The level of learner engagement, performance, self-efficacy, and enjoyment on a knot-tying task by college students who received positive verbal and non-verbal learning-oriented feedback by trained facilitators was examined. Secondary learner outcomes were learner perception of engagement and learner perception of facilitator support. Facilitator variables were attitude and competency. Changes in facilitators" attitudes toward (1) flow theory (Csikszentmihalyi, 1997), (2) systematic feedback (Ilgen, Fisher, & Taylor, 1979; Liden & Mitchell, 1985; Locke & Latham, 1985), and (3) hands-on learning (Joplin, 1995; Kolb, 1984; Pfieffer & Jones, 1985; Williamson, 1995) were examined. Facilitators" competence in (1) delivering learning-oriented feedback, (2) using verbal learning-oriented feedback to increase learner engagement, and (3) using nonverbal learning-oriented feedback to increase learner engagement was measured. One hundred twenty-six college students from an introductory human development class were randomly selected and randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups as facilitators, learners, or timekeepers for a knot-tying task. Twelve psychology majors, members of an independent study group in the same class, were trained as observers and randomly assigned to one of the three treatment groups. The treatment was the administration of learning-oriented feedback by trained facilitators during a knot-tying task. The primary findings were that learning-oriented feedback provided by trained facilitators increased learner engagement, learner self-efficacy, learner task enjoyment, learner perception of facilitator support, and learner perception of personal engagement in the task. Learner performance was not affected by the administration of learning oriented feedback. Facilitators showed significant change in their attitude toward flow theory, systematic feedback, and hands-on learning. It can be concluded that facilitators who received training in learning-oriented feedback had a greater effect on the affective side of learning (engagement, self-efficacy, enjoyment) than those who did not receive training. However, the training of facilitators in the use of learning-oriented feedback had no effect on learner performance. Further, teaching a task using facilitated verbal and nonverbal cues positively affects how facilitators feel about flow theory, hands-on learning, and feedback. Further research to verify effects of learning-oriented feedback on learner engagement using other tasks is suggested. Additional research to examine the attitudes of facilitators is suggested. / Ph. D.

The research undertaken involves a quasi-experimental approach in determining the impact of the Competency and Placement (CAP) test in the Further Education and Training (FET) colleges. The evaluation became necessary because poor learner performance within the National Certification Vocational (NCV) programme has persisted amid the implementation of a country-wide roll-out of the CAP test; and a recapitalisation injection of R1.9m. Learner performance data relating to the NCV programme and CAP was obtained in order to undertake an accurate analysis of the poor performance within the FET college sector. In addition to the above, qualitative data was obtained through semi-structured interviews with CAP participating colleges in the country. Recommendations included the restructuring of the NCV programme; the introduction of an alternative learner placement methodology that was in line with international best practices; and improving quality assurance aspects pertaining to the capacity at colleges to deliver the NCV programme effectively. / Human Resources Development / M. Tech. (Human Resource Development)

The importance of a collaborative engagement between parents and teachers in order to enhance learning in the classroom is so great that the two parties seem inseparable. In this study the teachers indicated that they need the assistance of the parents of the learners whom they teach for them to do well. On the other hand, the parents are also keen to lend a helping hand, since it is the future of their children which is at stake. The challenge that emerges from this situation is that, more often, there is a breakdown in communication. The teachers and parents blame each other, especially when the learners do not perform well at the end of a year. The teachers will say the parents did not do anything to help their children with their schoolwork, while the parents will insist that the teachers failed to do their work. It is of utmost importance to stop the blame-game, but rather to seek ways