Showing items 141 - 160 of 1473

Your selections:

Agricultural development and emerging small-scale farmers in Mbizana Local Municipality

  • Authors: Nxitywa, Nosithembiso
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Farmers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small --South Africa -- Eastern Cape Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/33726 , vital:33006
  • Description: The agricultural sector is among one of the sectors that contribute to the economy of the country, in job creation and food security to mention a few aspects. The Eastern Cape Province is one of the poorest provinces in the country where most people depend on small-scale agriculture as their major source of livelihood, particularly in the rural areas. This is mainly due to the challenges of poverty and unemployment. Small-scale farming is a key activity to eliminate poverty and unemployment. However, mainly obstacles prevail and this includes access to markets, support and skills development. This research study aims to investigate the sustainability of small-scale farmers. The data was collected by means of in depth interviews from Mbizana local Municipality. A total of 12 respondents were selected as a sample for this investigation as well as ensuring that data quality is attained. Causal layered analysis was used to analyse the results. The results indicate that small-scale farmers are faced with several challenges which include, finance, skilled contractors and land ownership. Furthermore, it is evident that small-scale farmers are struggling to obtain a sustainable economic return. Farmers can participate in high-value markets by obtaining the required food safety certifications, which otherwise would be inaccessible to them individually but as groups or cooperatives to enhance them to easily access markets. In local informal markets, for instance, smallholders often find their prices undercut by produce that informal traders buy from large-scale commercial farmers. Supermarket chains, on the other hand, provide a lucrative niche market for smallholders but these downstream linkages are limited to smallholders that meet product variety and quality standards.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

Al-Shabaab and the sources of its resilience and resurgence: Cold War legacies and Jihadism in Somalia

  • Authors: Gardiner, Richard
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Shabaab (Organization) , Jihad , Cold War -- Influence , Cold War -- Social aspects -- Somalia , Somalia -- Foreign relations , Refugees, Somalian -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63833 , vital:28495
  • Description: This study examines the continued development and survival of the group, Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahidin, commonly known as al-Shabaab – which emerged in 2006 as the militant wing of Somalia’s Islamic Courts Union and became an independent group in 2007. The group has survived in spite of the fact that it has endured significant losses of personnel, resources and territory in Somalia. The study examines al-Shabaab’s sources of resilience, resurgence and diversity. To achieve this, the study focused on the narratives of nine Somali nationals living and working in Durban, Grahamstown and Port Elizabeth, who fled their home country as a result of the ongoing violence and instability. Through understanding war as experience and placing the individual and community at the center of analysis, a people-centered approach is developed in understanding the organisation. This allows the study to challenge the state centered approaches to security and International Relations (IR) theory, which is important in the case of an armed, transnational, non-state actor such as al-Shabaab, whose operation and mobilisation requires no territorial base. The study makes use of social constructivism as a theoretical lens, as it provides an alternative way of analysing a non-state actor, specifically within an African context. The study argues that al-Shabaab's war within Somalia and East Africa is a territorial manifestation of a global phenomenon which highlights the importance of understanding its unique history within Somalia and East Africa. Importantly, the study also shows that veterans of the Afghan-Soviet war brought back ideas and tactics which have played a central part in shaping al-Shabaab's ideology and tactics. It is argued that al-Shabaab's process of decentralisation has ensured their survival but also alienated them from the Somali population. It is demonstrated that their insurgent tactics and process of intelligence gathering means that they operate in the shadows, making it difficult to locate them. Furthermore, the study shows that the role of regional actors and the presence of African Union peacekeepers have ensured that they have a constant enemy which provides a sense of cohesion and drive. The study concludes that al-Shabaab exists at a nexus of factors; its survival has and will depend on both domestic and transnational factors. Without the transnational nature of the organisation, al-Shabaab would not have become the organisation it is today. However, the future of al-Shabaab is heavily dependent on the security situation within Somalia. The immediate objectives of the group are focused within Somalia. Therefore, if the state institutions are consolidated within the country and human security levels improve, the organisation will struggle to operate with the same freedom it currently enjoys.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

Aligning local government service delivery communication with digital citizen engagement: a case study of Makana Municipality

  • Authors: Machiri, Mwazvita Chipo
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Political participation South Africa Makana , Municipal services South Africa Makana , Communication in public administration South Africa Makana , Internet in public administration South Africa Makana , Information technology South Africa Makana , Electronic government information South Africa Makana , Government accountability South Africa Makana
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/194146 , vital:45423
  • Description: The effective management of local municipalities in South Africa determines the quality of service delivery to citizens. Policies and other legislation have been implemented in an attempt to improve service delivery backlogs in South Africa since post-apartheid. However, these have not been effective in meeting community needs, hence leading to poor service delivery and increased community protests of frustration. These problems are partly linked to the lack of communication between government and citizens, and within internal government. Government needs to be held accountable for the services it provides, and improve on these services through practicing transparency, providing information to citizens, and allowing citizens to provide feedback on the various challenges experienced. Information access and communication is vital to the citizen engagement process, as this supports evidence-based engagement between citizens and government. Over the most recent years, innovative ICTs have emerged as a critical strategic tool in facilitating communication between the government and its citizens, commonly referred to as digital citizen engagement. The effective implementation of such initiatives at the local government level, especially in resource-constrained contexts, is not straightforward. This research aims to develop a guiding framework for aligning municipal communication processes with innovative ICTs to support ongoing social accountability and transparency through citizen engagement in local municipalities. The formulation of this framework is built on the Adaptive Structuration Theory, which is based on studying organisational change that occurs due to implementation and adoption of technology. Using a pragmatist approach and case study of Makana Municipality, the research study investigates a digital citizen engagement initiative called MobiSAM (Mobile Social Accountability Monitoring). The key findings from the qualitative empirical investigation indicates that there are significant social and political factors to consider when aligning Digital Citizen Engagement initiatives in a resource-constrained environment. The findings illustrated that the change and alignment process of DCE in local municipalities rely on a diverse set of inputs from different stakeholders, and a dynamic change process, which result in key citizen engagement outcomes of empowerment, accountability, transparency, and increased engagement depending – all depending on the success of the process. The extent of the outcomes will vary with the effectiveness of change management, idea generation, and participation, which Preliminaries are impacted by perceived usefulness, attitude towards the system, and the intentions of the user. The proposed framework provides a guideline for the implementation and introduction of innovations ICTs for citizen engagement at local government level. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Information Systems, 2018
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

