This dissertation reports on a self-study in which I aim to better understand and improve my own practice as a Department of Education subject advisor, specifically in relation to preparing for the implementation of the Foundations for Learning (FFL) programme in the Foundation Phase (Grades R-3). FFL is a National response to persistent unacceptable low levels of literacy and numeracy in the Foundation Phase in South African schools. The programme is designed to focus attention on key activities that lead to effective literacy and numeracy development. Through memory work and critical reflection, I re-examine my lived experiences of learning and teaching in order to understand what impact these experiences have had on my practice as a teacher and a subject advisor. In addition, I work with a focus group of teacher participants to examine their experiences of learning and teaching as well as their current needs as Foundation Phase teachers in relation to the implementation of the Foundations for Learning programme. Through the self-study, I distinguish areas where I need to improve on my practice and also set out key strategies for change. Areas for improvement include closing the gap between policy and practice, conducting effective workshops, encouraging networking, enhancing communication and addressing specific barriers in rural schools. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood, 2010.

This personal history self-study focuses on supporting Foundation Phase teacher learning through professional development in an Independent school context in South Africa. In engaging in this study I am the main research participant who takes the reader through the passages of my early childhood experiences, my schooling, and my training as a student teacher and my practice of being a teacher and a Head of Department at an Independent Muslim School. I investigate how I can use a deeper understanding of my personal history to enhance my understanding of my professional practice and thus to better support Foundation Phase teacher learning through professional development strategies and initiatives in my particular Independent school context. Through this process of deliberate remembering, I uncover many hidden experiences of my early learning, and of becoming a professional, which have impacted on my present practices as teacher and Foundation Phase Head of Department. Key themes that emerge are: a) guidance and inspiration from family; b) evolving from teacher centredness to learner centredness; c) deep-rooted intrinsic motivation; d) teacher mentoring and collaboration; and e) developing greater self esteem and freedom of expression. From these themes I develop questions to spur me on in supporting teacher learning through professional development initiatives in my school context, allowing me to revisit my existing practice. This study illustrates how our lived experiences have helped to shape and continue to reshape our practices as teachers and school managers. The study also shows how we can learn from our personal histories in order to enable us to develop our pedagogical and managerial capacities. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

This project serves as a resource for kindergarten ESL educators to explore more creative multisensory teaching strategies. The five methodologies presented are Neurolinguistic Programming, Suggestopedia, music, storytelling and Total Physical Response.

University of Macau / Faculty of Education

Despite attempts by the South African government in partnership with private sector to equip schools with computers, research has shown that technology integration into teaching and learning is very low. Literature revealed that professional development or capacitation of teachers as the key element in enabling them to utilise technology and integrate it in their teaching practices. The main aim of this study was to design and develop Information Communication and Technology (ICT) instructional tools which were to be used to train teachers in primary schools on how to integrate ICT into teaching and learning. Design research and Instructional design theories were employed in guiding this study. The study used the ADDIE model of Instructional design as a guiding principle in the design and development of the tools. The study is located in the positivist paradigm of exploring reality and the methodology employed in this study was quantitative in nature. The participants were 28 teachers from three primary schools. The sample was purposely selected since the schools were awarded computers after taking part in a water management project. The quantitative data to determine the participants‟ prior knowledge, effectiveness of the solution and the teachers‟ satisfaction with the designed solution were collected by means of two questionnaires administered in two phases: pre- and post- workshop. The results of this study revealed that capacitation of teachers have to lay the foundation for ICT integration into teaching and learning. Giving computers to schools can lead to successful integration once the teachers feel competent to use them. Furthermore, it is crucial that other intervention strategies be explored, to empower teachers. It is recommended that this study be transferred to other similar situations. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The purpose of the study was to investigate individual professional development needs of teachers with the aim of developing guidelines that may assist foundation phase teachers to do individual needs analysis effectively. The main research question was: Which strategies can be used to conduct individual needs analysis effectively among the foundation phase teachers in order to improve their effectiveness? The researcher was guided by the interpretive paradigm which implies that participant’s interpretations, perceptions, meanings and understandings were regarded as primary sources. The qualitative research design was used to obtain participants’ primary data. Interviews and observations were used to collect data and to maximise trustworthiness of the findings. Purposive sampling was used to select key informants who were going to provide rich information to help achieve the objectives of the study. The researcher selected the sample of 10 foundation phase teachers, 5 principals and 5 Development Support Groups attached to primary schools under Imfolozi Circuit. Data analysis was done throughout data collection through open, axial and selective coding. The hierarchical category system illustrated in schematic representation representing the main theme and subthemes was used. The findings suggest that there is a serious gap regarding how individual professional development needs and provision of professional development are concerned. The focus was more on training teachers about the new curriculum leaving behind the individual needs of each teacher. The study identified some inconsistencies and lack of uniformity in the way needs analysis was currently done in schools. The major recommendation of this study is that needs analysis should be integrated within all school activities instead of once a year. There is a need for close monitoring of teacher development in order to improve the current learner performance in schools. The researcher believes the study will assist in understanding, informing and improving teaching practice. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

Bibliography: leaves 148-154 / This research is a case study conducted at Mkoba Teachers’ College from 2017 to 2019 which aimed at establishing the applicability of the phenomenological method to the teaching and learning of Religious and Moral Education (RME) in Tertiary Primary Teacher Education institutions in Zimbabwe. The majority of the student teachers were Christians and had a negative attitude towards African Indigenous Religions (A.I.Rs). They also showed little knowledge of concepts in African Religions yet the old and new syllabus in RME and Family, Religion and Moral Education (FAREME) respectively required them to use the multi-faith approach and to view all religions they may encounter in the classroom with equal importance. This research sought to determine the extent to which the phenomenological method can change the student teachers’ negative attitude to/ and increase their knowledge of A.I.Rs, thus preparing them for the task of religious education in future. In the theoretical framework, the researcher discussed the concept of Religious Education (R.E) and reviewed related literature on approaches to R.E, the history of R.E in pre-colonial and post-colonial periods in Zimbabwe and recent researches in R.E in order to gain insights on historical developments and current trends in the field of R.E. The researcher selected ten (10) participants who belonged to various Christian denominations using the purposive sampling strategy. Qualitative methods of generating data used were unstructured interviews, field work, both participant and non participant observation, and focus group discussion. After field work, participants applied the phenomenological method to the bira ceremony and discussed religious artifacts encountered during field work. On the whole, the phenomenological method increased the participants’ knowledge of A.I.Rs and significantly changed their attitude towards it. Despite the participants’ strong Christian background, they were able to separate the demands of their commitment to personal faith and the requirements of the phenomenological method. The study makes some recommendations,some of which are the use of the phenomenological method together with the multi-faith and comparative religion approaches in the College R.M.E curriculum. / Religious Studies and Arabic / M.A. (Religious Studies)