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Evaluation of the implementation of English-Medium Instruction in a public and a private university in Pakistan
No full textThis study aims to evaluate the implementation of English-medium instruction (EMI) in both a public and a private university in Pakistan. The goals are to investigate: the role of linguistic capital in reproducing educational inequality; students’ difficulties in the EMI classroom; the integration of collaborative teaching and learning activities with pedagogical practices; and the impact of affective variables on teaching and learning practices in the EMI classroom. The study is informed by Bourdieu’s Theory of Practice and Social Reproduction; Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory; and Krashen’s Affective Filter Hypothesis. This comparative mixed-method study employed a questionnaire, interviews, and classroom observation with a sample of 120 undergraduate students and 20 teachers. Descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test were used to analyse quantitative data using SPSS. Atlas.ti was used to analyse the qualitative data. The findings showed that the public university was given preference because of its low fees, value of credentials, whereas the private university, despite higher fees, was desirable for better infrastructure, scholarship, and merit flexibility.
Additionally, students’ cultural capital, and family and institutional habitus were important factors for registration at a certain university. On the micro-level, the implementation of EMI was not adequate enough to create inclusive educational classrooms and reduce the reproduction of educational marginalisation, especially at the private university. The quantitative findings revealed that the students’ had difficulty in understanding EMI lectures, English textbooks, and scientific terms due to difficult vocabulary, stress of delivering presentations and writing examinations, fear of making mistakes, and anxiety of speaking in classroom. The qualitative data analysis further revealed the following areas of major concern: a lack of awareness of interactive activities to create a student-centred classroom; lack of training in translanguaging pedagogical strategies to effectively scaffold EMI; students’ inadequate language proficiency; the focus on finishing the syllabus and examination rather than on concept-based learning; and discrimination and favouritism on the basis of linguistic capital. The study provides recommendations for policy makers and institutional managements to clearly outline EMI goals with a practical follow-up system. Action research is needed to adequately implement translanguaging as a pedagogic tool in both education systems to encourage equality in academic participation. The study highlights the importance of teacher training in how to design and implement collaborative and translanguaging strategies to optimise students’ academic performance in an EMI setting.Ph. D. (English Studies)English Studie
The converging infuence of social, economic and psychological factors on public responsiveness to the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa
No full textBackground: This study assessed the influence of social, economic, and psychological factors on South African’s
responsiveness to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the South African government responded quickly to manage
the pandemic, the strict lockdown placed a significant burden on the population. Understanding the converging influence of social, economic, and psychological factors on the population’s responsiveness is important for improving people’s cooperation in controlling COVID-19 and for supporting individuals and communities during the ongoing and future pandemics.
Methods: Using data collected from a national telephonic survey (December 2020 to March 2021), we assessed
whether selected social, economic and psychological factors were related to: 1) adoption of COVID-19 behavioural
measures (hand hygiene, wearing of face masks, and physical distancing), and 2) adherence to government restrictions on movement.
Results: South Africans were highly responsive to the pandemic with respondents generally reporting that they very
often engaged in the protective behaviours and often to very often adhered to government restriction on movement. However, those from the white population group; with a higher education; living in uncrowded households;
who perceived less vulnerability to contracting COVID-19; supported the measures; trusted the scientists; thought the
measures by government were implemented fairly and fairly enforced by the police; felt more anxious, sad, hopeless,
isolated, angry or had trouble sleeping; inclined to engage in coping behaviour, were more likely to adopt COVID-19 protective behaviours. Furthermore, females, those with a lower education, those less likely to have experienced
poverty since the beginning of lockdown; who perceived greater vulnerability to COVID-19, trusted government, and
were more supportive of the behavioural measures were more likely to adhere to the restrictions of movement.
