Students are not adequately prepared to contribute to the workforce or engage in global citizenship in the 21st century. Research indicates proper education of students cannot be accomplished without teachers' acceptance of technology in the classroom, engagement in effective professional development, and ability to transform their curricula. Although there is an abundance of research supporting the use of technology in the classroom, little research has examined how to incorporate the technology into student-centered learning. The research questions in this study examined teachers' use and acceptance of technology in the classroom and how teachers incorporate technology to meet the 21st century learning skills requirements. This qualitative case study used Bandura's social cognitive theory and the Partnership for 21st Century Learning Framework. The purposeful sample included 6 participants teaching in Grades 9-12. Data were gathered using a selection survey, interviews, and course documents. The data analysis included the organization of participant responses and development of 6 primary themes. The results indicated that a high level of technology self-efficacy drove these teachers' integration of technology into student-centered activities that built 21st century learning skills. The results also showed a lack of effective professional development provided to teachers that focused on incorporating technology into the curriculum. These findings are significant for educators to understand how to meet the learning needs of their students. Implications for positive change include providing educators with knowledge and understanding of the importance to design professional development opportunities for teachers that not only teach how to use the technologies available to them but to also teach how to effectively incorporate that technology into the learning process.

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Traditional teacher-centered methods of lectures and PowerPoint presentations are commonly used when teaching secondary social studies, yet these methods continually prove to be boring for most high school students and neglect to teach critical thinking skills. Student-centered methods are different than teacher-centered methods because these methods incorporate several learning styles, cooperative activities, and even technology in order to engage the student and promote critical thinking skills. Critical thinking is important for students to master because it gives them the skills to move past the obvious and make individual connections with the text. The intent of this thesis was to explore the effectiveness of integrating student-centered methods in high school social studies classrooms as a means of promoting critical thinking skills. All students were given the same pretest and posttests. Students were divided into three groups: one was taught using student-centered methods, one was taught using teacher-centered methods, and one was the control group and was not directly taught by anyone. Based on analyzing students' posttest scores compared to their pre-test scores, student-centered teaching produced a higher average score increase, though all methods had students who scored higher, and students whose scores remained constant. Evidence and student feedback showed that continued future research should be conducted to see if student-centered methods should be used throughout all secondary social studies classrooms to promote critical thinking.

The main aim of this study is to extend our current understanding of the linguistic characteristics of student-centred distance education texts. This aim links directly with the shift in South Africa from an objectivistic, content-centred teaching approach towards an outcomes-based, studentcentred one. Partly because few guidelines exist as to what the linguistic characteristics of student-centred texts are, developers of such texts in a distance education environment face many challenges and thus, a secondary, more indirect aim of this study is to benefit developers of distance education study materials. In view of the educational context in which the study is situated, a brief overview of some of the most relevant pedagogic perspectives underlying the notion of student-centredness is provided. Student-centredness is then interpreted in terms of Biber's (1988) construal of `involvement' and also in terms of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL): more particularly, the interpersonal discourse semantic metafunction of SFL and on insights developed in Appraisal Theory. The focus of the study is thus on `involvement' and the expression of evaluative stance, and consequently on attitudinal language through `involvement' features. Of particular interest to the present study is how learning is advanced through the use of attitudinal language. The data for the study include six print-based distance education teaching texts (study guides) from three different academic departments at the University of South Africa. Two guides from each department are analysed and compared: one developed by way of a content-centred approach to teaching and the other by way of a student-centred approach. The linguistic construal of evaluative stance in these guides is analysed and interpreted in interpersonal terms. The thesis develops a theoretically motivated explanation of the linguistic characteristics of student-centred distance education texts, and in the process provides evidence of the interpersonal and pedagogic relevance of evaluative stance in the context of distance education. Some of the main conclusions reached are that student-centred texts differ from contentcentred ones with regard to: the extent to which the social presence of discourse participants is signalled in such texts; the extent to which solidarity is negotiated with students; the participation of students in the knowledge construction process; the relationship that prevails between lecturers and students; and the identity developed for both students as well as lecturers. / Linguistics / D. Litt. et Phil. (Linguistics)

This research investigated the educational orientation of teacher educators in colleges of education in Botswana whether pedagogic or andragogic, and how they influence their educational practice. The methods of investigation were, a literature study of belief systems, andragogy and pedagogy as well as the nature of educational orientation, a survey of the educational orientation of teacher educators in Botswana using a structured Educational Orientation Questionnaire (EOQ) adopted from Hadley (Quam, 1998) and a semi-structured group interview to a stratified random sample of student teachers at two of the colleges of education. The results showed that most teacher educators in colleges of education in Botswana had a pedagogical rather than an andragogical orientation. They predominantly use educator-centred rather student-centred teaching methods. / Educational Studies / M Ed. (Didactics)

