Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 132-139). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 54-56). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.Ed.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2003. / Bibliography: leaves 57-61. Also available online.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--Illinois State University, 1997. / Title from title page screen, viewed June 30, 2006. Dissertation Committee: Patricia Klass (chair), Paul Baker, Larry McNeal, Thomas F. Ryan. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 109-112) and abstract. Also available in print.

Thesis (M.Phil.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 57-67). Also available in electronic version.

The National Curriculum Statement advocates a shift in focus with regards to the manner in which assessment and learning are conceptualized (Department of Education, 2002). Consequently, new forms of assessment that are in keeping with the principles of the National Curriculum Statement (Department of Education, 2002), are expected to be implemented within the South African classroom context. Set against this backdrop, the study set out to explore teaching learning through the lens of assessment, by focussing on the content, process and application issues associated with teacher learning. This study attempted to unpack what teachers know about assessment and how they have come to acquire this knowledge. It was envisaged that through an analysis of how teachers learn about assessment, this study would reveal valuable insights about how teachers learn, and in this way, bring to the fore additional meaningful insights about the conditions that lead to effective teacher learning. In striving to achieve the outcomes of the research project, this study focused on the interplay between theory and practice to explore the process of teacher learning and how this learning translates into practice, through exploring how teachers’ knowledge of assessment, influenced their classroom assessment practices. The study was a qualitative one, within a case-study design. The use of semi-structured, iterative interviews, document analysis, and observations, formed the instruments used in the study. The thesis unpacked the journey of learning about the new forms of assessment, among three primary school educators, who formed the participants of the study. The findings of the study allude to the notion that teachers learn in a variety of different ways, and through a plethora of learning experiences, making a simplistic, superficial understanding of teacher learning, inadequate. In addition, the study pointed to teacher learning being shaped by a number of factors, indicating the significant influence that a multitude of factors, both internal and external, have over teacher learning. Further, the challenges and issues associated with teacher learning were brought to the fore. The implications of the study suggest that teacher learning is complex and multi-faceted, making it most necessary to adopt a multi-focus approach to teacher learning. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood, 2012.

