Metakognitiewe strategieë en wiskundetaal speel ’n kritiese rol in onderwysers se onderrigstrategieë en die verbetering van hulle wiskunde-onderrigstyl. Die waarskynlikheid bestaan dat wanneer ʼn onderwyser se metakognisie ontwikkel word, sy of haar onderrig ook sal verbeter (Jing & Yang, 2008, p. 1). Metakognisie fasiliteer die onderrig en leer van wiskundekennis (Gourgey, 2001, p. 18), en taal is die instrument wat in ʼn onderwyskonteks die kommunikasie vir die aanleer, verstaan en ontwikkeling van wiskundekonsepte en -prosesse fasiliteer (Jamison, 2000). ʼn Empiriese kwalitatiewe ondersoek – om te bepaal wat Graad 1-onderwysers se persepsies van metakognisie en wiskundetaal tydens die onderrig en leer van wiskunde is – is in hierdie studie uitgevoer. Die ondersoek het op vyf Graad 1-onderwysers gefokus. ʼn Gerieflikheidsteekproef is gebruik om die groepie onderwysers (wat vir die navorser toeganklik was) uit te nooi om aan die studie deel te neem. Video-opnames is gemaak van ʼn fokusgroeponderhoud, sowel as van ʼn wiskundeles en twee individuele onderhoude. Al die onderwysers het aan die fokusgroeponderhoud deelgeneem. Een van die onderwysers (Deelnemer B) het ingestem dat ʼn video-opname van haar wiskundeles gemaak kon word. ʼn Individuele onderhoud is voor en na die video-opname met deelnemer B gevoer om ʼn beter en meer diepgaande begrip van haar persepsies oor wiskundeonderrig te verkry. Die video-opnames van die fokusgroeponderhoud, wiskundeles en individuele onderhoude is verbatim getranskribeer, waarna a priori kodes uit die literatuurstudie gekies is. Die kodes is in temas en kategorieë gegroepeer. Data is ontleed, en gevolgtrekkings geformuleer. Resultate is daarna geïnterpreteer en aanbevelings gemaak. Ten spyte van die beperkte veralgemenings wat op grond van die resultate moontlik is, kom die navorser nogtans tot die slotsom dat graad 1-onderwysers se persepsies oor metakognisie en wiskundetaal in die onderrig en leer in wiskunde in graad 1-klasse belangrik is en groot gewig dra. / MEd (Mathematics Education), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Metakognitiewe strategieë en wiskundetaal speel ’n kritiese rol in onderwysers se onderrigstrategieë en die verbetering van hulle wiskunde-onderrigstyl. Die waarskynlikheid bestaan dat wanneer ʼn onderwyser se metakognisie ontwikkel word, sy of haar onderrig ook sal verbeter (Jing & Yang, 2008, p. 1). Metakognisie fasiliteer die onderrig en leer van wiskundekennis (Gourgey, 2001, p. 18), en taal is die instrument wat in ʼn onderwyskonteks die kommunikasie vir die aanleer, verstaan en ontwikkeling van wiskundekonsepte en -prosesse fasiliteer (Jamison, 2000). ʼn Empiriese kwalitatiewe ondersoek – om te bepaal wat Graad 1-onderwysers se persepsies van metakognisie en wiskundetaal tydens die onderrig en leer van wiskunde is – is in hierdie studie uitgevoer. Die ondersoek het op vyf Graad 1-onderwysers gefokus. ʼn Gerieflikheidsteekproef is gebruik om die groepie onderwysers (wat vir die navorser toeganklik was) uit te nooi om aan die studie deel te neem. Video-opnames is gemaak van ʼn fokusgroeponderhoud, sowel as van ʼn wiskundeles en twee individuele onderhoude. Al die onderwysers het aan die fokusgroeponderhoud deelgeneem. Een van die onderwysers (Deelnemer B) het ingestem dat ʼn video-opname van haar wiskundeles gemaak kon word. ʼn Individuele onderhoud is voor en na die video-opname met deelnemer B gevoer om ʼn beter en meer diepgaande begrip van haar persepsies oor wiskundeonderrig te verkry. Die video-opnames van die fokusgroeponderhoud, wiskundeles en individuele onderhoude is verbatim getranskribeer, waarna a priori kodes uit die literatuurstudie gekies is. Die kodes is in temas en kategorieë gegroepeer. Data is ontleed, en gevolgtrekkings geformuleer. Resultate is daarna geïnterpreteer en aanbevelings gemaak. Ten spyte van die beperkte veralgemenings wat op grond van die resultate moontlik is, kom die navorser nogtans tot die slotsom dat graad 1-onderwysers se persepsies oor metakognisie en wiskundetaal in die onderrig en leer in wiskunde in graad 1-klasse belangrik is en groot gewig dra. / MEd (Mathematics Education), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

