Since the implementation of Outcomes Based Education (OBE) in South Africa, educators were confronted with new challenges regarding teaching, learning and assessment. A substantial number of educators seemed to experience these challenges as stressful, because they were not sufficiently prepared for the didactic paradigm shift and they were also unfamiliar with the OBE-terminology and methodology This situation resulted in a widespread degree of negativity and resistance amongst teachers towards the implementation of OBE in general, and specifically concerning issues related to outcomes based assessment (OBA). The primary aim of the research was to determine how educators perceive OBA and what problems they experience with the implementation thereof. In order to achieve the above-mentioned aim, 220 educators from the Bojanala West Region of the North-West Province participated in a survey. This survey was conducted by means of a questionnaire which contained structured and unstructured items. Based on the results emanating from this survey, the following conclusions were drawn: • The participants endorsed the theoretical foundations on which OBA is based and they were of opinion that OBA can provide the necessary focus for an improvement in teaching and learning, but they displayed negative perceptions concerning the practical implementation thereof. • The participants' negative perceptions regarding the implementation of OBA were caused by: • a lack of knowledge and skills due to inadequate training; • a lack of departmental support and guidance; • the administrative over-load brought on by OBA; • over-crowded classrooms and infrastructural deficiencies; and • a lack of parental support and involvement. In the light of the findings of the research, recommendations were made to enhance the practical implementation of OBA in schools. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007

This study is an attempt at consolidating in a single source the inclusive history of the development of Afrikaans since 1652, as well as the various perspectives on the origins of Afrikaans put forward from the eighteenth to the twenty-first century. As a consequence of sociopolitical circumstances in South Africa, the various role-players involved in the origins and development of Afrikaans have not all been adequately taken account of in the description of the history of the Afrikaans language. This has contributed to the prevalence of inaccurate perceptions about the origins of Afrikaans. Amongst others, these misperceptions have let to the teaching of the history of Afrikaanspredominantly focusing on the (white) historical Eastern variety and on standard Afrikaans, minimising the existence of any possible Creole influences on the language. For purposes of this study, the inclusive history of the development of Afrikaans since 1652 was rewritten in order to take account of the influence of all the role players (the Europeans from the West, the indigenous Koina from Africa, and the slaves brought from Asia) on the origins and development of Afrikaans. A further aim of this rewriting was to evaluate and consolidate, chronologically, the approximately 40 perspectives on the origins of Afrikaans against the background of the socio-political milieu within which these perspectives developed. Some aspects of this rewritten history of Afrikaans were taught by means of a series of lessons to learners in regions representative of areas where sub-varieties of the three historical Afrikaans varieties are spoken and heard. The aim was to determine whether series of lessons, similar to the one used in this study, could be regarded (and recommended) as an appropriate presentation method to disseminate the inclusive history of the development of Afrikaans among the school-going youth. Knowledge of and insight in the inclusive history of the development of Afrikaans may contribute to the process of reconciliation in South Africa, because this history suggests that Afrikaans is the collective creation of Afrikaans-speaking citizens' ancestors: Europeans from the West, indigenous Koina from Africa, and slaves brought from the East. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Afrikaans en Nederlands)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

