scholarly journals Experiences and attitudes of Setswana speaking teachers in using an indigenous African language on an online assessment platform

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. S1-S11
Author(s):  
Maglin Moodley ◽  
Reuben Dlamini
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
African Language ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Language Play ◽  
North West ◽  
African Languages ◽  
The North ◽  
Depth Interview ◽  
The Status

Education in the 21st century must have a vision that will support and empower teachers to face the demands of the digital age. The use of information communication technology (ICT) in education can serve this end but ensuring access to digital resources will not address the digital disparity. Culture and language play an equally important role in exacerbating and maintaining the digital disparity as the traditional factor of access. In the study reported on here we investigated the experiences and attitudes of Setswana-speaking teachers in 3 primary schools in the North West province, South Africa, as they were exposed to online software in Setswana, an indigenous African language. Purposive sampling was used to select 7 teachers for the study. Two research questions were answered using systematic self-observation (SSO) instruments, the participant observation (PO) instrument and the in-depth interview (IDI) instrument to determine the experiences and attitudes of the teachers. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the interview data. It was found that accuracy of translation was key for adopting and using software in an African language. The teachers felt that English was the language of ICT and that African languages were not intellectual languages and did not have the capacity to be used in ICT. It is, therefore, recommended that more must be done to translate software into African languages and an effort must be made to raise the status of African languages in academic and technical fields.

The Impact of a University’s Language Policy on Its Library’s Print Collections

Mousaion ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siviwe Bangani ◽  
Glenda Makate ◽  
Boitumelo Masilo ◽  
Mathew Moyo
Keyword(s):  
Language Policy ◽  
African Language ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
North West ◽  
African Languages ◽  
Institutional Repositories ◽  
The North ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

The aim of this study was to establish the impact of the North-West University’s language policy on its library’s print collections. It analyses the languages represented by books held by the North-West University Library and Information Services. The article further established the strategies used by the libraries to develop, preserve and promote African languages in support of the university’s language policy. The paper employed bibliometrics and focus group interviews to gather data. The findings revealed that books in African languages that were recognised by the university were difficult to get on the market. As a result, the majority of books accessioned by the libraries were in English, followed by Afrikaans, and relatively few books in Setswana, and Sesotho. The study is the first of its kind focusing on language policy and academic libraries in South Africa. It is valuable to both policy makers and librarians in their endeavours to develop sizeable African language collections in support of the curricula and research. Among the recommendations is that African language departments at various universities should collaborate with libraries to start open access African language journals, and publish them through the institutional repositories.

The Status of Coccinella septempunctata L. and its Varieties divaricata Oliv. and confusa Wied.

1962 ◽  
Vol 94 (12) ◽  
pp. 1341-1343 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Sudha Rao
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Coccinella Septempunctata ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Eastern Himalayas ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
The Status ◽  
Commonwealth Institute ◽  
Indian Station

A survey was recently undertaken by the author with Dr. V. P. Rao, Entomologist-in-charge, Indian Station, Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control, Bangalore, India, for natural enemies of Adelges spp. attacking silver fir (Abies spp.) and spruce (Picea spp.) in the North-West and Eastern Himalayas. In the course of this survey it was found that the coccinellids Coccinella septem-punctata L., C. septempunctata L. var. divaricata Oliv. and C. septempunctata L. var. confusa Wied, were three of the most common predators of Adelges spp. in both these areas. With a view to sending laboratory-reared material to Canada for trial against Adelges piceae Ratz., which is a serious pest there, large numbers of these Coccinellids were collected in the fir and spruce forests to provide breeding material.

scholarly journals Балцкія элементы ў граматыцы традыцыйных мясцовых гаворак паўночна‑заходняй Беларусі

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 51-59
Author(s):  
Вера [Vera] Астрэйка [Astrėĭka]
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
North West ◽  
Language Support ◽  
The North ◽  
The Status ◽  
Formal Level ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Language Assimilation ◽  
The Given ◽  
North Western

