Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the Master in Education in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education in the Faculty of education at the University of Zululand, 2019. / This study forms part of an ongoing attempt to understand the prevalence and management of stressors experienced by teachers. The main focus for this study is foundation phase teachers in rural Mbombela schools. Quantitative and qualitative measures were used in order to gain more insight into the prevalence and management of stressors experienced by teachers. A questionnaire with open-ended and closed-ended questionnaires was used to collect data. The results of the study indicated a high prevalence of foundation phase teachers experiencing stressors. There was also an indication that the teachers do have the necessary skills to cope with stressors that they experience as a result of their teaching and learning environment. Exercise, spirituality and planning were the main techniques teachers used in the management of stressors. Recommendations were made in order to assist teachers with the management of stressors they experience as a result of their teaching and learning environment. Avenues for further research are also discussed.

Technology in this age is ubiquitous and is changing the way that individuals live, work and play. In line with this, South African education has to change regularly to meet the requirements set out by the Department of Basic Education, including the development of learning outcomes for the 21st century. This study therefore explored teachers' and learners' experiences of Technology-based Teaching and Learning (TbTL) in the Foundation Phase. Qualitative case study research methods such as photovoice, narratives, semi-structured interviews, opinion pieces and field notes were conducted within three cases in order to understand the experiences of TbTL in the Foundation Phase. Data were examined through a conceptual lens that was grounded in the Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework and yielded the following themes: technological tools, 21st century skills, Technology-based Teaching and Learning itself and mind the gaps. Finally, the novel, original contribution that this study makes is a framework for TbTL in the Foundation Phase. In essence this framework is relevant to understand teachers' and learners' experiences of the phenomenon of TbTL in the Foundation Phase. It is not a step-by-step guide as such but rather an indication of the core elements that are important to consider by any role players using TbTL in this phase. It is anticipated that using this framework as a guide to TbTL in the Foundation Phase will assist in creating teachers and learners who are digitally literate, lifelong learners with developed 21st century skills. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Early Childhood Education / PhD / Unrestricted

The purpose of this study was to explore foundation phase teachers' perceptions of the way in which supportive school environments are being created for children from same-sex parented families. It focused specifically on how foundation phase teachers perceive their role in accommodating, including, and positively representing the same-sex parented family in their classroom practice. Current literature highlights the negative experiences of homophobia and heteronormativity in schools, together with the need to create more supportive school environments for children from samesex parented families. The increasing prevalence of same-sex parented families in South Africa has created the need for extended research in this regard, and yet there is a gap in national literature on the school experiences of children from this nontraditional minority family form. Foundation phase teachers play a central role in teaching their young learners to accept and celebrate diversity. However, no research has been done in South Africa to explore foundation phase teachers' perspectives on their role in interrupting heteronormativity in their schools and classrooms. This study was approached from an interpretive paradigm and qualitative methods were employed to collect and analyse the data. Individual interviews were conducted with four foundation phase teachers, and interpretive thematic data analysis techniques were used to analyse the data. Culturally responsive pedagogy was used as a framework to explore barriers to inclusion, and to recommend ways in which foundation phase teachers in South African schools can be supported in creating safe, positive and counter-heteronormative school environments for children from same-sex parented families. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Educational Psychology / MEd / Unrestricted

The purpose of this exploratory case study was to explore and describe foundation phase teachers’ viewpoints on the viability of response to intervention (RTI) in their school context. The conceptual framework supporting this study was guided by sociocultural and social constructivist perspectives on learning and included the concepts of mediation, zone of proximal development, scaffolding and differentiated instruction which are concepts that underpin an RTI approach. Guided by an interpretivist paradigm, this qualitative case study provided insight into the viewpoints of nine foundation phase teachers on whether they believed an RTI approach could be viable within their own school context. The findings suggest that the participants envision numerous challenges in the implementation of RTI in their school context. They believe that a lack of resources and challenges associated with the curriculum could potentially prevent the effective implementation of RTI components and therefore decrease the viability of RTI in their school context. The participants believe that if certain challenges, such as a lack of time and a lack of qualified teaching staff, could be addressed and overcome, then an RTI approach could become viable in their school context. They believe an effective RTI implementation could yield benefits associated with improved overall learning in the classroom. Furthermore, the participants believe that RTI could potentially result in a reduced need for financial resources to pay for referrals to learner support specialists, which they currently perceive as a challenge in their learner support practices. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Educational Psychology / MEd / Unrestricted

