3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item The functioning of Community Adult Education and Training Colleges to uplift the livelihoods of adult learners :a qualitative case study of a college in Johannesburg(2019) Samy, LeratoIt is widely recognised that adult education and training can contribute to adults’ personal and economic development. This is because adults can acquire knowledge and skills to enhance their livelihoods as well as develop their local communities. A need arose to provide better coordinated Community Education and Training (CET) that involves community participation. In order to be sensitive to the needs of communities, while targeting the youth and adults who did not complete their education, adult learning sites were later conceptualised as being community education and training colleges. However, there is limited research that provides an understating of how these colleges function to adequately meet the needs of adult learners. This study thus aimed to explore how the functioning of a community education and training college in Johannesburg contributes towards the empowerment of the adult learners. The study adopted a qualitative research approach and made use of a case study design to achieve its aim. A non-probability, purposive sampling method was used to recruit a sample of 15 research participants. The participants consisted of the key role players at the college, namely the centre manager, four educators working at the college and 10 adult learners. Data were collected through conducting face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with the college centre manager and educators and focus group discussions were conducted with the adult learners. Study findings indicated that although the education and training college does have tools to empower disadvantaged community members, they also face several challenges. It is recommended therefore, that the government invests a lot of time and resources in improving the conditions that educators work in, and learners receive education.Item The interplay between teachers and texts in adult basic education and training (ABET) : a case study.(2013-05-22) Steinberg, CarolaThis research report explores the implications of one central question: ‘In what ways can course materials support and improve ABET teachers’ ability in the classroom and what are the limits of that support?’ Methodologically it is an ethnographic case study of five teachers at company literacy programmes using The ELP English Literacy Course for Adults to prepare learners for examinations at ABET English Communications Levels 1&2. Conceptually it makes use of Shirley Grundy’s exposition of different paradigms for thinking about curriculum and Jean Lave’s notion of learning in a community of practice. It portrays literacy as a social practice in which people learn to master skills, make decisions about the applications of those skills and develop an emancipatory awareness. The research enables insights into the relationship between ABET teachers and texts, outlining their respective responsibilities and some implications for thinking about ABET teacher development.Item Andragogy fact or fiction within a swimming coaching context?(2009-06-23T07:42:12Z) Morris-Eyton, HeatherThe global population is ageing, and with it has been a growth of mature aged participation in sport. Following this trend, swimming amongst the adult population in South Africa, whether it is for recreation or competitive purposes, has increased. This research reports on the coaching strategies used by one coach who is training Masters swimmers in Johannesburg. It examines whether or not andragogical principles and teaching methods could be applied to an informal swimming coaching context. Qualitative methods were used for data collection, including an interview with the coach, focus group discussions with the swimmers, pool deck observations and video recordings of the training sessions. Results indicated that adult education principles could be applied to an informal swimming coaching context through flexible and accommodating coaching practices, ensuring effective communication between the swimmer and the coach and utilising the community of practice between the swimmers and coaches to ensure effective adult learning.Item Democracy : a reality check for early childhood development practitioners.(2009-01-07T07:48:05Z) Huggett, Eleanor AnneThe majority of educators/practitioners practicing in South Africa today were either educated under the apartheid regime or experienced a post apartheid education that was given by people socialized under the apartheid regime. Therefore, there is a strong possibility that democratic practice in schools is compromised due to the socialization of the practitioners. ECD practitioners’ perceptions on democracy and how they implement democratic practices in their workplace are explored in order to begin to identify the elements of a learning and working environment that could promote the values of a liberal democracy. A dialogic, participatory approach using questionnaires, focussed group discussions, personal interviews and critical incidents, investigated relevant issues such as perceptions of democracy, socialization, leadership, adult education and the impact of crime and HIV/Aids within the ECD context. The findings show that democracy is recognized as a positive and welcomed development in South Africa. There is a genuine ‘spirit of ubuntu’ present and the participants relish the diversity in their midst. A common feature between all groups is the concern over crime and corruption. However, it also revealed that although the surface levels of understanding of the principles of democracy are similar between various groups, the in-depth perceptions regularly differ. Improved avenues for legitimate communication between participants at all levels is advised, not only to discuss differences but also common ground. Understanding the factors that promote democratic principles such as cultural interaction, diversity, etc. could help both the participants of this study and other ECD practitioners in creating and promoting legitimate democratic practice in the workplace.