Repository logo

Masters Degrees (Information Studies)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10413/7228

Browse

Browsing Masters Degrees (Information Studies) by SDG "SDG04"

Filter results by typing the first few letters
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The role of school libraries and teacher-librarians in the promotion of reading culture at uThukela district, Bergville Circuit.
    (2023) Mtshali, Noluthando Cynthia.; Kheswa, Siyanda Edison.
    The study aimed to explore the role of school libraries and teacher-librarians in promoting reading culture at uThukela District, Bergville Circuit. The circuit currently has 110 schools, and only seven have functional libraries. The Circuit has one public library, which is in town. Studies on the reading culture have been done before, but studies have yet to be conducted within the Bergville Circuit. Most of the studies on this topic were conducted internationally, with a few in the African and South African contexts. The study was guided by an interpretivism paradigm and adopted a qualitative research method using a multiple case study design to collect data through in-depth interviews. The study adopted a purposive sampling technique to select teacher-librarians and principals from seven schools with functional school libraries. The researcher found that factors contributing to the poor reading culture of learners from uThukela District, Bergville Circuit, were: Access to the reading material, poor economic background, illiterate parents, educators’ workload, learners with special needs, and child-headed households. The role of school libraries and teacher-librarians in the promotion of reading culture at uThukela District, Bergville Circuit were: opening the library, organising the books on the shelves, assisting learners in choosing the reading material, providing learners access to books and information, identifying and help learners who are struggling with reading, encourage learners to read, managing and keeping library books safe, monitoring library monitors and creating reading corners and reading competitions. Based on the findings, the study recommends that school libraries should effectively create and sustain a strong reading culture in schools at uThukela District, Bergville Circuit, by ensuring the following: Proper library setup and infrastructure, ensuring learner’s favourite genres are stoked up, Curriculum Integration Plan by educators and school-librarians, attracting new readers and marketing the library, developing programs encouraging learners to read library material and read continuously, storytelling, book recommendation, book clubs, readers cup competitions, read aloud and speeches, getting all educators involved and having the SMT’s involvement in the promotion of the school library usage.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The use of electronic databases (EDs) during the COVID-19 pandemic by Information Studies postgraduate students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Pietermaritzburg Campus.
    (2022) Letsoalo, Lethabo Mohlago Rogator.; Kheswa, Siyanda Edison.
    This ethnographic study investigates the use of electronic databases (EDs) during the COVID-19 pandemic by Information Studies postgraduate students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Pietermaritzburg Campus. The motivation for this study stemmed from the researcher’s experience of the majority of students did not know how to use library’s electronic resources to retrieve information for their work. A few years later, with the COVID-19 pandemic involved, the researcher wanted to understand how the pandemic has affected postgraduate students. Cognitive Learning Theory (CLT) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) theory underpinned the study. The main objectives of the study are to determine whether students are aware of the EDs offered by UKZN, if they received user education during the COVID-19 as well as the challenges experienced with regards to using and accessing EDs during the pandemic. The study used the post-positivism paradigm. The study population consisted of 51 registered postgraduate students. The data collection instrument used was a questionnaire, and it was distributed to students via email with the assistance of the supervisor and school administrator. The questionnaire sought to establish if postgraduate students used and accessed EDs during COVID-19, which EDs they used most, to identify challenges they encountered, the training they received and if they were aware of the available EDs. Of 52 registered students, 32 responded, yielding a response rate of 63%. The results were analysed and graphically presented in tables and graphs. The study found that postgraduate students were aware of the available EDs, but few students did not use them because of a lack of training. The UKZN e-journals A-Z list was the most used EDs. The study also found that students want to receive more training because EDs are based on the use of technology, and technology evolves over time. Several problems were experienced when using the databases remotely, such as a need for training on using the databases and improving access for off-campus users. Based on the study’s conclusions, liaising with lecturers for a class visit to increase awareness of EDs and training that includes different techniques to accommodate all students were presented as recommendations.