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More often than not learners with learning difficulties are treated differently from normal mainstream learners. Often they experience themselves in a less positive manner because of the interactions with various teachers who may not always have enough patience to deal with these learners while trying to cope with large numbers of learners on a daily base. This study was conducted to explore self-configuration experiences of Intermediate Phase learners with learning difficulties within the learner-teacher relationship. Literature indicates that the self is a complex construct to define and can be interpreted in various ways. The researcher aimed to understand how the self is configured in experiences that learners have with their teachers and how these experiences contribute to and affect self-configuration. The theoretical frameworks of the Dialogical Theory of Self and the Gestalt Field Theory were used to gain an understanding of how vital relations and context are in the configuration experiences of the self. A qualitative case study with purposive sampling was conducted. The study was done at a single school where all the learners in the school have learning difficulties. There were nine learners that fell in the Intermediate Phase category and all of them were boys who voluntarily participated in the research. Data were collected by means of a semi-structured interview in which the participants were asked to use incomplete sentences and a visual map that they made to help them express their experiences. A follow-up interview was conducted to check that the meaning that the learner ascribed to his incomplete sentences and visual map was accurate and an opportunity was given to add something should the participant want to. Participants were given this opportunity as some of them had difficulty in expressing themselves adequately during the first session as a result of their learning difficulties in so much as they struggle to find words that express their feelings and what they wanted to communicate. Data were transcribed and analysed by means of thematic analysis. The study indicated that it was aspects such as quality time the teachers spent with the learners and the tone of voice of the teacher that contributed to the self-configuration experiences of the learners. Further research is necessary to determine whether this is the experience in other schools that cater for learners with learning difficulties and how this knowledge may be used to bring greater awareness to teachers to better understand how learners experience their relationship with regards to self-configuration. Quantitative studies can also be conducted to investigate the impact of teacher-learner relationships on self-configuration. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

More often than not learners with learning difficulties are treated differently from normal mainstream learners. Often they experience themselves in a less positive manner because of the interactions with various teachers who may not always have enough patience to deal with these learners while trying to cope with large numbers of learners on a daily base. This study was conducted to explore self-configuration experiences of Intermediate Phase learners with learning difficulties within the learner-teacher relationship. Literature indicates that the self is a complex construct to define and can be interpreted in various ways. The researcher aimed to understand how the self is configured in experiences that learners have with their teachers and how these experiences contribute to and affect self-configuration. The theoretical frameworks of the Dialogical Theory of Self and the Gestalt Field Theory were used to gain an understanding of how vital relations and context are in the configuration experiences of the self. A qualitative case study with purposive sampling was conducted. The study was done at a single school where all the learners in the school have learning difficulties. There were nine learners that fell in the Intermediate Phase category and all of them were boys who voluntarily participated in the research. Data were collected by means of a semi-structured interview in which the participants were asked to use incomplete sentences and a visual map that they made to help them express their experiences. A follow-up interview was conducted to check that the meaning that the learner ascribed to his incomplete sentences and visual map was accurate and an opportunity was given to add something should the participant want to. Participants were given this opportunity as some of them had difficulty in expressing themselves adequately during the first session as a result of their learning difficulties in so much as they struggle to find words that express their feelings and what they wanted to communicate. Data were transcribed and analysed by means of thematic analysis. The study indicated that it was aspects such as quality time the teachers spent with the learners and the tone of voice of the teacher that contributed to the self-configuration experiences of the learners. Further research is necessary to determine whether this is the experience in other schools that cater for learners with learning difficulties and how this knowledge may be used to bring greater awareness to teachers to better understand how learners experience their relationship with regards to self-configuration. Quantitative studies can also be conducted to investigate the impact of teacher-learner relationships on self-configuration. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The purpose of the study was to investigate the implementation of learning support strategies by Intermediate Phase teachers. The study also determined the factors (enhancing or limiting) that impact upon the successful implementation of learning support strategies specifically in a rural school. The study was conducted at one primary school in the Western Cape. The research participants were ten teachers involved in offering learner support at this school. Focus group discussions as well as in-depth interviews were used to explore the teachers’ views of their support strategies. The data was analysed using a thematic approach. The main finding of this study is that a huge gap exists between inclusive education policy expectations and the actual manifestation of teachers’ support to learners with learning difficulties. The findings of the study reveal a combination of external as well as internal and systemic factors working in conjunction and culminating in a lack of capacity amongst teachers. This study recommends a review of policies with the aim of providing opportunities for a thorough understanding of new concepts and practices, focussed and professional development of teachers in the area of learner support and more monetary and infrastructural resources.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the implementation of learning support strategies by Intermediate Phase teachers. The study also determined the factors (enhancing or limiting) that impact upon the successful implementation of learning support strategies specifically in a rural school. The study was conducted at one primary school in the Western Cape. The research participants were ten teachers involved in offering learner support at this school. Focus group discussions as well as in-depth interviews were used to explore the teachers’ views of their support strategies. The data was analysed using a thematic approach. The main finding of this study is that a huge gap exists between inclusive education policy expectations and the actual manifestation of teachers’ support to learners with learning difficulties. The findings of the study reveal a combination of external as well as internal and systemic factors working in conjunction and culminating in a lack of capacity amongst teachers. This study recommends a review of policies with the aim of providing opportunities for a thorough understanding of new concepts and practices, focussed and professional development of teachers in the area of learner support and more monetary and infrastructural resources.

