The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the first two years of beginning teachers' professional development and learning. The study sought to document and understand the conditions and discursive practices of seven purposely selected schools that were implementing robust beginning teacher induction programmes. The focus was on induction, located in a comprehensive national system, to reveal the practices and tensions experienced by beginning teachers as they advanced their learning and development. It is anticipated that the seven case studies, along with the working theory of sound induction will add to the body of knowledge in the field of teacher learning and professional development and contribute to the debate about teachers' work and quality teaching. Few studies have investigated beginning teacher (BT) induction in comprehensively resourced systems. Much of the research investigates fragmented parts of BT experiences. The literature shows that when a holistic examination of induction is carried out it tends to be predominantly in the secondary school context. In-depth research into year one and year two teacher learning and professional development in sound primary school induction programmes was not found. The study provides a working theory of beginning teacher learning and, as Renwick (2001, p. 33) suggested, exemplars to maximise the effectiveness of schools to employ and support beginning teachers . Sound induction has the potential to positively influence teacher practice as research evidence indicates early career experiences affect future practice. The research is a multi-site collective case study that takes an interpretative, qualitative stance drawing on constructionism to inform the interplay between sociological and psychological theoretical disciplines, which make the information visible in different ways. The case studies scrutinise in depth, individual school contexts and are instrumental in providing better understanding and theorising about the collective case of beginning teacher induction. The primary sources of data were individual and focus group interview transcriptions. In addition, there were the accompanying notes and related school documentation. i Data analysis was an iterative process of inductive and deductive reasoning to make meaning that moved beyond description to identify categories and themes that emerged both within schools and across schools. Evidence of sound BT induction was found although variation in induction practices between schools was noted. Beginning teacher induction went beyond advice and guidance to incorporate educative mentoring in collaborative, collegial schools where high expectations prevailed. The findings suggest that teacher learning should be informed but not constrained by lock-step models of learning and development. Aspects of development as a professional were advanced and, in other respects, marginalised by the education policy focus on children's achievement. Feedback and children's learning and achievement underpin beginning teachers' judgements about their development as teachers. The socio-economic school contexts were less important than the quality of leadership, school cultures, expectations and the confidence of individual novice teachers. The study raises questions about the nature of teachers' work and teacher, government and societal expectations. It is anticipated that these findings will increase understanding of, and provoke debate about beginning teacher learning and their development as professionals.

This thesis is a comparative case study of induction programmes from five different countries: Britain, Australia, New Zealand, United States, and Canada. The intent was to investigate pedagogical and structural factors prevailing within these induction programmes that would encourage the confluence of pre-service, induction, and in-service education. An examination of how these induction programmes might enhance ongoing professional development opportunities for the beginning teacher was also undertaken. Based on a review of literature concerning i) issues, parameters, and pedagogical perspectives of teacher education; ii) the socialization experiences and instructional challenges of beginning teachers; and iii) the processes, academic systems, and programme variations of induction the argument is made that many conflicting and complex pedagogical variables as well as historical, cultural, and educational factors may influence the establishment and institutionalisation of induction. A qualitative research methodology was employed using naturalistic inquiry techniques within a case and field study design. Data was derived from interviews, extant documentations, field notes, and evaluation summaries over a three-year period. Documented evidence revealed that no two induction programmes were identical, although various academic, governance, and organisational factors did indicate similarities within and among various countries. Confluence of the three stages of teacher education were generally absent from most programmes. Teacher assessment and supervision were identified as important strategies that could either enhance or obstruct professional development among beginning teachers. Self-evaluative activities incorporated as basic teacher assessment procedures were also profiled as critical factors in promoting a self-directed beginning teacher. From these findings an identification of five distinguishable paradigms or induction was developed. The five models have been categorized as the laissez-faire model, the collegial- model, the formalized mentor-protege model, the mandated competency-based model, and the self-directing professional model. The latter was absent from the induction programmes that were investigated. Thirteen recommendations were proposed based upon the research findings. Twelve recommendations described how induction may enhance the confluence of teacher education as well as how induction may establish continuous professional development for beginning teachers. A thirteenth recommendation identified how programme efficacy may be achieved within induction.

