Although South African teachers have ample opportunities for professional development (PD), weak results of learners show that these opportunities have had a limited effect on the development of the Mathematics teachers’ instructional skills. The improvement of the teaching of Mathematics is regarded as a solution to learners’ poor performance, because teachers play a key role in the improvement of pupils’ learning. In the light of this, a Mathematics PD programme implemented in a province of South Africa was evaluated and served as a case study. The aim of this evaluation was to probe the quality of the programme since it had been suggested that improving the quality of teaching can be achieved by offering effective PD programmes. Thus, the evaluation was done in an attempt to establish the academic value of the intervention. The investigated programme – which was implemented in a rural and under-resourced setting – focused on FET Mathematics teachers and used mentoring and workshops as its key intervention implementers. Five teachers were involved in this programme. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews, lesson observations, mentoring and workshop reports, the results of learners, and pre- and post-test results of the participants. The evaluation of the PD programme revealed the following: that the workshops addressed the participants’ content knowledge gap to a limited degree; that mentoring was able to assist with the individual classroom-related needs of the participants, and that the community of practice formed in the workshops helped the participants to develop by means of working together on lesson preparation, micro-teaching, and content knowledge exercises. Other findings revealed that the duration of the workshops were adequate, however their intensity was insufficient to effectively address the participants’ needs, and that the workshops were carefully planned, given that the same topics were repeated. The mentor teachers and other facilitators encountered challenges relating to the long intervals between the mentoring sessions, the limited post-lesson-observation discussion time, the significant distances between the involved schools and the heavy teaching load of the participants. Nevertheless, recommendations on improving the effectiveness of future PD programmes included careful selection of the dosage of interventions, site-based mentoring, to incentivise participants of PD programmes, alleviating the teaching load of overburdened participants and the creation of conducive environments in rural areas for the formation of communities of practice. / Mathematics Education / D. Phil. (Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (Mathematics Education))

The study seeks to examine the role of mentoring and how it could be used in the process of professional development of mathematical literacy teachers in the Greater Taung area. The study attempts to flag the importance of mentoring in professional development, especially for mathematical literacy teachers. To obtain data for the study sixteen mathematical literacy teachers from Taung area (within Ruth Mompati District) were purposively selected. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect relevant data. Literature review, based on previous studies on mentoring also provided data for the study. The following findings emerged from the study: a) that mentoring has over the years has been an effective process for developing early-career teachers’ practices b) that there are no formal mentoring programmes to assist mathematical literacy teachers in the Greater Taung area c) there is a need for effective communication between the mentor and the mentee, since the learning that takes place in a mentoring relationship is usually through regular interaction.From the findings, a collaborative form of mentoring is recommended.Both parties in this relationship are considered as a source of knowledge that can contribute to the learning that occurs within the context of mentoring. / Mathematics Education / Ph. D. (Mathematics Education)

Thesis (PhD)-- Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Mathematics teacher development is a source of national and international concern. This study describes how primary school mathematics teachers develop didactisation practices. In considering how teachers could develop, so that student learning is optimised; the concepts of didactisation and the mathematical work of teaching were sourced from existing literature. The concept didactisation is explored and defined; and is incorporated with the concept of mathematical work of teaching. Nine practices were made explicit through this incorporation: active students, differentiation, mathematisation, vertically aligned lessons, access, probe, connect and assess student thinking, and teacher reflection. These nine practices become the framework for the professional development program and the data generation structure. Five primary school teachers were involved in a professional development program that used model-eliciting activities (MEAs) as a point of departure. A modelling perspective to teacher learning was chosen for the professional development program. The methodology followed the principles of design research and from this, a three phase teaching experiment was designed and implemented. The teachers and researcher met for development sessions and teachers were observed in practice at intervals throughout the program. Their developing didactisation practices were documented through a qualitative analysis of the data. It was established that teachers’ didactisation practices did develop during the nine-month program. Furthermore it was found that didactisation practices developed at different rates and consequently, a hierarchy of didactisation practice development is presented. The impact of the program was also gauged through teachers’ changing resources, goals and orientations. These three aspects also evolved over time. The program proposed in this study may be a suitable model to develop in-service and pre-service mathematics teachers. The study contributes to understanding teacher action in a classroom and how teachers can change their own thinking and practice. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die ontwikkeling van wiskundeonderwysers is ‘n bron van nasionale en internasionale kommer. Hierdie studie beskryf hoe die didaktiseringspraktyke van laerskool wiskundeonderwysers met die oog op optimalisering van leer ontwikkel het. In die bestudering van die ontwikkeling van onderwysers met die oog op optimalisering van leer, is die begrippe didaktisering en die wiskundige werk van onderrig (mathematical work of teaching) nagespoor uit bestaande literatuur. Die begrip didaktisering is deeglik ondersoek, gedefinieer en saamgevoeg met die begrip wiskundige werk van onderrig. Nege praktyke is eksplisiet gemaak deur hierdie inkorperering: aktiewe studente, differensiasie, matematisering, vertikaalgerigte lesse, toegang, indringende ondersoek, gekonnekteerdheid en assessering van studente-denke, en onderwyserrefleksie. Hierdie nege praktyke het die raamwerk gevorm vir die professionele ontwikkelingsprogram en die data genereringstruktuur. Vyf laerskool onderwysers was betrokke in ‘n professionele ontwikkelingsprogram waarin model-ontlokkende aktiwiteite (MOA’s) as ‘n vertrekpunt gebruik is. ‘n Modelleringsperspektief is vir onderwyserleer in die ontwikkelingsprogram gekies. Die metodologie volg die beginsels van ontwerpnavorsing waarna ‘n drie-fase onderrig-eksperiment ontwerp en in werking gestel is. Die navorser en die onderwysers het byeengekom vir ontwikkelingsessies; die onderwysers is op ‘n gereelde basis tydens die program besoek om hul onderwyspraktyk waar te neem. Hul ontwikkelende didaktiseringspraktyke is gedokumenteer en die data is kwalitatief geanaliseer. Onderwysers se didaktiseringspraktyke het wel gedurende die negemaande program ontwikkeling getoon. Hierdie didaktiseringspraktyke het egter teen verskillende tempo’s ontwikkel en daarom kon ‘n hierargie van die ontwikkeling van didaktiseringspraktyke saamgestel word. Die impak van hierdie program op onderwysers se veranderende hulpbronne, doelstellings en oriëntasies is ook gemeet. Die drie aspekte het in hierdie nege maande verder ontwikkel. Die voorgestelde program in hierdie studie mag moontlik ‘n gepaste model wees om indiens en voornemende wiskundeonderwysers te ontwikkel. Die studie lewer ‘n bydrae tot ‘n beter begrip van onderwyserhandelinge in ‘n klaskamer, asook hoe onderwysers hul eie denke en praktyke kan verander.

