Inligting en kommunikasietegnologie (IKT) vorm ‘n belangrike komponent van effektiewe onderrig en leer. Ten spyte van die gedokumenteerde voordele wat IKT vir onderrig en leer inhou, bly IKT–integrering in skole steeds gebrekkig. Die implementering van IKT om onderrig en leer oor ‘n wye reeks van leerareas te bevorder en uit te brei, blyk ‘n groot uitdaging by meeste skole te wees. Faktore soos fiskale verpligtinge, ruimtelike hindernisse, ondoeltreffende en gebrekkige infrastruktuur en swak koördinering ondermyn meeste pogings tot effektiewe en volhoubare IKT–gebruik. Onderwysers wat begin het om IKT in hul onderrigpraktyke toe te pas, verlang verskillende vorms van ondersteuning, insluitend die van tegniese en implementeringsondersteuning. Die SITES modules help om die pad na volhoubare IKT–gebruik in Suid–Afrika aan te dui deur die vernaamste studies plaaslik en internasionaal uiteen te sit, beste praktyke te beklemtoon en die noodsaaklikheid van tegnologiekoördineerders te bevestig. Die doel van die navorsing is gefokus op die rol wat die tegnologiekoördineerder vertolk in die implementering en benutting van IKT in Suid Afrikaanse skole. Hierdie inligting kan nuttig wees om huidige onderrig en leerpraktyke in oënskou te neem en om ingeligte besluite rakende effektiewe en volhoubare IKT–gebruik in onderrig en leer te neem. Die studie is gebaseer op die bevindinge van die derde SITES studie (SITES 2006), wat ‘n internasionale kwantitatiewe opname oor die pedagogiese praktyke en gebruike van IKT met betrekking tot die 21ste eeuse leervaardighede in skole. Die studie het ‘n SDA metodologie van die Suid Afrikaanse tegnologiekoördineerders gevolg. Aangesien Suid–Afrika aan al drie studies deelgeneem het kon uit die literatuur longitudinale tendense aangedui word met betrekking tot IKT–gebruik in Suid–Afrikaanse skole. Tydens die SDA is beskrywende statistiek uitgevoer en kruistabulerings bereken om betekenisvolle korrelasies tussen veranderlikes te bepaal. Alhoewel meeste tegnologiekoördineerders aangetoon het dat die gebruik van IKT relevant is binne hulle skole, is die vlak van IKT–gebruik binne vakverband besonder laag weens talle struikelblokke wat die gebruik van IKT in skole belemmer. Daar is ‘n beperkte hoeveelheid rekenaars en skootrekenaars beskikbaar per skool. By die meeste skole tree onderwysers op as tegnologiekoördineerders wat ook dan verantwoordelikheid aanvaar vir die instandhouding van die rekenaars. Die tegnologiekoördineerder se pligte en verantwoordelikheid bestaan hoofsaaklik uit die onderrig van ander vakke en relatief min tyd word gewy aan IKTkursusse vir leerders en onderwysers, en juis daarom is die formele rol wat die tegnologiekoördineerder vertolk betreklik laag. Hoewel onderwysers in die meeste skole optree as tegnologiekoördineerders, ontvang hulle kommerwekkend min professionele onderwysersontwikkeling (POO). Die studie toon aan dat onderwysers onvoldoende tegniese ondersteuning ontvang. Tegnologiekoördineerders het betreklik min periodes per week tot hul beskikking om IKT–ondersteuning aan te bied. Prakties betekenisvolle korrelasies tussen die gebruik van IKT in die onderrig en leer van leerareas hang af van die beskikbaarheid van IKT–toerusting. Die gebruik van IKT in die onderrig en leer van leerareas, is in ‘n sekere mate afhanklik van die beskikbaarheid van IKT ondersteuning vir meeste van die verskillende aktiwiteite wat by skole plaasvind. Vir effektiewe en volhoubare IKT–gebruik is dit belangrik dat die onderwysers tegniese– en POO ontvang en dit sal vereis dat die tegnologiekoördineerder ‘n meer prominente rol vervul in Suid Afrikaanse skole. Tegnologiekoördineerders speel ‘n toonaangewende rol in die koördinering, instandhouding, ondersteuning en bemagtiging van fasiliteite en gebruikers by onderwysinstellings. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

