Die fokus van hierdie studie is die verkenning van grondslagfase opvoeders se belewings van die opvoeder-leerder verhouding. Positiewe sielkunde is gebruik as die teoretiese raamwerk vir hierdie navorsing, en ‘n fenomenologiese benadering is gebruik as die metodologiese struktuur van die kwalitatiewe studie. Hierdie studie van opvoeder-leerder verhoudings in die grondslagfase is gerig op die bydrae wat dit kan lewer tot leerders se goeie prestasies, hulle positiewe ontwikkeling, sowel as die opvoeder se eie werksbevrediging. Dit dra ook by tot die welstand van opvoeders, leerders en die skoolgemeenskap. Alhoewel gesonde verhoudings in die skoolgemeenskap van die allergrootste belang is, blyk dit dat die doelbewuste uitbouing van die skoolgemeenskap se verhoudingswelstand as belangrike sosiale hulpbron verwaarloos of afgewater word. Die volgende navorsingsvraag het na vore gekom: Wat is grondslagfase opvoeders se belewings van die opvoeder-leerder verhouding? Die perspektief van die positiewe benadering van sielkunde is gebruik om die meganismes van gesonde verhoudings binne die skoolgemeenskap bloot te lê. Daar is gebruik gemaak van ‘n kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetode om die fenomeen te verken. Inligting is verkry deur middel van individuele onderhoude en ʼn fokusgroepbespreking as navorsingstegnieke. Doelgerigte steekproefneming is gebruik en nege grondslagfase opvoeders verbonde aan ‘n privaatskool in die Gauteng-provinsie van Suid-Afrika was deelnemers aan die navorsing. Die doel van die studie was om grondslagfase opvoeders se belewing van die opvoeder-leerder verhouding te verstaan. Tydens die proses van data-insameling is daar visuele en tekstuele data verkry. Deelnemers het collages gemaak ter beskrywing van hul belewing van die opvoeder-leerder verhouding; daarna is individuele onderhoude en die fokusgroepbespreking gevoer. Klankopnames van die versamelde data is getranskribeer, en ‘n narratiewe analise is gedoen. Bevindinge van hierdie studie is vervat in vier hooftemas: Die rol van emosies en verhoudingswelstand, opvoeders se verhoudingsvaardighede, werksbevrediging, uitdagings en verhoudingswelstand. Hierdie bevindings omvat die gesonde hantering van emosies, doelgerigte bevordering van verhoudingsvaardighede, die belewing van werksbevrediging, en die ervaring van uitdagings wat oorwegend gekoppel is aan welvarende leerders se huiskonteks. Die bevindings is verder verfyn in die subtemas wat die grondslagfase opvoeder se alledaagse belewing van die Opvoeder-leerder verhouding opvoeder-leerder verhouding in diepte beskryf. Die bevindings toon dat die opvoeders se positiewe ervaring van die opvoeder-leerder verhouding gesien kan word as ‘n belegging in die welstand en positiewe funksionering van beide die opvoeder en die leerder. Aanbevelings word gemaak sodat opvoeders verbeterde opvoeder-leerder verhoudings kan beskerm en bevorder deur doelgerig die ondersteuning van multidissiplinêre spanne te ontgin. Opvoeders moet begelei word om die dinamiese krag van interpersoonlike verhoudings op ‘n kreatiewe manier te gebruik ten einde die volhoubare welstand van skoolgemeenskappe as gesonde en bemagtigende ruimtes te verseker. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Die fokus van hierdie studie is die verkenning van grondslagfase opvoeders se belewings van die opvoeder-leerder verhouding. Positiewe sielkunde is gebruik as die teoretiese raamwerk vir hierdie navorsing, en ‘n fenomenologiese benadering is gebruik as die metodologiese struktuur van die kwalitatiewe studie. Hierdie studie van opvoeder-leerder verhoudings in die grondslagfase is gerig op die bydrae wat dit kan lewer tot leerders se goeie prestasies, hulle positiewe ontwikkeling, sowel as die opvoeder se eie werksbevrediging. Dit dra ook by tot die welstand van opvoeders, leerders en die skoolgemeenskap. Alhoewel gesonde verhoudings in die skoolgemeenskap van die allergrootste belang is, blyk dit dat die doelbewuste uitbouing van die skoolgemeenskap se verhoudingswelstand as belangrike sosiale hulpbron verwaarloos of afgewater word. Die volgende navorsingsvraag het na vore gekom: Wat is grondslagfase opvoeders se belewings van die opvoeder-leerder verhouding? Die perspektief van die positiewe benadering van sielkunde is gebruik om die meganismes van gesonde verhoudings binne die skoolgemeenskap bloot te lê. Daar is gebruik gemaak van ‘n kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetode om die fenomeen te verken. Inligting is verkry deur middel van individuele onderhoude en ʼn fokusgroepbespreking as navorsingstegnieke. Doelgerigte steekproefneming is gebruik en nege grondslagfase opvoeders verbonde aan ‘n privaatskool in die Gauteng-provinsie van Suid-Afrika was deelnemers aan die navorsing. Die doel van die studie was om grondslagfase opvoeders se belewing van die opvoeder-leerder verhouding te verstaan. Tydens die proses van data-insameling is daar visuele en tekstuele data verkry. Deelnemers het collages gemaak ter beskrywing van hul belewing van die opvoeder-leerder verhouding; daarna is individuele onderhoude en die fokusgroepbespreking gevoer. Klankopnames van die versamelde data is getranskribeer, en ‘n narratiewe analise is gedoen. Bevindinge van hierdie studie is vervat in vier hooftemas: Die rol van emosies en verhoudingswelstand, opvoeders se verhoudingsvaardighede, werksbevrediging, uitdagings en verhoudingswelstand. Hierdie bevindings omvat die gesonde hantering van emosies, doelgerigte bevordering van verhoudingsvaardighede, die belewing van