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

Children from many culturally diverse backgrounds do not achieve in mathematics at the same rates as their counterparts from the dominant White, European-American culture (Gay, 2010). This so-called achievement gap is an artifact of an educational system that continues to fail to provide equal learning opportunities to culturally diverse children (Ladson-Billings, 2006; Nieto & Bode, 2011). Teachers who employ culturally responsive teaching (Gay, 2010) may help to close this opportunity gap and hence, the achievement gap. This study investigated, "How do elementary teacher candidates perceive teaching mathematics in a multicultural environment"; Using a critical constructivism research paradigm, this qualitative instrumental multiple case study involved a questionnaire, two interviews and a focus group with four elementary teacher candidates enrolled in a one-year teaching licensure program. The study examined elementary teacher candidates' images of mathematics and diverse students and the relationship between those images and their perceptions of teaching mathematics in a multicultural environment. The study concluded that the participants', images of mathematics, learners, and the teaching of mathematics were interrelated. The participants struggled to understand how students' diversity based on group membership (e.g., culture) influences a mathematics classroom and their teaching. However, on the basis of these participants, teacher candidates who hold a conceptual image of mathematics could be more open to adopting culturally responsive teaching than teacher candidates who hold a procedural image of mathematics. The study recommends the integration and modeling of culturally responsive teaching throughout all teacher education coursework.

The problem of this study was to determine the effect of professional development in the use of performance assessment in fourth grade mathematics on student achievement and attitude toward mathematics. Achievement was measured by subtest and total mathematics scores on norm-referenced and criterion-referenced tests. Attitude was measured by a survey of student attitudes.

The Next Generation Science Standards represent a significant challenge for K-12 school reform in the United States in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines (NSTA, 2012). One important difference between the National Science Education Standards (NRC, 1996) and the Next Generation Science Standards (Achieve, 2013) is the more extensive inclusion of nanoscale science and technology. Teacher PD is a key vehicle for implementing this STEM education reform effort (NRC, 2012; Smith, 2001). The context of this dissertation study is Project Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Outreach (NANO), a secondary level professional development program for teachers that provides a summer workshop, academic year coaching and the opportunity for teacher participants to borrow a table-top Phenom scanning electron microscope and a research grade optical microscope for use in their classrooms. This design-based descriptive case study examined the thinking of secondary teachers in the 2012 Project NANO cohort as they negotiated the inclusion of novel science concepts and technology into secondary science curriculum. Teachers in the Project NANO 2012 summer workshop developed a two-week, inquiry-based unit of instruction drawing upon one or more of nine big ideas in nanoscale science and technology as defined by Stevens, Sutherland, and Krajcik (2011). This research examined teacher participants' metastrategic thinking (Zohar, 2006) which they used to inform their pedagogical content knowledge (Shulman, 1987) by focusing on the content knowledge teachers chose to frame their lessons, their rationales for such choices as well as the teaching strategies that they chose to employ in their Project NANO unit of instruction. The study documents teachers various entry points on a learning progression as teachers negotiated the inclusion of nanoscale science and technology into the curriculum for the first time. Implications and recommendations for teacher professional development are offered.