In South Africa, Science and Technology Education faces many problems. Insufficient numbers of Science and Technology teachers, inadequate in–service training, large classes, instruction with the aim of narrowly orienting students towards examination passes an insufficient integration of technology in the curriculum, and insufficient physical infrastructure dominates the list. The Department of Education envisages the use of ICT as a tool for learning and teaching. ICT has the potential to improve the quality of education and training. If adequate resources are available, and teachers have confidence in the usefulness of ICTs, then the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) may improve the teaching and learning of Mathematics and Science. A review of the literature indicated that the deployment of ICT resources alone will not bring about desirable pedagogical practices in the classroom. There exists a need for interventions that will enhance ICT pedagogical practices in South Africa. The following main research questions were formulated: What are the ICT pedagogic practices used by grade 8 Mathematics and Science teachers in South African classrooms? How do the barriers that grade 8 Mathematics and Science teachers encounter, as well as the support they receive, influence their pedagogical practices? What is the Principal’s role in promoting the emerging pedagogic practices using ICT in South African classrooms? This research comprises a secondary data analysis of the SITES 2006 South African data base. The population and sample for this study was based on the South African grade 8 Mathematics and Natural science teachers. In SITES 2006, the samples comprised more than 504 schools. Due to the fact that ICT is only significantly implemented in two out of nine provinces in South Africa, 25 strata were created to secure fair representation of the population with 666 Mathematics teachers and 622 Natural Science teachers. Bromfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and Engeström’s Activity Theory was used to investigate Natural Science and Mathematics teachers’ progress in their ICT pedagogical practices through the time–frame 2004 to 2013, as stipulated in the South Africa’s White paper on e–Education policy. Statistical analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to address the research and sub–questions. The study found that South African Mathematics and Natural Science teachers’ level of ICT use is small; when they do use ICT, it is enhanced 21st century pedagogic practices. This is in accordance with findings from the international literature study. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Inligting en kommunikasietegnologie (IKT) vorm ‘n belangrike komponent van effektiewe onderrig en leer. Ten spyte van die gedokumenteerde voordele wat IKT vir onderrig en leer inhou, bly IKT–integrering in skole steeds gebrekkig. Die implementering van IKT om onderrig en leer oor ‘n wye reeks van leerareas te bevorder en uit te brei, blyk ‘n groot uitdaging by meeste skole te wees. Faktore soos fiskale verpligtinge, ruimtelike hindernisse, ondoeltreffende en gebrekkige infrastruktuur en swak koördinering ondermyn meeste pogings tot effektiewe en volhoubare IKT–gebruik. Onderwysers wat begin het om IKT in hul onderrigpraktyke toe te pas, verlang verskillende vorms van ondersteuning, insluitend die van tegniese en implementeringsondersteuning. Die SITES modules help om die pad na volhoubare IKT–gebruik in Suid–Afrika aan te dui deur die vernaamste studies plaaslik en internasionaal uiteen te sit, beste praktyke te beklemtoon en die noodsaaklikheid van tegnologiekoördineerders te bevestig. Die doel van die navorsing is gefokus op die rol wat die tegnologiekoördineerder vertolk in die implementering en benutting van IKT in Suid Afrikaanse skole. Hierdie inligting kan nuttig wees om huidige onderrig en leerpraktyke in oënskou te neem en om ingeligte besluite rakende effektiewe en volhoubare IKT–gebruik in onderrig en leer te neem. Die studie is gebaseer op die bevindinge van die derde SITES studie (SITES 2006), wat ‘n internasionale kwantitatiewe opname oor die pedagogiese praktyke en gebruike van IKT met betrekking tot die 21ste eeuse leervaardighede in skole. Die studie het ‘n SDA metodologie van die Suid Afrikaanse tegnologiekoördineerders gevolg. Aangesien Suid–Afrika aan al drie studies deelgeneem het kon uit die literatuur longitudinale tendense aangedui word met betrekking tot IKT–gebruik in Suid–Afrikaanse skole. Tydens die SDA is beskrywende statistiek uitgevoer en kruistabulerings bereken om betekenisvolle korrelasies tussen veranderlikes te bepaal. Alhoewel meeste tegnologiekoördineerders aangetoon het dat die gebruik