43867 research outputs found
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Utilising XAPI data and learning analytics to determine patterns of use in a corporate learning environment to personalise learning
Full text linkAbstract: The purpose of the study was to explore the use xAPI data and learning analytics to determine general patterns of use on a corporate learning system to create personalised learning offerings. The study was based on a case study of a professional services organisation that had recently implemented an extended learning system. The sample data was made up of learning data extracted from the Learner Records Store. The patterns in the data were examined to understand how learners interacted with the learning system. The results supported the role of using learning data to adapt learning offerings to better suit what the learners need. Overall, the study demonstrated that the use of learning data provides valuable insights to learning and development personnel in their efforts to provide relevant online learning offerings.M.Ed. (Information and Communication Technology in Education
Exploring the potential greywater use in a typical microcosmic commercial area of South Africa
Full text linkAbstract: Please refer to full text to view abstract
The impacts of water quality on the residential areas of Emfuleni Local Municipality : a case study of Rietspruit river catchment
Full text linkAbstract: It is commonly known that South Africa has prominent legislations and policies in place to govern the protection of water resources. However, poor management of water and lack of sanitation services is evident in some parts of the country. The failure of some municipalities to provide adequate sanitation services has been prevailing in less developed areas resulting in serious predicaments on the health of the affected individuals amongst other effects. Various interventions such as the upgrade of wastewater infrastructure have been put in place. However, notable failures in implementing sustainable wastewater management strategies remains a serious concern. The aim of the present study is to assess the environmental and socio-economic impacts of wastewater in the residential areas of Emfuleni Local Municipality (hereafter referred to as ‘Emfuleni’), Gauteng Province, South Africa. To this end, questionnaires were used to collect information on various demographic variables of both households and small businesses along with their water sources, levels of water quality awareness and various effects of exposure to poor water quality. The collected data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential methods of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 to assess the influence of various demographic variables on key opinions and other data sets. In total, 260 respondents participated in this study. Firstly, the analysis of water sources utilized by the residents of Emfuleni revealed that every household had a tap inside their yard which is considered as the safest source of water. However, the availability of tap water cannot circumvent the outcry of local residents with regards to sewage spills running on their streets. The majority of participants complained of skin rashes and diarrhea developed by children who make contact with the untreated sewage when playing on the streets. Furthermore, the issue of bad odor worsening some of their health conditions such as asthma was reportedly raising great fear in dealing with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Surprisingly, although all areas investigated were classified as townships, the differences of wastewater impact as per the area of residence were significant at 99% confidence interval. Moreover, the differences on the participants’ willingness to pay for water services as per the area of residence were also significant at 99% confidence interval. Collectively, the findings in the present study demonstrate how socioeconomic variables such as area of residence influence the occurrence and experience of wastewater impacts which can advise on feasible and holistic measures to tackle water pollution issues in various townships under Emfuleni.M.Sc. (Environmental Management
The geological significance of basement–cover contacts along the northern margin of the Johannesburg Dome
Full text linkAbstract: The basement–cover contacts in the Jukskei River shear zone were studied to investigate their geological significance and relationship to regional deformation and alteration events. To address this, the study used a multi-disciplinary approach that integrated structural, petrographic, geochemical (major and trace elements), isotopic (carbon isotopes) and Raman spectroscopy data. The basement granodiorites and tonalites in this study are part of the Johannesburg Dome of the Archean Kaapvaal Craton. Cover sequences in this study are the Black Reef Formation (Transvaal Supergroup) and the Witwatersrand Supergroup. The Black Reef Formation sits nonconformably on weathered granodiorite, whereas the basement– Witwatersrand Supergroup contact is tectonic in nature...M.Sc. (Geology
Molecular phylogeny and DNA barcoding of the African endemic cycad genus Encephalartos Lehm.
