Department of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education
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- ItemIS THERE A SOLUTION TO HIGH PRICING OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEXTBOOKS IN BULAWAYO?(The Journal of LiberaL Arts Education, 2022-04-14) Mhone, N.; Ndlovu, M.J.; Zulu, E.; Masukume, C.; Tlou, F.N.The objective of the study was to investigate the causes of the high cost of primary and secondary school textbooks in Bulawayo and establish if there is a possible solution to the pricing of books. The study was a descriptive qualitative and quantitative survey. Data were collected through 90 questionnaires (having distributed 105) and seven in-depth interviews from parents, primary and secondary school teachers, ministry officials, printing companies, retailers/bookshops, street vendors and photocopying business people. The study found that high textbook pricing was a result of parents’ low income and reduced disposable income, the import duty, the economic hardships, the scarcity of textbooks and the use of middlemen in the supply chain. As a result, parents opted for cheaper alternatives such as photocopying, buying from street vendors or flea markets, while some totally forgo purchasing new textbooks and rely on schools to provide. Some parents wait for donors to chip in, or use the Internet, or sell each other photocopied books, while private schools provided all study materials hence they were not directly affected by the high cost of textbooks. The study recommended Government to consider strongly supporting local publishing and printing of secondary textbooks. It further urged local publishers to go electronic and charge lower prices since they will not incur printing costs. It was also recommended that schools should consider e-books for ‘O’ and ‘A’ Levels in an effort to reduce the costs of textbooks at these two levels.
- ItemFuzzy PI Based Motor Speed Control using DSP TMS320F2812(International Journal of Latest Research in Humanities and Social Science (IJLRHSS), 2022) Chasokela, D.Alternating Current (AC) induction machine plays an important role in the entire industry and daily life. This is due to their robustness, inexpensive and easy to maintain in a period of time. Vector control is used in large numbers in the speed control of AC induction machine. High dynamic performance high speed precision and wide constant torque range capabilities are the key benefits of vector control. Stability of the system during transient process and a wide range of operation are assured through the application of vector control. The purpose of this thesis is to study the vector control of AC induction machine based on the principles of the AC speed control system, vector control and fuzzy Proportional integral (PI) control, and implementing the digital vector control systems based on the digital signal processor (Digital Signal Processor-DSP TMS320F2812) from Texas Instruments. The mathematical modeling of the AC induction motor and the principles of vector control and fuzzy systems are overviewed first. Fuzzy PI regulator is then proposed to carry out the regulation of the motor speed. The fuzzy PI is an intelligent technique that has evolved in the last decades and it emulates the human way of thinking. Therefore the fuzzy PI does not need the exact mathematical model. In-depth study of fuzzy PI and the normal PI was carried out. Matlab/Simulink software is used to simulate the vector control of the AC induction motor with both fuzzy PI regulator and normal PI regulator for comparative purposes. Simulation results showed that fuzzy PI has a better performance in terms of stability, faster response and robustness, and the fluctuation ripples are also smaller. Experiments had been done on the laboratory platform of AC drive system with the help of AC speed control monitor program designed in Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench (LabVIEW) under variable operating conditions. The experimental waveforms were captured using the LabVIEW monitoring software. In order to carry out real time implementation, Code Composer Studio and SEEDXDS510plus Emulator are adopted to programming and testing with the DSP TMS320F2812. Experiments results show that the fuzzy PI regulator performs better than normal PI regulator, as fuzzy PI regulator indicates better waveforms of torque and speed responses during acceleration and deceleration, especially when the motor is operating on lower speeds.
- ItemAlignments and Mismatches of Policies on Children with Learning Difficulties/Disabilities to Professional Practice Expectations in Zimbabwe: A Reality Check(American Journal of Educational Research, 2021-08-04) Tlou, F.N.; Nyoni, T.The problem of gross discrepancies between educational inclusive policy rhetoric for learners with disability and applicability of such intentions in implementation has raised concerns of stakeholders in Zimbabwe. This paper examines whether or not policy prescriptions by the Zimbabwe Ministry of Primary & Secondary Education (MoPSE) for the primary level learners with difficulties are aligned or mis-aligned to actual implementation actions that are a reality on the ground. The paper interrogates these issues with regards to provision of specialised support services, checking if these are fulfilled for learners with disabilities, and argues that if they do not occur, then learning is impeded. The study was located in the interpretive paradigm which used a qualitative approach and a case study design. Participants were drawn from the Metropolitan Provincial Psychological Services team, Parents of children from one selected school and a head of school in the same Province. Results showed that while to a limited extent the specialists identified a few children in the province as falling in the learning difficulties category, the greater number was not identified. Of those identified, specialists hardly serviced them because of lack of resources and this constituted a mismatch of the pronounced claims with what is happening. The paper advances calls for advocacy for policies to be suitably aligned to the expectations purported in ministry claims.
- ItemBarriers to the Implementation of Agenda 2030 United Nations Global Goals in the Zimbabwean Higher Education Context(International Journal of Latest Research in Humanities and Social Science (IJLRHSS), 2022-07-07) Mhlanga, E.; Tlou, F.N.; Phuthi, G.S.N.; Manokore, K.; Sibanda, Z.; Chasokela, D.; Mpofu, M.; Sibanda, L.The struggle towards development is not acquiring anticipated progress in Zimbabwe. This study unearthed barriers to a fruitful implementation of Agenda2030 United Nations goals in the Zimbabwean context. An interpretive paradigm was used for the study and a qualitative approach that embraced a case study was employed. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews with the professional stakeholders. Among the highly ranked barriers towards the implementation of Agenda 2030 are deprived sustainability education in academic organizations, lack of resources to implement the goals, unawareness of development and its cost benefits, low prioritization and resistance to cultural change in academic institutions. The research recommends adequate sustainability education in academic institutions to positively impact the required cultural change in the industry. There is demand for suitable government policies that support implementation of Agenda 2030. The study also advices for the need of the implementation of Agenda 2030in education through continuing professional development and to improve the thinking and practicability of sustainable practice in Zimbabwe.
- ItemGrounded theory in Educational Research: A literature review of features and processes(International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Studies, 2022-02-13) Shava G. N.; Tlou F. N.; Shonhiwa S.Grounded theory which is a systematic methodology of discovering theory from data in social science and educational research is considered a general methodology and a way of thinking about conceptualizing data. Using Grounded theory, meaning is negotiated and understood through interactions with others in a social process. This desk top research provides an overview of the features of grounded theory, and in the process, activities involved in using grounded theory are highlighted. Further weaknesses and strengths of grounded theory are discussed. In this article we argue that using an appropriate research method for an inquiry is critical to successful educational research.