The social, political and economic landscape of South Africa, since 1994 has been one of rapid change, where identities and what it means to be a South African have formed critical points of debate. This study used a qualitative methodology to investigate two broad goals: firstly to explore the identities, and influencing factors, of a group of nine young, White, South African student teachers (21-25); and secondly to examine the intersection of social identities and teaching. As a result, this study also investigated how conceptions of identity, including "Whiteness" can have an impact on or influence the professional identities of the participants as young teachers in a multi-cultural and diverse classroom. Selection of participants was based on self-identification as "White", however, by focusing on racial identity in particular this study must acknowledge, as Gunaratnam (2003) does, that it is working both "with and against" race. Two in-depth interviews took place with each participant and two props were used in order to avoid foregrounding race and imposing a definition on the individual respondents. Firstly an "I am" worksheet was used which asked for descriptors; and, secondly, each participant was asked to draw a timeline of their life in response to the question 'What has made you who you are today?" Because of the subjective nature of narrative data, the participants' stories were framed in a broader "landscape" or context. Their narratives were complex and often contradictory, pointing to the fact that researching identities, especially within such a shifting landscape, is always tricky. However, some common themes emerged: social identities as descriptors were avoided, being White in South Africa emerged as different from other contexts such as Europe, race was highlighted in relation to "others" in terms of economic, political and social changes to their worlds and as teachers there was a limited understanding of diversity and broader issues outside of their own experience. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2007.

A thesis submitted in fulfilment for the degree of Masters of Education (M.Ed) School of Education, Faculty of Humanities University of Witwatersrand JOHANNESBURG February 2015 / This is a qualitative research project that draws on Gee’s (2005) and Wenger’s (1999) conceptions on identity, to understand how teaching practice in rural Acornhoek schools of Bushbuckridge municipality (Mpumalanga province) impacted on the identity of student teachers. The study involved ten student teachers in their second and third year of Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) studies at Wits School of Education ((WSoE). The research adopted a case study approach. Data in this study was collected using semi structured interviews with student teachers before and during the teaching practice period and the researchers’ field notes. The most outstanding findings were that, student teachers negotiating their identity in the categories of IDL1, IDL2 and IDL3. IDL1 is when the identity of student teachers shifted as they carried out their teaching practice. IDL2 is when teaching in rural schools could not shift the identity of student teachers and IDL3 is when teaching practice resulted into student teachers compromising their identities. On the basis of these findings, recommendations were made. Student teachers should have a deeper and informed understanding of what to expect in rural schools in order to prepare them for the identity negotiations in rural schools contexts. In the findings it was established that if teacher training institutions prepare student teachers with view of teaching in rural schools, it would minimize identity challenges by student teachers in the rural schools teaching practice because they will have prior knowledge about teaching in rural schools.

This study constitutes a theoretical and qualitative investigation into the meanings and locations of social cohesion in dance education. Theoretical connections between culture, dance education and social cohesion are explored. The empirical investigation is designed as a qualitative case study interrogating pre-service student teachers’ experiences and perceptions of a particular dance education course in a culturally and politically diverse university classroom in post-apartheid South Africa. Open-ended questionnaires, reflective journals and focus group interviews were employed to generate data. Findings indicate that involvement in creative movement and ethno-cultural dances raised awareness of the Self and the Other, engendering perspective and personal transformation, important requisites for social transformation and subsequently social cohesion in a formerly divided society, such as South Africa. In addition, these dance education experiences provided participants with unique encounters with the Other’s culture. These occurred through embodied experiences of the culture of the Other, as well as through bodily negotiations with the Other. These findings lead me to argue that dance education, as pertaining to this particular course, can facilitate spaces conducive to cohesion amongst culturally and politically diverse participants in post-apartheid South Africa.