This study is an attempt at consolidating in a single source the inclusive history of the development of Afrikaans since 1652, as well as the various perspectives on the origins of Afrikaans put forward from the eighteenth to the twenty-first century. As a consequence of sociopolitical circumstances in South Africa, the various role-players involved in the origins and development of Afrikaans have not all been adequately taken account of in the description of the history of the Afrikaans language. This has contributed to the prevalence of inaccurate perceptions about the origins of Afrikaans. Amongst others, these misperceptions have let to the teaching of the history of Afrikaanspredominantly focusing on the (white) historical Eastern variety and on standard Afrikaans, minimising the existence of any possible Creole influences on the language. For purposes of this study, the inclusive history of the development of Afrikaans since 1652 was rewritten in order to take account of the influence of all the role players (the Europeans from the West, the indigenous Koina from Africa, and the slaves brought from Asia) on the origins and development of Afrikaans. A further aim of this rewriting was to evaluate and consolidate, chronologically, the approximately 40 perspectives on the origins of Afrikaans against the background of the socio-political milieu within which these perspectives developed. Some aspects of this rewritten history of Afrikaans were taught by means of a series of lessons to learners in regions representative of areas where sub-varieties of the three historical Afrikaans varieties are spoken and heard. The aim was to determine whether series of lessons, similar to the one used in this study, could be regarded (and recommended) as an appropriate presentation method to disseminate the inclusive history of the development of Afrikaans among the school-going youth. Knowledge of and insight in the inclusive history of the development of Afrikaans may contribute to the process of reconciliation in South Africa, because this history suggests that Afrikaans is the collective creation of Afrikaans-speaking citizens' ancestors: Europeans from the West, indigenous Koina from Africa, and slaves brought from the East. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Afrikaans en Nederlands)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Ce travail concerne les techniques d'identification ensembliste dites à erreur inconnue mais bornée. On s'est ici exclusivement intêressé à l'approche ensembliste ellipsoïdale. Dans ce contexte précis, nos contributions portent sur une évaluation réaliste de la borne, basée sur l'analyse du kurtosis du signal d'erreur. On propose également une approche unifiée des algorithmes conduisant à leur formulation numériquement stable, à la différence de la quasi-totalité des solutions publiées. L'analyse de la convergence de ce type de techniques fait intervenir la notion habituelle d'excitation persistante pour laquelle on donne une solution algorithmique permettant de qualifier l'entrée, et comment construire des entrées " optimales ". Enfin on s'est intêressé au compromis que l'on pouvait établir entre algorithme séquentiel sous optimal et une approche globale optimale mais numériquement inaccessible. L'ensemble de ces points est illustré tant en simulation qu'avec des données réelles provenant du monde industriel.

With the new technological advances on the eve of the end of the 19th century, a multitude of intrinsic and extrinsic instructional media became available to both teachers and pupils. For effective use of the available instructional media it became increasingly necessary to become both audio and visually literate in order to interpret and understand messages from audio-visual materials/instructional media. This, however, confronted teachers with the urge to become more acquainted with the ways of how to address media selection and integration in a proper way. History as a subject taught at school lends itself to the application of instructional media in a variety of forms. Since the selection of the appropriate or the available media for the teach• ing situation is no easy task, a literature study was undertaken with the purpose of identifying factors that become apparent from media selection models and that need to be considered when instructional media are selected for the teaching of history. Apart from the prob• lem of the lack of an instructional media selection model designed specifically for history teaching, it was possible to propose suitable guidelines based on research findings for the selection of instructional media for history teaching. As far as the empirical research contained in chapter three is concerned, a questionnaire has been developed to determine to what extent history teachers in the present school situation use instructional media, and whether the media available is used effectively. A random sample of fifty (50) schools in the northern region of the Free State was used. Teachers with three years or more experience were asked to complete the questionnaire. An evaluation of the situation was created from the results. One of the most important findings was that a limited number of teachers received training in the effective use of instructional media, or in instructional media science. It appears that the choice of instructional media is considered no easy task by them. Chapter four is devoted to the practical application of instructional media in the teaching of history at the junior secondary level. There lessons have been prepared according to the model that has been developed in this project, which contain aspects of the new outcomes based on education. During the process a selection of media has also been made, ranging from what would be applicable in a school that is fairly adequately equipped with media, to schools that are only partially equipped with media. The study is concluded with a synthesis of all the findings as set out in chapters one through four, where the applicable guidelines for the teaching of history are confirmed. / Thesis (MEd (Vakdidaktiek))--PU vir CHO, 1997

