The pharmacologically improved human. Performance-enhancing substances as a social challenge. Final Report

For some years now, in response to the rising challenges of global socioeconomic competition, both the scientific community and the public have been debating whether the improvement of individuals’ performance with the help of technical or biomedical interventions in the human body – termed enhancement – is a welcome, inevitable or undesirable vision of the future. The report on brain research by the Office of Technology Assessment at the German Bundestag (TAB) (Bundestagsdrucksache 16/7821) also presented evidence of a growing trend towards the use of pharmaceuticals and other medical interventions to specifically influence mental states and capacities. Following publication of the highly respected TAB report »Gene Doping«, an analysis of physical performance enhancement in sport, the Committee for Education, Research and Technology Assessment commissioned the TAB to undertake a technology assessment project on »pharmacological and technical interventions to improve performance – prospects for more widespread use in medicine and everyday life« (»Enhancement Project«). The TAB’s final report analyzes the areas of development and use with the greatest social and political relevance now and in the foreseeable future, i.e. current developments and plausible trends regarding the use of psychopharmaceuticals and other drugs to enhance performance in working and everyday life. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the current status of possibilities to influence human performance by pharmacological means and of the classification of those agents within the framework of laws regulating medicines, foods and healthcare. This will facilitate a realistic discussion of future developments that clearly stands out from previous hypothetical and visionary descriptions of enhancement. The report shows that the targeted development and use of pharmacological substances for nontherapeutic performance enhancement is incompatible with the current objectives of the medical innovation system and the remit of doctors. A change in this situation would require a far-reaching public and political opinion-forming process. At the same time, the systematic analysis of the scientific approach to the doping problem in elite and competitive sport undertaken in the TAB report points to the need for a thorough public debate on how to deal with growing demands for performance and innate differences in abilities among individuals. The report based on TAB report Nr. 143 »Pharmakologische Interventionen zur Leistungssteigerung als gesellschaftliche Herausforderung. Endbericht zum TA-Projekt« examines the options for action in the fields of research, regulation, healthcare consumer protection and prevention

Common barriers to learning in the grade 10 English home language classroom and informed (innovative) ways in dealing with them in high school

Magister Educationis - MEdThe purpose of this study was to explore informed ways of teaching when confronted with the kind of common barriers in grade 10 visible both in and out of the classroom. This qualitative study describes the innovative methods that teachers use. The theoretical framework undergirding this study is effective teacher research. The research design involved interviews of twelve Grade 10 learners, focus group and observations of two teachers. In addition, two student teachers in their final year were also observed. The research captured teaching methods that are already known. However, the research in this thesis also added some new dimensions that many teachers might not know or might not be using in their classroom. These teaching methods revealed the extent to which effective teachers will go to make a difference for their learners. The teaching methods harnessed “the ability from the learner to recreate, imagine and empower their understanding of the world they live in” (CAPS). The findings of the study reveal that creative ways of teaching has the ability to bring about the essential improvement of learner achievement. This falls in line with the South African Education comprehensive programme, which is referred to as Action Plan 2014: Towards the Realization of Schooling 2025

Sentencing 2017

An exhaustive overview and analysis of developments with regard to Sentencing in South Africa during the year 2017

Criminal Procedure 2017

An exhaustive overview and analysis of developments in South African Criminal Procedure during the year 2017

An investigation into English home language teachers’ use of the English home language textbook in Grade 11

Philosophiae Doctor - PhDThe study investigates how English Home language teachers use the English Home language textbook in the grade 11 classroom. It aspires to generate an understanding of the strong relationship between the teacher, textbook and the learner thereby illustrating how a recognition of the various ways the textbook can be used. By addressing methodological issues and text relevancy as a tool for learner connection, the research appraises the use of text relevancy in the grade 11 classroom. In upholding a constructivist view of teaching the research postulates that the use of textbook material that holds a connection to learners’ lives can help increase the proficiency of the learners in the classroom and bring a deeper motivation for increase learner participation. The investigation uses a qualitative methodology to study and describe the dynamics of using the textbook. The research captured teaching methods that are already known. However, the research in this thesis also added some new dimensions that many teachers might not know of or might not be using in their classroom. These teaching methods revealed the extent to which effective teachers will go to make a difference for their learners. The teaching methods harnessed the ability from the learner to recreate, imagine and empower their understanding of the world they live in with an understanding of current topics that surfaces in a teenager’s life. The findings indicate that the textbook is still relevant and can be used in some creative ways of teaching. The study also affirms that it is possible to develop your own textbook, which can add a greater connection between the teacher and the learner