Bibliography: pages 125-132. / Batteries of exercises requiring visualization in three dimensions were administered to more than 900 freshmen engineering students at the University of Cape Town in 1983, 1984 and 1985, and at the Cape Technikon in 1985. They were found to be consistently powerful predictors of performance in the midyear and final first year engineering drawing examinations. The cultural populations under consideration consisted of students classified by statute as "Black", "White" and "Coloured". By law most pupils in each ethnic group are educated within separate education systems in South Africa. Cultural differences existing between ethnic groups tend to be reinforced by these three different education systems and by socio-economic classes which tend to be distributed along racial lines. Although individual students with gross spatial disabilities were identified in all three ethnic groups, the cross-cultural study carried out in this investigation illustrates the significant differences in the mean performances of students emerging from the three different education systems both in the spatial batteries and in the first year engineering drawing course at UCT. These differences are discussed in terms of language problems, educationally disadvantaged backgrounds and cultural differences. The spatial batteries were found to be the best predictors of engineering drawing examination results at tertiary level irrespective of cultural group, and are proving to be particularly useful for identifying students urgently in need of special academic support in engineering drawing right from the commencement of their course.

A thesis submitted in accordance with the requirements for the Degree Master of Education in the Department of Educational Foundations and Management at the University of Zululand, 2018. / When Post-Provisioning Model (PPM) was implemented in 1998, it appeared as if the need to maintain quality teaching and learning and good working conditions for educators was not taken into consideration. The conditions under which schools have been working since the implementation of the PPM do not appear to have improved curriculum implementation in schools. This has affected the management of implementation, and to a large extent the entire education system in South African schools. In this study, the researcher investigates the influence of the PPM on curriculum implementation at secondary schools in the King Cetshwayo District of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The objectives of the study were to:  To establish how principals manage the PPM at secondary schools.  To find out the influence of the PPM in curriculum implementation at secondary schools. The quantitative approach grounded in the positivism paradigm was used to collect and interpret empirical data from principals of secondary schools in the King Cetshwayo District. The findings of the study reveal that the influence of the PPM in the management of the schools and in curriculum implementation affects the performance in all spheres of the schools in the King Cetshwayo District. The principals experience contextual problems which affect administration and curriculum implementation. The main recommendation from the study’s findings is that there is a need for the Department of Basic Education to revise the PPM in order to serve the needs of schools, particularly the previously disadvantaged schools that experience deficits in all areas of teaching and learning.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Education at the University of Zululand in the fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Department of Educational Planning and Administration, 1992. / The purpose of this study was to investigate how the educational policies formulated by the Department of Education and Training as well as the Departments cf Education and Culture, influence the functioning of the colleges of education in the National States in South Africa. It was also to determine the extent to which policies, evolved within the colleges themselves, are-af-feeted—by—interventions from the various Departments and political movements. Methods of research included, among others, interviews of college rectors, lecturers and students, serving teachers and some educators attached to the Departments of Education and Culture. This researcher intended to establish how these people perceive the influence and impact of these policies on the selected sample of Colleges of Education in the National States. The literature review revealed that policy serves as a guide and a source of reference in any given venture, involving a choice amongst a wide range of alterntives; and that it provides a reasonable guarantee that there will be consistency and continuity in the decisions that are made. This investigation demonstrated, however, that there is a stigma attached to policies formulated by the Education Departments in the National States. This is due to the negative perception that the National States are illegitimate administrative structures created to perpertuate apartheid policies. The policies which are formulated by the Department of Education and Training are also challenged by the students in particular, and lecturers in general, who argue that these policies are oppressive and therefore unacceptable. The negative perception held by students and lecturers on the current educational policies manifests itself in the emerging college culture of violence which is characterised by the rejection of current authority structures. Students seem to rely on coercion and intimidation as means of problem solving instead of the use of negotiation tactics. College policies therefore do not always serve as guides and thus cannot guarantee any consistency and continuity in the decisions that are made. In this way education policies do not empower the college authorities to be fully in charge of their institutions. Emerging from these findings are the following recommendations: * that education policy makers should consider various options which will encourage a wider spectrum of consultation and involvement of interest groups, including Thompson's model of policy development and redefinition cycle (in Monahan, 1982), Muschkat1 s (1986) morphological model and those of Saran and Kogan. that policy makers formulate policies which are based en the rule of law and on the principles of justice and fairness. It is hoped that this research will be a source of reference for further research in policy studies undertaken -especially— for postgraduate studies. It will also serve as a useful source material for educational policies in South Africa, especially with regard to colleges of education.

Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Education in fulfilment ofthe requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF EDUCATION in the Department of Philosophy of Education at the University of Zululand, 1998. / The researcher sought to investigate the antiracist approach in education which has been adopted by the Government of National Unity (GNU). The changes that have taken place in education since 1994 inform this research. The study therefore purports to reveal some of these changes as they relate to anti-racism. In the early 1990s the open school system was incepted. Historical White schools were open to other racial groups particularly Africans. That was an antiracist approach which confronted institutional racism. The researcher established a view that African education was fraught with crisis as emanating from unequal educational opportunities between Africans and Whites in particular. In this. study the researcher has tried to document various aspects of inequality in education. These aspects resulted to the movement of African learners to traditional White schools. White learners were not attracted into traditional African schools. This study attempted to emphasise the importance of anti-racist education in creating equal educational opportunities between Africans and their White counterparts. The researcher decided to state her problem in a question form like this: Does anti-racist education in South Africa have any role to play in eliminating inequalities that characterise the South African education system? The aims of the study included investigating: strategies employed by the GNU in implementing equal education. The role of educators in restoring the culture of learning in African schools. These aims necessitated the utilisation of literature review, interview and empirical survey as research tools. This study revealed that African schools are underdeveloped as compared to historical White schools. The findings also pointed out that some Whites still adhere to the idea of White superiority and African inferiority. This master-servant attitude also became the major focal point of the discussion of anti-racist education. Among some recommendations that the researcher made, the following can be cited: The provision of African schools with additional resources in order to bring equity which would yield equal educational opportunities. The compensatory programme should be launched to change personal views of inferiority held by culturally deprived, disadvantaged learners to enable them to compete in the new cultural and socio-economic demands. There should be racial awareness programmes in order to inculcate common values of respect, tolerance and acceptance across racial groups.

A research dissertation presented to the Faculty of Humanities (School of Education) In Partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree Masters of Education by Research University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg Date of Submission: 29 April 2016 / This study is part of a larger research project titled Conditions of teaching and learning that facilitate and/or constrain learning English in rural high schools. The focus of the research project explores the conditions of teaching and learning English, and the contextual factors that facilitate and/or constrains learners’ motivation and participation in learning, in five rural high schools in Bushbuckridge area. The current study focused on how grade 10 and 11 First Additional English rural teachers’ conceptualise learning and teaching in Acornhoek schools, part of Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga Province. Given the focus of the study the literature review detailed issues with development of rural education, teachers’ conceptions of learning, teachers’ conceptions of teaching, English as a First Additional language (EFAL) in South Africa and the spectrum of current pedagogical practices. The literature review highlighted significant gaps that are important for the this study such as a lack of research in Africa and South Africa focusing on teachers’ conceptions of learning and teaching, particularly in rural schools. Furthermore the corpus of research conducted on conceptions focused on tertiary students’ conceptions of learning, there is limited research in schools, with teachers and learners, especially teachers’ pedagogical practices in relation to the conceptions. In addition the development of rural education and research in South Africa continue to be underdevelopment, with most research perceiving rurality as a deficit paradigm. Thus in order to address the literature gaps mentioned above the study engaged with six grade 10 and 11 rural teachers from Acornhoek, Mpumalanga Province. The sampling strategy was purposive, as only grades 10 and 11 EFAL teachers were the selected to participate in the study. In order to address the research questions and sub research questions, a qualitative research approach was used as it focuses on understanding socially and historically constructed meanings about experienced phenomena. Through the use of phenomenological methodology teachers’ meanings and beliefs about learning and teaching were interrogated and problematized. In order to interrogate and problematize teachers’ conceptions of learning and teaching two data collection methods were used namely: semistructured individual face-to-face interviews and non-participatory observations. The semi-structured individual face-to-face interviews were used to address the following research questions: 1. What are grade 10 and 11 English First Additional Language teachers’ conceptions of learning and teaching? 2. What shapes teachers’ conceptions of learning and teaching? The following research question was addressed by use the non-participatory observations: 3. How do teachers’ conceptions influence teaching approaches, if at all, during English poetry and short story lessons? In order to answer the above questions critical discourse analysis was used, to engage with participants’ responses from their individual face-to-face interviews. Critical discourse analysis assisted with ensuring in depth engagement with participants’ narrations, without taking any words for granted because meaning might be hidden in the selection of words. Thus critical discourse analysis enabled the critical identification of particular words used by the participants in order to gain insight to the underlying influences that shape rural teachers’ conceptions of learning and teaching in poetry and short stories lessons. As a result this involved an intense data analysis process, which incorporated the non-participatory classroom observations as well as the conceptual frameworks discussed from Bernstein, Alexander, and Scott and Mortimer. Some of the major findings suggest that teachers’ conceptions of learning and teaching are complex and complicated particularly if contextual issues are considered, as possible influential factors that shape teachers’ conceptions. The findings indicated that rural teachers’ conceptions of learning should be understood from early school learning to current teaching profession. The dominant conceptions of learning from early school and current teaching profession suggest memorisation, mimicking, and acquisition of information and little conceptions shows learning for transformation and change as a person. Various factors were identified to influences the conceptions such as policy, lack of resources and overcrowded classrooms. In addition, findings on teachers’ conceptions of teaching explicated the dynamics teachers face between ideas they hold about teaching and how they teach. The study indicated that some teachers mentioned ‘banking’ model of teaching that suggested teacher centred conception of teaching, which linked with some of the conceptions of learning. Most conceptions were about spoon-feeding, telling/giving learners information, and coordinating learning which link with conceptions of learning that promote surface learning. Other conceptions promoted transformation, unlocking minds, and life-learning, to show that teaching is not only about giving information but also ensure that the information changes the way learners make sense of the social issues in relation to the world. It was noted that teachers’ conceptions of learning and teaching seemed to have influenced how teachers teach poetry and short stories lessons, because irrespective of conceptualising teaching and learning in transformational and enlightenment but teachers used a unidirectional teaching approach. This teaching approach that all teachers used suggest ‘normality’ with using this way of teaching poetry and short stories, especially if the nature of poetry and short stories are taken into consideration. Without critiquing teachers’ pedagogical approaches, of concern is that all observed teachers, irrespective of different schools, used similar teaching approach which was shaped by curriculum policy expectations, teachers’ perceptions of learners, and the nature of the socio-cultural and economical context. Owing to some of the complexities mentioned above, further research on teachers’ conceptions of learning and teaching, particularly in rural schools is needed, because embedded in teachers’ conceptions lies their lived experiences and ideas about learning and teaching in rural school. Therefore if effective interventions are to be considered partnering with teachers and/or learners in rural schools to understand their conceptions, need to be seriously taken into account. The purpose is not to research with teachers rather than for teachers to enhance existing knowledge in partnership, rather imposing knowledge. / MT2017

