Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study focuses on the lived experiences of primary school teachers within a culture of performativity. The French philosopher, Jean-Francois Lyotard (1984) more than anyone else gave credence to the notion of ‘performativity’ in education which he used to represent political and bureaucratic mechanisms of control. Embedded in regulatory mechanisms there are performance indicators such as ‘monitoring systems’ with associated ‘production of information’, that according to Ball (2003) engenders the ‘terrors of performativity’. To conform to the regulatory mechanisms the performativity culture in schools, pressure is increasingly placed on teachers to demonstrate their accountability to education authorities for the responsibilities delegated to them. The literature review does not only seeks to give meaning to key terms and concepts relevant to the study, but also aims to define the operational. Relevant terms included: accountability, professionalism, performance and performativity. In the discussion it is shown that there is a close underlying relationship between performativity and performance, between performativity and accountability, and between performativity and professionalism. In order to answer the main research question and to align logically to the purpose of the study, the researcher conducted a qualitative research study within the interpretative research paradigm. The study was guided by the phenomenological research approach – and more specifically by the hermeneutical-phenomenological research method of Max van Manen (1990). Two data collection methods were employed: protocol narratives (descriptions of lived experiences) and in-depth semi-structured phenomenological interviews. In this study a thematic analytical approach was followed whereby the researcher identified emerging themes from the collected data. Different steps were taken to increase the internal validity of the study and to give attention to the ethical aspects that emerged during the investigation. In this study it is evident that performativity, with its emphasis on effectiveness, efficiency and quality, is currently the most powerful and pervasive discourse in education. The description of the results shows that teachers tend to be swallowed up by the demands of performativity – so much so that teachers are overwhelmed by the ‘terrors of performativity’. Teachers’ ‘escape’ from the ‘imprisonment’ of performativity is not only associated with distorted side Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za viii effects, but there are also physiological and emotional processes that teachers are confronted with in their attempts conform to the regulatory systems. The study found that the undesirable side effects of performativity serve and a push factor for the early exit of teachers from the profession. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie fokus op die geleefde ervarings van primêre skoolonderwysers binne ‘n kultuur van performatiwiteit. Die Franse filosoof, Jean-Francois Lyotard (1984) wat meer as enigeen die betekenis van performatiwiteit in die onderwys blootgelê het, gebruik die nosie van ‘performatiwiteit’ om politieke en burokratiese meganismes van beheer voor te stel. Ingebed in die regulerende meganismes is daar prestasie-aanduiders soos onder andere ‘moniteringsisteme’ met gepaardgaande ‘produksie van inligting’, wat volgens Stephen Ball (2003) aanleiding gee tot die ‘terreurs van performatiwiteit’. Ten einde te konformeer tot die regulerende meganismes is daar binne die performatiewe klimaat in die skool toenemende druk op onderwysers om te demonstreer dat hulle toerekenbaar is aan die onderwysowerhede vir die verantwoordelikhede wat aan hulle opgedra is. In die lieratuuroorsig is nie net ‘n oorsig gegee van die betekenisse van kernterme en – konsepte wat relevant tot hierdie studie is nie, maar ook is gepoog om dit operatief te definieer. Relevante begrippe is onder andere toerekenbaarheid, professionalisme, prestasie en performatiwiteit. In die bespreking is aangetoon dat daar ‘n noue onderlinge verband tussen performatiwiteit en prestasie, tussen performatiwiteit en toerekenbaarheid, en tussen performatiwiteit en professionalisme bestaan. Om die sentrale navorsingsvraag te beantwoord en logies met die doel van die studie in te skakel, het die navorser ‘n kwalitatiewe navorsingstudie uit die interpretiwistiese navorsingsparadigma onderneem. Die fenomenologiese navorsingsbenadering – en meer spesifiek, die hermeneuties-fenomenologiese navorsingsmetode van Max van Manen (1990) het hierdie studie gerig. Daar is gebruik gemaak van twee data-insamelingsmetodes, te wete protokol skryfwerk (geleefde ervarings-beskrywings) en semi-gestruktureerde in-diepte fenomenologiese onderhoude. In hierdie studie is ‘n tematiese analitiese benadering gevolg deurdat die navorser die ontluikende temas in die ingesamelde data geïdentifiseer het. Verskillende stappe is gedoen om veral die interne geldigheid van die studie te