As a result of the interactive nature of modern programming languages the perception has developed that proper planning of a solution, reasoned action during the process of problem solving and evaluation of the solution have become less important during computer programming. Learn often rely on the programming language to help them solve a problem, without themselves planning the solution beforehand and then using a computer language to implement the solution. This approach usually leads to using bad programming techniques, resulting in unstructured programmes or rendering the learner unable to solve the problem. The importance of continuous reflection by learners while doing a programming activity has been advocated for quite some time... / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

As a result of the interactive nature of modern programming languages the perception has developed that proper planning of a solution, reasoned action during the process of problem solving and evaluation of the solution have become less important during computer programming. Learn often rely on the programming language to help them solve a problem, without themselves planning the solution beforehand and then using a computer language to implement the solution. This approach usually leads to using bad programming techniques, resulting in unstructured programmes or rendering the learner unable to solve the problem. The importance of continuous reflection by learners while doing a programming activity has been advocated for quite some time... / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

The challenge to create learning environments that could promote learning is an aspect which currently enjoys much attention in the higher education environment. According to the outcomes based approach, learners are required to be equipped with relevant and applicable skills when entering the workforce on completion of their studies. With this as background, this study investigated the applicability of experiential learning as an approach that could enable learners to make optimal use of changing learning environments. Experiential learning mainly takes place through learners’ exposure to concrete experiences which are then critically reflected upon. The concept of action learning is often used as synonym for experiential learning, as the principles underlying these concepts and the philosophical assumptions are the same. Service learning is an application field of experiential learning that differs from the traditional learning approach. Learners learn from their exposure to learning experiences, whereas service rendering takes place simultaneously. In this study attention will be paid to the importance of reflection in the learning process. On completion of the learning experience learners critically investigate their own values, preconceptions, insights they have gained in the process and actions. The reflective learning process gives learners the opportunity to monitor their own learning objectives, to enhance insight and understanding and observe the interaction between theory and practice. In addition to this the process allows them to optimise human potential by applying what they have learned. According to the process followed in this study, learners have developed and implemented certain psycho-social interventions in collaboration with a specific community. At the start of the process learners were requested to keep their dairies up to date and use these to reflect on any aspect of their learning experience. With the consent of the learners a quantitative analysis was done of the content of their dairies and certain themes have manifested. The main themes that have been identified refer to the experiences during the development and implementation of the intervention and these relate mainly to the learning facilitator. Initially learners were quite dependent on familiar structures but once they became more at ease with the process, they were able to observe and manage the process with greater freedom. One aspect that is prominent in this study is the significance of group processes - not only for the individual learner, but also as part of the greater environment. Learners were specifically challenged to manage the unpredictability of the various processes – something which has required greater adaptability and leniency of learners. Learners’ reflections on the achievement of learning outcomes centre on opportunities to practically apply their theoretical knowledge. In many learners the interaction between theory and practice has resulted in the expansion of their cognitive content. Many references were also made to the improvement of life skills which relate specifically to the group processes and personal enrichment. A reflective attitude in a learning environment facilitates opportunities for learners to build on their current knowledge and develop a greater emotive conscience of the various processes and people involved in the learning environment. In addition to this individual life skills can also become more prominent. Reflection on learning experiences is a critical component by which learners could make sense of their experiences and apply their knowledge, emphasise the greater environment and support the interaction between people and the self as part of the learning process. / Dissertation (MA (Research Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Psychology / unrestricted