van IKT relevant is binne hulle skole, is die vlak van IKT–gebruik binne vakverband besonder laag weens talle struikelblokke wat die gebruik van IKT in skole belemmer. Daar is ‘n beperkte hoeveelheid rekenaars en skootrekenaars beskikbaar per skool. By die meeste skole tree onderwysers op as tegnologiekoördineerders wat ook dan verantwoordelikheid aanvaar vir die instandhouding van die rekenaars. Die tegnologiekoördineerder se pligte en verantwoordelikheid bestaan hoofsaaklik uit die onderrig van ander vakke en relatief min tyd word gewy aan IKTkursusse vir leerders en onderwysers, en juis daarom is die formele rol wat die tegnologiekoördineerder vertolk betreklik laag. Hoewel onderwysers in die meeste skole optree as tegnologiekoördineerders, ontvang hulle kommerwekkend min professionele onderwysersontwikkeling (POO). Die studie toon aan dat onderwysers onvoldoende tegniese ondersteuning ontvang. Tegnologiekoördineerders het betreklik min periodes per week tot hul beskikking om IKT–ondersteuning aan te bied. Prakties betekenisvolle korrelasies tussen die gebruik van IKT in die onderrig en leer van leerareas hang af van die beskikbaarheid van IKT–toerusting. Die gebruik van IKT in die onderrig en leer van leerareas, is in ‘n sekere mate afhanklik van die beskikbaarheid van IKT ondersteuning vir meeste van die verskillende aktiwiteite wat by skole plaasvind. Vir effektiewe en volhoubare IKT–gebruik is dit belangrik dat die onderwysers tegniese– en POO ontvang en dit sal vereis dat die tegnologiekoördineerder ‘n meer prominente rol vervul in Suid Afrikaanse skole. Tegnologiekoördineerders speel ‘n toonaangewende rol in die koördinering, instandhouding, ondersteuning en bemagtiging van fasiliteite en gebruikers by onderwysinstellings. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Emotions and its effect on the individual’s general functioning are a key concept of humanity. The modern child is confronted with all kinds of emotional developmental tasks with direct influence on his ultimate figuration to adulthood. Emotion is an internal experience in contrast to the fact that various reactions are displayed externally as a result thereof. Children’s behavior demonstrates that which are experienced internally. It might also be a way to conceal especially those emotions. Emotional awareness manifests through demonstration or concealing of inner feelings. The child’s external reactions to inner feelings must be based on knowledge of what is being experienced. Behavior is mostly a reaction to ignorance of the inner experience which might manifest in anxiety attacks, anger and emotional episodes. Empowerment of the child to recognize and experience emotions enables him to gain insight of emotions as a natural part of human nature. This causes him to develop the ability to express emotion in a socially acceptable manner. The process of emotional awareness alerts the child to the fact those specific emotions results in specific bodily experiences. Emotional awareness is an indication of the child’s knowledge of emotions and its impact in emotional, physical and psychological reactions. It provides an explanation for anxieties and fears which enables the child to own these feelings and take control of it. The middle childhood phase is the period that follows the achievement of a mass of developmental skills like the mastery of language, control over bodily functions and cognitive abilities. These abilities are refined in this phase. Emotional awareness and especially concepts of self and the purpose of individuals in the systems that surrounds him evolves. Considerable part of the child’s day during this phase, is spent at school. Emotional wellbeing can thus efficiently be recognized and addressed by the educational system. The educator’s knowledge of emotional awareness will ensure meaningful emotional development of learners. Results obtained from questionaires completed by educators in primary education indicates a need for understanding of problem behavior in children. The need for education on emotional awareness and techniques for development of emotional awareness in learners is also expressed. The focus of this study is thus on the concept of educators regarding the emotional awareness of learners; the role of emotional awareness in the child’s development and the educators knowledge regarding development of emotional skills and promotion of emotional awareness. / Dissertation (MSD (Play Therapy))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Social Work and Criminology / MSD / unrestricted

