THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FRAMEWORK FOR THE USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM

Published ThesisThe aim of this study was to explore the development of a framework for the use of Information and Communication Technology in the classroom. It was clear from the study that teachers lack Information and Communication Technology (ICT) capability, and should therefore be trained and retrained. While they are expected to produce quality education, they are also expected to receive training which is a time-consuming exercise and often makes teachers want to give up on the implementation of ICT in the classroom. If teachers were to use ICT in the classroom, it would change the passive role of the learners in which they merely receive knowledge to a more active role where they construct their own knowledge. In addition, teachers would have the opportunity to connect with experts, and have access to global resources. Teachers should be motivated to use ICT to improve the quality of their teaching. This, together with proper ICT skills, would ensure the effective use of ICT. To ascertain the effective use of ICT by teachers, research was conducted in ten secondary schools in Bloemfontein. A random sample of 30 secondary school teachers was drawn from ten schools. A mixed methods approach was used to the collect data, i.e. qualitative (questionnaires) and qualitative (interviews). Questionnaires were administered to the participants and were then followed by unstructured interviews. The research participants were selected randomly from the study population in an unbiased manner to produce quantifiable, reliable data. Mix methods designs provide advantages when a researcher is exploring complex research questions. The findings of this study revealed that teachers have a positive attitude towards the use of ICT, and that it enables better teaching standards and educational outcomes. Teachers also have barriers that hinder them from using ICT in the classroom

China in Sub-Saharan Africa: implications for HRM policy and practice at organizational level

The presence of China in Africa has introduced a new geopolitical dynamic that should be incorporated into the way international HRM is studied cross-culturally. Despite a growing literature on China’s international relations with and investment in Africa, little previous study has been undertaken at organizational level. We review relevant literature, together with that on management and organization in Africa and China, to develop a conceptual framework that incorporates critiques of North-South interactions including Dependency Theories that posits first world development is based on third world underdevelopment, and Postcolonial Theory that posits the South’s knowledge dependency on the North. We consider how a growing South-South dynamic may be integrated into a consideration of power dynamics and cultural crossvergence, and construct organizational and management ‘ideal types’ to enable us to frame a research agenda in this area. This is important as it is difficult to sustain cross-cultural scholarship merely on cultural comparisons. By providing a way of studying cultural hybrid forms of organization, or cultural ‘third spaces’, it is hoped this will contribute to understanding the implications to people management practice in South-South partnerships, not only in Chinese organizations in Africa, but to contribute theoretically to the development of cross-cultural management studies and its application to International HRM

Sarcoma Botryoides of the vagina

No Abstrac

Full-Depth Recycling Study: Test Track Construction and First Level Analysis of Phase 1 HVS and Laboratory Testing

This first-level report describes the first phase of a study comparing the performance of four different full-depth pavement reclamation strategies, namely pulverization with no stabilization (FDR-NS), stabilization with foamed asphalt and portland cement (FDR-FA), stabilization with portland cement only (FDR-PC), and stabilization with engineered asphalt emulsion (FDR-EE). A literature review, the test track layout and design, stabilization and asphalt concrete mix designs, and test track construction are discussed, as well as results of Heavy Vehicle Simulator (HVS) and laboratory testing. A number of problems were experienced during construction of the FDR-PC and FDR-EE lanes on the test track and consequently only the FDR-NS and FDR-FA lanes and one section of the FDR-PC lane (5 percent measured cement content) were considered satisfactorily uniform for the purposes of accelerated pavement testing. The FDR-FA and FDR-PC sections performed very well and testing on both was terminated long before the terminal rut of 0.5 in. (12.5 mm) or average crack density of 0.8 ft/ft2 (2.5 m/m2 ) were reached (no cracks were observed on either section). The two FDR-NS sections performed acceptably, with the section with the thicker asphalt surfacing (120 mm) outperforming the section with the thinner asphalt surfacing (60 mm), as expected. Terminal rut was reached on both sections, but no cracking was observed. The FDR-EE sections performed poorly, with terminal rut and terminal cracking both reached after a limited number of load repetitions. This poor performance was attributed to problems associated with construction, and consequently no conclusions can be drawn from the test results regarding this stabilization strategy. The advantages of using foamed asphalt with cement and cement only recycling strategies over recycling strategies with no stabilization are clearly evident from the results. A second phase of accelerated pavement testing, full-scale field testing, and additional laboratory testing are planned to collect sufficient data for the development of mechanistic-empirical design criteria (and revised gravel factors) for full-depth reclaimed pavements. However, there is sufficient evidence to show that pavements that are rehabilitated using full-depth reclamation strategies will satisfactorily withstand design traffic levels common in California. Rehabilitation using this approach is quick, has minimal disruption to traffic, reuses all materials, does not require removal of material from the site, and effectively replaces weak base layers, thus preventing reflective cracking that is common in more traditional overlay projects. Based on these conclusions, it is recommended that full-depth reclamation be promoted as an appropriate rehabilitation strategy in California. Future research on partial- and full-depth reclamation should be coordinated to facilitate consistent design and specification documentation, and to facilitate the preparation of a comprehensive guide covering all forms of pavement recycling