Amartya Sen has sought to refocus development theory towards the ultimate goal offreedom, and has in this context emphasised the importance ofeducation in building human capabilities to lead the lives they have reason to value. However, research suggesting that gender-based violence is prevalent in the South African school system represents a paradox as it reveals that years of schooling can contribute to deprivation and capability failure rather than enhanced human capabilities and development. Literature reviewed for this dissertation suggests that over and above the lost educational opportunities due to gender-based violence in schools, it can cause long-term and even terminal health damages and contribute to increased societywide levels of violence with substantial socio-economic costs. Anti-violence interventions among learners have been found to have minimal effect unless they are supported by the overall school culture. However, educators who are expected to ensure a safe school environment are not only responding inadequately to cases of genderbased violence between learners, but some are personally engaging in acts ofgender violence towards learners. Recognising the significant role ofeducators, both as part ofthe problem and as key to any solution, this dissertation seeks to improve understanding ofthe context within which interventions at the level ofeducators may be possible. This study explores what previous research have identified as common attitudes, beliefs and knowledge gaps among educators in schools with high levels ofgender-based violence. Findings include confusion about the legal and policy framework as it applies to such cases, a lack of will to acknowledge the problem and inadequate understanding ofgender-based violence. The construction of men and women as essential opposites has been identified as an underlying reason for inadequate acknowledgement and understanding. Research on these dimensions forms the basis for a study using survey and focus group methodologies to assess the prevalence of such attitudes and knowledge gaps of issues around gender-based violence among student teachers about to fmalise their studies and start their professional lives as educators. The data collected suggests that the student teachers will vary considerably in their ability to respond to cases ofgender-based violence. A more concerted effort is required in order to prepare student teachers for the problem ofgender-based violence and enable them to create more gender-friendly school environments. Possible routes for improvement are suggested. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

The overall aim of this research is to probe, and attempt an understanding of, women student teachers' choice of teaching as a career. Because of various limitations, this research is no more than an exploratory study, which, hopefully may contribute to a deeper appreciation of teaching as a worthy career. This researcher's own feminist perspective has determined the questions asked in this study. Both quantitative and qualitative research was undertaken, in order to answer the central question of this research: How do some women students at Edgewood College of Education perceive the teaching profession and their role in it? It became obvious that teaching is perceived by too many as a short term job, rather than as a long-term career; but when circumstances governing teachers' employment, coupled with the influences of a patriarchal society are considered, this perception is perhaps not unexpected. Some tentative recommendations are offered to counter this negative perception of teaching as a convenient, but temporary job for women. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1992.

This thesis reports on a study involving student teachers of literature in a teacher education programme who used literary texts as catalysts for implementing change. The researcher asserted that if student teachers are empowered with sound disciplinary knowledge, effective pedagogical tools and an understanding of how to bring about academic and social change, they can make a difference to the lives of their learners, irrespective of context or resources. Critical pedagogy served as the theoretical framework for the study which was characterised by a system of interventions within six participatory action research cycles. The researcher found that participants responded positively to co-operative, experiential learning strategies in lecture-rooms that were perceived to be safe. When participants recognised that their views were respected, their interactions with others were characterised by respect as well. They realised that having agency and voice did not mean denying others the same. They felt empowered to make decisions and access resources, and they embraced challenges perceived to be valuable. By the end of the study, participants recognised that teachers can serve as primary resources in schools if they empowered themselves with deep content knowledge, pedagogical skills and a transformative agenda, and if they actively engage learners, scaffold learning, build on prior knowledge and skills, affirm histories, and enable a classroom where learners’ contributions are valued. Participants established that to serve as agents of change in the classroom, teachers need to critically reflect on their practices and confront their prejudices. In addition, they need to ascertain the underpinning philosophy of their practices. Only then can they determine the roles and functions that comprise their identities as teachers. Ultimately, the researcher draws on the knowledge from participatory action research, critical pedagogy and literary texts to enable change agency in a lecture-room at a School of Education. The thesis adds to the discourses on teacher education, participatory action research, critical pedagogy and change agency and contributes to knowledge by showing that using participatory action research and critical pedagogy in a lecture-room is feasible and useful in enabling the transformation and empowerment of students. / Ph.D. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2013.

