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In the past 30 years there has been a steady and growing appreciation in the literature of the importance and value of teachers' practical wisdom (TPW) - or phronesis as it is also known - to further an understanding of classroom practice and of the need to find ways to help teachers generate and share their perspectives with others. Nevertheless, the potential of this kind of knowledge (understood by Aristotle to be both practical and moral in its orientation) to contribute valuable insights to educational debates has still to be realised. Rather, educational decisions about policy and practice in many contexts (whether at a national or institutional level) are still largely driven by theoretical and technical knowledge perspectives and teacher practical wisdom perspectives are still often under-valued and remain under-represented in educational literature. One of the main reasons for this put forward in this thesis is the tendency in much of the literature to see this form of knowledge as classroom bound rather than to realise the ways in which it can inform broader pedagogical discussions. Bearing all of the above in mind, the aim of the study reported in this thesis into the TPW of 14 experienced expatriate English as a foreign language teachers (EEEFLTs) working in English language centres (ELCs) across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is threefold. Its first aim is to provide a platform for the EEEFLTs to demonstrate the contribution their TPW can potentially make in addressing syllabus related issues in the KSA ELCs they have worked and, in doing so, show how the use of TPW is not confined to the classroom. Its second aim is to increase the visibility of the participants' TPW and thus raise awareness of the importance of research into TPW and to provide a model for how this can be conducted. The study's final aim is to provide a deeper understanding of the nature of TPW. Located in the interpretive paradigm, this study uses a TPW-friendly methodology to investigate TPW: interpretive phronetic educational research (IPER), which approaches and conducts educational research through a moral and practical problem-driven lens. This understanding drives the study's methodology and all stages of its data collection and analysis and the methods used in both. The goal of such methods is an epistemological one to generate TPW whilst empowering it also by highlighting its validity and how it is easily articulated - and thus captured - and not confined to the classroom. To assist with its articulation and capture, the study employs a process defined as Problematisation: a four-stage process consisting of reflection, problematisation, deliberation and articulation which drives and shapes the semi-structured interviews the study employs and the secondary research questions that inform the primary research question. The study concludes that the EEEFLTs use their TPW as a lens (that has 12 qualities) through which to view KSA ELC syllabi and, in doing so, identify many problems with the syllabi and subsequent consequences and suggest solutions to address both. These problems, consequences and solutions have been organised under six prominent categories that represent six main problem areas to emerge from the data that suggest the syllabi are teacher, textbook and test-centred, top-down, teacher-proof and time-driven. These categories represent six problem areas that in turn reflect the problematic, negative and disempowering context from which the data informing such categories and themes have been drawn. In this study, TPW is considered disempowered knowledge as a result of the disempowering context within which it has been acquired and is used. Previous TPW studies have been conducted in more positive settings and have perhaps for this reason not focused on TPW's disempowerment. In contrast, this study takes on a much more political role as it explores TPW's disempowerment in the KSA ELC context as well as in the broader context of academia and the literature. TPW's lack of visibility in TESOL and education has several implications because unless TPW achieves greater visibility, it may fade into extinction and its potential may never be realised. This study has been conducted in an attempt to prevent this happening.

Vid införandet av de nuvarande styrdokumenten Lpo 94 medföljde att lokala tolkningar av styrdokumenten ska formuleras. Tolkningen av styrdokument anser vi vara en komplex del av läraryrket. Syftet med denna studie är att ta reda på vad matematiklärare, vilka undervisar i grundskolans senare år, uttrycker för tolkningar av begreppet strävansmål samt två utvalda strävansmål ur kursplanen i matematik för grundskolan. Vår förhoppning är att på så sätt bidra till ökad reflektion och kunskap gällande tolkning av skolans styrdokument. Vi valde att genomföra en kvalitativ intervjustudie med fyra matematiklärare i grundskolans senare åldrar. Lärarna, vilka medverkar i denna studie, har olika lång arbetslivserfarenhet inom läraryrket. Resultatet visar att lärare gör olika tolkningar av de två strävansmålen samt att de också tolkar själva begreppet strävansmål olika. Resultatet visar också att lärare anser att tolkningen är svår. Vi drar slutsatsen att dessa olika tolkningar kan få följder för intentionen om en likvärdig skola för alla. / When the current national curricula for the compulsory school system, Lpo 94, was implemented, local interpretations followed. We consider interpretation of curriculum and syllabi as a complicated part of teachers work. The aim of this study is to find out which interpretations elementary school teachers do on goals to aim for, taken from the syllabi of mathematics of the elementary school. Our expectations are that this study will contribute to increased reflections and knowledge concerning formulations of national curricula for the compulsory school system. We choose to perform a qualitative interview study with four teachers of mathematics in the upper school. The teachers, whom contribute to this study, experience of teachers work was varied. The result shows that teachers do various interpretations of the two goals to aim for. The teachers also interprets the concept of goals to aim for differently. The result also shows that the teachers consider the interpretation as difficult. Our conclusion is that these different interpretations can effect the intention of an equivalent school for all.