Many students have difficulty of learning abstract and complex topic in chemistry. This study investigated how students develop their understanding of abstract and complex topics of chemistry with the aid of visualizing tools: animation, simulation and video. A particular focus of this investigation was to assess to what extent the uses of pedagogy based technology (PBT) is effective in learning chemistry. The combined effect of animation, simulation and video clips enable learning by doing and provide opportunity to explore the abstract and complex lessons of chemistry. The research was conducted with sequential embedded mixed research (quasi experimental and Explanatory) case study design. The experiment was carried out with second year chemistry students include 90(14 female and 76 male) students, 12 male chemistry lecturers and the college heads. The students were constituted 45 Control group and 45 Treatment groups. The groups were non-equivalent (convenient samples), suggesting that randomization was not possible as the students were in intact classes. To apply animation, simulation and video in supporting student-centered learning activities of electrochemistry for second year students flash and micro media player were used. The treatment group was trained for two weeks how to operate and use animation, simulation and video software. Pre and Post tests were administrated to the target groups. The effectiveness of PBT was also evaluated by administrating separate Schedule containing open and closed ended questions. The comments and ratings obtained from the learners‟ and lecturer insights provided the basis for the learning impact of the study. The result obtained from the vi experiment and responses of the schedule shows that PBT improves the performance of students. Therefore, to make the abstract and complex concepts of chemistry easy and clear Electrochemistry learning should be supported by animation simulation and video. An extended study may help to understand the multi sensory benefit of Pedagogy-Based-Technology. Thus, a possible extension to this study should cover a variety of universities and should aim at evaluating its effectiveness in various context and subjects‟. / Science and Technology Education / D. Phil. (Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (Chemistry Education))

Thesis (MEd)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Societies are becoming more diverse and multicultural. Therefore both in South Africa and internationally, the education system must constantly be restructured to accommodate a diversity of learners; focusing on each learner’s unique learning abilities and needs. Given the benefits of differentiated teaching for effective learning, this study aimed to explore the use of differentiated teaching strategies and procedures to improve my teaching practice. Consequently, it also aimed to explore the influence that this may have on supporting the learners’ learning by focusing on their interests, readiness levels and learning preferences. This research study was based on a social constructivist perspective that views cognition, learning and instruction as intertwined. The study was embedded within a paradigm of praxis, with an action research as research design while a qualitative research methodology was employed. Purposeful sampling was used to select nine of my grade 4 learners to act as participants for the grade 4 class. Data was collected in the form of reflective drawings, a focus-group interview and accompanied activities, and a research journal. Furthermore, the data was analysed, using a thematic analysis coding scheme, to identify and interpret significant themes. The research findings indicated that the differentiated teaching strategies and procedures enhanced my grade 4 learners’ learning as they realised their own strong points and learning potential. The teaching strategies also demonstrated the potential to facilitate the development of my learners’ knowledge of their own interests and learning preferences and allowed them the incentive to develop a sense of self efficacy. In addition to this, the research process demonstrated the ability to support me in fulfilling my role as primary supporter in the learning support network and enhance my teaching practice. The information gained from this study will be used to inform my future teaching practice. I now realise the value of employing differentiated teaching strategies and procedures into my lessons, as well as the importance of reflecting on my teaching process and considering the uniqueness of each learner in my class. Additionally, teacher training institutes may benefit from the information gained from this research study, for improving teaching practice. Findings attained from this study also have the potential to inform future cycles of action research or alternatively to be used for other research within the field. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die samelewing raak gaandeweg meer divers en multikultureel. Die onderwysstelsel, beide in Suid-Afrika en internasionaal, moet daarom voortdurend geherstruktureer word om te verseker dat die diversiteit van leerders geakkomodeer word deur te fokus op elke leerders se unieke leervermoëns en -behoeftes. Gegewe die bewese voordele van gedifferernsieërde onderrig, het hierdie navorsingstudie gepoog om die gebruik van gedifferensieerde onderrigprosedures en strategieë vir die verbetering van my onderrigpraktyk te ondersoek. Die studie was ook daarop gemik om die invloed wat gedifferensieerde onderrigprosedures op die ondersteuning van my leerders se leerproses het, na te vors deur te fokus op hulle belangstellings, gereedheidsvlakke en leervoorkeure. Hierdie navorsingstudie is gebaseer op 'n sosiaal-konstruktivistiese leerperspektief wat kognisie, leer en onderrig as geïntegreerd beskou. Die studie het van ʼn kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodologie gebruik gemaak en is binne 'n paradigma van praksis (‘praxis’) ingebed, met aksienavorsing as navorsingsontwerp. Doelgerigte steekproefneming is gebruik om nege van my graad 4 leerders te kies om as deelnemers namens die graad 4-klas op te tree. Data is in die vorm van leerders se reflektiewe tekeninge, 'n fokusgroep-onderhoud met bygaande aktiwiteite, en 'n navorsingsjoernaal ingesamel. Verder is die data met behulp van 'n tematiese koderingskema geanaliseer om belangrike temas te identifiseer en te interpreteer. Die navorsing het aangedui dat die gedifferensieerde onderrigprosedures en strategieë wat gebruik is, my graad 4-leerders se leerproses versterk het, aangesien hulle bewus geraak het van hulle eie sterkpunte en leerpotensiaal. Die onderrigstrategieë het ook die potensiaal getoon om die leerders se bewustheid van hulle eie belangstellings en leervoorkeure te ontwikkel, en hulle is ook toegelaat om ʼn sin van bekwaamheid te ontwikkel. Benewens hierdie aspekte, het die navorsing ook getoon hoe gedifferensieerde onderrigprosedures my kan ondersteun om my rol as primêre hulpverlener in die leerondersteuningsnetwerk te vervul en my onderrigpraktyk te verbeter. Die inligting wat met die navorsing verkry is, sal in die toekoms gebruik word om my onderwyspraktyk toe te lig. Ek besef nou die waarde daarvan om gedifferensieerde onderrigprosedures in my lesse te gebruik, asook die belangrikheid van refleksie op my onderrigproses en die inagneming van die uniekheid van elke leerder in my klas. Onderwysopleidingsinstellings kan die inligting deur hierdie navorsing verkry gebruik vir die verbetering van onderwyspraktyk. Afgesien van die bogenoemde, kan die inligting ook toekomstige siklusse van aksienavorsing toelig en met vrug vir verdere navorsing in die veld gebruik word.