Conclusions: Strengthening the South African population’s responsiveness to the pandemic requires supporting
those living in poor socioeconomic circumstances, promoting trust in the scientifc evidence, and ensuring that the
measures by government are perceived to be fairly implemented and fairly enforced by the police. Due to the impact
on livelihoods, restrictions of movement should only be considered if necessary, and this will require trust and confidence in government and strategies to support those experiencing financial hardship.Institute for Social and Health Studies (ISHS
Developing Sepedi Phrase Structure Rules: lexical and phrasal categories
No full textThe purpose of this paper is to generate rewrite rules that can be used to describe Sepedi’s syntax.The grammatical patterns that characterise different kinds of phrases can be expressed in terms of phrase-structure rules that represent speakers’ knowledge about well-formed structures in a language. These rules describe the way phrases can be successfully constructed. The infinite set of sentences that we can produce and understand are made possible by the fact that we have only a limited set of phrase-structure rules that specify the order and structure of the various constituents in our language.Linguistics and Modern Language
Relocation of functions in the free state department of police, roads and transport
No full textAbstract in English with Northern Sotho and Zulu translationsThe relocation of functions in the public sector is being initiated as part of structural changes to configure the structures of public institutions. It is implemented as part of initiatives that are aimed at assisting public institutions to achieve their policy commitments, promote coherence, coordination, efficiency, and effectiveness. They are intended to redesign and realign institutional structures of public institutions to enable them to be initiative-taking in serving the society. The process of relocation of functions involves various stakeholders who at times have conflicting goals and decision-making roles. By instituting the relocation of functions, these stakeholders seek to create conducive institutional cultures, clarify roles and responsibilities (redesign), build capacity for effective performance (development) and to improve service delivery performance. For the purpose of this study, the research activities were undertaken at the Free State Department of Police, Roads and Transport (DPR&T), a provincial government department consisting of a staff compliment of two thousand, two hundred and seventy-one (2271) employees. From this target population, a probability sampling method was used to select a representative sample of eighty-six (86) respondents to whom a research questionnaire was administered.
The findings of this study reveal that most respondents were professionally qualified and experienced African males aged between 50 and 59 years who had served DPR&T as Assistant Directors. Most of these respondents understood the reasons for the relocation of functions and were aware of changes it has had on the functioning, structure, and strategy of DPR&T. They however were not content about the degree to which they were consulted about the process of relocation of functions. As far as how conditions were during the relocation of functions, most respondents held the view that it was not associated with transfers, early retirement packages and retrenchments (job losses), and there were no threats that emanated from the proposed structure. These respondents thought that vacancies were filled as and when they became vacant and that there was job security. However, they reported that the process was stressful as their workload had increased, with lack of clarity about roles and responsibilities, limited support by supervisors and unrealistic performance expectations. As such, most of them felt they were underpaid for their job responsibilities and reported having contemplated resigning from DPR&T at some stage.
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Most respondents were concerned about uncertainties that existed during the relocation of functions in DPR&T and according to them, timeframes for implementation were not communicated, there was lack of clarity of roles and responsibilities, there were no opportunities for employees to give input and the working conditions were unfavourable with regard to their active and productive participation. In as far as the roles of leaders and managers are concerned, most respondents held the view that leaders and managers consulted employees, communicated clear and precise messages, were transparent, they implemented consolidated policies and procedures and that they had appointed an independent service provider (change agent) to manage the process of relocation of functions.
In so far as the impact of relocation of functions on DPR&Ts and employees’ performance is concerned, most respondents agreed that it has impacted on turnover, employees’ workload, safety, degree of commitment to DPR&T and availability of skilled employees to enhance service delivery. Lastly, the majority of respondents held the view that the relocation of functions impacted on employees’ morale, their performance (productivity) and degrees of certainty about career prospects and roles and responsibilities in DPR&T. Respondents further reported that the relocation of functions has impacted on the ability of employees to learn new skills and to effectively perform their work, thereby increasing the levels of anxiety amongst them.Tšhutišo ya mešomo go lekala la setšhaba e tlhamilwe bjalo ka karolo ya kagoleswa go beakanya dikarolo tša diinstitšhušeni tša setšhaba. E tsenywa tirišong bjalo ka boitlhamedi bjo maikemišetšo a wona e lego go thuša diinstitšhušeni tša setšhaba go fihlelela merero ya dipholisi, go šoma ka mokgwa wo tee, ka tšhomišano, botsebi le bokgoni. Maikemišetšo ke kagoleswa ya makala a diinstitšhušeni tša setšhaba gore di kgone go šomela setšhaba gabotse. Tšhutišo ya mešomo e akaretša batšeakarolo ba go fapana bao ka nako e nngwe ba ka se kgone go tšea diphetho ka lebaka la maemo, mešomo ya bona le maikarabelo a mangwe. Ka tšhutišo ya mešomo, batšeakarolo ba go nyaka go thlamaleswa maitshwaro a institšhušeni, go agaleswa dikarolo le maikarabelo a bašomi ka maikemišetšo a go godiša bokgoni go kaonafatša mošomo wa go aba ditirelo. Dinyakišišo tša thuto ye di dirilwe Freistata go Kgoro ya Maphodisa, Ditsela le Dinamelwa (DPR &T), kgoro ya mmušo wa profense ya goba le maloko a 2271 a bašomi. Go šomišitšwe mokgwa wa dinyakišišo wa lenaneopotšišo go sampola baemedi ba bašomi ba go lekana 86.
