Copyright (c) 2010 Cape Peninsula University of Technology All rights reserved. http://dk.cput.ac.za Recent documents in Digital Knowledge en-us Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:20:57 PST 3600 http://dk.cput.ac.za/arc_ptech/15 http://dk.cput.ac.za/arc_ptech/15 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 01:39:00 PST We have broadly defined the integration of language and content in teaching as the provision of linguistic access to content knowledge. Many subject lectures have realised that they need to become teachers of the language of their discipline as well as of its concepts and content. Content lecturers are becoming more familiar with the language and learning needs of students for whom English is not a first language. Language lecturers are familiarising themselves with enough of the content to ensure that they are teaching communication skills in a context which is relevant to students within particular disciplines. In this conference we would like to explore the different ways in which language and content lecturers have mutually supported one another. Cecilia Jacobs http://dk.cput.ac.za/res_papers/8 http://dk.cput.ac.za/res_papers/8 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 02:10:40 PST Message from the Vice-Chancellor: Prof L Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga: The Cape Peninsula University of Technology concentrates on applied research - that is - the main criterion of research done at CPUT should be that its findings and results are applicable in practice. There are, however, many tiers of and facets to research:- Research for qualification purposes, which encompasses staff studying towards higher degrees, students qualifying with postgraduate degrees, and supervision of students engaged in writing dissertations and theses - Contract research which is commissioned by commerce and industry - Technology development - Publications (journal articles in accredited Department of Education peer-reviewed journal, papers in conference proceedings, conference presentations and posters, and books) - Collaboration with peers from academe and industry worldwideI am pleased to note that CPUT is fulfilling its mandate in all these research areas, as noted in the 2007 Research Report. Especially welcome are the addition of new NRF-researchers, and the increase in contract research with its concomitant funding. Reports from the various research institutes and its units (some of which are NRF research niche areas), indicate that valuable work is being carried out in a wide variety of disciplines. While faculty members continue to provide quality research outputs, it is gratifying to note that the various support units at CPUT are also contributing to research publications and aiding in fostering the research culture required to position CPUT as a leading university of technology in South Africa. Cape Peninsula University of Technology http://dk.cput.ac.za/res_papers/7 http://dk.cput.ac.za/res_papers/7 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:22:27 PST Message from the Vice-Chancellor: Prof L Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga: As Vice-Chancellor of CPUT, it gives me great pleasure to inroduce this Research Report for 2005. Given that research is reported on retrospectively, the 2005 report still accomodates the faculties of the two pre-merger institutions (Cape Technikon and Peninsula Technikon); however next year's report will reflect a fully merged institution comprimising the six new faculties of CPUT.Becoming a university of technology brings concomitant challenges. Our institution has always prided itself on its commitment to teaching and learning, to industrial liaison, and to community outreach. To these very important elements of higher education must be added the component of research, if CPUT is to take its rightful place among the more established traditional universities in South Africa.It is therefore also encouraging to peruse the significantly increased research outputs for 2005, since these indeed reflect the synergy of our merged institutions. On behalf of the executive management of CPUT, I should like to thank and congratulate our researches for their valued contribution to building a research ethos. Cape Peninsula University of Technology http://dk.cput.ac.za/res_papers/6 http://dk.cput.ac.za/res_papers/6 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 03:52:59 PST Message from the Interim Vice-Chancellor: Dr Marcus Balintulo: It gives me great pleasure to provide a message for the first Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) research report which reflects the research endeavours of the two heritage institutions in the last year of their existence as technikons. The prioritisation of research capacity building has been an ongoing challenge for both former institutions, as it indeed has been for the entire former technikon. The challenges and obstacles are many and some derive from our inherited somewhat research-unfriendly environment. If one takes all these factors into consideration, the 2004 platform provides a credible base from which to launch what has to be a concerted forward leap in the conext of both our new designation as a university of Technology, as well as our brand new compelling vision which highlights technology education in our continental context. In congratulating all our researchers, especially the young ones, we would like to pose the question as to what it is that the new institution can and should do to support your dedicated efforts and to encourage you to do even better in the years to come. With the national projected increase in research spending, it is imperative that CPUT addresses the challenge of fast tracking the development of a vibrant applied research culture with urgency. We look forward to an intergrated research report for the year 2005. Congratulations - keep up the good work. Cape Peninsula University of Technology http://dk.cput.ac.za/arc_ctech/5 http://dk.cput.ac.za/arc_ctech/5 