Preconditioning measurement and control system for a combustion engine in a vehicle
- Authors: Homann, Gregor
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Internal combustion engines , Mechanical engineering
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9649 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010998 , Internal combustion engines , Mechanical engineering
- Description: Modern vehicles have to ful ll new CO2 emission and additionally customer comfort requirements to stay competitive. A major impact to the fuel consumption of an internal combustion engine (ICE) has the starting period. An ICE equipped with a preconditioning system which heats up the ICE much faster than a common ICE. This procedure of preconditioning is called peak heating. The main benet of preconditioning of an ICE is less fuel consumption. Recently the only way to obtain a fast heating up of an ICE is the injection of a higher amount of fuel during the starting period. This heat up procedure can be changed if a heat reservoir is available to the ICE during the starting period. In this case the additional injection of fuel is redundant and therefore the consumption during the starting period can be reduced. The major advantages of this strategy are achieved in cold ambient conditions. During this project di erent preconditioning strategies and di erent points of interaction in the coolant circuit of an ICE have been investigated. The preconditioning concepts have been evaluated according to their heating up performance and their implementation into the engine compartment. The results obtained by this project highlight that a system layout which enables a preheating of the cylinder block by a heat reservoir located in a bypass-line to the heater core is the most e ective point of interaction. The best results have been achieved with a coolant ow of 10 l/min at a temperature of 90 C. Furthermore, this project points out that the implementation of a preconditioning system into the oil cooler will achieve similar results. This strategy of preconditioning the engine oil reduces the internal frictions of the ICE which leads to a decreasing consumption. This solution is much more energy e cient and technically easier to implement into a modern vehicle with its limited space. An additional side e ect of the preconditioning of the oil is a longer service life of the ICE.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Homann, Gregor
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Internal combustion engines , Mechanical engineering
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9649 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010998 , Internal combustion engines , Mechanical engineering
- Description: Modern vehicles have to ful ll new CO2 emission and additionally customer comfort requirements to stay competitive. A major impact to the fuel consumption of an internal combustion engine (ICE) has the starting period. An ICE equipped with a preconditioning system which heats up the ICE much faster than a common ICE. This procedure of preconditioning is called peak heating. The main benet of preconditioning of an ICE is less fuel consumption. Recently the only way to obtain a fast heating up of an ICE is the injection of a higher amount of fuel during the starting period. This heat up procedure can be changed if a heat reservoir is available to the ICE during the starting period. In this case the additional injection of fuel is redundant and therefore the consumption during the starting period can be reduced. The major advantages of this strategy are achieved in cold ambient conditions. During this project di erent preconditioning strategies and di erent points of interaction in the coolant circuit of an ICE have been investigated. The preconditioning concepts have been evaluated according to their heating up performance and their implementation into the engine compartment. The results obtained by this project highlight that a system layout which enables a preheating of the cylinder block by a heat reservoir located in a bypass-line to the heater core is the most e ective point of interaction. The best results have been achieved with a coolant ow of 10 l/min at a temperature of 90 C. Furthermore, this project points out that the implementation of a preconditioning system into the oil cooler will achieve similar results. This strategy of preconditioning the engine oil reduces the internal frictions of the ICE which leads to a decreasing consumption. This solution is much more energy e cient and technically easier to implement into a modern vehicle with its limited space. An additional side e ect of the preconditioning of the oil is a longer service life of the ICE.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Slow delivery of low-income housing at munipal level with special reference to the Nelson Mandela Bay Munipality
- Authors: Scheepers, Mario Jacques
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: SLow-income housing -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9671 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015968
- Description: The provision of adequate housing is an important part of government's commitment towards providing a better quality of life to the people of South Africa. Housing delivery is, however, not taking place to the extent and speed that will eliminate the backlog in housing delivery. The researcher aims to (i) evaluate and investigate the reasons why housing delivery at municipal level is slow, (ii) discuss the effect of inefficient implementation on delivery, (iii) examine the influence of the lack of infrastructure and the lack of skilled municipal officials and employees of construction organisations and the processes followed to make a success of housing delivery. Chapter 2, Section 26(1), Act 108 0f 1996 of the Constitution of South Africa states that everyone has the right to have access to adequate housing. This places an obligation on government to provide adequate housing to all citizens, within the restriction of available resources. The lack of land hampers the speed at which municipalities can deliver low-income housing. Housing and basic infrastructure (water, sewer and roads) form an integral part of the governments commitment to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of South Africans. The fact that municipalities do not have capacity to address housing delivery and the fact that most artisans are near retirement age also influence the rate that houses can be delivered. Adequate housing processes are needed for housing delivery to take place, without it government will not succeed in delivering adequate housing. The results of the survey and the literature review confirm that housing delivery at municipality level is slow, that municipal officials need training and more employees to insure that housing delivery improves. The results also show the importance of infrastructure and land, the importance of implementing housing policies and processes adequately.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Scheepers, Mario Jacques
