Schools in New Jersey are beginning to transform their middle school music programs from a general music based curriculum to an elective, performance-based curriculum. These changes bring new challenges to music educators as they work to expand their performance-based curriculums to include what was taught in general music. Adding to the work that needs to be done to adapt performance-based classes, teachers are beginning to feel frustrated that their needs and the needs of their students are getting lost with the added addition of assessment guidelines and other administrative requirements,. The aim of this research project was to work within the framework of Paulo Freire’s Culture circle to support teachers during scheduled Professional Learning Community meetings. Through a series of eight bi-weekly meetings, a group of four music teachers and a dance instructor works to identify generative themes present in their teaching practice. Through problem posing dialogue they worked to understand their generative theme. The teachers in this Professional Learning Community worked together to create and implement individual action plans to address their generative theme. This group of teachers work together in support of each other while they were working within their separate contexts and classrooms. This collaborative action research study positioned the researcher as a facilitator, one who supported the needs of the group and questioned long standing beliefs that help propel the conversation forward. Teachers reflected that they saw a change in what they believed the purpose of these meetings was. They found in impactful to focus on their teaching practices rather than the more administrative tasks involved in teaching. Teachers also reported that by dialoguing about their teacher and the action plans they were working on, they felt more successful in its implementation. Through their action plans, this group of teachers began to see possibilities to have their students create and work in small groups that was not evident before. While the teachers in this study felt an impact of the culture circle, there is more to learn from this group of teachers, and the possibilities culture circles have to effect positive change in teachers and student learning.

Thesis (MEd)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / When CURRICULUM 2005, hereafter C2005 (Department of Education [DoE], 1997b), was implemented in Grade 7 in 2000 none of the in-service teachers were sufficiently trained to teach Life Orientation. Higher Education Institutions had only then started to adapt teacher-training programmes to meet the needs of an outcomesbased curriculum for all aspiring teachers. Some in-service teachers had been trained as subject specialists in some of the focus areas contained within Life Orientation, like Physical Education, Guidance and Religious Education, but no teacher had been trained, pre-service or in-service, to be a specialist in all of the focus areas contained within Life Orientation. The Department of Education prepared teachers for the implementation of C2005 (DoE, 1997b) by means of a weeklong orientation programme. Teachers were orientated to an outcomes-based philosophy and teaching approach, and to specific outcomes and assessment criteria, but no content training was offered. A Life Orientation teacher is expected to have a body of knowledge on a range of subjects or focus areas as prescribed by the specific outcomes (DoE, 1997b). This study is aimed at researching the Life Orientation learning area and investigating the ways and level of preparation teachers had received to equip them to implement Life Orientation in the Senior Phase of the General Education and Training Band. A case study was used as a research design and specific schools in the Education Management and Development Centre Metropole North were selected to participate in the case study. Qualitative and quantitative data were obtained through questionnaires, interviews and observations. A descriptive research strategy was employed to capture, analyse and interpret the data. The research found that there were gaps in the preparation of Life Orientation teachers to implement C2005 (DoE, 1997b). Recommendation are made with regard to training and support programmes to ensure that teachers are adequately empowered to implement Life Orientation in the Revised National Curriculum Statement (DoE, 2002b) in the General Education and Training Band and in the National Curriculum Statement (DoE, 2003b) in the Further Education and Training Band.

