In this qualitative study, the phenomenon of large class teaching in South African secondary schools is investigated. It was concluded that since large classes will be a feature of the South African teaching context for many years to come due to financial constraints, educators and educational planners should explore and implement coping strategies instead of becoming demoralised by the situation. The study provides several instructional guidelines for implementation in large classes in the South African context. The focus of these guidelines is on large class management and effective teaching in large classes. The possibilities of strategies such as whole group instruction, cooperative learning, peer teaching, groupwork and the proper organisation of classroom space are investigated. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Didactics)

In this qualitative study, the phenomenon of large class teaching in South African secondary schools is investigated. It was concluded that since large classes will be a feature of the South African teaching context for many years to come due to financial constraints, educators and educational planners should explore and implement coping strategies instead of becoming demoralised by the situation. The study provides several instructional guidelines for implementation in large classes in the South African context. The focus of these guidelines is on large class management and effective teaching in large classes. The possibilities of strategies such as whole group instruction, cooperative learning, peer teaching, groupwork and the proper organisation of classroom space are investigated. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Didactics)

M.Cur. (Professional Nursing Science: Nursing Education) / One of the strategic priorities for the National Health System 2004-2009 is to have a 15-20% increase in the number of nursing students to address both equity requirements and changing human resources, and to meet the health needs of the nation (National Plan of Higher Education, 2001:2). At the nursing college under study, this increase in nursing student numbers has led to a number of teaching and learning problems, as reported in the college study (Waterson, Harms, Qupe, Maritz, Manning, Makobe & Chabeli, 2006 b:70). Nurse educators encourage students to arrange individual consultations to attend to their learning problems. The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the perceptions of nursing students and nurse educators on factors they perceive to be contributing to ineffective teaching and learning in large groups, and to describe strategies to improve this situation at a nursing college in Johannesburg. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual research design was employed to obtain a deeper understanding of nursing students’ and nurse educators’ perceptions that contribute to ineffective teaching and learning in large classes. A purposive sampling method was used for the first-year nursing students in a Johannesburg nursing college. Focus group interviews with nursing students and nurse educators were conducted by the expert interviewer. Open coding qualitative data analysis methods were used in accordance with Tech’s qualitative method (Creswell, 2012:186). Credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability were used to ensure trustworthiness in accordance with Lincoln and Guba’s model (1985:290-326). The study followed the ethical standards set by the South African Nursing Council (SANC, 1992:2). The results were conceptualised within the relevant literature, and strategies to facilitate effective teaching and learning in large classes at a Johannesburg nursing college was be formulated (Burns & Grove, 2001: 55). A purposive sampling method was used for the R425 first-year nursing students and educators at a Johannesburg nursing college. Participation in the study was on a voluntary basis. During the study the researcher used focus groups as a method to collect data. An expert interviewer was used to encourage participants to interact with each another freely regarding the topic.

The research design for this study was largely quasi-mixed methods as it focused on survey and phenomenology. The major reason for this study was to explore whether the number of students in any given class has any bearing on their performance and resultant achievement in the mediation of Applied Communicative Skills lectures. The research was largely qualitative, with only the section on student questionnaires being quantitative. The use of research-based practices was also explored. The descriptive findings which are a triangulation of the data gathered from the various instruments of data collection used in the current study pointed towards a conclusion that class size and school factors such as teacher effectiveness can influence student achievement. The present study reflects the need to consider professional development in the area of research-based instructional practices. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Didactics)

The research design for this study was largely quasi-mixed methods as it focused on survey and phenomenology. The major reason for this study was to explore whether the number of students in any given class has any bearing on their performance and resultant achievement in the mediation of Applied Communicative Skills lectures. The research was largely qualitative, with only the section on student questionnaires being quantitative. The use of research-based practices was also explored. The descriptive findings which are a triangulation of the data gathered from the various instruments of data collection used in the current study pointed towards a conclusion that class size and school factors such as teacher effectiveness can influence student achievement. The present study reflects the need to consider professional development in the area of research-based instructional practices. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Didactics)