The main aim of this study is to extend our current understanding of the linguistic characteristics of student-centred distance education texts. This aim links directly with the shift in South Africa from an objectivistic, content-centred teaching approach towards an outcomes-based, studentcentred one. Partly because few guidelines exist as to what the linguistic characteristics of student-centred texts are, developers of such texts in a distance education environment face many challenges and thus, a secondary, more indirect aim of this study is to benefit developers of distance education study materials. In view of the educational context in which the study is situated, a brief overview of some of the most relevant pedagogic perspectives underlying the notion of student-centredness is provided. Student-centredness is then interpreted in terms of Biber's (1988) construal of `involvement' and also in terms of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL): more particularly, the interpersonal discourse semantic metafunction of SFL and on insights developed in Appraisal Theory. The focus of the study is thus on `involvement' and the expression of evaluative stance, and consequently on attitudinal language through `involvement' features. Of particular interest to the present study is how learning is advanced through the use of attitudinal language. The data for the study include six print-based distance education teaching texts (study guides) from three different academic departments at the University of South Africa. Two guides from each department are analysed and compared: one developed by way of a content-centred approach to teaching and the other by way of a student-centred approach. The linguistic construal of evaluative stance in these guides is analysed and interpreted in interpersonal terms. The thesis develops a theoretically motivated explanation of the linguistic characteristics of student-centred distance education texts, and in the process provides evidence of the interpersonal and pedagogic relevance of evaluative stance in the context of distance education. Some of the main conclusions reached are that student-centred texts differ from contentcentred ones with regard to: the extent to which the social presence of discourse participants is signalled in such texts; the extent to which solidarity is negotiated with students; the participation of students in the knowledge construction process; the relationship that prevails between lecturers and students; and the identity developed for both students as well as lecturers. / Linguistics and Modern Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (Linguistics)

The goal of the study was twofold: firstly to investigate and describe how senior secondary school geography teachers were implementing enquiry-based learning through fieldwork. Secondly, to investigate and document how enquiry-based learning through fieldwork facilitated the development of action competence amongst learners in a geography classroom. In order to address the first goal, a survey questionnaire was utilised to generate descriptive data from a sample of seven geography teachers in the Hardap region of Namibia. Although teachers engaged learners with enquiry-based fieldwork learning activities it is suggested, based on the findings of data of this goal, that teachers face severe limitations in terms of integrating environmental learning into the geography curriculum. The main limitations of the teachers include: limited practical knowledge of and training in how to teach fieldwork skills; a lack of teaching resource materials; time constraints; heavy personal loads; and lack of school support for environmental education. In addressing the second goal an enquiry-based fieldwork learning unit was planned and implemented in the researcher’s classroom. Observation, focus group interviews, and audio records of learning interactions, were used as data generation methods for this cycle of the study. An indicator framework for identifying action competence in learners was constructed as a data analysis tool. In terms of the findings of goal two it is evident that enquiry-based learning through fieldwork facilitated the development of action competence amongst learners. Six overarching benefits of this type of learning were identified in this study, namely: - It empowered learners to develop contextual knowledge and understanding of issues that they investigated. - It facilitated commitment thus motivated learners to take indirect action. - It promoted social interaction and group cohesion amongst learners thus enhanced their decision-making ability for problem-solving and action taking. - It elicited emotional responses and a greater understanding of learners’ own and others’ attitudes and values towards issues. - It fostered critical thinking thus permitted learners to envisage a future based on their learning experiences. - It enabled learners to plan and take indirect action during the learning process. Based on the research findings, some lessons learned are presented in an attempt to contribute to the effective implementation of enquiry-based fieldwork at the classroom level.