Topic: This article describes a curricular transformation initiative, the Recovery Education in the Academy Program (REAP), spearheaded by the University of Illinois at Chicago's National Research and Training Center on Psychiatric Disability. Purpose: REAP is designed to integrate principles of recovery, self-determination, and other evidence-based practices for people with psychiatric disabilities into medical, social, and behavioral sciences curricula. The principles on which the curricula transformation efforts are based, the instructional activities employed, early outcomes of the endeavor, and future plans for replication are delineated. Sources used: As described in this paper, REAP builds on a theoretical framework derived from the evidence-based literature, multiple technical reports, and curricular initiatives, including the Institute of Medicine, the Annapolis Coalition for Behavioral Workforce Development, and the Final Report of President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. Conclusions: REAP has delivered state-of-the-science education to over 1,000 trainees, including medical students, psychiatry residents, psychology and social work interns, and rehabilitation counselors, pre/post-doctoral students and professionals within a variety of academic settings. REAP serves as a replicable structure to successfully integrate recovery education into existing, accredited academic programs and curricula using the parameters outlined by multiple experts and stakeholders. Barriers to curricular transformation and strategies to overcome these barriers are highlighted.

This research report investigates the critique that selected independent schools have about the new curriculum in South Africa, the National Curriculum Statement (NCS). The NCS was introduced in response to the implementation of a political democratic dispensation in South Africa, in an attempt to marry the philosophy of democracy to education. The NCS is fundamentally different to the apartheid curriculum in that it is based on democratic values that are derived from the South African Constitution. The independent school sector has been vocal in its critique of the NCS. This study thus investigates this critique in an attempt to uncover the reasons that underlie it. Methodologically, this research project is located in the qualitative paradigm. The research participants comprised teachers and heads of curriculum from three schools in the independent sector, as well as managers from the Independent Examinations Board (IEB). The IEB is the assessment body to which the independent school sector belongs. The independent school sector that this study focused on is upper middle class high-fee paying schools, which are located in the ex whites-only suburbs in South Africa. To gather data from the research participants, I used questionnaires and interviews. The combination of structured and unstructured interviews allowed me to systematically probe the research participants’ understandings and views on the NCS. The themes that emerged from the findings are: (1) the old curriculum is used as a benchmark for the NCS; (2) democratic values teaching in the NCS is regarded as optional and (3) educators continue to hold on to their identities in alignment with the past curriculum. One of the key factors that is used to judge the worth of an independent school is the academic results that the school achieves. This has prompted the independent school sector to continue with the same pedagogical practices that they used in the past curriculum, since they have provided the sought-after academic results. In this regard, very little democratic values teaching is taking place in the schools, as intended by the implementation of the NCS. The IEB, as the assessment body, continues to focus on assessment practices that are largely reminiscent of the past curriculum where the main focus was on summative forms of assessment (form of assessment that is used to record a judgement of the performance or competence of a learner), rather than on formative forms of assessment (form of assessment that gives feedback to the learners so that they can improve their performance). This research project concludes with possible suggestions for each group of research participants that could assist them to implement the NCS as it was intended; that is, as a democratic values-based transformational curriculum. Recommendations for future research are also made.

<p>This study sought to investigate the alleged problem of &lsquo / academic dependency&rsquo / , on the part of South African sociologists, on western scholarship. The stated problem is said to undermine South African sociologists&rsquo / ability to set their own intellectual and epistemological agenda. Sociology in South Africa is characterised by two issues: &lsquo / negations&rsquo / and theoretical &lsquo / extraversion&rsquo / . In the light of the foregoing claim, the study sought to investigate the underlying epistemological features of sociology curriculum in one of the South African universities. In investigating these issues, the thesis relies on the notion of &lsquo / authentic interlocutors&rsquo / put forward by Archie Mafeje. Literature on transformation of the social sciences in (South) Africa was reviewed. Methodologically, the study assumes a qualitative approach. In order comprehensively to understand the problem under investigation, in-depth interviews were conducted along with a review of course outlines of the selected department of sociology / these, in turn, were subjected to content analysis. Interviewees included, respectively, academic members of staff and postgraduate students. The study concludes by highlighting the &lsquo / ontological disconnect&rsquo / , on the part of South African sociologists, not only with their immediate environment but the rest of the African continent. In maintaining this view, it argues that their ontological and epistemological standpoints only succeed in highlighting their cultural affinity with Euro-American perspectives. The said ontological disconnect and cultural affinity, it is argued, lead to extraverted curricula.</p>