The Baltic elements in the grammar of traditional local dialects of north-western BelarusThe article analyzes a number of grammatical features typical for the North-West dialect zone of the Belarusian language. These peculiarities are interpreted as a possible result of Slavic-Baltic contacts in the region. Some phenomena can be explained as a Baltic (mainly (great)Lithuanian) substratum in North-West Belarusian dialects.The factor of areal neighborhood has to be taken into consideration too. Such phenomenon as language support has effect just in connection with the last one. A lot of the appropriate lingual facts are in restricted and inconsistent use. However, it is possible to be said about more or less significant (now or/and before) tendencies of regional lingual development. These tendencies has not got the status of a structural (= constitutional) lingual regularity. As a rule the wide and compact areas are characterized of some lingual facts (= lexemes), which illustrate the given transformations in the system of Belarusian dialects. Baltic influence upon the North-West Belarusian dialects grammar is detected on as the formal level so the structural one. And it is not noticeable at all times. The definite changes in the sphere of morphology and syntax can provoke different modifications in the other parts of a language system (word building, semantics). The results of this process are the evidences of ethnic and language assimilation of native Balts by Slavs in the region. That comes in support of forming the singular North-West Belarusian regiolect (= the regionally marked variety of a dialect language). Балтийские грамматические элементы в говорах северо-западной БеларусиВ статье анализируется ряд грамматических черт, характерных для говоров северо-западной диалектной зоны беларусского языка. Эти особенности квалифицируются автором как весьма вероятное следствие славяно-балтского языкового взаимодействия в соответствующем регионе. Отдельные явления есть основания рассматривать в качестве возможного проявления балтского (главным образом (пра-) литовского) субстрата в северо-западных беларусских говорах. Фактор ареальной смежности здесь также должен быть принят во внимание. В связи с последним следует упомянуть и действие феномена языковой поддержки. Многие соответствующие языковые факты имеют существенные ограничения в употреблении, в говорах выступают не всегда последовательно и регулярно. В некоторых случаях, однако, можно говорить о действии более или менее выраженных (в настоящем и/или прошлом) тенденций регионального языкового развития, которые пока не приобрели статус структурно значимой (= конститутивной) языковой закономерности. Широкие и компактные ареалы образуют, как правило, лишь отдельные языковые факты (= лексемы), иллюстрирующие данные трансформации в системе традиционных беларусских говоров. Балтское влияние на грамматический строй беларусских говоров северо-западной диалектной зоны выявляется как в плане формального выражения, так и на внутриструктурном уровне. Оно не всегда может быть заметно на первый взгляд. Определенные сдвиги в сфере морфологии и синтаксиса могут повлечь за собой изменения в других областях языковой системы (словообразовании, семантике). Результаты этого процесса являются ярким свидетельством того, что на отмеченной территории действительно имела место этноязыковая ассимиляция неславянского (= балтского) населения и происхо- дило формирование своеобразного северо-западного беларусского региолекта (= регионально обусловленной разновидности диалектной речи).

scholarly journals Funksionele meertaligheid in Suid-Afrika: 'n onbereikbare ideaal?

Literator ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Verhoef
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Final Report ◽  
North West ◽  
African Languages ◽  
The North ◽  
Mother Tongue Instruction ◽  
Education Act ◽  
Regional Languages

Functional multilingualism in South Africa: an unattainable ideal? Although much has been done on an official level to establish true multilingualism in South Africa, a tendency towards English monolingualism seems to exist in the country. The aim of this article is to describe the official stipulations in pursuit of multilingualism, as they appear in the Constitution (Act 108 of 1996), the School Act (Act 84 of 1996) and the final report of Langtag. In addition to the present demands, the article also responds to previous demands for multilingualism in the South African context, particularly as stated in the Bantu Education Act of 1953. It is argued that, because of the negative connotations associated with mother-tongue instruction in the past, contemporary mother-tongue instruction will also be contaminated. Apart from the theoretical investigation into multilingualism, the article reports on empirical research that has been done in this regard in the North West Province where the attitudes and perceptions of the school population towards the regional languages were measured. Although the subjects reacted positively to the official status granted to several South African languages, they expressed a preference for English as working language because of the access it gives to personal, economic and social development and empowerment. The article concludes with brief recommendations regarding language planning opportunities that derive from this situation.

scholarly journals Childhood involvement in family food preparation and shopping and attitudes towards food: baseline results from Project Daire

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah F. Brennan ◽  
Fiona Lavelle ◽  
Sarah E. Moore ◽  
Moira Dean ◽  
Michelle C. McKinley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Food Preparation ◽  
Total N ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Food Shopping ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Food Involvement

