Research Publications (Accounting and Informatics)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/212
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Item Effective administration of university leadership in a selected institution in Durban(IATED Digital Library, 2015-11) Ngwane, Knowledge Siyabonga Vusamandla; Ngwane, C. N.University leadership and administration is a critical aspect as it is about the functioning of the entire institution. Effective and efficient administration of the university relies on the principal. Leading proponents encourage transformational leadership, moral stewardship, principal as an instructional leader, and principal as a communicator or community builder. Discovering effective leadership and administration mechanisms can help teach university decision and policy makers to implement leadership development which will lead to improved student achievement. The purpose of this article is to investigate the university senior leadership and its administration in order to improve efficiency and effectiveness holistically. The problem resulting to conducting of this study is the high level of both students and staff demonstrations annually in the selected university, these strikes end up affecting teaching, learning and research within the institution. The underlying question the study intends to address is: “Which factors hinder effective and efficient university administration?” Educational leadership changes from a managerial orientation to promote the significance of concentrating on the learning and teaching process and student success. Educational institution leaders’ competencies are always associated with continuous training and development they receive to make them better leaders. Hence, training and development in university leadership requires a systematic planning which will result to excellent institution education. In order to explain the phenomenon under study better, the Burns transformational theory founded by James MacGregor Burns will be utilised. The positivism paradigm is the philosophy adopted for this study. The survey will be conducted at the Durban University of Technology with the intention to address the question and the objective of the study. The questionnaires will be administered to 30 senior management members within the institution, including the Vice Chancellor and his Deputy, Deans, Directors and HODs.Item Using e-learning to motivate and encourage large groups of students(Web of Science, 2016) Ngwane, Knowledge Siyabonga VusamandlaThe term motivation is derived for the Latin word “movere”, which means to move. Motivation is broadly defined as forces within a person that cause interest and direction to pursue a goal. The emphasis is usually on a voluntary effort. The person has got to want to do the act otherwise it will not be completed. Motivation in any tertiary institution is difficult but especially to large groups of first year students who are ill equipped for Tertiary Institutions. Blended and collaborative learning is seen as solution to this lack of learner motivation. The design and implementation of these learning types are described and discussed. A common phenomenon in many tertiary institutions is to try and be as resourceful as possible. Lecturing to large groups is a common solution, as it requires one lecturer and a venue limited number of students. It then becomes the lecturer’s challenge to become as creative as possible in administering these students and creating an environment of learning and motivation. This paper examines how e-Learning may encourage and support effective learning. More specifically the paper argues that effective e-Learning should utilise both the Internet and merge it with traditional face to face teaching and learning practices, with the emphasis on using principles of engagement theory. Effective learning refers to the connection between effective learning processes such as collaboration, interaction, participation and learning outcomes and objectives which are higher order thinking skills, critical thinking and problem solving skills. In reviewing the literature, there is clear evidence that by using the Internet exciting opportunities are provided to both learners and lecturers that promote collaborative, project based and authentic activities, which are not capable in the traditional face to face mode of teaching. Action research according was used in this study. Action research is simply a form of self-reflective enquiry undertaken by participants in social situations in order to improve the rationality and justice of their own practices, their understanding of these practices, and the situations in which the practices are carried out. A total group of 110 first year students doing Information Administration 1 theory in 2014 academic year used for this study. Through reflection in writing up this paper I have taken a good look at my own delivery methods and hope to implement a blended learning style that will not only encourage the students to change the way they do things but also me as the deliverer. Blended learning is a term used to describe the way e-learning is combined with traditional methods and independent study. Blended instruction is more effective than purely face-to-face or purely online classes. Blending learning methods can also result in high levels of student achievement more effective than face-to-face learning. By using a combination of digital instructional and one-one face time, students can work on their own with new concepts which frees the lecturer up to circulate and support individual students who may need individualised attention. Blended learning allows students to work at their own pace, making sure they fully understand new concepts before moving on.Item The effectiveness of work-integrated learning in South African Universities of technology : a case study of Durban University of Technology(2016-07) Ngwane, Knowledge Siyabonga VusamandlaThis paper looks at the effectiveness of Work-Integrated Learning in increasing the employability of students studying Office Management and Technology diploma at the Durban University of Technology. The national debate on graduate employment has moved from the narrow focus on a set of essential core skills within the undergraduate curriculum. Work-integrated learning (WIL) programs are becoming popular with students, government, employers, and universities. A major benefit of a WIL program is the increased employability of students, and this matches well with the present trend whereby students expect a pay-off from their investment in education. Various initiatives have been introduced to prepare students for graduate jobs rather than for any job. This includes developing critical, reflective abilities, skills for self-career management and the maintenance of employability and career progression. For OMT students, employability depends on the knowledge, skills and attitudes they possess, the way they use those assets and present them to employers and the context within which they work. The most effective initiative which enhances employment of OMT graduates is the effective and efficient Work Integrated Learning (WIL) they undergo when they do their third year. The Department ensures the placement of all students which grants jobs to more than 70% of the students. The training these students receive so far equips them with the necessary abilities to function as intelligent citizens who can be self-employed and self-reliant. The skills they acquire enable them to contribute to the productivity and development of the organisations they work for. Many graduates are affected by an increasing rate of unemployment but this is not the case for OMT graduates. Most universities has recently strengthened their commitment to WIL through adding WIL to their strategic directions and re-shaping areas of the university to better manage and support WIL provision.