A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Art by research in the Department of Sociology, University of the Witwatersrand, April 2017 / Fire lives briefly, breathes sharply and spreads with urgency across the surface of the earth. Writing from Inside the Fire offers a series of reflection on the fire-centered politics that have been ignited within the RhodeMustFall and FeesMustFall movements. in this paper I trace the political roots of fire and explore the ways in which it employed as a tool of resistance and empowerment during the anti-apartheid struggle.: [Abbreviated Abstract. Open document to view full version] / XL2018

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Education, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education (Educational Psychology), University of the Witwatersrand. Johannesburg, 1994 / In the light of deficits in the Black Education system, historically entrenched by the ruling political hegemony. Black education has been severely compromised in S.A. ln an attempt to redress the situation CEFSA, a non-governmental organisation, has set up a technical high school for adolescents, founded on the principles of Fcuersteins Instrumental Enrichment Programme. Five Instruments were taught in 1992. This study is an evaluation of the changes in the students over the year on dimensions of Cognitive Processes, Learning Styles, Creativity and Self-esteem. Changes were related to both the FIE programme, as well as to broader Mediated Learning Experience opportunities both within and outside the school. N = 114. Statistical procedures included a range of descriptive statistics, a stepwise regression and a principal components analysis. Results indicated that changes on the above dimensions occurred in both positive and negative directions. T-tests highlighted significant changes. Demographic variables were use to explain these changes in a stepwise regression procedure. Competence on Instruments were found to be significantly positively related to end of year academic results, irrespective of demographic variables. The Influences of the IE intervention were then discussed, both positive and negative in an attempt to gain understanding of future directions to be taken in teaching thinking skills within a rapidly changing socio-political context.