Allosteric Modulation of Human Hsp90α Conformational Dynamics:

  • Authors: Penkler, David L , Atilgan, Canan , Tastan Bishop, Özlem
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/162936 , vital:40998 , https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jcim.7b00630
  • Description: Central to Hsp90’s biological function is its ability to interconvert between various conformational states. Drug targeting of Hsp90’s regulatory mechanisms, including its modulation by cochaperone association, presents as an attractive therapeutic strategy for Hsp90 associated pathologies. In this study, we utilized homology modeling techniques to calculate full-length structures of human Hsp90α in closed and partially open conformations and used these structures as a basis for several molecular dynamics based analyses aimed at elucidating allosteric mechanisms and modulation sites in human Hsp90α.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

Alternatives to Development in Africa:

  • Authors: Matthews, Sally
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , book
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/142202 , vital:38058 , ISBN 9783319675091 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-67510-7_7
  • Description: Africa’s place in the world has been closely linked to the idea of development. Building on post-development theory’s critique of development, Matthews’ chapter asks whether and how we can move beyond development in Africa. She argues that contrary to the wishes of some post-development theorists, we cannot retrieve, discover, or create something that is purely not-development, entirely non-Western, and fully outside of coloniality. However, this does not mean that we ought to acquiesce in the face of the powerful discourses that have come to dominate the way in which we talk about Africa. The chapter tentatively explores some possible ways in which development can be both resisted and reappropriated in creative ways.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases as malarial drug targets: a comparative bioinformatics study

  • Authors: Nyamai, Dorothy Wavinya , Tastan Bishop, Özlem
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/148368 , vital:38733 , DOI: 10.1101/440891
  • Description: Treatment of parasitic diseases has been challenging due to evolution of drug resistant parasites, and thus there is need to identify new class of drugs and drug targets. Protein translation is important for survival of malarial parasite, Plasmodium, and the pathway is present in all of its life cycle stages. Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases are primary enzymes in protein translation as they catalyse amino acid addition to the cognate tRNA. This study sought to understand differences between Plasmodium and human aminoacyl tRNA synthetases through bioinformatics analysis.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

An action research approach: developing intercultural competence in German Studies at Rhodes University

  • Authors: Collins, Morgan Gwyneth
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Action research in education -- South Africa -- Makhanda , German language -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers , Cultural relations , Multicultural education , World citizenship
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63910 , vital:28505
  • Description: The need to develop interculturally competent graduates is a concern for universities across the world. In South African universities this need is linked to globalization and increased diversity in terms of student demographics since 1994. Considering the legacy of apartheid, South African universities especially, and pressingly, need to respond to both global and national diversity concerns. ICC can play a significant role in creating more culturally inclusive spaces as students are provided with opportunities to “relate to and with people from vastly different cultural and ethnic backgrounds” (Spitzberg & Changnon, 2009, p. 4). In a similar way, Germany has faced, and continues to face, challenges relating to diversity especially in relation to migrants and as such, interculturality is a topic of debate in society and scholarly discourse. Therefore, ICC is as relevant to German society as it is South African society. Courses that explicitly deal with ICC are however, not common in South African universities and discourse, and as a result universities are “missing out on developing students’ intercultural competence” (Deardorff & Quinlan, 2016). This thesis aimed to address this gap by investigating the viability and necessity of introducing a module that deals explicitly with ICC into the German Studies course at Rhodes University. In doing so it contributed to the creation of disciplinary knowledge as well as furthering the aim of aiding the creation of responsible global citizenship, alongside ‘academic citizenship’, and aiding the internationalisation at home concept by encouraging the students to understand their own lived reality in a diverse society. This research made use of an action research approach to implementing a module and tracing its development. Student responses, as well as reflection and observation, found that a module dealing explicitly with ICC was viable and able to contribute to developing students’ sense of cultural self-awareness and their awareness of ICC as a set of transferrable skills and knowledges. This module aimed to serve as an introduction to ICC for students in order to begin to develop their intercultural competence and increase their awareness and critical approach to culture and intercultural encounters.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

An activity theoretical investigation into how leadership can be developed within a group of class monitors in a Namibian secondary school

  • Authors: Kalimbo, Tomas
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: School management and organization -- Namibia , Educational leadership -- Namibia , Education, Secondary -- Namibia , Student government -- Namibia , Student participation in administration -- Namibia , Cultural Historical Activity Theory
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61734 , vital:28053
  • Description: Literature suggests that developing leadership in learners benefits them and their schools in general. Learners are prepared as future leaders and they gain leadership skills and democratic values and principles. Learner leaders therefore contribute to transformation in their schools. However, research on the same topic has also found that learners have limited leadership development opportunities, as they are not authentically and democratically involved in leadership in many schools. Informed by the distributed perspective of leadership, this study investigates how leadership can be developed within a group of class monitors in a Namibian secondary school. Its overarching goal was to develop leadership and build transformative agency within class monitors. The study was designed as an interventionist study, theoretically and analytically framed by Engestrom’s second generation of Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT). Multiple methods were used for data collection, including questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, document analysis and Change Laboratory workshops. Data analysis took the form of content analysis and coding, as well as using the CHAT lens to surface contradictions. The findings of the study revealed that there was conceptual awareness on what learner leadership and leadership development meant among participants. However, little was being done to develop leadership in class monitors. Traditional leadership practices and cultural belief that learners are mere children, as well as confinement to formal leadership structures and policies were the main hindering inner contradictions within the research school. A formative intervention was instituted through the Change Laboratory workshop process and it resulted in leadership training to capacitate and empower class monitors, as well as enhance their transformative agency. The study thus recommends for a shift from traditional autocratic leadership practices to a contemporary distributed perspective of leadership that recognises the need to develop leadership in learners.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

