RCE2601 Portfolio Semester 2 2023 (Answers)

RCE2601 Portfolio Semester 2 2023 (Answers) declaration form, carefully review the institution's plagiarism policy. Please follow these instructions diligently to successfully complete your portfolio. 3 SECTION A: RESEARCH PROPOSAL Choose one option only. Option 1 You are a student pursuing a Bachelor of Education degree at a prominent university. For your final assessment (portfolio), you have been given the task of developing a research proposal related to the alarming issue of drug use in schools. Your university has recently received reports of an increase in drug-related incidents within the local school district, including cases of students being found in possession of drugs or exhibiting behaviours indicative of substance abuse. The school district has reached out to your university for assistance in understanding the extent of the problem, its causes, and potential solutions. Examiner’s own scenario. Your task is to create a research proposal that addresses this critical issue. In your proposal, you should outline the introduction, the literature review, research design and methodology, data collection, data analysis, implications and recommendations and conclusion. Each valid point will receive a score of 1 mark. 1. Create a title based on the scenario above [2 marks] 2. Introduction A. Background and context (2) B. Problem statement (2) C. Purpose of the study (2) D. Research questions or hypotheses (2) [8 marks] 3. Literature Review A. Overview of drug and alcohol use in schools (3) B. Factors contributing to drug and alcohol use among students (4) C. Effects of drug and alcohol use on students' academic performance (4) 4 D. Existing prevention and intervention strategies (4) [15 marks] 4. Research Design and Methodology A. Research design (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods) (3) B. Sampling methods (4) C. Ethical considerations (e.g., informed consent, confidentiality) (3) [10 marks] 5. Data Collection A. Detailed description of data collection procedures (6) B. Data collection instruments (e.g., survey questionnaire, interview guide) (4) [10 marks] 6. Data Analysis and Interpretation A. Data analysis procedures (e.g., coding, statistical tests) (4) B. Presentation of findings (3) C. Interpretation of findings (3) [10 marks] 7. Implications and Recommendations A. Implications for educational policy and practice (3) B. Recommendations for addressing drug and alcohol use in schools (2) [5 marks] 8. Conclusion A. Summary of key findings (2) B. Discussion of research limitations (2) C. Call for future research (1) [ 5 marks] 5 9. References Properly format the list of all sources cited in the proposal according to Harvard Style. [ 5 marks] Total Marks: 70 Option 2 Read the following abstract and then answer the questions that follow: 1.1 Formulate a suitable title for the above abstract. (2) 1.2 Construct a main research question and two subsidiary questions that could guide the above-mentioned research. (2) 1.3 Based on your title and the research questions, write an introduction of half a page that introduces the problem, significance and motivation. (4) 1.4 In the next section of your proposal, write an appropriate Statement of the problem and clearly indicate the rationale of this study. (8) 1.5 Refer to question 1.3. Write a clear purpose and objectives/aims of the research. Remember that research objectives/aims and research questions are aligned with each other and the title. (2) 1.6 Write a Literature review based on the primary concepts of the study and empirical evidence based on previous studies done in the same area. Define your concepts in an argumentative manner. The literature sources (academic publications; articles; books, etc.) must relate to the title/problem/aim. All Poverty and lack of parental involvement have a dual negative effect on the academic performance of learners with disabilities and are prevalent in rural areas. While parental involvement in schools in impoverished rural communities is very low, research indicates parental involvement is key in addressing barriers to learning and associated learning disabilities. This article reports on an analysis the nature and extent of parental involvement of learners with disabilities at schools in impoverished rural communities. A specific rural community was targeted. This has become a social/societal issue that constrain individuals’ lives, thus the need for an Action Research. Source: Adapted from African Journal of Pedagogy and Curriculum, 2018. 6 arguments must be motivated with clear and proper citations which will be reflected in your reference list. Here you must write PARAGRAPHS with headings and sub-headings; the discussion in each paragraph relates to the paragraph heading. It is important that you analyse, and tell the reader what you have learned from your review, Is there a general trend or any discrepancies or contradictions in your findings? (10) 1.7 After discussing your literature review, identify your theoretical framework with a thoughtful discussion of the literature based on your theory/theories. (5) 1.8 Next is the Research Methodology: this section must make provision for the following sub-sections: (5)  Research paradigm  Research design (qualitative/quantitative/mixed method)  Strategy of inquiry (motivate your strategy of inquiry) 1.9 This section focuses on Data Collection This section contains the heart of your action research, and you should prepare for it by thoroughly reviewing section 3.5 of Learning Unit 3. The following must be emphasised and comprehensively discussed:  Population and sampling (What is a population and sampling from the literature? Is the sampling strategy appropriate to the research method? How are you going to apply it? Indicate the method of sampling used to identify the research site and the method of sampling to identify participants. Description of participants? How many? Who are they? Do not name them but provide a profile of your participants. Use pseudonyms. Why did you choose these participants? Inclusion and exclusion criteria?  Data collection/generation (What is data collection/generation from the literature? How are you going to collect/generate data? What is your method/instrument of data collection/generation? Questionnaires, interviews, etc. (Attach your Addendums for each method you intend to use, e.g. (Addendum A - Questionnaire) (8) 1.10 This section focuses on Data analysis. What is data analysis from the literature? Indicate the data analysis method? Why is this method the most suitable? How will data analysis be conducted? 7 Elaborate on ONE quality criteria for rigour which is applicable in your action research. Present your key findings with an interpretation. (10) 1.11 Ethical considerations What are ethical considerations from the literature? Are ethical considerations. applicable to your study mentioned? Are ethical considerations applicable to your study explained? Measures are taken to ensure the ethical considerations are adhered to and considered throughout the study. Approval/informed consent to be obtained from participants? (4) 1.12 Reflect on the Implications and recommendations of your action research. (2) 1.13 Briefly evaluate the action outcomes of your research. (2) 1.14 Technical aspects Pay attention to your numbering, language usage, and referencing according to Harvard style. (4) 1.15 Appendices: (2) Data collection instruments included and aligned with proposal? Participant consent form included and aligned with proposal? Total mark: 70 8 SECTION B: CRITICAL REASONING Review the following scenarios and employ critical thinking to provide responses to the questions. No external sources or references are necessary for this exercise. Each valid point presented will receive a score of 1 mark. Question 1 The South African Schools Act (no. 84 of 1996) has banned corporal punishment in the education sector since 1997. Section 10 (1) of the Act explicitly states that administering corporal punishment to a learner in a school is prohibited, and any violation of this provision is deemed a criminal offense. If convicted, the perpetrator may face a sentence similar to that imposed for assault (South African Government 1996). Suggest alternatives that can be implemented in place of corporal punishment in schools. [6 marks] Question 2 A learner has approached you with a report of constant abuse by a relative. Explain what you will do. [6 marks] Question 3 Two students in your class are constantly arguing and disrupting the learning environment. Discuss how you will you deal with the situation. [6 marks] Question 4 In a classroom comprised of students with diverse abilities, you are faced with the challenge of accommodating learners who possess varying levels of comprehension 9 regarding a specific subject matter. Discuss how you would address the needs of all students in this context. [6 marks] Question 5 In the event of an unforeseen crisis, such as a pandemic, which results in the disruption of the standard school schedule and a nationwide lockdown, what measures would you take to ensure the continuity of teaching and learning? [6 marks] Total marks: 30 Grand total: 100 marks