Magister Educationis - MEd / The study was prompted by the need to look at alternative options to mainstream education for learners who are too old for their grade, who have opted out of the education system but find themselves wanting to re-access the education system. Mainstream schooling seems a difficult option for many learners who would like to complete their basic education but find that they have problems fitting in the multi-age classroom. If they are too old for their grade, they are at risk of dropping out. Following a review of the literature around access, re-access, over-age, dropout, exclusion, inclusion, capability and a methodological approach to the study, the analysis will focus on the Youth Care School, a school for age-inappropriate learners as a form of intervention. This is a day school operating independently from the Western Cape Education Department, taking on learners who are too old for their grade, who would otherwise be on the streets. The theoretical perspective of the study will focus on the capability theory and alternative schools as forms of capability development.

The aim of this research is to inform conceptual approaches to health and safety (H&S) training for mineworkers in South Africa. The study focuses specifically on those mineworkers who have the least formal education or training, termed elementary workers (unskilled) and machinery operators and drivers (semi-skilled). It is an integrative literature review of sources drawn from mine health and safety in South Africa; self-efficacy; adult education and training (AET); education and training in mining; and relevant health promotion studies. The sources selected refer to work in the Southern African mine H&S context, or comparable situations. Compelling ideas and formulations for training are suggested in the literature of the different disciplines reviewed. A core concept considered is self-efficacy and the concept has substantial support in the literature. Both the term and concept of ‘self-efficacy’ have been used in South African and mining studies, but often without proper consideration of the sources of self-efficacy and its task- and context-specificity. The review reveals a lack of evidence of effective advocacy and training around generic mining occupational hazards, such as lung disease. H&S training is most evidently linked to operator training, which is aligned with unit-standards. However, substantial numbers of mineworkers lack adequate formal education for such training programmes, or the informal skills to be included via recognition of prior learning (RPL) processes. The proposed role of H&S representatives appears demanding, but the associated skills training outlined in public unit standards, lacks essential elements. The findings identify key considerations for an underpinning approach to H&S training for elementary mineworkers. These are: new learning required; risk perception and management; existing and associated logics; team ethos; maintaining new learning and practice; and a dialogic aspect to programmes. Additional findings suggest that the convergent effects of different policies result in the training of the least educated mineworkers being marginalised. The study concludes with six propositions that relate to the research and development of H&S training for mineworkers, public evidence of training, policy effects and the predicament of mineworkers who lack formal education. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Education Management and Policy Studies / unrestricted

Submitted in fuliillment ofthe requirements for the degree of Master ofEducation in the Department of Comparative and Science Education ofthe Faculty of Education at the University of Zululand, 2007. / The fundamental problem addressed in this study revolve around methods of facilitation in Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET). The democratic government in South Africa is at present focusing on learners at the adult basic education level to ensure that the needs of adults are met, and that basic demands evident in contemporary society are addressed. While the introduction of Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) in South Africa is progressing towards the right direction, there seems to be problems underlying the methods of facilitation used in various programmes aimed at improving the lives of adult learners. Methods of facilitation indicate insufficient implementation techniques and continuity which results in adult learners relapsing to illiteracy. The more specific objectives of this study were to investigate if the methods of facilitation used in ABET provide implementation techniques which enable adult learners to be independent; provide skills necessary for self-development; answer to the needs of the adult learners; provide for sustained self-development through continuity. The study is broadly structured around five chapters. Chapter one introduces the study, presents the problem under investigation, gives and aim and significance of the investigation and relevant analysis of concepts in the study. Chapter two gives literature review on methods of facilitation used in ABET. Chapter three explains the research design and methodology that was followed. Chapter four contains an analysis and interpretation of research data. Chapter five covers a summary of findings and recommendations. Major findings of the study attempts to reveal the role played by higher institutions in monitoring the methods of facilitation. A comparative analysis to formal schooling methods should be engaged in order to establish a sound relationship between formal, informal and non-formal education. A number of supporting programmes must be put in place for adult learners, after the completion of literacy courses in order to promote a continuous learning culture and ensure the retention of skills and technology acquired.

This research report explores the implications of one central question: ‘In what ways can course materials support and improve ABET teachers’ ability in the classroom and what are the limits of that support?’ Methodologically it is an ethnographic case study of five teachers at company literacy programmes using The ELP English Literacy Course for Adults to prepare learners for examinations at ABET English Communications Levels 1&2. Conceptually it makes use of Shirley Grundy’s exposition of different paradigms for thinking about curriculum and Jean Lave’s notion of learning in a community of practice. It portrays literacy as a social practice in which people learn to master skills, make decisions about the applications of those skills and develop an emancipatory awareness. The research enables insights into the relationship between ABET teachers and texts, outlining their respective responsibilities and some implications for thinking about ABET teacher development.

