The study explores the role of school principals in teacher professional development in Ekurhuleni South District and whether they perform their leadership functions as expected. Literature reviewed gave an in-depth understanding of the discourse of teacher professional development from the South African and international perspectives. A qualitative approach was adopted to explore the role of school principals in teacher professional development. Ten primary schools were selected from Ekurhuleni South District using purposive sampling. In each school, the principal, deputy principal, head of department and a post level teacher were interviewed to gather data. The findings of the study revealed that there is little or no support from principals to assist teachers in order to enhance teaching and learning. A lack of resources and development opportunities for principals by their superiors hampers teacher professional development. The main recommendation from this study is that principals should be supported by their cluster leaders, and the school governing bodies should supplement the school funds so that teachers can attend workshops. / Educational Management and Leadership / M. Ed. (Education Management)

Not available / text

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Philosophy

This evaluation research study is concerned with the quality of support and in-service development for Malawian primary teachers through the medium of radio. The study aims to evaluate the influence that the current United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded interactive radio instruction (IRI) programme has on teachers’ behaviours, with the aim of proposing some guidelines for the development of a model of continuing professional development (CPD), appropriate to the Malawian context, using IRI. It identifies the teacher as a critical entity in raising levels of learners’ achievement within the primary school and posits that through improved teacher support and development, higher levels of learner achievement can be attained. The study identifies the potential that communication technology in the form of interactive radio instruction (IRI) offers in improving CPD of teachers at a cost that could be affordable to disadvantaged school communities in the country. The study takes place in a context where the Malawi government has been challenged to provide quality universal primary education after introducing free primary education (FPE) in 1994, which resulted in a massive expansion of primary schools, resulting in acute shortages of teachers. The study has drawn on aspects of practice theory and in particular the work of Giddens (1984), Bourdieu (1977, 1978), Shatzki et al (2001) and Reckwitz (2002a) in an attempt to emphasise the role of artefacts, such as interactive radio, as part of social practice. A practice theoretic perspective has been used to highlight the contentious role played by learning-objects in teacher practice and the need for flexibility and innovation in employing learning-objects like interactive radio as part of teaching practice. To carry out a critical exploration of the issues of teacher learning and practice, a longitudinal qualitative research approach was proposed for the evaluation of the existing IRI programme in Malawi. As the researcher was also actively involved in the planning of the Malawi IRI programme from onset, he therefore maintained a dual role of researcher and co-founder throughout the research process. The empirical evidence employed within this research was elicited through three main processes: interview survey, participant observation and focus groups in order to achieve validity through methodical triangulation. The analysis of this evidence shows the considerable difficulties faced by classroom teachers in attempting to adopt interactive radio and therefore be able to use interactive/active learner-centred instruction as part of their ongoing teaching practice. The analysis, however, also highlights the possibility of exploiting interactive radio for provision of an integrated, sustainable CPD of teachers in educationally deprived school communities. Overall, the research study puts emphasis on the need for paying attention to the social practices (contextually specific) within which the use of educational technologies (such as interactive radio), are enmeshed. There is need to explicate the details of such practices (instead of adopting a narrow, technical, focus on attributes of interactive radio itself) in order to improve the efficacy of using interactive radio.