An adaptive internet management model for higher education institutions in South Africa

  • Authors: Boshoff, Ryno , Cullen, Margaret
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Internet governance -- South Africa , Internet in higher education -- South Africa Internet -- South Africa -- Management Education, Higher -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17428 , vital:28331
  • Description: It has become standard practice at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) for their Internet management and relevant Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resources, specifically Internet resources, to be continuously investigated by HEI Management as well as by their users. The reason is that the Internet has become the foundation on which most ICT and business resources function and therefore is labelled as a distinctive competency for the HEI. HEIs, however, have limited ICT Internet resources and are expected to use these resources optimally, to ensure efficient and effective Internet connectivity on all campuses and to all users and systems. The management of Internet resources at South African Higher Education Institutions (SA HEIs) are the focus of this thesis. The primary purpose therefore, is to provide a proposed adaptive Internet Management Model for HEIs which will assist them to achieve prime value from their Internet management resources. This was realised by firstly; identifying the current Internet Management Business Models of the SA HEI landscape; secondly, determining what the Internet users of the Nelson Mandela University, a South African Higher Education Institute situated in the Eastern and Western Cape area in South Africa, were using the Internet for; thirdly, comparing these findings to the actual Nelson Mandela University Firewall data and lastly, using the combined findings to draw conclusions and create a proposed adaptive Internet Management Model for HEIs. This can assist the HEI ICT Management team to realign the Internet resources to match the current business and customer requirements. This thesis is an exploratory, mixed method study which consists of literature studies, surveys and cross sectional studies. The literature studies were conducted on secondary sources to identify the national and international governance structures that influence Internet management. The empirical study which consisted of two surveys was compiled from existing surveys as well as from literature studies and was completed by its respective respondent groups. The first survey was used to gain insight into what was considered the standard Internet Management Business Model at HEIs in South Africa. The second survey was used to gain insight how the Internet was being used at Nelson Mandela University by staff and students. Lastly, an extract of the Nelson Mandela University Firewall data were gathered and used to confirm or deny results from the previous survey. The findings of the first survey, HEI Internet Management Survey (HEIIMS), confirmed that the Internet and its relevant resources are extremely important to all HEIs. The HEIs Internet Management Business Models are to a large extent aligned with the National Research an Education Networks (NRENs) business models with some adjustments. The HEIs indicated that they cater for a large Internet community but do not differentiate between them. The findings do, however, specify that some differentiation does take place. The HEI Internet is provided to the Internet community at no cost and is funded by Council funds. The requirements of staff and students are mostly similar with some priority differences to key content needs. The Internet resources of the HEIs are very much aligned to support the physical infrastructure of the Internet. HEIs consider the NRENs to be key partners and suppliers with additional local suppliers used as secondary support. The second survey, Nelson Mandela University Internet Usage Survey (NMUIUS), indicated that there was a wide gap between how the Internet was used by the staff and students. The findings indicated that staff tend to be more aware of the policies and surrounding practices while students appeared somewhat unaware. The staff and students have different needs for the Internet and these needs also change slightly according to the time of day and day of the week. Regarding content access (including Firewall data), some of the users said Internet practices were true whilst others were false. The majority of those giving a false opinion said that said Internet practices were focused on activities linked to cyberloafing content. In addition, they stated that these activities were undersold, meaning that they said that they access the Internet content rarely while the Firewall data indicated that it was frequently being accessed and by many users. It was clear that the staff received a pleasant Nelson Mandela University Internet experience while the students received a slightly degraded Internet experience. The study concluded with the development of a proposed adaptive Internet Management Model for HEIs and recommendations and considerations on how to improve the current Nelson Mandela University Internet management strategy. This thesis makes a contribution towards the body of knowledge by identifying and discussing current national and international Internet Governance (IG) practices. It continues by identifying the current SA NRENs and their business models which overflow into the HEI landscape. This is followed by an investigation into the various HEI Internet Management Business Models, current usage of the Nelson Mandela University Internet and patterns of use and Nelson Mandela University Firewall data. The thesis will therefore assist readers to understand the effective and efficient management of their Internet usage requirements and the provision of Internet resources. This in turn, will confirm that the availability of the Internet for its users and systems becomes a productive, reliable and pleasant experience.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

An analysis of foreign market entry strategy for Discovery Limited

  • Authors: Terblanche, Gaynor
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Export marketing , Foreign exchange International trade
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35841 , vital:33852
  • Description: The Discovery Limited is a key player in the South African Insurance Industry, which is well regulated. The Insurance Industry is of a world class standard and compares favourably with economies such as BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries. The South African economy continues to show a decline with a negative growth in gross domestic product (GDP), for two consecutive quarters (last quarter of 2016 and first quarter of 2017). The current dampened expected growth rates, with a highly penetrated insurance market in South Africa, are strong incentives to look for growth beyond the borders of South Africa. This study, therefore, explores the potential impact on investor confidence, when Discovery Limited enters Foreign Markets. The research objectives, namely Industry-Based considerations, institution-based considerations, resource-based considerations and recommendations, were used to draw linkages between the Discovery Shared Value Insurance Model and the Business Model Framework. Internationalisation models were introduced, yet Peng’s Comprehensive Model of Foreign Market Entry in conjunction with Discovery Limited’s Shared-Value Insurance Model, provides a greater scope to assess the foreign market entries The study seeks to propose a strategy for when firms enter foreign markets and explores investor confidence when doing so. The findings of the study will be able to be generalised in the market amongst firms who seek to enter foreign markets and provides insight and recommendations to all stakeholders upon taking the move. In pursuing this study, a qualitative approach was conducted. A review of the literature making use of academic resource, annual financial reports of the company and country reports available in the public domain, were used. Interviews were conducted using semi-structured questions with the Partner Market Executives of Discovery to gain deeper insight and understanding. An invitation to interview six (6) participants, was distributed and only five (5) were interviewed. This constitutes a (5/6) 83.3% response rate. These Partner Market Executives were best positioned to answer questions related to Foreign Market Entry (Partner Markets) for Discovery Limited. The questions were informed by the literature. A Thematic Analysis was conducted on the data collected to identify core themes that strongly resonated with participants. The research findings are credible, and the subject of the research was correctly identified, from the view point of both the researchers and the participants. The participation was voluntary and record keeping of audio and transcriptions were done. Based on the key themes identified for each of the three foreign market entry considerations, the study concluded that: ‘Vitality becomes core to the solution’, ‘the intellectual property that sits behind the Shared Value Model’, ‘Can’t run away from regulatory approval’, ‘Timing to enter a market’, and ‘infrastructure to enter a foreign market’ are crucial considerations that an investor would like to see, and Discovery Limited must be mindful of this when targeting growth in its share price. Therefore, Discovery will have to consider advice on infrastructure development for Africa and they will have to set an unobstructed vision and timeline to expand into Africa. Discovery Limited, being a South African Company, is still challenged with a product that must be compatible with the rest of the African market. Entering into Africa might not be a priority now, but the lack of knowledge on what the product for the African market would look like, left room for future research.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