Diphihlelelo tša dinyakišišo di bontšhitše gore bontšhi bja batšeakarolo bao ba nago le maswanedi a dithuto ke banna ba Afrika bao ba nago le mengwaga ye 50 le 59 bao ba šomilego DPR&T bjalo ka batlatša balaodi. Bontšhi ba batšeakarolo ba be ba kwešiša mabaka a tšhutišo ya mešomo le ka mokgwa wo se se tlilego go fetola tsela ya go šoma, sebopego le leano la DPR&T. Le ge go le jwalo, a se ba kgotsofalela mokgwa wa ditherišano le mokgwa wa tšhutišo ya mešomo. Go ya ka maemo a nako ya tšhutišo ya mešomo, bontšhi ba batšeakarolo e be ba gopola go re se se ka se ba ame ka go šutišwa lefelong la mošomo, go lokollwa mošomong pele ga nako (tahlegelo ya mešomo) le gore a gona matšhošetši ao a lego gona go sebopego se se šišintšwego. Batšeakarolo ba be ba gopola gore dikgoba tša mošomo di tlatšwa ge di e ba gona gomme mešomo ya bona e bolokegile. Le ge go le jwalo ba begile gore tshepedišo ye be e na le kgatelelo ya mogopolo, mešomo e okeditšwe ntle le hlalošo ya dikarolo le maikarabelo go bona, a go na thekgo ya mošomo gotšwa go balekodi le go letelwa go dira
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mešomo ye e sa kgonagalego. Bontšhi ba be ba re ba lefelwa ka fase ga maikarabelo a maswa a mešomo ye ba e dirago gomme ba gopola go tlogela mošomo.
Bontšhi bja batšeakarolo ba amilwe ke tshepedišo ya go tsenywatirišong ga diphetogo tše, gomme ba re a se ba tsebišwa nako ya tšhutišo, a se ba hlalosetšwa dikarolo le maikarabelo a maswa, a se ba fiwa sebaka sa go tšeakarolo, gomme dibaka tša go šoma a se tša maleba. Mo go karolo ya baetapele le balaodi bao ba amegago, batšeakarolo ka bontšhi ba arabile gore baetapele le balaodi ba boledišane le bašomi, ba ba file melaetša ye e nepagetšego, ba šomile ka go hloka sephiri, ba tsentšetirišong dipholisi le maano a tshepedišo, gomme ba thwala moabatirelo yo a ikemego (molaola diphetogo) go laola tshepedišo ya tšhutišo ya mešomo.
Batšeakarolo ba dumela gore tšhutišo ya mošomo ya DPR&T e bile le ditlamorago tše di amilego tšweletšo ya mošomo, mošomo, polokego, potego ya bašomi go DPR&T le tahlegelo ya bašomi bao ba nago le bokgoni bja go kaonafatša kabo ya ditirelo. Mafelelong, bontšhi bja batšeakarolo ba re tšhutišo ye e amile boitshepo, tšweletšo ya mešomo, e tlišitše dipelaelo ka kgolo ya bona mošomong, dikarolo le maikarabelo go DPR&T. Ba begile gape gore se se amile bokgoni bja go ithuta dithuto tše di mpsa go ba kgontšha go šoma gabotse, gomme se se ba šiile le matshwenyego a mantšhi.Ukuthuthwa kwemisebenzi emkhakheni kahulumeni kuyaqalwa njengengxenye yezinguquko zesakhiwo ukuze kumiswe izinhlaka zezikhungo zikahulumeni. Kuqaliswa njengengxenye yezinhlelo okuhloswe ngazo ukusiza izikhungo zikahulumeni ukuthi zifeze izibopho zazo zenqubomgomo, zikhuthaze ukuhambisana, ukudidiyela, ukusebenza kahle kanye nempumelelo. Kuhloswe ngazo ukwakha kabusha kanye nokuhlela kabusha izinhlaka zezikhungo zezikhungo zikahulumeni ukuze zikwazi ukuthatha izinyathelo zokusebenzela umphakathi. Inqubo yokuthuthwa kwemisebenzi ibandakanya ababambiqhaza abehlukene okuthi, ngezinye izikhathi, babe nezinhloso ezingqubuzanayo kanye nezindima zokuthatha izinqumo. Ngokusungula ukuthuthwa kwemisebenzi, laba babambiqhaza bafuna ukwakha amasiko esikhungo afanelekile, ukucacisa izindima zemisebenzi kanye nezibophezelo (ukwakha kabusha), ukwakha amandla okusebenza ngempumelelo (ukuthuthukiswa) kanye nokwenza ngcono ukusebenza kokulethwa kwezinsizakalo. Ngenhloso yalolu cwaningo, imisebenzi yocwaningo yenziwe eMnyangweni wAmaphoyisa, Imigwaqo nezokuThutha eFree State (DPR&T), umnyango kahulumeni wesifundazwe onabasebenzi abayizi-2 271. Kusukela kulesi sibalo sabantu esihlosiwe, indlela yokusampula yamathuba yasetshenziswa ukuze kukhethwe isampula elimele abaphendulile abangama-86 abanikezwa uhla lwemibuzo locwaningo.
