A Reflective Evaluation of Group Assessment

There is a general agreement in the literature that groupwork helps to develop important interpersonal and personal skills (Race, 2001; Visram & Joy, 2003; Elliot & Higgins, 2005; Kench et al, 2008). However, one of the problems with groupwork for both students and lecturers is how the work should be assessed (Parsons & Kassabova, 2002). The possibility of having ‘free-riders’ and the difficulty of fairly awarding marks to reflect the level of students’ contribution to a group output are some of the key problem areas in groupwork assessment (Race, 2001). Peer assessment is seen as one of the methods to deal with these problems. It can generally involve students assessing each other’s level of contribution to the group’s output (Visram & Joy, 2003). This paper provides our reflection on the use of peer assessment on a student group project

Smallholder Household Maize Production and Marketing Behavior in Zambia: Implications for Policy

CSO/MACO nationally-representative rural surveys provide important insights on smallholder crop marketing behavior from the 2001 and 2004 harvests. Only about 25 percent of smallholder farmers in Zambia sold maize in both seasons, and about 15-20 percent of smallholders sold fresh horticulture as well as groundnuts, with 11-13 percent selling cassava. From 6-10 percent of farmers produced and sold cotton. Overall, Zambian smallholder agriculture has become more diversified over the past decade, with maize, cassava, groundnuts, cotton, horticultural crops, and animal products all becoming important sources of cash revenue as well as production for home consumption (except, of course, cotton). Importantly in both seasons studied, horticulture crop sales are roughly equivalent to the value of maize sales nationwide There is substantial variation in farm income and off-farm income across small farm households, owing to disparities in landholding size, other productive assets, and variables affecting access to markets. Two percent of all smallholder farms nationwide accounted for over 40% of all the maize sold by smallholder households in Zambia in 2000/01 and 2003/04. This same two percent of smallholder households also accounted for about 17% and 20% of the total value of all crop sales of the smallholder sector. Poverty reduction policy options are severely constrained by these production and marketing patterns especially if operating though programs that raise market prices for sellers and buyers.food security, food policy, Zambia, maize, production, marketing, Crop Production/Industries, Q20,

Factors facilitating and inhibiting contraceptive use among White University students in Durban South Africa.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Worldwide, governments have made an increasing effort in providing contraceptives and ensuring greater access and availability of a range of contraceptive methods. According to the World Health Organization the promotion of family planning to essential for improving maternal health and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The low contraceptive rate among sub-Saharan countries is concerning especially for young women. In South Africa research suggests that fertility has been declining steadily over the past few decades and contraception is a major factor contributing to this decline. National surveys suggest that among White South Africans contraceptive use is high. However, there has been limited focus on the contraceptive use of Whites. Various studies give us a picture of the attitudes of Africans towards contraceptives. The aim of this study is to shed insights into contraceptive use of young white, university students in Durban. For this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted to obtain data. The semi-structured interviews were held with 10 White, female students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban. The findings of this study indicated that high level of awareness about contraceptives facilitates contraceptive use. Young women stated they obtained information about contraceptives from their doctors. Health benefits was the main reason for contraceptive use. Although doctors were an important source of information, communication with their parents also influenced their contraceptive use. The women also reported partner communication about contraception. The study suggests the need for early parent-child communication in facilitating contraceptive use. Furthermore, the study suggests improved interpersonal communication between health workers and young people about a range of contraceptives. Male involvement is essential in ensuring good reproductive health outcomes and partner communication is also likely to influence contraceptive us

Representations of Black African Women’s Agency in Peo Ena E Jetswe Ke Wena

The purpose of this article is to argue that though there is a general perception that main black African female literary characters in the Sesotho novels published under the heyday of apartheid reflected the patriarchy and the racial subjugation of the time This article demonstrates that in some Sesotho novels published during the apartheid era the main literary characters had agency In the Sesotho novel Peo ena e jetswe ke wena the central black female character Samina is characterised as being rebellious to the patriarchal system She is portrayed as independent and unmarried and evil and devious Her evil intentions are directed at destroying men she tempts as lover

Is the Glass Half-Empty or Half Full? An Analysis of Agricultural Production Trends in Zambia

