In 2005, the Lesotho Information and Communication Technology (ICT) policy introduction prescribed that all educational institutions for formal learning must play a major role in the improvement of teaching and learning mechanisms that develop a society that is ICT literate and capable of producing ICT products and services. This policy is part of the motivation for this study. The study's focus is to explore the extent to which ICT has been integrated in teaching and learning in one of the Lesotho higher education institutions. Its fundamental aim is to understand the ways in which the Lesotho College of Education (LCE) integrates ICT in teaching and learning environments. My study adopted the mixed method approach which based fact on an interpretive paradigm, with lecturer's interpretations regarding ICT integration in the college collected through structured questionnaires which were hand-distributed to purposefully selected lecturers as study participants. These questionnaires served as the basis and guide for face-to-face individual interviews of lecturers from the Computer studies and Agricultural/Environmental studies departments who were interviewed at their respective offices. Two sessions of sixty minutes, non-participatory observation of thirty computer studies students were also conducted. This study was guided by the activity theory/model based on the construction of real social change for pedagogy in a college. The concepts of the theory/model have been used to analyse the findings of this research. The findings of this study indicate that ICT integration creates opportunities in teaching and learning, where learning is focused on learners, and educators are only facilitators. Despite the opportunities that ICT has in learning, obstacles such as lecturers' lack of skills and incompetence in ICT literacy, limited resources and the infrastructure were found to be major factors hindering ICT integration in the college of education in Lesotho. The recommendations are that staff development and financial support should be considered a priority in ICT integration in this context. Also that ICT integration should include internal and external partners who can donate funds that will help in the implementation of ICT in teaching and learning at Lesotho's institutions of higher education. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

This study sought to explore the management of teaching and learning resources in the context of free primary education in Lesotho primary schools. In addressing this purpose the qualitative methods of data production were used. The participants were the principals and teachers from three schools. Qualitative data was collected through individual semi structured interviews, observations and document analysis. This was analyzed using qualitative thematic approach. The findings showed that the schools studied had functional resource management committees. However the schools experienced a high shortage of resources. These resources largely come from the government but they are delivered late in most cases. Therefore teachers find themselves having to improvise and to use resources in turns. The study concludes that schools cannot rely on government alone in terms of teaching and learning resources. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood, 2010.

Abstract available in pdf file.

<p>The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothetical view that the use of familiar social institutions in the formulation of mathematical problems by mathematics pre-service teachers will enable them to find solutions to problems by taking meaning, context and realities of a problem into consideration. The approach to investigate this hypothetical view was to describe the mathematical behaviour of pre-service teachers in an application and modelling context. This study, therefore, described the strategies used to arrive at solutions for problems from real life situations that are familiar to the participants.</p>

This case study describes the development and trial use of the Hadeda Island Big Book. Developed within a transforming South African curriculum framework, the study recognises that current educational practices are shaped and steered by historical, cultural, political and economic realities. This perspective guides the research design, which considers each of the three participating schools as contextually unique. The Hadeda Island Big Book was developed in response to the 1st Principle of the Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS). This calls for all curriculum activities to develop learners' understandings of the relationship between social justice, a healthy environment, human rights and inclusivity. The study probes ways in which learning support materials might respond in line with the vision of the RNCS 1st Principle. Associated challenges, tensions and opportunities are discussed in relation to schools' interactions with the Hadeda Island Big Book. The diverse and creative responses to the book lead this study to foreground generative approaches to curriculum work. Emphasis is thus redirected from hierarchical, stipulative views of curriculum to more dynamic, responsive views of curriculum as a guiding framework. This is regarded as a valuable orientation to the development of future learning support materials. The study comments on the challenge of supporting teachers to develop curriculum activities that reflect a view of 'environment' as socially shaped and multi-dimensional. Tendencies to focus on either the 'ecological' or the 'social' dimensions of environmental issues rather than on the interacting socio-ecological dimensions are recognised as limiting the material's potential to strengthen environmental learning in schools. The study recommends that greater attention be paid to the environmentally-oriented Learning Outcomes and Assessment Standards of all Learning Areas in the RNCS. In so doing, socio-ecological learning processes may be strengthened through curriculum work.

