This study investigates how school advisors, in a secondary-school science context, conceive of and enact their roles in working with student teachers. It describes the interactions between school advisors and student teachers in relation to their personal conceptions of teaching, learning, and the process of learning to teach. The study provides a better understanding of the practicum setting with particular attention to the school advisor's perspective. Detail-rich cases highlight a range of issues for school advisors as they enact their responsibilities in attending to the student teachers' learning. These cases poignantly depict the complexities of the school advisor/student teacher dynamic and the various tensions that arise when conflicts emerge as the practicum unfolds. There are three questions that guide this study: (1) How do teachers perceive their roles as school advisors?; (2) How do teachers enact their roles as school advisors, and what are the foci of the school advisors' work with student teachers?; and (3) How do student teachers perceive the role of the school advisors? The practicum is a context in which one person assists the other in learning (to teach) and for this reason the conceptual framework used for data analysis is a curriculum perspective. Two levels of curriculum are discussed; level one of the curriculum framework is meeting the needs of the students while level two is meeting the needs of the student teacher. Both levels must be attended to throughout the teaching practicum. Five thematic areas were identified: (a) the student teachers' learning, (b) the working relationship, (c) experiences outside of the classroom, (d) lesson planning, and (e) classroom management. This study makes a significant contribution to the research literature on teacher education. First, it focuses upon the school advisor's role within the practicum. Second, one of the two case studies that deteriorated to the point where a change of venues was in order, serves as a rare example of a less-than-ideal practicum experience. Third, the conceptual framework of regarding the practicum as curriculum provides a new perspective for gaining insights into the complexities of learning to teach.

This study investigates how school advisors, in a secondary-school science context, conceive of and enact their roles in working with student teachers. It describes the interactions between school advisors and student teachers in relation to their personal conceptions of teaching, learning, and the process of learning to teach. The study provides a better understanding of the practicum setting with particular attention to the school advisor's perspective. Detail-rich cases highlight a range of issues for school advisors as they enact their responsibilities in attending to the student teachers' learning. These cases poignantly depict the complexities of the school advisor/student teacher dynamic and the various tensions that arise when conflicts emerge as the practicum unfolds. There are three questions that guide this study: (1) How do teachers perceive their roles as school advisors?; (2) How do teachers enact their roles as school advisors, and what are the foci of the school advisors' work with student teachers?; and (3) How do student teachers perceive the role of the school advisors? The practicum is a context in which one person assists the other in learning (to teach) and for this reason the conceptual framework used for data analysis is a curriculum perspective. Two levels of curriculum are discussed; level one of the curriculum framework is meeting the needs of the students while level two is meeting the needs of the student teacher. Both levels must be attended to throughout the teaching practicum. Five thematic areas were identified: (a) the student teachers' learning, (b) the working relationship, (c) experiences outside of the classroom, (d) lesson planning, and (e) classroom management. This study makes a significant contribution to the research literature on teacher education. First, it focuses upon the school advisor's role within the practicum. Second, one of the two case studies that deteriorated to the point where a change of venues was in order, serves as a rare example of a less-than-ideal practicum experience. Third, the conceptual framework of regarding the practicum as curriculum provides a new perspective for gaining insights into the complexities of learning to teach. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree Masters of Health Sciences in Emergency Medical Care, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Clinical practicum remains an integral part of training and a vital component of the emergency medical care curriculum that takes place in a realistic and complex emergency care environment. Clinical practicum should provide students with the opportunity to combine cognitive, psychomotor and affective skills to develop competencies to prepare the qualifying practitioner for demands of pre-hospital emergency care in the real world. The aim of this study was to explore the multidimensional aspects of the clinical practicum experience of ALS paramedic students in the Western Cape through the lens of a qualitative research design. The study involved exploring the experience of paramedic students in the clinical practice placement. In addition, the views of paramedic graduates were also explored, to ascertain whether the placement experience adequately prepared them for practice. An analysis of the clinical practice documents utilised in the training of ALS paramedic students was conducted with particular reference to identify correlations with relevant literature. In addition, it was necessary to identify how clinical practice manifested itself, not only in what students and graduates express but also how it was coordinated and conveyed in a professional work related context, against the backdrop of the work integrated learning framework. Using a case study design, focus group interviews were conducted with final year EMC students from CPUT and CCA students from the Western Cape CEC. This was followed with one on one interview with paramedic graduates. Further to this, clinical practice documents were analysed to triangulate the data. This study revealed that the clinical practice learning objectives for paramedic students were not adequately achieved and paramedic graduates felt ill prepared for independent practice. These discrepancies were attributed to the complex issues both in theory and practice. The study provided a number of recommendations for improving the clinical training experience, such that paramedic graduates who enter the complex and challenging world of EMC are better prepared. / M