What Instructional Modification Implementations Bring Adult Education Learners to Success and Retention? Analysis of an Online Adult Basic Education Program. Adult learners enrolled in my online Adult Basic Education program showed low completion rates for the course. This study's purpose was to discover what instructional modifications would bring these learners to a successful outcome in the program. I implemented the following instructional modifications: asynchronous email communication, weekly progress reports emailed to each participant and a minimum requirement of 10 assignment completions on a weekly basis. Teacher-student interaction increased because of these implementations. I reviewed literature that discussed distance education, adult learners and teacher-student interaction to discover strategies that would improve student achievement in an online course. After reviewing the literature, I determined that there were three missing elements in my program: structured communication between the teacher and student (Palloff & Pratt, 1999), standards for online coursework completion (Comings et al., 1999) and a system to inform students of their progress in the program (Comings et al., 1999). I found that teacher-student asynchronous communication, a weekly requirement of 10 completed lessons and weekly progress reports of student accomplishments encouraged students to complete coursework on a regular basis. Students were conscientious, taking more responsibility for their learning. Students had a higher rate of coursework completions during the research study period, with performance increasing 73%.

This study examines the strategies used by facilitators at Adult Basic Education and Training Centre in order to determine whether the facilitators are responsive to adult learning principle and practices. If inappropriate strategies for the facilitation of learning are used, adult learners are likely to become bored, frustrated, overwhelmed or unable to cope with the challenges of learning. This may contribute to the high drop-out rate that many adult education programmes face. The failure to retain adult learners in ABET programmes may result in adult learners relapsing into illiteracy, which then poses a problem as the overarching goal of the South African government is to eradicate illiteracy. This study aims at answering the following research questions: <ul> <li>What are the perceptions of adult learners of the facilitation of learning in the programmes they are enrolled for?</li> <li>What are the strategies used by ABET facilitators to promote cooperative learning?</il> <li>How do ABET facilitators promote self-directed learning among adult learners?</li> </ul> The theoretical framework on which this study is based is constructivism. Constructivist theory advocates a paradigm shift from traditional methods of teaching to a more learner-centred approach of instruction and learning. Thus, constructivist theory embraces Outcomes-based Education that emphasises that active participation by learners should be the backbone of all learning activities. Both facilitators and learners are required to focus on the outcomes that should be achieved during each learning activity. This study employs a mixed-methods approach that includes quantitative and qualitative research methods. The research design for this study is the case study method. The population of this study comprises adult learners and facilitators at Gaegolelwe Adult Centre. A simple random sampling was used to select forty-seven adult learners to participate in this study. Convenience sampling was used to select 4 facilitators. The methods of data collection used were questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and observations. The findings of this study are the following: <ul> <li>Facilitators at Gaegolelwe Adult Centre cater moderately for learners with different learning styles.</li> <li>Learners are engaged in different learning activities, such as completing tasks individually, in pairs or in groups and are involved in research orientated activities in order to discover things for themselves.</li> <li>Facilitators promote active participation during learning opportunities.</li> <li>Most adult learners demonstrate responsibility towards their own work. However, some do not, and this may be attributed to many competing social roles that must be balanced against the demands of learning.</li> <li>Learners are challenged to develop critical thinking, problem-solving and higher order reasoning skills.</li> <li>Cooperative learning as one strategy of facilitating learning is not utilised to the maximum.</li> <li>It has been observed that the lecture method is predominantly used by facilitators; this is not in line with constructivist learning theory as the latter emphasises the use of different methods of facilitation in order to accommodate learners with diverse learning styles.</li> </ul> The following recommendations have been made: <ul> <li>Facilitators with extensive teaching experience should be engaged to facilitate adult learning. However, they should be educated and trained in methods of facilitating adult learners.</li> <li>Male adults need to be mobilised through mass literacy campaigns to join ABET programmes.</li> <li>Learners should be given the opportunity to make an input in the development of strategies for facilitating learning.</li></ul> Copyright / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Early Childhood Education / unrestricted