<p>Vid införandet av de nuvarande styrdokumenten Lpo 94 medföljde att lokala tolkningar av styrdokumenten ska formuleras. Tolkningen av styrdokument anser vi vara en komplex del av läraryrket. Syftet med denna studie är att ta reda på vad matematiklärare, vilka undervisar i grundskolans senare år, uttrycker för tolkningar av begreppet strävansmål samt två utvalda strävansmål ur kursplanen i matematik för grundskolan. Vår förhoppning är att på så sätt bidra till ökad reflektion och kunskap gällande tolkning av skolans styrdokument. Vi valde att genomföra en kvalitativ intervjustudie med fyra matematiklärare i grundskolans senare åldrar. Lärarna, vilka medverkar i denna studie, har olika lång arbetslivserfarenhet inom läraryrket. Resultatet visar att lärare gör olika tolkningar av de två strävansmålen samt att de också tolkar själva begreppet strävansmål olika. Resultatet visar också att lärare anser att tolkningen är svår. Vi drar slutsatsen att dessa olika tolkningar kan få följder för intentionen om en likvärdig skola för alla.</p> / <p>When the current national curricula for the compulsory school system, Lpo 94, was implemented, local interpretations followed. We consider interpretation of curriculum and syllabi as a complicated part of teachers work. The aim of this study is to find out which interpretations elementary school teachers do on goals to aim for, taken from the syllabi of mathematics of the elementary school. Our expectations are that this study will contribute to increased reflections and knowledge concerning formulations of national curricula for the compulsory school system. We choose to perform a qualitative interview study with four teachers of mathematics in the upper school. The teachers, whom contribute to this study, experience of teachers work was varied. The result shows that teachers do various interpretations of the two goals to aim for. The teachers also interprets the concept of goals to aim for differently. The result also shows that the teachers consider the interpretation as difficult. Our conclusion is that these different interpretations can effect the intention of an equivalent school for all.</p>

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

Text in Afrikaans / Summaries in Afrikaans and English / The supposition exists that the Transvaal Education Department's Senior Primary Class Music syllabus is not being implemented in all aspects and that this is connected to teacher training. An empirical investigation was launched using three questionnaires and a classroom field study. Two questionnaires, completed by Class Music teachers, were used to assess to what extent the school syllabus was being followed. Teachers also had to provide information about their training in Class Music teaching. The third questionnaire offered a structured interview with school principals. The actualisation of Class Music, extra curricular music activities, the role of the teacher and teacher training were examined. Lessons for standard two pupils at twenty schools, were presented for an in-depth investigation. The results were tabulated, summarised in bar graphs and interpretations rendered. According to the findings, recommendations with regard to curriculum, the implementation of the syllabus, and tertiary Class Music training were made. / Daar is vermoed dat die seniorprimere Klasmusieksillabus van die Transvaalse Onderwysdepartement gedeeltelik gelmplementeer word en dat df t verband hou met onderwysersopleiding. In die lig hiervan is 'n empiriese ondersoek geloods deur middel van drie vraelyste en deur veldwerk. In die twee vraelyste wat deur Klasmusiekonderwysers voltooi is, is nagevors in watter mate die skoolsillabus gelmplementeer word. Verder het die onderwysers hulle Klasmusiekopleiding in hierdie verband aangetoon. Die derde vraelys vorm die raamwerk vir 'n gestruktureerde onderhoud met skoolhoofde. Die realisering van Klasmusiek, buite-kurrikulere musiekaktiwiteit en die rol van die onderwyser en onderwysopleiding is nagegaan. In 'n diepte-ondersoek is lesse by twintig skole vir standerdtweeleerlinge aangebied. Die resultate word in tabelle uiteengesit en in staafdiagramme saamgevat, terwyl waarnemings weergegee word. Op grondhiervan word aanbevelings gemaak oor kurrikulering, sillabusimplementering en tersiere Klasmusiekopleiding. / Art History, Visual Arts & Musicology / M.Mus