Thesis (MEd (Education Policy Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / On the surface the National Assessment Policy is transformative in nature because it promotes notions of shaping educational practice that will enhance the interests of learners in a meaningful way. It promotes ideas of transparency and a partnership between learners and educators that presupposes that learners are fully involved at every stage of their learning in decisions that affect their progress. This creates the impression that teaching and learning take place in a democratic environment where constant consultation and consensus are the order of the day. The policy ultimately envisages a kind of learner who would have the ability to participate as a critical citizen in society. Looked at from a critical perspective, this criteria-referenced outcomes framework seems to be a contradiction to transformative policy and practice. The predetermined criteria outlined in the policy seem to negate its intention of creating a schooling system through which critical citizens can emerge. The focus of this thesis, therefore, is firstly to make a critical analysis of assessment in OBE and its stated transformation objectives and, secondly, to reconceptualise assessment practices in South African schools by making an argument for critical action. This analysis will explore the issue of power relations in the classroom and their impact on participatory, deliberative and democratic classroom interaction as a condition imperative for a transformative OBE curriculum. This issue is pertinent and central not only to the improvement and promotion of teaching and learning, but also because of the profound implications it has for how we view educational transformation in South Africa.

Thesis (MEd)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Since 2001 an inclusive approach is being followed in education in South Africa. According to this approach all learners must be taught in one education system and according to the same curriculum, namely the National Curriculum Statement Grades R to 9 (Schools). To ensure that this outcomes-based curriculum is relevant and effective in the teaching of learners with a severe intellectual disability, it is important to evaluate the curriculum and to adapt it if necessary. Learners with a severe intellectual disability form a distinctive educational community marked by their high need for continuous support, specific educational strategies and appropriate learning content. In the past, these learners received their education outside the mainstream of education according to an own, appropriate curriculum. However, since 2004 they have been required to receive their education according to the National Curriculum Statement Grades R to 9 (Schools). The aim of this research was to establish the effectiveness and relevance of the National Curriculum Statement Grades R to 9 (Schools) in the education of learners with a severe intellectual disability. A mixed-method research design, which included a literature survey, an empirical, as well as focus group interviews, was applied. By means of the literature survey, the demands were determined that are made on the curriculum by learners with a severe intellectual disability, their parents, the community, and the work community. The demands that educators make on the curriculum were determined by means of an empirical survey. This survey revealed that outcomes-based education is not generally implemented in the 21 schools included in this study. These findings formed the basis on which curriculum evaluation criteria were developed and according to which the National Curriculum Statement Grades R to 9 (Schools) was evaluated. By applying these criteria it was established that in some instances the National Curriculum Statement Grades R to 9 (Schools) does not comply with the demands of the determinants. The deduction could however be made that the National Curriculum Statement Grades R to 9 (Schools) has sufficient adaptable built-in features to be effective and relevant for learners with a severe intellectual disability. Recommendations were made on how best to make the necessary adaptations. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In Suid-Afrika word sedert 2001 'n meer inklusiewe benadering tot onderrig gevolg. Hiervolgens moet alle leerders binne een onderwysstelsel volgens een kurrikulum, naamlik die Nasionale Kurrikulumverklaring Graad R tot 9 (Skole), onderrig word. Ten einde te verseker dat hierdie uitkomsgebaseerde kurrikulum relevant en doeltreffend is in die onderrig van leerders met verstandelik erg-gestremdheid is dit noodsaaklik om die kurrikulum te evalueer en dienooreenkomstig die bevindinge aan te pas, indien nodig. Leerders met verstandelik erg-gestremdheid vorm vanweë hul intellektuele vermoëns 'n duidelik herkenbare onderwysgemeenskap wat gekenmerk word deur hul behoefte aan deurlopende ondersteuning, spesifieke onderrigstrategieë en toepaslike leerinhoude. In die verlede het hul onderrig buite die hoofstroomonderwys geskied aan die hand van 'n eie, toepaslike kurrikulum, maar sedert 2004 moet hul onderrig ook volgens die Nasionale Kurrikulumverklaring Graad R tot 9 (Skole) geskied. Die doel van hierdie navorsing was om die doeltreffendheid en relevansie van die Nasionale Kurrikulumverklaring Graad R tot 9 (Skole) vir leerders met verstandelik erg-gestremdheid te bepaal. 'n Gemengde-navorsingsmetode-ontwerp wat 'n literatuuroorsig, 'n meningsopname asook fokusgroep-onderhoude ingesluit het, is gevolg. By wyse van die literatuurondersoek is die eise bepaal wat leerders met verstandelik erg-gestremdheid, hul ouers, die gemeenskap, en die werkgemeenskap aan die kurrikulum vir leerders met verstandelik erg-gestremdheid stel. Die eise wat opvoeders stel is deur middel van 'n empiriese ondersoek bepaal en dui aan dat uitkomsgebaseerde onderrig nie algemeen aangewend word in die 21 skole in die ondersoek nie. Aan die hand van hierdie bevindinge is kurrikulumevalueringskriteria ontwikkel waarmee die Nasionale Kurrikulumverklaring Graad R tot 9 (Skole) geëvalueer is. By die toepassing van die kriteria is gevind dat die Nasionale Kurrikulumverklaring Graad R tot 9 (Skole) in sekere opsigte nie behoorlik aan die eise van die determinante voldoen nie. Die gevolgtrekking is gemaak dat die Nasionale Kurrikulumverklaring Graad R tot 9 (Skole) egter genoeg aanpasbaarheidselemente het om doeltreffend en relevant te wees vir leerders met verstandelik erggestremdheid. Aanbevelings is gedoen oor hoe die aanpassings gemaak kan word.

