Face-to-face talk and synchronous chat as learning tools in tutorial classes

The purpose of this article is to present an explorative study on the role of synchronous electronic discussions in the context of tutorial lectures on literature. More specifically, synchronous electronic interaction is compared with small-group discussions. A single session of each instructional method was recorded and analysed qualitatively, from a conversation analytic approach. The findings suggest that although synchronous chat and small-group discussion share certain characteristics, they are also distinct in several significant ways. The implications that these differences hold for language instruction are then discussed.Keywords: synchronous CMC, tutorials, CLT, group work, blended learning, CAL

Scaffolding an intervention for essay writing

This article reports on a series of language activities which were implemented to improve first-year students’ writing skills in a South African university. These activities focus on writing skills in literature courses, with specific emphasis on organising and supporting an argument. They were specifically designed on the basis of observations in tutorial lectures and test responses, as well as the principles of constructivism and OBE (outcomes-based education). This article will discuss the design of these activities as well as students’ written responses. Based on this explorative analysis, the article aims to suggest areas for future research.Keywords: scaffolding, constructivism, essay writing, tutorial

Thermal performance of heavy-weight and light-weight steel frame construction approaches in the central Pretoria climate

Published ArticleThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the thermal performance of two buildings. The one has a large thermal mass and the other a highly insulated low thermal mass. A typical 120 m2 suburban building was modelled in Ecotect. As part of the model infiltration rate, wind sensitivity and a central Pretoria weather file were used. New material composites were introduced in the materials database to represent typical building materials used in the construction of heavy and light-weight buildings in South Africa. The thermal characteristics of these new materials were then calculated within Ecotect. Ecomat was used to calculate thermal lag which was used as an additional input into Ecotect. The research indicates that a low thermal mass and highly insulated building have been shown to use 18.3% less annual space heating and cooling energy when compared to the high thermal mass building. The good thermal performance results of the light-weight building will help in clearing scepticism to adopting this construction technology in southern Africa where high thermal mass masonry is still predominant

Is synchronous computermediated communication a viable instructional mode in the language classroom? A facilitator and learner perspective

Increasing enrolments at tertiary institutions in South Africa have seena proliferation in the number of courses offered via blended learning systems. This paper reports on one such system at the University of the Free State in which a thirdyear module, Computer-assisted Language Learning, was offered via WebCT in 2007. During synchronous communication, a simulation was devised in which learners had to (a) complete activities in a foreign language (Latin)1, and (b) discuss the feasibility of learning a foreign language in synchronous WebCT Chat. Employing a conversationanalytic perspective, the logs were analysed to determine whether the interaction reflected in them replicated that characteristic of face-to-face classroom interaction. Once the discourse study had been completed, the logs were used to determine learners’ perceptions of synchronous learning. As a follow-up exercise, some of the learners wrote an assignment in which they had to weigh up the strengths and weaknesses of the networked environment for language learning. The findings of both analyses confirm the notion among some researchers that ‘[c]ontroversy surrounds the relative learning benefits of synchronous...text-based discussion...’ (Johnson, 2008: 166).Keywords: blended learning, CALL, synchronous CMC, WebCT Cha

Facilitating critical enquiry about race and racism in a digital environment: Design considerations

Increasingly, instructors working in higher education settings are exploiting asynchronous online forums to facilitate difficult dialogues on social issues such as sexuality, race, and diversity. We interrogate the task design we employed to construct a digital space in which undergraduate English Studies students could discuss race and racism in the context of a study of contemporary understandings and manifestations of race. Within the realm of computer-mediated discourse analysis, we employed Booth and Hultén’s (2003)taxonomy of key contributions to meaningful online discussion to determine if students’ posts displayed not only knowledge-sharing discourse, but also knowledge-construction and knowledge-creation discourses. We discovered that although students co-constructed knowledge and, in some instances, created new artefacts, they mainly shared and compared ideas. We therefore consider how our task design should be altered to foster critical enquiry. Although not our main focus, we also take into account phenomena our data analysis revealed that cannot be overlooked when it comes to online discussions of contentious issues. These phenomena include emotional responses to racism and micro-aggressions. We adopt the view that these elements are an unavoidable part of a difficult dialogue, and that facilitators need to prepare their students to converse in uncomfortable spaces. Keywords: asynchronous online forums, difficult dialogues, task design, knowledge sharing, knowledge construction, knowledge creatio