Die Brasiliaanse opvoedkundige Paulo Freire word as een van die belangrikste opvoeders van die twintigste eeu beskou. Sy benadering tot volwasse onderrig is op verskeie terreine toegepas maar nooit direk as teenvoeter vir geweld teen vroue en kinders aangewend nie. Die doel van hierdie studie was om vas te stel op welke wyse Paulo Freire se benadering tot leer en onderrig in volwasse basiese onderrig as teenvoeter kan dien vir die kultuur van geweld teen vroue en kinders in Suid-Afrika. Die studie bestaan uit ’n analitiese literatuurstudie en ’n kwalitatiewe studie met elf deelnemers. Ten einde die navorsingsvraag te beantwoord neem die studie ‘n aanvang met ’n literatuurstudie oor die redes vir geweld teen vroue en kinders. Daarna val die fokus op volwasse basiese onderrig [VBO], volwasse leer en die knelpunte in VBO in Suid-Afrika. In die volgende hoofstuk word die literatuur ten opsigte van Freire se werk en sy benadering tot volwasse onderrig bespreek. Kernelemente van sy benadering word getabuleer waarna kritiek op en die belang van sy benadering, sowel as die toepassing daarvan, in Afrika en Suid-Afrika bespreek word. In die kwalitatiewe empiriese studie word die resultate van die vrae in die onderhoudsgids met betrekking tot geweld en VBO bespreek waarna die resultatate in die laaste hoofstuk in die lig van die literatuurstudie geanaliseer word. Nadat die data beoordeel is, word aanbeveel dat, hoewel kennis geneem moet word van die uitdagings in VBO en Freire se benadering, die benadering steeds as ’n middel in basiese volwasse onderrig gebruik kan word om geweld die hoof te bied. ’n Praktiese voorstel vir teengeweldonderrig word gemaak met behulp van ’n teengeweldlesplan vir VBO. Die navorsing sluit af met beperkings van die studie en voorstelle vir optrede. / The Brazilian educator Paulo Freire is considered to be one of the most important educators of the twentieth century. His approach to adult education has been applied to various fields, but never directly to prevent violence against women and children. The purpose of this study was to ascertain how Freire’s approach to learning and teaching can be used as an antidote against violence against women and children in South Africa. The study consists of an analytical literature review and qualitative study with eleven participants. To answer the research question, the study commences with a literature study on the reasons for violence against women and children. Therafter the focus shifts to the adult basic education, adult learning and the restraints in adult basic education in South Africa. In the next chapter Freire’s work and his approach to adult education is dis-cussed. Key elements to his approach is tabled whereafter critique on and the im-portance of his approach, as well as its application in South Africa, is discussed. In the qualitative empirical study the results of the questions in the interview guide with regard to violence and adult basic education is discussed, whereafter the results are analised in the final chapter in view of the literature study. After the consideration of the data, it is recommended that cognisance must be taken of the challenges to adult basic education and Freire’s approachwhich can still be utilised as a medium in adult basic education to combat violence. A practical proposal for antiviolence education is made through a antiviolence lesson plan for ABE. The research concludes with limitations and recommendations. / ABET and Youth Development / M. Ed. (Adult Education)

