In past research we have demonstrated how methodologies used in the training of performers can both encourage whole-brain learning and answer to the demands of South Africa’s current educational paradigm, outcomes-based education (OBE). OBE is a needs-driven, outcomes-driven and competency-orientated pedagogy, which aims at incorporating learners as active agents within the learning process as opposed to the previous content-driven, teacher-orientated approach to education (Coetzee 2004). Our research was prompted by the constant need for our Drama departments to validate their existence in the light of changing funding structures for the arts, governmental and institutional demands for measured outcomes and our institutions’ emphasis on whole-brain learning as the preferred pedagogical approach to education and training. We explored the ways in which the changes in the South African educational dispensation impact on the work of educators within a Drama department in the Higher Education and Training band (HET) in South Africa. These changes include a focus on competencies and critical outcomes across learning areas and across the qualification bands identified by the new National Qualifications Framework. In our search for ways in which to implement the critical outcomes2 demanded by the OBE framework, we turned to Herrmann’s argument (1995) that optimal, deep structure learning can only take place when whole-brain modes are operative.

This Participatory Action Research (PAR) project focused on “holistic learning” which includes “social” and “spiritual” learning and “whole-brained” learning. Broadly interpreting and applying the four-quadrant brain model of Herrmann (1994), and other models of the brain, my study seeks to understand whether, to what extent and how learning can be advanced by deliberately employing holistic learning strategies to narrow the gap between theory and practice, between left-brain and right-brain learning, and between cognition and emotion. I introduced tri-dimensional (3-D) practice as the combination of using holistic learning strategies in cooperative learning groups within spiritual learning environments. The site of this PAR study was the network of cooperative learning groups in Mozambique within the educational system of the Church of the Nazarene. Facilitators were trained to use six specific “holistic learning strategies”: group discussions of various types, praxis (as reflection-dialogue-action), teamwork, rehearsing integrity, singing-for-learning and classical spiritual disciplines within cooperative learning groups, also a holistic learning strategy. These aspects are typical of the widely used model of Theological Education by Extension (TEE), refined in this study. According to data gathered in a large hybrid survey, 97% of the 595 respondents to this question responded favourably in terms of the skills of these facilitators even though the average number of years of their formal schooling, 7.7, would normally be considered “minimal”. The study generates findings to support the position that holistic learning strategies enhance the quality of adult learning, at least in settings like those in Mozambique in which the facilitation of learning was 1) bilingual (Portuguese and maternal language), 2) focused on learners who are leaders-in-training, 3) deliberate in spiritual content and ambient, and 4) conducted by minimally-schooled facilitators in cooperative learning groups. The findings, from the responses recorded in qualitative phases of the research, corroborated by descriptive statistics, indicate that the efficacy of holistic learning strategies is related to certain modes of mental activity like whole-making, categorising, and others. This PAR project was conducted within an original research framework, Arboric Research, which takes into account the dynamic, fluid and organic nature of human systems, recognising that infrastructures in which the research takes place are different at the end of the study than at the beginning, like observing the “sap” within a growing grapevine or a tree. / Thesis (PhD (Curriculum Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Curriculum Studies / unrestricted

This research investigates the use of action research and Whole Brain Teaching© for beginner teachers’ professional development through the use of peer mentoring. Five beginner teachers formed part of a peer mentoring group. Whole brain learning and action research provided the theoretical framework for the informal mentoring project. It was used as content for professional learning and as core theories for the research design. Action research principles were applied by the mentor and the participants. In the first instance action research was used by the beginner teachers to consider their own teaching practice, while Whole Brain Teaching© was implemented as an innovative idea to consider its effect on whole brain learning and classroom management. The mentees were empowered to transform their teaching practice by implementing the principles of whole brain learning as a means to acting out the role of facilitator; and to take responsibility for developing scholarship of teaching as it is aligned with the role of scholar and lifelong learning. The practical mentoring sessions with the beginner teachers and the effect of the programme were evaluated both quantitatively and qualitatively. As part of collecting quantitative data, the Hermann Whole Brain Instrument (HBDI) was used. The instrument was used to determine the learning styles of the peer mentor and the mentees. The brain profiles were used as baseline data. Qualitative data were collected during and after the five mentoring sessions conducted over a period of two months. It included feedback questionnaires, observations and video en photographic evidence. The findings indicate that the peer mentoring programme contributed successfully to the professional development of the beginner teachers. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Curriculum Studies / MEd / unrestricted

