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Assessing rural senior primary school natural science teachers’ TPACK: a case study
Get PDFIn today's world, technology has changed how people live and behave. The influence of technology contemplates a similar change in the education processes of teaching and learning. Many governments worldwide invest hugely in providing technological tools and facilities and training teachers to improve teaching and learning. The availability and access to technologies in schools seem to offer teachers opportunities to develop technological knowledge and integrate technology into teaching. Literature indicates that teachers must possess technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) to integrate technology into teaching and learning processes effectively. However, other scholars have also suggested that teachers' TPACK develops and is shaped by many contexts. This study, therefore, sought to assess the rural senior primary Natural science teachers' TPACK. This qualitative case study was conducted with senior primary Natural science teachers in the educational circuit of Endola. An interpretive paradigm underpinned the study. The study employed semi-structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, and observation to collect the data. The study used the TPACK as a theoretical and analytical framework. The study results showed that participants had a firmer grasp of subject content (CK) and traditional teaching methods (Pedagogical Knowledge - PK and Pedagogical Content Knowledge - PCK) compared to technological knowledge (TK) and technology-based pedagogies (Technological Pedagogical Knowledge - TPK, Technological Content Knowledge - TCK, and Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPCK). Findings support that the participants draw upon sources of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) closely aligned with Content Knowledge (CK), Technological Content Knowledge (TCK), and Technological Pedagogical Knowledge (TPK) to integrate technology. The study included inadequate professional development, teachers' attitudes, insufficient hardware and internet connectivity, limited technological knowledge, time constraints, and restricted access to technology tools and resources as obstacles for teachers attempting to incorporate technology into their classrooms effectively. Furthermore, the data highlights ICT training and teachers' interest as enablers that motivated participants to integrate technology into their teaching practices. Therefore, the study recommends professional development programs focusing on providing science teachers with practical skills to utilise different technologies and address common technical issues.Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post-School Education, 202
Public Health Communication and Language Policy at Rhodes University During the COVID-19 Pandemic
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic offered unprecedented obstacles to public health communication worldwide. Pandemic revealed disparities and significant gaps in access to public health information for those not proficient in English, potentially leading to the exclusion of indigenous language speakers and minority communities from issues of national interest, including vital COVID-19 updates. This chapter examines the case study of Rhodes University in the Eastern Cape, South Africa and explores the institution's language policies and practices during the pandemic. The institution grapples with linguistic diversity, where English is the primary language of teaching and administration. The study explores language, public health communication, and inclusion at Rhodes University. It seeks to find linguistic and cultural contestations during this time by evaluating the university's response to the pandemic through language. The study uses document analysis to understand how Rhodes University's language practices impacted public health communication during the pandemic
Garden bird ringing at 3 Florence Street, Oatlands, Mkhanda (Grahamstown): the closing chapter
Get PDFThis is the third and final report summarizing 42 years of bird ringing in a garden in Mkhanda. In total, 2036 birds of 59 species were ringed, of which 217 individuals (27 species) were recaptured at least once, and 34 birds (17 species) were recovered dead
South African birds in a Canadian museum: the legacy of colonial service by Lionel E Taylor
No full textThe Beaty Biodiversity Museum in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, holds a collection of 498 specimens of 275 bird species presented by Lionel E Taylor, who worked in South Africa for the Department of Forestry from 1902 to 1911. Most specimens are in very good condition, and many have date and locality information; about one-third were collected around Irene, outside Pretoria, in Gauteng province, where Taylor lived before relocating to Canada. Full details can be accessed from the museum’s website. The history and composition of this collection is described here briefly
Demographic correlates of indices of psychological well-being and COVID-19 related distress among South African university students
No full textFollowing the COVID-19 pandemic we sought to determine the relationships between anxiety, hopelessness, alcohol use, perceived vulnerability to infection, resilience, traumatic stress, and satisfaction with life amongst university students at three tertiary higher education institutions in South Africa. Our participants were a convenience sample (N = 803) of South African students attending three universities. Participants completed an online survey that contained a battery of psychological measures that measured fear of COVID-19, Perceived Vulnerability to Disease, Resilience, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Hopelessness, Anxiety, PTSD, Alcohol Use, Traumatic Stress, and worry about infection with COVID-19. The mean age of participants was 25 (SD = 8.22), most of whom were female (51%). An increase in age amongst respondents was significantly positively correlated with hopelessness and life satisfaction, but also significantly negatively associated with symptoms of anxiety, PTSD, and alcohol use. Multivariate analysis showed that women reported significantly higher levels of fear of COVID-19, perceived vulnerability to disease, PTSD, and COVID-19 related worries compared to men and those identifying as “other.” Students at the urban university reported higher levels of fear of COVID-19, perceived vulnerability to disease, and COVID-19 related worries but lower levels of anxiety compared to those at the peri-urban and rural university. Students at the rural institution reported greater levels of alcohol use compared to those at the other institutions. Psychological distress among students was exacerbated during the pandemic. It may be useful to identify students in the first term who are struggling academically and to direct them to both academic and counseling support services