verhoog en aandag te gee aan etiese aspekte wat tydens die ondersoek na vore gekom het. Uit hierdie studie blyk dit dat performatiwiteit, met sy klem op effektiwiteit, doeltreffendheid en kwaliteit, huidiglik die mees magtigste en deurdringende diskoers in die onderwys is. Uit die Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za vi beskrywing van die resultate is dit duidelik dat onderwysers neig om deur die eise van performatiwiteit verswelg te raak – soveel so dat onderwyser oorweldig word deur die ‘terreurs van performatiwiteit’. Onderwysers se ‘ontsnapping’ uit die ‘gevangenskap’ van performatiwiteit gaan nie net gepaard met bepaalde verwronge opvoedkundige newe-effekte nie, maar ook is daar die fisiologiese en emosionele prosesse wat onderwysers moet verduur in hul pogings om tot die regulerende stelsels te konformeer. In die studie is bevind dat die ongewenste newe-effekte van performatiwiteit dien as stootfaktore wat onderwysers beweeg om die onderwys vroeg te laat verlaat.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / Contains one part in Tigrigna. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Against the background of education reforms, this study was conducted to determine what can be learnt from using lesson study as professional development strategy in Eritrea. The core problem discussed in the study is that the instigators of successive education reforms in Eritrea expected teachers to shift their teaching from more teacher focused to student-centred approaches with little or no support provided to them. This implies that teachers in Eritrean need effective and sustainable support systems that enable them to implement the reform initiatives. In this study, the researcher uses lesson study as a strategy that could provide teacher development experiences to teachers in Eritrea that are different from the traditional one-shot varieties such as workshops, short-term orientations and training of trainer programmes which are often normally provided by the official programmes. Lesson study is a well-established classroom-based activity in which teachers systematically examine their teaching by collaboratively planning, teaching, observing, revising and re-teaching lessons. Several successes with lesson study have been reported in research in Japan, where it has been used extensively, as well as elsewhere. However, no study on teacher professional development has been conducted using lesson study as a strategy within the Eritrean context. This study is an interpretive qualitative case study that explores the effects of lesson study on science teachers’ learning and classroom practice in selected middle schools of Eritrea. It involved twenty one participants – fifteen science teachers, three school directors and three pedagogic heads for a duration of one year. Data were generated through questionnaires, semi-structured focus group interviews, observations, documents for generating research lesson events, video-recordings and photographs. The findings show that participation in lesson study cycles that were extended over a period of time was effective in enhancing the learning of teachers and changing the way they teach science in their classrooms resulting in enhanced students confidence, participation and learning. Evidence reported in this study also indicates that lesson study made a contribution to minimising teacher isolation by bringing teachers together to collaborate and share professional ideas and experiences. Moreover, the findings show the existence of a direct relationship between teachers’ interest in teacher development initiatives and the interest that the school leadership shows in such initiatives and in the extent of support they provide to the participating teachers. Though participants reported receiving benefits from lesson study, they were constrained by a lack of time, curriculum overload, large class-size, teachers’ poor living conditions, lack of suitable space, shortage of resources, students’ poor English proficiency, newness of the process and students’ negligence. This study has also contributed to extending the body of knowledge on lesson study. Finally, it is hoped that the findings of this study may be used as a guiding framework for future teacher development initiatives in the education sector or other professional development programmes in Eritrea. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie is teen die agtergrond van onderwyshervormings in Eritrea onderneem om te bepaal wat uit die gebruik van lesstudie as strategie vir die professionele ontwikkeling van Eritrese opvoeders geleer kon word. Die kernprobleem van die studie is dat die opeenvolgende onderwyshervormings in Eritrea vereis dat onderwysers hulle onderrigbenadering van opvoedergerigte na meer studentegerigte metodes verander, sonder dat hulle enige noemenswaardige ondersteuning ontvang. Dit impliseer dat daardie onderwysers ’n doeltreffende en volhoubare ondersteuningstelsel nodig het om die hervormingsinisiatiewe in werking te stel. Met die lesstudiestrategie wat in hierdie navorsing gebruik is, is onderwysers in Eritrea blootgestel aan ander ontwikkelingservarings as die tradisionele eenmalige weergawes, wat gewoonlik in die vorm van werksessies, korttermynoriënterings en opleier-opleidingsprogramme plaasvind. Lesstudie is ’n gevestigde klaskamergebaseerde aktiwiteit waarin onderwysers hulle eie onderrig stelselmatig ondersoek deur lesse in samewerking met kollegas te beplan, aan te bied, waar te neem, te hersien en weer aan te bied. Verskeie suksesse met lesstudie is al aangemeld in navorsing in Japan, waar dit op groot skaal gebruik word, sowel as elders. Tog is geen studie oor die professionele ontwikkeling van onderwysers in Eritrese verband al met behulp van lesstudie as ’n strategie uitgevoer nie. Die metodologie vir die navorsing was ’n vertolkende kwalitatiewe gevallestudie wat ondersoek ingestel het na die uitwerking van lesstudie op wetenskaponderwysers se leer- en klaskamerpraktyk in uitgesoekte middelbare skole in Eritrea. Die 21 respondente – 15 wetenskaponderwysers, drie skooldirekteure en drie onderrighoofde – is vir ’n jaar by die studie betrek. Data is deur middel van vraelyste, semigestruktureerde fokusgroeponderhoude, waarnemings, dokumente vir die skep van navorsingslesgebeure, video-opnames en foto’s ingesamel. Die bevindinge toon dat deelname aan lesstudiesiklusse oor ’n langer tydperk onderwysers se leerpraktyk doeltreffend versterk en hulle wetenskaponderrig in die klas verander het. Dit het verhoogde vertroue, deelname en leer onder studente tot gevolg gehad. Bewyse wat in hierdie studie aangemeld is, toon ook dat lesstudie onderwyser-isolasie help beperk het deur onderwysers bymekaar te bring om saam te werk en professionele idees en ervarings uit te ruil. Daarbenewens dui die bevindinge op ’n regstreekse verband tussen onderwysers se belangstelling in inisiatiewe vir hulle eie ontwikkeling en die skoolleiers se klaarblyklike belangstelling in, en ondersteuning vir, onderwysers en hulle professionele ontwikkeling. Hoewel deelnemers by lesstudie baat gevind het, is hulle aan bande gelê deur tydsbeperkinge, ’n oorvol kurrikulum, groot klasse, swak lewensomstandighede, ’n tekort aan geskikte ruimte, te min hulpbronne, swak vaardigheid in Engels onder studente, die nuutheid van die proses en studente se agtelosigheid. Hierdie studie dra by tot die uitbreiding van die beskikbare kennis oor lesstudie. Die bevindinge sal hopelik as ’n raamwerk kan dien om toekomstige inisiatiewe vir opvoederontwikkeling in die onderwyssektor sowel as in ander programme vir professionele ontwikkeling in Eritrea te rig.

Following Barr and Tagg's formalization of the concept of learner-centered educational practice at the postsecondary level as described in their seminal article in Change in 1995, survey instruments have been developed to assess teachers' beliefs about their own learner-centeredness.. The research reported in this dissertation examined the connection between college students' perceptions of teacher effectiveness on each of four dimensions appearing as questions on the IDEA Survey of student reaction to instruction and courses (developed at the IDEA Center, Kansas State University, in the early 1970s) and the Assessment of Learner-Centered Practices (ALCP): Beliefs Portion of the Postsecondary Level Instructor Survey, College Level (developed in early 1999 by B. L. McCombs, University of Denver Research Institute; alpha reliabilities reported). Using scoring rubrics accompanying the ALCP instrument, instructors were identified as learner-centered or non-learner-centered based on their responses. Independent t-tests were performed to determine whether learner-centered instructors were perceived differently by students in terms of teaching effectiveness than non-learner-centered instructors on each of four dimensions: overall excellence of course, overall excellence of instructor, effectiveness of instructor in helping students achieve relevant objectives in the course, and effectiveness of course and instructor in improving students' attitude toward the field of study. Students rated learner-centered instructors higher in all dimensions, but results were not statistically significant. Instructors were also identified as possessing learner- or non-learner-centered beliefs to a greater degree than that necessary for an overall designation. Independent t-tests were performed to determine any differences in student perceptions of effectiveness between these two groups. Again, students rated learner-centered instructors higher in all dimensions, but results were not statistically significant. Recommendations for further research with the ALCP instrument are made, including research to determine whether specific factors and/or questions prove to be statistically significant in predicting student evaluations of effectiveness. Also recommended are replications of the study to investigate moderating variables influencing accurate faculty self-identification of beliefs about teaching and learning.