Prevalence and aetiology of thyrotoxicosis in patients with hyperemesis gravidarum presenting to a tertiary hospital in Cape Town, South Africa

Background: The association between hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and abnormal thyroid function is well known.Aims: The prevalence, aetiology and course of thyrotoxicosis in women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) were studied.Methods: Women admitted for HG, who underwent thyroid function evaluation between 1 August 2016 and 30 April 2019, were studied. Laboratory data included baseline human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and baseline (t1), discharge (t2) and follow-up (t3) thyroid function tests (thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] and free  thyroxin [fT4]). Available TSH receptor antibody status was assessed.Results: Eighty-two patients were included. The incidence of thyrotoxicosis was 49% based on local laboratory TSH range and 48% if trimester-specific ranges used. In the majority of normal pregnancies, thyrotoxicosis was hCG-mediated (72.5%), 15% were confirmed to have Graves’ disease and 12% had a molar pregnancy. Very high fT4 levels (> 40 pmol/l) at baseline [t1] were documented in 24% of women with hCG-mediated thyrotoxicosis. Clinical features were absent in a third of women with Graves’ disease and the diagnosis was reliant on positive antibody status. Free T4 values declined from (t1) to later in gestation (t3) (p < 0.001).Conclusion: The incidence of thyrotoxicosis in women with HG is high. Free-T4 values decrease with clinical stabilisation of HG, suggesting a contribution of dehydration to the large variation in baseline fT4 measurements. Testing for TSH-receptor antibodies should be considered in women with TSH < 0.01 pmol/l and persistent fT4 elevation on follow-up. Final review of thyroid function should be performed after 15 weeks’ gestation

Prevalence and incidence of symmetrical symptomatic peripheral neuropathy in patients with multidrug - resistant TB

KMBackground: Symptomatic symmetrical peripheral neuropathy (SSPN) is common in patients with HIV infection. It is also a common adverse event associated with both tuberculosis (TB) treatment and antiretroviral therapy (ART), particularly stavudine. While tenofovir is the one of recommended first-line nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), there is a risk of nephrotoxicity when using tenofovir together with the aminoglycosides needed to treat multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB. Thus, stavudine is often chosen as a treatment option for the HIV-infected MDR TB patient. Objective: To assess whether use of stavudine both before and during treatment for MDR TB increased the prevalence and incidence of SSPN. Method: MDR TB patients at Sizwe Tropical Disease Hospital were examined for signs of prevalent SSPN. Age, gender, HIV status, alcohol use, TB and HIV treatment regimens both prior to admission and current, and concomitant medications were recorded. Results: In this cohort of 246 patients, we found that 24.4% of patients with MDR TB had SSPN at time of admission for treatment of MDR TB. They were more likely to be HIV-infected (odds ratio (OR) 3.21; 95% CI 1.25 - 8.21) and tended to have longer (>7 months) exposure to stavudine (OR 1.81; 95% CI 0.90 - 3.63). Incident SSPN occurred in 17% of patients and was associated with older age (hazard ratio (HR) 3.00; 95% CI 1.30 - 6.89) and exposure to terizidone (HR 2.98; 95% CI 0.94 to 4.61) or, to a lesser extent, with stavudine (crude HR 1.62; 95% CI 0.65 - 4.01) in the first 6 months of MDR TB treatment. This common adverse event emphasises the need for the development of less toxic drugs for the treatment of MDR TB

