A strategy for promoting the use of computers across the curriculum at primary school level: a case study
- Authors: Heukelman, Delene
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: Education, Elementary -- Computer programs Computers and children Education, Elementary -- Data processing Computer-assisted instruction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1774 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003659
- Description: A growing number of primary schools are acquiring computers, mainly through parent funding. The study concerns the promotion of computer use across the curriculum in primary schools. Teachers need to be trained in the use of computers as a teaching aid in different subjects. A study comparing two periods of training was undertaken. Two model C primary schools, administered by the Department of Education and Culture, with similar profiles of educational computer use, were selected for the purpose. A training course consisting of five sections, where the use of the word processor, spreadsheet and database, both as personal tools and as teaching aids were introduced, was offered. Care was taken to select topics from current syllabi and to demonstrate how these topics could be presented and enhanced by using the computer. The training was presented at school A over a period of 8 months and at school B over a period of 5 weeks. The supporting material and contents of the course were the same for both groups. A comparison between the effectiveness of the two training regimes was made. The researcher's initial perceptions of the teachers' initial low level of computer literacy were confirmed by a questionnaire, responded to by each participant. It would seem that the shorter raining period was more effective in raising the level of computer literacy and that if the training period was longer, the contact time should be increased to maintain support. Neither training period resulted in a significant increase in computer use, either as a personal tool or as a teaching aid. The failure to do so may be ascribed to a number of influences, one of which is the teaching style of individual teachers. Changing the teaching style of an experienced teacher takes time and more effort than was available for either training period.
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- Date Issued: 1994
Effects of an enriched physical activity programme on selected anthropometric, physiological and performance characteristics of an underprivilieged ethnic group
- Authors: Van Rooyen, Frederick
- Date: 1994
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:21115 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6455
- Description: Fifty pre-pubescent Xhosa-speaking children from two primary schools within the township of Rini, Grahamstown, were selected in this study to determine the effects, if any, of an enriched physical activity programme. Subjects were divided into experimental and control groups with only the experimental group physically participating in the enrichment programme. Selected anthropometric, physiological and motor performance tests were administered on both groups, before and after the programme, to monitor the effect of the enrichment programme on growth, cardiovascular efficiency and physical performance. Somatotype ratings showed no change after the training programme. However body composition showed greater gains in fat mass in the control group and marked drops in fat mass and increases in lean body mass in the experimental group. Longer running distances, higher predicted VO2 max mean values and improved recovery heart rate (HR) as well as larger gains in relative power, absolute power and velocity were experienced by individuals who participated in the training programme. The performance of the experimental group in the two motor performance tests out-weighed by far the performance of the control group as a result of the additional programme. The enrichment programme not only produced a positive effect on body composition but also improved aerobic and anaerobic efficiency. Improvements in both motor performance tests favoured the experimental group.
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- Date Issued: 1994