An analysis of fusing advanced malware email protection logs, malware intelligence and active directory attributes as an instrument for threat intelligence

  • Authors: Vermeulen, Japie
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Malware (Computer software) , Computer networks Security measures , Data mining , Phishing , Data logging , Quantitative research
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63922 , vital:28506
  • Description: After more than four decades email is still the most widely used electronic communication medium today. This electronic communication medium has evolved into an electronic weapon of choice for cyber criminals ranging from the novice to the elite. As cyber criminals evolve with tools, tactics and procedures, so too are technology vendors coming forward with a variety of advanced malware protection systems. However, even if an organization adopts such a system, there is still the daily challenge of interpreting the log data and understanding the type of malicious email attack, including who the target was and what the payload was. This research examines a six month data set obtained from an advanced malware email protection system from a bank in South Africa. Extensive data fusion techniques are used to provide deeper insight into the data by blending these with malware intelligence and business context. The primary data set is fused with malware intelligence to identify the different malware families associated with the samples. Active Directory attributes such as the business cluster, department and job title of users targeted by malware are also fused into the combined data. This study provides insight into malware attacks experienced in the South African financial services sector. For example, most of the malware samples identified belonged to different types of ransomware families distributed by known botnets. However, indicators of targeted attacks were observed based on particular employees targeted with exploit code and specific strains of malware. Furthermore, a short time span between newly discovered vulnerabilities and the use of malicious code to exploit such vulnerabilities through email were observed in this study. The fused data set provided the context to answer the “who”, “what”, “where” and “when”. The proposed methodology can be applied to any organization to provide insight into the malware threats identified by advanced malware email protection systems. In addition, the fused data set provides threat intelligence that could be used to strengthen the cyber defences of an organization against cyber threats.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

An analysis of how visualisation processes can be used by teachers participating in an intervention programme to teach for conceptual understanding of geometry

  • Authors: Muhembo, Gottfried Mbundu
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Geometry -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia -- Kavango East , Visualization , Mathematics teachers -- Namibia -- Kavango East , Effective teaching -- Namibia -- Kavango East , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Activity programs
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62439 , vital:28190
  • Description: Visualisation in general and visualisation processes in particular have received much attention in the mathematics education research literature. Literature suggests that the appropriate use of visualisation helps learners to develop their conceptual understanding and skills of geometry as it allows them to visually interpret and understand fundamental mathematical and geometrical concepts. It is claimed that visual tools play an important role in communicating mathematical ideas through diagrams, gestures, images, sketches or drawings. Learning mathematics through visualisation can be a powerful tool to explore mathematical problems and give meaning to mathematical concepts and relationships between them. This interpretive case study focused on how selected teachers taught concepts in geometry through visualisation processes for conceptual understanding as a result of an intervention programme. The study was conducted at four high schools by four mathematics teachers in the Kavango East Region in Northern Namibia. The participants were involved in a three-week intervention programme and afterwards taught three lessons each on the topic of geometry. The data collection method of this research was: focus group and stimulus recall interviews, classroom observations and recorded videos. This research is located in constructivism. I used vertical and horizontal analysis strategies to analyse the data. My analytical instrument consisted of an observation schedule which I used in each lesson to identify how each of the visualisation processes was evident in each of the observed lessons. This study revealed that the participant teachers used visualisation processes in most of their lessons and these processes were used accurately in line with the requirements of the grade 8 mathematics syllabi. The visualisation processes were used through designed visual materials, posters and through the use of geometrical objects such as chalkboard ruler, protractor and compass. The results from this study also confirmed that visualisation processes can be a powerful instructional tool for enhancing learners’ conceptual understanding of geometry.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

An analysis of stakeholder engagement in the integrated development planning process: a case of Blue Crane Route Local Municipality