AbstractEvidence suggests that dietary intake of UK children is currently suboptimal. It is therefore imperative to identify effective and sustainable methods of improving dietary habits and knowledge in this population, whilst also promoting the value of healthiness of food products beyond price. Schools are ideally placed to influence children's knowledge and health, and Project Daire, in partnership with schools, food industry partners and stakeholders, aims to improve children's knowledge of, and interest in, food to improve health, wellbeing and educational attainment.Daire is a randomised-controlled, factorial design trial evaluating two interventions. In total, n = 880 Key Stage (KS) 1 and 2 pupils have been recruited from 18 primary schools in the North West of Northern Ireland and will be randomised to one of four 6-month intervention arms: i) ‘Engage’, ii) ‘Nourish’, iii) ‘Engage’ and ‘Nourish’ and iv) Delayed. ‘Engage’ is an age-appropriate, cross-curricular educational intervention on food, agriculture, science and careers linked to the current curriculum. ‘Nourish’ is an intervention aiming to alter schools’ food environments and increase exposure to local foods. Study outcomes include food knowledge, attitudes, trust, diet, behaviour, health and wellbeing and will be collected at baseline and six months. Qualitative data on teacher/pupil opinions will also be collected. The intervention phase is currently ongoing. We present baseline results from our involvement and food attitudes measure from all participating schools. Results were compared by Key Stage and sex using Pearson Chi-Squared test.Baseline results from our food involvement and attitudes measure are presented for n = 880 KS1 (n = 454) and KS2 (n = 426) pupils. KS1 pupils were more likely to always or sometimes help with food shopping (89.0%) whilst KS2 pupils were more likely to always or sometimes help with food preparation (69.0%). A higher proportion of KS1 pupils reported liking to try new foods (66.1%) and that it was important that food looked (64.5%), tasted (71.1%) and smelled good (60.6%) compared with KS2 children (P < 0.01). Girls were more likely to always or sometimes help with food shopping (96.2%) and preparation (73%) when compared with boys; whilst a higher proportion of girls reported they liked to try new foods (48.2%) and that it was important that food looked (68%) smelled (50.5%) and tasted (71.8%) good compared with boys (P < 0.01).Results suggest that involvement in food preparation and shopping, willingness to try new foods and attitudes towards food presentation varied by KS and sex in this cohort.

scholarly journals The Design And Implementation Of A Strategic Plan In Primary Schools

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
Chris Van Wyk ◽  
B. G. Moeng
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
School Effectiveness ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Stakeholder Involvement ◽  
Strategic Plan ◽  
Strategic Choices ◽  
Implementation Framework ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Individual School

Many policies, strategies and plans have been introduced in South African schools so as to acquire quality education. A strategic plan, as a mechanism of putting schools on a pathway of development and effectiveness over a period of time, is one of these initiatives. Its introduction is based on a number of reasons inter-alia - the shift to school self-management, the introduction of Norms and Standards, and the introduction of School Governing Bodies (SGBs). A schools strategic plan is the physical document that embodies the guiding orientation regarding how to manage the school within a larger national and local development perspective. Such a plan can lead to school effectiveness, improvement and development strategies, but not all plans obtain this status because of design efficiencies. A qualitative investigation was done in two primary schools in the Mahikeng Area Office (AO) of the North-West Province in South Africa. Document analysis, in-depth interviews with two principals and two SGB chairpersons, as well as a focus group interview with eight teachers from participating schools, were used to collect data on how primary schools in question design and implement their strategic plans. The investigation seems to suggest that, while an individual school community may craft a strategic plan in its own way, there are common aspects that underpin the entire process. Amongst others, technical knowledge and skill for its execution are necessary. Some policies emphasise the importance of a strategic plan and serve as an integrated implementation framework for its execution. It is concluded that a strategic plan is designed and implemented under three main elements: 1) strategic analysis, which is made up of stakeholder involvement; 2) strategic choices made up of direction-setting, priority determinations, mission, and vision; and 3) strategy in action, which refers to the process of translating the plan into action.

