A formative intervention study of how learner voice and leadership can be developed within a Learner Representative Council (LRC) in an urban combined school, Namibia
- Authors: Shipopyeni, Salomo S M
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Education, Secondary -- Namibia , Student government -- Namibia -- Case studies , Student participation in administration -- Namibia -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/144934 , vital:38393
- Description: The Namibian Education system, after the country gained independence, introduced various reforms to ensure the attainment of the educational goals of access, quality, equity and democracy in schools. One of the policies introduced to promote democracy in our schools was The Educational Act 16 of 2001, which gave birth to the establishment of Learners Representatives Councils (LRC) in schools. The LRC body is the legal learner leadership body established to ensure learners are represented in school leadership. However, various studies have revealed that this legal body of learners in many schools has been merely ‘rubber-stamping’ decisions made by teachers; learners have had very little input in decisions that affect them as learners. Thus, I was prompted to conduct this formative intervention study on learner leadership at an urban combined school in Namibia. Informed by distributed and transformative leadership theories, the study aimed to develop leadership within the LRC members and the needed expansive transformation regarding leadership practices in school. The intention was for learners to be enabled to practice their democratic right in decision-making processes in matters that concerned their schooling and learning. This study was theoretically and analytically framed by second generation CulturalHistorical Activity Theory. The participants included 12 LRC members, the LRC liaison teacher, the class register teacher, three school management team members and the principal. The research method was a case study, underpinned by the critical paradigm to bring about the fundamental expansive transformation in learner leadership practices at the case study school. This qualitative study was divided into two phases, a contextual profiling phase and an intervention phase. Data were generated through document analysis, observation, questionnaires, focus group interviews and Change Laboratory Workshops. The data were generated to answer the over-arching question: How learner voice and leadership can be developed within a Learner Representative Council (LRC) in an urban combined school, Namibia. The data were analysed inductively and abductively. The key findings were: first, there were a variety of understandings of the concept learner leadership; second, the involvement of LRC members in decision-making processes was limited to involvement in organising extracurricular activities and controlling of other learners at school; third, leadership development opportunities for learners at the case study school were only provided through training at the beginning of the year and the LRC carrying out various activities and roles at the case study school. Several challenges that constrained the LRC voice and leadership development were surfaced and, through Change Laboratory Workshops, the participants of the activity system together with me (the researcher-interventionist), identified the expansive learning opportunities to develop leadership amongst Learner Representative Council (LRC) members. In the final analysis, this study will contribute to the production of knowledge on the concept of learner leadership in the context of Namibia. Fellow scholars, professionals, colleagues and policy makers in education are requested to engage with this thesis to contribute to our understanding of this important aspect of our field and speak back to policy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Photocatalytic treatment of organic and inorganic water pollutants using zinc phthalocyanine-cobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticle conjugates
- Authors: Mapukata, Sivuyisiwe
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Cobalt ferrite , Zinc , Nanoparticles
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67603 , vital:29119
- Description: This work explores the synthesis and photophysicochemical properties of zinc phthalocyanines when conjugated to cobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticles. Phthalocyanines with amine and carboxylic acid functional groups were synthesised so as to covalently link them via amide bonds to cobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticles with carboxylic acid and amine groups, respectively. Spectroscopic and microscopic studies confirmed the formation and purity of the phthalocyanine-cobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticle conjugates which exhibited enhanced triplet and singlet quantum yields compared to the phthalocyanines alone. The studies showed that the presence of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles significantly lowered fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes. The conjugates not only showed much higher singlet oxygen quantum yields compared to the phthalocyanines alone but were also attractive because of their magnetic regeneration and hence reusability properties, making them appealing for photocatalytic applications. The photocatalytic ability of some of the phthalocyanines and their conjugates were then tested based on their photooxidation and photoreduction abilities on Methyl Orange and hexavalent chromium, respectively. For catalyst support, some of the zinc phthalocyanines, cobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticles and their respective conjugates were successfully incorporated into electrospun polystyrene and polyamide-6 fibers. Spectral characteristics of the functionalized electrospun fibers confirmed the incorporation of the photocatalysts and indicated that the phthalocyanines and their respective conjuagates remained intact with their integrity maintained within the polymeric fiber matrices. The photochemical properties of the complexes were equally maintained within the electrospun fibers hence they were applied in the photooxidation of azo dyes using Orange G and Methyl Orange as model organic compounds.