The aim of this study explicates both the dynamics in theoretical and practical perspectives of novice and experienced practitioners on the effects of a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education. This programme is designed and developed with the dual purposes to empower higher education, training, and development practitioners to facilitate learning in an innovative way and to ensure transfer of learning. Following the global critique on the lack of training of novice practitioners, the lack of training of experienced practitioners; quality teaching and learning in higher education, improvement and reform of teaching in higher education, and transfer as “an ultimate goal that has thus far proved elusive” (Pedersen&Liu 2003:313), the enquiry exposed key results and insights into the programme, transfer, and higher education. Quantitative data from seven case studies enhanced holistic understanding sprouting from internal and external influences on learners in comparrison to the teoretical paradigm and outcomes set by the programme. This paradigm nutures factors driving transfer, innovative teaching strategies and approaces employed by the programme and South African educational system. The study substantiated transferred professional and personal development and ideological change attributing to competence as three major findings. This study therefore suggests that it is possible to attribute current competence, knowledge, facilitating skills, attitudes, and values to the programme as initial learning provider. The greatest inhibitor to transfer appeared to be a deification of traditional forms of education agains the modern paradigm as well as insificient cencern with a substantial knowledge base and facilitating skills. Recommendations includes modelling of principles of approaches to teaching and learning regarding OBE, learner-centrered, adult learning, the accomodation of learning style and integration of “multiple layers of meaning and experience rather than defining human possibilities narrowly” (Miller 2003). The findings and recommendations constitute greater attention to the facilitators of learning’s ways of knowing in the classroom as critical to supporting adult learning and growth. The study employed a lens through which learning and teaching experiences are and could be filtered, given developmentally appropriate supports and challenges to enhance facilitating skills and competencies to meet the demands of the changing nature of work and learning. Therefore, turning to a specific alternative (and surely not flawless) application of the messages carried by interpretation of theory transferred to the art of teaching and training practices, this study portrays the broader concept of symbolic inversion and transgression. The study becomes the variety of facts and figures, of form and future in the wholeness and limitations of being, belonging and seeing in higher education. The interior translation of the inputs and process of a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education by the facilitators of learning who participated in this programme hold the multiple ways of more sustained and more profound effect in their teaching practice, translating learning into the real and living world. / Thesis (PhD (Curriculum Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Curriculum Studies / PhD / unrestricted

This study was prompted by the need the author experienced for the rethinking of many practices in music teaching and her interest in achieving transformation in individual music teaching and learning. An eclectic approach was adopted for the research. Despite much existing ‘fuzzy’ terminology, ‘broader’ or ‘less fixed’ meanings were sought of terms including Holism, intelligence, learning, Modernism, perception, personality, Postmodernism, teaching, temperament and whole-brain learning. The reader is presented with a palette of ideas, open for further exploration, in order to stimulate creativity and different viewpoints in music teaching and learning. The study has a student-centred approach, taking into account different types of learners and how to adapt teaching styles to connect with students in their learning environment. Challenges teachers may encounter are how the meanings of many terms relate with music teaching practice, themselves and their pupils. The research explores the interaction and relation of terms with one another in order to reconsider and expand teaching methods. Inter, intra and multidisciplinary aspects of teaching are touched upon as being valuable in cutting across several traditional fields of study and also referring to knowledge seen as a coherent whole within one subject area. Experiences of ‘flow’ and transformative learning are explored in order to challenge students’ and teachers’ ‘fixed’ thinking methods. The whole-brain model is considered where the brain is seen in four quadrants, each quadrant displaying distinctive strengths of value in music teaching. The importance of Emotional Intelligence in developing other intelligences is investigated and its link with Inter and Intrapersonal Intelligences in order to equip teachers to connect effectively with pupils in a learning context. There is no “one size fits all” teaching strategy, learning style or framework that can apply to the myriad needs of individual music teachers and pupils. The research, however, demonstrates the importance for music teachers to be receptive in enlarging their thinking patterns. In so doing a path can be set for shifting focus in teaching strategies to a ‘moving forward’ ideal in perception and understanding of teaching and learning in the 21st century. / Thesis (DMus)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Music / unrestricted

