This research was conducted to determine what the nature of teachers’ educational beliefs about teaching, knowledge and learning are, whether there is a relation between their educational beliefs and the way in which they instruct, and if a relation exists, what the nature of such a relation is. Teachers’ educational beliefs about the way in which learners learn and what they are supposed to learn, have a major influence on how the teacher instructs and on how the learners achieve. Educational beliefs are a comprehensive phenomenon and include beliefs about everything. Educational beliefs generally refer to beliefs about teaching, knowledge and learning. The construct epistemological beliefs are actually also used in the literature and can be seen as the more restricted construct that only includes beliefs about knowledge and learning. Both constructs are used in this study. The phenomenon of educational beliefs is used concerning the beliefs about teaching, knowledge and learning, whilst the phenomenon of epistemological beliefs are used when concerned with the beliefs about knowledge and learning. Educational beliefs vary from naïve to sophisticated. Teachers are characterised according to their educational beliefs about teaching as more teacher–centered or more learner–centered. Teachers who are more teacher–centered have more naïve epistemological beliefs and promote superficial learning, which leads to lower academic performances. Conversely, teachers who are more learner–centered have more sophisticated epistemological beliefs that promote an in depth approach to learning, which leads to higher academic performances. The implementation of Outcomes Based Education (OBE) requires inter alia a learner–centered teaching approach and more sophisticated epistemological beliefs. These requirements of OBE poses a major challenge to teachers with more naive epistemological beliefs, because beliefs develop over years and are deeply rooted and difficult to change. With this study it was found that the participants’ epistemological beliefs could be typified as a system including more and less sophisticated epistemological beliefs, thus they did not only have naïve or sophisticated epistemological beliefs. It was also found that the participants of this study were more learner–centered than teacher–centered. Participants with more naïve epistemological beliefs were more teacher–centered compared to participants who had less naïve, thus more sophisticated epistemological beliefs that were more learner–centered. A relation was found between teachers with more naïve epistemological beliefs and a teacher–centered approach and teachers with less naïve epistemological beliefs (thus more sophisticated epistemological beliefs) and a learner–centered approach. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

This research was conducted to determine what the nature of teachers’ educational beliefs about teaching, knowledge and learning are, whether there is a relation between their educational beliefs and the way in which they instruct, and if a relation exists, what the nature of such a relation is. Teachers’ educational beliefs about the way in which learners learn and what they are supposed to learn, have a major influence on how the teacher instructs and on how the learners achieve. Educational beliefs are a comprehensive phenomenon and include beliefs about everything. Educational beliefs generally refer to beliefs about teaching, knowledge and learning. The construct epistemological beliefs are actually also used in the literature and can be seen as the more restricted construct that only includes beliefs about knowledge and learning. Both constructs are used in this study. The phenomenon of educational beliefs is used concerning the beliefs about teaching, knowledge and learning, whilst the phenomenon of epistemological beliefs are used when concerned with the beliefs about knowledge and learning. Educational beliefs vary from naïve to sophisticated. Teachers are characterised according to their educational beliefs about teaching as more teacher–centered or more learner–centered. Teachers who are more teacher–centered have more naïve epistemological beliefs and promote superficial learning, which leads to lower academic performances. Conversely, teachers who are more learner–centered have more sophisticated epistemological beliefs that promote an in depth approach to learning, which leads to higher academic performances. The implementation of Outcomes Based Education (OBE) requires inter alia a learner–centered teaching approach and more sophisticated epistemological beliefs. These requirements of OBE poses a major challenge to teachers with more naive epistemological beliefs, because beliefs develop over years and are deeply rooted and difficult to change. With this study it was found that the participants’ epistemological beliefs could be typified as a system including more and less sophisticated epistemological beliefs, thus they did not only have naïve or sophisticated epistemological beliefs. It was also found that the participants of this study were more learner–centered than teacher–centered. Participants with more naïve epistemological beliefs were more teacher–centered compared to participants who had less naïve, thus more sophisticated epistemological beliefs that were more learner–centered. A relation was found between teachers with more naïve epistemological beliefs and a teacher–centered approach and teachers with less naïve epistemological beliefs (thus more sophisticated epistemological beliefs) and a learner–centered approach. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Abstract in English and Afrikaans / The learnability principle relates to improving usability of software, performance and productivity. It was formulated mainly for the adult user group. Children represent an important user group, but fewer guidelines exist for their educational and entertainment applications. This study compares these groups, addressing the question: “Does learnability of software interfaces have a different meaning for children and adults?”. A literature survey conducted on learnability and learning processes considered the meaning of learnability across generations. Users learning software systems were observed in a usability laboratory where eye tracking data could also be recorded. Insights emerged, from data analysis, showing different tactics when children and adults approached unfamiliar software and revealing aspects of interfaces they approached differently. The findings will help designers distinguish varying needs of users and improve learnability. An additional subprinciple of learnability, „engageability‟, is proposed. Factors that make products engaging for children are different from those engaging adults. / Die leerbaarheidsbeginsel hou verband met die verbetering van die bruikbaarheid van sagteware, werkverrigting en produktiwiteit. Dit was hoofsaaklik vir die volwasse gebruikersgroep geformuleer. Kinders verteenwoordig in belangrike gebruikersgroep, maar minder riglyne is vir hulle opvoedkundige en vermaaktoepassings beskikbaar. Hierdie studie vergelyk hierdie groepe en speek die volgende vraag aan: “Het leerbaarheid van sagtewarekoppelvlakke verskillende betekenisse vir kinders en volwassenes?” „n Literatuuroorsig oor leerbaarheid en leerprosesse is uitgevoer met in ag neming van die betekenis van leerbaarheid vir verskillende generasies. Gebruikers is waargeneem in „n bruikbaarheidslaboratorium terwyl hulle geleer het om sagetware te gebruik. Data in verband met oogbewegings op die skerm is ook opgeneem. Insigte wat uit die data-analise te voorskyn gekom het toon verskillende taktieke wanneer kinders en volwassenes met onbekende sagteware gekonfronteer word. Hulle benadering tot sekere aspekte van „n koppelvlak verskil. Die bevindinge sal ontwerpers help om te onderskei tussen wisselende gebruikersbehoeftes. „n Addisionele sub-beginsel van leerbaarheid, naamlik „engageability‟ word voorgestel. Faktore wat „n produk aantreklik maak vir kinders is verskillend van dit wat volwassenes aantrek. / Information Systems / M. Sc. (Information Systems)

Abstract in English, Afrikaans and Venda / Constructivism is a relatively recent theory of learning which focuses on using learner-centred strategies in learning. Reform efforts in education in Zimbabwe have been aimed at incorporating constructivist-inspired strategies in the classroom, with mixed results. Some teachers continue to prefer traditional approaches to learning in their classrooms, despite these being teacher-centred and generally looked down upon. The study examined the perceptions of primary school student teachers regarding the practical application of constructivism in the classroom. A qualitative research design was adopted, and the study was grounded in a constructivist and interpretivist paradigm aimed at understanding perceptions emanating from the lived experiences of the student teachers. In all, eight student teachers were sampled for the study by means of purposive, convenience and stratified random sampling. Data was collected through a literature review, lesson observations and semi-structured individual interviews. The rigour of the study was maintained by ensuring trustworthiness and the credibility of the findings. Ethical issues were adhered to. Data was analysed using Tesch’s method of data analysis, through which the researcher identified categories and themes, and reported on in narrative format. The study findings indicate that student teachers have a positive perception of the practical application of constructivism in learning. Participants expressed the view that the practical application of constructivism leads to deeper learning and greater understanding by learners. Participants nevertheless stated that in their efforts to implement constructivism in learning and teaching during their practicums they experienced a lack of support from mentor teachers and shortages of resources. Considering these findings, the researcher made several recommendations to various stakeholders with the aim of helping student teachers to be more effective constructivist teachers. The recommendations include the need to carry out more research on the constructivist learning theory and