Masters Degrees (School of Higher Education Studies)
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Browsing Masters Degrees (School of Higher Education Studies) by Subject "Academic achievement"
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Item Open Access Enhancing the functionality of supplemental instruction for first-year mathematics students at a higher education institution(University of the Free State, 2014-12) Moleko, Mirriam Matshidiso; Letsie, L. E.; Hlalele, D. J.English: The study sought to formulate a framework to enhance the functionality of Supplemental Instruction (SI) for first-year Mathematics students at an institution of higher education. Generally, many students find mathematics challenging, not only at high school level but also when they are enrolled for modules at higher education institutions. Most first-year Mathematics students usually withdraw from taking it and opt to pursue other fields of studies, whilst others drop out. It was on this basis and in trying to retain these students in Mathematics as one high-risk course that a programme such as SI was conceptualized then developed to enhance students’ understanding of course content. Although SI proved to be a good intervention strategy which led to significant improvements in other high risk modules which were targeted it was not the case with Mathematics. The study therefore sought to establish the challenges pertaining to the implementation of SI for Mathematics students and to provide solutions to the identified challenges. The conditions conducive to the solutions to work, as well as the threats that could evade the successful implementation of the strategies, were reflected by the study. It further demonstrated the evidence of the successful SI framework’s implementation. Critical Emancipatory Research (CER) was the paradigm underpinning the study, and Participatory Action Research (PAR) was adopted as the methodology for generating data. The generated data was analysed and interpreted through the use of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), which subsequently made it possible for data to be interpreted at textual, social and discursive levels. The study recommended the following in terms of enhancing the functionality of SI for first-year Mathematics students at an institution of higher education: formation of the SI team; the establishment of a common vision; performing a SWOT analysis; determining priorities; and strategic planning.Item Open Access The influence of compulsory class attendance on module success rates: The University of the Free State case(University of the Free State, 2014-07) Gadinger, Beate; Brüssow, S. M.Abstract not availableItem Open Access Investigating the effect of the extended programme on the LLB students’ success(University of the Free State, 2015-10-14) Van Niekerk, Leani; Marais, Nalize; Horn, MardaNo abstract available.Item Open Access The relationship between learning motivation and academic achievement among second year physics students(University of the Free State, 2017-07) Stofile, Caroline Letshego Keamogetswe; Teise, V. N.English: The aim of the research study was to determine the relationship between learning motivation and academic achievement among 2nd year physics students at the University of the Free State. The population consisted of 2nd year students studying physics at the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State. The sample consisted of 55 2nd year students who were enrolled for various BSc degree programmes but had a physics module either as a major or as an elective. Probability sampling in the form of simple random sampling was used to select respondents. Relevant literature indicated that learning motivation is related to students’ academic achievement but very few has determined how learning motivation may influence the academic achievement of students in a particular subject such as physics. The data on student learning motivation was collected using a standardized questionnaire, namely the students' motivation towards physics learning (SMTPL) questionnaire. The students’ first year final examination marks in physics were used to determine the academic achievement of students. The empirical investigation established that learning motivation has no influence on the academic achievement of 2nd year physics students. The study however showed that self-efficacy may be the best construct of learning motivation to predict students’ academic achievement.Item Open Access A support programme for first-year chemistry students: a campus case study(University of the Free State, 2012-12) Moji, Rantooa Goodchild; Holtzhausen, S. M.; Meintjes, R.Chemistry is often regarded as a difficult subject, which is reflected in the high failure rates of university first-year students. These students are faced by diverse challenges such as the difficult and abstract nature of the subject, lack of interest in and motivation for this subject, irrelevant prior knowledge or misconceptions, large classes, and the application in the world of work. The success rate of first-year Chemistry students at the UFS (Qwaqwa campus) has also been unsatisfactory for some years and that adversely affected the through-put rates of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. This made it necessary to embark on a study to establish what could be the root causes of this problem and propose a possible way to remedy the situation. In order to address this problem, this study was designed to address the following main research question: What are first-year students’ and lecturers’ experiences of the teaching, learning and assessment employed in the Chemistry subject (i.e. CEM104) and how can possible shortcomings be addressed? This study used an adapted explanatory mixed methods design to address the main research question, using qualitative findings (from focus groups and semi-structured interviews) to explain the quantitative findings from the self-constructed questionnaire. Hundred and thirteen first-year Chemistry students (UFS, QwaQwa campus) participated in the questionnaire survey, while two focus groups were conducted and two lecturers were interviewed. In essence, the data revealed that both first-year Chemistry students and lecturers at the UFS (QwaQwa campus) perceived learning, teaching and assessment deficiencies, but the determinant factors/reasons for these were diverse. The participants, however, recognised the need for a support programme as well as various additional facilities (e.g. computers, e-mail, internet, library services and textbooks, academic support and a departmental manual) to improve the academic performance of first-year Chemistry students.