This research project focuses on a model designed for the evaluation of ABET instructional programmes. In the light of rapid changes in the socio-economic and political contexts in Africa and particularly in South Africa, this study examines adult basic education and training, which has become acknowledged as an indispensable tool for the transformation and development of societies. Since 1994 education has become a constitutional right for all citizens of South Africa. In an attempt to offer basic education and training to all adults many institutions and departments have established ABET programmes offering adults the skills they may need in order to contribute to the development of their communities. The lack of guidelines for instructing, assessing and evaluating ABET programmes prompted the choice of research topic. The study begins with a review of relevant literature pertaining to the field of adult education and also provides a general discussion on didactics as it .is relevant to adult education. The study proposes a model for evaluating ABET instructional programmes. Focus group discussions are employed as a research tool to validate the proposed model and its accompanying guidelines. The study reveals that, for ABET instructional programmes to be outcomes based, relevant, conducive to critical thinking and creativity and productive of meaningful assessment, a model for evaluating the programmes' performance in these areas is essential. Based on this presupposition, the study proceeds to develop a model for the evaluation of ABET programmes. It draws on literature pertaining to educational evaluation in general and extrapolates the findings to construct a model appropriate for evaluating ABET programmes. In the field component of the study, endeavour is made to validate the model according to the perceptions of a sample of ABET practitioners. In-depth focus interviews are conducted to validify the various components of the model. In conclusion, the study recommends further research into the didactics of adult education and training (ABET) in order to improve adult education practices. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Didactics)

This research project focuses on a model designed for the evaluation of ABET instructional programmes. In the light of rapid changes in the socio-economic and political contexts in Africa and particularly in South Africa, this study examines adult basic education and training, which has become acknowledged as an indispensable tool for the transformation and development of societies. Since 1994 education has become a constitutional right for all citizens of South Africa. In an attempt to offer basic education and training to all adults many institutions and departments have established ABET programmes offering adults the skills they may need in order to contribute to the development of their communities. The lack of guidelines for instructing, assessing and evaluating ABET programmes prompted the choice of research topic. The study begins with a review of relevant literature pertaining to the field of adult education and also provides a general discussion on didactics as it .is relevant to adult education. The study proposes a model for evaluating ABET instructional programmes. Focus group discussions are employed as a research tool to validate the proposed model and its accompanying guidelines. The study reveals that, for ABET instructional programmes to be outcomes based, relevant, conducive to critical thinking and creativity and productive of meaningful assessment, a model for evaluating the programmes' performance in these areas is essential. Based on this presupposition, the study proceeds to develop a model for the evaluation of ABET programmes. It draws on literature pertaining to educational evaluation in general and extrapolates the findings to construct a model appropriate for evaluating ABET programmes. In the field component of the study, endeavour is made to validate the model according to the perceptions of a sample of ABET practitioners. In-depth focus interviews are conducted to validify the various components of the model. In conclusion, the study recommends further research into the didactics of adult education and training (ABET) in order to improve adult education practices. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Didactics)