An ethnographic case study was done in the rural community of Clarkson which lies at the foot of the Tsitsikamma Mountains in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Rural communities gathered and developed local wisdom on the natural resources around them. The study shows that in the past, life in Clarkson was characterised by such shared wisdom, an abundance of natural resources, as well as strong community cohesion. With the advent of modern lifestyles community cohesion and practices were disrupted and today, people living in Clarkson are less dependent on each other and on local resources. This study suggests that some of the past wisdom, community knowledge, practices and skills that existed for ages in Clarkson, can still be useful today in the context of environmental sustainability. The incorporation of this knowledge into the new outcomes-based education curriculum in South Africa and the local school curriculum, is explored.

The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the application of OBE principles such as the learner-centred approach, teacher facilitation and integration of knowledge in the teaching of African languages in the senior phase. The study was conducted in Vhembe and Mopani District in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Data were collected through observation, an interview schedule and documentary analysis. The constructivist grounded theory provided a theoretical framework for this study. Data were analysed simultaneously with the data-collection process informed by the constructivist grounded theory. This investigation revealed that teachers do not apply the investigated OBE principles in the teaching of African languages in the senior phase. Instead, they still teach in the manner they used before the introduction of the OBE approach. There were many reasons advanced by teachers for their failure to apply these principles in their teachings. A lack of knowledge and skills necessary to apply this new approach was prevalent. This lack of knowledge could be attributed to the inadequate teacher training received and noncommitment to OBE approach by the teachers. The study found that the investigated principles were not applied because of a lack of application strategies, the failure to interpret policy documents and resistance to change by teachers. In view of the findings in this study, the researcher deemed it imperative to make recommendations which could be used for further studies in order to achieve the proper application of OBE principles in the teaching of African languages. / D. Ed. (Didactics) / Educational Studies

The purpose of the study was to explore the implementation of the curriculum and assessment policy statements in the selected primary schools in Limpopo Province. An empirical investigation following qualitative approach was carried out to investigate the views of teachers from two primary schools in Capricorn District. Two curriculum advisors were interviewed as well as five teachers to find out their views and experiences on the CAPS training and implementation issues and challenges. The study confirms that teachers are not well prepared to meet the challenges of the CAPS. The time set aside for training is limited, the resources needed to support teachers and the implementation are inadequate and some of the trainers are not well prepared. The study recommends that the Department of Basic Education continues engaging with trainers, school management teams, teachers and learners and determine specific strategies, based on the school contexts, to improve the provision of training, resources and support to enable effective and efficient curriculum implementation. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the application of OBE principles such as the learner-centred approach, teacher facilitation and integration of knowledge in the teaching of African languages in the senior phase. The study was conducted in Vhembe and Mopani District in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Data were collected through observation, an interview schedule and documentary analysis. The constructivist grounded theory provided a theoretical framework for this study. Data were analysed simultaneously with the data-collection process informed by the constructivist grounded theory. This investigation revealed that teachers do not apply the investigated OBE principles in the teaching of African languages in the senior phase. Instead, they still teach in the manner they used before the introduction of the OBE approach. There were many reasons advanced by teachers for their failure to apply these principles in their teachings. A lack of knowledge and skills necessary to apply this new approach was prevalent. This lack of knowledge could be attributed to the inadequate teacher training received and noncommitment to OBE approach by the teachers. The study found that the investigated principles were not applied because of a lack of application strategies, the failure to interpret policy documents and resistance to change by teachers. In view of the findings in this study, the researcher deemed it imperative to make recommendations which could be used for further studies in order to achieve the proper application of OBE principles in the teaching of African languages. / D. Ed. (Didactics) / Educational Studies

