scholarly journals Recognition of Prior Learning as “Radical Pedagogy”: A case study of the Workers' College in South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 511-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mphutlane wa Bofelo ◽  
Anitha Shah ◽  
Kessie Moodley ◽  
Linda Cooper ◽  
Barbara Jones
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Educational Philosophy ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Prior Learning ◽  
Radical Pedagogy ◽  
Documentary Sources ◽  
Recognition Of Prior Learning ◽  
Group Interviews

This article argues that the model of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in use at the Workers’ College in South Africa may be seen as a form of “radical pedagogy.” Drawing on documentary sources, focus group interviews with staff, and observations, it describes an educational philosophy which aims to build the competencies of activists in labour and community organizations, facilitate their self-affirmation and dignity, and provide an access route to post-school education. It documents and attempts to theorize how this philosophy is enacted in classroom pedagogy, and explores some of the tensions and contradictions encountered. It concludes by acknowledging the unique contribution of these educational practices to an understanding of what RPL as radical pedagogy might look like.

scholarly journals A model for facilitation in nursing education

Curationis ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Lekalakala-Mokgele ◽  
PP Du Rand
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Nursing Education ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Visual Model ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Schools Of Nursing ◽  
Evaluation Feedback ◽  
Group Interviews

A key step in the development of a model for learning is to identify the needs of both the facilitators and the learners. The purpose of this study was to develop a model for facilitation in nursing education based on the identified needs of facilitators and learners and a confirmation by the literature. A qualitative research design was used and the population of the study was the facilitators and the learners of departments/ schools of nursing in four universities in South Africa. Focus group interviews were conducted with facilitators and learners. The sample was purposively selected. The results underline the needs as well as the perceptions of both facilitators and learners with regard to facilitation. Concepts were identified and analyzed from the identified needs which led to the development of the model for facilitation. The complete visual model was described and presented to experts for evaluation. Feedback from the evaluators was used to adapt and finalize the model, after which the model was again presented to evaluators who approved and accepted it. The model is a unique contribution to nursing education as it sets guidelines for a new field of learning in nursing education.

The Use of Principles of Good Assessment in Recognition of Prior Learning Practice in Library and Information Science in South Africa

Mousaion ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ike Khazamula Hlongwane
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Prior Learning ◽  
Good Assessment ◽  
Recognition Of Prior Learning ◽  
Appeals Process ◽  
South African Higher Education

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) practice offers sound benefits to library and information science (LIS) schools. Despite these envisaged benefits, very little is known about RPL practice in LIS schools in South Africa. This study sought to establish whether principles of good assessment were being followed in the LIS schools to ensure the integrity of the RPL outcomes. A combination of a questionnaire and document analysis were used to collect data from the ten LIS schools in the South African higher education and training landscape. The questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data through a survey method. In addition, the researcher employed content analysis to collect qualitative data from institutional RPL policy documents. The findings indicate that RPL assessment processes across LIS schools in South Africa were largely subjected to principles of good practice. The study found that in accordance with the SAQA RPL policy the purpose of assessment was clarified to the candidate upfront, the quality of support to be provided to the candidate in preparing for the assessment was established, an appeals process was made known to the candidate, and the choice of assessment methods was fit for purpose to ensure credible assessment outcomes. It is therefore recommended that other disciplines or departments use LIS schools’ experiences as a benchmark to improve their own RPL endeavours.

scholarly journals Evaluating a methodology for assessing the strategic alignment of a mining company recruitment function

2009 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adelé Janse van Rensburg ◽  
Gerhard Roodt
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Strategic Alignment ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Mining Company ◽  
Strategic Objectives ◽  
Emerging Themes ◽  
Group Interviews

In the human capital era, the strategic importance of measurement is unmistakable.  Therefore, the  objective  of  this  study  was  to  qualitatively  evaluate  a  methodology  for  assessing  the strategic alignment of a recruitment function. Persons working in the recruitment best practice community of a mining company were targeted as the case study for this research.  Individual (one-on-one) and focus group interviews were conducted to elicit the research data.  Thematic coding was used to identify the emerging themes from the research data.  The findings indicated that  this methodology can be used effectively  to determine  the alignment of  the  recruitment function with the strategic objectives of the company.  However, the bottom line contribution is still unclear.

scholarly journals Recognition of prior learning: its relevance to the proposed unified model o f education and training for South African nurses.