With the new technological advances on the eve of the end of the 19th century, a multitude of intrinsic and extrinsic instructional media became available to both teachers and pupils. For effective use of the available instructional media it became increasingly necessary to become both audio and visually literate in order to interpret and understand messages from audio-visual materials/instructional media. This, however, confronted teachers with the urge to become more acquainted with the ways of how to address media selection and integration in a proper way. History as a subject taught at school lends itself to the application of instructional media in a variety of forms. Since the selection of the appropriate or the available media for the teach• ing situation is no easy task, a literature study was undertaken with the purpose of identifying factors that become apparent from media selection models and that need to be considered when instructional media are selected for the teaching of history. Apart from the prob• lem of the lack of an instructional media selection model designed specifically for history teaching, it was possible to propose suitable guidelines based on research findings for the selection of instructional media for history teaching. As far as the empirical research contained in chapter three is concerned, a questionnaire has been developed to determine to what extent history teachers in the present school situation use instructional media, and whether the media available is used effectively. A random sample of fifty (50) schools in the northern region of the Free State was used. Teachers with three years or more experience were asked to complete the questionnaire. An evaluation of the situation was created from the results. One of the most important findings was that a limited number of teachers received training in the effective use of instructional media, or in instructional media science. It appears that the choice of instructional media is considered no easy task by them. Chapter four is devoted to the practical application of instructional media in the teaching of history at the junior secondary level. There lessons have been prepared according to the model that has been developed in this project, which contain aspects of the new outcomes based on education. During the process a selection of media has also been made, ranging from what would be applicable in a school that is fairly adequately equipped with media, to schools that are only partially equipped with media. The study is concluded with a synthesis of all the findings as set out in chapters one through four, where the applicable guidelines for the teaching of history are confirmed. / Thesis (MEd (Vakdidaktiek))--PU vir CHO, 1997

Various assessments and international studies have shown that learners in South African schools experience challenges and perform poorly with respect to literacy and numeracy. To become competitive in the global arena, there is an urgent need to raise the standards of education. Language is required for all learning, including numeracy and mathematics. Many young learners in South Africa struggle to develop adequate language skills because of an inherent pathology and/or barriers in their learning environment. Learners who do not develop adequate listening and language skills during their early years are most likely to experience difficulty in acquiring literacy and numeracy skills, resulting in poor academic progress. By supporting learners to overcome their developmental delays as early as in the foundation phase, future learning problems may be prevented. To raise education standards, teachers need to heighten their attempts to facilitate literacy and numeracy in the foundation phase. Teachers currently have to adapt to a new national curriculum statement (NCS) that is based on an outcomes-based education (OBE) approach (Department of Education, 1997:16). Many teachers, especially those in black townships and other previously disadvantaged areas, find this difficult as they have not been sufficiently trained or are not adequately qualified. Educational changes have necessitated the need for high quality staff development and support. Speech-language therapists (SLTs) working within a collaborative approach