As the Head of Department, Department of Tourism at Centurion Academy, I identified an innovative idea to transform my mentoring practice. The Advanced Diploma in Tourism Management is offered at two campuses – the main campus in Centurion and the campus situated in Klerksdorp. I was based on the main campus and served as a peer mentor for my mentee, who was based on the Klerksdorp campus. The concept of blended mentoring that focuses on face-to-face mentoring and e-mentoring was opted for, due to the distance between my mentee and me. The purpose of the mentoring was to facilitate my mentee’s professional development by adapting a whole brain® approach. My mentee, on the other hand, transformed her teaching practice by means of facilitating whole brain® learning in the Accounting module. We were both responsible for presenting the Accounting module – I was the examiner and followed a whole brain® approach (derived from previous study) and it was my mentee’s second year of lecturing Accounting. Adapting a whole brain® approach empowered us to transform our respective practices. Whole brain® learning focuses on the theoretical framework of the metaphorical Herrmann whole brain® model. The Hermann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI®), which quantifies the degree of an individual’s preference for specific thinking modes, was used to assess my mentee, my mentee’s students who were enrolled for the Accounting module and my own thinking style preference. The data derived from the HBDI® served as baseline data for the study. An action research design was followed by both my mentee and me. We both followed our own action research spiral, which overlapped. My action research cycle commenced with a face-to-face mentoring session in Pretoria with my mentee. The study included two visits by me to the Klerksdorp campus. During these visits I observed learning opportunities presented by my mentee. Quantitative and qualitative data, a part from the HBDI®, was gathered during the study. Quantitative data included a feedback questionnaire that my mentee’s students had to complete after the completion of each Accounting theme and included the students’ marks. Qualitative data that was gathered included interviews with my mentee and her students, field notes from observations, audio-visual material from my mentee’s learning opportunities and personal documents. The findings indicate that a whole brain® approach to mentoring and a whole brain® approach to facilitating learning in a teaching practice contributed to my and my mentee’s professional development. Other additional aspects that can be incorporated in a mentoring and teaching practice to ensure lifelong learning and a continuous transformation of one’s practice were identified during the final reflection on the action research cycle that was recorded. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Humanities Education / unrestricted

Thesis (MMus (Music))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / This study is concerned with determining whether the application of Ned Herrmann’s “whole-brain” model would impact violin teaching in any way. Our educational system places great importance on what has become known as the left-brain modes, that is, reading, writing and arithmetic, to the neglect of the socalled right brain’s cognitive abilities, such as, music, art, intuition and dance. Wellintentioned, yet ill-informed teachers teach learners in ways that make learning difficult or impossible, as they are unaware of how to determine and use the preferred learning style of each learner. When a learner’s learning style is not matched with the method of instruction, the learner’s discomfort level may be so great that it not only interferes with the learning process but it could also ultimately prevent learning from taking place. The researcher, therefore, set out to determine whether the use of whole-brain development would lead to any significant changes in the learning process. For a period of two school terms, case studies using action research were conducted on five of the learners that received instruction from the researcher. The research participants were so chosen as to make the experimental group as homogenous as possible. Data was collected qualitatively by means of diaries and was presented descriptively. Every week the learners received a printed copy of the homework exercises. They recorded their feedback weekly, in their diaries. The researcher, as the teacher of the learners, made weekly observations during lessons. During this research the process of triangulation was used. This process added validity to the study as information about specific aspects was gained from three different perspectives, namely, that of the learners, the teacher and the learners’ accompanists. The accompanists gave their feedback before the start of the research and again at the end. After applying Herrmann’s model for two terms, the following became apparent: • The learners practised more, were more motivated and there was a general improvement in their attitude. • The learners felt that having received a printed copy of the exercises, a whole brain exercise in itself, had helped them to know what and how to practise. • There was a significant change in the playing of the majority of learners (three of the five). • The learners, where significant changes were not apparent in their playing, indicated that their understanding of their practising methods and playing had increased. • The learners felt that they had benefited from the experiment as they all indicated that they would like future lessons to be conducted in the same manner. In view of the positive outcome of the research, and given that this was a pilot study, the researcher suggests that similar studies using larger numbers of learners and involving a longer period of time, be conducted. The inclusion of a control group would also render the findings more conclusive. The researcher also suggests that violin teachers become knowledgeable about learning styles and whole-brain learning if they wish to reach all learners and enable them to achieve their potential.