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: SLow-income housing -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9671 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015968
- Description: The provision of adequate housing is an important part of government's commitment towards providing a better quality of life to the people of South Africa. Housing delivery is, however, not taking place to the extent and speed that will eliminate the backlog in housing delivery. The researcher aims to (i) evaluate and investigate the reasons why housing delivery at municipal level is slow, (ii) discuss the effect of inefficient implementation on delivery, (iii) examine the influence of the lack of infrastructure and the lack of skilled municipal officials and employees of construction organisations and the processes followed to make a success of housing delivery. Chapter 2, Section 26(1), Act 108 0f 1996 of the Constitution of South Africa states that everyone has the right to have access to adequate housing. This places an obligation on government to provide adequate housing to all citizens, within the restriction of available resources. The lack of land hampers the speed at which municipalities can deliver low-income housing. Housing and basic infrastructure (water, sewer and roads) form an integral part of the governments commitment to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of South Africans. The fact that municipalities do not have capacity to address housing delivery and the fact that most artisans are near retirement age also influence the rate that houses can be delivered. Adequate housing processes are needed for housing delivery to take place, without it government will not succeed in delivering adequate housing. The results of the survey and the literature review confirm that housing delivery at municipality level is slow, that municipal officials need training and more employees to insure that housing delivery improves. The results also show the importance of infrastructure and land, the importance of implementing housing policies and processes adequately.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Shape memory Alloy Actuator for cross-feed in turning operation
- Authors: Otieno, Timothy
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Shape memory alloys -- Mechanical properties , Shape memory alloys , Intermetallic compounds , Materials -- Mechanical properties
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9650 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012590 , Shape memory alloys -- Mechanical properties , Shape memory alloys , Intermetallic compounds , Materials -- Mechanical properties
- Description: A shape memory alloy (SMA) is an intermetallic compound able to recover, in a continuous and reversible way, a predetermined shape during a thermal cycle while generating mechanical work. In this thesis, its use in developing an actuator for a machining process is investigated. The actuator is to drive the tool cross feed into an aluminium workpiece in a finishing lathe operation. The actuator structure was designed with an output shaft to transfer the movement and force of the SMA wire outside the device. The actuator was fabricated and the experimental setup was assembled which also included a power supply control circuit, displacement sensor, temperature sensor and current sensor for feedback, and data collection and monitoring within software. PID control was implemented within the software that regulated the power supplied to the SMA, thereby providing the position control. This study covers the mechatronics system design and development of the actuator, the experiments carried out to determine performance and the results. Open loop tests were conducted to determine the maximum stroke, the effect of cooling and response to radial forces. These tests revealed the expected non-linearity of the SMA. The actuator achieved the rated maximum stroke of 3-4 percent. The forced cooling test showed a general improvement of approximately 65 percent with fans. The radial force tests showed the value of the maximum stroke remained unaffected by force. The results from the closed loop tests responses with a tuned PID controller produced a stable system for various displacement setpoints. The actuator had a feed rate of 0.25 mm/s and an accuracy of 0.0153mm, which was within the acceptable accuracy for turning operations. The system was deemed accurate for a conventional lathe machine cross feed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Otieno, Timothy
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Shape memory alloys -- Mechanical properties , Shape memory alloys , Intermetallic compounds , Materials -- Mechanical properties
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9650 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012590 , Shape memory alloys -- Mechanical properties , Shape memory alloys , Intermetallic compounds , Materials -- Mechanical properties