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

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Magister Technologiae: Human Resources Management, Durban University of Technology, 2012. / The research project focussed on the effectiveness of an induction programme for newly appointed staff at Coastal KZN FET College in Kwa-Zulu Natal. The main aim of the study was to investigate the perceptions of educators with regard to the effectiveness of the induction programme for newly appointed lecturers. The key findings of the research were that newly appointed lecturers experienced various problems. The study also explored experiences faced by newly appointed lecturers at Coastal KZN FET College. The challenges arise from the lack of an effective induction programme. These problems resulted in poor productivity among newly appointed lecturers. The empirical component underpinned the review and analysis of the effectiveness of an induction programme for newly-appointed lecturers as they adjust to their entry into the teaching profession. The study also investigated the high turnover (lecturer attrition) among newly appointed lecturers as well as the possible solutions which can be implemented. The survey method was used to administer the questionnaire to all 45 target respondents using the personal method. The study adopted the quantitative research method with precoded close ended questions. The personal method was used to administer the questionnaire to all 45 target respondent and in this way a high response rate of 100% was obtained. An important finding in this regard was that the induction programme was not evaluated and improved frequently. The induction programme should ensure that new lecturers are treated with dignity and are allowed the opportunity to display their strengths and the knowledge they bring to their new College by implementing an effective induction programme. Arising out of the empirical analysis the researcher has recommended and developed a set of guidelines which could be used in developing an effective induction programme for the Coastal FET College in Kwa-Zulu Natal. The study concludes with directions for future research to expand on the body of knowledge in this field. / M

Submitted by Elba Lopes (elba.lopes@fecap.br) on 2016-05-16T17:11:53Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Patr??cia_Fernandes_Frauches.pdf: 1887353 bytes, checksum: fc40808ad867f38cb6c276cf98a2ba6f (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-16T17:11:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Patr??cia_Fernandes_Frauches.pdf: 1887353 bytes, checksum: fc40808ad867f38cb6c276cf98a2ba6f (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-11-25 / The study of the teaching profession has been the subject of research in different contexts, among the different approach of possibilities this theme stands out in recent years, the reflections that seek to understand the genealogy of the profession, that is, knowledge and expertise that it demands. This research aimed to outline a profile of the knowledge underlying the pedagogical practices of teachers who work in an accountancy course offered by a university in the state of Sao Paulo, trying to identify what kind of knowledge permeate the actions of teachers in room college tuition as well as the knowledge that there are manifest. To this end, we carried out an exploratory study of qualitative approach. Data were collected through an online form and analyzed using content analysis to the free issues and statistics for the structured questions. It was found that the knowledge underlying the pedagogical practice of the investigated teachers are related to the ability to select a topic from the given subject content and make connections with the goal and the teaching methodology and use assessment instruments and procedures student learning. However, they were not highlighted in the reports of the classes, what are the criteria in the evaluation processes used. On the other hand, it stands out as the predominant practical knowledge of these teachers, knowledge of the specific content of the given discipline and its teaching specifies, which allows the teacher to find ways to make the content understandable to students. It follows therefore that the practical knowledge, built on the action of teachers is characterized by a knowledge existential, social and pragmatic permeated by beliefs, values and ethical principles arising from their trajectories and livings, the accounting profession, the teaching and sharply the context in which they operate. / O estudo da profiss??o docente tem sido objeto de investiga????o em diferentes contextos, dentre as distintas possibilidades de abordagem desta tem??tica, destaca-se nos ??ltimos anos, as reflex??es que procuram compreender a genealogia dessa profiss??o, isto ??, que conhecimentos e saberes que ela demanda. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo geral delinear um perfil dos saberes que fundamentam a pr??tica pedag??gica de docentes que atuam em um curso de ci??ncias cont??beis oferecido por uma IES do estado de S??o Paulo, procurando identificar que tipo de conhecimentos permeiam as a????es dos docentes em sala de aula universit??ria bem como os saberes que ali se manifestam. Para tanto, realizou-se uma pesquisa explorat??ria de abordagem qualitativa. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um formul??rio online e analisados por meio da an??lise de conte??do para as quest??es livres e da estat??stica para as quest??es estruturadas. Constatou-se que os saberes que fundamentam a pr??tica pedag??gica dos docentes investigados est??o relacionados com a capacidade de selecionar um t??pico do conte??do da disciplina ministrada e de fazer conex??es com o objetivo e a metodologia de ensino, bem como utilizar instrumentos e procedimentos de avalia????o da aprendizagem dos alunos. Entretanto, n??o ficaram destacados nos relatos das aulas, quais foram os crit??rios estabelecidos nos processos avaliativos utilizados. Por outro lado, destaca-se, como predominante do conhecimento pr??tico destes docentes, o conhecimento do conte??do espec??fico da disciplina ministrada e da sua did??tica especifica, o qual permite ao professor buscar formas de tornar o conte??do compreens??vel aos alunos. Conclui-se assim, que o saber pr??tico, constru??do na a????o dos docentes caracteriza-se por um saber existencial, social e pragm??tico permeado por cren??as, valores e princ??pios ??ticos decorrentes das suas trajet??rias e viv??ncias, na profiss??o cont??bil, na doc??ncia e acentuadamente, do contexto onde atuam.