in which both groups can help the learners to do well in the classroom. The teachers need to inform the parents how they (the teachers) expect them to play their part in helping their learners with their schoolwork. Informing parents about their roles and how they may play them is very important, because then the parents will be able to meet the teachers’ expectations, whereby teaching and learning will be facilitated. The ultimate beneficiaries will be the learners, because they will receive education which is well-coordinated by both the teachers and the parents. The collaboration between teachers and the parents will be guided because the kind of parental involvement will be an informed one. The engagement between teachers and parents will yield good results, because in the process they will help each other to find strategies that will assist the learners in the classroom. This study intends to ascertain from the teachers how they expect the parents to help their children with their schoolwork. It seeks to establish what the teachers’ perceptions are regarding parental involvement, that is, what they think it is, and how they think it should be. Two teachers from two primary schools in the Mogalakwena District of Limpopo Province were used in order to collect the data. These teachers clearly indicated that, indeed, the parents can be of great help, because they can touch some aspects that the teachers cannot reach in the lives of the learners. x They, however, also suggested ways in which the parents are supposed to help their children with schoolwork. The study also explored ways how the roles that the parents must play are communicated to the parents. The researcher’s aim was to explore the teachers’ expectations of parental involvement, and also possible ways in which it can be communicated to the parents.Recommendations were made to the policymakers to refer to when they draw up policies for the governance of schools. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

Improving Grade 12 learner performance is a critical issue because only a few learners are able to go to university. Grade 8 learners lack the required subject content knowledge to be in secondary school. The aim of this study was to identify key generic curriculum factors affecting Grade 12 learner performance. The aim was addressed by conducting the relevant literature study and an empirical investigation. In various studies, the implementation of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) has been associated with tremendous challenges, including content congestion, workload, too much paperwork, too much assessment and limited time. There are ongoing expressions of uncertainty about the type of learners the CAPS is producing. Many of these learners do not understand English, cannot read or write, do not care about their education, are not doing their homework and are ill-disciplined. Against this backdrop of uncertainty, this study offers a critical reflection of key curriculum factors affecting learners’ performance. This multiple case study was undertaken using semi-structured individual interviews with 12 Heads of Departments, which were conducted to explore their perceptions and experiences regarding the CAPS. Six focus group interviews with teachers were also conducted to provide an in-depth understanding of their views. The findings of the study offer a deeper understanding of the key generic curriculum factors affecting learner performance which require a special intervention at foundation phase to ensure that primary school learners are prepared for Grade 12. It is envisaged that the research findings will assist the Department of Basic Education with decisions relating to improving learners’ performance. The study recommends that involving as many experienced teachers as possible in the curriculum design will have a positive impact on learner performance. It is recommended that the Department of Basic Education should reduce the number of subjects at secondary school level; align time allocated to complete the syllabus with the Annual Teaching Plan; replace School-Based Assessments with tests; conduct an exit examination at the end of every phase; identify one prescribed textbook for each subject; encourage top performing students to become teachers; and make teaching a high-status profession. Experienced teachers should be given an opportunity to design the curriculum because they understand the challenges facing the education system. The Department of Basic Education should minimise changes to the curriculum because the teachers work better with what they know. iv The study concluded that