- Description: A shape memory alloy (SMA) is an intermetallic compound able to recover, in a continuous and reversible way, a predetermined shape during a thermal cycle while generating mechanical work. In this thesis, its use in developing an actuator for a machining process is investigated. The actuator is to drive the tool cross feed into an aluminium workpiece in a finishing lathe operation. The actuator structure was designed with an output shaft to transfer the movement and force of the SMA wire outside the device. The actuator was fabricated and the experimental setup was assembled which also included a power supply control circuit, displacement sensor, temperature sensor and current sensor for feedback, and data collection and monitoring within software. PID control was implemented within the software that regulated the power supplied to the SMA, thereby providing the position control. This study covers the mechatronics system design and development of the actuator, the experiments carried out to determine performance and the results. Open loop tests were conducted to determine the maximum stroke, the effect of cooling and response to radial forces. These tests revealed the expected non-linearity of the SMA. The actuator achieved the rated maximum stroke of 3-4 percent. The forced cooling test showed a general improvement of approximately 65 percent with fans. The radial force tests showed the value of the maximum stroke remained unaffected by force. The results from the closed loop tests responses with a tuned PID controller produced a stable system for various displacement setpoints. The actuator had a feed rate of 0.25 mm/s and an accuracy of 0.0153mm, which was within the acceptable accuracy for turning operations. The system was deemed accurate for a conventional lathe machine cross feed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A model for information security control audit for small to mid-sized organisations
- Authors: Deysel, Natasha
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Data protection , Computer networks -- Information technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9760 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/940 , Data protection , Computer networks -- Information technology
- Description: Organisations are increasingly dependent on their information. Compromise to this information in terms of loss, inaccuracy or competitors gaining unauthorised access could have devastating consequences for the organisation. Therefore, information security governance has become a major concern for all organisations, large and small. Information security governance is based on a set of policies and internal controls by which organisations direct and manage their information security. An effective information security governance programme should be based on a recognised framework, such as the Control Objectives for Information and related Technology (COBIT). COBIT focuses on what control objectives must be achieved in order to effectively manage the information technology environment. It has become very clear that if a company is serious about information security governance, it needs to apply the COBIT framework that deals with information security. The problem in some medium-sized organisations is that they do not realise the importance of information security governance and are either unaware of the risks or choose to ignore these risks as they do not have the expertise or resources available to provide them with assurance that they have the right information security controls in place to protect their organisation against threats.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Deysel, Natasha
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Data protection , Computer networks -- Information technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9760 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/940 , Data protection , Computer networks -- Information technology
- Description: Organisations are increasingly dependent on their information. Compromise to this information in terms of loss, inaccuracy or competitors gaining unauthorised access could have devastating consequences for the organisation. Therefore, information security governance has become a major concern for all organisations, large and small. Information security governance is based on a set of policies and internal controls by which organisations direct and manage their information security. An effective information security governance programme should be based on a recognised framework, such as the Control Objectives for Information and related Technology (COBIT). COBIT focuses on what control objectives must be achieved in order to effectively manage the information technology environment. It has become very clear that if a company is serious about information security governance, it needs to apply the COBIT framework that deals with information security. The problem in some medium-sized organisations is that they do not realise the importance of information security governance and are either unaware of the risks or choose to ignore these risks as they do not have the expertise or resources available to provide them with assurance that they have the right information security controls in place to protect their organisation against threats.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The effects of hyperinflation on the Zimbabwean construction industry
- Authors: Moyo, Admire
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Inflation (Finance) -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions , Construction industry -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9687 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1197 , Inflation (Finance) -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions , Construction industry -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe
- Description: Less than two decades ago, Zimbabwe was a symbol for the rest of the world of what Africa could become (Dell, 2005). DiSilvio (2007) contends that independent Zimbabwe was an economic success on route to attaining status of the most “developed country” in Africa. Contrary to expectations, by 2003 the Zimbabwean economy was shrinking faster than any other economy in the world at 18 percent per year (Richardson, 2005). Reports indicate that the Zimbabwean economy is in crisis and has since been set back by more than 50 years (Matikinye, 2005). This phenomenon necessitated the need for an investigation to ascertain its cause in Zimbabwe. As a result, the research identifies and presents hyperinflation as the root cause of the crisis in Zimbabwe and illustrates the validity of this assertion with a focus on the Zimbabwean construction industry. As part of the research inquiry, a review of related literature was conducted. The literature review illustrated the generic effects of hyperinflation as well as the effects of this phenomenon in action in Zimbabwe. The literature study was followed by a questionnaire survey. The questionnaire was completed by 23 contractors and 7 clients from a census of contractors and clients in Zimbabwe. The questionnaire consisted of a number of variables, which the respondents were asked to rate vis-à-vis the effects of hyperinflation in the construction industry. In summary, the questionnaire sought to determine the causes of hyperinflation in Zimbabwe, its specific effects on the construction industry and how respondents thought the phenomenon could be mitigated so as to revive the Zimbabwean construction industry. The techniques of re-scaling, in conjunction with descriptive and inferential statistics, ranking and quadrant analysis were applied to the data. Results from these analyses revealed a high degree of agreement among respondents vis-à-vis the effects of hyperinflation on the Zimbabwean construction industry. The interpretation of the results further revealed that hyperinflation has undoubtedly led to the collapse of the Zimbabwean construction industry. In conclusion, the research, applying the interpretations of v the survey findings, prescribes a number of ways in which the Zimbabwean construction sector may be resurrected. Among the recommended prescriptions, there are a number of debatable issues that arise that the researcher proposes should be subject to future study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Moyo, Admire
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Inflation (Finance) -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions , Construction industry -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9687 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1197 , Inflation (Finance) -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions , Construction industry -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe
- Description: Less than two decades ago, Zimbabwe was a symbol for the rest of the world of what Africa could become (Dell, 2005). DiSilvio (2007) contends that independent Zimbabwe was an economic success on route to attaining status of the most “developed country” in Africa. Contrary to expectations, by 2003 the Zimbabwean economy was shrinking faster than any other economy in the world at 18 percent per year (Richardson, 2005). Reports indicate that the Zimbabwean economy is in crisis and has since been set back by more than 50 years (Matikinye, 2005). This phenomenon necessitated the need for an investigation to ascertain its cause in Zimbabwe. As a result, the research identifies and presents hyperinflation as the root cause of the crisis in Zimbabwe and illustrates the validity of this assertion with a focus on the Zimbabwean construction industry. As part of the research inquiry, a review of related literature was conducted. The literature review illustrated the generic effects of hyperinflation as well as the effects of this phenomenon in action in Zimbabwe. The literature study was followed by a questionnaire survey. The questionnaire was completed by 23 contractors and 7 clients from a census of contractors and clients in Zimbabwe. The questionnaire consisted of a number of variables, which the respondents were asked to rate vis-à-vis the effects of hyperinflation in the construction industry. In summary, the questionnaire sought to determine the causes of hyperinflation in Zimbabwe, its specific effects on the construction industry and how respondents thought the phenomenon could be mitigated so as to revive the Zimbabwean construction industry. The techniques of re-scaling, in conjunction with descriptive and inferential statistics, ranking and quadrant analysis were applied to the data. Results from these analyses revealed a high degree of agreement among respondents vis-à-vis the effects of hyperinflation on the Zimbabwean construction industry. The interpretation of the results further revealed that hyperinflation has undoubtedly led to the collapse of the Zimbabwean construction industry. In conclusion, the research, applying the interpretations of v the survey findings, prescribes a number of ways in which the Zimbabwean construction sector may be resurrected. Among the recommended prescriptions, there are a number of debatable issues that arise that the researcher proposes should be subject to future study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Asset management plan for Coega Development Corporation
- Authors: Vabaza, Zolisa
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Production management , Product life cycle
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9682 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/2113 , Production management , Product life cycle
- Description: Asset Management, which evolved from maintenance management, is a set of processes, tools and measures that provide a shared understanding of an organisation’s physical assets. The process of asset management involves creation of a register of assets and recording of details of planned work. It also covers scheduling and recording of work done in order to create financial and technical history of assets. The life cycle of an asset consists of the acquisition operation, maintenance and disposal phases. These four aspects of an asset’s life represent the high level framework for asset management. This framework is crucial in development of asset management plans. The plan in turn, creates a road map for asset management excellence. By optimising the performance of asset management practices and processes a positive contribution can be made to the profitability of an organisation. The objective of this study was to develop a plan for the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) that would assist in management, maintenance, tracking and replacement of assets. The research primarily focused on the asset management requirements within the organizational context. The methodology employed in the study included a review of the relevant literature and case study conducted at CDC. The case study approach was very appropriate as it dealt with the current situation at CDC. Primary data was collected through interviews. Secondary data was collected from books, journals and other sources. Data was collected in words instead of numbers. The findings show that the CDC does not have an Asset Management Plan which results into the lack of information in the current asset register, a lack of specialist information systems, a lack of resources and an absence of a planning function in the skills sets of various units within the organisation. The Asset Register should work as a basic system for management of assets. The findings show that asset management can be used to comprehensively address the relevant elements of the organisations’ assets framework.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Vabaza, Zolisa