This study explores teachers' beliefs, views and experiences of the design principles of integration, progression and infusion in the Life Orientation (LO) curriculum at the Intermediate Phase level. Integration, progression and infusion are integral to the South Africa Curriculum Statement and the LO curriculum in particular, as they serve the connection, sequence and technique of linking different learning contents. The aims of the study were: (i) to determine to which extent if any can the principles of feminism be used to influence curriculum integration, progression and infusion in the LO curriculum; (ii) to use different theories of feminism to enhance our understanding of curriculum integration, progression and infusion in the LO curriculum; (iii) to determine teachers' beliefs and experiences of curriculum integration, progression and infusion in the LO curriculum. To achieve these aims, on a theoretical level, I synthesised and analysed different theories of feminist discourses into different themes such as location, caring relations, knowing and thinking. These themes were related to the principles of curriculum integration, progression and infusion and these were used as a frame of reference to make suggestions on the various ways to enhance LO teachers' classroom practice of integration, progression and infusion at the Intermediate Phase. Empirically, I explored the LO teachers' views, beliefs and experiences. Consequently, I situated the study in an interpretative paradigm. I used qualitative research design and methodology with a phenomenological approach, by means of unstructured interviews, classroom observations and focus-group interviews. Three primary schools were purposefully selected for the study. The three principals of the schools were interviewed for the unstructured interviews while nine teachers were interviewed in three focus groups. To strengthen the interviews, I observed nine LO classrooms. The data that I generated as a result of the study were analysed by means of content analyses. The themes that emerged were categorised into different classes, namely: lack of adequate consultation, learning content repetition, learning content outdatedness, learning content irrelevancy, among others. It was deduced that these themes which formed the participants' experiences of integration, progression and infusion in the LO curriculum were arrived at as a result of their inherent approach which was described as a one-dimensional approach. A one-dimensional approach is that which stipulates a step-by- step approach to the design of curriculum. The Multi-dimensional approach embedded in multiple realities underpinning feminist discourses was suggested as an alternative. A multi-dimensional approach to the design of the curriculum includes the active contribution of various individuals to curriculum design. / Thesis (MEd (Curriculum Development))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

This study explores teachers' beliefs, views and experiences of the design principles of integration, progression and infusion in the Life Orientation (LO) curriculum at the Intermediate Phase level. Integration, progression and infusion are integral to the South Africa Curriculum Statement and the LO curriculum in particular, as they serve the connection, sequence and technique of linking different learning contents. The aims of the study were: (i) to determine to which extent if any can the principles of feminism be used to influence curriculum integration, progression and infusion in the LO curriculum; (ii) to use different theories of feminism to enhance our understanding of curriculum integration, progression and infusion in the LO curriculum; (iii) to determine teachers' beliefs and experiences of curriculum integration, progression and infusion in the LO curriculum. To achieve these aims, on a theoretical level, I synthesised and analysed different theories of feminist discourses into different themes such as location, caring relations, knowing and thinking. These themes were related to the principles of curriculum integration, progression and infusion and these were used as a frame of reference to make suggestions on the various ways to enhance LO teachers' classroom practice of integration, progression and infusion at the Intermediate Phase. Empirically, I explored the LO teachers' views, beliefs and experiences. Consequently, I situated the study in an interpretative paradigm. I used qualitative research design and methodology with a phenomenological approach, by means of unstructured interviews, classroom observations and focus-group interviews. Three primary schools were purposefully selected for the study. The three principals of the schools were interviewed for the unstructured interviews while nine teachers were interviewed in three focus groups. To strengthen the interviews, I observed nine LO classrooms. The data that I generated as a result of the study were analysed by means of content analyses. The themes that emerged were categorised into different classes, namely: lack of adequate consultation, learning content repetition, learning content outdatedness, learning content irrelevancy, among others. It was deduced that these themes which formed the participants' experiences of integration, progression and infusion in the LO curriculum were arrived at as a result of their inherent approach which was described as a one-dimensional approach. A one-dimensional approach is that which stipulates a step-by- step approach to the design of curriculum. The Multi-dimensional approach embedded in multiple realities underpinning feminist discourses was suggested as an alternative. A multi-dimensional approach to the design of the curriculum includes the active contribution of various individuals to curriculum design. / Thesis (MEd (Curriculum Development))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The problem statement for this study is, "an investigation towards the experience of intermediate phase educators in the George district of the implementation of inclusive education in their schools". Firstly a literature review was perfomed on the implementation of inclusive education in South Africa and overseas, which revealed a diversity of opinions about the implementation of inclusive education, and that the various countries experience varying demands and successes in the implementation thereof. The empirical research performed thereafter was qualitative in nature, to explore the experience of intermediate phase educators in the George district of the implementation of inclusive education in their schools. The results of the empirical research indicate that the educators experience various barriers themselves regarding the implementation of inclusive education in their schools, inter alia a great diversity of learners in their classes which puts demands on their time and attention to those learners, a number of factors that hamper the learning process, lack of parental involvement, insufficient learning support materials to fulfil the needs of learners, and most of all the experience of a lack knowledge and skills in themselves to identify and support barriers to learning in learners. The study concludes with a summary and recommendations. / Thesis (MEd (Learner Support))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012