This action research study covers the period November 1983 to August 1985, and is an ethnographic account of what started as a small-scale attempt to assist black teachers of English at the Standard 6, 7 and 8 level, in Grahamstown. During this period, the writer was employed by the South African Council for Higher Education's Grahamstown branch as a part- time English tutor of black and coloured teachers engaged in private study for the Joint Matriculation Board and UNISA. It was under Sached's aegis that the project started, with the writer holding the belief that poor matriculation examination results obtained by blacks were at least partially caused by poor English language communication skills. It was hoped that assistance to black teachers of English as a second language (ESL) at the chosen level (Standards 6, 7 and 8) would be of some help in freeing black students from the necessity of having to achieve academically and linguistically at the same time, in Standards 9 and 10.

This interpretative case study derives and examines the characterising features of the resource-based learning approach used in the Rhodes University Advanced Certificate in Environmental Education (ACEE), particularly in Module 1 (Environment and Environmental Issues) and Module 3 (Contemporary Environmental Issues). The study explores processes of resource-based learning through the analysis of three individual case stories of participants’ experience in adaptive use of learning support materials in different work contexts. It discusses the relationship between thematic categories related to participants’ experience of assignment work, and course design and course implementation. This study indicates that resource-based learning processes in the ACEE involve curriculum deliberation and the use of resource packs in supporting participants’ practice. It also indicates that the ACEE’s practice-based orientation to workplace-based assignments plays an important role in supporting the adaptive use of learning support materials, encouraging lifelong learning and developing applied competence. It highlights the significance of reflexive narration of practice in improving course participants’ educational practice. A diagrammatic representation of the unfolding and intermeshed characterising features of resource-based learning is presented. The study argues that resource-based learning in the ACEE appears to create possibilities for the course participants to become scaffolders and co-constructors of their own learning. It notes that resource-based learning can enable course participants to take ownership of their educational and workplace needs, and to develop skills and competences necessary to respond to environmental issues and risks in southern Africa. This study examines the potential that the reflexive narration of practice has in supporting course participants to engage in better ways of doing things in their workplace-based contexts. This study provides some recommendations to enhance the Advanced Certificate in Environmental Education as well as some ‘fuzzy generalisations’ that might guide the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Environmental Education Programme (REEP) in the development and adaptation of professional development courses in southern Africa.

This study investigates the differences in receptive language of kindergarten children who are taught by different language systems. This study compares the effectiveness of the three most widely adopted oral language systems in the state of Texas. The systems used were (A) Alpha Time, (B) Beginning Readiness Kit; Beginning to Read, Write, and Listen Kits I and II, and (c) McMillan Series R, Bank Street, Threshold K. S. Analysis of variance techniques were used to analyze statistically pretest and posttest scores derived from the sample. The .05 level of significance was used throughout the statistical analyses for rejection or retention of the null hypotheses. Preliminary analysis of data determined no systematic bias for teacher variability or for within group variability. Hypotheses 1, 2, 3, and 5 were tested using a 2 x 3 analysis of covariance. The pretest was used as the covariant in this analysis. No statistically significant differences in the classroom mean scores were determined between teaching methods, teaching methods with only girls as subjects, teaching methods with only boys as subjects, and boys and girls. Hypothesis 4, concerning the pretest differences between boys and girls, was tested using a t-test for independent samples. No statistically significant differences were found. From the findings several conclusions can be drawn. The receptive language of kindergarten children can be expected to improve when taught by any of the three selected oral language systems. Boys do not need different oral language experiences from girls; therefore the sex of the children need not be a major consideration when an oral language system is selected. Other factors which need not be major considerations in the selection of an oral language system are the race and socioeconomic level of the children.