werksbevrediging, en die ervaring van uitdagings wat oorwegend gekoppel is aan welvarende leerders se huiskonteks. Die bevindings is verder verfyn in die subtemas wat die grondslagfase opvoeder se alledaagse belewing van die Opvoeder-leerder verhouding opvoeder-leerder verhouding in diepte beskryf. Die bevindings toon dat die opvoeders se positiewe ervaring van die opvoeder-leerder verhouding gesien kan word as ‘n belegging in die welstand en positiewe funksionering van beide die opvoeder en die leerder. Aanbevelings word gemaak sodat opvoeders verbeterde opvoeder-leerder verhoudings kan beskerm en bevorder deur doelgerig die ondersteuning van multidissiplinêre spanne te ontgin. Opvoeders moet begelei word om die dinamiese krag van interpersoonlike verhoudings op ‘n kreatiewe manier te gebruik ten einde die volhoubare welstand van skoolgemeenskappe as gesonde en bemagtigende ruimtes te verseker. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

With the implementation of Curriculum 2005 (C2005) in South Africa profound changes were also made to technical education. For example, the name technical education made way for the name technology education, the senior secondary phase was replaced with the Further Education and Training band (FET), the syllabuses made way for curricula and all technical subjects were restructured, reduced and re-curriculated to four new subjects. These four new subjects are defined in the New Curriculum Statement (NCS) documents and should be taught according to the Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) principles. This study was undertaken to determine the nature of technology education in the phase, what competencies these teachers should have and what the perceptions of final year students in this phase are, regarding their vocational competencies. The above named objectives were aimed at contributing guidelines with the purpose of improving the training of FET technology teachers. In order to answer the above named questions a literature review, a qualitative and a quantitative study was undertaken. The literature revealed that technology teaching in the FET phase in South Africa has to do with education that focuses on the teaching of technological knowledge, skills, attitudes and values. The technology education in this phase focuses on electrical, mechanical, civil and design fields, with emphasis on problem solutions and the achievement of four well-defined outcomes. The implementation of FET technology in South Africa follows the international trend to place all training with a technical or technology bias under the banner of technology education because teaching only knowledge and skills were no longer sufficient. Because South Africa is still a developing country, there are unique and distinctive problems facing the effective teaching of technology. In order to train teachers effectively for the new curriculum the opinions of practicing school 'principals and experienced teachers in FET technology should be asked to determine what is expected from these novice teachers in practise. A qualitative study revealed that principals and other senior staff members of technical schools (FET) have certain expectations with regard to the competencies and capabilities of their technology teachers. These requirements, for example, includes professional competencies, general, teaching and practical skills and abilities such as subject knowledge and didactical knowledge. In a qualitative study, in which 20 of the final year FET technology students participated, it was found that according to them, they are, to a great extent, equipped for their task as teachers. With few exceptions, the students felt that they were well-equipped in terms of professional, general, teaching and practical skills as they were properly guided in subject and didactic knowledge. As for the training of technical teachers in the FET phase, it was found that the training to a large extent meets the demands of education and the needs of schools, but that there are one or two areas of training that might be improved on and that there are certain misconceptions when students need to judge the value of certain modules. These misconceptions or problem areas mainly focus on the educational programme, practical teaching, education administration and training in practical skills. Specific recommendations are made regarding the training of technical teachers for the FET phase: Recommendations from this study focus on: • Better planned, more effective and relevant workshop practical training. • Greater exposure to, or better planned exposure to, practical education. • Better definition or tuition of educational and didactical modules. • Specific modules exposing students to more imitated administrative tasks. • Promotion of workshop safety. This study focused on the nature of technology education in the FET band in South Africa, the training of teachers who must be able to teach technology in the FET band and the unique abilities they should possess. Recommendations from this study can thus contribute in improving FET technology training in South Africa. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

