An exploration of leadership development in a learner representative structure in a secondary school, Oshana Region, Namibia
- Kadhepa-Kandjengo, Selma Ndeyapo
- Authors: Kadhepa-Kandjengo, Selma Ndeyapo
- 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/10962/62450 , vital:28193
- Description: Before independence, Namibia inherited a system of Bantu education which was hierarchical, authoritarian and non-democratic. Upon independence, the educational sector went through numerous reforms which were meant to transform education and to make it more democratic, whereby all stakeholders can broadly participate. In spite of these reforms, leadership of schools has remained a hierarchical system, where a principal who, as an individual, runs the school without recognition of the potential leadership of others. Recent studies on leadership have called for shared leadership, whereby leadership is a practice, permeable to learner leaders and not associated with individuals. This research study aims to explore learner leadership development in the Learner Representative Council (LRC) structure at a secondary school in Namibia. The motivation of this research study was twofold - firstly, my personal interest in learner leadership was aroused by my teaching experience. The second reason was due to my realisation that the area was under-researched in Namibia, hence I wanted to fill the existing gap on learner leadership. The study critically engaged learners and teachers to help me get an understanding of learner leadership and the factors enabling learner leadership development. I also found that challenges which resulted in contradictions, hampered leadership development. The study took an interventionist approach and second generation Cultural Historical Activity Theory was used to surface tensions and contradictions affecting learner leadership development. Change Laboratory workshops enabled the expansive learning process with the 12 LRC members. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, observation, document analysis and journaling. The study found that learner leadership was understood more in terms of traditional views of leadership, whereby a learner needed to possess certain qualities in order to lead. The findings further pointed out that the LRC members were mainly involved in managerial roles and not really leadership roles, as such, and they were not involved in decision-making at the school. Although provision for the LRC body is made in an Educational Act, historical and cultural forces account for teachers’ reluctance to support the LRC members, as well as for silence of learner voice. I hope that findings from this research study strengthen learner leadership structures in schools and contribute to the creation of knowledge on learner leadership in Namibia.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Kadhepa-Kandjengo, Selma Ndeyapo
- 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/10962/62450 , vital:28193
- Description: Before independence, Namibia inherited a system of Bantu education which was hierarchical, authoritarian and non-democratic. Upon independence, the educational sector went through numerous reforms which were meant to transform education and to make it more democratic, whereby all stakeholders can broadly participate. In spite of these reforms, leadership of schools has remained a hierarchical system, where a principal who, as an individual, runs the school without recognition of the potential leadership of others. Recent studies on leadership have called for shared leadership, whereby leadership is a practice, permeable to learner leaders and not associated with individuals. This research study aims to explore learner leadership development in the Learner Representative Council (LRC) structure at a secondary school in Namibia. The motivation of this research study was twofold - firstly, my personal interest in learner leadership was aroused by my teaching experience. The second reason was due to my realisation that the area was under-researched in Namibia, hence I wanted to fill the existing gap on learner leadership. The study critically engaged learners and teachers to help me get an understanding of learner leadership and the factors enabling learner leadership development. I also found that challenges which resulted in contradictions, hampered leadership development. The study took an interventionist approach and second generation Cultural Historical Activity Theory was used to surface tensions and contradictions affecting learner leadership development. Change Laboratory workshops enabled the expansive learning process with the 12 LRC members. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, observation, document analysis and journaling. The study found that learner leadership was understood more in terms of traditional views of leadership, whereby a learner needed to possess certain qualities in order to lead. The findings further pointed out that the LRC members were mainly involved in managerial roles and not really leadership roles, as such, and they were not involved in decision-making at the school. Although provision for the LRC body is made in an Educational Act, historical and cultural forces account for teachers’ reluctance to support the LRC members, as well as for silence of learner voice. I hope that findings from this research study strengthen learner leadership structures in schools and contribute to the creation of knowledge on learner leadership in Namibia.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Influence of knowledge of the end-point on pacing during a 2000m rowing time trial
- Authors: Ferreira, Dean
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Rowing -- Training , Rowing -- Coaching , Endurance sports -- Training , Rowers -- Ability testing , Rowing -- Training -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61636 , vital:28044