Full text linkAbstract: Please refer to full text to view abstract.Ph.D. (Botany
Rethinking the course content and pedagogies used in learning about ‘Asian Religions’
Full text linkAbstract: This essay examines the concerns expressed by students when studying a second-year module on Asian religions and how they thought the facilitation of their learning could be most effective. Following research done with three cohorts of second-year students studying Asian religions from 2015 to 2017, this essay argues that both changes in pedagogy and course content are needed to create spaces where learning about these religions can address the concerns raised by students. Students were particularly concerned about how studying Asian religions would prepare them for the world of work and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The research for this essay is located in a social constructivist pedagogy that forefronts social justice and is grounded in an engaged learning practice. The essay examines why in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, studying Asian religions is important and valuable to students studying for a degree in preparation for entry into the workplace. The essay shows that engagement with different technologies in teaching and learning enables a pedagogy of co-knowledge production and co-sharing of know-ledge where students learn technological skills, critical thinking skills, and a deepening awareness of their worldviews and those of other people. In so doing, this module addressed student concerns about their studies and the skills they considered valuable in preparing them for future careers
Catalytic application of gold and palladium nanoparticles supported on mesoporous transition metal oxides in oxidation and hydrogenation reactions
Full text linkAbstract: Please refer to full text to view abstract.M.Sc. (Chemistry
South African primary school learners’ understandings about the nature of scientific inquiry
Full text linkAbstract: This study investigates grade 4 learners’ understandings about the Nature of Scientific Inquiry (NOSI) in primary schools within the South African context and further establishes differences in learners’ NOSI understandings in differently resourced schools. A qualitative methodology was employed using a framework of five knowledge aspects about the NOSI in assessing learners understandings about the ways scientists investigate the natural world. Four different school types and 152 grade 4 learners from South African primary schools participated in the study. Data was collected using the open-ended Views About Scientific Inquiry-Elementary (VASI-E) questionnaire. Directed content analysis was employed to categorise data as naïve, mixed and informed understandings about the NOSI, using a scoring guide. Findings from data analysis indicated that, over 70% of grade 4 learners held naïve understandings about all five aspects of the NOSI investigated in the study. The findings also revealed some observed differences in NOSI understandings across the different school types. Some excerpts from revealed that, participant learners considered a scientist’s work to be limited to “chemicals” and laboratories. Learners were recorded to use the words “experiment and investigation” interchangeably. Findings also revealed that, few or no inquiry tasks were enacted within school science at this grade level. Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that, there is need for primary school learners to acquire baseline knowledge about the NOSI by engaging in learning tasks that scaffold their understandings on how scientific knowledge is generated. Also that the NOSI should be explicitly addressed by involving learners in inquiry activities on questioning, data collection, observation, and interpretation. These findings have direct implications for primary school teachers and teacher educators for enacting science as inquiry. We recommend future research assessing learners’ NOSI understandings in other grades in the primary schools, and further investigations on factors that affect learners’ NOSI understandings
COVID-19 and changing tourism demand : research review and policy implications for South Africa
Full text linkAbstract: The tourism sector in South Africa has experienced the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and in response national government is charting initiatives for a recovery plan. In common with other countries the promotion of domestic tourism is a core focus. Arguably, the magnitude of the pandemic will reshape existing patterns of tourism demand and supply which need to be understood and researched for designing appropriate policy interventions. Against the backcloth of the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for recovery strategies, and the increasing focus on domestic tourism, the aim in this article is to interrogate COVID-19 impacts on the demand-side of tourism looking at changes in consumer demand and of intentions to travel. A desk top review is conducted of research produced by national governments, international organisations and of academic surveys completed in over 20 countries. The research findings are discussed in four themes, namely, (1) risk perceptions and the new tourism psyche; (2) travel intentions and changing mobilities; (3) travel intentions and changing patterns of demand; and, (4) the contactless economy and ‘untact’ tourism. The paper concludes with eight sets of policy recommendations for South Africa
3D printing for sustainable low-income housing in South Africa : a case for the urban poor
Full text linkAbstract: This paper presents the findings of an assessment of the possible measures needed for the adoption of three-dimensional (3D) printing for sustainable low-income houses that can be beneficial to the urban poor. The study adopted a quantitative approach and answers were sought from construction professionals actively involved in a construction project in the country. The study revealed through factor analysis that 3D printing for sustainable low-income housing delivery in South Africa could be encouraged through effective promotion and training, government support, improvement of 3D printing technology, and affordability of the technology. The study contributes significantly to the body of knowledge as it reveals the possible measures for improving the adoption of 3D printing in housing delivery in South Africa—an aspect that has not gained significant attention in the fourth industrial revolution and housing delivery discourse in the country
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