The effectiveness of language requires that users of a language be provided with the right knowledge to cope with its complexity and demanding nature especially in the area of writing. In this sense, this thesis sought to draw attention to some of the important features of writing and speaking skills in the English language at two higher learning institutions in Namibia. English is a second language for students at these institutions. Articles 3 and 20 of the Namibian Constitution stipulate that the language policy must promote the use of English in schools (The Constitution of Namibia (1990). It is now 24 years since English as medium of instruction was introduced in schools and tertiary institutions, but some students’ English proficiency is still relatively poor, especially in writing and speaking communication skills. This study investigated the barriers that prevent students to write and speak English well at University A and University B. The writing and speaking skills were investigated through the lens of syllabi/study guides, and lack of practical teaching of oral communication and writing skills inter alia morphology and syntax. Fifty-seven respondents took part in the research, comprising Heads of Departments (Language, Communication and Language Centre), Course Coordinators, lecturers and students in the English field at the two institutions investigated. Students were deliberately selected for the questionnaire to illustrate the difficulties they face when writing and speaking English as a second language. The lecturers were also deliberately selected because they were the ones who were with the students in classrooms. This study used qualitative research to gather information through methods such as observation, interviews, open-response questionnaire items, document analysis and verbal reports. The following were the main findings. There was a lack of specific teaching objectives in oral communication and written skills in the syllabi, while the inability of students to write correct sentences, and the limited time allocated to these courses also played a role. The conclusion drawn from this study is that students’ communicative competency is very poor. Therefore, it is the opinion of this researcher that improvement is much needed regarding syllabi content, teaching approaches of speaking and writing skills, students’ admission criteria and the time frame allocated for the different courses. To answer the research question: firstly the time allocated to some of the English courses is short, there is lack of teaching and learning of oral and writing skills approaches and, the syllabi were planned and design in a way that do not enhance much the teaching and learning of the second language. There are not many activities in the study guides that could be used to enhance students’ communicative competency. Such activities should include subject and verb agreement, passive and active form, sentence construction, word-building using prefixes and suffixes, auxiliaries or activities which give the students a chance to practice a certain aspect of language. Also, since English is a second language for students in Namibia, the institutions must seriously look at the time allocated to the courses they offer so that lecturers can appropriately apply proper approaches to teach writing and speaking skills. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

Text in Afrikaans / Summaries in Afrikaans and English / The supposition exists that the Transvaal Education Department's Senior Primary Class Music syllabus is not being implemented in all aspects and that this is connected to teacher training. An empirical investigation was launched using three questionnaires and a classroom field study. Two questionnaires, completed by Class Music teachers, were used to assess to what extent the school syllabus was being followed. Teachers also had to provide information about their training in Class Music teaching. The third questionnaire offered a structured interview with school principals. The actualisation of Class Music, extra curricular music activities, the role of the teacher and teacher training were examined. Lessons for standard two pupils at twenty schools, were presented for an in-depth investigation. The results were tabulated, summarised in bar graphs and interpretations rendered. According to the findings, recommendations with regard to curriculum, the implementation of the syllabus, and tertiary Class Music training were made. / Daar is vermoed dat die seniorprimere Klasmusieksillabus van die Transvaalse Onderwysdepartement gedeeltelik gelmplementeer word en dat df t verband hou met onderwysersopleiding. In die lig hiervan is 'n empiriese ondersoek geloods deur middel van drie vraelyste en deur veldwerk. In die twee vraelyste wat deur Klasmusiekonderwysers voltooi is, is nagevors in watter mate die skoolsillabus gelmplementeer word. Verder het die onderwysers hulle Klasmusiekopleiding in hierdie verband aangetoon. Die derde vraelys vorm die raamwerk vir 'n gestruktureerde onderhoud met skoolhoofde. Die realisering van Klasmusiek, buite-kurrikulere musiekaktiwiteit en die rol van die onderwyser en onderwysopleiding is nagegaan. In 'n diepte-ondersoek is lesse by twintig skole vir standerdtweeleerlinge aangebied. Die resultate word in tabelle uiteengesit en in staafdiagramme saamgevat, terwyl waarnemings weergegee word. Op grondhiervan word aanbevelings gemaak oor kurrikulering, sillabusimplementering en tersiere Klasmusiekopleiding. / Art History, Visual Arts and Musicology / M.Mus