Stockholm Agreement—Past, Present, Future (Part 1)

2002 ◽  
Vol 39 (03) ◽  
pp. 137-158
Author(s):  
Dracos Vassalos ◽  
Apostolos Papanikolaou
Keyword(s):  
Status Quo ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
New Developments ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
The Status ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
The University ◽  
North And South ◽  
South Of Europe

April 1, 2001 marked the fourth anniversary of the Stockholm Agreement (SA), a period during which almost 80% of the roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) fleet in North West Europe have been subjected to calculations, model testing and numerical simulations in the struggle to meet these demanding new requirements. The experience gained has been invaluable in understanding better the problem at hand and is being utilized to shape new developments likely to lead to more meaningful requirements. The North-South divide, however, continues to cause unrest, particularly at the European level. Efforts to assess the status quo in North West Europe, and to use the information amassed so far as a means to predict the potential impact of introducing the SA in the South, led to a dedicated call by the Commission and to a contract being awarded to two closely collaborating teams, one at the Ship Stability Research Centre of the University of Strathclyde under the leadership of Professor Vassalos and one at the Ship Design Laboratory of the National Technical University of Athens, under the leadership of Professor Papanikolaou, representing the North and South of Europe, respectively. This background provided the incentive for an introspective look at the SA, with a view to ascertaining its status before embarking into future projections. This forms Part 1 of the SA related research with Part 2 aiming to cover the results of the Commission study itself.

MAINLAND COSMOPOLITANISM AND THE RISE OF PERSONAL PRESTIGE: NEW EVIDENCE FROM THE COASTAL EARLY HELLADIC TOWN OF HELIKE, NORTH-WEST PELOPONNESE, GREECE

2017 ◽  
Vol 112 ◽  
pp. 1-32
Author(s):  
Dora Katsonopoulou ◽  
Stella Katsarou
Keyword(s):  
Aegean Sea ◽  
Western Coast ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Gulf Of Corinth ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Status ◽  
Architectural Transformation ◽  
New Evidence ◽  
Material Evidence

Excavations carried out by The Helike Project in the Helike plain on the south-western coast of the Gulf of Corinth, north-west Peloponnese, since 2000, have brought to light the well-preserved remains of a coastal Early Helladic (EH) II–III settlement. The site developed as a densely organised settlement during the EH II period and underwent a major architectural transformation at the beginning of the following EH III. In addition to a reorganisation of the settlement on a rectangular town grid, the outstanding feature among the buildings discovered is that of a monumental Corridor House. The newly organised building plan of the settlement was most probably associated with the rise of a new socio-economic structure at the time, including advanced technological specialisation, and possibly the establishment of administrative control within the town supporting communal interests, together with a new emphasis on the status of the private individual.Considering EH Helike in its broader geographical context, the site's prosperity marks an exception to the widespread decline attested in the mainland settlements of the time, and links it rather with centres across the Aegean Sea and further east. In addition to similarities at the level of settlement organisation, such overseas links and contacts are conspicuously evidenced at Helike through the presence of an array of exotic, prestigious items and commodities including an outstanding depas cup of Trojan/Anatolian type, ornaments of precious metal from the east or the north and Melian obsidian tools, and by the adoption of ‘international’ fashions of life such as the ‘serve and drink’ culture and ‘potter's marks’. In this paper, we present the range of material evidence from the EH III town of Helike illustrating its various spheres of foreign contact, and discuss possible insights into the social and economic conditions that generated the town's floruit and cosmopolitanism in EH III.

scholarly journals Who are you? What do you do? What do you bring? A florin!

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Balma-Tivola
Keyword(s):  
Participant Observation ◽  
North West ◽  
Cultural Anthropologist ◽  
The North ◽  
Grassroots Initiatives ◽  
The Many

My contribution consists in some ethnographic notes taken by a freelance cultural anthropologist living in Turin (capital of Piedmont, in the North-West, one of the regions most affected by Covid19) on the situation of the pandemic in Italy as seen with a very informal participant observation. After a very short chronicle of the lockdown, useful to set the different phases of the lockdown in Italy and the timing of the events, I write about the many issues faced by Italian citizens in the period, from inequality in living the pandemic to grassroots initiatives to answers it, from reclusion conditions in a variety of contexts (house, prisons, retirement houses) to strategies to get out anyway (for good reasons), from stereotypes Italian are (sometimes correctly) perceived abroad to the misunderstanding of the instruction of personal distancing, from the concept of family to that of community. All this reporting my same participation to some initiatives and actions, introducing my reflections and moreover witnessing the irony we used to face the fear.

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