M.Ed. (Subject Didactics) / The awareness of the necessity to protect our natural environment is increasing, which is indeed promising. Despite this encouraging fact, it is tragically evident that mere awareness is not sufficient, as our world is going from bad to worse. It is therefore imperative to try and save our world: environmental education is one of the most efficient ways being used to save our earth. 'Die Witskrif vir Omgewingsopvoeding in Suid-Afrika' was published in 1989 by the South African government stating their acceptance of Environmental Education as essential for South Africa. Thus, Environmental Education needs to be implemented successfully into the formal, educational system of government schools in South Africa. Before the succesful implementation of Environmental Education, the teacher has to be thoroughly trained and prepared for this challenging task. This research takes a look at the level of knowledge and attitudes towards the natural, biophysical environment. This study is directed at three acute environmental problems namely: population explosion, the greenhouse effect and the depletion of the ozone layer. The sample tested comprised of fifty-eight students from three Afrikaans universities in Transvaal, preparing themselves to teach Biology in the near future.

D.Ed. (Educational Management) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Ed. (ICT in Education) / Information and Communication Technology has made its way into almost all fields of human interactions. The leading field, where ICT is most commonly practiced, is that of business and industry. In contrast, Mostert and Nthetha (2008) assert that the in the field of education, ICT is used minimally and mainly for administrative purposes. At present, the use of ICT is not common in the mathematics classroom and can be attributed to initial teacher training programmes that did not include the integration of ICTs into the curriculum until more recently. Pre-service student teachers, who have been exposed to ICT modules in preparation for using it in their practice, thus stand a better chance to utilise ICT resources because of their previous exposure. This dissertation aims to identify current pre-service mathematics student teachers acceptance of ICT`s in their classroom. The focus will be on mathematics teaching and learning as this is one of the subjects in which learners perform below expectation in the South African context. The positive contribution of ICT in the mathematics classroom firstly relies on the individual teacher’s belief in the effectiveness of ICT and secondly on the teacher’s competence to utilise ICT tools and services. An imbalance in the equation will ultimately influence a teacher’s perception on ICT integration for pedagogy. Teachers, who have ICT competency skills but do not believe in its effectiveness, are bound to reject its integration in as much as teachers who believe in ICT but lack competency in using ICT resources. Therefore, teachers need to have a positive attitude and the technical knowhow on how to successfully integrate ICT in their teaching and learning of mathematics. This is the theoretical framework that underpins ICT integration in education ...

M.Ed. / Because of the current curriculum developments, it is important that universities begin assessing their status regarding environmental education. This study will therefore aim at determining the current level of environmental awareness of third year pre-service teacher trainees at Vista University in order to make recommendations as to what an environmental education course should contain for the pre-service teacher trainees of this institution. Vista University consists of seven campuses, each accessible to the areas they serve. The different campuses are: Bloemfontein Campus outside Bloemfontein, East Rand Campus near Daveyton on the East Rand, Mamelodi Campus near Silverton in Pretoria East, Port Elizabeth Campus outside Port Elizabeth, Sebokeng Campus near Vereeniging, Soweto Campus in Soweto, and Welkom Campus outside Welkom. Vista University also provides Distance Education, the campus of which is situated in Pretoria. The university's Head Office is situated in Pretoria. This study will limit itself to two campuses within Gauteng, namely East Rand Campus, and Mamelodi Campus, AIMS OF THE STUDY As already mentioned, this survey will be conducted amongst the third year education students on each of the above-mentioned campuses. In order to assess the current status of environmental literacy at Vista University, this study will aim at the following: • to set up a questionnaire to measure the four stages of environmental literacy as set out by Roth (1992: 18 - 19); to undertake the survey amongst the third year education students of the East Rand and Mamelodi Campuses; to analyse and evaluate the data in order to determine the level of environmental awareness of the target group; to generalise the result of the sample to the population; to make suggestions as to what information needs to be included in an environmental education course for pre-service teacher trainees at Vista University