- Description: Introduction: A typical 2000 m rowing race requires maximal force production over six to eight minutes. Optimal distribution of energetic resources during such a race is vital for optimal performance. There is little research examining the pacing strategies employed by rowers, particularly at the sub-elite level. Aim: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the influence of knowledge of the end-point on pacing during a 2000 m rowing time trial. Methods: Eleven male rowers from a university rowing club volunteered to partake in the study. Each participant completed three experimental trials on an indoor rowing ergometer, each 2000 m. The only difference between the trials was the nature of the information provided beforehand. At the start of the control trial, participants were correctly informed about the distance to be covered. Participants were not informed of the distance to be completed in the unknown trial. For the deceptive trial, participants were told 1000 m would be completed, but when this distance was reached, they were told to continue for another 1000 m. During each trial muscle activity, power output, heart rate, performance time and perceptions of effort were measured.Results: The control trial was significantly (p<0.05) faster than both the unknown and deceptive trials, however the deceptive trial was the fastest of all trials at the 1000 m distance. The unknown trial was slowest at 1000 m and at 2000 m. Muscle activity, RPE, heart rate and power output were significantly (p<0.05) lower in the unknown trial compared to the control and deceptive trial. The control trial exhibited a reverse J-shape pacing profile. The deceptive trial revealed a significant (p<0.05) reduction in performance time, heart rate, power output and muscle activity after the 1000 m interval. The first 500 m interval had the fastest performance and highest power output in all trials. In all trials, RPE was highest at the end of the 2000 m, the greatest reading being obtained at the end of the control trial. During the first 1000 m of the deceptive trial, the dependant variables were similar to those in the control trial. Once the deception was revealed, there was a significant (p<0.05) reduction in the muscle activity, heart rate and power output. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that accurate end-point information is crucial to the development of an optimal pacing strategy, and ultimately to successful performance. Rowers tend to adopt the reverse J-shape pacing profile most often due to the tactical and physiological benefits offered by this strategy. Unknown or inaccurate end-point information resulted in performance decrements due to the uncertainty associated with the exercise bout.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Ferreira, Dean
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Rowing -- Training , Rowing -- Coaching , Endurance sports -- Training , Rowers -- Ability testing , Rowing -- Training -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61636 , vital:28044
- Description: Introduction: A typical 2000 m rowing race requires maximal force production over six to eight minutes. Optimal distribution of energetic resources during such a race is vital for optimal performance. There is little research examining the pacing strategies employed by rowers, particularly at the sub-elite level. Aim: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the influence of knowledge of the end-point on pacing during a 2000 m rowing time trial. Methods: Eleven male rowers from a university rowing club volunteered to partake in the study. Each participant completed three experimental trials on an indoor rowing ergometer, each 2000 m. The only difference between the trials was the nature of the information provided beforehand. At the start of the control trial, participants were correctly informed about the distance to be covered. Participants were not informed of the distance to be completed in the unknown trial. For the deceptive trial, participants were told 1000 m would be completed, but when this distance was reached, they were told to continue for another 1000 m. During each trial muscle activity, power output, heart rate, performance time and perceptions of effort were measured.Results: The control trial was significantly (p<0.05) faster than both the unknown and deceptive trials, however the deceptive trial was the fastest of all trials at the 1000 m distance. The unknown trial was slowest at 1000 m and at 2000 m. Muscle activity, RPE, heart rate and power output were significantly (p<0.05) lower in the unknown trial compared to the control and deceptive trial. The control trial exhibited a reverse J-shape pacing profile. The deceptive trial revealed a significant (p<0.05) reduction in performance time, heart rate, power output and muscle activity after the 1000 m interval. The first 500 m interval had the fastest performance and highest power output in all trials. In all trials, RPE was highest at the end of the 2000 m, the greatest reading being obtained at the end of the control trial. During the first 1000 m of the deceptive trial, the dependant variables were similar to those in the control trial. Once the deception was revealed, there was a significant (p<0.05) reduction in the muscle activity, heart rate and power output. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that accurate end-point information is crucial to the development of an optimal pacing strategy, and ultimately to successful performance. Rowers tend to adopt the reverse J-shape pacing profile most often due to the tactical and physiological benefits offered by this strategy. Unknown or inaccurate end-point information resulted in performance decrements due to the uncertainty associated with the exercise bout.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Modelling Ionospheric vertical drifts over the African low latitude region
- Dubazane, Makhosonke Berthwell
- Authors: Dubazane, Makhosonke Berthwell