The effectiveness of language requires that users of a language be provided with the right knowledge to cope with its complexity and demanding nature especially in the area of writing. In this sense, this thesis sought to draw attention to some of the important features of writing and speaking skills in the English language at two higher learning institutions in Namibia. English is a second language for students at these institutions. Articles 3 and 20 of the Namibian Constitution stipulate that the language policy must promote the use of English in schools (The Constitution of Namibia (1990). It is now 24 years since English as medium of instruction was introduced in schools and tertiary institutions, but some students’ English proficiency is still relatively poor, especially in writing and speaking communication skills. This study investigated the barriers that prevent students to write and speak English well at University A and University B. The writing and speaking skills were investigated through the lens of syllabi/study guides, and lack of practical teaching of oral communication and writing skills inter alia morphology and syntax. Fifty-seven respondents took part in the research, comprising Heads of Departments (Language, Communication and Language Centre), Course Coordinators, lecturers and students in the English field at the two institutions investigated. Students were deliberately selected for the questionnaire to illustrate the difficulties they face when writing and speaking English as a second language. The lecturers were also deliberately selected because they were the ones who were with the students in classrooms. This study used qualitative research to gather information through methods such as observation, interviews, open-response questionnaire items, document analysis and verbal reports. The following were the main findings. There was a lack of specific teaching objectives in oral communication and written skills in the syllabi, while the inability of students to write correct sentences, and the limited time allocated to these courses also played a role. The conclusion drawn from this study is that students’ communicative competency is very poor. Therefore, it is the opinion of this researcher that improvement is much needed regarding syllabi content, teaching approaches of speaking and writing skills, students’ admission criteria and the time frame allocated for the different courses. To answer the research question: firstly the time allocated to some of the English courses is short, there is lack of teaching and learning of oral and writing skills approaches and, the syllabi were planned and design in a way that do not enhance much the teaching and learning of the second language. There are not many activities in the study guides that could be used to enhance students’ communicative competency. Such activities should include subject and verb agreement, passive and active form, sentence construction, word-building using prefixes and suffixes, auxiliaries or activities which give the students a chance to practice a certain aspect of language. Also, since English is a second language for students in Namibia, the institutions must seriously look at the time allocated to the courses they offer so that lecturers can appropriately apply proper approaches to teach writing and speaking skills. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The purpose of this study was to discover which southern universities have graduate preparatory programs in community college leadership and how, if at all, ethics is addressed in their curricula and in instruction. Surveys were mailed to 38 southern universities located in the Southern Regional Education Board member states. Of the 21 responses received, there were 16 usable responses from universities in these states. Through an examination of databases of Council for the Study of Community Colleges Graduate Studies and the American Association of Community Colleges Leadership Programs for Community College Professionals databases, 38 senior universities were found to have community college leadership programs. State programs were further confirmed through the survey to personnel listed on program websites for the universities. 15 of 16 southern universities responding to the survey item were found to have community college leadership preparatory programs that provide ethics instruction. Although the results of this survey indicate that the majority of the respondents include ethics in their curricula and in instruction, the manner in which they integrate it is varied and shows a lack of consensus among southern universities. Of the institutions that responded, the majority of respondents indicated that ethics instruction is integrated into specific discipline- or department-based courses. Offering ethics in an elective or general core course requirement was noted as a less common approach, but a viable alternative to the specific discipline- or department-based course method. Additionally, several respondents revealed that ethics instruction is institution-wide. This finding, in particular, is hopeful because it suggests that colleges are going beyond the confines of courses and degree programs and making ethics instruction a university priority. A review of the graduate preparatory programs in community college leadership courses, syllabi, and course descriptions revealed that a number of universities often incorporated instruction in ethics-based courses such as Ethical Decision Making or Ethics in the Workplace and Education. Conversely, the majority of the universities in this study addressed ethics through community college leadership core courses to include, but not limited to, The Community College, The History and Philosophy of the Community College, and Legal Aspects of Higher Education.