Various assessments and international studies have shown that learners in South African schools experience challenges and perform poorly with respect to literacy and numeracy. To become competitive in the global arena, there is an urgent need to raise the standards of education. Language is required for all learning, including numeracy and mathematics. Many young learners in South Africa struggle to develop adequate language skills because of an inherent pathology and/or barriers in their learning environment. Learners who do not develop adequate listening and language skills during their early years are most likely to experience difficulty in acquiring literacy and numeracy skills, resulting in poor academic progress. By supporting learners to overcome their developmental delays as early as in the foundation phase, future learning problems may be prevented. To raise education standards, teachers need to heighten their attempts to facilitate literacy and numeracy in the foundation phase. Teachers currently have to adapt to a new national curriculum statement (NCS) that is based on an outcomes-based education (OBE) approach (Department of Education, 1997:16). Many teachers, especially those in black townships and other previously disadvantaged areas, find this difficult as they have not been sufficiently trained or are not adequately qualified. Educational changes have necessitated the need for high quality staff development and support. Speech-language therapists (SLTs) working within a collaborative approach in the education context can support the learners who need to acquire listening and language skills, as well as the teachers who have to facilitate these skills. This study developed a support programme for foundation phase teachers to facilitate listening and language for numeracy. The multifaceted programme consisted of training, mentoring, and practical components, which aimed at developing the participants’ competence (foundational, practical, and reflective competence). The programme integrated the principles of adult learning within an OBE approach while taking culture and diversity into consideration. The programme was evaluated within a Logic Model framework. The research made use of a concurrent, equal status triangulation design where triangulation was obtained by transforming QUAL data into QUAN data to be compared. In the QUAN strand, data were collected from 96 teacher participants (who were selected by using a convenience sampling method) by means of questionnaires, portfolio assignments, attendance registers, and financial statements. Qualitative data were collected from eight focus group discussions (using a nested design with 12 participants at a time) as well as a research diary, testimonials, and various correspondences. The findings indicated that all the participants have gained knowledge, skills, and confidence, but to varying degrees. Factors that affected the outcomes included aspects related to time, the choice of venue, age, prior support and qualifications, as well as motivation related to the context. Group learning was identified as a suitable strategy for teacher support in these contexts. Provided that specific factors are considered to increase effectiveness, the outcomes indicated that the programme could be used to support foundation phase teachers in these specific contexts. / Thesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology / unrestricted

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the training given to Foundation Phase (FP) teachers in the implementation of Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS), with the intention to develop an alternative professional development (PD) approach for this Phase. Literature indicates that the academic success of learners can be significantly affected by Foundation Phase teachers’ access and participation in quality PD activities. It also indicates that PD is much more than training. It includes on-going workshops, follow-up, study, reflections, observations and assessment which accommodates FP teachers as learners, recognises the long-term nature of learning, and utilises methods that are likely to lead teachers to improve their practice as professionals. In this study, mixed methods research approach was employed to collect empirical data. It includes questionnaires responded to by 84 FP teachers, three sets of interview questions, that is, one for 9 primary school principals, one for 3 subject advisors, and the last one for the Focus group made up of 10 FP teachers who were not included in questionnaires. Observation at training centre was also conducted. The study revealed that the responses from the five sets of data collection instruments seemed to agree on the following: - FP teachers were not involved in the design of their PD activities; - An appropriate time for FP teachers to engage in PD activities is during school holidays; - The length of the training was too short; - Training was not based on the teachers identified needs; and - It was not designed by teachers in cooperation with experts in the field. This study therefore recommends the use of mixed-models approach because the Cascade model that was used, is not addressing the needs of all FP teachers. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