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / Background The imperative of clinical education in chiropractic is to endow students with the clinical competencies and professional attributes necessary for independent practice. The clinical practicum exposes chiropractic students to the realities, demands and expectations of patient care through immersion into the clinical learning environment. Various authors emphasise the importance of obtaining a student’s perspective of their experiences within this environment as it is essential to curriculum development and improvement, delivery of quality clinical education, and student satisfaction with their standard of education. Interestingly, unlike in other health professions’ disciplines, the clinical experiences of chiropractic students who have commenced their clinical practicum have scarcely been described in international literature. This study is the first of its kind to record the clinical experiences of chiropractic students during their clinical practicum in South Africa. Aim The aim of this study was to explore and describe the clinical experiences of first-time registered Master’s chiropractic students during their clinical practicum component at the Durban University of Technology Chiropractic Day Clinic in 2016. Method A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive approach was utilised. A purposive sample of 15 first-time registered Master’s chiropractic students was interviewed. Their clinical experiences during the clinical practicum were obtained through semi-structured interviews. Seven key questions, each relating to a specific aspect of the clinical practicum, were used to stimulate discussion. The data were recorded electronically and thereafter transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data. Results Four main themes were identified, viz. undergraduate education and pre-clinical preparation; experiences within the clinical learning environment; inter-personal relationships in a clinical learning environment, and appraisal of the clinical practicum. Participants reported that the undergraduate and pre-clinical preparatory phase needed to be more practically orientated in order to provide relevance and cohesion to clinical learning. Significant experiences in the clinical learning environment included personal and professional growth and development, perceptions of preparedness for independent practice, perceptions of patient responses to chiropractic care, administrative duties and clinic infrastructure. The interpersonal relationships that contributed to the overall clinical experience were between students and their clinical supervisors, and students and the administrative staff. The appraisal of the clinical practicum included highlights and positive aspects that shaped the attitudes, values and philosophies of students, as well as the challenges and obstacles they encountered within the clinical learning environment. Conclusion This is the first South African study to document the clinical experiences of first-time registered Master’s chiropractic students. These clinical experiences were based on a variety of organisational and curriculum-orientated factors, as well as interpersonal dynamics. While students acknowledged and appreciated the critical importance of clinical education, and valued the learning opportunities within the clinical setting, they also provided constructive feedback on matters needing improvement to enhance the overall clinical experience. The lack of exposure to patient care prior to the commencement of the clinical practicum negatively impacted the clinical experiences. It is recommended that the findings of this study be utilised by the key stakeholders within chiropractic education to enhance chiropractic clinical education in South Africa. / M

No description available.

This study examined the varying roles of individual members of the teaching practicum triad, comprising the university supervisor, the student teacher and the school support teacher, during the practicum component of primary teacher education at the University of Namibia’s Katima Mulilo Campus. The research sought to establish the perceptions of the school support-teachers, university students and university lecturers about the effectiveness of pre-deployment preparedness of trainee teachers before their attachment to schools for teaching practice and to establish the facets of the school participation within the triad which are most effective in supporting trainee teachers throughout their school based practicum. The practicum partnership matrix, as well the pre-teaching campus-based studies and pre-deployment preparations by the university, were closely examined. Suggestions from practicum schools, trainee teachers and the University of Namibia’s Faculty of Education were collated in efforts to develop effective partnership models. This study thus posits a view that school-based teaching practica should provide the pre-service trainee teachers with opportunities to be exposed to the realities of teaching and other related professional activities through the development of sustainable norms and a continuum of realistic practicum partnerships which should take on board all stakeholders. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