the first 30 minutes of each day should be an English period to enhance reading skills; learners should be given an opportunity to choose subjects from Grade 8 not from Grade 10; the pass rate should be raised to 50% for all the subjects; Life Orientation should be done only up to Grade 7; more Further Education and Training colleges should be opened so that learners can be directed accordingly if they cannot cope in a mainstream school; progression and adjustment of marks should be stopped; more teacher training colleges should be opened; more and better resources at all under-resourced schools must be provided; each school should have a full-time psychologist on staff; and learners should be motivated regularly by educated or successful community members. / Dit is noodsaaklik om die prestasie van Graad 12-leerlinge te verbeter aangesien weinig van hulle aan ʼn universiteit verder kan studeer. Graad 8-leerders beskik nie oor die vakkennis wat op hoërskool van hulle verwag word nie. Die oogmerk van hierdie studie was om vas te stel watter betekenisvolle generiese kurrikulumfaktore die prestasie van Graad 12-leerders bepaal. ʼn Literatuurstudie en empiriese ondersoek is met die oog hierop gedoen. Volgens verskeie studies bring die implementering van die Kurrikulum- en Assesseringsbeleidsverklaring (KABV) geweldige uitdagings mee waaronder die vertering van lesinhoud, ʼn groot werklas, te veel papierwerk, te veel assessering en te min tyd. Bedenkinge word gereeld uitgespreek oor die soort leerder wat die KABV tot gevolg het. Talle leerders verstaan nie Engels nie, kan nie lees of skryf nie, is nie oor hulle eie opvoeding besorg nie, doen nie hulle huiswerk nie, en is ongehoorsaam. Hierdie studie besin krities oor die betekenisvolle kurrikulumfaktore wat leerders se prestasie beïnvloed. In hierdie meervoudige gevallestudie is halfgestruktureerde onderhoude met 12 departementshoofde gevoer. Hulle perspepsie en ervaring van die KABV is in die onderhoude verken. Ses fokusgroeponderhoude is met onderwysers gevoer om hulle siening daarvan te verkry. Die bevindings van die studie bied ʼn grondige insig in die betekenisvolle generiese kurrikulumfaktore wat leerderprestasie beïnvloed. Dit vereis ingryping in die grondslagfase om laerskoolleerders vir hoërskool en uiteindelik Graad 12 gereed te kry. Op grond van hierdie bevindings kan die Departement van Basiese Onderwys veranderings aanbring wat die prestasie van leerders kan verbeter. Die studie beveel aan dat soveel ervare onderwysers as moontlik by die kurrikulumontwerp betrek word. Dit sal leerdersprestasie verbeter. Daar word voorts aanbeveel dat die Departement van Basiese Onderwys die aantal hoërskoolvakke verminder; die tydperk waarin die sillabus afgehandel word, met die jaarlikse onderrigplan in ooreenstemming bring; vii skoolassessering met toetse vervang; leerders aan die einde van elke fase ʼn uitgangseksamen laat skryf; een handboek vir elke vak voorskryf; skrander studente aanmoedig om onderwysers te word; en die aansien van die onderwysberoep verhoog. Ervare onderwysers moet aan die opstel van die kurrikulum meewerk omdat hulle die struikelblokke in die onderwysstelsel die beste begryp. Die Departement van Basiese Onderwys moet minder aan die kurrikulum torring aangesien onderwysers beter werk met dinge wat hulle ken. Die slotsom waartoe in hierdie studie gekom word, is dat die eerste 30 minute van elke skooldag ʼn Engelse periode moet wees waarin leerders hulle leesvaardighede verbeter. Leerders moet reeds in Graad 8 vakke kan kies, nie eers in Graad 10 nie. Die slaagpunt moet in alle vakke 50% wees. Lewensoriëntering moet slegs tot Graad 7 aangebied word. Leerders wat nie in ʼn hoofstroomskool die mas opkom nie, moet aan kolleges vir verdere onderwys en opleiding verder kan leer. Punte moenie opgeskuif word nie. Meer onderwyseropleidingskolleges moet geopen word. Skole met beperkte hulpbronne moet van meer en beter hulpmiddels voorsien word. ʼn Voltydse sielkundige moet by elke skool aangestel word, en suksesvolle en opgevoede gemeenskapslede moet leerders gereeld motiveer. / Kaonafatšo ya mašomelo a Kreite ya 12 ke ntlha ya bohlokwa ka ge baithuti ba mmalwa ba kgona go ya yunibesithi. Baithuti ba Kreiti ya 8 ba hloka tsebo ya diteng tša thuto yeo e nyakwaga ke baithuti ba dikolo tše di phagamego. Nepo ya thuto ye ke go hlaola dintlhakakaretšo tša kharikhulamo ya go ama mašomelo a moithuti wa Kreite ya 12. Maikemišetšo a a rarollotšwe ka go dira thuto ya dingwalwa le dinyakišišo tša thuto. Ka go dithuto tša go fapana, phethagatšo ya Setatamente sa Pholisi ya Kharikhulamo le Tekolo (CAPS) e amana le mathata a magolo,a go akaretša