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Production management , Product life cycle
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9682 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/2113 , Production management , Product life cycle
- Description: Asset Management, which evolved from maintenance management, is a set of processes, tools and measures that provide a shared understanding of an organisation’s physical assets. The process of asset management involves creation of a register of assets and recording of details of planned work. It also covers scheduling and recording of work done in order to create financial and technical history of assets. The life cycle of an asset consists of the acquisition operation, maintenance and disposal phases. These four aspects of an asset’s life represent the high level framework for asset management. This framework is crucial in development of asset management plans. The plan in turn, creates a road map for asset management excellence. By optimising the performance of asset management practices and processes a positive contribution can be made to the profitability of an organisation. The objective of this study was to develop a plan for the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) that would assist in management, maintenance, tracking and replacement of assets. The research primarily focused on the asset management requirements within the organizational context. The methodology employed in the study included a review of the relevant literature and case study conducted at CDC. The case study approach was very appropriate as it dealt with the current situation at CDC. Primary data was collected through interviews. Secondary data was collected from books, journals and other sources. Data was collected in words instead of numbers. The findings show that the CDC does not have an Asset Management Plan which results into the lack of information in the current asset register, a lack of specialist information systems, a lack of resources and an absence of a planning function in the skills sets of various units within the organisation. The Asset Register should work as a basic system for management of assets. The findings show that asset management can be used to comprehensively address the relevant elements of the organisations’ assets framework.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Modelling and control of combustion in a high velocity air flame (HVAF) thermal spraying process
- Authors: Barth, Dominic
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Metal spraying , Combustion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9644 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1266 , Metal spraying , Combustion
- Description: Thermal spraying is a technology, which is used for coating of components and structures in order to achieve certain tribological characteristics, or for protection against corrosion, excessive temperature and wear. Within thermal spray, there are processes, which utilise combustion of liquid fuel to obtain high velocities flows providing, therefore, good adhesion of coating materials to substrates. These include High Velocity Oxygen Flame (HVOF) and High Velocity Air Flame (HVAF) process, of which the former one is widely used as it has been developed for at least two decades, while HVAF is less common. However, some studies indicate that HVAF has a number of advantages over HVOF, including the economic benefits. The thermal spray gun, based on the HVAF process, has been developed before, but the system was controlled manually. Therefore, there is a need to develop a fully automated controller of an HVAF thermal spray system. Process control of thermal spraying is highly complex as it involves simultaneous control of a number of processes, including; ignition process, combustion process, spraying material melting, as well as control and monitoring of auxiliary equipment. This paper presents the development of a control system for an HVAF thermal spray system, based on a Microchip PIC microcontroller. The designed control system was applied for controlling of thermal spraying of carbides powders, and provided a reliable ignition and stable combustion process, powder feeding and all other functions of control.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Barth, Dominic
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Metal spraying , Combustion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9644 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1266 , Metal spraying , Combustion