With the implementation of Curriculum 2005 (C2005) in South Africa profound changes were also made to technical education. For example, the name technical education made way for the name technology education, the senior secondary phase was replaced with the Further Education and Training band (FET), the syllabuses made way for curricula and all technical subjects were restructured, reduced and re-curriculated to four new subjects. These four new subjects are defined in the New Curriculum Statement (NCS) documents and should be taught according to the Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) principles. This study was undertaken to determine the nature of technology education in the phase, what competencies these teachers should have and what the perceptions of final year students in this phase are, regarding their vocational competencies. The above named objectives were aimed at contributing guidelines with the purpose of improving the training of FET technology teachers. In order to answer the above named questions a literature review, a qualitative and a quantitative study was undertaken. The literature revealed that technology teaching in the FET phase in South Africa has to do with education that focuses on the teaching of technological knowledge, skills, attitudes and values. The technology education in this phase focuses on electrical, mechanical, civil and design fields, with emphasis on problem solutions and the achievement of four well-defined outcomes. The implementation of FET technology in South Africa follows the international trend to place all training with a technical or technology bias under the banner of technology education because teaching only knowledge and skills were no longer sufficient. Because South Africa is still a developing country, there are unique and distinctive problems facing the effective teaching of technology. In order to train teachers effectively for the new curriculum the opinions of practicing school 'principals and experienced teachers in FET technology should be asked to determine what is expected from these novice teachers in practise. A qualitative study revealed that principals and other senior staff members of technical schools (FET) have certain expectations with regard to the competencies and capabilities of their technology teachers. These requirements, for example, includes professional competencies, general, teaching and practical skills and abilities such as subject knowledge and didactical knowledge. In a qualitative study, in which 20 of the final year FET technology students participated, it was found that according to them, they are, to a great extent, equipped for their task as teachers. With few exceptions, the students felt that they were well-equipped in terms of professional, general, teaching and practical skills as they were properly guided in subject and didactic knowledge. As for the training of technical teachers in the FET phase, it was found that the training to a large extent meets the demands of education and the needs of schools, but that there are one or two areas of training that might be improved on and that there are certain misconceptions when students need to judge the value of certain modules. These misconceptions or problem areas mainly focus on the educational programme, practical teaching, education administration and training in practical skills. Specific recommendations are made regarding the training of technical teachers for the FET phase: Recommendations from this study focus on: • Better planned, more effective and relevant workshop practical training. • Greater exposure to, or better planned exposure to, practical education. • Better definition or tuition of educational and didactical modules. • Specific modules exposing students to more imitated administrative tasks. • Promotion of workshop safety. This study focused on the nature of technology education in the FET band in South Africa, the training of teachers who must be able to teach technology in the FET band and the unique abilities they should possess. Recommendations from this study can thus contribute in improving FET technology training in South Africa. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

The aim of the study was to investigate and describe how the mother in the home school fulfils her role as a teacher for her child in the foundation phase. The literature review confirmed that mothers choose to home school their children for various reasons, and use different approaches in home schooling. The home school teacher as well as the home school learner have certain responsibilities to fulfil, which bring about certain challenges that they have to face. An evaluation of home schooling showed various concerns regarding these learners’ performance and development, especially scholastically and socially. Unstructured interviews were conducted with selected mothers to explore their perceptions of their role as a teacher, the degree of differentiation between their mother and teacher roles, and the execution of their roles. An analysis of the home school learners’ schoolbooks was done, focusing on the input and feedback of the mother teacher. The researcher’s observations and reflections were included in the analysis. Findings: · The mothers do not differentiate between their mother and teacher role. · Their teaching was influenced by their own experiences, their views on teaching and learning and their views on the roles they fulfil in the home school. · Each home school situation is unique and the mothers’ perceptions of the roles they fulfil and the execution thereof differ greatly and are influenced by the context in which the home schooling takes place. / Dissertation (MEd (Educational Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