its practical application in the classroom as well as encouraging teachers to apply constructivist learner-centred strategies in their classrooms. The researcher also made recommendations for further research. / Konstruktivisme is ʼn leerteorie wat betreklik nuut is en wat fokus op die gebruik van leerdergesentreerde strategieë vir leer. Inisiatiewe vir opvoedingshervorming in Zimbabweis daaropgerig om konstruktivisme-geïnspireerde strategieë in die klaskamer te inkorporeer – met gemengde resultate. Sommige onderwysers verkies om steeds tradisionele benaderings tot leer in hul klaskamers te volg, al is dit onderwysergesentreerde benaderings waarop daar oor die algemeen neergesien word. In hierdie studie is die persepsies van laerskool studentonderwysers rakende die praktiese toepassing van konstruktivisme in die klaskamer ondersoek. ʼn Kwalitatiewe navorsingsontwerp is gebruik en die studie is gegrond in ʼn konstruktivistiese en interpretivistiese paradigma wat ten doel het om die persepsies vanuit studentonderwysers se werklike (‘lived’) ervarings, te verstaan. ʼn Steekproef is onder altesaam agt studentonderwysers gedoen deur middel van doelbewuste steekproefneming, gerieflikheidsteekproefneming en gestratifiseerde ewekansige steekproefneming. Data is ingesamel deur middel van ʼn literatuurstudie, leswaarnemings en semi-gestruktureerde individuele onderhoude. Die akkuraatheid van die studie is gehandhaaf deur betroubaarheid en die geloofwaardigheid van die bevindinge te verseker. Algemeen ooreengekome etiekvoorskriftewat by die meeste instellings geld, is nagekom.Data is ontleed met behulp van Tesch se metode van data-ontleding, en sodoende kon die navorser kategorieë en temas identifiseer en in narratiewe formaat daaroor verslag doen. Die navorsingsresultate toon dat studentonderwysers ʼn positiewe persepsie van die praktiese toepassing van konstruktivisme in leer het. Deelnemers het hul oortuiging gedeel dat die praktiese toepassing van konstruktivisme, tot ʼn dieper vlak van leer en beter begrip by leerders lei. Deelnemers het egter ook aangedui dat hulle ʼn gebrek aan ondersteuning van mentoronderwysers, sowel as ʼn tekort aan hulpbronne, ondervind het in hul pogings om konstruktivisme in leer en onderrig te implementeer tydens hul praktiese onderwys. Met inagneming van hierdie bevinding doen die navorser verskeie aanbevelings aan verskillende belanghebbers, met die doel om studentonderwysers te help om meer doeltreffend in konstruktivistiese onderwys te wees. Die navorser hetook aanbevelings vir verdere navorsing gedoen. / Thyeori ya u fhaṱa nḓivho na mihumbulo miswai tou vha thyeori ya u guda ya zwinozwino yo sedzaho kha zwiṱirathedzhi zwo ḓisendekaho nga mugudi kha u guda. Nungo dza u vhuedzedza pfunzo Zimbabwe dzo livhiswa kha u ṱanganyisa zwiṱirathedzhi zwa u fhaṱa zwo ṱuṱuwedzwaho kiḽasini, na mvelelo dzo ṱanganyiswaho. Vhaṅwe vhadededzi vha khou bvela phanḓa na u takalela u shumisa maitele a kale a u guda kiḽasirumuni, naho izwi zwi tshi ḓisendeka nga mudededzi na u dzhielwa fhasi. Ṱhoḓisiso yo sedzulusa kuvhonele kwa vhadededzi vha matshudeni vha tshikolo tsha phuraimari musi zwi tshi ḓa kha u shumisa nyito ya thyeori ya u fhaṱa nḓivho na mihumbulo miswa kiḽasirumuniHo shumiswa kuitele kwa ṱhoḓisiso ya khwaḽithathivi, ngudo yo ḓitika nga tshiedziswa tsha u fhaṱa nḓivho na muhumbulo miswa na u ṱalutshedzayo livhiswaho kha u pfesesa kuvhonele kubvaho kha tshenzhemo ine ya khou itea zwenezwo nga vhadededzi vha matshudeni.Kha vhadededzi vha matshudeni vhoṱhe vha malo, vhe vha itwa tsumbonanguludzwa kha ngudonga nḓila ya zwine zwa khou sedzwa khazwo, u swikelelea na tshigwada tshiṱuku tsho nangwaho. Data yo kuvhanganywa nga kha u sedza hafhu maṅwalwa, u sedza ngudo na inthaviwu dza u vhudzisa muthunga muthu dzo dzudzanywaho. Ndeme na u itwa nga vhuronwane ha ngudo zwo itwa nga u vhona zwauri hu na u fulufhedzea na u khwaṱhisedzwa ha mawanwa. Mafhungo a vhuḓifari e a tendelaniwa khao nga u angaredza nga zwiimiswa zwinzhi o tevhedzwa. Data yo saukanywa hu tshi shumiswa kuitele kwa Tesch kwa u saukanya data, hune muṱoḓisisi a topola khethekanyo na thero, na u vhigwa nga nḓila ya u tou ṱalutshedza. Mawanwa a ngudo o sumbedzisa uri vhadededzi vha matshudeni vha na mbonalo yavhuḓi ya nyito i re khagala ya u fhaṱa nḓivho na mihumbulo miswa kha u guda. Vhadzheneleli vho bvisela vhupfiwa havho khagala uri nyito dzi re khagala dza u fhaṱa nḓivho na mihumbulo miswa zwi livhisa kha vhudzivha ha u guda na u pfesesa huhulwane nga vhagudiswa. Vhadzheneleli naho zwo ralo vho bula zwauri kha nungo dzavho dza u shumisa thyeori ya u fhaṱa nḓivho na mihumbulo miswa kha u guda na u funza nga tshifhinga tshavho tsha ngudo dza nyito vho tshenzhela u shaya thikhedzo u bva kha vhadededzi vhane vha khou guda khavho na ṱhahelelo ya zwiko. Musi hu tshi khou dzhielwa nṱha mawanwa aya, muṱoḓisisi o ita themendelo dzo vhalaho kha vhadzhiamikovhe vho fhambanaho hu na nḓivho ya u thusa vhadededzi vha vhagudiswa uri vha vhe vhadededzi vha re na vhukoni kha u fhaṱa nḓivho na mihumbulo miswa. Muṱoḓisisi o dovha a themendela ṱhoḓisiso i yaho phanḓa. / Psychology of Education / Ph. D. (Psychology of Education)