Primary school teachers’ knowledge and misperceptions of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Putting inclusive education into practice and within diverse classrooms, teachers have to support and teach according to a variety of needs and preferences of learners, among them learners with ADHD. Teachers are seen as some of the most valuable sources of information with regard to referral and diagnosis of this disorder. They are also responsible for creating an environment that is conducive to academic, social and emotional success for children with ADHD. However, since there is some doubt as to whether teachers have the appropriate knowledge of ADHD to fulfill this important role, we aimed at assessing the knowledge and misperceptions of primary school teachers in towns on the periphery of the Cape Town Metropole. A quantitative study using a survey was conducted. The measuring scale used was the KADDS (Knowledge of Attention Deficit Disorders Scale), which measures teachers’ knowledge and misperceptions in three specific areas: symptoms/diagnosis of ADHD, general knowledge about the nature, causes and outcome of ADHD and possible interventions with regard to ADHD. The data were statistically analysed. Overall knowledge of ADHD was poor. The results suggest that teachers are most knowledgeable about symptoms/diagnosis, scoring lower on treatment and general knowledge subscales.Keywords: ADHD; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; inclusive education; primary school teachers; teacher training; teachin

The role of surgery in the management of pancreatitis

No Abstrac

Gender differences in barriers to alcohol and other drug treatment in Cape Town, South Africa

Objective: The study aimed to identify gender differences in barriers to alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment use among disadvantaged communities in Cape Town, South Africa. The Behavioral Model of Health Services Utilization was used as an analytic framework. Method: A case-control design was used to compare 434 individuals with AOD problems from disadvantaged communities who had accessed treatment with 555 controls who had not accessed treatment on a range of variables. Logistic regression procedures were employed to examine the unique profile of variables associated with treatment utilization for male and female participants. Results: Few gender differences emerged in terms of the pattern of variables associated with AOD treatment use. Greater awareness of treatment options and fewer geographic access and affordability barriers were strongly associated with an increased likelihood of AOD treatment use for both men and women from disadvantaged communities. However, while similar types of barriers to treatment were reported by men and women, these barriers had a greater impact on treatment utilization for women compared to men. Conclusion: Compared to men, women from disadvantaged communities in South Africa do not have equal access to AOD treatment. Recommendations on how to reduce these barriers and ways to improve AOD treatment use among women from disadvantaged communities in South Africa are provided.Keywords: Health care quality; Access and evaluation; Gender; Substance abuse treatment centres; South Afric

Some current views on pancreatitis

Current views on the pathogenesis, classification, diagnostic criteria, natural history and surgical treatment of pancreatitis are reviewed

Some current views on pancreatitis

Current views on the pathogenesis, classification, diagnostic criteria, natural history  and surgical treatment of pancreatitis are reviewed

Thyroid dysfunction in the elderly

The International Society for Burns Injuries (ISBI) has published guidelines for the management of multiple or mass burns casualties, and recommends that 'each country has or should have a disaster planning system that addresses its own particular needs.' The need for a national burns disaster plan integrated with national and provincial disaster planning was discussed at the South African Burns Society Congress in 2009, but there was no real involvement in the disaster planning prior to the 2010 World Cup; the country would have been poorly prepared had there been a burns disaster during the event. This article identifies some of the lessons learnt and strategies derived from major burns disasters and burns disaster planning from other regions. Members of the South African Burns Society are undertaking an audit of burns care in South Africa to investigate the feasibility of a national burns disaster plan. This audit (which is still under way) also aims to identify weaknesses of burns care in South Africa and implement improvements where necessary