As in the case of many other local and overseas teacher-training institutions the Postgraduate Certificate of Education programme (PGCE) at the University of Pretoria is a model rich in experience. In this model 60% of the time is devoted to a school-based programme and 40% to the university-based programme. The school-based programme is presented in association with schools. The student teacher is placed in a school for a period of seven weeks and assigned to a teacher who acts as the mentor teacher. The mentor teacher serves as a the link between teaching theory and subject content and also plays a major role in the contextualisation of the classroom learning experiences. The university prescribes various tasks: mentor teacher have to stimulate the inquiry skills and reflective practices of student teachers, manage meta-communication across situation and role, manage learning tasks and create a safe and challenging learning environment to the students. The mentor teacher should therefore not only be a subject specialist in his or her field of specialisation but should also create the opportunity for student teachers to maximise their potential. In this study the focus is on the experience of the teacher taking up the role of a mentor teacher. To fulfil the role of mentor teacher implies that an exchange of identity needs to take place from teacher identity to mentor teacher identity. This prompted the following research question: What is the identity image of a mentor teacher? With subsidiary questions as <ul> <li>What are the identifying characteristics of a mentor? </li> <li>What are the identifiable dynamic processes or stressful situations that have an impact on the identity formation of a mentor?</li></ul> The research could be identified as qualitative in the interpretative paradigm. Data were collected by means of open-ended questionnaires and in-depth interviews with selected mentor teachers and student teachers. The student teachers assigned to the selected mentors were automatically included in the study. The study was repeated for over a period of three terms, each term with two different teachers and student teachers. To analyse the data, Gee’s (2000-2001) four perspectives of identity, namely nature-identity, institution-identity, discourse-identity and affinity-identity, were used as analytical framework. The results disclosed many indicators supportive of mentor-identity but no fixed mentor-identity emerged. However, the characteristics, functions and responsibilities of a successful mentor in this case study were identified. These characteristics, functions and responsibilities defining the identity of a mentor teacher, could support the school in selecting teachers to take up the role of mentor teachers. In an extended school-based teaching practice the quality of the experience, in most cases, depends on the mentor teachers' beliefs and attitude towards the task. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Curriculum Studies / unrestricted

The purpose of the study was to attain a deeper sense of understanding of the teacher’s stress experience during interactions with a learner suffering from behavioural and emotional problems. The study was undertaken within the interpretive paradigm. A qualitative research design of three case studies (schools, with two participants per school) was used. The case studies were carried out per school since the school establishes the context for the narrative of the stress experiences. Data capturing was conducted by means of semi-structured interviews. The main themes that emanated from the interviews were: the emotions of the teachers, the handling of stress resulting from the relation to the learner and own stresses, and a general reflection of the teachers regarding their own stress experiences. An overall view was taken of the relationship between the context and participants’ stress experiences. The main findings showed a clear correlation between the intensity of the stress experience on the one hand, and the individual’s perception of an incident and his/her need for control on the other. The headmaster’s leadership style and the organizational culture can influence the participants’ experience and their handling of class incidents. Professional and personal stressors have a mutual influence on one another. Reflections appear to play a major part in how stress is dealt with. / Dissertation (MEd (Educational Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Educational Psychology / MEd / unrestricted

Metacognition is commonly understood in the context of the learners and not their teachers. Extant literature focusing on how Mathematics teachers apply their metacognitive skills in the classroom, clearly distinguishes between teaching with metacognition (TwM) referring to teachers thinking about their own thinking and teaching for metacognition (TfM) which refers to teachers creating opportunities for learners to reflect on their thinking. However, in both of these cases, thinking requires a language, in particular appropriate mathematical language to communicate the thinking by both teacher and learners in the Mathematics classroom. In this qualitative study, which forms part of a bigger project within SANPAD (South Africa Netherlands Research Programme on Alternatives in Development), the metacognitive skills and mathematical language used by Mathematics teachers who teach at two township schools were interrogated using the design-based research approach with lesson study. Data collection instruments included individual interviews and a trigonometric assessment task. Lessons were also observed and video-taped to be viewed and discussed during focus group discussions in which the teachers, together with five Mathematics lecturers, participated. The merging of the design-based research approach with lesson study brought about teacher-lecturer collaboration, referred to in this study as the Mathematics Educators’ Reflective Inquiry (ME’RI) group, and enabled the design of a hypothetical teaching and learning trajectory (HTLT) for the teaching of trigonometric functions. A metacognitive performance profile for the two grade 10 teachers was also developed. The Framework for Analysing Mathematics Teaching for the Advancement of Metacognition (FAMTAM) from Ader (2013) and the Teacher Metacognitive Framework (TMF) from Artzt and Armour-Thomas (2002) were adjusted and merged to develop a new framework, the Metacognitive Teaching for Metacognition Framework (MTMF) to analyse the metacognitive skills used by mathematics teachers TwM as well as TfM. Without oversimplifying the magnitude of these concepts, the findings suggest a simple mathematical equation: metacognitive skills + enhanced mathematical language = conceptualization skills. The findings also suggest that both TwM and TfM are required for effective mathematics instruction. Lastly the findings suggest that the ME’RI group holds promise to enhance the use of the metacognitive skills and mathematical language of Mathematics teachers in Mathematics classrooms. / PhD (Mathematics Education), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