Abstracts in English, Afrikaans and Zulu / This qualitative, single high school case-study conveniently sampled eight natural sciences teachers and, after conducting lesson observations and document analysis, interviewed all participants to obtain their perceptions about the effectiveness of inquirybased teaching in motivating learners to specialise in sciences. The major finding was that most participants were sceptical about inquiry-based teaching. Participants from a behaviourist epistemology did not believe that learner motivation resulted from inquirybased teaching while those from an eclectic epistemology preferred a complementary use of both approaches. The few participants oriented towards inquiry acknowledged the link between learner motivation and inquiry-based teaching but faced the challenge of limited time to prepare all the apparatus and procedures required for inquiry-based teaching. This researcher recommends employing laboratory assistants to assist teachers with setting up apparatus for inquiry-based lessons, trimming some content to reduce overload in the Annual Teaching Plans (ATP), and in-service training on inquirybased teaching to develop learner interest in sciences. / Hierdie kwalitatiewe gevallestudie het agt natuurwetenskap onderwysers betrek en na leswaarnemings en dokumentanalise, is onderhoude met die deelnemers gevoer om hul sienings te bekom oor die bydrae van die ondersoek-gebaseerde konstruktivistiese benadering as ’n strategie om leerders te motiveer om in wetenskap-verwante vakke te spesialiseer. Die belangrikste bevindings was dat die deelnemers logiese positivistiese en eklektiese benaderings verkies; dat hulle skepties is oor ondersoek-gebaseerde onderrig en dat hulle nie leerder motivering aan onderwysbenaderings koppel nie. Daar was egter enkele deelnemers wat wel ondersoekend onderrig het en wat leerder belangstelling in wetenskap aan ondersoek-gebaseerde onderrig gekoppel het. Op grond van die data wat verkry is, beveel hierdie navorser aan dat laboratoriumassistente aangestel moet word om onderwysers by te staan met die opstel van apparaat vir ondersoek-gebaseerde lesse; dat spesifieke modelle van ondersoek in die “CAPS”- dokument ingesluit word; dat inhoud afgeskaal moet word om oorlading in die jaarlikse onderrigplanne (ATP) te verminder, en dat voor- en indiensopleiding aan onderwysers oor ondersoek-gebaseerde onderrig verskaf word as ‘n manier om die belangstelling van die leerders in die wetenskappe te prikkel. / Lesisifundo socwaningo esenziwe esikoleni esisodwa samabanga aphakeme lwakhetha othisha beSayensi Yemvelo (NS) abayisishiyagalombili ukuze kwazakale ukuthi bayibona kanjani indlela yokufundisa iSayensi ngophenyo (inquiry-based teaching) ehlose ukukhuphula intshisekelo yabafundi kwiSayensi. Ngemuva kokubona othisha beSayensi befundisa, lomcwaningi wahlaziya incwadi eziphathelene nokufundiswa kohlelo lwe CAPS, waphinde wenza izingxoxo nabothisha. Okumqoka okutholakale kuloluphenyo kube ukuthi iningi lababambe iqhaza, abakhuthalela ukufundisa ngendlela egxile kuthisha (logical positivism) bangabaza ukuthi abafundi bafunde bephenya njalo abakubonanga ukuxhumana kwenzindlela zokufundisa nokunyuka kwentshiseko yabafundi ezifundweni ze Sayensi. Ababambiqhaza abahlanganisa indlela yokufundisa egxile kuthisha ne ndlela yokufundisa ngophenyo (eclectic) bakholelwa ukuthi indlela yokufundisa egxile kuthisa nendlela yokuthi abafundi bafunde bephenya, kuyomela zisetshenziswe zombili. Kwatholakala ingcosana yabothisha eyenelisa ukufundisa isayensi ngendlela yophenyo eyayisezingeni eliphansi njalo yaqinisekisa ukuthi bukhona ubudlelwano phakathi kwendlela zokufundisa nokunyusa intshiseko yabafundi kwi Sayensi. Ngokolwazi olutholakele, lolucwaningo luncome ukusebenzisa abasizi basemagunjini okusebenzela ososayensi ukusiza ukuhlela amalungiselelo okwenza uphenyo lwezifundo, nokuhlinzekwa kwezindlela eziqondile zokuphenya izincwadi zikaCAPS, kanye nokunciphisa okunye okuqukethwe, kwehliswe umthwalo kuhlelo lokufundisa lonyaka (i-ATP), ukuqeqeshwa kothisha kwi ndlela yokufundisa iSayensi ngokuphenya ukuze kuthuthukiswe intshiseko yabafundi. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

