be moderately effective, with SMMEs practising good inventory management techniques such as warehousing, stocktaking, budgeting, good ordering habits and segregation of warehouse duties. In relation to the challenges faced by SMMEs from the inventory-management practices currently used, the findings suggested that theft, shortage of inventory, errors due to incompetent staff, physical inventory not matching up with records and an inability to keep up with the demand of the customers were some of the main challenges faced. This study contributes to the literature on inventory-management practices of SMMEs and fills the gap of knowledge in this neglected area of research. The findings of this study are of significance to the decision-makers of SMEs as they will be enlightened on the best practices and different inventory-management practices that are vital for their businesses’ survival and that have been adopted by their competitors. This should enable them to evaluate their own inventory-management practices and to decide whether to improve, change or continue with their current practice. The South African Government could also draw on the findings of this research to inform its future intervention strategies meant to improve the survival rates of these entities. This could be in the form of the creation of short courses meant to assist SMMEs to improve their inventory-management practices
Design thinking : shaping the way industrial design business models create, deliver and capture value
No full textThesis (MTech (Industrial Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.The purpose of this Master’s Thesis is to explore the application of Design Thinking as a
valuable resource to any organisation, in this studies case the business model. Furthermore,
it seeks to describe how the concept of ‘Design Thinking’ is shaping business models in the
context of industrial design. By developing a language for and a description of these
intersections and interdisciplinary roles. Consensus regarding the concepts of Design
Thinking and the business model still needs development since this emerging area has
become more established. An applied contextual research approach inevitably paints a new
picture using the concepts and will also develop a language to assist design education,
researchers and entrepreneurs in the industrial design praxis. The competitive advantage of
any business is now driven even more by the intersection between different fields and
disciplines. At this intersection exists the opportunity to understand the relationship between
Design Thinking (a methodology that is grounded in industrial design) and the business
model (a global concept for the logic of business) to help decision makers develop more
sustainable pathways for design entrepreneurship. This research also addresses aspects of
the changing role of industrial design and devotes the findings to the creative industries in
South Africa. The research was conducted using a qualitative methodology, taking an
applied context case study approach. Data were gathered from industry experts and three
core cases: Thingking (design-maker consultants), Research Unit (a leather and luxury
apparel company) and Nomanini, (provider of mobile solutions in the electronic domain)
Factors contributing toward attrition of engineering students at public vocational colleges in the Western Cape
No full textThesis (MEd (Education))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Currently, there is a high attrition rate amongst students who are registered at public
technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges in the Western
Cape. In this sector, attrition rate has also been referred to as ‘through-put rate’
which both mean that there is a reduction in the number of students completing a
programme for a variety of reasons. This study focuses on the reasons why these
students are leaving the colleges before completing the programme.
Perspectives of students who registered at a technical vocational education and
training (TVET) college are analysed. As a result of students dropping out of their
studies, emphasis is being placed on what students are experiencing at the TVET
colleges, which eventually influences their decision to drop out and become part of
the TVET attrition statistics. This study provides information based specifically on the
students’ experience in the National Certificate Vocational [NC(V)] civil engineering
programme at the TVET college where they were registered. Reasons are provided
which will clearly indicate that attrition is not only the result of the students’ inability to
cope academically but that student attrition can also be the result of other factors.
The topic to be addressed in this study is: Factors contributing toward attrition of
engineering students at public vocational colleges in the Western Cape.
This study is situated within a critical research paradigm which will allow an analysis
of the reasons for attrition in civil engineering programmes at one of the TVET
colleges with the ultimate aim of contributing towards social change. This study will
apply a qualitative data collection approach and will make use of interviews. This
study makes continual reference to the work of Vincent Tinto as he has done much
research on the topic of attrition in education
Protoplast isolation and plant regeneration in Bambara groundnut : a platform for transient gene expression
No full textThesis (MTech (Agriculture))--Cape Peninsula University Of Technology, 2016.Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea), a dicotyledonous plant is a legume which has a potential to contribute to food security and nutrition. Protoplasts are naked plant cells lacking cell walls. Viable protoplasts are potentially totipotent. Therefore, when given the correct stimuli, each protoplast is capable, theoretically, of regenerating a new wall and undergoing repeated mitotic division to produce daughter cells from which fertile plants may be regenerated through the tissue culture process. Protoplast systems are valuable and versatile cell based systems that are useful in observing cellular processes and activities.