Curationis ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Khanyile
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Nurse Educators ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Unified Model ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
Nurse Training ◽  
Prior Learning ◽  
Recognition Of Prior Learning ◽  
And Training

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a fairly new concept in South Africa, and hence different people have different views about RPL . Through this paper, an attempt is made to shed some light on the historical background as well as the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of RPL . It is hoped that this information will help those nurse educators wishing to experiment with RPL to have a better understanding of how the concept came about. The relevance of RPL to the Unified model of nurse training proposed by the South African Nursing Council is also discussed.

scholarly journals Classroom inside writing activities from perspective of pre-service teacherÖğretmen adaylarının perspektifinden sınıf içi yazma çalışmalarının değerlendirilmesi

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 1534
Author(s):  
Seyit Ateş
Keyword(s):  
Student Teaching ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Classroom Setting ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Writing Practices ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Teachers Perspectives ◽  
Pre Service Teacher

Writing, which is defined as a statement of thoughts, emotions, and knowledge in a writing form, is an important skill used by any individual during lifelong. Due to this fact, writing skill have drawn more attention from educators and researchers and a number of empiric and theoretical researches have been conducted on how to acquire and develop this skill. Additionally, how this skill is transferred into classroom setting has an interest. The current research aimed to explore the writing practices in the classroom settings from the pre-service teachers’ perspectives. This research employed qualitative case study method and the data was collected though the structured observations and semi-structured focus group interviews. The fourth-year pre-service teachers studying at elementary school classroom teaching and their experienced teachers in their student teaching experience schools constituted the research sample. The data was analyzed by using descriptive techniques. The overall findings of the research showed that there was a relative lack of the practice used for developing writing skills in the classroom setting. While the grade level changed, the practices for writing di not differentiated. Based on the research findings, the recommendations were given. Extended English abstract is in the end of PDF (TURKISH) file. ÖzetZihindeki duygu, düşünce ve bilgilerin yazılı bir şekilde ifade edilmesi olarak tanımlanan yazma bireyin hayatı boyunca kullanacağı önemli bir beceridir. Bu nedenle yazma her zaman eğitimcilerin ve araştırmacıların ilgi odağı olmuş, bu becerinin kazanımı ve geliştirilmesiyle ilgili kuramsal ve uygulama temelli çok sayıda araştırma yapılmıştır. Bu araştırmaların sınıflara nasıl yansıdığı ise merak konusudur. Bu araştırmada öğretmen adaylarının perspektifinden sınıfta gerçekleştirilen yazma çalışmalarının betimlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Araştırma nitel yaklaşımla gerçekleştirilmiş olup veriler yapılandırılmış katılımlı olmayan gözlemler ve katılımcılarla yapılan odak grup görüşmeler yoluyla elde edilmiştir. Sınıf öğretmenliği eğitimi son sınıf öğrencileri ve bu öğrencilerin staja gittikleri okullardaki öğretmenler araştırmanın çalışma grubunu oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmada gözlem ve görüşmelerden elde edilen veriler betimsel analizle çözümlenmiştir. Araştırmadan çıkarılan en genel sonuç ilkokul sınıflarında yazmanın geliştirilmesine yönelik uygulamaların yetersiz olduğu yönündedir. Sınıf düzeyinin değişmesine rağmen yazma öncesinde, yazma sırasında ve yazma sonrasında sınıflarda yapılan çalışmalar farklılaşmamaktadır. Araştırmada elde edilen sonuçlar doğrultusunda uygulamaya yönelik öneriler geliştirilmiştir.

scholarly journals The knowledge and perceptions of history students of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Oelofse ◽  
A Oosthuysen
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Truth And Reconciliation Commission ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Reconciliation Commission ◽  
Truth And Reconciliation ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
The University