Curriculum 2005 is an attempt by the South African government to create and implement a strategic plan to change the formal school curriculum. The new curriculum has 'integration' as one of its focal features. This study is an investigation of the use of' environment' as an integrating' organiser' in the senior phase of Curriculum 2005 in a selection of schools in the Mpumalanga province. While the Curriculum 2005 framework encourages curriculum integration, this is an area which might be neglected during implementation, because there is so little experience among teachers of working in an 'integrated' way. Environmental education is an approach to education which requires and facilitates curriculum integration. This study has the potential to contribute to our understanding of the integration of environmental learning across the new curriculum. Questionnaires and vignettes based on document analysis, follow-up interviews and classroom observations, involving a small group of teachers, were used in conducting the study. The investigation has revealed that participating teachers show a limited understanding of the constructs 'environment' and 'phase organiser'. Teachers do not take or introduce a critical perspective on the nature and causes of environmental issues. They treat the construct 'environment' and associated issues quite superficially when working with learners. Participating teachers generally misunderstood the concept 'phase organisers' and tended to interpret it in concepts associated with the curriculum framework they were used to. Curriculum 2005 also requires teachers to take on a more active curriculum development role. This study looked at four teachers' attempts to develop learning programme units, and at the way in which two teachers implement their curriculum plans focussing on 'environment', in the classroom. It was found that participating teachers do not always follow the same sequence or steps when developing a learning programme. Learning programme units were not considered in developmental sequence, they lacked some form of continuity and links between intended learning outcomes and teaching activities were also lacking. There was inadequate integration between learning areas. Furthermore, integration between knowledge, skills, values and attitudes was also not quite clear among the teachers, and they tended to deal with environmental knowledge in a rather limited way, focussing instead on the awareness and attitudes. These findings are of concern, and they are in keeping with the Curriculum 2005 Review Report, which highlighted the danger of inadequate focus on curriculum content. On overall teachers seem to be struggling with the whole notion of 'integration', even though environment as a phase organiser is meant to assist with curriculum integration. The thesis ends with recommendations on how teachers might be assisted to achieve meaningful curriculum integration, through using learning outcomes as well as content knowledge relevant to environmental learning.

This dissertation examines the knowledge and knower practices in the Master’s in Educational Leadership and Management (ELM) coursework programmes at South African public universities. This study was prompted by my growing awareness of problems and tensions in the field of ELM generally, and at the level of programme design of the M Ed degree in particular. Many of these had been identified by a national audit of coursework M Eds in ELM (CHE, 2010), and this study sought to find a way of theorising these with a view to improving both course design and teaching. To this end I employed Maton’s Legitimation Code Theory (LCT) which enables critical engagement with knowledge and knowers in programmes, how they are positioned, and how this positioning may be problematic. Hence my first research question sought to discover and critique what counted as knowledge in these programmes and why, while the second asked how knowers were positioned, and why this had come to be the case. LCT has its roots in the work of Bernstein and Maton, whose preoccupation with curriculum was/is driven by a sense of social justice: if we can understand how and why the curriculum is organised and presented in a particular way, it becomes possible to re-imagine teaching and learning, making it accessible to a broader, more inclusive body of learners. The study also drew on critical realism as an underlabourer. This philosophy provided a nuanced understanding of ontology, encouraging and enabling me, as researcher, to unearth causal mechanisms driving the status quo. Only seven South African universities currently offer the coursework option of a Master’s degree in ELM, compared to thirteen when the audit was conducted in 2010. Six of the universities agreed to take part in the study. Data was gathered through content analysis of the six course outlines and interviews with individual co-ordinators or academics centrally involved in the programmes. Through the development of a translation device I was able to establishing that a knower code was dominant in the programmes. Using this point as my departure, I interrogated the knowledge practices and found that different types of knowledge were being privileged across the programmes, with some having a practical/professional leaning and others a more academic/theoretical orientation. The resultant tension does, I argue, restrict knowledge building and helps to account for the fact that the field is generally considered to be under-theorised. The fact all of these programme are registered with the same national qualifications authority, ostensibly following the same national guidelines for Master’s degrees is worrying. The study attempts to find underlying, historically significant reasons for this unevenness. An analysis of the programmes revealed a leaning towards supportive pedagogical approaches. While all programmes promote a cultivated gaze their purposes are not always the same. While a hegemonic practices potential for opening counts as knowledge, cultivated gaze can enable transformation, it can also encourage that can impede real change and empowerment. The study has the up much needed debate on what is meant by a Master’s in ELM, what and what kinds of knower are envisaged.

Secondary schools under the jurisdiction of the Cape Education Department (CED) have, over the past 10 years, been acquiring computer equipment without a national policy on educational computing in South Africa, and within only broad parameters provided by their department. The aim of this study was to determine the present status of educational computing in these schools. A literature survey on educational computing was undertaken and a number of international and local 'computers-in-schools' initiatives were elucidated. A field survey, involving all CED secondary schools (239), was initiated by sending questionnaires to principals of these schools - a return rate of 89% was achieved. The results of the research revealed that most CED secondary schools have already acquired computer facilities. The role of pressure groups such as teachers, parents, business sector etc together with other factors that might have influenced schools in acquiring their computer facilities was also investigated. The investigation also revealed where and how these facilities are being utilised: most schools use their computers for administrative functions, with the computer-as-a-tool for teachers and pupils also fast gaining ground. Computer-assisted learning activities, where the computer is integrated with subject curricula, are however still limited. The extent of both teachers' formal training in educational computing and their familiarity with different software applications were also determined. Schools were also required to indicate the areas where they experience problems in getting teachers and pupils more involved in 'computers-in-education' activities. The present educational computing position in secondary schools of the CED will have to serve as a foundation for the department's CISR Project embarked upon in 1991.