Okutholwe kulolu cwaningo kuveza ukuthi iningi labaphendulile kwakungabesilisa base-Afrika abaqeqeshiwe nabanolwazi abaneminyaka ephakathi kuka-50 no-59 abake basebenza kwa-DPR&T njengabasizi babaqondisi. Iningi lalaba abaphendulile laziqonda izizathu zokuthuthwa kwemisebenzi futhi belazi izinguquko ezibe nazo ekusebenzeni, ukwakheka namasu e-DPR&. Nokho, abazange baneliswe ngezinga abathintwa ngalo mayelana nenqubo yokuthuthwa kwemisebenzi. Mayelana nokuthi izimo zazinjani ngesikhathi kuthuthwa imisebenzi, iningi labaphendulile libe nombono wokuthi kwakungahlobene nokudluliswa kwezimali, izikhwama zokuthatha umhlalaphansi ngaphambi kwesikhathi kanye nokudilizwa (ukulahlekelwa yimisebenzi), nokuthi azikho izinsongo ezavela esakhiweni esihlongozwayo. Laba
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abaphendulile bebecabanga ukuthi izikhala zomsebenzi zavalwa ngesikhathi zivuleka nokuthi kwakukhona ukuvikeleka komsebenzi. Kodwa-ke, libike ukuthi le nqubo yayicindezela njengoba umsebenzi wabo unyukile, ngaphandle kokucaciswa kwendima zemisebenzi nezibophezelo, ukusekelwa okulinganiselwe kwabaphathi kanye nokulindela ukusebenza okungenangqondo. Ngakho-ke, iningi labo laba nomuzwa wokuthi lalikhokhelwa kancane ngezibophezelo zomsebenzi wabo futhi labika ukuthi lalike licabange ukushiya i-DPR&T ngesikhathi esithile.
Iningi labaphendulile lalikhathazekile ngokungaqiniseki okwakukhona ngesikhathi kuthuthwa imisebenzi ku-DPR&T futhi ngokusho kwabo, izikhathi ezimisiwe zokuqaliswa azizange zidluliselwe, kube nokuntuleka kokucaciswa kwezindima zemisebenzi nezibophezelo, awekho amathuba okuthi abasebenzi banikeze imibono, futhi izimo zokusebenza bezingezinhle. Mayelana neqhaza labaholi nabaphathi, iningi labaphendulile linombono wokuthi abaholi nabaphathi baxoxisane nabasebenzi, badlulisele imiyalezo ecacile nenembayo, babeka izinto obala, basebenzise izinqubomgomo nezinqubo ezididiyelwe, futhi baqoke umhlinzeki wensizakalo ozimele (bashintsha umenzeli) ukuphatha inqubo yokuthuthwa kwemisebenzi.