pitlagano, tšhomišo ye ntši ya pampiri, tekolo ye ntši, le nako ye nnyane. Go na le ditšweletšo tše dintši tša go se kgotsofale ka ga mohuta wa baithuti bao CAPS e ba tšweletšago. Bontši bja baithuti ba ga ba kwešiše Seisemane; ga ba kgone go bala goba go ngwala; ga ba na taba le thuto ya bona; ba ba dire mošomo wa bona wa gae; ga ba na mekgwa ye mebotse. Ke ka lebaka la tšweletšo ye ya go se be le nnete, thuto ye e tšweletša taetšo ya bohlokwa ka ga dintlha tša bohlokwa tša kharikhulamo tšeo di amago mašomelo a baithuti. Thutophatišišo ye e swanetše go dirwa go šomišwa ditherišano tša go hlangwa gannyane le Dihlogo tše 12 tša Dikgoro. Dipoledišano tše tša mošomo di dirilwe go lemoga mmono wa bona le boitemogelo bja CAPS. Dipoledišano le dihlopha tše tshela tša barutiši di dirilwe go hwetša kwešišo ya go tsenelela ya mmono wa bona. Dipoelo tša thuto di fana ka kwešišo ya go tsenelela ya dintlha tša motheo tša kharikhulamo tšeo di amago mašomelo a baithuti le go nyaka thušo ya go ikgetha ka go thuto ya motheo go netefatša go re baithuti ba thuto ya phoraemari a loketše sekolo se se phagamego le Kreite ya 12. Go lebeletšwe gore dipoelo tša diphatišišo di tla thuša Kgoro ya Thuto ya Motheo go dira diphetho tša go tliša kaonafalo ka go mašomelo a baithuti. Thuto e hlohleletša go re ka ge barutiši ba bantši ba maitemogelo ba tšee karolo ka go tlhamo ya kharikhulamo ka ge se se tla ba le seabe sa maleba go mašomelo a baithuti. Go dirwa tšhišinyo ya go re Kgoro ya Thuto ya Motheo e swanetše go fokotša palo ya dithutwana x maemong a sekolo se se phagamego; lekanyetša nako yeo e filwego go phetha dithuto go ya ka leano la go ruta la ngwaga; go tlošwe ditekolo tšeo di dirwago sekolong go dirwe melekwana; go dirwe hlahlobo ya go tšwa mafelelong a sekgao se sengwe le se sengwe; go hlaolwe puku ye tee yeo e kgwethilwego go thuto ye nngwe le ye nngwe; go hlohleletša baithuti bao ba šomago gabotse go re ba be barutiši; le go dira gore barutiši e be mošomo wa maemo a godimo. Barutiši ba maitemogelo ba swanetše go fiwa sebaka sa go hlama kharikhulamo ka gobane ba kwešiša mathata a tshepedišo ya thuto. Kgoro ya thuto ya Motheo e swanetše go fokotša diphetogo ka go kharikhulamo ka gobane barutiši ba šoma gabotse ka tšeo ba di tsebago. Thuto ye e rumile ka go re metsotso ye 30 ya mathomo ya letšatši le lengwe le lelengwe e swanetše go ba thuto ya Seisemane go kgontšha bokgoni bja go bala; baithuti a swanetše go fiwa sebaka sa go kgetha dithuto go tloga ka go Kreite ya 8 e sego ka go Kreite ya 10; kelo ya katlego e swanetše go phagamišwa go ya go diperesente tše 50 go dithuto ka moka; Life Orientation e swanetše go rutwa fela go fihla go Kreiti ya 7; go swanetše go bulwe dikholetšhe tša tlaleletšo tša thuto le tlhahlo go baithuti bao ba sa kgonego go kgotlelela go sekolo sa setlwaedi; tšwelopele le tlaleletšo ya meputso e swanetše go emišwa; go swanetše go bulwe dikholetšhe tše dingwe tša barutiši; methopo ye mentši ya kaone go dikolo ka moka tšeo di se nago methopo ya go lekana e swanetš go fiwa; sekolo se sengwe le se sengwe se swanetše go ba le rasaekholotši wa sa ruri gare ga bašomi; le baithuti ba swanetše go hlohleletšwa kgafetšakgafetša ke maloko a setšhaba ao a rutegilego goba go atlega. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / Ph. D. (Education (Curriculum Studies))

The author shares some of the findings of the research he conducted in 2007 on grade 11 mathematics learners in two schools, one experimental and the other one control. In his study, the author claims that an open-ended approach towards teaching and learning of mathematics enhances understanding of mathematics by the learners. The outcomes of the study can be summarised as follows: 1. In the experimental school, where the author intervened by introducing an open-ended approach to teaching mathematics (by means of giving the learners an open-ended approach compliant worksheet to work on throughout the intervention period), the performance of the learners in the post-test was better than that of the learners from the control school. Both schools were of similar performance in the pre-test. The two schools wrote the same pre-test and same post-test. Both schools were following common work schedule. 2. Within the experimental school, post-test performance of the learners in the class where the intervention was monitored throughout the intervention period (thus ensuring compliance of the teacher to the open-ended approach) out-performed those in which monitoring was less frequent. 3. There was no significant difference in performance between learners from the unmonitored experimental class and those from the control class.