South Africa stands on the threshold of a new era in education. The separate and fragmented model for the provision of education, which signified a policy of apartheid, is to be replaced by a single unified system. With the adoption of a new interim Constitution (1993), we have, for the first time, formal recognition of human rights, the application of which, will underlie all legislation and administration decisions (Dean in Neon, May 1994:9-10). On 31 March 1994, the 'own affairs' administrations were abolished. In accordance with the interim Constitution (1993), these structures have, however, been retained and will continue until the transition to a new dispensation takes place (Neon, May 1994:20). Progress towards achieving the goal of a unified education system includes, inter alia, the creation of a Department of Education and Training at a national level, as well as the creation of provincial administrations in 9 provinces, each of which will have its own education department (Neon, June 1994:1). The new government stands committed to early childhood development. The care and development of infants and young children is seen to be the foundation of social relations and the starting point of a national human resource development strategy. Policy proposals outlined by the Department of Education in the Draft White Paper recommend that: “The care and development of infants and young children must be the foundation of social relations and the starting point of a national human resource development strategy ..... The new national department is planned to have a directorate for Early Childhood Development and Lower Primary Education, in the light of continuity in developmental approaches to the young child and the need for a reshaping of curricula and teaching methodology for the early years of school …… The year 1995 should be used mainly for planning the development of the reception year……” (Republic of South Africa, 1994:20). As far back as 1981, the De Lange Commission stated that without a corps of well-trained and talented teachers, any attempts aimed at realizing the potential of a country's inhabitants, improving the quality of life of its citizens, promoting economic growth and providing an equal system of education, cannot be successful. No other single factor determines to such an extent the quality of education in a country, as the quality of the corps of its teachers (HSRC, 1981:59 & 180). It is anticipated that the demand for teachers is likely to increase as a result of the phasing-in of compulsory education commencing with the class one child, the introduction of a reception class year, reduction of class sizes to 40 pupils and the enrolment of out-of-school children. Trained manpower will prove to be a major problem and an accelerated programme of teacher education to meet quantitative needs, without compromising quality, will be essential, in order to successfully implement a reception class year, ensure a better distribution of qualified teachers and cater for ever-increasing numbers of school-going children. Major structural changes will, therefore, be needed in the preparation and development of teachers. It is within the context of this background information, that this study has been conducted, namely to develop appropriate teacher-training structures for the foundation phase of education, with particular reference to the reception class year. The specific purposes of the study were:- * to review pre-primary provision; * to review current teacher-training structures and assess priorities and needs for developing appropriate methods of professional training; * to compare pre-primary provision and teacher-training policy with that of developing and developed countries; * to develop strategies to train and accredit teachers through a shortened PRESET structure; * to upgrade existing teacher qualifications through an approved INSET structure; * to analyse the feasibility of the proposed strategies for the KwaZulu-Natal region. The study involved an analysis of the NEPI sectoral reports on Early Childhood Educare and Teacher Education, the ERS and the KwaZulu-Natal Interdepartmental Working Groups' Discussion Documents. In addition, other relevant reports and working papers have also been consulted. Viable options for the training of teachers for the foundation phase of education which emerged from the study were: * the establishment of links between non-formal and formal training programmes; * the development of a modular career path for the coordinated training of teachers through INSET; * the development of a 5-year plan for the phasing in of qualified teachers through PRESET and INSET; * the development of an appropriate course structure; * an outline of governance and control. The main recommendations made in the study include the following:- * the obtaining of a Reception Class Diploma which will allow experienced educare workers to obtain a formally-recognised diploma in reception class education, part-time, whilst currently employed as a teacher; * the recognition of such a diploma should the student not wish to study further; * the upgrading and revitalising of lower primary school teachers currently in service; * the obtaining of a 3-year diploma through an inverted '2+2' teacher-training model which will, inter alia, allow the student to obtain 'on the job' training whilst studying on a part-time basis; * a simplified qualifications structure; * the implementation of a 5-year plan for the phasing-in of qualified teachers; * a collaborative strategy with accredited NGOs who will assist with the training of teachers * a modularised curriculum * the establishment of a Resource and Training Centre for teachers. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of Natal, 1995.