Text in Afrikaans / Gemotiveerde onderwysers speel 'n belangrike rol in suksesvolle onderrig en leer. Die doelwit van hierdie studie was om faktore te identifiseer wat 'n invloed uitoefen op onderwysermotivering. 'n Kwalitatiewe navorsingsontwerp van individiduele onderhoud-voering met agt doelgerig geselekteerde deelnemers is gebruik ten einde antwoorde te kry op faktore wat „n invloed uitoefen op die motivering van grondslagfase-onderwysers. Die doelwitte van hierdie studie was ook om riglyne aan onderwysers te verskaf oor hoe om hulself te motiveer en aan skoolhoofde oor hoe om hul onderwysers te motiveer. Daar is bevind dat faktore wat 'n invloed uitoefen op die motivering van onderwysers verband hou met die spesifieke skoolomgewing, die finansiële vergoeding van onderwysers, die werksverhoudings met ander onderwysers, die invloed van ouers, die verhoudings met die skoolhoof en die gedrag van leerders. As belangrikste motiveringsfaktor geld die onderwyser se eie lewensingesteldheid wat of op 'n positiewe of negatiewe lewensuitkyk gesentreer kan wees. / Motivated teachers play an important role in successful teaching and learning. The aim of this study was to identify factors that have an influence on teacher motivation. A qualitative research design was used. Individual interviews with eight purposefully selected participants were held to get answers to the factors that have an influence on the motivation of foundation phase teachers. The aim of this study was also to give guidelines to teachers on how to motivate themselves and to school principles on how to motivate teachers. The results indicate that factors influencing the motivation of teachers have to do with the specific school environment, the financial reward of teachers, the work relationship with other teachers, the influence of parents, therelationship with the school principal and the behaviour of learners. The most important motivation factor is the teacher‟s own attitude towards lifewhichcanrepresenta positive or negative life view. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Onderwysbestuur)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the training given to Foundation Phase (FP) teachers in the implementation of Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS), with the intention to develop an alternative professional development (PD) approach for this Phase. Literature indicates that the academic success of learners can be significantly affected by Foundation Phase teachers’ access and participation in quality PD activities. It also indicates that PD is much more than training. It includes on-going workshops, follow-up, study, reflections, observations and assessment which accommodates FP teachers as learners, recognises the long-term nature of learning, and utilises methods that are likely to lead teachers to improve their practice as professionals. In this study, mixed methods research approach was employed to collect empirical data. It includes questionnaires responded to by 84 FP teachers, three sets of interview questions, that is, one for 9 primary school principals, one for 3 subject advisors, and the last one for the Focus group made up of 10 FP teachers who were not included in questionnaires. Observation at training centre was also conducted. The study revealed that the responses from the five sets of data collection instruments seemed to agree on the following: - FP teachers were not involved in the design of their PD activities; - An appropriate time for FP teachers to engage in PD activities is during school holidays; - The length of the training was too short; - Training was not based on the teachers identified needs; and - It was not designed by teachers in cooperation with experts in the field. This study therefore recommends the use of mixed-models approach because the Cascade model that was used, is not addressing the needs of all FP teachers. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

Text in Afrikaans / Gemotiveerde onderwysers speel 'n belangrike rol in suksesvolle onderrig en leer. Die doelwit van hierdie studie was om faktore te identifiseer wat 'n invloed uitoefen op onderwysermotivering. 'n Kwalitatiewe navorsingsontwerp van individiduele onderhoud-voering met agt doelgerig geselekteerde deelnemers is gebruik ten einde antwoorde te kry op faktore wat „n invloed uitoefen op die motivering van grondslagfase-onderwysers. Die doelwitte van hierdie studie was ook om riglyne aan onderwysers te verskaf oor hoe om hulself te motiveer en aan skoolhoofde oor hoe om hul onderwysers te motiveer. Daar is bevind dat faktore wat 'n invloed uitoefen op die motivering van onderwysers verband hou met die spesifieke skoolomgewing, die finansiële vergoeding van onderwysers, die werksverhoudings met ander onderwysers, die invloed van ouers, die verhoudings met die skoolhoof en die gedrag van leerders. As belangrikste motiveringsfaktor geld die onderwyser se eie lewensingesteldheid wat of op 'n positiewe of negatiewe lewensuitkyk gesentreer kan wees. / Motivated teachers play an important role in successful teaching and learning. The aim of this study was to identify factors that have an influence on teacher motivation. A qualitative research design was used. Individual interviews with eight purposefully selected participants were held to get answers to the factors that have an influence on the motivation of foundation phase teachers. The aim of this study was also to give guidelines to teachers on how to motivate themselves and to school principles on how to motivate teachers. The results indicate that factors influencing the motivation of teachers have to do with the specific school environment, the financial reward of teachers, the work relationship with other teachers, the influence of parents, therelationship with the school principal and the behaviour of learners. The most important motivation factor is the teacher‟s own attitude towards lifewhichcanrepresenta positive or negative life view. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Onderwysbestuur)