The performance of learners in Physical Sciences in South Africa has been very poor for a very long time because of lack of basic understanding of scientific concepts. Given this background, there is the need to conduct an educational research to find pedagogical ways to improve performance in Physical Sciences in the secondary schools. Hence, the proposed study aims to investigate the use of science resource centres and laboratories to improve Physical Sciences education in Mthatha. In the light of the literature review, a list of facts were acquired which were used to develop the questionnaire for the Physical Sciences learners and their teachers. Seven public and private high schools in Mthatha were selected for the study. Stratified simple random sampling was used to select respondents. The study followed a non-experimental quantitative design to collect data. The main instruments used were questionnaire and interview. The various responses were analysed and interpreted with the literature. It was found that, the use of science resource centre and laboratory activities, together with a more learner-centred approach to teaching would significantly improve learner performance in Physical Sciences. The necessary recommendations and suggestions were made. It is hope that these recommendations would be taken up by the appropriate bodies to ensure that the needed benefits are obtained from the science resources, and laboratories. In this way, the science and technological base of the nation as a whole is strengthened for its development. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)

Poor Physical Science performance in South African schools is due to ineffective Physical Science teaching. Quality Physical Science teaching stems from quality Physical Science subject advisory services. Traditionally interventions to raise teaching standards were done by inspectors who established if schools functioned according to set rules rather that supporting teaching staff. School inspection was considered a fault finding mission with punitive objectives; hence principals and teachers were negatively disposed to it. The Department of Basic Education since has re-interpreted intervention from checking compliance to support and development of school personnel. This task is allocated to units in district offices in provincial Departments of Education and district staff members’ responsibilities are linked to responsibilities of principals and teachers. The subject advisory unit focuses on curriculum matters in each school subject; thus Physical Science subject advisors support Physical Science teachers with content, pedagogical content knowledge, assessment and Interventions for improved results. This study investigated the role of Physical Science subject advisors in enhancing the quality of Physical Science teaching. Requirements for employment of a subject advisor (qualifications, work experience, interest, attitude and competence), challenges and solutions were explored by a mixed method study. A Physical Science provincial DCES, Physical Science subject advisors, principals, Physical Science teachers in four districts and four PLC support groups were purposefully sampled to explore perceptions of the subject advisor’s role in improving Physical Science teaching. Quantitative data collected by document analysis and questionnaires and qualitative data collected by individual and focus group interviews were analysed. Findings showed that the Physical Science subject advisors possessed minimum qualifications and experience; however, the school subject (Physics and Chemistry combined) does not match the specialization in tertiary institutions (divided into Physics and Chemistry). Thus, some subject advisors may major in one of two parts. Further, certain school content is not included in the university syllabus. This may limit advisors’ content knowledge, the core of content support in Physical Science. This influences support offered to Physical Science teachers and requires advisors’ professional development which is not currently offered by the Department of Basic Education. Recommendations based on the findings include immediate and long term solutions to improve effective subject advisory. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The research undertaken involves a quasi-experimental approach in determining the impact of the Competency and Placement (CAP) test in the Further Education and Training (FET) colleges. The evaluation became necessary because poor learner performance within the National Certification Vocational (NCV) programme has persisted amid the implementation of a country-wide roll-out of the CAP test; and a recapitalisation injection of R1.9m. Learner performance data relating to the NCV programme and CAP was obtained in order to undertake an accurate analysis of the poor performance within the FET college sector. In addition to the above, qualitative data was obtained through semi-structured interviews with CAP participating colleges in the country. Recommendations included the restructuring of the NCV programme; the introduction of an alternative learner placement methodology that was in line with international best practices; and improving quality assurance aspects pertaining to the capacity at colleges to deliver the NCV programme effectively. / Human Resources Development / M. Tech. (Human Resource Development)