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- Date Issued: 2019
The trophic and spatial ecology of a sympatric dasyatid community at a remote Atoll, Seychelles
- Authors: Elston, Chantel
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Dasyatidae -- Seychelles -- Ecology , Rays (Fishes) -- Seychelles -- Ecology , Ecology -- Seychelles , Dasyatidae -- Seychelles -- Conservation , Pastinachus sephen , Urogymnus granulatus , Urogymnus asperrimus
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/95756 , vital:31196 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/95756
- Description: Batoid populations are declining globally but the paucity of information makes management or conservation efforts difficult. Additionally, batoids are mesopredators and are hypothesised to play important ecological roles, but a comprehensive understanding of these roles is also limited. Therefore, information on batoid habitat use, foraging ecology, and resource partitioning is needed. St. Joseph Atoll is a relatively pristine ecosystem that hosts a sympatric dasyatid community (Pastinachus sephen, Urogymnus granulatus, and U. asperrimus). Passive acoustic telemetry identified high levels of long-term site affinity by both juvenile and adult dasyatids to St. Joseph Atoll. Dispersal from the atoll by larger juveniles was also evident. Juveniles displayed restricted horizontal movements in the atoll, but the extent of these movements differed seasonally. Stomach content and stable isotope analyses identified inter-specific prey partitioning (P. sephen juveniles were mollusc specialists and U. granulatus juveniles were crustacean specialists) and intra-specific prey partitioning. Juveniles were reliant upon a seagrass-based food web, whereas adults were reliant on phytoplankton-based food web. Adults fed at higher trophic levels compared to juveniles (mean of 4.6 and 3.4 respectively). Juvenile dasyatids preferentially selected the shallow reef at habitat of the atoll, where there was no evidence for inter-specific habitat partitioning (individuals co-occurred randomly with con-and hetero-specifics). Conversely, resident adults were more reliant on the deeper lagoon. Juveniles selected the reef at habitat likely because it provided refuge from predation and foraging opportunities. However, juveniles were also detected in the lagoon habitat and this appeared to be necessitated by physical factors as they were detected more frequently in the lagoon at low tides and when temperatures on the reef fats became too warm or too cold. All results together suggest that St. Joseph Atoll is a nursery area for these dasyatids. Juveniles may be limited by resources as prey was partitioned between species. However, top-down control by larger sharks was likely a significant influence on habitat selection, as was the physical effects of tide and temperature. Finally, St. Joseph Atoll is suitable for the designation of a Marine Protected Area, which would likely confer high conservation benefits to this dasyatid community.
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- Date Issued: 2019
Development of a low-cost bioprinting system for the fabrication of cell-laden sodium alginate hydrogels
- Authors: Honiball, John Robert
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Regenerative medicine , Tissue engineering , Alginates , Colloids , Three-dimensional printing
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59204 , vital:27470
- Description: Bioprinting is a rapidly expanding technology with the ability to fabricate in vitro 3D tissues in a layer-by-layer manner to ultimately produce a living tissue which physiologically resembles native in vivo tissue functionality. Unfortunately, large costs associated with commercially available bioprinters severely limit the amount of people/research groups with access to the technology. Here, we investigated the potential for modifying a commercially available RepRap Prusa iteration 3 (i3) three-dimensional (3D) printer, by replacing the traditional plastic-based print-head with various open-source syringe-housed microextrusion print-head units, such that deposition of composite bioinks consisting of cells, biopolymer scaffolds and/or biomolecules may be achieved at a relatively low cost. Using adipose-derived human mesenchymal stromal stem cells (ad-HMSC) induced for adipogenic differentiation, as well as human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), the potential for fabricating vascularised adipose tissue was investigated. The non-toxic, inexpensive algal polysaccharide, sodium alginate, was used to test the printability of the system, as well as for investigating the functionality unmodified sodium alginate has for use as a potential bioink in adipose tissue engineering. Cell viability assays, namely WST-1 and fluorescein diacetate (FDA)/propidium iodide (PI) live/dead cell staining, revealed that ad-HMSC were viable after 7 days of culture. However, viability of HUVEC encapsulated hydrogels revealed significantly lower cell viability. Live/dead cell staining revealed that the modified printing system was able to print ad-HMSC/HUVEC co-cocultures with a large degree of cell viability after 1 day of culture. However, after 7 days of culture, the majority of cells were revealed to be dead. Furthermore, due to the lack of mechanical integrity possessed by alginate in a liquid-like state, printing sodium alginate hydrogels in air consistently resulted in deformation of printed constructs. The newly developed 3D printing technique termed freeform reversible embedding of suspended hydrogels (FRESH) was therefore investigated as a means for achieving 3D spatial control of printed hydrogels using the modified system. Printing cell-free sodium alginate hydrogels within gelatin sacrificial support baths allowed for fabricating constructs in a spatially defined manner. However, overprinting and swelling of alginate hydrogels negatively affected the overall printing accuracy. The present study aimed to pave the way for further system modifications and refinements, such that the ultimate goal of low-cost bioprinting may be achieved. Further optimisation of printing parameters, hydrogel characteristics and sterilisation techniques may allow for fabricating viable, physiologically relevant tissues using the modified system developed.