in the education context can support the learners who need to acquire listening and language skills, as well as the teachers who have to facilitate these skills. This study developed a support programme for foundation phase teachers to facilitate listening and language for numeracy. The multifaceted programme consisted of training, mentoring, and practical components, which aimed at developing the participants’ competence (foundational, practical, and reflective competence). The programme integrated the principles of adult learning within an OBE approach while taking culture and diversity into consideration. The programme was evaluated within a Logic Model framework. The research made use of a concurrent, equal status triangulation design where triangulation was obtained by transforming QUAL data into QUAN data to be compared. In the QUAN strand, data were collected from 96 teacher participants (who were selected by using a convenience sampling method) by means of questionnaires, portfolio assignments, attendance registers, and financial statements. Qualitative data were collected from eight focus group discussions (using a nested design with 12 participants at a time) as well as a research diary, testimonials, and various correspondences. The findings indicated that all the participants have gained knowledge, skills, and confidence, but to varying degrees. Factors that affected the outcomes included aspects related to time, the choice of venue, age, prior support and qualifications, as well as motivation related to the context. Group learning was identified as a suitable strategy for teacher support in these contexts. Provided that specific factors are considered to increase effectiveness, the outcomes indicated that the programme could be used to support foundation phase teachers in these specific contexts. / Thesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology / unrestricted

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Towards the close of the last century, a new curriculum was introduced in South Africa: Curriculum 2005. This outcomes-based curriculum (OBE) was a radical break with previous education policy: it aimed at eliminating discrimination and encouraging independent learning. This new curriculum, however, left teachers uncertain and confused largely because the in-service training provided did not provide clear direction. This study first describes the attempt by an English teacher to explore the theoretical base of the new curriculum; it then attempts to ascertain whether the teaching of English would have to change as a result of the OBE Curriculum 2005 and whether material selected in the initial phase of Curriculum 2005 would meet the needs of the learners. The survey of the literature on language teaching pays particular attention to communicative language teaching (CLT) with its emphasis on using the language for relevant, real-life communicative acts. In addition, it investigates the origins and nature of outcomes-based education to determine whether CLT and OBE combined are suitable vehicles for effective language teaching. The literature survey also suggests a disjunction between the South African version of OBE and CLT. The strong emphasis on achieving certain predetermined outcomes in South African OBE, with the underlying assumption that learning is linear, runs counter to the CLT view that language learning cannot be controlled. The survey of the literature on CLT and OBE also reveals the need for relevant, interesting material that promotes purposeful communication, encouraging learners to invest in developing their language skills. CLT requires learner engagement in real communication and OBE promotes independent learning and learner responsibility. In the light of the demands made by continuous evaluation and other record keeping, it is unrealistic to expect teachers to design or even adapt material for classroom use. The semi-empirical part of this study attempts to test the appropriacy of the material and its effect on teaching and learning. A qualitative case study traces classroom events in two grade 8 classes over a period of five weeks using a module taken from the material which was in use at the time at a particular school. This material was specifically acquired by the school with a view to meeting the requirements of the OBE curriculum. Learners in the classes were taught by two different teachers, who recorded their observations, in accordance with a basic observation schedule, during this time. Additional data were produced in two sets of questionnaires. The learners who did the module were asked to indicate their perceptions of language teaching in the previous year as well as during the five weeks when the module was , and a selected group of teachers at local schools completed a questionnaire on their perceptions of the new curriculum. The responses to the questionnaires are