South Africa stands on the threshold of a new era in education. The separate and fragmented model for the provision of education, which signified a policy of apartheid, is to be replaced by a single unified system. With the adoption of a new interim Constitution (1993), we have, for the first time, formal recognition of human rights, the application of which, will underlie all legislation and administration decisions (Dean in Neon, May 1994:9-10). On 31 March 1994, the 'own affairs' administrations were abolished. In accordance with the interim Constitution (1993), these structures have, however, been retained and will continue until the transition to a new dispensation takes place (Neon, May 1994:20). Progress towards achieving the goal of a unified education system includes, inter alia, the creation of a Department of Education and Training at a national level, as well as the creation of provincial administrations in 9 provinces, each of which will have its own education department (Neon, June 1994:1). The new government stands committed to early childhood development. The care and development of infants and young children is seen to be the foundation of social relations and the starting point of a national human resource development strategy. Policy proposals outlined by the Department of Education in the Draft White Paper recommend that: “The care and development of infants and young children must be the foundation of social relations and the starting point of a national human resource development strategy ..... The new national department is planned to have a directorate for Early Childhood Development and Lower Primary Education, in the light of continuity in developmental approaches to the young child and the need for a reshaping of curricula and teaching methodology for the early years of school …… The year 1995 should be used mainly for planning the development of the reception year……” (Republic of South Africa, 1994:20). As far back as 1981, the De Lange Commission stated that without a corps of well-trained and talented teachers, any attempts aimed at realizing the potential of a country's inhabitants, improving the quality of life of its citizens, promoting economic growth and providing an equal system of education, cannot be successful. No other single factor determines to such an extent the quality of education in a country, as the quality of the corps of its teachers (HSRC, 1981:59 & 180). It is anticipated that the demand for teachers is likely to increase as a result of the phasing-in of compulsory education commencing with the class one child, the introduction of a reception class year, reduction of class sizes to 40 pupils and the enrolment of out-of-school children. Trained manpower will prove to be a major problem and an accelerated programme of teacher education to meet quantitative needs, without compromising quality, will be essential, in order to successfully implement a reception class year, ensure a better distribution of qualified teachers and cater for ever-increasing numbers of school-going children. Major structural changes will, therefore, be needed in the preparation and development of teachers. It is within the context of this background information, that this study has been conducted, namely to develop appropriate teacher-training structures for the foundation phase of education, with particular reference to the reception class year. The specific purposes of the study were:- * to review pre-primary provision; * to review current teacher-training structures and assess priorities and needs for developing appropriate methods of professional training; * to compare pre-primary provision and teacher-training policy with that of developing and developed countries; * to develop strategies to train and accredit teachers through a shortened PRESET structure; * to upgrade existing teacher qualifications through an approved INSET structure; * to analyse the feasibility of the proposed strategies for the KwaZulu-Natal region. The study involved an analysis of the NEPI sectoral reports on Early Childhood Educare and Teacher Education, the ERS and the KwaZulu-Natal Interdepartmental Working Groups' Discussion Documents. In addition, other relevant reports and working papers have also been consulted. Viable options for the training of teachers for the foundation phase of education which emerged from the study were: * the establishment of links between non-formal and formal training programmes; * the development of a modular career path for the coordinated training of teachers through INSET; * the development of a 5-year plan for the phasing in of qualified teachers through PRESET and INSET; * the development of an appropriate course structure; * an outline of governance and control. The main recommendations made in the study include the following:- * the obtaining of a Reception Class Diploma which will allow experienced educare workers to obtain a formally-recognised diploma in reception class education, part-time, whilst currently employed as a teacher; * the recognition of such a diploma should the student not wish to study further; * the upgrading and revitalising of lower primary school teachers currently in service; * the obtaining of a 3-year diploma through an inverted '2+2' teacher-training model which will, inter alia, allow the student to obtain 'on the job' training whilst studying on a part-time basis; * a simplified qualifications structure; * the implementation of a 5-year plan for the phasing-in of qualified teachers; * a collaborative strategy with accredited NGOs who will assist with the training of teachers * a modularised curriculum * the establishment of a Resource and Training Centre for teachers. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of Natal, 1995.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study focuses on the lived experiences of primary school teachers within a culture of performativity. The French philosopher, Jean-Francois Lyotard (1984) more than anyone else gave credence to the notion of ‘performativity’ in education which he used to represent political and bureaucratic mechanisms of control. Embedded in regulatory mechanisms there are performance indicators such as ‘monitoring systems’ with associated ‘production of information’, that according to Ball (2003) engenders the ‘terrors of performativity’. To conform to the regulatory mechanisms the performativity culture in schools, pressure is increasingly placed on teachers to demonstrate their accountability to education authorities for the responsibilities delegated to them. The literature review does not only seeks to give meaning to key terms and concepts relevant to the study, but also aims to define the operational. Relevant terms included: accountability, professionalism, performance and performativity. In the discussion it is shown that there is a close underlying relationship between performativity and performance, between performativity and accountability, and between performativity and professionalism. In order to answer the main research question and to align logically to the purpose of the study, the researcher conducted a qualitative research study within the interpretative research paradigm. The study was guided by the phenomenological research approach – and more specifically by the hermeneutical-phenomenological research method of Max van Manen (1990). Two data collection methods were employed: protocol narratives (descriptions of lived experiences) and in-depth semi-structured phenomenological interviews. In this study a thematic analytical approach was followed whereby the researcher identified emerging themes from the collected data. Different steps were taken to increase the internal validity of the study and to give attention to the ethical aspects that emerged during the investigation. In this study it is evident that performativity, with its emphasis on effectiveness, efficiency and quality, is currently the most powerful and pervasive discourse in education. The description of the results shows that teachers tend to be swallowed up by the demands of performativity – so much so that teachers are overwhelmed by the ‘terrors of performativity’. Teachers’ ‘escape’ from the ‘imprisonment’ of performativity is not only associated with distorted side Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za viii effects, but there are also physiological and emotional processes that teachers are confronted with in their attempts conform to the regulatory systems. The study found that the undesirable side effects of performativity serve and a push factor for the early exit of teachers from the profession. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie fokus op die geleefde ervarings van primêre skoolonderwysers binne ‘n kultuur van performatiwiteit. Die Franse filosoof, Jean-Francois Lyotard (1984) wat meer as enigeen die betekenis van performatiwiteit in die onderwys blootgelê het, gebruik die nosie van ‘performatiwiteit’ om politieke en burokratiese meganismes van beheer voor te stel. Ingebed in die regulerende meganismes is daar prestasie-aanduiders soos onder andere ‘moniteringsisteme’ met gepaardgaande ‘produksie van inligting’, wat volgens Stephen Ball (2003) aanleiding gee tot die ‘terreurs van performatiwiteit’. Ten einde te konformeer tot die regulerende meganismes is daar binne die performatiewe klimaat in die skool toenemende druk op onderwysers om te demonstreer dat hulle toerekenbaar is aan die onderwysowerhede vir die verantwoordelikhede wat aan hulle opgedra is. In die lieratuuroorsig is nie net ‘n oorsig gegee van die betekenisse van kernterme en – konsepte wat relevant tot hierdie studie is nie, maar ook is gepoog om dit operatief te definieer. Relevante begrippe is onder andere toerekenbaarheid, professionalisme, prestasie en performatiwiteit. In die bespreking is aangetoon dat daar ‘n noue onderlinge verband tussen performatiwiteit en prestasie, tussen performatiwiteit en toerekenbaarheid, en tussen performatiwiteit en professionalisme bestaan. Om die sentrale navorsingsvraag te beantwoord en logies met die doel van die studie in te skakel, het die navorser ‘n kwalitatiewe navorsingstudie uit die interpretiwistiese navorsingsparadigma onderneem. Die fenomenologiese navorsingsbenadering – en meer spesifiek, die hermeneuties-fenomenologiese navorsingsmetode van Max van Manen (1990) het hierdie studie gerig. Daar is gebruik gemaak van twee data-insamelingsmetodes, te wete protokol skryfwerk (geleefde ervarings-beskrywings) en semi-gestruktureerde in-diepte fenomenologiese onderhoude. In hierdie studie is ‘n tematiese analitiese benadering gevolg deurdat die navorser die ontluikende temas in die ingesamelde data geïdentifiseer het. Verskillende stappe is gedoen om veral die interne geldigheid van die studie te verhoog en aandag te gee aan etiese aspekte wat tydens die ondersoek na vore gekom het. Uit hierdie studie blyk dit dat performatiwiteit, met sy klem op effektiwiteit, doeltreffendheid en kwaliteit, huidiglik die mees magtigste en deurdringende diskoers in die onderwys is. Uit die Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za vi beskrywing van die resultate is dit duidelik dat onderwysers neig om deur die eise van performatiwiteit verswelg te raak – soveel so dat onderwyser oorweldig word deur die ‘terreurs van performatiwiteit’. Onderwysers se ‘ontsnapping’ uit die ‘gevangenskap’ van performatiwiteit gaan nie net gepaard met bepaalde verwronge opvoedkundige newe-effekte nie, maar ook is daar die fisiologiese en emosionele prosesse wat onderwysers moet verduur in hul pogings om tot die regulerende stelsels te konformeer. In die studie is bevind dat die ongewenste newe-effekte van performatiwiteit dien as stootfaktore wat onderwysers beweeg om die onderwys vroeg te laat verlaat.

