C. Loock | UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG (original) (raw)

Papers by C. Loock

In 2000, the National Minister of Education mandated the inclusion of school-based assessment (SB... more In 2000, the National Minister of Education mandated the inclusion of school-based assessment (SBA) as a component of the Senior Certificate (Grade 12) assessment. This study examines how managing the moderation of SBA could improve the quality of assessment at Grade 12 level. The literature study elucidates the underlying dimensions of managing SBA and the quantitative study investigates the perceptions of educators regarding these dimensions. The findings are consolidated into an enhanced model that calls for continuous moderation of assessment tasks at school level, based on the principles of systems theory. Die bestuur van moderering van skoolgebaseerde assessering op Graad 12-vlak in Gauteng Die Minister van Onderwys het in 2000 die insluiting van skoolgebaseerde assessering (SGA) as integrale komponent van die Nasionale Senior Sertifikaat op Graad 12-vlak deur wetgewing verpligtend gemaak. Hierdie navorsingsprojek poog om aan te toon hoe die bestuur van moderering die kwaliteit van assessering op Graad 12-vlak kan verbeter. Die literatuurstudie het die onderliggende dimensies van SGA uitgeklaar en ondersoek deur van 'n kwantitatiewe navorsingsontwerp gebruik te maak ten einde onderwysers se persepsies aangaande die onderhawige assesseringsdimensies te bepaal. Die bevindinge is vervat in die ontwerp van 'n unieke assesseringsmodel, gebaseer op die fundamentele kenmerke van stelselteorie, wat die effektiwiteit van kwaliteitsversekering en moderering van kontinue-assesseringstake sal bevorder.

South African Journal of Childhood Education, 2016

However, leadership effectiveness is evaluated by its ability to manage time, tasks, individuals,... more However, leadership effectiveness is evaluated by its ability to manage time, tasks, individuals, groups, and situations. This paradigm is closely linked with Sergiovanni's (1990) philosophy of transformational leadership, which comprises the notion of building, bonding, and banking. We would argue that building and bonding could relate to a relational approach, whereas banking leans towards a task-oriented approach or leadership practice. Furthermore, school leadership readiness should include flexibility and mobility in practice as a primary competence. Our view is, furthermore, that competence in prudency and pragmatic endurance, practised by a school leader, can be achieved by building teams of individuals with task, bonding the team with relations, and banking intelligently. Leadership behavioural theory came into being after the traits theory of leadership. The traits theory was insufficient and inconclusive in measuring the leadership discourse (Bass & Stogdill 1990; Bolden et al. 2003). The leadership behavioural theory was highly successful by corresponding the leader's behaviour. Because leadership behavioural theory focused entirely on the leader's This research explores and compares two leadership behavioural styles-relations-and taskoriented behavioural styles-of school leaders in Finland. This study aimed to explore and understand the behavioural style of school leaders, specifically related to relations-oriented and task-oriented behaviour. Three schools in Finland were selected. In-depth interviews were conducted with school principals, as school leaders, and other school actors, such as vice principals, teachers, special-education teachers, and administrative staff members. The results suggest that leadership behavioural styles in terms of relations-oriented and task-oriented behaviour are equally important for accommodating changes and development in schools. The results suggest that relations-oriented behaviour was preferred by those who had been in the organisation for a longer time. The task-oriented behavioural style was found to be adopted when changes were required by the municipality (school district), which needed to be urgently addressed to meet the current requirements for school infrastructural development and changes in the educational system. In addition, the school leaders with task-oriented behaviour were more effective, while leaders with relations-oriented behaviour were efficient and generated social harmony. These findings suggest that contextual variations enabled flexibility in leadership behavioural style.

This research explores and compares two leadership behavioural styles – relations- and task-orien... more This research explores and compares two leadership behavioural styles – relations- and task-oriented behavioural styles – of school leaders in Finland. This study aimed to explore and understand the behavioural style of school leaders, specifically related to relations-oriented and task-oriented behaviour. Three schools in Finland were selected. In-depth interviews were conducted with school principals, as school leaders, and other school actors, such as vice principals, teachers, special-education teachers, and administrative staff members. The results suggest that leadership behavioural styles in terms of relations-oriented and task-oriented behaviour are equally important for accommodating changes and development in schools. The results suggest that relations-oriented behaviour was preferred by those who had been in the organisation for a longer time. The task-oriented behavioural style was found to be adopted when changes were required by the municipality (school district), which needed to be urgently addressed to meet the current requirements for school infrastructural development and changes in the educational system. In addition, the school leaders with task-oriented behaviour were more effective, while leaders with relations-oriented behaviour were efficient and generated social harmony. These findings suggest that contextual variations enabled flexibility in leadership behavioural style.

Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 1999

A disproportionately large number of youth and adults with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal... more A disproportionately large number of youth and adults with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol effects (FAE) seem to be coming into conflict with the legal system. Learning and behavioral difficulties associated with FAS/FAE may make them more susceptible to criminal behavior. This study determined the prevalence of FAS/FAE among youth who were remanded for a forensic psychiatric/psychological assessment. All youth remanded to a forensic psychiatric inpatient assessment unit over a 1-year period were evaluated for FAS/FAE. Of the 287 youth, 67 (23.3%) had an alcohol-related diagnosis: 3 (1.0%) had a diagnosis of FAS and 64 (22.3%) had a diagnosis of FAE. Thus, this group is disproportionately represented in the juvenile justice system, indicating the need for increased education and awareness among those in the criminal justice system involved with these youth.

Canadian Medical Association Journal, 2005

Canadian Medical Association Journal, 2015

Alaska medicine

The objective was to assist with the prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder through a part... more The objective was to assist with the prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder through a participatory research approach involving local women and health care workers. Our interest was in understanding how well communities could develop culturally appropriate methods of helping women to reduce their alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Four geographically distant Aboriginal communities were presented with a task of adapting a standard Brief Alcohol Intervention, and in particular to develop a culturally appropriate means of using the Intervention with women in the community. Academic and Aboriginal community researchers worked together in partnership, using a participatory action research approach to address alcohol use during pregnancy. The outcome of the project was the design of four differing models of culturally appropriate community interventions designed to support vulnerable women in their childbearing years. The intervention models developed by the four communities hav...

Journal of population therapeutics and clinical pharmacology = Journal de la thérapeutique des populations et de la pharamcologie clinique, 2014

As part of the Canadian Association of Paediatric Health Centres Taskforce on FASD Screening comm... more As part of the Canadian Association of Paediatric Health Centres Taskforce on FASD Screening commitment to further pilot, validate and evaluate the multiple components of the Canadian FASD Screening Tool Kit, it was deemed necessary that recent developments and/or improvements in FASD screening were identified and considered. In 2008 a literature review of methods for screening for FASD was published until 2006 and identified five tools which met pre-set criteria. A review of all new papers was published from the period January 2006 until July 1, 2013. Out of 1392 papers, two new screening methods met the inclusion criteria: Clarren et al's new norms for palpebral fissure length by age in Canada; and Breiner et al's extension of the Neurobehavioral Screening Test (NST) to age 4 years. Further work is needed to validate these methods in other settings.

Alaska medicine, 2007

Social Science & Medicine, 2013

Canada Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Sleep disorder Th... more Canada Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Sleep disorder Therapeutic emplotment Family ecology Chronic care management a b s t r a c t Children and adolescents with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) are at high-risk for developing sleep problems (SPs) triggering daytime behavioral co-morbidities such as inattention, hyperactivity, and cognitive and emotional impairments. However, symptoms of sleep deprivation are solely associated with typical daytime diagnosis, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and treated with psychotropic medications. To understand how and why SPs are missed, we conducted qualitative interviews (QIs) with six parents and seven health care professionals (HCPs), and performed comprehensive clinical sleep assessments (CCSAs) in 27 patients together with their caregivers referred to our clinic for unresolved SPs. We used narrative schema and therapeutic emplotment in conjunction with analyzes of medical records to appropriately diagnose SPs and develop treatment strategies. The research was conducted at British Columbia Children's Hospital in Vancouver (Canada) between 2008 and 2011. In the QIs, parents and HCPs exhibited awareness of the significance of SPs and the effects of an SP on the daytime behaviors of the child and the associated burdens on the parents. HCPs' systemic inattention to the sequelae of SPs and the affected family's wellbeing appears due to an insufficient understanding of the various factors that contribute to nighttime SPs and their daytime sequelae. In the CCSAs, we found that the diagnostic recognition of chronic SPs in children and adolescents was impaired by the exclusive focus on daytime presentations. Daytime behavioral and emotional problems were targets of pharmacological treatment rather than the underlying SP. Consequently, SPs were also targeted with medications, without investigating the underlying problem. Our study highlights deficits in the diagnostic recognition of chronic SPs among children with chronic neurodevelopmental disorders/disabilities and proposes a clinical practice strategy, based on therapeutic emplotment that incorporates patients and parents' contributions in recognizing SPs and related sequelae in designing appropriate treatment and care.

PEDIATRICS, 2000

To determine the structural and functional integrity of the brain in a sample of nonretarded indi... more To determine the structural and functional integrity of the brain in a sample of nonretarded individuals diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome. The sample consisted of nineteen individuals who met the diagnostic criteria for fetal alcohol syndrome. Intellectual function was assessed using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised. Structural integrity of the brain was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging whereas functional integrity was assessed using positron emission tomography and (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose. The mean Full Scale IQ was 80. 2 (range: 66-92). Only 1 magnetic resonance imaging was found to be abnormal. This abnormality was found for the subject with the lowest IQ. Decreases in relative regional cerebral metabolic rates were found in 5 brain regions comprising the thalamus and basal ganglia. These results when coupled with previous findings suggest a continuum of neuropathology in fetal alcohol syndrome. For cases with relatively mild intellectual deficits, the cause of the deficit is at a micro-level rather than a macro-level.