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Ionospheric drift , Magnetometers , Functions, Orthogonal , Neural networks (Computer science) , Ionospheric electron density -- Africa , Communication and Navigation Outage Forecasting Systems (C/NOFS)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63356 , vital:28396
- Description: Low/equatorial latitudes vertical plasma drifts and electric fields govern the formation and changes of ionospheric density structures which affect space-based systems such as communications, navigation and positioning. Dynamical and electrodynamical processes play important roles in plasma distribution at different altitudes. Because of the high variability of E × B drift in low latitude regions, coupled with various processes that sometimes originate from high latitudes especially during geomagnetic storm conditions, it is challenging to develop accurate vertical drift models. This is despite the fact that there are very few instruments dedicated to provide electric field and hence E × B drift data in low/equatorial latitude regions. To this effect, there exists no ground-based instrument for direct measurements of E×B drift data in the African sector. This study presents the first time investigation aimed at modelling the long-term variability of low latitude vertical E × B drift over the African sector using a combination of Communication and Navigation Outage Forecasting Systems (C/NOFS) and ground-based magnetometer observations/measurements during 2008-2013. Because the approach is based on the estimation of equatorial electrojet from ground-based magnetometer observations, the developed models are only valid for local daytime. Three modelling techniques have been considered. The application of Empirical Orthogonal Functions and partial least squares has been performed on vertical E × B drift modelling for the first time. The artificial neural networks that have the advantage of learning underlying changes between a set of inputs and known output were also used in vertical E × B drift modelling. Due to lack of E×B drift data over the African sector, the developed models were validated using satellite data and the climatological Scherliess-Fejer model incorporated within the International Reference Ionosphere model. Maximum correlation coefficient of ∼ 0.8 was achieved when validating the developed models with C/NOFS E × B drift observations that were not used in any model development. For most of the time, the climatological model overestimates the local daytime vertical E × B drift velocities. The methods and approach presented in this study provide a background for constructing vertical E ×B drift databases in longitude sectors that do not have radar instrumentation. This will in turn make it possible to study day-to-day variability of vertical E×B drift and hopefully lead to the development of regional and global models that will incorporate local time information in different longitude sectors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Dubazane, Makhosonke Berthwell
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Ionospheric drift , Magnetometers , Functions, Orthogonal , Neural networks (Computer science) , Ionospheric electron density -- Africa , Communication and Navigation Outage Forecasting Systems (C/NOFS)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63356 , vital:28396
- Description: Low/equatorial latitudes vertical plasma drifts and electric fields govern the formation and changes of ionospheric density structures which affect space-based systems such as communications, navigation and positioning. Dynamical and electrodynamical processes play important roles in plasma distribution at different altitudes. Because of the high variability of E × B drift in low latitude regions, coupled with various processes that sometimes originate from high latitudes especially during geomagnetic storm conditions, it is challenging to develop accurate vertical drift models. This is despite the fact that there are very few instruments dedicated to provide electric field and hence E × B drift data in low/equatorial latitude regions. To this effect, there exists no ground-based instrument for direct measurements of E×B drift data in the African sector. This study presents the first time investigation aimed at modelling the long-term variability of low latitude vertical E × B drift over the African sector using a combination of Communication and Navigation Outage Forecasting Systems (C/NOFS) and ground-based magnetometer observations/measurements during 2008-2013. Because the approach is based on the estimation of equatorial electrojet from ground-based magnetometer observations, the developed models are only valid for local daytime. Three modelling techniques have been considered. The application of Empirical Orthogonal Functions and partial least squares has been performed on vertical E × B drift modelling for the first time. The artificial neural networks that have the advantage of learning underlying changes between a set of inputs and known output were also used in vertical E × B drift modelling. Due to lack of E×B drift data over the African sector, the developed models were validated using satellite data and the climatological Scherliess-Fejer model incorporated within the International Reference Ionosphere model. Maximum correlation coefficient of ∼ 0.8 was achieved when validating the developed models with C/NOFS E × B drift observations that were not used in any model development. For most of the time, the climatological model overestimates the local daytime vertical E × B drift velocities. The methods and approach presented in this study provide a background for constructing vertical E ×B drift databases in longitude sectors that do not have radar instrumentation. This will in turn make it possible to study day-to-day variability of vertical E×B drift and hopefully lead to the development of regional and global models that will incorporate local time information in different longitude sectors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
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