M.Ed. / The importance of teaching guidance in the life orientation learning area, particularly in four primary schools in an informal settlement of Daveyton in the Ekurhuleni District cannot be over-emphasised. The researcher believes that learner achievements and success depend on the balance between educator’s experience, knowledge and consistent training, including the use of appropriate and relevant skills to impart knowledge to the learners. In order to achieve the intended objectives, schools require well-trained and qualified life orientation educators to execute this monumental task with great insight, skill and passion. This study focuses on the lived experiences of educators who are teaching guidance in life orientation in Grade Eight in four primary and informal settlement schools in Daveyton, in schools with predominantly black African learners. Different situations and problems are encountered by learners in Grade Eight in primary and informal settlement schools. Learners are quite often unable to manage these issues in their day-to-day living. Under such circumstances the principal, the school management team and class educators are often obliged to intervene almost on a daily basis. As a consequence the smooth delivery of the entire curriculum is often disrupted. Research has shown that the high rate of school leavers in South Africa nationally, from Grade Eight to Grade Twelve reveals that learners are not taught enough knowledge and skills in teaching guidance life orientation learning area. As a result they do not complete senior primary and secondary school, and they drop out of school with life skills which are inadequate to face the demands of life. This qualitative study was conducted in an attempt to answer the research question: What are the lived experiences of educators who teach guidance in life orientation in four primary schools in informal settlements schools in Daveyton at the Ekurhuleni District Schools? The data was collected through in-depth interviews. They were audiotaped and transcribed.

M.Ed. / The focus of this practitioner's research inquiry is primary educators’ perceptions and conceptions, and thus their self-evaluation on the impact of the introduction of computers on their educational practice. Its main aim was to explore and capture the way primary school educators in Gauteng, South Africa, who participated in the study perceived the impact of the introduction of computers on their educational practice. The case study was conducted within the parameters of the relevant literature review to determine the impact of the introduction of computers on educational practice of educators worldwide. It looked at the way in which educators utilise both current and emerging computer technologies and how they express their perceptions and conceptions of the impact of the introduction of computers on their educational practice. A further aim was to identify trends in educational technologies in developing countries; to identify the benefits and limitations of computer technology in education around the world and to position this study within the South African context. This research also looked into educators as facilitators and creators of the learner and educator support material (LESM), producing a product of high quality. Educators through their personal research into technology could express, create and discover which in turn informed and impacted on their didactics and pedagogies which indirectly has a positive effect on the learners. Based on this research, the paper concludes that computer technology enables educators to find new ways of unlocking reality for learners to attribute meaning to it in a more comprehensive manner. / Dr. G.V. Lautenbach