The purpose of this study was to explore how teacher learning happened informally at the workplace. Another aim was to describe the ways in which informal learning contributes to teacher development. The study also endeavoured to establish if the school supported or hindered informal learning. The method of case study was used to understand how both novice and experienced teachers learn informally in a secondary school. The study examined five teachers’ informal learning experiences in the school by drawing on accounts of the individual teachers’ perceptions and reflections documented in journals, photographs and interviews. The journal entries were used to write narratives which outlined how teachers learnt informally in the workplace. Teachers were asked to take photographs of the places in which they learnt informally. The interviews awarded teachers the opportunity to talk about the photographs they chose to capture. The study found that teachers engage in various forms of informal learning opportunities at school. These opportunities were both planned and unplanned. The research indicated that informal learning is situated. Some of the learning opportunities included being part of a learning community, learning by interacting with colleagues in informal chats and attending meetings. In these instances it was found that teachers learnt with and from others, which is socially. This illustrates collaborative learning in the school. Teachers also engaged in individual learning. It was discovered that the school must provide opportunities for teachers to engage in informal learning. The study considered the various opportunities that existed in the school for teachers to develop and found that such opportunities contributed towards extending teacher knowledge and development. The study found that teachers in the study were willing to take the initiative to seek the learning they thought they required. The study recommends that informal learning be recognised as an authentic form of teacher learning and development in schools. Further, schools must become sites of learning for teachers by creating, encouraging and sustaining learning opportunities. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

This personal history self-study focuses on supporting Foundation Phase teacher learning through professional development in an Independent school context in South Africa. In engaging in this study I am the main research participant who takes the reader through the passages of my early childhood experiences, my schooling, and my training as a student teacher and my practice of being a teacher and a Head of Department at an Independent Muslim School. I investigate how I can use a deeper understanding of my personal history to enhance my understanding of my professional practice and thus to better support Foundation Phase teacher learning through professional development strategies and initiatives in my particular Independent school context. Through this process of deliberate remembering, I uncover many hidden experiences of my early learning, and of becoming a professional, which have impacted on my present practices as teacher and Foundation Phase Head of Department. Key themes that emerge are: a) guidance and inspiration from family; b) evolving from teacher centredness to learner centredness; c) deep-rooted intrinsic motivation; d) teacher mentoring and collaboration; and e) developing greater self esteem and freedom of expression. From these themes I develop questions to spur me on in supporting teacher learning through professional development initiatives in my school context, allowing me to revisit my existing practice. This study illustrates how our lived experiences have helped to shape and continue to reshape our practices as teachers and school managers. The study also shows how we can learn from our personal histories in order to enable us to develop our pedagogical and managerial capacities. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an inservice workshop on the attitudes and perceptions of South Korean educator participants toward community based instruction for students with mental retardation. Thirty South Korean educator participants from EMI, TMI, SMI, and SXI focused on classrooms were asked to respond to a questionnaire containing items that demographics, importance of community based instruction, necessity of community based activities for their students' adult lives, required instructional time for community based activities, satisfaction with their current instructional time for community based activities, and potential barriers to community based instruction. For the treatment procedure, an extensive in-service workshop on community based instruction was given to all educator participants. Results indicated that in general, educator participants expressed overall positive attitudes toward community based instruction and showed strong support for the necessity of community based activities in their students' adult lives. Interestingly, all of the 13 community based activities provided in this questionnaire received at least one rating of "never would be needed" in the adult lives for students with mental retardation. In general, these educator participants appeared to be dissatisfied with the current amount of instructional time allocated for community based activities. In addition, these educator participants perceived limited staff, transportation, scheduling, cost, and administrator reluctance factors as the major potential barriers to community based instruction. Further, differential responses between EMI educator participants and TMI, SMI, and SXI educator participants were noted for the questionnaire items related to necessity of community based activities, and satisfaction with the total amount of instructional time in community based activities. EMI educator participants indicated community based activities were more necessary and more satisfied with current amount of, time allocated in community based instruction than TMI, SMI, and SXI educators. Implication concerning the future prospects for community based instruction in South Korea for students with mental retardation were also presented. / Department of Special Education

