LEARNERS’ READING SELF-EFFICACY FOR ONLINE AND PRINT READING IN TWO SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOLS

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi Boakye
Author(s):  
Dorothy Ruth Queiros ◽  
Mary Ruth De Villiers

<p class="3">Online learning is a means of reaching marginalised and disadvantaged students within South Africa. Nevertheless, these students encounter obstacles in online learning. This research investigates South African students’ opinions regarding online learning, culminating in a model of important connections (facets that connect students to their learning and the institution). Most participants had no prior experience with online learning. Their perceptions and barriers to learning may apply to other developing countries as well.</p><p class="3">A cross-sequential research design was employed using a survey among 58 fourth-year students who were studying a traditional paper-based module via open distance learning. The findings indicated certain essential connections:  first, a <em>strong s</em><em>ocial presence </em>(through timely feedback, interaction with facilitators, peer-to-peer contact, discussion forums, and collaborative activities); second, <em>technological aspects</em><strong> </strong>(technology access, online learning self-efficacy, and computer self-efficacy); and third, <em>tools</em><strong> </strong>(web sites, video clips). The study revealed low levels of computer/internet access at home, which is of concern in an ODL milieu heading online.   Institutions moving to online learning in developing countries should pay close attention to their students’ situations and perceptions, and develop a path that would accommodate both the disadvantaged and techno-savvy students without compromising quality of education and learning. The article culminates in practical recommendations that encompass the main findings to help guide institutions in developing countries as they move towards online teaching and learning.</p>


2006 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris Urban

Deficits in self-beliefs lower entrepreneurial activity in the broader South African context. A brief theoretical analysis preceded establishing the psychometric evaluations of the entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) and general selfefficacy (GSE) measures. Participants representing different major ethnic groups in SA were sampled. Results indicate that the GSE scale remains a single factor solution thereby confirming the unidimensionality and reliability of this measure. The different ESE sub-domains provide a far more fine-grained approach to understanding self-efficacy. ANOVA determined significant differences in self-efficacy scores between the different groups. Apart from introducing the ESE construct to the SA literature, it is the first time that a study has united the general and specific measures of self-efficacy as well as measuring both the magnitude and strength dimensions of self-efficacy beliefs. Opsomming Tekortkominge in selfgeloofwaardigheid doen afbreuk aan entrepreneuriese aktiwiteite in die breër Suid Afrikaanse konteks. ’n Samevattende teoretiese analise het die vasstelling van strukturele ekwivalensie van die entrepreneuriese ESE en GSE skale voorafgegaan. ’n Steekproef van MBA respondente, verteenwoordigend van die hoof etniese groepe binne SA, is vir die studie gebruik. Bevindinge dui daarop dat die GSE skaal ’n enkel faktor oplossing is bevestigend van die enkel dimensionaliteit en betroubaarheid van hierdie maatstaf. ANOVA dui daarop dat merkbare verskille bestaan tussen die ESE tellings van die verskillende groeperinge. Benewens die bekendstelling van die ESE konsep, aan die SA literatuur, verenig hierdie studie vir die eerste keer die breë en spesifieke maatstawwe van selfgeloofwaardigheid, en meet dit ook die grote en sterkte van hierdie verandelikes.


2006 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Stadler ◽  
M E Kotze

The aim of this study was to determine whether adventure training could be utilised to enhance the self-concepts and self-efficacy of young career officers in the South African National Defence Force. A quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test and post-post-test was used. Two measuring instruments were administered, namely the Self-description Questionnaire III and the General Self-efficacy Scale. No statistically significant improvement was measured in the various dimensions of the self-concepts and self-efficacy of members of the experimental group, but some encouraging indications of change in the experimental group were observed after the intervention. The implications of the findings are discussed further. Opsomming Die doel van hierdie studie was om te bepaal of avontuurgerigte opleiding gebruik kan word om die selfkonsep en selfdoeltreffendheid van jong beroepsoffisiere in die Suid-Afrikaanse Nasionale Weermag te bevorder. ’n Kwasieksperimentele ontwerp met ’n voortoets, na-toets en na-na-toets is gebruik. Twee meetinstrumente is aangewend, naamlik die 'Self-description Questionnaire III' en die 'General Self-efficacy Scale'. Hoewel geen statisties beduidende verbetering in die verskillende dimensies van die selfkonsep en selfdoeltreffendheid van lede van die eksperimentele groep gemeet is nie, is bemoedigende aanduidings van verandering in die eksperimentele groep na die intervensie waargeneem. Die implikasies van die bevindinge word verder bespreek.


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi A.N.Y. Boakye

Self-efficacy, which is the belief about one’s ability to perform a task successfully, has been widely acknowledged as important in learning. This affective factor, though not explicitly evident, has been said to play an important role in academic performance. However, its role in reading development has not been widely investigated. To determine the relationship between self-efficacy and reading proficiency, a study was conducted with first-year students in a South African tertiary institution. Students’ self-efficacy levels were elicited through a questionnaire and their reading proficiency was obtained through the Test of Academic Literacy levels (TALL), which essentially assesses reading proficiency. An analysis of variance showed a robust relationship between reading self-efficacy and reading proficiency for this cohort of students. Regression analysis conducted with other affective factors showed self-efficacy as the best predictor of students’ reading proficiency. Results are discussed as they relate to previous research and recommendations are made to include the development of self-efficacy in reading instruction.


2004 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 694-696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark C. Eaton ◽  
Mark B. Watson ◽  
Cheryl D. Foxcroft ◽  
Wendy Patton

Social cognitive career theory suggests that males and females may not differ in career decision-making self-efficacy, but this statement requires extension of research to high school samples. The Career Decision-making Self-efficacy Scale–Short Form was administered to white South African high school students in Grades 9 to 11, of whom 368 were boys and 494 girls. No significant sex differences were found, suggesting that career interventions based on social cognitive career theory in high school need not be sex-specific in content.


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