One objective of this paper is to examine the trends and changes in crop production before and after the implementation of the partial market liberalization policies starting in the early 1990s. Another objective of the paper is to assess agricultural production performance and its implications for household food security. These issues are examined on the basis of the Crop Forecast Survey (CFS) data, Post Harvest Survey (PHS) data, Central Statistical Office (CSO) price data, data from the Agricultural Market Information Centre (AMIC) at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries (MAFF), and other data.food security, food policy, Zambia, crop production, Crop Production/Industries, Q18,

Is the Glass Half-empty or Half Full? An Analysis of Agricultural Production Trends in Zambia

This policy brief highlights some of the key trends in Zambia agricultural production since the implementation of partial agricultural reform.food security, food policy, Zambia, agricultural production, Farm Management, Q18,

The Complexity of the Cultural Identity of Basotho in Lesotho

The aim of this article is to show that the cultural identity of the Basotho is a complex cultural system shaped by complex identities that have been moulded by social factors over many years. The article pays attention to Basotho ways of life, such as customs, traditions, language and music. It is argued in the article that, being a complex system, the cultural identity of the Basotho is open to transformation, and that the present-day Sesotho culture is a product of innumerable historical and social influences.LWATI: A Journal of Contemporary Research, 9(1),238-253, 201

Access to Land and Poverty Reduction in Rural Zambia: Connecting the Policy Issues

Key Policy Message: - Despite having relatively low population densities, inadequate access to land is one of the major causes of rural poverty in Zambia. - The apparent paradox of inadequate access to land for many rural households in a country of low population density is partially reconciled when taking into account that economically viable arable land requires at least some degree of access to basic services, water, road infrastructure, and markets. The basic public investments to make settlement economically viable have yet been made in many areas of Zambia. - Depending of future land allocation policy, access to good quality land with a market potential may become increasingly beyond the reach of many small-scale farm households, making it more difficult to achieve a smallholder-led, pro-poor agricultural development trajectory.zambia, food security, land, policy, Agricultural and Food Policy, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Consumer/Household Economics, Food Security and Poverty, Land Economics/Use, q18, q15,

Developing an End-User Data Capture Methodology

The aim of this research is to establish the extent to which end user requirements are communicated throughout the construction process. The method of inquiry is purely literature based. This research indicates that the perspectives of those involved in construction projects are widening. Whole life considerations are now requiring those with operational expertise and knowledge to be involved in decision making processes. In particular, design build and operate schemes, such as PFI developments, require facilities management involvement at an early stage to allow their operational knowledge to influence design and component decisions based on long term operational efficiencies. The increased use of BIM in such developments also compliments a collaborative approach by endorsing the involvement of those with specialist skills and sharing rich information in timely ways throughout the development project, from inception to operation. The process of arriving at ‘informed decisions’ is clearly complex due to the interactions of components relating to data, information and knowledge. This paper illustrates the need for effective communication of user requirements throughout the construction process. It demonstrates that provision for the capture of tangible data is reaching levels of maturity through the adoption of property asset management systems, platforms and tools. However, the paper raises awareness of the need for further research into how less tangible user requirements are obtained to ensure the ‘voice of the customer’ is heard, interpreted and communicated appropriately by construction specialists throughout the development phases

Renewable Energy Sources and Technologies in Commercial Buildings - Understanding the Nigerian Experience

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions and experiences of building practitioners in the adoption of renewable energy (RE) in commercial buildings in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative methodology was used guided by the principles of the Grounded Theory Method (GTM). Data were collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of five industry practitioners. Findings Five distinct factors emerged, namely, being compliant, change in mindset, normalising, being autonomous and identity. The research revealed the significance of contextual (cultural) peculiarities and the role identity plays in informing RE adoption. The findings substantiate the significance of RE adoption in the future practice of building practitioners and in ensuring environmental stability within the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) context. Research limitations/implications The study focuses on commercial office buildings and attempts to provide contextual grounding to inform theory generation as part of a wider study. Originality/value This research contributes methodologically and empirically by providing grounded insight into the adoption of RE in commercial buildings. Thereby, enabling a much greater understanding of the issues associated with enhanced promotion and adoption by professionals and stakeholders, which can inform policy interventions. Furthermore, it will benefit further research within the SSA context and provide valuable lessons associated with adopting GTM in construction research