This thesis is a comparative case study of induction programmes from five different countries: Britain, Australia, New Zealand, United States, and Canada. The intent was to investigate pedagogical and structural factors prevailing within these induction programmes that would encourage the confluence of pre-service, induction, and in-service education. An examination of how these induction programmes might enhance ongoing professional development opportunities for the beginning teacher was also undertaken. Based on a review of literature concerning i) issues, parameters, and pedagogical perspectives of teacher education; ii) the socialization experiences and instructional challenges of beginning teachers; and iii) the processes, academic systems, and programme variations of induction the argument is made that many conflicting and complex pedagogical variables as well as historical, cultural, and educational factors may influence the establishment and institutionalization of induction. A qualitative research methodology was employed using naturalistic inquiry techniques within a case and field study design. Data was derived from interviews, extant documentations, field notes, and evaluation summaries over a three-year period. Documented evidence revealed that no two induction programmes were iden'tical, although various academic, governance and organisational factors did indicate similarities within and among various countries. Confluence of the three stages of teacher education were generally absent from most programmes. Teacher assessment and supervision were identified as important strategies that could either enhance or obstruct professional development among beginning teachers. Self-evaluative activities incorporated as basic teacher assessment procedures were also profiled as critical factors in promoting a selfdirected beginning teacher. From these findings an identification of five distinguishable paradiams of induction were developed. The five models have been categorized as the laissez-faire model, the Collegial model, the formalized mentor-protege model, the mandated competency-based model, and the self-directing professional model. The latter was absent from the induction programmes that were investigated. Thirteen recommendations were proposed based upon the research findings. Twelve recommendations described how induction may enhance the confluence of teacher education as well as how induction may establish continuous development for beginning teachers. A thirteepnrtohf essionarel commendation identified how programme efficacy may be achieved within induction.

This thesis is a comparative case study of induction programmes from five different countries: Britain, Australia, New Zealand, United States, and Canada. The intent was to investigate pedagogical and structural factors prevailing within these induction programmes that would encourage the confluence of pre-service, induction, and in-service education. An examination of how these induction programmes might enhance ongoing professional development opportunities for the beginning teacher was also undertaken. Based on a review of literature concerning i) issues, parameters, and pedagogical perspectives of teacher education; ii) the socialization experiences and instructional challenges of beginning teachers; and iii) the processes, academic systems, and programme variations of induction the argument is made that many conflicting and complex pedagogical variables as well as historical, cultural, and educational factors may influence the establishment and institutionalization of induction. A qualitative research methodology was employed using naturalistic inquiry techniques within a case and field study design. Data was derived from interviews, extant documentations, field notes, and evaluation summaries over a three-year period. Documented evidence revealed that no two induction programmes were iden'tical, although various academic, governance and organisational factors did indicate similarities within and among various countries. Confluence of the three stages of teacher education were generally absent from most programmes. Teacher assessment and supervision were identified as important strategies that could either enhance or obstruct professional development among beginning teachers. Self-evaluative activities incorporated as basic teacher assessment procedures were also profiled as critical factors in promoting a self directed beginning teacher. From these findings an identification of five distinguishable paradiams of induction were developed. The five models have been categorized as the laissez-faire model, the Collegial model, the formalized mentor-protege model, the mandated competency-based model, and the self-directing professional model. The latter was absent from the induction programmes that were investigated. Thirteen recommendations were proposed based upon the research findings. Twelve recommendations described how induction may enhance the confluence of teacher education as well as how induction may establish continuous development for beginning teachers. A thirteenth recommendation identified how programme efficacy may be achieved within induction.

<p>Although there are several achievements made by the Namibian government after independence, there are still many constraints and challenges facing the education system, particularly with regard to novice teachers&rsquo / support and professional development. Most novice teachers are coming into the teaching profession and receive little or no assistance. Nevertheless, novice teachers are expected to perform the full teaching responsibilities despite their inexperience. Novice teachers are expected to formulate their own coping strategies and to grapple with the challenges they encounter during their first year of teaching on their own. This study aims at investigating the coping mechanisms used by novice teachers to achieve their teaching goals during their first year of teaching. The study recommends that the teacher training institutions, the Ministry of Education and schools have an important role to play in facilitating the use of effective coping mechanisms and in assisting novice teachers in alleviating these challenges. Teacher training should ensure that a balance is maintained between theory and practice. In addition the Ministry needs to provide favourable working conditions and put up support systems for novice teachers. Schools should also provide orientation to all novice teachers and most especially render support to all novice teachers until they are fully integrated into the school and teaching culture.</p>

<p>Although there are several achievements made by the Namibian government after independence, there are still many constraints and challenges facing the education system, particularly with regard to novice teachers&rsquo / support and professional development. Most novice teachers are coming into the teaching profession and receive little or no assistance. Nevertheless, novice teachers are expected to perform the full teaching responsibilities despite their inexperience. Novice teachers are expected to formulate their own coping strategies and to grapple with the challenges they encounter during their first year of teaching on their own. This study aims at investigating the coping mechanisms used by novice teachers to achieve their teaching goals during their first year of teaching. The study recommends that the teacher training institutions, the Ministry of Education and schools have an important role to play in facilitating the use of effective coping mechanisms and in assisting novice teachers in alleviating these challenges. Teacher training should ensure that a balance is maintained between theory and practice. In addition the Ministry needs to provide favourable working conditions and put up support systems for novice teachers. Schools should also provide orientation to all novice teachers and most especially render support to all novice teachers until they are fully integrated into the school and teaching culture.</p>