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 02:13:55 PST Message from the rector: I welcome this opportunity to provide an introduction to the 2003 Research Report. As the contents indicate, the major challenge which we identified some time ago, namely the narrowness of our research-active staff base, is being addressed and positive results are beginning to show. While the situation remains uneven between and within faculties, the positive strides augur well for the process of repositioning the future of Cape Peninsula University of Technology as a significant player in meeting our country's and the wider continent's needs in applied and problem-solving research. It is therefore essential that the current momentum be retained and enhanced as we craft a new vision as well as the structural vehicles for pursuing that vision in which research development will be a key defining feature in the years to come. May I, on behalf of the Rectorate, congratulate all those who have contributed to this achievement Cape Technikon http://dk.cput.ac.za/td_ctech/126 http://dk.cput.ac.za/td_ctech/126 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 00:57:49 PST This dissertation is located in the field of early childhood development. It is situated in the context of education for learners with special educational needs (ELSEN). The specific context was Deaf children who learn through the medium of South African Sign Language. The study is an investigation into the cognitive and social "value-addedness" of computer technology on profoundly deaf young learners. A Vygotskian theoretical framework was used to explore the efficacy of the computer as a tool for learning in the profoundly Deaf. Social and collaborative learning with peers was investigated. A case study was conducted with a cohort of seven profoundly Deaf Grade R learners (aged 5-6 years) at a special needs school in the Western Cape. The research methodology was an empirical investigation within a qualitative research paradigm, using observation and interviews. The report provides a descriptive account that makes use of illustrative vignettes. The study concludes that the computer influences social development within the cohort. The computer was also able to scaffold children's understanding of mathematical tasks and thereby provide a cognitive influence on learning. Linda Arnott Education http://dk.cput.ac.za/inf_papers/43 http://dk.cput.ac.za/inf_papers/43 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:07:41 PST With the continued growing investment in WWW technologies by e-Commerce businesses the measurement of Information Systems (IS) effectiveness in this business sector has become increasingly important over the last decade. As business users, especially in the SME sector, have become reliant on outsourced IS service providers for a wide range of services, the quality of service rendered by the latter is an important issue which impacts on IS effectiveness. Researchers have since the 1990s recognised the importance of service quality as a measure of IS performance. The literature suggests that IS service delivery to e-Commerce businesses needs to be evaluated differently to that of traditional brick-and-mortar businesses. There is however a paucity of research regarding IS evaluation in e-Commerce environments, including that of the application of service quality principles. It is thus difficult for managers of IS service providers in this context to develop a complete picture of the effectiveness of the IS they deliver.This paper reports on a study which investigated whether IS service quality criteria and dimensions applied in large brick-and-mortar organisations, are also applicable to SME e-Commerce businesses in the tourism sector in South Africa. In pursuit of this objective an IS-adapted SERVQUAL instrument was tested in an e-Commerce SME environment. The research results indicate that, although SERVQUAL principles are applicable to the e-Commerce SME context, the service quality dimensionality is different. The research derived four new dimensions for service quality expectations of e-Commerce SMEs viz., Credibility, Expertise, Availability and Supportiveness. A fifth dimension is the Tangibles dimension, which is retained from SERVQUAL. Furthermore the results indicate that the Credibility dimension was the most important dimension in this research context, while the Tangibles dimension was the least important. Graham D. April E-commerce http://dk.cput.ac.za/inf_papers/42 http://dk.cput.ac.za/inf_papers/42 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:07:40 PST The business community in the past decade has been characterised by debate over the value or effectiveness of e-Commerce and how this type of technology needs to be implemented. During this period the business world has witnessed many examples of failures of Internet based business. There is little doubt that the high failure rate in Dot.Coms had much to do with misconceptions regarding the ease with which e-Commerce could be implemented. Unrealistic expectations caused tried and tested business rules to be abandoned as hyperbole over took sound business sense. Although it is clear today that the Internet and the Web can facilitate business processes to add value to organisations, this technology has to be managed with considerable care. This paper reports on a case study conducted in kalahari.net, a well known South African e-Tailing business. This case study highlights several valuable lessons to do with the evaluation of an e-Commerce investment and how to ensure its success. Specifically the case study closely examines aspects of kalahari.net's IS management policy, and identifies a set of preliminary e-Commerce success dimensions. Shaun Pather E-Commerce http://dk.cput.ac.za/inf_papers/41 http://dk.cput.ac.za/inf_papers/41 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:07:39 PST Positive reputation is a valuable corporate asset and needs to be managed proactively in response to