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The purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which relationships exist between the perceptions of local supervisors of social studies, social studies teachers, and building principals relative to the role of the local supervisor of social studies education. Data were gathered to determine the perceptions of supervisors, teachers, and principals regarding actual and ideal performance on forty-two selected supervisory activities. The descriptive-survey method was utilized in the study. Population sample included twenty local social studies supervisors, one hundred and ninety-seven building principals, and four hundred and sixty social studies teachers. The four hundred and sixty social studies teachers (twenty-five percent) and one hundred and ninety-seven building principals represented employees in each school division in Virginia during the 1980-81 school year where local supervisors of social studies education were employed full-time. Mail questionnaires were developed, piloted, and forwarded to the selected sample population. Usable responses were received from three hundred and twenty-five teachers (seventy-one percent), one hundred and fifty-one building principals (seventy-seven percent), and twenty local supervisors of social studies (one hundred percent). The alpha level selected for determination of statistical significance and rejection of the seven null hypotheses was p < .05. Descriptive statistics, correlated t tests, uncorrelated t tests, and the Spearman rho (ρ) were used in analyzing the data. Data were reported by means, frequencies, ranks, standard deviations, and percentages. To analyze data within groups the correlated t test was used. The uncorrelated t test was used to analyze the data between groups. To determine the relationship between the rank differences reported by the sample groups, Spearman rho (ρ) correlations were computed using the formula: ρ = l - (6Σd²)/[N(N² - 1l)] In a comparison of perceptions of local supervisors of social studies education versus perceptions of teachers regarding actual performance on forty-two selected supervisory activities, it was determined that there was a high agreement between teachers and supervisors as to the order of priority placed on activities by supervisors. The Spearman rho computation based on rank differences of actual time spent as perceived by supervisors and the teacher's perceptions of actual time spent yielded a high positive correlation. Also, principals and supervisors were in close agreement as to the priority of supervisors' actual use of time. A high positive correlation was found to exist based upon rankings of the two groups relative to actual use of supervisors' time. Significant differences were noted between the perceptions of local supervisors of social studies education and those of social studies teachers and building principals relative to ideal supervisory performance. Teachers and supervisors were in moderate agreement relative to the setting of priorities for time utilization by supervisors across the forty-two activities. Principals and supervisors were in high agreement relative to the priorities based on ideal rankings for supervisors. Major findings of the study were as follows: 1. Supervisors, teachers, and principals agreed that supervisors should spend more time on nearly all of the identified activities than they currently do. 2. Each group surveyed agreed that the ideal performance of supervisors should be closely related to that group's perceptions of what supervisors currently do. 3. There was a high positive correlation between the supervisors, teachers, and principals as to the allocation of priorities by supervisors. 4. There was a moderate to high positive correlation across groups as to how supervisors should allocate their time. / Ed. D.

One hundred and twenty-two students at Virginia Tech who had completed teacher certification requirements in science and/or mathematics from 1980 to 1986 were surveyed to determine their current employment status, and if not currently teaching, then what reforms in the conditions of teaching might encourage them to return to or enter teaching. Opinions were solicited from three groups: current teachers, those who had left teaching, and those who had never taught. Data were reported in four categories: general demographics of all groups, importance of work satisfaction for all groups, modifications in the conditions of teaching necessary to entice those not currently teaching to return to or enter teaching, and opinions of current teachers on how to improve recruitment and retention of qualified science and mathematics teachers. It was determined that the general demographics of the individuals surveyed conformed to general descriptions of teachers in current literature with the exception that the parents of Virginia Tech graduates were more highly educated and tended to hold professional and semiprofessional positions in higher percentages. No significant differences were determined among current teachers, those who left teaching, and those who had never taught in regard to opinions of work satisfaction in teaching. Lack of administrative support, poor student discipline, and low salaries were factors involved with decisions not to teach. Others left teaching to raise a family. Improvements in working conditions that would encourage non-teachers to teach include improvement of student discipline, reduction of class size, removal of incompetent teachers, reduction of teacher isolation, reduction of stress, and the improvement of the physical environment. Almost 60% of individuals not currently teaching would teach if offered a suitable position. The majority of current teachers believe that raising teachers' salaries would be the most important improvement to increase recruitment and retention of teachers, however, beginning teachers' salaries compared favorably with those of individuals employed outside of education. Almost two out of three current teachers indicated they planned to leave teaching within five or more years. / Ed. D.

In order to implement more science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) into K12 classrooms, it is important to find out whether teachers are comfortable with this pedagogy. To determine teachers' current self-efficacy of STEM pedagogy, teachers in a southern state in the United States were asked to enlighten researchers into this phenomenon. Participants were K12 teachers (n = 119) from a public school district undertaking a district-wide STEM initiative. A measure of STEM teacher self-efficacy and a demographic questionnaire were administered online to participants. STEM teacher self-efficacy data were analyzed, along with demographic data, using descriptive discriminant analysis (DDA) and canonical correlation analysis (CCA). Results suggest some demographic variables are more predictive of STEM self-efficacy (gender, grade level taught, feelings of administrative support, and professional development sessions attended) than others (whether or not gifted courses are taught, age, and length of teaching experience. This data should be used by school administrators that seek to begin or improve STEM pedagogy in their schools.