Submitted by Milena Rubi (milenarubi@ufscar.br) on 2017-08-11T16:43:34Z No. of bitstreams: 1 SILVA_Maria_Aparecida_2017.pdf: 47945867 bytes, checksum: 7d1b11040cb7c21ff728a13770413da2 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Milena Rubi (milenarubi@ufscar.br) on 2017-08-11T16:43:42Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 SILVA_Maria_Aparecida_2017.pdf: 47945867 bytes, checksum: 7d1b11040cb7c21ff728a13770413da2 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Milena Rubi (milenarubi@ufscar.br) on 2017-08-11T16:43:49Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 SILVA_Maria_Aparecida_2017.pdf: 47945867 bytes, checksum: 7d1b11040cb7c21ff728a13770413da2 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-11T16:43:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 SILVA_Maria_Aparecida_2017.pdf: 47945867 bytes, checksum: 7d1b11040cb7c21ff728a13770413da2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-21 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / The present work presents a research of the area of education, in a more specific field of Teacher Training. The research uses Fanzine, here configured as an autobiographical narrative (biograficzine) as an investigative (and formative) device, bringing as a theme the professional identities of the teachers of a public school. The problem that guides the development of this work is the following question: how do the teachers of a public school perceive their professional identities from the production of fanzines? The importance of investigating this question comes from the perspective of understanding the process of becoming a teacher, considering the perception that the teachers have about their professional identities. The research aims to investigate how the teachers of a public school perceive their professional identities to understand how they became teachers. To answer this objective the study was structured from a qualitative perspective and used for the production of data the production of fanzines associated with (biographical) biographical narratives, the biograficzine; The analysis of this material was done through the Peirceana semiotics, discussed in the perspective of professional teacher identities. Finally, interviews were also made to complement the final analysis. As a theoretical-methodological foundation, the contributions of Dubar (1995, 2005, 2009) are considered to support the issue of professional identities, admitting that the idea of identity as an "identity form" is configured in social and work relations and that identities professionals build and rebuild throughout existence. For the understanding of becoming a teacher, it became necessary to carry out another movement, together with the teachers. For this, I appropriate the theoretical basis developed by Nóvoa (2007, 2009), in which he advocates teacher training centered in two dimensions: the personal and the professional, in which he suggests five proposals: Practices, Profession, Person, Sharing and Public. The development of the analyzes of the biograficzines had as theoretical support Santaella (1983, 1989, 1995, 2008), admitting the analytical potential of the semiotics to analyze the biograficzines produced. The results obtained with the production of data demonstrate a group of teachers with teaching identities in which, in their acts of belonging, in the identity they attribute to themselves, they seek autonomy, threatened by the devaluation of the profession, but try to break with the acts attributed by institutions. The understanding of becoming a teacher is related to the importance of becoming aware of relationships within the school and communication with the outside world. / O presente trabalho apresenta uma pesquisa da área da educação, de maneira mais específica campo da Formação de Professores. A pesquisa se utiliza do Fanzine, aqui configurado como uma narrativa autobiográfica (biograficzine) como dispositivo investigativo (e formativo), trazendo como temática as identidades profissionais dos docentes de uma escola pública. A problemática que orienta o desenvolvimento deste trabalho parte do seguinte questionamento: como os professores de uma escola pública percebem suas identidades profissionais a partir da produção de fanzines? A importância de investigar essa questão se dá na perspectiva de compreender o processo de tornar-se professor, considerando a percepção que os docentes têm sobre suas identidades profissionais. A pesquisa tem como objetivos investigar como os professores de uma escola pública percebem suas identidades profissionais para compreender como se tornaram professores. Para responder a esse objetivo, o estudo se estruturou a partir da perspectiva qualitativa e utiliza para a produção de dados a produção de fanzines associados às narrativas (auto)biográficas, o biograficzine. A análise desse material foi feita através da semiótica Peirceana, discutidos na perspectiva das identidades profissionais docentes. Por fim, foram também feitas entrevistas para complementar a análise final. Como fundamentação teórico-metodológica consideram-se as contribuições de Dubar (1995, 2005, 2009) para fundamentar a temática das identidades profissionais, admitindo que a ideia de identidade como “forma identitária” se configura nas relações sociais e de trabalho e que as identidades profissionais se constroem e reconstroem ao longo da existência. Para a compreensão do tornar-se docente, tornou-se necessário realizar outro movimento, juntamente com os professores, para isso me aproprio da base teórica desenvolvida por Nóvoa (2007, 2009), no qual ele defende uma formação do professor centrada em duas dimensões: o pessoal e o profissional; no qual ele sugere cinco propostas: Práticas, Profissão, Pessoa, Partilha e Público. O desenvolvimento das análises dos biograficzines teve como sustentação teórica Santaella (1983, 1989, 1995, 2008), admitindo o potencial analítico da semiótica para analisar os biograficzines produzidos. Os resultados atingidos com a produção de dados demonstra um grupo de professores com identidades docentes nas quais, em seus atos de pertença, na identidade que atribuem a si, buscam autonomia, ameaçada pela desvalorização da profissão, mas que tentam romper com os atos atribuídos pelas instituições julgadoras, regulamentadoras. A compreensão de tornar-se professor está relacionado à importância de se conscientizar das relações dentro da escola e da comunicação com o exterior.