This study examined the varying roles of individual members of the teaching practicum triad, comprising the university supervisor, the student teacher and the school support teacher, during the practicum component of primary teacher education at the University of Namibia’s Katima Mulilo Campus. The research sought to establish the perceptions of the school support-teachers, university students and university lecturers about the effectiveness of pre-deployment preparedness of trainee teachers before their attachment to schools for teaching practice and to establish the facets of the school participation within the triad which are most effective in supporting trainee teachers throughout their school based practicum. The practicum partnership matrix, as well the pre-teaching campus-based studies and pre-deployment preparations by the university, were closely examined. Suggestions from practicum schools, trainee teachers and the University of Namibia’s Faculty of Education were collated in efforts to develop effective partnership models. This study thus posits a view that school-based teaching practica should provide the pre-service trainee teachers with opportunities to be exposed to the realities of teaching and other related professional activities through the development of sustainable norms and a continuum of realistic practicum partnerships which should take on board all stakeholders. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

South Africa is currently facing a severe shortage of trained and competent social workers. Case loads have reached proportions of such magnitude that social workers in the field are battling to meet the needs of the people they serve, while still maintaining high ethical and professional standards. The impact of HIV/AIDS on the field of social work has currently redirected a major part of the focus of the profession on meeting the needs of child-headed households, to find and train foster parents for these children and generally to assist the poorest of the poor to access various grants applicable to their circumstances. This redirection appears also to have changed the emphasis regarding social work training requirements. Whereas in the past the newly qualified social worker was able to acquire additional skills in the workplace, under the guidance of experienced social workers, today it would seem that the demands of the work place are such that the social worker needs to take on significant responsibilities on entering the field. At the same time the Department of Social Services in South Africa is encouraging universities to increase the intake of social work students, in an attempt to meet this rising need for personnel trained to meet the current requirements of the clients of social work services. This exploratory research will focus on the applicability of UNISA (University of South Africa) social work training to these current requirements of social work by tapping into three different frames of reference: 1) The experiences and perceptions of the final year social work student in their placement setting, and particularly on whether they have felt their UNISA training equipped them for the work they are required to do. 2) The way the UNISA student is perceived by the practice setting personnel (contact person), and whether they meet the requirements of the field setting. 3) Input from the UNISA appointed supervisors responsible for the final year social work students' professional development in the field.The person-centred approach and the developmental approach have been briefly discussed in relation to social work in South Africa in the literature review and form the backdrop to this research, guiding the researcher in the exploration of the perceptions of the three different types of respondents. Post-modern theory is also at the root of the researcher's attempt to find fit between the different perceptions and the implications for social work training at a distance learning institute in South Africa today. / Social Work / M. A. (Mental Health)

South Africa is currently facing a severe shortage of trained and competent social workers. Case loads have reached proportions of such magnitude that social workers in the field are battling to meet the needs of the people they serve, while still maintaining high ethical and professional standards. The impact of HIV/AIDS on the field of social work has currently redirected a major part of the focus of the profession on meeting the needs of child-headed households, to find and train foster parents for these children and generally to assist the poorest of the poor to access various grants applicable to their circumstances. This redirection appears also to have changed the emphasis regarding social work training requirements. Whereas in the past the newly qualified social worker was able to acquire additional skills in the workplace, under the guidance of experienced social workers, today it would seem that the demands of the work place are such that the social worker needs to take on significant responsibilities on entering the field. At the same time the Department of Social Services in South Africa is encouraging universities to increase the intake of social work students, in an attempt to meet this rising need for personnel trained to meet the current requirements of the clients of social work services. This exploratory research will focus on the applicability of UNISA (University of South Africa) social work training to these current requirements of social work by tapping into three different frames of reference: 1) The experiences and perceptions of the final year social work student in their placement setting, and particularly on whether they have felt their UNISA training equipped them for the work they are required to do. 2) The way the UNISA student is perceived by the practice setting personnel (contact person), and whether they meet the requirements of the field setting. 3) Input from the UNISA appointed supervisors responsible for the final year social work students' professional development in the field.The person-centred approach and the developmental approach have been briefly discussed in relation to social work in South Africa in the literature review and form the backdrop to this research, guiding the researcher in the exploration of the perceptions of the three different types of respondents. Post-modern theory is also at the root of the researcher's attempt to find fit between the different perceptions and the implications for social work training at a distance learning institute in South Africa today. / Social Work / M. A. (Mental Health)