The aim of this study was to investigate and describe the description of negative peer pressure by grade nine learners. The study took place within the context of adolescence, which is often described as a phase where negative peer pressure plays a significant role in the lives of adolescents. A literature study on the topic showed that peer pressure is a complex phenomenon that is experienced by all adolescents at some point. Literature also indicated that the voice of adolescents regarding their own unique and subjective description of negative peer pressure has not been recorded often enough. It became evident that especially grade nine learners are vulnerable to negative peer pressure. This grade or age group forms part of the middle adolescent phase, which is especially characterised by the forming of an own identity. The forming of an own identity is influenced by the different develop-mental tasks that are associated with adolescence, namely their emotional, cognitive, moral and social development. During this developmental phase the membership of a peer group becomes increasingly important and exclusion from the group is feared. This fear often leads to conforming to negative group norms and behaviour. From this context, the study is necessary. The researcher has undertaken a qualitative, phenomenological study, during which unstructured interviews were conducted with twelve grade nine learners from public high schools in the Drakenstein area of the Boland, Western Cape. These interviews were transcribed and the data analysed so that specific themes concerning negative peer pressure could be identified. From these empirical findings it was evident that the mutual relationships of the participants as well as the dynamics and norms within their respective groups, impacted severely on their description of negative peer pressure. Group formation in the middle adolescent years seems to be a complex process. It appears as if the smaller, more intimate group of friends can protect adolescents against negative peer pressure on the one hand, but can also exert pressure on group members to partake in negative activities. Therefore smaller groups often change as members move in and out of the group to find a group where they feel at home. According to the participants, conforming to negative behaviour and norms takes place more readily in the bigger or wider and more diverse peer group. Within these bigger groups it is easier for individuals to lose their identity, and therefore adolescents that are still in search of a personal identity and value system, give in to negative pressure and behaviour easier. A wide range of causes are named for this giving in to pressure, but according to the participants, their need for acceptance and recognition by the peer group as well as the accompanying fear of exclusion are the most important causes. From the study it was further evident that the relationships that adolescents find themselves in, play a deciding role in their description of negative peer pressure. The participants indicated that their relationship with their parents, their peer group, as well as the relationship with themselves, all influence their ability to handle negative peer pressure. From these findings the description of participants of negative peer pressure is explained in full. Suggestions are made to better equip parents, teachers and other professional people who work with adolescents in order to support and advise grade nine learners more successfully in their handling of negative peer pressure. / Thesis (MA (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The aim of this study was to investigate and describe the description of negative peer pressure by grade nine learners. The study took place within the context of adolescence, which is often described as a phase where negative peer pressure plays a significant role in the lives of adolescents. A literature study on the topic showed that peer pressure is a complex phenomenon that is experienced by all adolescents at some point. Literature also indicated that the voice of adolescents regarding their own unique and subjective description of negative peer pressure has not been recorded often enough. It became evident that especially grade nine learners are vulnerable to negative peer pressure. This grade or age group forms part of the middle adolescent phase, which is especially characterised by the forming of an own identity. The forming of an own identity is influenced by the different develop-mental tasks that are associated with adolescence, namely their emotional, cognitive, moral and social development. During this developmental phase the membership of a peer group becomes increasingly important and exclusion from the group is feared. This fear often leads to conforming to negative group norms and behaviour. From this context, the study is necessary. The researcher has undertaken a qualitative, phenomenological study, during which unstructured interviews were conducted with twelve grade nine learners from public high schools in the Drakenstein area of the Boland, Western Cape. These interviews were transcribed and the data analysed so that specific themes concerning negative peer pressure could be identified. From these empirical findings it was evident that the mutual relationships of the participants as well as the dynamics and norms within their respective groups, impacted severely on their description of negative peer pressure. Group formation in the middle adolescent years seems to be a complex process. It appears as if the smaller, more intimate group of friends can protect adolescents against negative peer pressure on