Submitted by Milena Rubi (milenarubi@ufscar.br) on 2017-08-11T16:53:49Z No. of bitstreams: 1 CRUZ_Vanessa_2016.pdf: 38265512 bytes, checksum: 5192d46cdc2758274956bb62816114c9 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Milena Rubi (milenarubi@ufscar.br) on 2017-08-11T16:53:57Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 CRUZ_Vanessa_2016.pdf: 38265512 bytes, checksum: 5192d46cdc2758274956bb62816114c9 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Milena Rubi (milenarubi@ufscar.br) on 2017-08-11T16:54:03Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 CRUZ_Vanessa_2016.pdf: 38265512 bytes, checksum: 5192d46cdc2758274956bb62816114c9 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-11T16:54:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CRUZ_Vanessa_2016.pdf: 38265512 bytes, checksum: 5192d46cdc2758274956bb62816114c9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-22 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / This research aims to understand the process of professional development of Basic Education teachers, inserted in a research group. This qualitative and interpretative study was carried out with four elementary education teachers who belong to the Group of Studies and Research on Formative and Educational Practices in Mathematics (GEPRAEM), Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Sorocaba campus - SP. Data construction used group documents such as: schedules, meetings meetings, research reports, and teacher productions. To deepen the data, audio recordings of face-to-face meetings and semi-structured interviews were conducted with the four participating Basic Education teachers. The analysis used the data triangulation technique, using the theoretical framework on professional development (CHRISTOPHER DAY, 1999 AND 2005, MARCELO AND VAILLANT (2009 AND 2012), and research professor (ANDRÉ, 2001; DINIZ, 2006). Indicate that the practices experienced by the teachers in the research group, such as elaboration of narratives, research projects, scientific articles and reports of experience, participation in events, reading and discussion of theoretical and methodological references, generate individual and collective learning, such as Collaborative attitudes, reflection and investigation of the practice, academic literacy, participation in events, to understand an object from multiple perspectives, to see itself as a researcher, composing a process of professional development in a teacher training with investigative posture. / Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo compreender o processo de desenvolvimento profissional de professores da Educação Básica, inseridos em um grupo de pesquisa. Este estudo de natureza qualitativa e interpretativa foi realizado com quatro professores de educação básica integrantes do Grupo de Estudos e Pesquisa sobre Práticas Formativas e Educativas em Matemática (GEPRAEM) da Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), campus Sorocaba – SP. A construção dos dados utilizou documentos do grupo como: cronogramas, memórias das reuniões presenciais, relatório de pesquisa, e produções dos professores. Para aprofundamento dos dados foram realizadas gravações em áudio das reuniões presenciais e entrevistas semiestruturadas com os quatro professores da Educação Básica participantes. A análise optou pela técnica de triangulação de dados, utilizando o referencial teórico sobre o desenvolvimento profissional (CHRISTOPHER DAY, 1999 E 2005; MARCELO E VAILLANT (2009 E 2012); e professor pesquisador (ANDRÉ, 2001; DINIZ, 2006). Os resultados indicam que as práticas vivenciadas pelos professores no grupo de pesquisas, tais como elaboração de narrativas, projetos de pesquisas, artigos científicos e relatos de experiência; participações em eventos; leitura e discussão de referenciais teórico-metodológicos; geram aprendizados individuais e coletivos, tais como atitudes colaborativas; reflexão e investigação da prática; letramento acadêmico; participação em eventos; compreender um objeto a partir de múltiplos olhares; enxergar-se como pesquisador; compondo um processo de desenvolvimento profissional em uma formação de professores com postura investigativa.