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- Date Issued: 2018
A review of the development and enactment of a radio programme on rainwater harvesting in expanding social learning interactions: a case of the Imvotho Bubomi Learning Network in the Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Lupele, Chisala
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Imvotho Bubomi Learning Network , Amanzi for Food , Radio in education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Educational broadcasting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Radio stations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community radio -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Environmental education -- South Africa , Water conservation -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Rhodes University. Environmental Learning Research Centre
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/12991 , vital:21786
- Description: The use of radio and associated information and communications technologies (ICTs) has not been widely explored as a process of environmental education over the years. If environmental education is to involve many people, the use of radio and associated ICTs, particularly in community radio, needs to be researched because radio has multilayered functions. This study examines how practitioners in an agricultural Community of Practice (CoP), namely the Imvotho Bubomi Learning Network in the Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa developed a radio programme on rainwater harvesting for the promotion of food security. The study probes the expansion and social learning of the network and into the public sphere after broadcasts. The study draws on research data generated in the Amanzi for Food project which was funded by the Water Research Commission of South Africa and was led by the Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre. Using interviews, radio programme transcripts and observations, the study found that through using their prior knowledge from a training of trainers’ course on rain water harvesting and drawing on everyday experience of rainwater harvesting the CoP members had an expansion in their mutual engagement, joint enterprise, diversity, shared repertoire and identity into a knowledge community. This learning process developed through a successive elaboration of social ecological and social articulations related to the expansive functioning of the CoP; and experience of the benefits of rainwater harvesting as radio programme listeners deliberated how the different practices related to their existing knowledge and experience. The study also found that these expansive processes of social learning occurred across the spectrum of smallholder farmers and homestead food growers in a stimulated radio listening focus group discussion. The study concludes that agriculture practitioners involved in education for sustainable development could expand their knowledge sharing platforms by giving more attention to community radio as a means of both involving participants and engaging learning communities in local environment and sustainability concerns.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Towards standardised reef fish monitoring: an assessment of stereo-video techniques to sample shallow and deep reef fish assemblages
- Authors: Halse, Sarah Jane
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Reef fishes -- South Africa -- Agulhas, Cape (Cape) , Reef fishes -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Agulhas, Cape (Cape) , Marine biodiversity -- South Africa -- Agulhas, Cape (Cape) , Biotic communities -- South Africa -- Agulhas, Cape (Cape) , Sparidae -- South Africa -- Agulhas, Cape (Cape) , Reef fishes -- Size -- South Africa -- Agulhas, Cape (Cape) , Underwater videography in wildlife monitoring -- South Africa -- Tsitsikamma , Baited remote underwater stereo-video systems (stereo-BRUVs)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4635 , vital:20702
- Description: Baited remote underwater stereo-video systems (stereo-BRUVs) were developed to determine fish abundance and size structure in a more unbiased, and relatively non-invasive manner across a broader range of depths and habitats than conventional sampling methods achieve. These characteristics make stereo-BRUVs particularly useful for research inside marine protected areas (MPAs) where researchers are required to minimize disturbance to the protected environment. Although stereo-BRUVs have been widely used around the world, they are novel to South Africa and standardised protocols for their application are required. As such, this study aimed to address i) the effect of different bait types, namely pilchard (Sardinops sagax), squid (Loligo reynaudi) and bivalves (Crassostrea gigas and Perna perna) on the observed reef fish assemblage structure and ii) the effect of artificial illumination (lighting) on the observed reef fish assemblage structure sampled with stereo-BRUVs. One key component of the stereo-BRUVs methodology is the application of bait to attract fish into the field of view. Globally, pilchard is the most often used bait type for stereo- BRUVs, however, its suitability has never been tested comparatively against other bait types for South African conditions. Significant differences in fish abundance and assemblage structure were recorded between stereo-BRUVs deployments when applying the different bait types. The bivalve baits, oyster and mussel, were typically poor when sampling the reef fish assemblages of the region. Pilchard and squid