O presente estudo é resultado de uma pesquisa qualitativa desenvolvida no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Desenvolvimento Regional – PPGDR/2014, sobreo uso de aplicativo computacional com conteúdo de solos, através de uma amostra das turmas de 4º ano do Ensino Fundamental da rede municipal de Pato Branco-PR. Teve como objetivo desenvolver e avaliar o conteúdo de solos elaborado a partir de diagnóstico dos conhecimentos prévios dos professores e educandos, utilizando aplicativo computacional como recurso pedagógico. Primeiramente o trabalho apresenta o referencial teórico, com o objetivo de articular os diferentes aspectos que permeiam o estudo do conteúdo de solos. Na sequência o trabalho foi dividido em dois capítulos, onde o primeiro trata da análise qualitativa do livro didático em contraposição com alguns documentos oficiais. O segundo capítulo corresponde ao desenvolvimento da aula expositiva, prática e avaliação do uso do aplicativo computacional com conteúdo de solos, ministrada pelo Grupo de Pesquisa e Popularização da Ciência do Solo “Olhe onde pisa”. Para a realização das análises, a metodologia foi baseada na aplicação de questionários aos professores e educandos; estudo do livro didático de ciências do 4º ano nos conteúdos referentes ao solo e aula expositiva com o reforço da prática do aplicativo computacional aos educandos. Quanto ao livro didático, sua análise apontou lacunas, erros e desatualização conceitual. Identificou-se também que o livro didático de ciências é o principal recurso didático dos professores para trabalhar com os conteúdos de solos. Identificou-se que para os professores faltam conhecimentos específicos e materiais didáticos complementares para o conteúdo de solos. Com relação aos educandos, estes não tinham informações sobre os solos do município. Tanto a aula expositiva, quanto a prática do aplicativo computacional resultaram em complementação e ampliação do conteúdo de solos, mais especificamente sobre os solos do município. / This study is the result of a qualitative research developed in the Graduate Program in Regional Development - PPGDR / 2014 on the use of computer application with soil content through a sample of groups of 4th year of elementary school in the municipal White-PR duck. We aimed to develop and evaluate the soil content drawn from diagnosis of prior knowledge of teachers and students using computer application as an educational resource. First the paper presents the theoretical framework with the objective of coordinating the different aspects that permeate the study of soil content. Following the work was divided into two chapters, where the first deals with the qualitative analysis of the textbook as opposed to some official documents. The second chapter corresponds to the development of lecture, practice, and evaluation of computer application use with soil content, given for Group Research and Popularization of Soil Science "Watch your step." To carry out the analysis, the methodology was based on questionnaires to teachers and students; the study textbook the 4th Year Science in contents for the soil and lecture with the strengthening of the computational application to students practical. As for the textbook, their analysis pointed out gaps, misconceptions and outdated concept. It also identified that the science textbook is the primary teaching tool for teachers to work with the soil content. It was found that for teachers lack expertise and complementary materials for the teaching soils. Regarding students, they had no information about the municipality's land. Both the lecture, and the practice of computer application resulted in completion and expansion of the soil content, specifically on municipal soil.

Thesis (MEd (Faculty of Education and Social Sciences))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011 / This study emphasized the important role of phonological and phonemic awareness and understanding of letter-sound correspondence in elementary reading in a grade 1 class. The importance of preparatory activities preceding reading is strongly emphasized when looking at strategies for delays to cope in beginning reading. The ability of learners to develop auditory and visual perceptions and discernment between sounds and sound patterns are described as predictors of successful reading. Early and continuous monitoring of initial reading skills are an important aspect to reduce and prevent reading barriers. Action Research is conducted in a grade 1 class with learners who have not received grade R instruction and who at age 5 ½ years already enrolled at the school. The learners are young and do not receive enough stimulation at home. They already show barriers to learning in the effective use of language and learning with school entry. Due to the large backlogs of these learners the focus is on phonological awareness and phonemic awareness in elementary reading of the young child. The development of phonological and phonemic awareness and the organization and importance of teaching phonics in context, as a method of reading to strengthen skills at grade 1 learner in a poor language environment is investigated. A variety of teaching strategies in reading approaches is investigated in the study. The findings of the effect of phonological awareness and phonemic awareness in elementary reading are discussed. Learning Programmes such as the ‘Foundation for Learning’ of the National Department of Education (DoE) introduced to schools should be taught thoroughly. The view of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED 2006: 3) who expressed the approach to Literacy as “explicit teaching of phonics within a balanced approach to reading” is held. This approach allows major challenges to educators and learners in a poor language environment. Educators' methodology of teaching reading should be adjusted and should be focused on the teaching of phonics in context to maintain a balance between phonic and balanced approach to reading.