Background/Aims: Urie Bronfenbrenner's bioecological systems model is well regarded in the field of child development. Although this model is not commonly used by literacy researchers, I argue that Bronfenbrenner's emphasis on the roles of personal characteristics, proximal processes, contextual systems, and historical time has explanatory power in the area of literacy. Methods: I review this body of literature and describe a visual representation that clarifies the relevant aspects of the theory. Results: Adoption of Bronfenbrenner's model increases the likelihood that literacy development will be understood as occurring at the site of transaction between cognitive processes and social practices. Literacy researchers who have applied this theory differ in the degree to which they have attended to Bronfenbrenner's guidance relative to adequate research practice and, as such, findings from this research range from less to more theoretically sound and useful. Conclusion: As contemporary literacy researchers consider employing Bronfenbrenner's theory to frame their work, it is necessary for them to account for all aspects of his rich and complex model.

Teachers’ beliefs are central to determining children’s optimal educational experiences. However, some studies related to teachers’ beliefs yielded findings that rendered beliefs and practices incongruous. Although the principles of developmentally appropriate practices that synthesize theoretical and empirical research on child development have been adapted to various contexts other than its original United States of America (USA) context, developmentally appropriate practices remain contentious as to its relevance in these contexts. What is appropriate for children’s education seems debatable, largely determined by social expectations of childhood and children. Cultural diversity seems to be the new dispensation in this discourse. Fundamentally, research on preschool teachers’ beliefs about developmentally appropriate educational practices, adds to literature about cultural context variables in preschool provision from different contexts. Purpose: This study examined how teachers’ practical experiences framed their beliefs and understanding of children’s educational experiences within a developmentally appropriate framework and a bioecological systems theory. Paradigm/Design/Methods: A constructivist paradigm within the qualitative approach guided this study. Video and photographs became the basis to elicit teachers’ beliefs about children’s educational experiences. Children’s educational experiences were analysed along five constructs related to the concept of DAP; teaching strategy, use of materials, scheduling of children’s learning, assessment, and consideration of children’s individuality. Findings: Teachers’ beliefs corroborated the DAP framework, but their practices that were more teacher-directed, contrasted the DAP principles. They used formally structured teaching approaches, as materials in three-out-of-four classes observed remained ‘silenced’. The schedules were formally structured, subject-based, with limited flexibility, as assessment for children’s learning focused on limited aspects of the cognitive domain. Conclusion: Teachers’ beliefs seemed to support educational practices that embrace the principles of DAP. However, some context-related factors, which include pressure from parents, competitive school environments, preparation for the interview, different transition requirements, peer pressure, and perceived lack of time limited their use of DAP. I extrapolate these factors to the bioecological systems theory, to understand the dynamics of early childhood education provision in Kenya. Practical implications/Originality/Value: This study adds to literature on teachers’ beliefs about children’s educational experiences from a developing country context, as well as adding to studies that have used visually elicited interviews. It also provides the details of children’s educational experiences, in part, to appreciate the current conversation on the status and the nature of focus on standards or skills-based dynamics in preschool provision. Besides, it might be the first study in Kenya to embrace the DAP framework and the bioecological systems theory. The seesaw model advanced in this study synthesizes the originality of the study by conceptualizing the theoretical as well as empirical literature on developmentally appropriate educational practices, as a valuable framework to understand and interpret competing priorities that might affect preschool provision. The seesaw model is also valuable in locating and extending the conversation about different stakeholders’ priorities, not only in Kenya, but also in other societies. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

The pace of technological advancement and growth in the twenty-first century continues to soar at unprecedented levels and beyond human imagination. As the fourth industrial revolution unfolds, it has become increasingly difficult to predict the direction technological innovation will take in the not too distant future. Digital technologies have become an integral part of every aspect of human existence (work, play, schooling and personal relationships). The purpose of this study was to explore the various ways mobile technological gadgets like cell phones, tablets and laptops could be leveraged to promote a culture of leisure reading amongst a group of Zimbabwean adolescent learners. Data was collected using the literacy practices interview, mobile reading diaries, focus group interviews and the researcher’s personal field notes. Theoretically, the study was guided primarily by Urie Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological systems theory. Also, the study was supported by Guthrie and Wigfield's reader engagement model and Turner and Hicks' connected reader model. The empirical data collected through the data collection instruments were analysed inductively. The findings revealed that adolescent learners are a digital generation whose reading needs are ever growing and expectations are ever changing. The adolescent participants expect their reading to be like the rest of their digital lives, which is quick, uninterrupted, personalised and smart. It was found that the adolescent participants like to read on their terms, as they dislike being told when to read or what to read. Three reader identities were revealed namely; the eager reader, the ‘fifty fifty’ reader and the non-reader. The adolescent participants who were not already mobile readers readily accepted and adopted mobile reading as it afforded them vast reading opportunities. Besides, the findings of the study revealed that participants encountered many challenges, which in some instances militated against their mobile reading endeavours. These challenges were because of mobile phone use restrictions in schools, prohibitive data costs, a strong emphasis on academic reading as opposed to leisure reading and internet connectivity problems amongst other issues. In this study, the recommendations and guidelines outlined provide a framework with which schools, parents, mobile reading application developers and policymakers can adopt to support a robust mobile reading culture amongst Zimbabwean adolescent learners. The researcher concluded that mobile reading devices are a novel, noble and credible means through which they can foster positive leisure literacy practices amongst Zimbabwean adolescents. / Language Education, Arts and Culture / Ph. D. (Curriculum and Instructional Studies)