were sampled in similar communities and were able to attract the majority of the reef fish from the region, suggesting they are suitable bait types for stereo-BRUVs in the Agulhas ecoregion. However, a power analysis indicated that roughly twice the amount of samples are required to effectively sample the same abundances of Chrysoblephus laticeps (roman) and Cheilodactylidae (fingerfins) species when sampling with squid as opposed to pilchard. Both bait types can be locally sourced, however, squid is considerably more expensive than pilchard. Considering the difference in cost, together with the fact that twice as much squid bait is required, squid is not a cost-effective option relative to pilchard. As such this study recommends that pilchard is the most appropriate bait for the Agulhas ecoregion of South Africa. Due to low light levels, artificial lighting is required when conducting remote video research in the sub-photic zone. Blue light has a shorter wavelength than other colour lights and attenuates slower through water. In addition, blue lighting has no recorded effect on fish behaviour and has proven to be a successful light colour for underwater sampling. The use of lighting is unavoidable for sub-photic stereo-BRUVs sampling and is recommended for all stereo-BRUVs sampling for comparability of data from environments characterised by different light levels. A study was conducted to test the necessity of artificial lighting when sampling from environments characterised by ambient light levels adequate for stereo- BRUVs sampling, a comparative to measure the effect of light on the fish assemblage structure. Of the more commonly detected fish species (those observed in >50% of the samples), most were seen at similar abundances in samples using lighting and in those without lighting. No significant differences were observed in fish length data between samples collected with and samples collected without lighting. This suggests that standardised stereo-BRUVs sampling across photic zones on the continental shelf of South Africa can be collected without blue lighting when ambient light levels are sufficient to see the survey area.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The interplay of social semiotics in selected examples of experiential brand marketing
- Authors: Rennie, Tarryn
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Communication in marketing , Semiotics , Branding (Marketing) , Social marketing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3695 , vital:20454
- Description: As with the traditional form of print advertising, advertisements were, and still are designed in a particular way to attract the viewer’s attention and direct the attention towards a specific area within the framework of the advertisement. However, besides print advertising, today’s markets require further interaction with consumers and the public at large. This has given rise to the use of experiential brand marketing whereby consumers interact with the brand in out-of-context situations. The advancement of technology has enabled user experiences to go beyond the traditional forms of branding such as television, print, radio and even on-line advertising, websites and so forth and users are able to upload experiential brand experiences instantly on social networking sites. This, in turn, has indicated that marketers need to take full advantage of social networking, PR and audience interaction with brands. Theo Van Leeuwen & Gunther Kress (2005:7) investigated the context of ‘framing’ in visual communication where elements either have some kind of ‘connectedness’ or ‘disconnectedness’. This study focuses on the context of Van Leeuwen’s (2005:7) ‘framing’ of traditional print magazine designs to the environments or brandscapes in which experiential brand activations are taking place. According to Lenderman (2006:52), experiential marketing requires person-to-person networking with consumers who use sophisticated networking tools for respectful conversations between the consumer and the brand. Not only is this a cost effective solution to making a relatively unknown brand reach the masses, but it also allows an opportunity of immediate audience participation and instant recording of data that can spread across a global network. The theoretical base of social semiotics, underpinned by Van Leeuwen’s theory of ‘framing’, forms the theoretical basis of this study, with case studies of various experiential brand activations being analysed. An analysis of the environment in which the brand experience takes place, along with consumer reactions and their reactions to the overall brand experience in terms of experiential branding is studied. The aim of this research is to identify how the interplay of social semiotics could be used to interpret the current trend of user brand experiences in terms of experiential, interactive marketing.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Towards developing a social science research agenda for the South African water sector
- Authors: Munnik, Victor , Burt, Jane C
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/436797 , vital:73306 , ISBN 978-1-4312-0511-0 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/KV%20325-13.pdf
- Description: The report explores what is meant by social research and introduces a synthetic, interdisciplinary framework for water research that side steps the ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ science debate by demonstrating how different disci-plines help us understand different layers of reality when dealing with complex challenges.