new threats entering the marketplace. Recent events have shown that the reputation of an organisation can take years to build, yet takes only a few seconds to destroy. In this study, it is suggested that knowing the top determinants of current reputation management can only help to enhance the business objectives of an organisation by contributing to the bottom line and gaining a competitive advantage. This paper looks at what communication managers in top-listed companies operating in South African consider the top determinants of managing corporate reputation in their organisations to be. The paper draws links between managing organisational reputation and stakeholder management, and provides valuable findings for communication specialists working in positions of management. N Bechan Communication http://dk.cput.ac.za/inf_papers/40 http://dk.cput.ac.za/inf_papers/40 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:07:38 PST While different approaches to evaluation will yield different results, depending on the purpose of the evaluation this article describes an evaluation approach that was aimed at investigation the mental models of users of the programme. The study was driven by questions about the differences in mental models of the instructional designers and the learners, the time learners spent working through the program and the observable changes in their mental models. In this design experiment, a program was developed to teach basic principles of electricity. Three boys and three girls one each of high, medium and low achievement in science were selected from an advantaged urban school, and a similar sample was taken from a disadvantaged rural school. They were asked to draw their impressions of various concepts of electricity and then allowed free access to the program, where they could visit any section even if they had not completed a previous one. Afterwards they were asked to draw sketches again. Other instruments included an opinion questionnaire and observation of the learners working with a ''think aloud'' protocol. It was found that there were considerable differences in the mental models of the learners and designers about what to expect from computer-based learning. While navigational freedom allowed fast learners to move through work that they knew already, weaker learners tended to get lost. The sketches that learners made before and after exposure to the program provided valuable insights into the growth of their understanding of the concepts. Johannes C. Cronje Education http://dk.cput.ac.za/inf_papers/39 http://dk.cput.ac.za/inf_papers/39 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:07:37 PST Ethical behaviour and professionalism are cherished values in public service. Public officials, including politicians, are expected to demonstrate them in discharging their official duties. However, in many developing countries these values are honoured more in their breach than observance. Public sector corruption occurs when politicians and / or public servants improperly and unlawfully enrich themselves or those close to them by misusing the public power entrusted to them. Corruption has economic, political, and social costs. It is not an issue that is exclusively, or even primarily, a problem of developing countries. In fact, ethics and corruption are challenges not only for many emerging economies, but also for many countries in the rich world. However, nowhere are the effects of corruption more devastating than in developing countries. It is devastating for the public sectors of many African countries, robbing them of their integrity and undermining effective delivery of essential public services to citizens. Recent news reports indicate that the incidence of corruption in the South African Public Service is at an all-time high, with about 5200 cases pending. The abuse of parliamentary travel vouchers, popularly dubbed 'Travelgate' and the Shabir Shaik trial in the ubiquitous Arms Deal scandal that continues to haunt the government, threaten institutions of national integrity and the very foundations of the new democracy are but two worrying examples. Against this background, the paper examines the causes of public sector corruption, pointing to its drivers that are of a country-specific, rather than generic, nature. It also outlines the costs or effects of corruption. The implications of this analysis for combating public sector corruption in South Africa are clear : the public service might need to be reformed; a dire need exists to radically curb corruption by carefully examining local circumstances that give rise it in order to devise measures including, but not limited to, a new moral crusade to effectively contain it. Maurice O. Dassah Public Administration http://dk.cput.ac.za/inf_papers/38 http://dk.cput.ac.za/inf_papers/38 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:07:36 PST Evaluation is a modern term for a practice that dates back to antiquity. It has an international, transnational and global dimension. The elasticity of evaluation implies that evaluation is carried out by governments in different countries covering a wide range of activities. The diversity of evaluands, approaches, influences and practices hold important lessons for countries contemplating to adopt the evaluation technique. This article sketches the state of evaluation in 21 countries across four continents, tabulating various characteristics for comparison purposes. It locates each within a decade called first-, second- and third-wave, referring to when evaluation was first adopted in that country. Some key features are discussed, including globalisation of evaluation; factors that influenced its adoption; location of evaluation jurisdiction - push-pull mechanisms; education, training, professionalisation and supply of expertise; approaches to adoption; utilisation; and prospects. The role of the African Evaluation Association and factors militating against establishing more effective evaluation systems in developing