The importance of a collaborative engagement between parents and teachers in order to enhance learning in the classroom is so great that the two parties seem inseparable. In this study the teachers indicated that they need the assistance of the parents of the learners whom they teach for them to do well. On the other hand, the parents are also keen to lend a helping hand, since it is the future of their children which is at stake. The challenge that emerges from this situation is that, more often, there is a breakdown in communication. The teachers and parents blame each other, especially when the learners do not perform well at the end of a year. The teachers will say the parents did not do anything to help their children with their schoolwork, while the parents will insist that the teachers failed to do their work. It is of utmost importance to stop the blame-game, but rather to seek ways in which both groups can help the learners to do well in the classroom. The teachers need to inform the parents how they (the teachers) expect them to play their part in helping their learners with their schoolwork. Informing parents about their roles and how they may play them is very important, because then the parents will be able to meet the teachers’ expectations, whereby teaching and learning will be facilitated. The ultimate beneficiaries will be the learners, because they will receive education which is well-coordinated by both the teachers and the parents. The collaboration between teachers and the parents will be guided because the kind of parental involvement will be an informed one. The engagement between teachers and parents will yield good results, because in the process they will help each other to find strategies that will assist the learners in the classroom. This study intends to ascertain from the teachers how they expect the parents to help their children with their schoolwork. It seeks to establish what the teachers’ perceptions are regarding parental involvement, that is, what they think it is, and how they think it should be. Two teachers from two primary schools in the Mogalakwena District of Limpopo Province were used in order to collect the data. These teachers clearly indicated that, indeed, the parents can be of great help, because they can touch some aspects that the teachers cannot reach in the lives of the learners. x They, however, also suggested ways in which the parents are supposed to help their children with schoolwork. The study also explored ways how the roles that the parents must play are communicated to the parents. The researcher’s aim was to explore the teachers’ expectations of parental involvement, and also possible ways in which it can be communicated to the parents.Recommendations were made to the policymakers to refer to when they draw up policies for the governance of schools. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

MEd (Curriculum Studies) / Department of Curriculum Studies / Learning Geometry has been identified as an area of Mathematics that poses various problems for many secondary school learners’. Many learners’ fail to develop an adequate understanding of geometrical concepts and to demonstrate good reasoning and problem solving skills. Poor performance of learners’ in Euclidian Geometry has been a concern to Mathematics teachers, parents and government. The purpose of this study was to enhance learners’ performance in Euclidian Geometry as a branch of Mathematics in the FET band of secondary schools. The research question was: What factors facilitate the enhancement of learners’ performance in Euclidian Geometry in the FET band of secondary schools? The study adopted the mixed methods design. The population were all the FET band learners who chose Mathematics as a field of study at secondary schools in Nzhelele East Circuit. Purposive sampling was used to select participants who contributed to qualitative data. For quantitative data, clusters and random sampling methods were used to select learners who participated in the study. The sample consisted of 6 school principals, 6 heads of departments and 6 teachers. These groups of people participated in the interviews. Nine schools were sampled from the population and questionnaires were administered to 405 learners of which 45 were randomly selected from each school and 15 learners were randomly selected from each grade level. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data and the SPSS Version 22 was employed to analyze quantitative data. The data collected revealed the causes of poor performance in Geometry at Grades 10-12. The results of this study described how learners in Grades 10-12 could improve their performance in Geometry.