Abstract in Afrikaans and English / This study was initiated when the researcher became aware of the problem that learners from low socio-economic environments tend to experience barriers to learning in numeracy and literacy. These barriers were identified in a class of Grade 1 learners through extensive literature study, after which the development, teaching and learning of numeracy and literacy in grade 1 were investigated. The researcher then developed intervention programmes for literacy and numeracy, each running for a period of six weeks, in order to overcome learners’ difficulties in these learning areas. Each programme was subdivided into three shorter programmes of two weeks each, which addressed different aspects of literacy and numeracy. Each sub-programme was supplemented by a schedule of daily activities in order to reinforce learning. Learners’ competence in literacy and numeracy was assessed before starting the programme and re-assessed at the end, using the same tests they had done at the beginning. Learners’ marks in both sets of tests were compared, which demonstrated their progress or non-progress after having participated in the intervention programmes. / Inleidend tot die studie word ‘n uiteensetting gegee van hoe die navorser bewus geword het van die navorsingsprobleem, wat as volg gestel word: Die navorser is bewus daarvan dat leerders uit ‘n lae sosio-ekonomiese milieu gewoonlik struikelblokke in leeraktiwiteite in gesyferdheid en geletterdheid ervaar. Deur literatuurstudie is die struikelblokke wat graad 1-leerders in geletterdheid en gesyferdheid ondervind, geïdentifiseer. Vervolgens is die ontwikkeling, onderrig en leer van geletterdheid en gesyferdheid volledig uiteengesit en intervensieprogramme in geletterdheid en gesyferdheid saamgestel om leerders se struikelblokke tydens leeraktiwiteite te bowe te kom. Drie intervensieprogramme in geletterdheid en drie in gesyferdheid is saamgestel, wat elk vir twee weke gevolg is. Volledige skedules van daaglikse aktiwiteite wat by elke program uitgevoer is, is ook ingesluit. Leerders se bedrewenheid in geletterdheid en gesyferdheid is geassesseer voor daar met die programme begin is. Na afloop van die intervensieprogramme het leerders weer dieselfde toetse afgelê waardeur hulle vordering of nie-vordering bepaal kon word. Verskeie tabelle is saamgestel wat leerders se vordering aantoon. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Sielkundige Opvoedkunde)

Teacher self-efficacy beliefs (TSE) are an important attribute of effective teachers. Teacher efficacy refers to a teacher‘s belief in his or her abilities to bring about valued outcomes of engagement and learning among learners, including difficult or unmotivated learners. English Second Language (ESL) reading seems to be a substantial problem in Namibia. This research aimed to explore rural Namibian grade 4-6 teachers‘ self-efficacy beliefs regarding the teaching of ESL reading. The research was based on Bandura (1997)‘s well-known four sources of self-efficacy, and the Linnenbrink and Pintrich (2003) engagements to focus on aspects which influence teachers‘ TSE with regard to teaching reading. The researcher formed assumptions from the epistemological premises and followed an interpretive approach. A non-probability sampling method was used to select the eight teachers within the four schools of the nearby circuit. The data were collected qualitatively by means of in-depth interviews in order to gather data from teachers‘ individual experiences about intermediate learners‘ low reading skills and teaching reading. Data were analysed and interpreted using Atlas.ti ™. The purpose of this research was to identify issues regarding rural Namibian teachers‘ self-efficacy beliefs that relate to teaching English Second Language (ESL) reading. The rationale for this study was to identify gaps related to teachers‘ SEBs and to make suggestions to improve teachers SEB‘s. The researcher identified a fifth source, the school environment, as another source that influences teachers‘ SEBs regarding teaching reading. Since the school environment is an additional source of self-efficacy the researcher recommend further research that can establish evidence on how school environment influences SEBs with regard to reading achievements. / MEd (Curriculum Development), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