Using the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa (TRC) and the concept of reconciliation as a case study, the article attempts to assess the knowledge and understanding of the registered undergraduate history students at the University of the Free State’s main campus about the TRC and the concept and process of reconciliation in the country at large. The research will firstly assess whether the younger generation of students, specifically students taking history as a subject, have any knowledge of such a significant and contemporary event in South African historiography as the TRC process. Secondly, in relation to the aims and recommendations of the TRC and against the background of reconciliation efforts in the country, to perceive the views and thoughts of undergraduate history students on the progress in reconciliation endeavours in South Africa. As a result, a sample of 128 undergraduate history students was randomly selected to complete a quantitative questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of both closed and open-ended questions. Group interviews, as a qualitative research method, were added and used to conduct interviews with 16 undergraduate history students selected randomly and answers were recorded. Accordingly, an explanatory mixed- method research method approach was employed by implementing both the qualitative and quantitative method.

scholarly journals What Makes a Good Program? A Case Study of a School Admitting High Academic Achievers

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 1027-1036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching Man Lam
Keyword(s):  
Administrative Support ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Program Success ◽  
Project Coordinator ◽  
Clear Vision ◽  
Tier 1 ◽  
Group Interviews

This paper reports the results of a qualitative study that explored the administration and implementation of the Tier 1 Program (Secondary 1 Curriculum) of the Project P.A.T.H.S. The case study method was used to explore perceptions of the teachers and the project coordinator of program effectiveness, and to identify various factors for program success. A school admitting high academic achievers was selected, and site visits, as well as individual and focus group interviews, were conducted with the program coordinator, social worker, and course teachers. The results suggested that clear vision and program goals, high quality of curriculum, helpful leadership, positive teacher attitude, and strong administrative support are factors for program success. Analyzing the data enables the researchers to understand the characteristics of a successful program as well as the interplay among factors for producing success.

scholarly journals Disrespect and Abuse Experienced by Women during Childbirth in Midwife-Led Obstetric Units in Tshwane District, South Africa: A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 3667
Author(s):  
Refilwe Malatji ◽  
Sphiwe Madiba
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Maternity Care ◽  
Computer Software ◽  
Verbal Abuse ◽  
Respectful Maternity Care ◽  
Disrespect And Abuse ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Postnatal Women ◽  
The Common ◽  
Group Interviews

The disrespect and abuse (D&A) of women during childbirth is common and a great concern in midwifery-led obstetric units (MOUs) in South Africa. This paper used the seven chapters of the Respectful Maternity Care Charter as a framework to explore women’s experiences of care during childbirth and examine the occurrence of D&A during childbirth in MOUs. Five focus group interviews were conducted with postnatal women aged 18 to 45 years selected purposively from MOUs in Tshwane District in South Africa. The discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a thematic approach and NVivo11 computer software. D&A of women was common during labor and childbirth. Verbal abuse in the form of shouting, labeling, judging, and rude remarks was the common form of D&A. Some of the women were abandoned and neglected, which resulted in their giving birth without assistance. Furthermore, the midwives violated their rights and denied them care such as pain relief medication, birth companions during childbirth, and access to ambulance services. Midwives are at the center of the provision of maternity care in MOUs in South Africa. Therefore, there is a need to strengthen interventions to adopt and implement policies that promotes respectful, nonabusive care during childbirth in MOUs.

scholarly journals A care deficit? The roles of families and faith-based organisations in the lives of youth at the margins in Pretoria Central

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlize Rabe
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Young People ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Dropping Out ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Care Deficit

After completing or dropping out of school, many young people leave their family households and in some cases they move from rural or semi-rural areas to urban centres. Faith-based organisations (FBOs) in major cities in South Africa sometimes act as a safety net for marginalised youth, especially as government departments are overburdened and not addressing all the needs of youth at the margins. This qualitative research is based on an analysis of individual and focus group interviews undertaken with young people living in the central areas of Pretoria. It is shown how families and FBOs engage as separate, although at times not unrelated, entities in the lives of youth at the margins. In certain cases, the FBO became an institution of last resort and only in rare cases is a certain synergy achieved between FBOs and families.

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