  • Authors: Marambana, Nonkululeko
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Stakeholder management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- Public relations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public administration -- Citizen participation , Government publicity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Blue Crane Route Local Municipality , Integrated Development Plan (IDP)
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63659 , vital:28466
  • Description: Stakeholder engagement in local government is a legislated function that should be implemented by appointed and elected government officials. The 2015/16 financial year report of the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA), revealed challenges pertaining to stakeholder engagement processes by the Blue Crane Route Municipality (BCRM), in that stakeholder inputs were not incorporated in the municipal Integrated Development Plan (IDP) of the 2016/17 financial year. The concern is that there is a gap regarding stakeholders’ engagement processes within BCRM and that affects the quality of IDP which serves as the municipal strategic document. The aim and objectives of this study are to understand stakeholder engagement processes on the IDP formulation by the BCRM in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The research questions are: How does BCRM conduct stakeholder engagement processes during IDP formulation? What institutional arrangements are in place for stakeholder engagement? And recommendation on how stakeholder engagement processes can be improved within the BCRM? The research questions were answered through a qualitative study, where data was collected through face-to-face interviews, focus groups and a document review. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the municipal manager and the managers responsible for IDP as well as the officer responsible for public participation. Focus group sessions were conducted with the community leaders and the departmental leadership. Documents that were reviewed included IDP and process plans, minutes from community consultation meetings, public participation policies, and intergovernmental relations terms of reference. The responses received showed gaps in the following: institutional arrangements related to the integration of stakeholder engagement in municipal key performance indicators and procedures; communication between the municipality and stakeholders; community education related to the impact on community stakeholder engagement, and management processes related to the stakeholder database, capacity development, records management, collaboration and cooperation. Further research on how the municipality communicates and imparts knowledge to its stakeholders is recommended as it could contribute significantly to the body of knowledge.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

An analysis of systemic risk in the South African banking sector

  • Authors: Johnson, Clifford
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Risk assessment -- South Africa , Finance -- South Africa Banks and banking -- South Africa Financial risk management -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30551 , vital:30959
  • Description: The topic of systemic risk has gained prominence over the last three decades, however, renewed interest and discourse on the subject has increased significantly since the global financial crisis of 2007. This dissertation investigates the impact systemic risk has on the South African banking sector and the externalities borne amongst the largest constituent banks during periods of distress. By means of quantile regression, the delta conditional value at risk (ΔCoVaR) as introduced by Adrian and Brunnermeier (2008), banking institutions are ranked according to their systemic risk contributions at horizontal and vertical levels. Using weekly observations from 25 January 2008 until 28 July 2017, the empirical results reveal that a loose link exists between an individual bank’s risk and its systemic contribution. Furthermore, during periods of distress, larger banks contribute the most to systemic risk of the system. However, horizontally – amongst banks – size does not automatically imply systemic importance. The implications of the results, given the study, highlight that regulation of banks at an individual level does not imply that an institution is operating systemically prudent. Furthermore, regulation of banks is welcomed in order to address systemic risk of an institution; however, regulators should be mindful of the vertical and horizontal aspects of systemic externalities.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

An analysis of the asset-based community development approach to early childhood development interventions in Grahamstown township pre-schools: a case study of the Centre for Social Development and Rhodes University Community Engagement

  • Authors: Maponya, Mapula
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63670 , vital:28469
  • Description: Is the glass half-full or half-empty? The purpose of this research was to show how Centre for Social Development and Rhodes University Community Engagement applies the Asset-Based Community Development approach in ECD interventions in Grahamstown township pre-schools. The subsidiary goals of the research were to highlight the challenges in the Early Childhood Development sector in Gahamstown, find out how the approach contributes to empowerment, participation and sustainability, and analyse the challenges that CSD and RUCE face in applying the approach and the relationship between the two organisations. The case study focused on the Centre for Social Development (CSD) and Rhodes University Community Engagement (RUCE). These two cases established projects that aim to improve Grahamstown township pre-schools. The apartheid system created a childhood of adversity for black children including inadequate access to social services, quality nutrition, health care and education. Black children in rural areas and townships faced tremendous obstacles in terms of access to quality ECD centres due to poverty and lack of adequate resources. In Grahamstown, various problems such as unemployment, poverty and restrictive apartheid regulations created a need for ECD interventions. Both organisations applied the Asset-Based Community Development approach to improve ECD in Grahamstown. The asset-based approach was created as a response to the impact of the needs-based approach. The needs- based approach focuses on deficiencies that exist in a community and uses outside experts and resources to address the deficiencies. The needs-based approach builds communities from the outside in, further disempowers community members and creates an environment of dependency. The asset-based approach on the other hand, was created to change the legacy of dependency by focusing on capacity building. A capacity-focused paradigm recognizes the gifts, skills and talents of community members. This approach is bottom- up beginning with what is available in the community and building on that. The approach aims to empower people, create a positive outlook on circumstances, and encourages organisations to work together with community members in community development projects. To achieve the main and subsidiary goals of the research, qualitative research was conducted using the case study method. In pursuing the objective of the thesis, I conducted research among ECD practitioners, student volunteers and staff from CSD and RUCE. Based on the findings it is clear that the application of the Asset-Based approach has a positive impact on ECD practitioners, children at the pre-schools and student volunteers. Through the application of the ABCD approach, ECD practitioners became proactive and took the driving seat in the development process. The ECD practitioners built strong relationships with community members and outside organisations. They have improved their skills and qualifications, and are on their way to restoring their agency, finding their voice and achieving independence. This has a positive impact on children at the pre-schools as they receive quality education and care. There are various challenges and contradictions in the application of the approach but the ECD practitioners view the communities in which they operate as half-full and not half-empty
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

An analysis of the effectiveness of public participation in the integrated development plan in relation to basic service delivery: a case study of Kwazakhele Township in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality

  • Authors: Nkonyashe, Lwando Morris
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Public administration -- Citizen participation -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Citizen participation Municipal government -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Citizen participation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22835 , vital:30109
  • Description: This study focuses at analysing the effectiveness of public participation in the integrated development plan in relation to basic service delivery with specific reference, to ward 24 in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape. The pragmatic part of this of this study was undertaken in Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality in KwaZakhele. Integrated Development Plan is constituted in Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 that municipalities are to undertake this type of development in their designated spheres. It stipulates that municipalities are to engage the public in their developmental planning as it concerns the public. Local government is the government that is closer to the public, and it carries the mandate of National government in ensuring basic services are delivered to the public. This then shows how vital it is for the public to share the same vision with the municipality. This study highlights the effectiveness of involving the public in planning their development by the municipality. Hence this study analyses the effectiveness of public participation, in a verge to see if it yields the desired results. Analysing how integrated development is shaped in the midst of public participation, the study will do that by analysing basic services in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality in reference to KwaZakhele Ward. The study therefore encourages effective public participation in integrated development plan specifically in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality, as to ensure basic services delivery.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