School science education prepares learners to study science at a higher level, prepares them to follow a career in science and to become scientific literate citizens. It is the responsibility of the educator to ensure the learners’ conceptual framework is developed to the extent that secures success at higher level studies. The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of conceptual change teaching strategies on the conceptual development of grade 11 learners on Newton’s second law of motion. The two strategies employed were the cognitive conflict strategy and the development of ideas strategy. A sequential explanatory mixed-method research design was used during this study. The qualitative data were used to elucidate the quantitative findings. The quantitative research consisted of a quasi-experimental design consisting of a single-group pre-test–post-test method. During the qualitative part of the research a phenomenological research approach was utilised to gain a better understanding of participants’ learning experiences during the intervention. The quantitative research made use of an adapted version of the Force Concept Inventory (FCI). The data collected from the pre-test were used to inform the intervention. The intervention was videotaped and the video analysis or qualitative data analysis was done. After the intervention the post-test was written by the learners. Hake’s average normalised learning gain <g> from pre- to post-scores was analysed to establish the effectiveness of the intervention. The two sets of results (quantitative and qualitative) were integrated. Information from the qualitative data analysis was used to support and explain the quantitative data. The quantitative results indicate that there was an improvement in the students’ force conception from their initial alternative conceptions, such as that of an internal force. Especially the learners’ understanding of contact forces and Newton’s first law of motion yielded significant improvement. The qualitative data revealed that the understanding of Newton’s second law of motion by the learners who partook in this study did improve, since the learners immediately recognised the mistakes made when confronted with the anchor concept. The cognitive conflict teaching strategy was effective in establishing the anchor concept of force which proved to be useful as bridging concept in the development of ideas teaching strategy. The data from both datasets revealed that the cognitive conflict teaching strategy for the initial part of the intervention was effective. It was evident that for development of the idea teaching strategy the two data sets revealed mixed results. Recommendations were made for future research and implementation of conceptual development teaching strategies. / MEd (Natural Sciences Education), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Teacher self-efficacy beliefs (TSE) are an important attribute of effective teachers. Teacher efficacy refers to a teacher‘s belief in his or her abilities to bring about valued outcomes of engagement and learning among learners, including difficult or unmotivated learners. English Second Language (ESL) reading seems to be a substantial problem in Namibia. This research aimed to explore rural Namibian grade 4-6 teachers‘ self-efficacy beliefs regarding the teaching of ESL reading. The research was based on Bandura (1997)‘s well-known four sources of self-efficacy, and the Linnenbrink and Pintrich (2003) engagements to focus on aspects which influence teachers‘ TSE with regard to teaching reading. The researcher formed assumptions from the epistemological premises and followed an interpretive approach. A non-probability sampling method was used to select the eight teachers within the four schools of the nearby circuit. The data were collected qualitatively by means of in-depth interviews in order to gather data from teachers‘ individual experiences about intermediate learners‘ low reading skills and teaching reading. Data were analysed and interpreted using Atlas.ti ™. The purpose of this research was to identify issues regarding rural Namibian teachers‘ self-efficacy beliefs that relate to teaching English Second Language (ESL) reading. The rationale for this study was to identify gaps related to teachers‘ SEBs and to make suggestions to improve teachers SEB‘s. The researcher identified a fifth source, the school environment, as another source that influences teachers‘ SEBs regarding teaching reading. Since the school environment is an additional source of self-efficacy the researcher recommend further research that can establish evidence on how school environment influences SEBs with regard to reading achievements. / MEd (Curriculum Development), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014