the one hand, but can also exert pressure on group members to partake in negative activities. Therefore smaller groups often change as members move in and out of the group to find a group where they feel at home. According to the participants, conforming to negative behaviour and norms takes place more readily in the bigger or wider and more diverse peer group. Within these bigger groups it is easier for individuals to lose their identity, and therefore adolescents that are still in search of a personal identity and value system, give in to negative pressure and behaviour easier. A wide range of causes are named for this giving in to pressure, but according to the participants, their need for acceptance and recognition by the peer group as well as the accompanying fear of exclusion are the most important causes. From the study it was further evident that the relationships that adolescents find themselves in, play a deciding role in their description of negative peer pressure. The participants indicated that their relationship with their parents, their peer group, as well as the relationship with themselves, all influence their ability to handle negative peer pressure. From these findings the description of participants of negative peer pressure is explained in full. Suggestions are made to better equip parents, teachers and other professional people who work with adolescents in order to support and advise grade nine learners more successfully in their handling of negative peer pressure. / Thesis (PhD (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The aim of this study was to investigate and describe the description of negative peer pressure by grade nine learners. The study took place within the context of adolescence, which is often described as a phase where negative peer pressure plays a significant role in the lives of adolescents. A literature study on the topic showed that peer pressure is a complex phenomenon that is experienced by all adolescents at some point. Literature also indicated that the voice of adolescents regarding their own unique and subjective description of negative peer pressure has not been recorded often enough. It became evident that especially grade nine learners are vulnerable to negative peer pressure. This grade or age group forms part of the middle adolescent phase, which is especially characterised by the forming of an own identity. The forming of an own identity is influenced by the different develop-mental tasks that are associated with adolescence, namely their emotional, cognitive, moral and social development. During this developmental phase the membership of a peer group becomes increasingly important and exclusion from the group is feared. This fear often leads to conforming to negative group norms and behaviour. From this context, the study is necessary. The researcher has undertaken a qualitative, phenomenological study, during which unstructured interviews were conducted with twelve grade nine learners from public high schools in the Drakenstein area of the Boland, Western Cape. These interviews were transcribed and the data analysed so that specific themes concerning negative peer pressure could be identified. From these empirical findings it was evident that the mutual relationships of the participants as well as the dynamics and norms within their respective groups, impacted severely on their description of negative peer pressure. Group formation in the middle adolescent years seems to be a complex process. It appears as if the smaller, more intimate group of friends can protect adolescents against negative peer pressure on the one hand, but can also exert pressure on group members to partake in negative activities. Therefore smaller groups often change as members move in and out of the group to find a group where they feel at home. According to the participants, conforming to negative behaviour and norms takes place more readily in the bigger or wider and more diverse peer group. Within these bigger groups it is easier for individuals to lose their identity, and therefore adolescents that are still in search of a personal identity and value system, give in to negative pressure and behaviour easier. A wide range of causes are named for this giving in to pressure, but according to the participants, their need for acceptance and recognition by the peer group as well as the accompanying fear of exclusion are the most important causes. From the study it was further evident that the relationships that adolescents find themselves in, play a deciding role in their description of negative peer pressure. The participants indicated that their relationship with their parents, their peer group, as well as the relationship with themselves, all influence their ability to handle negative peer pressure. From these findings the description of participants of negative peer pressure is explained in full. Suggestions are made to better equip parents, teachers and other professional people who work with adolescents in order to support and advise grade nine learners more successfully in their handling of negative peer pressure. / Thesis (MA (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The aim of this study was to investigate and describe the description of negative peer pressure by grade nine learners. The study took place within the context of adolescence, which is often described as a phase where negative peer pressure plays a significant role in the lives of adolescents. A literature study on the topic showed that peer pressure is