<p>In South Africa, some of the problems experienced in moving towards an inclusive education system are a lack of resources, a lack of commitment and a poor understanding of how to aid successful inclusion. The implementation of inclusion is a process that has been initiated by Education White Paper 6 (Dept. of Education, 2001) and is still in the process of developing the necessary education support. This study aimed to investigate the collaboration between the District Based Support Team, the School Based Support Team and the School Governing Body which represents the parents. The main objective was to investigate how the above bodies support and assist learners who experience barriers to learning, development and participation through a collaborative and consultative problem approach.</p>

Magister Educationis - MEd / In South Africa, some of the problems experienced in moving towards an inclusive education system are a lack of resources, a lack of commitment and a poor understanding of how to aid successful inclusion. The implementation of inclusion is a process that has been initiated by Education White Paper 6 (Dept. of Education, 2001) and is still in the process of developing the necessary education support. This study aimed to investigate the collaboration between the District Based Support Team, the School Based Support Team and the School Governing Body which represents the parents. The main objective was to investigate how the above bodies support and assist learners who experience barriers to learning, development and participation through a collaborative and consultative problem approach. / South Africa

Thesis (M.Ed.(Socio-Ed.))--University of South Africa, 2002.

Several studies and reports have indicated that grade 09 learners are underperforming in science. The underperformance of learners in science is very concerning and has evoked research interests into teaching strategies that can be used to improve the performance of learners in science. This study investigated the impact of student teams achievement divisions (STAD) cooperative instructional strategy on the performance of grade 09 learners in science. A mixed method approach specifically quasi-experimental design and interviews were used to collect data. The population for the study composed of grade 09 learners from Baltimore circuit in Limpopo. The sample consisted of sixty learners from two purposively selected secondary schools. The dependent samples t-test was used to analyze the data collected. The results revealed that student teams achievement divisions (STAD) cooperative instructional strategy resulted in better performance of learners in science than traditional teaching method. In addition, learners expressed an increased interest, motivation and self-efficacy after exposure to cooperative learning. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)

The functioning of a teacher support team is an important aspect in improving quality of education, because it has as its purpose the enhancement of collaboration and support to educators and development of conditions for learners to become more successful. This research study explored the functioning of teacher support teams in primary and elementary schools of the Western Cape Education Department of South Africa and Massachusetts in the United States of America, in assisting educators of learners with special needs in mainstream schools.

The focus of the research reported on in this dissertation is an evaluation of the Language in Learning and Teaching project (LILT), in terms of its ability to facilitate English language development in schools where both educators and learners are second language speakers and where the Language of Learning and Teaching (LoLT) is English. The research involved two main phases. During the first phase I established evaluation criteria from the literature review, from another project the English Language Education Trust, (ELET) and from my own experience and feedback from the end-users (Le. teachers) and the observation of workshops. In the second phase I evaluated the LILT materials against the criteria developed in the literature review, analysed the feedback from end-users in the form of a questionnaire and made recommendations. In this dissertation the following terms will be used interchangeably: teacher, educator, facilitator and tutor because in the quoted passages, the term teacher is largely used. However, in Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) the terms educator, facilitator and tutor are used. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

The functioning of a teacher support team is an important aspect in improving quality of education, because it has as its purpose the enhancement of collaboration and support to educators and development of conditions for learners to become more successful. This research study explored the functioning of teacher support teams in primary and elementary schools of the Western Cape Education Department of South Africa and Massachusetts in the United States of America, in assisting educators of learners with special needs in mainstream schools.

Several studies and reports have indicated that grade 09 learners are underperforming in science. The underperformance of learners in science is very concerning and has evoked research interests into teaching strategies that can be used to improve the performance of learners in science. This study investigated the impact of student teams achievement divisions (STAD) cooperative instructional strategy on the performance of grade 09 learners in science. A mixed method approach specifically quasi-experimental design and interviews were used to collect data. The population for the study composed of grade 09 learners from Baltimore circuit in Limpopo. The sample consisted of sixty learners from two purposively selected secondary schools. The dependent samples t-test was used to analyze the data collected. The results revealed that student teams achievement divisions (STAD) cooperative instructional strategy resulted in better performance of learners in science than traditional teaching method. In addition, learners expressed an increased interest, motivation and self-efficacy after exposure to cooperative learning. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)

Thesis (Ph.d.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2006 / The research investigates the use of the Communicative Learning Programmes in the English First Additional Language (EFAL) Senior phase classrooms in the Free State province. During the turn of the twentieth century, syllabi were tools that were designed and provided by the Department of Education to the schools. Recent changes in education in South Africa now expect educators to design these learning programmes. The Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS) details steps that educators can follow in order to design the learning programmes for their learning areas. Outcomes-Based Education encompasses the eight learning areas in the Senior phase, namely Languages, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Economic and Management Sciences, Social Science, Technology, Life Orientation, and Arts and Culture. The learning area that this study focuses on is Languages. EFAL is one of the languages that form the learning area of Languages. EFAL comprises six learning outcomes that have to be interpreted by the educators and achieved by the learners by linking teaching and learning with the accompanying assessment standards. Through the use of the communicative approach and co-operative strategies during group work, this study adds to the body of knowledge communicative learning programmes that Senior phase EFAL educators can use to assist and complement their current strategies.

The dynamics of the social interaction within the cooperative learning group are accepted and considered to be one of the aspects that will influence the individual learner's feelings regarding the group activity. The impact of the groupings on the quality and quantity of the observable learning within the class is considered. For this study the cooperative learning groupings were manipulated, considering aspects of the learner's social relationships uncovered with the use of a social questionnaire, which the learners completed. These details were summarised by means of a sociometric table and a sociogram. This study approaches the topic from two main perspectives. Primarily observation and naive sketches, from the learners, formed the source of the data and provided the initial perspective on the area of study. From the viewpoint provided in this information specific grouping paramaters were applied to later groups of learners, and a survey conducted. / Educational Studies / M. Ed (Socio-Education)