countries, particularly in Africa, are briefly examined. Maurice O. Dassah Public administration http://dk.cput.ac.za/inf_papers/37 http://dk.cput.ac.za/inf_papers/37 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:07:35 PST Computer-based assessments are becoming more commonplace, perhaps as a necessity for faculty to cope with large class sizes. These tests often occur in large computer testing venues in which test security may be compromised. In an attempt to limit the likelihood of cheating in such venues, randomised presentation of items is automatically programmed into testing software, such that neighbouring screens present different items to the test-taker. This article argues that randomisation of test items can be a disadvantage to students who were randomly presented with difficult items first. Such disadvantage would violate the American Psychological Association's published guidelines concerning testing and assessment that call for the principle of fairness for test-takers across diverse test modes. Owing to the smallness of the chance of a student being randomly assigned difficult items first, it may be hard to prove such disadvantage. However, even if only one test-taker is affected once during a high-stakes test, the principle of fairness is compromised. This article reports on four instances out of about 400 in which students may either have been unfairly advantaged or disadvantaged by being given a series of easy or difficult items at the beginning of the test. Although the results are not statistically significant, we conclude that more research needs to be done before one can ignore what we have named the Item Randomisation Effect. Anthony M. Marks Education http://dk.cput.ac.za/inf_papers/36 http://dk.cput.ac.za/inf_papers/36 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:07:34 PST We surveyed health service providers in Namibia to find out how they used information and communication technologies (ICTs) to deliver health services to their patients. A structured questionnaire was administered to 21 health service providers in two regions of the country (one urban, one rural). There was overwhelming consensus among the health service providers that ICTs were very important, especially for medical services (100%). Ninety-one percent of health service providers viewed ICT as helping them to interact with other providers in other health institutions. The most commonly used ICT was the telephone, which was used in the admission areas of most health institutions (36%); the next most commonly used ICT was the PC (23%). The most commonly used channels for communication with patients were the telephone followed by TV. Some of the problems common to all health institutions in Namibia were poor budgetary resources and lack of basic infrastructure such as electricity or telephone lines. There is a need to promote ICT use for health service delivery and also to stimulate patients to use ICT to access health services and relevant information. Meke I. Shivute Communication technology http://dk.cput.ac.za/inf_papers/35 http://dk.cput.ac.za/inf_papers/35 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:07:33 PST This study investigates influences on the sustainability of a computers-in-schools project during the implementation phase thereof. The Computer Assisted Learning in Schools (CALIS) Project (1992-1996) is the unit of analysis. A qualitative case study research design is used to elicit data, in the form of participant narratives, from people who were involved in the regional management of the Project, as well as teachers who implemented the Project in their classrooms. These narratives are then analysed from a postmodern perspective (Kvale 1996). The analysis reveals personal, programmatic, physical and systemic influences on the Project. These influences can be identified on all structural levels of the education system (Mooij and Smeets 2001). Furthermore, metaphoric patterning across narratives is analyzed in terms of implicatures, postulated by Relevance Theory (Sperber and Wilson 1995). Analysis of the data provides evidence in support of Fullan's (2005) definition of sustainability as a quality of dynamic, complex systems. Personal, programmatic, physical and systemic influences on the Project are found to be interrelated on, and across, structural levels of the system. In addition, influences are dynamically related to the changing Project in particular host environments (Cavallo 2004). The resulting ecological or viral growth is characteristic of complex systems, where further development is indeterminate. Finally, suggestions are made regarding the possible implications of these findings for the development of a framework for the sustainable implementation of ICT- enabled educational projects. H Thomas Education http://dk.cput.ac.za/inf_papers/34 http://dk.cput.ac.za/inf_papers/34 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:07:32 PST Using ontological pragmatics, and by learning that what they conserve in the present (making choices) leads to the new innovative future, students can teach themselves how to deal with the uncertainty of our modern world. An argument for Maturana's method of changing semantic questions into structural ones is discussed, as well as Latour's notion of reassembling the social. An ethics of negotiation is argued next, and thus we need to rethink our own selves, including issues of sustainable ethics, very much along the lines suggested by Whitbeck, who believes that, for engineering, a design process analogy can help moral decision-making to escape the rational foundationalist approach. Johann van der Merwe Education http://dk.cput.ac.za/inf_papers/33 http://dk.cput.ac.za/inf_papers/33 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:09:04 PST The article explores the apparent similarities in conceptions of space utilization, security and sustainability, deriving from the nature of dwelling and settlement design, how these articulated the existing modes of