analysed in relation to the literature survey and the conclusions reached by the two teachers involved. This study reveals that the custom-designed OBE material is not much different from that in traditional language textbooks. It also highlights the difficulties associated with finding language learning material which reflects the dynamics of real-life communication and is hospitable to using the insights of current language acquisition theory, while at the same time meeting the requirements of a South African OBE approach. In reflecting on what is needed in effective curricular change, this dissertation reveals the importance of involving practising teachers in developing a new curriculum and providing them with the necessary professional development opportunities. In that context, carefully designed and selected learning material is likely to contribute significantly to successful change. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Teen die einde van die vorige eeu is ‘n nuwe kurrikulum, Kurrikulum 2005, ingefaseer in Suid- Afrika. Uitkoms-gebasseerde kurrikulum (UGO), wat ‘n radikale nuwe benadering tot onderrig in hierdie land ingelui het, was daarop gemik om diskriminasie uit te skakel en om onafhanklike leer te vevorder Hierdie nuwe kurrikulum het onderwysers onseker en verward laat vole omdat die indiensopleiding nie duidelik rigtinggewend was nie. Hierdie study beskryf die poging van ‘n Engels-onderwyser om die teoretiese basis van die nuwe kurriculum te peil en dan om vas te stel of die onderrig van Engels sou moes verander as gevolg van UGO/ Kurrikulum 2005 en of die materiaal wat in die aanvangsfase van Kurrikulum 2005 geselekteer is in die behoeftes van die leerders sou voldoen. Die oorsig van die literatuur rakende taalonderrig gee besondere aandag aan kommunikatiewe taalonderrig (KTO), met sy klem op die gebruik van taal vir relevante, lewensgetroue kommunikasie. Verder ondersoek dit die oorsprong en aard van UGO om te bepaal of KTO en UGO gekombineerd voorsiening kan maak vir effektiewe taalonderrig. Dit suggereer dat die Suid- Afrikaanse weergawe van UGO en KTO nie heeltemal met mekaar versoen kan word nie. Die sterk klem op die bereiking van sekere voorafbepaalde uitkomste in Suid-Afrikaanse UGO, met die onderliggende aanname dat leer liniêr is, is teenstrydig met KTO se siening dat taalleer nie beheer kan word nie. Die literatuuroorsig van KTO en UGO openbaar die belangrikheid van relevante, interessante materiaal wat doelgerigte kommunikasie bevorder en leerders aanmoedig om te belê in hul taal vaardighede. KTO vereis dat die leerders deelneem aan werklike kommunikasie en UGO beklemtoon onderwyserfasilitering en leerderverantwoordelikheid. In die lig van die eise wat deurlopende evaluering en ander rekordhouding stel, is dit onrealisties om te verwag dat dat onderwysers materiaal moet ontwerp of selfs aanpas vir klaskamergebruik. Die semi-empiriese deel van hierdie studie poog om die geskiktheid van die materiaal en die effek daarvan op onderrig en leer te ondersoek. ‘n Kwalitatiewe studie vertel wat in twee Gr. 8 klaskamers gebeur het oor ‘n periode van vyf weke toe ‘n module, geneem uit die materiaal wat in gebruik was in ten tyde van die ondersoek, in die klaskamer geïmplementeer is. Die materiaal is spesifiek aangeskaf deur die skool met die oog daarop om die vereistes van die UGO kurrikulum na te kom. Die leerders is onderrig deur twee verskillende onderwysers wat hul waarneemings neersgeskryf het volgens ‘n basiese waarnemingskedule. Addisionele data is verkry met twee stelle vraelyste. Die leerders wat die module meegemaak het, is gevra vir hul persepsies rakende taalonderrig die vorige jaar sowel as gedurende die vyf weke toe die module gebruik is, en’n geselekteerde groep onderwysers aan plaaslike skole het ‘n vraesly voltooi oor hul persepsies van die nuwe kurrikulum. Die response op die vraelyste is ontleed met verwysing na die literatuurstudie en die gevolgtrekkings van die twee onderwysers wat betrokke was . Hierdie studie onthul dat die spesiaal ontwerpte UGO materiaal nie baie verskil van dit wat in tradisionele taalhandboeke te vinde was nie. Verder beklemtoon dit die probleme wat ondervind word met die vind van geskikte taalleermateriaal wat die dinamika van werklike kommunikasie reflekteer en die insigte van die huidige linguistiese teorie aangaande taalaanleer akkommodeer, terwyl dit die vereistes van ‘n Suid-Afrikaanse UGO benadering probeer bereik. Waanner daar gereflekteer word oor wat nodig is vir effektiewe kurrikulêre verandering, openbaar hierdie dissertasie die belangrikheid daarvan om diensdoensde onderwysers te betrek in die ontwikkeling van ‘n nuwe kurrikulum en om hulle toe te rus met die nodige professionele ontwikkelingsgeleenthede. In daardie konteks is dit waarskynlik dat sorgvuldig ontwerpte en geselekteerde leermateriaal aansienlik sal bydra tot suksesvolle verandering.