In this study, the isolation of protoplast from the leaves of Bambara groundnut plant was extensively optimised. The factors affecting protoplast isolation considered in this study were ages of plant material, mannitol concentration, combinations and concentrations of enzymes and duration of incubation. Effects of ages of Bambara groundnut plant (4, 6, 8, 10 weeks), molarities of mannitol (0.4 M, 0.5 M. 0.6 M and 0.7 M), concentration and combination of enzymes (1%, 2% and 4% cellulase, 0.5% and 1% macerozyme and, 0.5% and 1% pectinase) at different incubation duration (4, 18, 24, 42 hours) were investigated. Overall, it can be deduced from this study that the optimal protoplast yield (4.6 ± 0.14×105ml-1/gFW) and viability (86.5 ± 2.12%) were achieved by digesting the leaves of four week old Bambara groundnut plant with 2% cellulase and 0.5 % macerozyme with 0.5M mannitol for 18 hours. Freshly isolated protoplasts were then cultured at different densities of 1 × 104 - 2 ×106 protoplasts/ml using MS in three different culture (Liquid, agar and agarose bead) methods. First cell division was observed only in liquid medium. With several attempts, no division was achieved in the agar and agarose bead methods, division also did not progress in the liquid medium and hence, plant regeneration from Bambara groundnut protoplasts could not be achieved in this study. Consequently, a further study is underway to compare the proteomic profiles of freshly isolated protoplasts and cultured protoplasts in order to gain insights into the expression of proteins that could perhaps be contributing to the difficulty in regenerating Bambara groundnut plant through protoplast technology. The present study is novel because it is the first study to optimise the various factors that could affect protoplast isolation from the leaves of Bambara groundnut and thus developed an efficient protocol for protoplasts isolation from leaves of Bambara groundnut for cell manipulation studies
The role of education technology in transforming education at universities of technology
No full textDissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Business Information Systems in the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyThis study has investigated the role of Education Technology as means to transform education at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. The department of Office Management and Technology was selected for the case study. The research focused on determining the significance of modern Education Technology on teaching and learning strategies at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. A quantitative approach was used for data collection, while this was done by using questionnaires, which employed 5 point Likert scales. The responses from 54 participants were recorded and analysed, and these results show that respondents held strong views about the significance of the role of Education Technology in teaching and learning strategies at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Furthermore, the results show that Education Technology helps to improve teaching and learning strategies at the institution. The significance of this research is that the results may be interpreted within a broader South African context. The study, therefore, contributes to the body of knowledge concerning the impact of Education Technology at Universities of Technology in South Africa
2D & 3D ultrasound systems in development of medical imaging technology
No full textThesis (MTech (Electrical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Ultrasound is widely used in most medical clinics, especially obstetrical clinics. It is a way of imaging methods that has important diagnostic value. Although useful in many different applications, diagnostic ultrasound is especially useful in antenatal (before delivery) diagnosis. The use of two-dimensional ultrasound (2DUS) in obstetrics has been established. However, there are many disadvantages of 2DUS imaging. Several researchers have published information on the significance of patients being shown the ultrasound screen during examination, especially during three- and four-dimensional (3D/4D) scanning. In addition, a form of ultrasound, called keepsake or entertainment ultrasound, has boomed, particularly in the United States. However, long-term epidemiological studies have failed to show the adverse effects of ultrasound in human tissues. Until now, there is no proof that diagnostic ultrasound causes harm in a human body or the developing foetus when used correctly. While ultrasound is supposed to be absolutely safe, it is a form of energy and, as such, has effects on tissues it traverses (bio-effects). The two most important mechanisms for effects are thermal and non-thermal. These two mechanisms are indicated on the screen of ultrasound devices by two indices: The thermal index (TI) and the mechanical index (MI). These are the purposes of this thesis: • evaluate end-users’ knowledge regarding the safety of ultrasound;
• evaluate and make a comparison between acoustic output indices (AOI) in B-mode (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound – those measured by thermal (TI) and mechanical (MI) indices; • assess the acoustic output indices (AOI) to benchmark current practice with a survey conducted by the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS); and • review how to design 2D and 3D arrays for medical ultrasound imagin