An analysis of the implementation of the Teaching Development Grant in the South African Higher Education Sector

  • Authors: Moyo, Mtheto Temwa
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Education, Higher -- Aims and objectives -- South Africa , Government aid to higher education -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Evaluation , Education, Higher -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Educational leadership -- South Africa , Educational equalization -- South Africa , Education, Higher -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Teaching Development Grant (South Africa)
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62225 , vital:28141
  • Description: The South African government has attempted to address various transformation and efficiency challenges in the system through the steering mechanisms at its disposal. This study analyses the implementation of one of these mechanisms, the Teaching Development Grant (TDG), which is designed to enhance student learning through the improvement of teaching and teaching resources at South African universities. Since the inception as an earmarked grant ten years ago, a total of R5.5 billion has been allocated for the TDG. The study thus sought to answer the question: What are the factors enabling and constraining the use of the TDG to enhance teaching and student success at South African universities? A total of 275 TDG progress reports and budget plans were analysed alongside other TDG documentation such as TDG payment letters to universities and institutional submissions that universities made on the use of the TDG for the 2008 TDG Review. The TDG criteria and policy over the years were also included as data. The analysis used Archer’s (1995; 1996) morphogenesis/stasis framework, which is concerned with how change does or does not happen over time. Archer’s analytical dualism was used to identify the interplay of structural, cultural and agential mechanisms shaping the emergence of and practices associated with TDGs in order to make sense of the events and experiences in the data. One of the main findings of the study was that the historically-based differentiated nature of the South African higher education landscape constrained the implementation of the TDG. The stark resource differences in the sector has meant that the TDG has not fully translated into system-wide gains. In the initial years of TDG implementation from 2004 to 2013, most institutions did not use the TDG for teaching development initiatives per se, but rather spent the bulk of the funds on infrastructure and equipment. Such resource gaps have persisted and continue to compromise the academic enterprise at affected universities. The data also showed that universities which have access to additional funding other than state funding have been able to augment and advance their own funds and were thus able to at least partially counter late payments of the TDG, fluctuations in allocations, and the short-term nature of TDG budgets and inadequate allocations. This enabled relatively straightforward implementation of the teaching and learning enhancement programmes at these universities, while there were ongoing implementation difficulties at the universities with the lowest success rates, the very institutions the grant was most targeted to address. The study showed that the shortage of appropriate teaching and learning staff constrained the nature and type of interventions. Historically Disadvantaged Institutions in particular struggled to attract and retain the much-needed expertise. This emerged from multiple structural constraints such as geographical location, conditions of work, inefficient human resources systems, lack of access to financial resources for competitive packages, and instability in governance and management structures at some universities. Emerging from the data in the study is the fact that staffing challenges remain one of the core constraints in the implementation of the TDG. In particular, the data indicated that teaching and learning staff hired on the basis of TDG funds were generally hired as part-time or contract staff. This meant that their academic qualifications and experience in teaching development were limited and, in many cases, it meant that the posts were not filled at all. In some cases, the fluctuating budgets meant that some projects had to be downscaled or abandoned altogether. The study found that many of the interventions that were implemented had tenuous links to teaching and learning and, even where there were such links, these interventions were often based on fairly a-theoretical, common-sense understandings of what would develop teaching. In many universities, there was little evidence of institution-level planning of interventions aimed at fundamentally addressing the need for teaching development. The limited access to teaching and learning expertise across the sector was mirrored in the uneven distribution of expertise in administration, financial management, institutional planning and human resource divisions, which had implications for the establishment of monitoring systems and implementation processes of the TDG. The lack of strong systems and policies encouraged cultures that did not value transparency, accountability or compliance to the TDG policy. The role of corporate agency in the form of leadership and ownership of projects emerged as a key enabler in the implementation of the TDG. All of these structures shaped the ability of institutions to spend the TDG and in some cases millions of Rands in funds were not spent and so were withheld. The study found that the inability of some universities to spend was exacerbated by the problem of a lack of alignment between the DHET financial year and the academic year. Although the TDG has made a notable contribution to the advancement of teaching and learning (T&L) nationally, this study revealed that the blunt implementation of the TDG across the sector constrained the gains. In particular, the practice of withholding unspent funds focused only on the symptoms of underspending and not on the structural, cultural and agential mechanisms that led to such under-expenditure. The withheld funds were redirected by the government for national projects but as all universities including the well-resourced Historically Advantaged Institutions (HAIs) had access to these withheld funds this translated into a regressive distribution of the TDG. Limited capacity within DHET to direct, manage and monitor the grants has also had a constraining effect on their use and the secondment of a teaching and learning expert to the department