<p>This study sought to investigate the alleged problem of &lsquo / academic dependency&rsquo / , on the part of South African sociologists, on western scholarship. The stated problem is said to undermine South African sociologists&rsquo / ability to set their own intellectual and epistemological agenda. Sociology in South Africa is characterised by two issues: &lsquo / negations&rsquo / and theoretical &lsquo / extraversion&rsquo / . In the light of the foregoing claim, the study sought to investigate the underlying epistemological features of sociology curriculum in one of the South African universities. In investigating these issues, the thesis relies on the notion of &lsquo / authentic interlocutors&rsquo / put forward by Archie Mafeje. Literature on transformation of the social sciences in (South) Africa was reviewed. Methodologically, the study assumes a qualitative approach. In order comprehensively to understand the problem under investigation, in-depth interviews were conducted along with a review of course outlines of the selected department of sociology / these, in turn, were subjected to content analysis. Interviewees included, respectively, academic members of staff and postgraduate students. The study concludes by highlighting the &lsquo / ontological disconnect&rsquo / , on the part of South African sociologists, not only with their immediate environment but the rest of the African continent. In maintaining this view, it argues that their ontological and epistemological standpoints only succeed in highlighting their cultural affinity with Euro-American perspectives. The said ontological disconnect and cultural affinity, it is argued, lead to extraverted curricula.</p>

Magister Artium - MA / This study sought to investigate the alleged problem of ‘academic dependency’, on the part of South African sociologists, on western scholarship. The stated problem is said to undermine South African sociologists’ ability to set their own intellectual and epistemological agenda. Sociology in South Africa is characterised by two issues: ‘negations’ and theoretical ‘extraversion’. In the light of the foregoing claim, the study sought to investigate the underlying epistemological features of sociology curriculum in one of the South African universities. In investigating these issues, the thesis relies on the notion of ‘authentic interlocutors’ put forward by Archie Mafeje. Literature on transformation of the social sciences in (South) Africa was reviewed. Methodologically, the study assumes a qualitative approach. In order comprehensively to understand the problem under investigation, in-depth interviews were conducted along with a review of course outlines of the selected department of sociology; these, in turn, were subjected to content analysis. Interviewees included, respectively, academic members of staff and postgraduate students. The study concludes by highlighting the ‘ontological disconnect’, on the part of South African sociologists, not only with their immediate environment but the rest of the African continent. In maintaining this view, it argues that their ontological and epistemological standpoints only succeed in highlighting their cultural affinity with Euro-American perspectives. The said ontological disconnect and cultural affinity, it is argued, lead to extraverted curricula

Colonialism and apartheid have resulted in African law occupying an inferior position in the South African legal system compared to Roman-Dutch law and English common law, which are both recognised as forming the South African common law. This state of affairs has resulted in the lack of development of African law as an independent source of legal knowledge The effect of this dilemma was that African customs were legislated according to Western principles of legal positivism and legal formalism. This legislative approach resulted in the formulation of African principles in ways that exacerbated patriarchy and, in turn, affected the legal status of in particular Black women. This thesis focuses on the effect of colonisation and apartheid on African law and the position of Black women. The marginalisation of African law is argued in this study to have ultimately led to Black women’s silencing and subordination, which is evident from the case law discussed in this study. Furthermore, since white men historically dominated legal training, women have not always been well represented in the teaching and practising of law. Due to issues of racism, Black women have been further marginalised in academia and the legal profession. As a result, Black women still face challenges in academia concerning their academic success. Their upward mobility is severely hampered, which is problematic since the voices of Black women in law could prove beneficial in both academia and the legal profession in changing the current jurisprudence on African law and how it impacts Black women. The thesis seeks to provide recommendations to promote African law and Black women in the study and practice of law in South Africa. / Thesis (LLD)--University of Pretoria, 2021. / Private Law / LLD / Unrestricted

本研究的目的在於探究學前階段坊間教材於課程中扮演的角色，學前教師如何使用轉化教材及其影響因素，而後更進一步探究教學觀點是否對於學前教師運用方法有所影響。 本研究為質性研究，採深入訪談法以及非參與式觀察對兩所園所，共計五名教師進行研究，並以其中兩位教學觀點差異較大的教師進行教學行為的分析，研究發現以學前教師運用教材及其影響轉化差異之因素、教學觀點對於運用坊間教材的影響及坊間教材於課程中的定位此三面向進行討論： 一、在坊間教材轉化及其因素方面發現，學前教師視教材為正式課程，運作課程以教師主體，而教師所持之課程觀為互相調適觀，學生以及教師特質等因素皆會影響教師教學轉化。但教師缺少對教學目的的省思、學校資源不足以及家長因素都可能造成教材轉化的困境 二、教學觀點會影響教師運用坊間教材的方法：從教學目標的選擇到教學方法的運以及評量。研究中兩位教師分別主張課程為教學經驗、課程為計畫，故前者教師運用教材的方法多為「調應」以及「更換」，其與教材互動結果為「教材修正」；後者教師運用教材的方法多為「使用」、「調應」、「更換」，其與教材互動結果為「教師調適」。 三、滿足家長的需求是園所繼續或開始使用教材的最初原因，然而坊間教材的運用將有助於教師專業發展：能夠提供教師較統整的學習架構，以彌補教師專業能力上的不足，也能作為教師教學的參考資源。教材的內容的完善編輯也能夠引發學生學習興趣，加強學生學習動機，促進學生的學習。 四、學校行政體系的支持、班群間的協同以及資源分享都將有助於教師教學上的專業發展，提供教師更多的刺激、激發更多的創意，促使教師能不斷的反思教材內容進行創新。 最後，針對以上幾點發現以及研究過程中遇到的困難與限制提出幾點對於學前教師以及未來研究者一些建議。 關鍵字：坊間教材、教學觀點、課程轉化 / The purpose of this research is to investigate the application of textbooks among preschool teachers. Questions to be answered are as follows: 1.How do teachers transform the textbooks? 2.How do teaching perspectives affect the application of textbooks? 3. How do teachers define the role of textbooks in the curriculum? The research collects data by means of observation, interview, and analysis. Research is focused on the application of textbooks in teachers’ teaching. Results are as follows: 1.Teachers view textbooks as formal curriculum, and hold the core of operational curriculum. Teacher’s perspective of the implemented curriculum is mutual adaptation, and the characteristics of the teacher or the student will affect the curriculum transformation. 2.One teacher views curriculum as teaching experience and the other views curriculum as a plan. The former applies textbook with revising and replacing and the interaction with textbook, and the result is that the modifications of textbooks are made. The later applies textbook with using, revising and replacing, and the result of interaction with textbook is that the teacher adapt it. 3.The reason to adapt to textbook is that it fulfils parent’s expectations, and applying textbook is useful for teacher’s professional development. 4.The support of the education administration authority, the cooperation of the classes and the sharing of resource will be used for teacher’s professional development, and can offer more impetus to create more. Key words: textbook, teaching perspective, curriculum transformation