When the clinic is not yet built … the Avian Park Service Learning Centre story

The Ukwanda Centre for Rural Health (UCRH) opened in 2001, followed 10 years later by the establishment of the Ukwanda Rural Clinical School in one of the rural health districts of the Western Cape. This paper relates the journey of the Faculty with the underserviced community of Avian Park through the provision of healthcare services aimed at addressing needs identified by the local community. It attempts to substantiate the meaning of the word Ukwanda, translated ‘to grow’ and ‘develop within the community’ in order to reach the primary goal of being an ‘engaged institution’. The Avian Park Service Learning Centre (APSLC) is the culmination of the aspirations of a number of stakeholders who wanted to respond to the community needs for access to basic healthcare while providing learning opportunities for students. Initially only patients with chronic diseases of lifestyle, tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS were seen by community care-workers (CCWs). Through a number of service-learning initiatives in Avian Park, a variety of health services have developed in the community. CCWs have become teachers, community developers and an integral part of the health service team. They enhance access to the residents, community projects and networking within the community.The APSLC improves the opportunities to integrate theoretical academic work with practical application, providing students with a unique opportunity to be involved in healthcare service design and development (as active participants, not observers) based on community-identified needs. University and community collaboration has been purposeful and aims to strengthen community engagement, while up-skilling residents and affording community-based education opportunities for health professions

In black south africans from rural and urban communities, the 4G/5G PAI-1 polymorphism influences PAI-1 activity, but not plasma clot lysis time

Data on genetic and environmental factors influencing PAI-1 levels and their consequent effect on clot lysis in black African populations are limited. We identified polymorphisms in the promoter area of the PAI-1 gene and determined their influence on PAI-1act levels and plasma clot lysis time (CLT). We also describe gene-environment interactions and the effect of urbanisation. Data from 2010 apparently healthy urban and rural black participants from the South African arm of the PURE study were cross-sectionally analysed. The 5G allele frequency of the 4G/5G polymorphism was 0.85. PAI-1act increased across genotypes in the urban subgroup (p = 0.009) but not significantly in the rural subgroup, while CLT did not differ across genotypes. Significant interaction terms were found between the 4G/5G polymorphism and BMI, waist circumference and triglycerides in determining PAI-1act, and between the 4G/5G polymorphism and fibrinogen and fibrinogen gamma prime in determining CLT. The C428T and G429A polymorphisms did not show direct relationships with PAI-1act or CLT but they did influence the association of other environmental factors with PAI-1 act and CLT. Several of these interactions differed significantly between rural and urban subgroups, particularly in individuals harbouring the mutant alleles. In conclusion, although the 4G/5G polymorphism significantly affected PAI-1act, it contributed less than 1% to the PAI-1 act variance. (Central) obesity was the biggest contributor to PAI-1act variance (12.5%). Urbanisation significantly influenced the effect of the 4G/5G polymorphism on PAI-1act as well as gene-environment interactions for the C428T and G429A genotypes in determining PAI-1act and CLT

Aspirations and human development interventions

What role can aspirations play in small-scale human development interventions? In this paper, we contribute to answering that question with both conceptual and empirical work. Aspirations can play at least two roles in small-scale human development interventions: the capabilities-selecting role and the agency-unlocking role. While aspirations also face the challenge of adaptation to adverse circumstances and unjust social structures, we argue that this challenge can be met by embedding the formulation and expression of aspirations within a setting of public discussion and awareness-raising activities, and that adaptation can be further countered by including a commitment to action. We then report on field research done in Khayelitsha, a township in Cape Town, South Africa, where a group of women went through a process of voicing, examining, and then realizing their aspirations. The action research confirms our theoretical hypotheses. We also do not find any evidence of adaptation of the women’s aspirations, and argue that the absence of such adaptation might be a result of active capability selection, reflection, deliberation, and the exercise of agency throughout the action research programme.Web of Scienc