Secondary School Pupils’ And Teachers’ Perceptions Of Context-Led Teaching And Learning Of Science

A ZBTE opinion poll on students/ teachers perceptions on context- led teaching/ learning of science subjects.The study looked at some Zimbabwean students and teachers’ perceptions about the use of context based teaching / leaming. Questionnaires, teacher reflections and interviews were used to collect data from ten teachers and 350 form three students. The perceptions were sought in relation to the effect of context led teaching on participation, motivation and relevance of science to real life, as well as on conceptual understanding. Most students and teachers viewed the use of the approach positively. The study also revealed that an enabling environment has to be created for the approach to be implemented effectively

Assessing Gender Differences In A-Level Biology Students’ Perceptions Of Laboratory Environments In Zimbabwean Schools

A ZJER article on gender differences.This study assessed gender differences of Zimbabwean A-level students’ perceptions about their actual and preferred biology laboratory environments in relation to cohesiveness, openness, integration between theory and laboratory work, management of laboratory work and the material environment. The Science Laboratory Environment Inventory (SLEI) was used to collect data from a total of 68 students (40 male and 28 female) attending metropolitan High Schools. Results obtained indicated that both female and male students prefer less cohesiveness than there is in current laboratory environments. Both sexes would however prefer more openness and a more conducive material environment. The situation is more pronounced for girls. Females prefer more integration and less controlled management of activities than male students

Waste treatment in silicon production operations

A battery of special burners, each adapted for the treatment of a particular range of waste material formed during the conversion of metallurgical grade silicon to high purity silane and silicon, is accompanied by a series arrangement of filters to recover fumed silica by-product and a scrubber to recover muriatic acid as another by-product. All of the wastes are processed, during normal and plant upset waste load conditions, to produce useful by-products in an environmentally acceptable manner rather than waste materials having associated handling and disposal problems

Integrated management systems and workflow-based electronic document management: an empirical stud

Purpose: Many global organizations have aligned their strategy and operation via the ISO-based framework of integrated management system (IMS) that allows them to merge quality, environment, health and safety management systems. In such context, having a robust electronic document management system (EDMS) is essential, especially at global enterprises where a large amount of documents generated by processes flows through different work cultures. However, there is no "one-size-fits-all" design for EDMS because it depends on organizations' needs, size and resource allocation. This article discusses the interrelation between EDMS and IMS in order to suggest a best practice. Design/methodology/approach: This article methodologically based upon a qualitative, interpretivistic, longitudinal empirical study in a wind turbine factory. Findings and Originality/value: IMS improvement and effectiveness has been overlooking EDMS as a key factor in establishing appropriate technological support of the IMS processes. Rightful application of EDMS can further contribute to organizational learning, precision of documentation and cross-organisational collaboration. Research limitations/implications: Theorising on IMS needs a stronger perspective of the technological limitations and potentials of basing IMS on EDMS. Practical implications: IMS are complex systems involving a large number of administrative functions. EDMS provides a formal representation with automation potentials both heightening and securing document trustworthiness. Social implications: IMS has a tendency to stay with professionals, e.g. line managers and QA/QC/QMS professionals. The EDMS line of discussion suggests a broader inclusion. Originality/value: Researching IMS as a technological implementation is giving a better platform of aligning the IMS with other business processes and is bringing IMS closer to the operational activities within the enterprise.Peer Reviewe