In 2006, Outcomes Based Education (OBE) was introduced into Grade 10 (as part of the FET band) for the first time. For the Grade 10 History teacher, this new teaching approach implied modified assessment practices, setting new demands and challenges. It brought about an adjusted assessment strategy through which the focus of formal assessment was shifted to an interactive and learner-centred approach of "doing" History rather than "facts" simply being assessed. Whether outcome based assessment (OBA) is executed meaningfully, is determined by the Grade 10 History teacher's ability to develop learning and assessment strategies that can integrate the critical outcomes, the development outcomes, the learning outcomes and the assessment standards meaningfully with the facilitation of the historic content. The overarching aim of this research was to investigate the assessment practices of History teachers in Grade 10. It was undertaken within the framework of an extensive literature study on OBE and OBA as teaching processes - internationally and nationally. In order to determine the assessment practices of Grade 10 History teachers, an empirical investigation was undertaken that was based on both quantitative and qualitative research methods, with a view to: • establish to what extent the Grade 10 History teacher followed the guidelines/ prescriptions of OBA; • determine the Grade 10 History teacher's knowledge, attitudes and skills regarding OBA; • identify deficiencies and problems that prevent the Grade 10 History teacher from implementing OBA effectively; and • design an OBA model for the Grade 10 History teacher. A random sample of schools was drawn nationally. A structured questionnaire was sent to the Grade 10 History teachers of these schools [n = 424], of which a total of 122 was received back. The results were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively and the following are but a few findings of this research: • Most of the teachers were positively inclined towards OBA because it is aimed at developing the entire learner. • Most of the teachers had sufficient knowledge of the assessment documents made available to them, and it was comprehensible. • Most of the teachers were convinced that the training they had received, had not sufficiently empowered them professionally speaking for implementing OBA. • Most of the teachers expressed the need for more support from the Department of Education concerning better in-service training programmes, more support from subject and curriculum advisors and more resources and learning and teaching support material being made available. • Generally speaking, the theoretical knowledge of OBA of most of the teachers was good, but they desired more and longer practice oriented in-service training in specific aspects regarding OBA. Based on the results proceeding from the research, recommendations were made in order to promote the practical implementation of OBA in schools. A holistic OBE quality model for teaching History was also designed that will empower the History teacher to implement OBA effectively to then especially complement the critical outcomes. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

In 2006, Outcomes Based Education (OBE) was introduced into Grade 10 (as part of the FET band) for the first time. For the Grade 10 History teacher, this new teaching approach implied modified assessment practices, setting new demands and challenges. It brought about an adjusted assessment strategy through which the focus of formal assessment was shifted to an interactive and learner-centred approach of "doing" History rather than "facts" simply being assessed. Whether outcome based assessment (OBA) is executed meaningfully, is determined by the Grade 10 History teacher's ability to develop learning and assessment strategies that can integrate the critical outcomes, the development outcomes, the learning outcomes and the assessment standards meaningfully with the facilitation of the historic content. The overarching aim of this research was to investigate the assessment practices of History teachers in Grade 10. It was undertaken within the framework of an extensive literature study on OBE and OBA as teaching processes - internationally and nationally. In order to determine the assessment practices of Grade 10 History teachers, an empirical investigation was undertaken that was based on both quantitative and qualitative research methods, with a view to: • establish to what extent the Grade 10 History teacher followed the guidelines/ prescriptions of OBA; • determine the Grade 10 History teacher's knowledge, attitudes and skills regarding OBA; • identify deficiencies and problems that prevent the Grade 10 History teacher from implementing OBA effectively; and • design an OBA model for the Grade 10 History teacher. A random sample of schools was drawn nationally. A structured questionnaire was sent to the Grade 10 History teachers of these schools [n = 424], of which a total of 122 was received back. The results were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively and the following are but a few findings of this research: • Most of the teachers were positively inclined towards OBA because it is aimed at developing the entire learner. • Most of the teachers had sufficient knowledge of the assessment documents made available to them, and it was comprehensible. • Most of the teachers were convinced that the training they had received, had not sufficiently empowered them professionally speaking for implementing OBA. • Most of the teachers expressed the need for more support from the Department of Education concerning better in-service training programmes, more support from subject and curriculum advisors and more resources and learning and teaching support material being made available. • Generally speaking, the theoretical knowledge of OBA of most of the teachers was good, but they desired more and longer practice oriented in-service training in specific aspects regarding OBA. Based on the results proceeding from the research, recommendations were made in order to promote the practical implementation of OBA in schools. A holistic OBE quality model for teaching History was also designed that will empower the History teacher to implement OBA effectively to then especially complement the critical outcomes. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.