Mayelana nomthelela wokususwa kwemisebenzi ku-DPR&T kanye nokusebenza kwabasebenzi, iningi labaphendulile livumile ukuthi ukuthutha kube nomthelela embuthweni, emsebenzini wabasebenzi, ukuphepha, izinga lokuzibophezela ku-DPR&T, kanye nokuba khona kwabasebenzi abanamakhono. ukuthuthukisa ukulethwa kwezinsizakalo. Okokugcina, iningi labaphendulile libe nombono wokuthi ukuthuthwa kwemisebenzi kube nomthelela esimilweni sabasebenzi, ukusebenza kwabo (ukukhiqiza) kanye nezinga lokuqiniseka mayelana namathemba emisebenzi nezindima zemisebenzi kanye nezibophezelo ku-DPR&T. Abaphendulile baphinde babika ukuthi ukuthuthwa kwemisebenzi kube nomthelela ekhonweni labasebenzi lokufunda amakhono amasha nokwenza umsebenzi wabo ngempumelelo, ngaleyo ndlela kwandise amazinga okukhathazeka phakathi kwabo.M.A. (Public Administration)Public Administration and Managemen
The development of psychotherapeutic interventions for female rape trauma clients: an African perspective
Get PDFRape is a physical, emotional and spiritual violation of an individual by another. This study focuses particularly on the rape of African females within the South African context. In the African perspective, the rape abuse that is inflicted on African female survivors is not limited
to their physical being, but rather transcends to other multiple dimensions of their being;
including the spiritual, emotional, cultural and social levels of their be-ingness. The violation
extends to their past and current relations, as well as on their future ancestral lineages. Many
African female rape survivors undergo Western-based post-rape therapeutic interventions.
However, there is a high pervasive morbidity rate of ‘unhealed’ human dimensions that are
beyond the scope and competence of Western psychology and medical interventions. This
study aims to develop Afrocentric treatment modalities to provide culturally and spiritually
effective interventions for African female survivors of rape in South Africa. A qualitative
approach was adopted, and Kovach’s (2010) conversational method was used to source
knowledge and experiences of Bakoma, Baporofeta and Mahlatsipa.
The results of this study indicated that: Firstly, there was a lack of an appropriate African
conceived methodology for this culturally and spiritually orientated research. The researcher
conceptualised and adopted the People’s Involvement Research (PIR) methodology, which is consistent with the African epistemology, to facilitate access to custodians of spiritually and culturally classified knowledge. Secondly, it was found that repeated rape can be prevented
through wholistic cultural rituals that are conducted by Bakoma and Baporofeta to treat African
female rape survivors. Thirdly, the recidivism rate of rapists could be significantly reduced
through the collaboration between healthcare workers such as psychologists and
rehabilitation centers on one hand, and Bakoma on the other. Lastly, the conceptualization
and discovery of the Phekolo: Mahlatsipa a Peto Model, was found to be effective in facilitating
a transition into spiritual healing for ‘untreated’ spiritual dimension in African female rape
survivors.
This study recommends that Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) be incorporated into the
psychology training curricula in institutions of higher learning. The training should include
exposure for psychology students in healing contexts where Bakoma and Baporofeta work
with Mahlatsipa to create awareness and sensitivity on various alternative indigenous
treatment modalities.D. Phil. (Psychology
A framework for the sustainable competitive advantage of foundries in South Africa
Get PDFThis study empirically examined the micro and macro-economic circumstances contributing to the closure of foundries within the borders of South Africa. The primary objective was to develop a framework for a sustainable competitive advantage of the industry, as a blueprint for strategy formulation, in the hope of enhancing firms’ competitiveness and sustainability, while at the same time preventing further closures within the industry. The foundry industry has lost over 42% of the total number of firms between 2003 and 2020, significantly reducing the industry’s contribution to economic development and employment creation. The paucity of research that examines the drivers of sustainable competitiveness and provides recommendations on how these can be incorporated into the provision of strategic direction for the industry, makes this study a lynchpin for future research on sustainable competitiveness beyond the foundry industry. Sustainable competitive advantage is seen as the overarching attribute that provides firms with the capabilities to perform better than their competition.
The study identified from the extant literature various micro and macro drivers of sustainable competitiveness. These drivers were subsequently tested through the application of a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach, which used quantitative research during the first phase of the data-collection process, followed by qualitative research in the second phase. During the first phase (quantitative), 108 managers and non-managers participated by completing a SurveyMonkey® questionnaire while the second phase (qualitative) solicited input from 12 interview participants, who included owners and top management.
The study confirmed the importance of the drivers identified in the literature in respect of the South African context, and further identified investment in plant infrastructure, employee skills development, ability to innovate and product quality as the most critical micro drivers while government incentives, localisation, energy costs and the availability of substitutes were identified as the most critical macro drivers of the sustainable competitiveness of foundry companies. Furthermore, the study identified competitiveness approaches and strategies relevant to the industry. A sustainable competitive advantage famework for the foundry industry is a significant contribution, as no such framework is in place. This provides an opportunity for academics, management, and champions of the foundry industry to use the framework as a basis for creating sustainable competitive advantage in the ailing industry.D. Phil. (Management Science)Colleges of Economic and Management Science
Accounting for sustainable development in water services : a case of Lephalale Local Municipality in the Limpopo province, South Africa
Get PDFLocal government, in terms of its constitutional obligation is liable for service provision. But in the provision of service there is a need for accountability. This will assist municipalities to track improvement derived in the realization of national developmental requirements of the residents which is frequently in par with the world commitment on sustainable development on service delivery. The study was conducted based on few goals of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development, on water supply services in Lephalale Local Municipality with specific reference to Lephalale Town, Onverwacht, Marapong, Mamojela Park, and Mahlakung. The participants were Councillors (5), Municipal Officials (10) and the community (50).