Thesis (MEd)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This qualitative multiple case study explored the subjective experiences of four science teachers during the transition process from Natural Sciences in the General Education and Training (GET) band to Life Sciences in the Further Education and Training (FET) band. The study was guided by one main research question and four sub-questions. Data were collected using simple observation, an open-ended questionnaire, semi-structured interviews and photographic evidence. The study revealed that the experiences of the teachers are dependent upon their years of teaching experience, the quality of in-service training and workshops, available resources, the support the teacher receives from the school and the Department of Education and how each school is individually managed. The findings in this study further revealed that teachers feel alone and abandoned by the Department of Education, as there is very little to no support and communication between the teachers and the Department. The teachers reported that there is a misalignment between the content and assessment requirements in Grade 9 and Grade 10, which causes learners to struggle to adapt in Grade 10. Teachers then resort to measures such as structuring the GET more like the FET and reorganising and modifying the content of Natural Sciences across grades 8 and 9 in an effort to better prepare learners for Grade 10 Life Sciences. All the teachers who participated in the study revealed that they did not receive sufficient training to assist them with the transition process from GET to FET. Reasons offered included that in-service training and workshops focused more on administration instead of providing teachers with the necessary context-specific training required to implement the National Curriculum Statement. It is therefore evident that highly skilled teachers are needed to ensure a smooth transition from GET to FET. Teachers need to participate in curriculum initiatives, as it is the teachers who are ultimately responsible for implementing new curriculum initiatives. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie kwalitatiewe veelvuldige gevallestudie is die subjektiewe ervarings van vier wetenskaponderwysers tydens die oorgangsproses van Natuurwetenskappe in die Algemene Onderwys en Opleiding (AOO-)band na Lewenswetenskappe in die Verdere Onderwys en Opleiding (VOO-)band ondersoek. Die studie is deur een hoofnavorsingsvraag en vier subvrae gerig. Data is deur eenvoudige waarneming, ’n oopeinde-vraelys, semigestruktureerde onderhoude en fotografiese bewyse ingesamel. Die studie het aan die lig gebring dat die ervarings van onderwysers afhang van hul onderwyservaring, die gehalte van indiensopleiding en werkswinkels, beskikbare hulpbronne, die ondersteuning wat die onderwyser van die skool en die Departement van Onderwys ontvang, en hoe elke skool individueel bestuur word. Die bevindinge van hierdie studie toon voorts dat onderwysers vervreem en afgesonder van die Departement van Onderwys voel, aangesien daar baie min of geen ondersteuning en kommunikasie tussen die onderwysers en die Departement is nie. Die onderwysers voer aan dat daar nie ooreenstemming is tussen die inhoud en assesseringsvereistes in graad 9 en 10 nie, wat meebring dat leerders sukkel om in graad 10 aan te pas. Onderwysers wend hulle dan na maatreëls soos om die AOO meer soos die VOO te struktureer en die inhoud van Natuurwetenskappe in graad 8 en 9 te herorganiseer en te wysig in ’n poging om leerders beter vir Lewenswetenskappe in graad 10 voor te berei. Al die onderwysers wat aan hierdie studie deelgeneem het, het aangedui dat hulle nie genoegsame opleiding ontvang het om hulle met die oorgangsproses van AOO na VOO te help nie. Redes hiervoor het ingesluit dat indiensopleiding en werkswinkels meer op administrasie fokus as wat dit onderwysers van die nodige konteksspesifieke opleiding voorsien om die Nasionale Kurrikulumverklaring te implementeer. Dit is duidelik dat hoogs opgeleide onderwysers nodig is om ’n suksesvolle oorgang van AOO na VOO te verseker. Onderwysers behoort toegelaat te word om insette tot kurrikuluminisiatiewe te lewer, aangesien dit uiteindelik die onderwysers is wat verantwoordelik is vir die implementering van nuwe kurrikuluminisiatiewe.

The main aim of this study is to determine what factors limit Natural Science, Grade 7 teachers from engaging learners in practical work or performing experiments. This study is conducted in the Ogongo circuit of the Omusati Region. A qualitative case study approach was adopted for the study. The sample includes two (2) Grade 7 Natural Science teachers and six (6) Grade 7 Natural Science learners. Semi-structured interviews and observations were used to collect data. Data from interviews and observations were analyzed using thematic analysis. All interview and observation transcriptions were categorized into codes, categories, and themes. Themes and subthemes were grouped into tables and linked to literature to strengthen the findings of this study. The main themes were lack of pedagogical know-how, time, laboratory materials, and training to update and practice appropriate teaching strategies/approaches. The results of the study recommend training to prepare teachers on the use of appropriate teaching to improve the teaching and learning of Natural Science. The study recommends that Natural Science teachers should share knowledge and facts concerning Natural Science to understand teaching and learning concepts better. The learners are afforded enough opportunities to judge, analyze, and draw conclusions from the supplied content based on their level of understanding of tasks. The study exposed factors limiting teachers practice and informs stakeholders on ways to improve Grade 7 science teaching and learning to overcome the challenges of the field. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)

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The aim of the study was to compare the effects of the use of interactive computer simulations for cognitive load change of grade 11 learners in the acquisition of knowledge and a science process skill in geometrical optics. Both the use of computer simulations and traditional teaching was teacher centred. The study was done in a rural area in South Africa, in the Limpopo Province in the district of Vhembe. The theoretical framework was based on the information processing model. Within the non-equivalent quasi experimental design a switching replications design study was used whereby 105 learners in four schools took part. This study found that in terms of the acquisition of knowledge, female learners gained more by the use of simulations than their male counterparts. No significant effect was found in the acquisition of the skill when computer simulations were used. Initial reduction of cognitive load was found when simulations were used and with time this increased. Experienced educators reduced the cognitive load through use of their knowledge and expertise and their role needs to be highlighted. Further studies are suggested to study the effect of a learner centred approach on decreasing the cognitive load and its effect on the acquisition of knowledge and skills. / Mathematics, Science and Technology Education / D. Phil. (Mathematics, Science and Technology Education with specialisation in Physics Education)