A critical analysis of the interpretation of a permanent establishment created where a subsidiary acts as a dependent agent for its parent company
Get PDFIn recent years, the need arose to amend the DAPE provisions in the OECD MTC due to the ever-evolving nature of the tax avoidance strategies employed globally. This research study analysed the amendments that were made to the DAPE provisions of Article 5(5) of the 2014 OECD MTC, including the related OECD Commentary thereto and the extent to which the Commentary can be relied on. The relevance of the amended DAPE provisions were discussed by analysing the PE definition in SA’s domestic tax law, SA’s position on the MLI and consequently its position on Article 12 of the MLI which incorporates the amended DAPE provisions into existing DTAs. The scope of the research was limited to the DAPE provisions, and the research did not focus on the PE provisions in general. The focal point of the study was specifically on SA subsidiaries acting as dependent agents for its parent companies located in foreign jurisdictions, thereby creating deemed PEs for the foreign parent companies in SA based on the relevant criteria set out in Article 5(5) of the OECD MTC. The research study further explored specific French court cases that focussed on the interpretation of the DAPE provisions in the relevant DTAs and commented on the appropriateness of the decisions reached in these cases. The primary objective of the research was to determine how the DAPE provisions should be interpreted for purposes of SA’s domestic law, as well as its DTAs concluded with both France and Ireland. The research study therefore concluded with an interpretation of a case study based on a similar set of facts to the foreign court cases explored, where an SA subsidiary acted as a dependent agent on behalf of its foreign parent company. The conclusion reached on the appropriate interpretation for domestic law purposes differed significantly to the interpretation for purposes of the DTAs as a result of the significant amendments that were made to the DAPE provisions in the 2017 MTC.Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Accounting, 202
A critical evaluation of the state of capital asset management in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and its impact on service delivery
Get PDFOver the past decades, municipalities have emerged as a significant sphere of government that provides essential services to the general population, thereby improving their standard of living. While the communities have been vocal in their demand for improved service delivery, some municipalities are finding it difficult to provide sustainable services because of their deteriorating infrastructure. As a result,this exhibits a negative impact on the citizens' standard of living. Good capital asset management and efficient use of resources, including suitable amenities to offer services as needed by communities, are required to improve the quality of services. Municipalities must comply with this directive, adhere to the governance requirement, alongside their consequent obligations to follow laws and regulations, execute their duties and deliver promises set within the communities that they serve. The objective of this research was to critically examine the state of capital asset management in NMBM and its influence on service delivery.The research adopted a qualitative method of enquiry. The researcher employed a qualitative methodology to acquire data using an interview schedule. Some basic findings suggest that aspects of capital asset management, including leadership, planning and budgetary concerns, a scarcity of technical staff, managerial dedication and engagement, political support, insufficient or absent capital asset conditions, present a challenge in NMBM. The study recommends that management take steps to enhance the implementation of an asset management policy, at the same time developing strategies and interventions to assist related service delivery directorates and personnel in the application, controlling andmonitoring of capital assets. It is necessary to improve the competence and efficiency of assets as well prioritise the required services and sustainability. The argument reflects that the techniques suggested in conjunction with the findings provide novel perspectives on the problems associated with capital assetmanagement. In the end, putting these recommendations into practice might greatly enhance asset management and service delivery in NMBM.Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 202
The role of microfinance in women empowerment in Gqeberha, South Africa
Get PDFThis research studied the role of microfinance in women empowerment in Gqeberha, in Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Various development strategies and approaches have been devised across the world, aimed at empowering women and eradicating poverty, particularly in developing countries. One of these development strategies is microfinance. Microfinance has provided financial assistance through loans to people, unable to access formal financial banks. Empowering women to participate fully in their economies is not only essential to building economies but to achieving the internationally agreed goals for development, human rights and sustainability. The inclusion of women empowerment and poverty alleviation in the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals demonstrates the importance of poverty alleviation (SDG1) and women empowerment (SDG5) in the development of economies across the world. This qualitative research study collected data, using semi-structured questionnaires and interviews with 30 beneficiaries of MFIs and three MFI managers in Gqeberha. The sampling method used were non-probability purposive sampling, and the data were analysed through content analysis and descriptive statistics. The results suggest that microfinance through micro-loans and micro-business loans has had a positive role in the empowerment of women through the ease of access to finance through small loans. However, a gap exists in the market for long-term loans which could aid with starting small businesses and give the beneficiary more financial independence, improving their livelihood. It is recommended that MFIs across Gqeberha offer loans in the form of start-up capital and financial advice or education.Thesis (MPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 202