- Description: Thermal spraying is a technology, which is used for coating of components and structures in order to achieve certain tribological characteristics, or for protection against corrosion, excessive temperature and wear. Within thermal spray, there are processes, which utilise combustion of liquid fuel to obtain high velocities flows providing, therefore, good adhesion of coating materials to substrates. These include High Velocity Oxygen Flame (HVOF) and High Velocity Air Flame (HVAF) process, of which the former one is widely used as it has been developed for at least two decades, while HVAF is less common. However, some studies indicate that HVAF has a number of advantages over HVOF, including the economic benefits. The thermal spray gun, based on the HVAF process, has been developed before, but the system was controlled manually. Therefore, there is a need to develop a fully automated controller of an HVAF thermal spray system. Process control of thermal spraying is highly complex as it involves simultaneous control of a number of processes, including; ignition process, combustion process, spraying material melting, as well as control and monitoring of auxiliary equipment. This paper presents the development of a control system for an HVAF thermal spray system, based on a Microchip PIC microcontroller. The designed control system was applied for controlling of thermal spraying of carbides powders, and provided a reliable ignition and stable combustion process, powder feeding and all other functions of control.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Addressing the digital divide through the implementation of a wireless school network
- Authors: Du Preez, Creswell
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Educational technology -- South Africa , Information technology -- Social aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9758 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1298 , Educational technology -- South Africa , Information technology -- Social aspects -- South Africa
- Description: Societal trends have changed more in the last decade than they have in the last century. This is particularly prevalent in the education environment. Concepts such as Lifelong Learning (the continued learning/educating of an individual throughout his/her lifetime), New Competencies (technology that is now part of almost every skill in the workplace) and Telecommuting (more people working from home rather than traditional offices) have become common-place today (Twigg, 1996, pp. 1-2). Education delivery needs to provide for these societal changes in order to ensure competent individuals pass on to the next level of education and ultimately to the work force. With key trends in technology such as Digitization, Maturation and Disintermediation becoming common in the workplace, education delivery must address the ―Digital Divide. (Twigg, 1996, pp. 2-3). Historically, schools in South Africa have used traditional teaching methods that have stayed the same for the last century. Educational institutions in South Africa, in particular, the previously disadvantaged schools of the Eastern Cape, face various challenges such as the dwindling ability to collect school fees from parents of scholars and declining financial support from the government. In Chapter Seven of the Draft White Paper on e-Education, which was gazetted on 26 August, 2004, the DoE, as part of its implementation strategies, urged the private sector to respond by implementing ICT initiatives nationwide. Phase 1 of the strategy advocated that ―Institutions are connected, access the internet and communicate electronically. (Department of Education, 2004, pp. 37-40). This dissertation shows that it is feasible to create a communications’ network among South African schools. It is believed that such a network can add great value to the education system in South Africa. The potential for this network to address the gap in the Digital Divide is enormous. This dissertation examines various ICT communications’ technologies and isolates wireless communications’ technology as best suited for this purpose, due to the speeds offered by the technology and the cost structure associated with it. A case study examines a pilot installation of the network and endeavours to prove the concept.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Du Preez, Creswell
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Educational technology -- South Africa , Information technology -- Social aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9758 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1298 , Educational technology -- South Africa , Information technology -- Social aspects -- South Africa
- Description: Societal trends have changed more in the last decade than they have in the last century. This is particularly prevalent in the education environment. Concepts such as Lifelong Learning (the continued learning/educating of an individual throughout his/her lifetime), New Competencies (technology that is now part of almost every skill in the workplace) and Telecommuting (more people working from home rather than traditional offices) have become common-place today (Twigg, 1996, pp. 1-2). Education delivery needs to provide for these societal changes in order to ensure competent individuals pass on to the next level of education and ultimately to the work force. With key trends in technology such as Digitization, Maturation and Disintermediation becoming common in the workplace, education delivery must address the ―Digital Divide. (Twigg, 1996, pp. 2-3). Historically, schools in South Africa have used traditional teaching methods that have stayed the same for the last century. Educational institutions in South Africa, in particular, the previously disadvantaged schools of the Eastern Cape, face various challenges such as the dwindling ability to collect school fees from parents of scholars and declining financial support from the government. In Chapter Seven of the Draft White Paper on e-Education, which was gazetted on 26 August, 2004, the DoE, as part of its implementation strategies, urged the private sector to respond by implementing ICT initiatives nationwide. Phase 1 of the strategy advocated that ―Institutions are connected, access the internet and communicate electronically. (Department of Education, 2004, pp. 37-40). This dissertation shows that it is feasible to create a communications’ network among South African schools. It is believed that such a network can add great value to the education system in South Africa. The potential for this network to address the gap in the Digital Divide is enormous. This dissertation examines various ICT communications’ technologies and isolates wireless communications’ technology as best suited for this purpose, due to the speeds offered by the technology and the cost structure associated with it. A case study examines a pilot installation of the network and endeavours to prove the concept.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
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