This study examines the strategies used by facilitators at Adult Basic Education and Training Centre in order to determine whether the facilitators are responsive to adult learning principle and practices. If inappropriate strategies for the facilitation of learning are used, adult learners are likely to become bored, frustrated, overwhelmed or unable to cope with the challenges of learning. This may contribute to the high drop-out rate that many adult education programmes face. The failure to retain adult learners in ABET programmes may result in adult learners relapsing into illiteracy, which then poses a problem as the overarching goal of the South African government is to eradicate illiteracy. This study aims at answering the following research questions: <ul> <li>What are the perceptions of adult learners of the facilitation of learning in the programmes they are enrolled for?</li> <li>What are the strategies used by ABET facilitators to promote cooperative learning?</il> <li>How do ABET facilitators promote self-directed learning among adult learners?</li> </ul> The theoretical framework on which this study is based is constructivism. Constructivist theory advocates a paradigm shift from traditional methods of teaching to a more learner-centred approach of instruction and learning. Thus, constructivist theory embraces Outcomes-based Education that emphasises that active participation by learners should be the backbone of all learning activities. Both facilitators and learners are required to focus on the outcomes that should be achieved during each learning activity. This study employs a mixed-methods approach that includes quantitative and qualitative research methods. The research design for this study is the case study method. The population of this study comprises adult learners and facilitators at Gaegolelwe Adult Centre. A simple random sampling was used to select forty-seven adult learners to participate in this study. Convenience sampling was used to select 4 facilitators. The methods of data collection used were questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and observations. The findings of this study are the following: <ul> <li>Facilitators at Gaegolelwe Adult Centre cater moderately for learners with different learning styles.</li> <li>Learners are engaged in different learning activities, such as completing tasks individually, in pairs or in groups and are involved in research orientated activities in order to discover things for themselves.</li> <li>Facilitators promote active participation during learning opportunities.</li> <li>Most adult learners demonstrate responsibility towards their own work. However, some do not, and this may be attributed to many competing social roles that must be balanced against the demands of learning.</li> <li>Learners are challenged to develop critical thinking, problem-solving and higher order reasoning skills.</li> <li>Cooperative learning as one strategy of facilitating learning is not utilised to the maximum.</li> <li>It has been observed that the lecture method is predominantly used by facilitators; this is not in line with constructivist learning theory as the latter emphasises the use of different methods of facilitation in order to accommodate learners with diverse learning styles.</li> </ul> The following recommendations have been made: <ul> <li>Facilitators with extensive teaching experience should be engaged to facilitate adult learning. However, they should be educated and trained in methods of facilitating adult learners.</li> <li>Male adults need to be mobilised through mass literacy campaigns to join ABET programmes.</li> <li>Learners should be given the opportunity to make an input in the development of strategies for facilitating learning.</li></ul> Copyright / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Early Childhood Education / unrestricted

This study examines the significance of understanding learners’ learning styles in relation to an educator’s learning style. The study explores the extent to which an educator and learners make provision for learning style flexibility by knowing and understanding their learning styles. There were reasons for being actively involved in the study. I wanted to know my learning style and to know and understand the learning styles of my learners. Action research was used to focus on the significance of learning style flexibility in my teaching practice, with the aim to developing myself as a professional and improving my teaching practice. Action research develops through a selfreflective spiral, consisting of cycle, each with its own steps of planning, acting, observing, reflecting and planning again for further implementation. Action research was critical in helping me to enhance my competencies and the competencies of learners who participated in my study and enabled me to improve in an ongoing, cyclical fashion. The use of qualitative and quantitative research methods helped me to learn and understand my learning style and learners’ learning styles. Herrmann’s Whole Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI) was used to identify my learning style. To identify learners’ learning styles I used a simplified questionnaire that helped me to understand learners’ thinking preferences according to the four quadrants of Herrmann’s model. Learners’ profiles were identified and indicated that they have didderent profiles. Feedback questionnaires for learners and lecturers were used to dtermine feedback on how I facilitate learning and accommodate learners according to their learning styles, and improve myself professionally. Learning style flexibility is an approach that enhances teaching and learning, including the achievement of complex learning outcomes that includes attitudes and personality traits. Educators should move away from a content-driven learning approach to learner-driven approaches that allow learners to discover and construct knowledge on their own. Learning style flexibility and educational change complement each other. Learning style flexibility is significant in teaching and learning and the professional development of educators. Copyright / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Humanities Education / unrestricted

Recent nursing literature has repeatedly proclaimed the need for creativity in nursing. The complexity of contemporary nursing practice as a result of the explosion of knowledge and technology, changing human values and diverse health care systems, requires an innovative and creative nurse who can adapt to change and provide holistic, individualised, context-specific patient care. Higher levels of cognitive thought, creative thinking and problem-solving skills have been stressed as desirable qualities of student nurses. It is suggested in the literature that the evolution of innovative strategies and the ways to implement them into nursing curricula be explored in order to assist and encourage students to develop these higher cognitive skills. From an analytical study of the literature which was undertaken with the aim of exploring the nature of creativity and the processes involved in creative thinking and learning, and of identifying innovative strategies particularly relevant to the teaching of nursing, it became apparent that the most significant determinants in teaching for creativity, are the learning enviromnent, the educator-student relationship, and the provision of a variety of teaching strategies, which are student-centred with a problem-solving focus. It was established that stimulation of both the left and right hemispheres of the brain is essential for the development of creative thinking skills. Based on the insights and knowledge gained in the study, a nursing education model for the fostering of creativity was developed. This model encompasses a wide variety of didactic considerations and is designed to stimulate whole brain learning. It is hoped that its use will be of value in the production of innovative and courageous nurse practitioners who will be better equipped to cope with the changes and challenges of their working environment and be able to provide context-specific nursing care. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Nursing Science)