production of space, society and the economy - and therefore could be reproduced sustainably. The article also explores the planning principles, design concepts, standards and norms used in the planning and building of indigenous African settlements and dwellings and suggests that, by tapping into rich traditions of indigenous planning systems, the organic link between sustainable resource utilization and livelihood sustenance can be enriched. Tshenesani Nigel Tapela Town planning http://dk.cput.ac.za/inf_papers/32 http://dk.cput.ac.za/inf_papers/32 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:09:01 PST Surveys have been used since time immemorial to collect raw data for the production of information in a variety of contexts. The main tool for conducting surveys has been questionnaires, mainly because they are relatively easy to administer and can be used to efficiently gather sufficient data at a relatively low cost. The ease of being able to administer questionnaires using Internet protocols has motivated many researchers to integrate questionnaires into their research design over the past decade. Additionally it is common practice for surveys to be used by managers as a source of information for decision making. Given the commonplace use of survey design in both the academic and practitioner environments, it is important that sound survey design techniques are adhered to. The authors undertook an analysis of survey design techniques in articles published over a two-year period in the South African Journal of Information Management, and of a sample of completed post-graduate research. It was found that an area that requires greater attention concerns scale development. In particular it was found that researchers are generally not implementing pilot tests of questionnaires in order to improve the scale reliability thereof. The primary objective of this article, therefore, is to highlight this problem and to advocate improved practice in survey design. In light of the foregoing, the use of statistical techniques to refine questionnaire instruments through a piloting process is described. The article provides empirical evidence to demonstrate how, by applying item-analysis techniques, questionnaires can be refined and prepared through a pilot process. Four case studies are used to show that had item analysis been applied by the researchers, the length of the scales would have been reduced, and the reliability of the results may have been improved. This therefore has implications for improving the quality of information gained from the survey data. Shaun Panther http://dk.cput.ac.za/hw_papers/20 http://dk.cput.ac.za/hw_papers/20 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 01:37:11 PST Nodulated lupins (Lupinus angustifolius cv. Wonga) were hydroponically grown under conditions of low phosphate (LP) or adequate phosphate (HP) to assess the effect of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC)-derived organic acids on nitrogen assimilation in LP nodules. LP conditions are linked to altered organic acid metabolism, by the engagement of PEP metabolism via PEPC. In LP nodules, the enhanced organic acid synthesis may reduce the available organic carbon for nitrogen assimilation. The diversion of carbon between the organic acid- and amino acid pools was assessed through key nodular enzymes and 14CO2 metabolism. Under LP conditions, increased rates of organic acid synthesis via PEPC and malate dehydrogenase (MDH), coincided with reduced nitrogen assimilation via aspartate aminotransferase (AAT), aspartate synthetase (AS) and glutamine synthetase (GS)/ glutamate synthase (GOGAT) activities. There was a preferential metabolism of nodular 14CO2 into organic acids and particularly into malate. High malate levels were associated with reduced N2 fixation and synthesis of amino acids. These results indicate that phosphorus deficiency can enhance malate synthesis in nodules, but that excessive malate accumulation may inhibit N2 fixation and nitrogen assimilation. M R. Le Roux Chemistry http://dk.cput.ac.za/hw_papers/19 http://dk.cput.ac.za/hw_papers/19 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 01:31:42 PST Background The increasing burden on health services of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, as well as the need to meet the Millennium Development Goals for health, has renewed interest in community health worker (CHW) programmes in South Africa. The recent Expanded Public Works Social Sector Plan promotes CHW programmes as a mechanism for addressing the health, social, educational and employment needs of disadvantaged communities. This paper reports key issues emerging from a two day workshop for health policy-makers, project managers and researchers, on the implementation of CHW projects. Results The workshop considered a wide range of issues. Robust evidence for the effectiveness of focused CHW interventions, where this cadre function within a limited scope of practice, is now available but further evidence on the effects of 'generalist' CHWs is necessary before wide roll-out can be recommended. Further work is also needed on approaches to evaluating CHW programmes, given their complexity and the need to understand the impacts of context. How best to organize CHW programmes, including community participation and approaches to training, were debated. Several key challenges facing CHW programmes in South Africa were identified, including responsiveness to community needs; financing; training; programme management and CHW supervision. Further research on the cost-effectiveness of CHW interventions and on factors affecting scaling up of programmes is required.Conclusions Although a national CHW policy framework is now in place in South Africa, many questions and challenges related to implementation remain. The renewed interest in CHW programmes provides opportunities to examine these questions and to increase the contribution of CHWs to improving health in South Africa. Marina Clarke Primary health care