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- Date Issued: 2014
Standardization of Raven's standard progressive matrices for secondary school African pupils in the Grahamstown region
- Authors: Vass, Vasili Arthur
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Black people -- Education -- South Africa , Intelligence tests -- South Africa , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa , Cognition and culture , Raven's Progressive Matrices
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3078 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002587 , Black people -- Education -- South Africa , Intelligence tests -- South Africa , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa , Cognition and culture , Raven's Progressive Matrices
- Description: Arising out of a need, expressed by Clinical Psychologists in the Grahamstown region, for the fair assessment of secondary School African pupils, norms for the Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM) were established. Two methods of presentation were used, the first using the original instructions of John Raven translated into the students' first language of Xhosa, hence-forth referred to as the Alternate sample. The second method of presenting the instructions was adapted, to include the use of visual aids and active participation in the instruction phase of the test, hence-forth referred to as the Normative sample. In addition to the establishment of norms, the two methods of test presentation were investigated to see if the method of presentation had an effect on the results of the Raven's SPM. The population was drawn from the three African Secondary Schools in the Grahamstown municipality. The total population consisted of 3 232 students. Classes were randomly sampled across the three schools, with the average age of the Normative sample being 19.3 years. The sample consisted of 812 pupils, 711 in the Normative sample and 101 in the Alternate Sample. The following results and conclusions arose from the study: 1) Norms generated were considerably lower than previously established norms in similar studies. 2) t-Test results indicated that the method of test presentation on the Raven's SPM is important when assessing students that may be regarded as 'disadvantaged'. 3) Respondents scored significantly higher when the method of presenting the instructions ensured a greater understanding of the task demanded of the respondents. 4) The analyses of covariance indicate that male subjects score significantly higher than female subjects, and that there is a significant difference between the ages and educational standard, on the scores of the Raven's SPM. 5) The differences found contradict previous findings using the test, and question the cultural fairness of the test.
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- Date Issued: 1992
Indigenous Tswana architecture: with specific reference to the Tshidi Rolong village at Mafikeng
- Authors: McLean, Diane Lynn
- Date: 1986
- Subjects: Architecture -- South Africa -- North-West , Architecture, Domestic -- South Africa -- North-West
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2454 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007600 , Architecture -- South Africa -- North-West , Architecture, Domestic -- South Africa -- North-West
- Description: This essay is divided roughly into two main sections; in the first I have discussed the Tswana as a whole, their environment, their origins and their more recent history. In addition to this, I have tried to give a clear picture of their tribal political structure and economic activities, as well as their domestic activities, all of which are integrally linked to the kind of house form adopted by the Tswana. The last, and most important, part of the first section is a presentation of some of the earliest written descriptions of Tswana dwellings made by the first white travellers to enter Tswana territory. The second section takes the form of a presentation of findings observed during the course of personal field research undertaken in the Tshidi-Rolong village outside Mafikeng. This research was done by means of a number of questionnaires drawn up by myself and filled in on the spot with information supplied by house owners and sometimes the builders themselves. This survey was carried out largely at random, with several of the houses chosen arbitrarily because of an interesting feature which set them apart from other dwellings. This written information is backed up by a large bulk of visual information in the form of photographs taken personally, both of the dwellings in general, and of details of the houses. Although this essay may appear to be rather fragmented, my aim is to give a graphic account of changes in Tswana dwellings by comparing features of contemporary dwellings with those observed in the early nineteenth century. The fact that among the Tswana , the building style of one sub-tribe may vary slightly from that of another subtribe, has not affected my study to any large extent , since I was fortunate enough to have done my field research among a branch of one of the original groups, namely the Rolong, whose houses, along with those of the Tlhaping, were the first to be documented. Therefore, most of the differences which have occurred between the dwellings of the contemporary Tshidi-Rolong and those from the early nineteenth century are a direct result of the process of westernisation.
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- Date Issued: 1986