The objectives of the study were to explore the level of equitable, safe and affordable water services within the municipality, to evaluate the community participation of their water services, assess the monitoring and evaluation framework of the municipality in water services and explore challenges the municipality faces in accounting for sustainable development. The study used triangulation and a purposive sampling approach.
The study discovered that the community of Lephalale have sustainable level of equitable access and affordable water service in urban, location, rural and informal settlements, but this requires upgrades. In terms of community participation in water services, the residents are not participating. Lack of community participation affects monitoring and evaluation of water services because they must wait for maintenance teams that take longer to respond. The study recommends that the municipality should develop mechanism that will encourage community participation. The municipality should change and reinforce the culture of accountability.M.A. (Development Studies)Development Studie
The impact of foreign aid on economic growth in Africa: Empirical evidence from low-income countries
Get PDFThis paper aims to shed some insights on the ongoing debate on the aid-growth nexus by examining whether sources of aid matters for explaining aid effectiveness. In doing so, we consider three main proxies for bilateral aid based on the three sources of aid such as total aid (TA); Traditional Donors aid (TDA) and Non-Traditional Donors aid (NTDA) as independent variables in a dynamic panel growth model within a system GMM framework. It uses a panel dataset from 25 Low-Income Countries (LICs) in Africa over the period 2000-2017. The main findings show that the impact of aid on growth appears to be negative and significant for TA and TDA proxies while it is positive but insignificant when the aid proxy is NTDA. A relatively larger share of TA and TDA disbursement away from the direct growth-enhancing productive sectors towards the unproductive sectors seem to have contributed to their strong negative impact on growth. The key policy implication is that governments in LICs in Africa and donors should work in collaboration to design effective ways for ensuring that TDA should target the direct growth-enhancing sectors.Economic
Mathematical modelling and optimal control strategies of the transmission of enterovirus
Get PDFWe propose a mathematical model for the transmission dynamics of enterovirus. We prove
that if the basic reproduction number R0 1, a suitable Lyapunov function is used to
establish the global stability of the disease free equilibrium, in which case the infection will
die out over time. Our analysis further establish the global stability of the endemic equilibrium
based on the approach of Volterra-Lyapunov matrices if R0 > 1. Our ndings show that
when R0 > 1, the endemic equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable. In this case, the
enterovirus will invade the population. It is shown that by reducing direct transmission rate
by 80%, the basic reproduction number can be reduced below one and thus controlling the
infection. Using optimal control with hygiene and sanitation campaigns as control measures,
it is shown that the disease can be controlled within a shorter period of time as compared to
minimizing the direct contact rate by 80%. Numerical simulations are provided to illustrate
the results.M. Sc. (Applied Mathematics)Mathematical Science
An academic support framework to improve teacher, social and cognitive presence in online classes
Get PDFThe main aim of this research was to determine the key elements of an ODL institution’s academic staff training programme designed to improve teacher, social and cognitive presence in online classes with better support and training.
The study employed a qualitative research approach that was conducted as a dissertation of limited scope. Data were collected through semi-structured and focus group interviews. A sample size of 14 academic staff members involved in teaching and learning was conveniently selected. This study adopted a case study research strategy focusing on academic staff involved in teaching and learning at selected colleges at a distance education higher education institution.
The findings suggest that the learning management system (LMS) is not fully utilised to its full capability. The results also emphasised that online teaching methods influence online learning. With large classes, lecturers are required to implement innovative online teaching methods to encourage the interaction and engagement with their students. The major findings and recommendations from this study are consistent with the global research that comprehensive support services for faculty and students, technological infrastructure, and online training are required for the transformation to a fully an online university. The recommendation is that all faculty members and all students should complete a training programme on effective teaching and learning in online education, including LMS use, interactive theory, design, assessment, and theories of Technology Enhanced Learning. Most importantly, these training packages should be designed to be offered online.M. Ed. (Open Distance Learning)Educational Studie