a complex phenomenon that is experienced by all adolescents at some point. Literature also indicated that the voice of adolescents regarding their own unique and subjective description of negative peer pressure has not been recorded often enough. It became evident that especially grade nine learners are vulnerable to negative peer pressure. This grade or age group forms part of the middle adolescent phase, which is especially characterised by the forming of an own identity. The forming of an own identity is influenced by the different develop-mental tasks that are associated with adolescence, namely their emotional, cognitive, moral and social development. During this developmental phase the membership of a peer group becomes increasingly important and exclusion from the group is feared. This fear often leads to conforming to negative group norms and behaviour. From this context, the study is necessary. The researcher has undertaken a qualitative, phenomenological study, during which unstructured interviews were conducted with twelve grade nine learners from public high schools in the Drakenstein area of the Boland, Western Cape. These interviews were transcribed and the data analysed so that specific themes concerning negative peer pressure could be identified. From these empirical findings it was evident that the mutual relationships of the participants as well as the dynamics and norms within their respective groups, impacted severely on their description of negative peer pressure. Group formation in the middle adolescent years seems to be a complex process. It appears as if the smaller, more intimate group of friends can protect adolescents against negative peer pressure on the one hand, but can also exert pressure on group members to partake in negative activities. Therefore smaller groups often change as members move in and out of the group to find a group where they feel at home. According to the participants, conforming to negative behaviour and norms takes place more readily in the bigger or wider and more diverse peer group. Within these bigger groups it is easier for individuals to lose their identity, and therefore adolescents that are still in search of a personal identity and value system, give in to negative pressure and behaviour easier. A wide range of causes are named for this giving in to pressure, but according to the participants, their need for acceptance and recognition by the peer group as well as the accompanying fear of exclusion are the most important causes. From the study it was further evident that the relationships that adolescents find themselves in, play a deciding role in their description of negative peer pressure. The participants indicated that their relationship with their parents, their peer group, as well as the relationship with themselves, all influence their ability to handle negative peer pressure. From these findings the description of participants of negative peer pressure is explained in full. Suggestions are made to better equip parents, teachers and other professional people who work with adolescents in order to support and advise grade nine learners more successfully in their handling of negative peer pressure. / Thesis (PhD (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

This research focuses on the perception of the learning support teacher regarding the use of play therapy with learners with special educational needs. The purpose of the research was to determine the perception of learning support educators regarding the utilization of play therapy as an aid with foundation phase learners with special educational needs. In order to achieve this purpose, information was gathered and a theoretical framework drawn up through an extensive literature study in consultation with experts. An empirical study was conducted by means of in-depth interviews with ten different learning support educators, in order to obtain empirical information. The researcher worked from an applied research perspective to attempt to use this newly gained practical information to determine whether play therapy could be utilized to help the learner with special educational needs. The researcher made use of an exploratory research design and the following research question formed the basis of the study: What is the perception of the learning support educator regarding the value of using play therapy as a form of aid with the foundation phase learner having special educational needs? Flowing from the empirical information gleaned during the interview schedule the following points emerged: · Learning support educators identify emotional, social, behavioural, family and academic problems, as well as other forms of trauma, associated with the learner who has special educational needs; · The learning support educator regards it as his or her task to refer problems connected to the learner and the learner’s family, where such problems are outside of his or her field of expertise. · The learning support educator has both positive and negative perceptions, as well as misconceptions regarding play therapy; and · The learning support educator has a need for a working relationship with the play therapist in the assistance of the learner with special educational needs. The research has therefore shown that the learning support educator has a positive perception regarding the utilization of play therapy with the foundation phase learner with special educational needs. / Dissertation (MSD (Play Therapy))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted