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Article
Publication date: 10 September 2018

Gideon Petrus van Tonder and Elsa Fourie

The purpose of this paper is to explore the possible use of internships to support educators with the increase in their administrative, professional workload.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the possible use of internships to support educators with the increase in their administrative, professional workload.

Design/methodology/approach

This research utilised a mixed method approach. Quantitative and qualitative data was gathered. Pragmatism was the research paradigm. Two structured Likert scale questionnaires were used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with purposefully selected in-service educators from schools.

Findings

The participants in this study indicated that the increase in their administrative workload impacted negatively on their well-being, they were overwhelmed by the amount of documentation they had to compile, they indicated that assessment was difficult, that they did not have time to constantly adapt to changes, that they had limited opportunities for professional development. Educators said they suffered from anxiety, had high stress levels, were moody, physically and emotionally exhausted and considered to leave the profession.

Practical implications

The implementation of an internship model could impact positively on educators’ administrative workload. It could lead to a decrease in educators’ administrative workload; lower stress levels and increased learner performance. Student educators will have opportunities to experience how a school operates, get feedback on their teaching skills, learn to discipline learners, attend meetings and serve as part of an educational team.

Originality/value

In the light of the findings of this research it seems that the implementation of an internship model would provide opportunities to expose student educators to a real-life work experience and opportunities to work together with experienced educators acting as mentors.

Details

International Journal of Educational Management, vol. 32 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-354X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 August 2018

Elsa Fourie

The purpose of this paper is to identify limitations in managing the implementation of effective teaching and learning in township ECD centres.

1044

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify limitations in managing the implementation of effective teaching and learning in township ECD centres.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was grounded in a community-based participatory research approach. A qualitative research design was utilised because phenomena could be studied in terms of the meanings of people. Elements of grounded theory, situational analysis and community-based participatory research were blended. The qualitative research design involved semi-structured face-to-face interviews with teachers in township ECD centres.

Findings

The findings from this research made it evident that principals of ECD centres were often absent; had not been trained to manage an ECD centre; had limited skills to manage finances; did not communicate with parents or teachers; and did not motivate teachers to achieve goals or to improve their qualifications.

Practical implications

Challenges that could impede the effective implementation of an intervention programme should be identified and addressed. Principals of ECD centres should be empowered to manage their centres effectively. A training programme aimed at empowering principals of ECD centres has been developed and will be implemented after consultation with the gatekeeper and principals of the ECD centres.

Originality/value

The findings of this research could be used by principals and researchers to reflect on management practices in ECD centres. A challenge for principals is to acknowledge the principles of effective management and to close the gap between current practices and effective management practices. Interventions from academics are essential to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in ECD centres.

Details

International Journal of Educational Management, vol. 32 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-354X

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 6 December 2017

Emelly Mutambatsere

This chapter uses data from the World Bank’s Private Participation in Infrastructure project database, and hand-collected evidence on project performance, to examine how PPPs are…

Abstract

This chapter uses data from the World Bank’s Private Participation in Infrastructure project database, and hand-collected evidence on project performance, to examine how PPPs are applied to infrastructure development in Africa, and how well they have delivered expected benefits. It has two analytical parts: an investment trend analysis and a meta-analysis of project performance and explanatory factors. The analysis shows growth both in number and volume of PPP investments that is weaker than that observed in other developing regions, and more volatile. The performance of PPP contracts appears to be improving over time with an overall cancelation rate of 7% over the assessment period. Although PPPs have contributed to increasing infrastructure stock, they have not completely met their potential, especially with respect to increasing infrastructure access rates. The main determinants of performance include accuracy of costing and allocation of risks, consistency of macro policies with the objectives and functioning of PPPs, coherence of sector policies and plans and local capacity. Contract cancellations are mainly explained by the misalignment of outcomes with government objectives, in particular, access and investment objectives. These findings suggest that PPP application should be well planned to ensure coherence of a wide range of policies, readiness of institutions and capacity of public sector actors. This chapter contributes to closing information gaps on a relatively novel policy instrument, and provides useful evidence to support prudent policy making at the time of considerable growth in PPP application.

Details

The Emerald Handbook of Public–Private Partnerships in Developing and Emerging Economies
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78714-494-1

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 30 June 2020

Asefeh Asemi, Andrea Ko and Mohsen Nowkarizi

This paper reviews literature on the application of intelligent systems in the libraries with a special issue on the ES/AI and Robot. Also, it introduces the potential of…

22043

Abstract

Purpose

This paper reviews literature on the application of intelligent systems in the libraries with a special issue on the ES/AI and Robot. Also, it introduces the potential of libraries to use intelligent systems, especially ES/AI and robots.

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive and content review methods are applied, and the researchers critically reviewed the articles related to library ESs and robots from Web of Science as a general database and Emerald as a specific database in library and information science from 2007–2017. Four scopes considered to classify the articles as technology, service, user and resource. It is found that published researches on the intelligent systems have contributed to many librarian purposes like library technical services like the organization of information resources, storage and retrieval of information resources, library public services as reference services, information desk and other purposes.

Findings

A review of the previous studies shows that ESs are a useable intelligent system in library and information science that mimic librarian expert’s behaviors to support decision making and management. Also, it is shown that the current information systems have a high potential to be improved by integration with AI technologies. In this researches, librarian robots mostly designed for detection and replacing books on the shelf. Improving the technology of gripping, localizing and human-robot interaction are the main concern in recent librarian robot research. Our conclusion is that we need to develop research in the area of smart resources.

Originality/value

This study has a new approach to the literature review in this area. We compared the published papers in the field of ES/AI and robot and library from two databases, general and specific.

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