This study investigated the physical affective, cognitive and volitional problems of the learner in adult basic education (ABE) with reference to the learner's relationship towards the tutor, the learning content, the self, and family and friends. The research design provided for a literature study of ABE in South Africa, as well as the personhood and relationships of the ABE learner. This was done to arrive at a research hypothesis concerning the relative impact of various categories of problems on the ABE learner. The empirical summary had both quantitative and qualitative components. It was found that ABE learners are influenced by the following factors, listed in order of impact: affective problems; cognitive problems; problems related to the learning content, physical problems and problems related to family and friends. Positive fmdings were that volitional problems and problems related to tutors were relatively less significant. In its recommendations the study emphasises the crucial role of, and need for professionally trained adult basic educators who can deal effectively with the personal and contextual problems of ABE learners. Moreover, the typical perseverance of ABE learners demands the establishment of excellent and responsive infrastructure for ABE provision, inter alia in provincial education departments. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Esta pesquisa buscou averiguar as potencialidades das tecnologias, em especial as Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação (TICs), no processo de aprendizagem matemática de alunos da Educação de Jovens e Adultos (EJA). Levando em conta a imersão na cultura digital que a atual sociedade vivencia, o pesquisador se dedicou a estudar, investigar, observar e evidenciar as possíveis contribuições para o processo de aprendizagem de tarefas exploratórias investigativas de matemática permeadas pelas TICs, no âmbito da Educação de Jovens e Adultos. O estudo possui caráter qualitativo, interpretativo e participativo com traços que se aproxima da pesquisa-ação. Participaram como sujeitos da pesquisa vinte e cinco alunos de três turmas (sexto, sétimo e nono anos) do Ensino Fundamental do Proeja (Programa Nacional de Integração da Educação Profissional com a Educação Básica na Modalidade de Educação de Jovens e Adultos). As ações e reflexões foram norteadas pela seguinte questão: Que contribuições pedagógicas as propostas de prática de ensino com recursos tecnológicos podem oferecer para o ensino e aprendizagem de Matemática para alunos da Educação de Jovens e Adultos? Ao observar os benefícios e as dificuldades do uso da tecnologia na EJA, respeitando as necessidades e as características dessa modalidade de ensino, objetivou-se: investigar as potencialidades da tecnologia educacional no processo de ensino e aprendizagem de Matemática no âmbito da EJA; avaliar os benefícios no processo de ensino e aprendizagem de Matemática de tarefas exploratórias investigativas; oferecer a comunidade matemática propostas de ensino avaliando a possibilidade de desenvolver o pensamento matemático crítico dos alunos da EJA. A fim de alcançar os objetivos desse estudo, delineou-se duas propostas de ensino, uma abordando os conteúdos de Área e Perímetro, que utilizou como recurso pedagógico somente as TICs, e a outra proposta de ensino abarcou os conteúdos de Simetria e Ângulo, conciliando as TICs e o Espelho Plano, assumindo como hipótese que essa integração de artefatos tecnológicos podem contribuir para o processo de ensino e aprendizagem. Na pesquisa de campo, recorreu-se às seguintes estratégias para produção dos dados: questionários, áudio e vídeo gravações, entrevistas semiestruturadas, registros das propostas de ensino desenvolvidas e notas de campo do professor pesquisador. Fundamentou-se teoricamente em autores que realizaram pesquisas sobre os temas relacionados. A análise deste estudo teve um caráter interpretativo advindo das informações que emergiram das informações coletadas na pesquisa, que apresentavam elementos que contribuíam e apresentavam evidencias para responder à questão de investigação. Três categorias de análise foram identificadas: 1) Aspectos Afetivos dos alunos da EJA; 2) Conhecimentos matemáticos e tecnológicos emergentes e 3) Reflexos da Tecnologia, sendo que a segunda categoria foi dividida em duas subcategorias: a) Conhecimentos emergentes dos alunos e b) Conhecimentos emergentes do professor pesquisador. Os resultados indicaram a contribuição do uso das tecnologias, em especial as TICs, no favorecimento do processo de ensino e aprendizagem de Matemática quando se propõe tarefas exploratórias investigativas em turmas da EJA. Espera-se que a pesquisa contribua na formação inicial e continuada de professores de Matemática e com o processo de ensino e aprendizagem dos alunos da EJA. / This research aimed to investigate the technology potential, especially regarding the learning process of Mathematics. We focused on the Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and on the students at the Adult Basic Education (ABE). Taking into account the digital culture immersion the society is nowadays, the research aimed to study, to investigate and to observe the contributions the ICTs may present to the learning process of exploratory and investigative Mathematics' tasks for students at the ABE. This is a qualitative, hermeneutic and collaborative study, and it presents some similarities to action research. The study involved twenty-five students from three different Elementary School classes (6th, 7th and 9th grades) from a government program called Proeja (National Integration Program of the Vocational Education into the Basic Education at the Adult Basic Education). The actions and reflections were guided by the following question: Which pedagogical contributions the teaching proposal using technological resources may offer to the Mathematics' teaching and learning process of students at the ABE? As observing the possible benefits and challenges of using technology resources at the ABE classes, regarding the needs and specific characteristics of this kind of teaching, it was aimed to investigate the potentials of educational technology for the Mathematics' teaching and learning process at the ABE; to evaluate the benefits it may bring to the teaching and learning process of exploratory and investigative Mathematics' tasks; to offer the Mathematical community teaching techniques that evaluate the possibility of developing critical mathematical thinking on the ABE students. To achieve the goal of this study, it was designed two teaching proposals. One of the proposals focus the contents Area and Perimeter and it used only the ICTs as pedagogical resources. The other one approached the contents Symmetry and Angle and it used the ICTs and the Plane Mirror. The hypothesis assumed was that the integration between these technological artefacts could contribute to the teaching and learning process. During the field research, we used the following strategies to produce data: questionnaires, audio and video recording, semi-structured interviews, records of the teaching proposals developed, and field notes taken by the teacher researcher. The theoretical basis came from authors that performed research about the related themes. The study analysis had a hermeneutic nature. This characteristic originated by the information that emerged from the data collected during the research, but only the data that presented elements to add evidence that could answer the investigation's question. Three analysis categories were identified: 1) Feelings aspects of ABE students; 2) Emerging Mathematics and Technological Knowledge and 3) Reflex of the Technology. The second category had two subsections: a) Students' Emerging Knowledge and b) Teacher Researcher's Emerging Knowledge. The results indicated that the use of technology, especially the ICTs, helped the teaching and learning process of Mathematics when presenting exploratory and investigative tasks to the ABE classes. It is expected that this research may contribute to Mathematics teacher's education and to the teaching and learning process of ABE students. / Dissertação (Mestrado)