was seen to be a significant but short-term enablement in this regard. The findings of how the TDG implementation has emerged in the South African higher education sector are particularly important at this point in time as the TDG together with the Research Development Grant will be reconfigured into a new grant called the University Capacity Development Grant as from 2018. This study provides significant insights into the structural, cultural, and agential enablements and constraints of this new grant being able to drive changes in the sector. The findings also provide insights into the implementation of other earmarked grants. , Boma la South Africa layesera kuthetsa mavuto omwe amadza posintha ndi kulongosola zinthu kudzera mu njira zosiyanasiyana. Kafukufukuyu akuunikira imodzi mwa njirazi yotchedwa Teaching Development Grant (TDG) yomwe inakonzedwa polimbikitsa maphunziro kudzera mukagwiritsidwe ntchito ka zipangizo zophunzitsira ndi zophunzirira za makono m’sukulu za ukachenjede ku South Africa. Ndalama zapafupifupi R5.5 billion ndi zomwe zaperekedwa kuti zigwiritsidwe nchito mu ndondomekoyi kuchokera pa nthawi yomwe inakhazikitsidwa; zaka khumi zapitazo. Kafukufukuyu anayesera kuyankha funso loti: Ndi zinthu ziti zomwe zimalimbikitsa kapena kubwezeretsa m’mbuyo kagwiritsidwe ntchito ka (TDG) polimbikitsa kuchita bwino kwa aphunzitsi ndi ophunzira m’sukulu za ukachenjede? Zikalata zosonyeza makhonzedwe a ophunzira, ndondomeko za kayendetseredwe ka chuma, zikalata za malipiridwe ndi zikalata zopezeka m’sukulu zaukachenjedezi zokhudzana ndi njira ya TDG zomwe zakhala zikugwiritsidwa ntchito zaka khumi zapitazi zinatengedwanso ngati uthenga wofunika koposa. Kauniuniyu anatsalira njira yotchedwa ‘Archer’s (1995/1996) Morphogenesis/Status Framework’ yomwe imafotokozera momwe kusintha kumachitikira pena kulepherekera. Njira younikira ya Archer: yothandizira pofufuza momwe kayendetsedwe ka bungwe, chikhalidwe komanso anthu oyendetsa bungwe amathandizira poonetsera momwe TDG imakhalira inagwiritsidwa ntchito poyesera kumvetsa zochitika komanso zopezeka mu kafukufukuyu. Chimodzi mwa zotsatira za kafukufukuyu n’chakuti kagwiritsidwe ntchito ka TDG kamabwezeredwa m’mbuyo ndi momwe sukulu za ukachenjede ku South Africa zidapangidwira. Kusiyana kwa usiwa wa zipangizo m’sukuluzi kudapangitsa kuti njira ya TDG isaonetse zipatso kwenikweni. Mu zaka zoyambirira itangokhazikidwitsa (2007 - 2013), sukulu zambiri sizidagwiritse ntchito TDG polimbikitsa kaphunzitsidwe. M’malo mwake ndalama zankhaninkhani zidagwiritsidwa ntchito pa zomangamanga ndi kugulira zipangizo. Usiwa wa zipangizowu ulipobe ndipo ukusokoneza mbali ya maphunziro m’sukulu zokhudzidwazi. Kafukufukuyu anasonyezanso kuti sukulu zomwe zimalandira thandizo lowonjezera pa lomwe zimalandira ku boma zakhala zikuyesetsa kuthana ndi vuto lopereka mochedwa ndalama za mundondomeko ya TDG ndi dongosolo la m’mene ndalamazi zigwirire ntchito. Izi zinawachititsa kuti asapeze mavuto ambiri polimbikitsa ndondomeko za kaphunzitsidwe ndi kaphunziridwe pomwe ena amavutika nazo. Enawa n’kukhala sukulu zomwe sizimachita bwino, zomwenso thandizoli lidalunjika pa izo kuti zithandizike. Kafukufukuyu anasonyeza kuti kuchepa kwa aphunzitsi kudapsinja zochitika zokhudza njirayi. Sukulu zosachita bwino kuchokera kalezi zidavutika kupeza ndi kusunga ogwira ntchito ake. Izi zimakhala choncho kaamba ka zifukwa zosiyanasiyana monga komwe sukuluyo ili, malamulo a ntchito, kupanda ukadaulo kwa oyang’anira antchitowa, kutalikirana ndi njira zina zopezera ndalama komanso kusakhazikika kwa anthu m’maudindo. Zina zotulukanso mu mfundo zotoledwazi zinaulula kuti vuto lina lalikulu linali ogwira ntchito. Polimbikitsa njira ya TDG, zimatanthauza kuti aphunzitsi omwe azilembedwa azikhala osakhazikika pa sukuluzi kapena a kontarakiti. Izi zimatanthauza kuti maphunziro ndi luntha lawo zimayenera kukhala zochepera. Mwanjira ina, tikhonza kunena kuti ogwira ntchitoyi panalibe. Nthawi zina, kusinthasintha kwa ndondomeko zachuma madongosolo ena kusiyidwa kapena kuchitika mosalongosoka. Kafukufukuyu anasonyezanso kuti zambiri mwa mfundo zomwe zinayikidwa kuti zigwiritsidwe ntchito zinali zosathandiza kwenikweni polimbikitsa maphunzirowa. Ndipo komwe mfundozi zinakhazikitsidwa, zinali chabe kufotokozera zinthu zodziwika kale ndi kale zokhudza zomwe zingalimbikitse uphunzitsi. M’sukulu zambiri za ukachenjede, pali umboni wochepa wa mfundo zomwe zinaikidwiratu ndi cholinga chopititsa patsogolo uphunzitsiwu. Kusowa kwa ukadaulo pa maphunzirowa kunaonekanso makamaka m’madera monga a oyendetsa sukuluzi, oyang’ana za chuma, olongosola malo onse komanso oyang’anira antchito. Panalibe kugawana anthuwa mofanana. Izi zidakhudza kwambiri kalondolondo ndinso kayendetsedwe ka TDG. Kusowa kwa ndondomeko zabwino ndi malamulo okhazikika kunalimbikitsa chikhalidwe cha chinyengo ndi kusatsatira mfundo za mundondomekoyi popereka utsogoleri ndi umwini ndiye unali wofunika polimbikitsa ndondomekoyi. Madongosolo otere anathandiza kuti sukulu zigwiritse ntchito njira ya TDG ndipo pena ndalama mamiliyoni zibwezedwe. Kafukufukuyu anaonetsa kuti kulephera kwa sukulu zina kugwiritsa ntchito ndalama kunachitika kaamba kosazindikira malire a chaka cha DHET ndi chaka cha maphunziro. Ngakhale njira ya TDG yathandizako kagwiritsidwe ntchito ka zipangizo zophunzitsira ndi zophunzirira, kafukufukuyu wasonyeza kuti mavuto omwe anaoneka mu ndondomeko ya TDG aphimba ubwino wake. Monga, m’chitidwe wobweza ndalama zosagwira ntchito unalunjika pa kulephera kugwiritsa ntchito ndalama zonse osati pa ubale pakati pa kayendetsedwe ka bungwe, chikhalidwe ndinso anthu oyendetsa bungwe. Ndalama zotsarazi zinalowetsedwa ku zitukuko zina ndi boma. Koma poti sukulu zonse za ukachenjede kuphatikizapo HAI zinapeza mwayi wa ndalamazi, izi zimabweretsa kulowa pansi kwa dongosolo la TDG. Kulephera mu DHET kutsogolera, kuyendetsa ndi kulondoloza thandizo kwadzetsanso mavuto pa kagwiritsidwe ntchito kake ngakhalenso kutumizidwa kwa katswiri pa kaphunzitsidwe kunaoneka ngati kofunika kosathandiza kwenikweni chifukwa kudali kwa nthawi yochepa. Zotsatira za kafukufukuyu (zokhudza maphunziro a ukachenjede ku South Africa) ndi zofunika kwambiri makamaka nthawi ino pomwe TDG pamodzi ndi RDG (Research Development Grant) zikhale kuunikiridwanso ndi kupanga thandizo latsopano lotchedwa University Capacity Development Grant kuyambira m’chaka cha 2018. Kafukufukuyu waunika mozama kayendetsedwe, chikhalidwe komanso oyendetsa zithandizo komanso mavuto kuti thandizo latsopanoli likathe kubweretsa kusintha. Zotsatirazi zaunikiranso kayendetsedwe ka zithandizo zina zomwe zikufuna kuchitika.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