Issues of overcrowdedness in Eastern Cape schools have become very prominent in the media. The qualitative research in this study reiterates its existence and its implications for both learners and teachers. A need exists to curb the declining schooling standards. Large-scale in-service teacher training in an immediate joint effort by the Education Department and the school is necessary to address these serious issues. Classroom situations with low pupil:teacher ratios, classroom atmospheres conducive to teaching and learning, and an improved quality of education should be strived for. The effective attainment of the ideals of outcomes-based education requires improved teacher management and leadership to better disciplined classes. The treatment of any backlogs and inequalities evident in overcrowded classes should aim mainly at the upliftment of disadvantaged learners, who are still suffering under the effects of the previous education dispensation. Relevant recommendations and a suggested model to rectify the situation are proposed. / Oorbevolkingsvraagstukke in skole in die Oos-Kaap geniet aansienlike aandag in die media. Die kwalitatiewe navorsing van hierdie studie fokus op die voorkoms en implikasies daarvan vir beide die leerders en onderwysers. Daar bestaan 'n behoefte om dalende onderrigstandaarde te verbeter. Grootskaalse indiensopleiding vir onderwysers in 'n onmiddellike gesamentlike paging deur die Onderwysdepartement en die skoal is noodsaaklik om hierdie emstige probleem aan te spreek. Daar moet gestreef word na meer voordelige klaskameromstandighede met 'n laer leerder:onderwyserverhouding, 'n klaskameratmosfeer wat bevorderlik is vir onderrig en leer asook 'n verbeterde opvoedingskwalitiet. Die effektiewe verwesenliking van uitkomsgebaseerde onderrig verg verbeterde leerkrag beheer en leidinggewing aan beter gedissiplineerde klasse. Die behandeling van agterstande en ongelykhede wat in oorbevolkte klasse voorkom, moet daarop gemik wees om agtergeblewe leerders, wat nog onder die gevolge van die vorige onderwysbedeling ly, op te hef. Toepaslike aanbevelings en 'n voorgestelde model om die situasie reg te stel, word voorgele. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Comparative Education)

Issues of overcrowdedness in Eastern Cape schools have become very prominent in the media. The qualitative research in this study reiterates its existence and its implications for both learners and teachers. A need exists to curb the declining schooling standards. Large-scale in-service teacher training in an immediate joint effort by the Education Department and the school is necessary to address these serious issues. Classroom situations with low pupil:teacher ratios, classroom atmospheres conducive to teaching and learning, and an improved quality of education should be strived for. The effective attainment of the ideals of outcomes-based education requires improved teacher management and leadership to better disciplined classes. The treatment of any backlogs and inequalities evident in overcrowded classes should aim mainly at the upliftment of disadvantaged learners, who are still suffering under the effects of the previous education dispensation. Relevant recommendations and a suggested model to rectify the situation are proposed. / Oorbevolkingsvraagstukke in skole in die Oos-Kaap geniet aansienlike aandag in die media. Die kwalitatiewe navorsing van hierdie studie fokus op die voorkoms en implikasies daarvan vir beide die leerders en onderwysers. Daar bestaan 'n behoefte om dalende onderrigstandaarde te verbeter. Grootskaalse indiensopleiding vir onderwysers in 'n onmiddellike gesamentlike paging deur die Onderwysdepartement en die skoal is noodsaaklik om hierdie emstige probleem aan te spreek. Daar moet gestreef word na meer voordelige klaskameromstandighede met 'n laer leerder:onderwyserverhouding, 'n klaskameratmosfeer wat bevorderlik is vir onderrig en leer asook 'n verbeterde opvoedingskwalitiet. Die effektiewe verwesenliking van uitkomsgebaseerde onderrig verg verbeterde leerkrag beheer en leidinggewing aan beter gedissiplineerde klasse. Die behandeling van agterstande en ongelykhede wat in oorbevolkte klasse voorkom, moet daarop gemik wees om agtergeblewe leerders, wat nog onder die gevolge van die vorige onderwysbedeling ly, op te hef. Toepaslike aanbevelings en 'n voorgestelde model om die situasie reg te stel, word voorgele. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Comparative Education)