Magister Educationis - MEd / Although there are several achievements made by the Namibian government after independence, there are still many constraints and challenges facing the education system, particularly with regard to novice teachers' support and professional development. Most novice teachers are coming into the teaching profession and receive little or no assistance. Nevertheless, novice teachers are expected to perform the full teaching responsibilities despite their inexperience. Novice teachers are expected to formulate their own coping strategies and to grapple with the challenges they encounter during their first year of teaching on their own. This study aims at investigating the coping mechanisms used by novice teachers to achieve their teaching goals during their first year of teaching. The study recommends that the teacher training institutions, the Ministry of Education and schools have an important role to play in facilitating the use of effective coping mechanisms and in assisting novice teachers in alleviating these challenges. Teacher training should ensure that a balance is maintained between theory and practice. In addition the Ministry needs to provide favourable working conditions and put up support systems for novice teachers. Schools should also provide orientation to all novice teachers and most especially render support to all novice teachers until they are fully integrated into the school and teaching culture. / South Africa

Text in Afrikaans / Die studie poog om die doeltreffendheid van beginneronderwysers se aanpassing en ervaring van werksbevrediging in werksomstandighede te hersien. Enige organisasie kan nuwe mense aanstel maar kan nie verwag dat hierdie "aanstelling" hul beste werk lewer en doelwitte bereik voordat die persoon aangepas is in sy werk, omgewing en by sy kollegas nie (Steyn & Van Niekerk 2008:205, Steyn 2004:82, Whitaker 2001:7, Arends & Phurutse 2009:7). Beginneronderwysers moet leiding en ondersteuning ontvang om so gou as moontlik effektief by die skool in te skakel sodat hulle 'n produktiewe bydrae kan lewer ten opsigte van opvoeding en onderrig vir leerders en die onderwys in Suid-Afrika. Met hierdie navorsing wil die navorser dus ondersoek in stel om te bepaal of beginneronderwysers goed genoeg toegerus word om aan te pas en in te skakel by werksomstandighede en of hulle werksbevrediging ervaar. Die navorsingstudie is gedoen deur agt beginneronderwysers in vier laerskole in die Gert Sibande-streek van Mpumalanga te betrek. In hierdie studie maak die navorser gebruik van die kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering. Die kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetode is die geskikste metode om die ervarings van beginneronderwysers te beskryf. Individuele onderhoudvoering is dat data insamelingstegnieke gebruik om vas te stel wat die aard, omvang en moontlike oplossings is vir die navorsingsprobleem. Die navorsingstudie het bevind dat die beginneronderwyser begeleiding en ondersteuning benodig tydens inskakeling. Positiewe strategieë sluit in inskakelingsprogramme, handleidings asook ervare toegewysde mentors. Uit die bevindinge van die navorsing is daar ongetwyfel 'n sterk behoefte aan leiding en ondersteuning vir beginneronderwysers om effektief in te skakel by die skool. Beginneronderwysers moet bemagtig word om optimaal te kan ontwikkel, hulself te bevorder en te kan handhaaf in die onderwys in Suid-Afrika. / The study aims to review the effectiveness of novice teachers' adaptation and experience of job satisfaction in working conditions. Any organisation can appoint new people but cannot expect that this "appointment" to do their best work and reach goals before the person has been adapted in his work environment and to his colleagues (Steyn & Van Niekerk 2008: 205, Steyn 2004: 82, Whitaker 2001: 7 Arends & Phurutse 2009: 7). Beginner teachers should receive guidance and support quickly and effectively as soon as possible at school so they have a productive contribution to education and training for students and education in South Africa. This research would therefore examine to determine whether novice teachers are well equipped enough to adapt and to participate in working conditions and whether they experience job satisfaction. The research study was conducted by involving eight novice teachers in four primary schools in the Gert Sibande region of Mpumalanga. In this study, the researcher used a qualitative approach. The qualitative research method is the most appropriate way to describe the experiences of novice teachers. The data collection techniques that were used included individual interviews to determine the nature, extent and possible solutions to the research problem. The research study found that the new teacher needed guidance and support during integration. Positive strategies for guidance include induction programs, manuals and experienced dedicated mentors. From the findings of the research, there is a strong need for guidance and support for beginning teachers to be involved in the school. Beginner teachers should be empowered to develop their potential, to promote themselves and to maintain in education in South Africa. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

This study focuses on the contribution of induction programmes to the teaching potential of beginner teachers at primary schools in the Ilembe District. Based on convenience in terms of accessibility and purposeful sampling, four primary schools were selected with eight novice teachers (two from each selected school) and four members of the school management team (one from each selected school) acting as participants. Using individual interviewing, beginner teachers and members of school management teams narrated their perceptions on the value of induction programmes for beginner teachers in order to improve beginner teachers’ teaching competency. Findings revealed that none of the sampled schools had a formalised induction programme offered to beginner teachers. Beginner teachers felt overwhelmed and challenged with real classroom situations whereas members of the school management teams acknowledged the need for beginner teachers to be capacitated with hands-on knowledge and skills to teach effectively within the specific classroom context. / Educational Management and Leadership / M. Ed. (Educational management and Leadership)