An analysis of the payment of municipal services by the Department of Roads and Public works in the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Sirhamza, Wendy
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Municipal finance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Public works -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Finance Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23164 , vital:30449
  • Description: The research study sought to analyze the payment of municipal service by the Department of Roads and Public Works in the Eastern Cape. Factor’s affecting the payment of municipal services by the DRPW is a great challenge in the Eastern Cape but not mainly in this province only. The purpose of the study was to help decision makers of the department in their strategic planning to be aware of the challenges in the payment of municipal services. The researcher selected qualitative method of research. The primary data for research study was collected through semi structures interview and the questionnaires. The findings of the study were obtained from the responses provided by the respondents and negatively affect the department’s ability to meet its obligation to pay municipal services. Recommendations are provided that could assist the Department of Roads and Public Works to improve in the payment of municipal services. Recommendations will hopefully help to improve the financial status for the betterment of the municipalities of this province. Research recommends centralization of municipal utilities from the client department to the owner and to improve intergovernmental relations and stakeholders management.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

An analysis of the roles of the media and various interest aggregations in the social construction of the obesity epidemic

  • Authors: Kriel, Daneel
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Obesity in mass media , Identity (Psychology) and mass media Mass media Discourse analysis Social constructionism
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31434 , vital:31381
  • Description: The regularly shifting positions between frames of individual responsibility and environmental impact characterising the obesity discourse in the media raises suspicion that the purported ‘obesity epidemic’ may be a social construction as opposed to a bona fide public health concern. Should this be the case, it prompts the question, who would go to the lengths of creating a global perception of being overweight as a life-threatening disease and constructing a global ‘epidemic? Additionally, what could be the possible justifications for doing so? This study is an effort to determine whether the ‘obesity epidemic’ is indeed a social construction. This is of concern, because public representations of obesity not only inform the public of medical or biomedical statistics but endorse shame-based narratives that may impact negatively upon the social identities and lives of people by creating meanings that influence cultural understandings of fatness and health. This study employs frame analysis, conceptualizing media frames as independent variables influencing the nature of the obesity discourse. By employing set criteria, eighty articles were selected from various high-profile South African English news sources with an online presence, representing a broad cross-section of the daily news provided to the South African population. A coding frame of key discourses was developed and coded for frame analysis in the QDA Miner software program. The study found that not only is the ‘obesity epidemic’ a social construction, but the result of propaganda executed through the media by large corporations in the ‘health-industrial complex’ for the sake of economic gain. Continued presentation of the ‘obesity epidemic’ as a global public health crisis, serves to reinforce societal myths and stereotypes, while shaping community beliefs, values and behaviour on behalf of corporate institutions.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

An analysis on the use of web-based ontology to support ubiquitous learning in South African secondary schools

  • Authors: Bamigboye, Oluwatosin Omotoyosi
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Internet in education World Wide Web Ontology
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12859 , vital:39385
  • Description: There is certainly a need to upgrade our educational system and this can be done through technology-enhanced learning. Technology-enhanced learning can be achieved by developing a web-based ontology e-learning platform, which allows learning to take place ubiquitously. In achieving this task, this research is focusing on analyzing the use of web-based ontology to support the design and implementation of a ubiquitous learning system in South Africa. The implemented web-based ontology e-learning system was deployed and tested. The system testing was done on two variables (Information retrieval and Scalability) of localhost and client system, with the following testing metrics: time is taken for information retrieval, request time to process the request, transfer rate, time localhost receives request, time to respond, roundtrip time for request and network usage. The metrics testing was achieved using apache benchmarking console and gnuplot application to generate the data captured and performance graph, while Wireshark was also used to test/analyze round trip time and network usage through the deployed system. The results of the findings in this study show that the relationship between student and learning content becomes explicit when using ontology technology in searching, organizing, gathering and development content. Results obtained from information retrieval show that the transfer rate of information on localhost for 100 request @ current level of 5 is 37169.89kb/s, while on the client’s system, the transfer rate was 48494.36kb/s which was due to multiple request on the client’s side. Results obtained on scalability shows the round trip time which was (time to respond-time to request). The longest roundtrip was 8 seconds as a result of network being congested with multiple packets request from various sources trying to access the localhost at the same time while the fastest was 1 seconds. The implications of this results show that web-based ontology e-learning system has a positive input to teaching and learning processes in schools for content retrieval and network usage. The system furthermore shows the relationship adopted by learners and teachers, and also the match needs that arise in between. The contribution of this study adds to the existing discoveries on the use of web-based and knowledge-based ontology.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Copyright
  • Contact