Department of African Studies / PhD (African Studies) / One of the contemporary themes which dominated discourse in the education fraternity is the integration of IKS in the curriculum of South African education system. There is a growing call for the recognition of contribution by locals and indigenous societies in making education relevant to African children. The aim of the study was to explore the viability of integrating indigenous knowledge into Life Orientation (LO) Curriculum in the intermediate phase. Objectives were to explore Indigenous Knowledge that could be integrated into LO Curriculum in the intermediate phase and to generate knowledge exchange platforms where community and other stakeholders could be involved in the discussion about Indigenous Knowledge integration. A qualitative method and an exploratory-interpretive approach were adopted in the study. Data were gathered through focus group discussions. Data analysis and field notes were clustered thematically. The study indicated that, to integrate Indigenous Knowledge into LO effectively, it could require a shift from the western knowledge focused curriculum taking into cognisance the knowledge of the local inhabitants. The study showed that the integration of Indigenous Knowledge in the South African school curriculum in LO will bring new life into the content and the delivery of tuition. Although there were opportunities to integrate indigenous knowledge in the curriculum, educators felt that the curriculum does not create sufficient space, time and training for the integration of indigenous knowledge. Some of the reasons put forward were that there was inadequate content knowledge on Indigenous Knowledge integration, inadequate support and insufficient allocation of resources. Without a deliberate educator capacity development focusing on indigenous knowledge systems, the viability of IKS integration remains questionable. This is exacerbated by the growing discouragement of Indigenous Knowledge amongst the parents who also felt that there is no practical relevance for IKS in the current education trajectory. Vigorous efforts need to be executed to fast track the process of integrating Indigenous Knowledge in teaching LO in the intermediate phase.

This thesis, Utilising Open Educational Resources in support of curriculum transformation at Africa Nazarene University: A participatory action research approach, derives from a multi-year project implemented by OER Africa, and funded by the Hewlett Foundation, to explore the potential of Open Educational Resources (OER) in support of pedagogic transformation in African universities. The project involves four institutions: Africa Nazarene University (ANU) in Kenya, the Open University of Tanzania (OUT), and the Universities of Pretoria and the Free State (UP and UFS) in South Africa. This study centred on ANU only in the period 2013 to 2016, with a focus on the period 2015-2016, and was timed to inform ANU’s new strategic planning process from 2017. The wider project adopted a participatory action research process in its engagement with the four core institutions. Within this over-arching project methodology, this study made use of an analytical autoethnographic approach to capture and analyse data and to make recommendations, to acknowledge the researcher’s dual role as both a co-participant and an institutional project lead. The approach was informed primarily by hermeneutics and systems thinking and involved multiple in-country engagements with ANU and the triangulation of information derived from document review, observation and iterative focus group discussions and individual interviews. An OER Maturity Index and Planning Tool was also developed and used to inform planning and reflection and to provide a barometer of changing attitudes and activities regarding engagement with OER. Initially the engagement focused on developing a supportive policy and capacity-building environment for individuals to integrate OER into specific Open, Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) courses and to publish revised course materials under an open licence. However, as the initiative progressed, it became apparent that there was need to revisit the institution’s overall business model considering increased competition, new regulatory requirements and a growing demand from students for more flexible forms of provision. In fact, the key finding of this study is the suggestion that engagement with OER is unlikely to move from being an individual to an institutional focus unless such engagement is aligned with the overall vision, mission and business model of the university. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)