This study sought to explore the pedagogical practices of teachers in science classrooms. In this study, pedagogical practices are taken as interactions between teachers, learners and learning tasks which aim to promote and facilitate learning of their learners The study adopted an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design to collect both quantitative and qualitative data from the senior phase (i.e. grades 7-9) Science teachers. The teachers were purposively selected; two from rural schools and two from urban schools in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Data on teachers’ pedagogical practices were collected using survey questionnaire, focus group interview and lesson observation. The main research question for the study is “what are teachers’ pedagogical practices when teaching science?” This overriding research question was addressed by exploring the specific research questions: 1) how do science teachers teach their lessons? And 2) what informs teachers’ pedagogical practice when teaching science? The null hypothesis for this study was “there is no significant difference between teachers’ qualification and their pedagogical practice when teaching science” while the alternative hypothesis was “there is significant difference between teachers’ qualification and their pedagogical practice when teaching science”. The quantitative data collected by means of structured questionnaires was analysed using a computer package (i.e. SPSS version 22) while the qualitative data collected by means of focus group interviews and lesson observation was analysed using content and thematic analysis. The findings from the study revealed that teachers in the study incorporate in varying degrees learner – centred; and teacher- centred pedagogies in their science lessons. Whilst majority of the teachers in the study expressed a behaviouristic view of learning, which indicates a predisposition to teacher – centred pedagogy in the classroom; however, other pedagogical practices indicated by the teachers and observed in the science lessons are consistent with constructivist or learner – centred pedagogy which suggests strategies that may be used to provide a meaningful learning experience in science. The study further found that there is a significant association between the educational qualification and their pedagogical practice when teaching science in the visited schools; therefore the alternative hypothesis is accepted and the null hypothesis is rejected. Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations are made: i. In service training on subject content knowledge for natural science teachers, especially those without science qualifications so that they can grapple with the subject content knowledge. ii. Science workshops to be organized from time to time to train teachers on effective teaching practices in the classroom. iii. Outsourcing or involving more than one teacher in the teaching of natural science in schools. iv. Equipping of schools with science laboratories so that teachers can carry out science experiments with learners. v. The schools must ensure that only teachers with science qualifications are assigned to teach natural sciences in the senior phase. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / Ph. D. (Education (Curriculum Studies))

The purpose of the study was to explore the implementation of the curriculum and assessment policy statements in the selected primary schools in Limpopo Province. An empirical investigation following qualitative approach was carried out to investigate the views of teachers from two primary schools in Capricorn District. Two curriculum advisors were interviewed as well as five teachers to find out their views and experiences on the CAPS training and implementation issues and challenges. The study confirms that teachers are not well prepared to meet the challenges of the CAPS. The time set aside for training is limited, the resources needed to support teachers and the implementation are inadequate and some of the trainers are not well prepared. The study recommends that the Department of Basic Education continues engaging with trainers, school management teams, teachers and learners and determine specific strategies, based on the school contexts, to improve the provision of training, resources and support to enable effective and efficient curriculum implementation. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)