In terms of assessment practices, in all facets of education there is a strong focus on assessment at the end of learning. New trends in the literature motivate for the continuous use of assessment strategies in classrooms, with a learner-centred approach. Many questions arise on this topic: When lecturers review their own higher education classroom assessment practices, what will be the extent of their discovery? Are they still inclined to do assessment after teaching and learning has taken place? Or are they moving towards continuous classroom assessment practices in line with the new trends? Is there still a place for classroom assessment at the end of teaching and learning? Should the one or the other be used or should there be a balance between the various strategies? With students perceiving assessment as being judgemental and oppressive and as the most political of all educational processes (Reynolds et al., 2000:268), how does the power struggle unfold in the classroom? By means of participatory action research I encouraged lecturers to reflect critically on their own classroom assessment practices. The lecturers engaged in critical discourses regarding their teaching, learning and assessment strategies and subsequently engaged in transformative actions resulting from their critical reflections. The aim of the research was to determine whether an emancipatory praxis had been developed and whether their reflections had brought about change and improved their classroom assessments. I wished to understand how the changes they had experienced were infused with theories of empowerment, emancipation and liberation. The nature of curriculum praxis of classroom assessment was investigated to determine the status of classroom assessment in a specific higher education context and to see how the balanced assessment system is reflected and how classroom assessment develops as an emancipatory praxis. / MEd (Curriculum Development), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Metacognition is commonly understood in the context of the learners and not their teachers. Extant literature focusing on how Mathematics teachers apply their metacognitive skills in the classroom, clearly distinguishes between teaching with metacognition (TwM) referring to teachers thinking about their own thinking and teaching for metacognition (TfM) which refers to teachers creating opportunities for learners to reflect on their thinking. However, in both of these cases, thinking requires a language, in particular appropriate mathematical language to communicate the thinking by both teacher and learners in the Mathematics classroom. In this qualitative study, which forms part of a bigger project within SANPAD (South Africa Netherlands Research Programme on Alternatives in Development), the metacognitive skills and mathematical language used by Mathematics teachers who teach at two township schools were interrogated using the design-based research approach with lesson study. Data collection instruments included individual interviews and a trigonometric assessment task. Lessons were also observed and video-taped to be viewed and discussed during focus group discussions in which the teachers, together with five Mathematics lecturers, participated. The merging of the design-based research approach with lesson study brought about teacher-lecturer collaboration, referred to in this study as the Mathematics Educators’ Reflective Inquiry (ME’RI) group, and enabled the design of a hypothetical teaching and learning trajectory (HTLT) for the teaching of trigonometric functions. A metacognitive performance profile for the two grade 10 teachers was also developed. The Framework for Analysing Mathematics Teaching for the Advancement of Metacognition (FAMTAM) from Ader (2013) and the Teacher Metacognitive Framework (TMF) from Artzt and Armour-Thomas (2002) were adjusted and merged to develop a new framework, the Metacognitive Teaching for Metacognition Framework (MTMF) to analyse the metacognitive skills used by mathematics teachers TwM as well as TfM. Without oversimplifying the magnitude of these concepts, the findings suggest a simple mathematical equation: metacognitive skills + enhanced mathematical language = conceptualization skills. The findings also suggest that both TwM and TfM are required for effective mathematics instruction. Lastly the findings suggest that the ME’RI group holds promise to enhance the use of the metacognitive skills and mathematical language of Mathematics teachers in Mathematics classrooms. / PhD (Mathematics Education), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014