Thesis (MEd)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. / Continuing Professional Teacher Development (CPTD) policy is an initiative intended to up-skill teachers, and in so doing improve schooling and learner achievement. CPTD involves the participation of teachers in various developmental activities for which they earn CPTD points. The professional development of teachers in South Africa has been erratic and, as a consequence, there has been a decline in the quality of teachers. Despite there being formal structures in place, policy implementation continues to be a problem. The purpose of this study was to identify constraints and opportunities regarding CPTD policy implementation in the Western Cape. The research tradition of interpretivism was chosen, allowing for a qualitative case study design to be employed. The non-probability sampling method was used to select a purposive sample of three WCED officials and four school principals. Convenience sampling was applied in identifying 24 teachers. Other data were drawn from policy documents. The study was conducted in an urban and rural district within the Western Cape. This study is significant in that it informs policy makers and implementers, and other stakeholders about the constraints and opportunities with regard to CPTD implementation and in so doing, paves the way for more effective implementation. Findings revealed that constraints outweighed opportunities. In spite of time constraints, principals and teachers reported that they are in support of professional development, but are not in support of the CPTD management system implemented by SACE. They do not agree with the one-size-fits-all approach to implementation, nor the focus of development being the collection of CPTD points. It is thus deemed that a review of the CPTD policy is necessary in order to clear the misconception that accumulation of PD points is the primary focus of CPTD. Granted, teachers would still need to collect points to monitor their growth. A recommendation is made in this study to improve the system and ensure that it is functional and accessible to all teachers at all times, including those in rural districts.

This study describes how undergraduate students in their junior and senior year seeking a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management at a regionally accredited university perceive their professors’ instructional attributes and behaviors. This examination concentrated on two critical zones of discernment concerning professors’ instructional practices. Participants were asked what teaching attributes contributed to their academic success, and teaching attributes did not contribute to their academic success. The study also sought to identify any obstacles faced by the participating undergraduate students and their faculty as indicators of how to mitigate such obstacles. This study included a review of an extensive collection of research on student perspectives and how those perspectives may reflect on the evaluation of the adequacy of various teaching techniques and academic practices. This study found that the instructional attributes that participating students reported that they value include: agreeableness (concern and regard for students), accommodation (accessibility), and receptiveness to others’ conclusions (support of class inquiries and exchange), yet all instructors do not exhibit each of these attributes. This study identified the positive teaching characteristics of professors in one setting and how these professors interact with their students in a manner that captures students’ attention and promotes teaching and learning in the classroom. It also suggests attributes that professors in this setting and discipline may wish to elevate to better connect with students in the classroom. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

This quantitative study examined secondary schools across a south Florida school district to determine the relationship between school characteristics and measures of teacher quality with the aim of ascertaining the equitable distribution of the educational resource, teacher quality. Data regarding student population, staff climate survey responses, school points, and measures of teacher quality were requested from the school district; however, the requested teacher quality data was not available from the district. The researcher accessed publicly available teacher quality data from the Florida Department of Education regarding advanced degree completion, out-of-field teachers, and highly qualified teachers to serve as measures of teacher quality at secondary schools. Data were collected and analyzed using quantitative methods for 119 schools that served as the unit of analysis. Using multiple regressions, the study found a significant negative relationship between the percentage of students participating in the free and reduced-price lunch program and the percentage of teachers who possessed an advanced degree. The study also found a significant positive relationship between the percentages of Black students, English language learners, students with disabilities, students participating in the free and reduced-price lunch program and the percentage of out-offield teachers. Additionally, the study found a significant positive relationship between the percentages of Hispanic students, students with disabilities, students participating in the free and reduced-price lunch program, and the percentage of not highly qualified teachers at schools. The investigation also discovered predictive relationships between some of these school characteristics and the measures of teacher quality examined in the study. All of the findings provided evidence of structural inequality regarding the distribution of teacher quality and were analyzed by the study’s theoretical framework, which drew on critical race theory, critical multiculturalism, and other critical studies. These works underscore the inequitable distribution of teacher quality. Implications and suggestions for future research are offered for further examination of the equitable distribution of teacher quality and the role of policy to inform the equitable distribution of teacher quality across schools in order to address the most urgent problem facing U.S. education: the unequal distribution of quality teachers. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Thesis (MEd)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. / Much of today’s classroom learning, particularly in the senior primary phase, focuses on activities whereby learners acquire facts and rules, employing only the lower levels of cognition: knowledge, comprehension and application (Sonn, 2000). In order to bridge the gap between the real and the ideal (Hartley, Bertram & Mattson, 1999) with regards to the development of critical and creative thinking, educators need to be trained and provided with the necessary tools and relevant teaching strategies to better align their teaching to the requirements of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS). This research developed quantitative and qualitative instruments to investigate Grade 6 teachers’ understanding of creative and critical thinking before and after a professional learning community (PLC) intervention. The implementation of the PLC involved the Creative Problem Solving (CPS) programme’s generating tools, and was guided by Bourdieu’s social field theory. The aim of the intervention was to consider the shifts and changes that teachers might make in their teaching practices to purposely include the development of creative and critical thinking skills in their pedagogy. A pragmatic paradigm was utilized, focusing on methodological flexibility with the use of an explanatory sequential mixed method approach. Although this small, convenient sample excludes any statistical evidence, it does reflect that given time and support, teachers’ pedagogical habitus (see Feldman & Fataar, 2014) is adaptable. The meaningful, cooperative approach of the PLC and the development of creative and critical thinking skills, through the use of the creative problem solving programme, created the platform for change.

This ethnography traces my journey teaching kindergarten in the Pico Union neighborhood in Los Angeles. Its purpose is to understand the macro and micro levels of the community to inform my teaching practices and support my students and families. On a micro-level, I conducted case studies on three specific students. Data analysis of in-home interviews, personal interactions, and assessments allowed me to create action plans to best support these students’ academic, social, and emotional needs. On a macro level, I studied my students’ environments: community, school, and classroom. Attending community events, learning about my school’s mission, and reflecting on my classroom culture and expectations, I internalized how students’ environments plays a role in their education. By analyzing whole class and individual student data and reflecting on my own development, I grew as a professional educator and became an effective and socially just teacher.

Thesis (MEd)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019. / The objective of initial teacher education is to prepare teachers to teach effectively in schools. The quality of schools of a country depends on the quality of teachers (Femin-nemser, 2001). Provision of good teachers is, thus, crucial for the quality of teaching in schools. This research seeks to explore newly qualified teachers experiences of learning to teach and how it supports their classroom practices. A mixed method study with an interpretivist emphasis was conducted with teachers, who were in their first year of teaching. Data generation ensued through questionnaires and discussions whereby only some aspects of these were used to complement the main data generation which was the focus groups. Pedagogic Content Knowledge is a knowledge base that allows teachers to effectively pass their content knowledge on to students. Drawing on existing literature, a conceptual framework was developed. The study used the content analysis method where data was categorised according to the themes. The findings show that the Newly Qualified Teachers found their Initial Teacher Education to have had both positive and negative influences on their classroom practices. The heavy administrative duties, adapting to school contexts, relationships with people of influence like lecturers during Initial Teacher Education and mentor teachers, teaching practice (which had the most profound influence on their classroom practice) and the professional knowledge and skills as taught during Initial Teacher Education all played a part in supporting the classroom practices of Newly Qualified Teachers. The implications for policy makers, initial teacher education providers and mentor teachers therefore suggest some adjustment to the structure of Initial Teacher Education programs that would enable improving the development of Pedagogic Content Knowledge including enhanced involvement of schools in Initial Teacher Education to support classroom practice of Newly Qualified Teachers.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 162-165). Also available on the Internet.