Micro-insurance and rural micro-enterprises in the North West Province of South Africa
Get PDFThe Provision of micro-insurance in developing countries' rural areas is quite important, but not without its share of challenges. Among those challenges are logistics and demand. Several problems experienced by developing countries, including moral hazards, adverse selection, correlated risks, high transaction costs, and lack of data, negatively impacting access to insurance, were identified. Other researchers are, however, hard at work trying to come up with solutions to address those challenges. The selective coverage by insurance providers leaves a large segment of the world’s poor population in the hundred poorest countries with limited or no access to micro-insurance. North West province of South Africa, was identified as one of the top four rural provinces, with a higher percentage of people living in poverty. The province was selected for the study, with the purpose of determining the relationship between micro-insurance and micro-enterprises. The study followed a mixed methodology design, with pragmatism as a research paradigm. The research instruments used were interviews focus group discussions (18 participants), and survey questionnaires (112 respondents). Data was collected using concurrent triangulated mixed methods from both strands, qualitative and quantitative were analyzed, and the results were merged and corroborated. The main finding is that micro-entrepreneurs do not have business micro-insurance and would be willing to have one if it existed. What emerged from other findings is that there is a positive relationship between trust and willingness to purchase insurance, as well as a positive relationship between risk and insurance demand. Furthermore, there are negative relationships between shocks and insurance demand, demand and prevalence, and the inclusion and demand for insurance. This is contrary to what is in literature. There is further, evidence of more dependence on funeral and death benefits, other than on investment and savings micro-insurance policies. This study recommended that there should be a national policy in place to address challenges experienced by micro-entrepreneurs in terms of access to insurance. Also, potential micro-insurance service providers deserve leniency through the lowering of entry barriers such as capital adequacy requirements. Furthermore, the issue of illegal or unregistered service providers must be addressed to protect consumers. It was also recommended that more awareness be created through tribal administrations, by micro-insurance regulators and service providers, to promote inclusion among micro-entrepreneurs and other rural low-income earners in general. In conclusion, it is envisaged that this exploration will lead to an applicable model that can assist insurance service providers and other stakeholders in coming up with innovative micro-insurance product packages.Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 202
Analysing the influence of banking loyalty programmes on South African consumer behaviour post-Covid
Get PDFBanking institutions promote loyalty programmes that offer customers cost saving benefits. The research investigates the perceived loyalty programme benefits from a customer perspective. The research analyses the customer satisfaction and the effect the banking loyalty programmes has on customer behaviour post Covid-19. Focusing on customer retention and customer relationship management, banking institutions have adopted loyalty programmes as a strategic tool to enhance customer loyalty and satisfaction. The findings of this research provided valuable insights into the key factors that drives customer loyalty and engagement with banking loyalty programmes. This study used quantitative research methodology utilizing surveys and statistical analyses to gather and interpret data using simple random sampling from a diverse sample of banking customers from the Gqeberha area. A response rate of 50.5% was achieved in this study. The findings of this study underscore a pivotal realisation that banking loyalty programmes in isolation prove insufficient to exert a significant influence on banking customer behaviour in the post-Covid era. A contemporary approach is required to meet the evolving expectations and dynamics within the customer base. The study observed that digital transformation and strategic partnerships are a key determinant in shaping banking customer behaviour, hence the study advocates for a synergised approach, where banking loyalty programmes, digital transformation, and strategic partnerships operate in tandem. It is recommended that banks should understand the dynamics of consumer behaviour in the context of loyalty programmes, hence they can optimize their strategies to strengthen their position and relationships with their customers. Traditional silos of banking loyalty programmes must integrate and adapt to the current banking customer preferences, this holistic approach is not just a recommendation but also imperative for sustainable growth and resilience in the banking sector. The study will contribute to academic research and offer practical implications for banking executive seeking to build, design and implement effective loyalty programmes in a highly competitive banking industry.Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 202