Doctoral Degrees (Education Studies)

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Student-teachers' lived experiences in diverse teaching practicum contexts.
(2024) Brown, Clive Jimmy William.; Reddy, Sarasvathie.
This doctoral thesis explores the lived experiences of pre-service teachers in the South African educational system 29 years post-apartheid, focusing on the challenges of navigating diversity. This study design focused on a case study of a single teacher education institution within the Western Cape. Despite policy encouragement for diverse teaching contexts, a predominant trend among final-year student-teachers is selecting placements aligned with their backgrounds, raising questions about their resistance to unfamiliar environments. The research problem centers on understanding why student-teachers gravitate towards familiar settings in their teaching practice, avoiding the diversity encouraged by available school options. The study aims to uncover the motivations behind this selection pattern, employing a theoretical framework rooted in phenomenology, drawing on Husserl, Heidegger, and Merleau-Ponty to explore the concept of 'lived experience.' Additionally, Ryan and Markova's comfort, stretch, and panic model and the pedagogy of discomfort theory are utilised to understand the sensations encountered during teaching practicum. Through a chronological exploration of 12 years of schooling experiences, four years in the teacher education programme, and diverse teaching practicum contexts, it becomes evident that many students strategically choose placements for qualification rather than embracing a broader range of experiences. However, some opt for disruptive, scaffolded teaching practices, leading to autonomous professional growth. The study's thesis is creatively presented as an imaginative consolidation in the form of a speech, culminating in the analysis of the findings. It suggests that levers of change can activate transformative professional development for student-teachers, emphasising collaborative efforts among stakeholders. The need for a conscious, supportive, yet disruptive work-integrated learning intervention is underscored to broaden students' professional growth agenda. In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of transformative professional development for student- teachers and proposes collaborative efforts among stakeholders to support learning in diverse spaces throughout the initial teacher education programme. It sheds light on the complex interplay between personal experiences, curriculum expectations, and student-teacher choices, providing insights to address the limited engagement with diversity in teaching practicum contexts. The research advocates for breaking the status quo of a purely racialised understanding of diversity for enduring positive change.
Grade 3 teachers’ understanding of the implemented mathematics curriculum in Mpumalanga province: an action research of grade 3 teachers.
(2023) Galane, Charlotte Myriam Moshala.; Khoza, Simon Bhekumuzi.
This pragmatic action research explores Grade 3 teachers’ understanding of the implemented mathematics curriculum. Exploring teachers’ understanding of the mathematics curriculum is critical given the fact that, over time, curriculum reforms take place. Such reforms impact not only on teachers’ knowledge, expertise or motivation, but also on their understanding. Understanding, as synthesised by the researcher, is a planned, prescribed system of presenting one’s thoughts and expertise regarding a particular subject, in this case, mathematics. In exploring this phenomenon, six Grade 3 teachers from Nkangala District in Mpumalanga were purposefully sampled to be part of this study. Data was generated through two phases of reflective activities, observations, interviews and focus group discussion. To answer the two research questions of this study, the generated data was analysed guided by the natural identity framework themes. Findings revealed that teachers’ understanding of the implemented mathematics curriculum is mostly informed by a combination of their need to comply with the prescripts of policy and higher authority, and common understanding to appease the societal needs and individual understanding based on their experiences and beliefs. To embrace the three propositions of identities, the study developed the Natural Understanding Identity Framework. The framework promoted teachers’ natural understanding identity which is underpinned by reflective practice, critique and adaptation to what works in their day to day practice as teachers.
Student teachers’ music life histories: music in the primary school.
(2024) Ralfe , Sarah Isabel.; Samuel , Michael Anthony.
Music education in South African classrooms is a marginalised area of the curriculum. Despite the many benefits of music education for primary school learners, music is regularly side-lined by generalist class teachers. This study seeks to understand the music life histories of student teachers and probes whether they incorporate their personal music histories into their music teaching. The study employed arts-based research and narrative inquiry, using glogs, lesson plans, body maps, and interviews to produce data. These data were represented in narratives highlighting the unique music life histories of the participants. Drawing on the concepts of Music in Identity and Identity in Music, alongside the Multidimensional Conceptualisation of Musicianship, allowed me to consider the developing music identities of the participants. The activation of Samuel’s force field model of teacher professional development allowed me to understand their developing teacher identities. The findings reveal that student teachers have diverse and deep musical experiences but feel disempowered to incorporate these into their teaching. They often feel the need to assume an identity that aligns with Western and Eurocentric notions of music education. Furthermore, they feel that in order to teach music effectively, they cannot be their authentic selves in the classroom, and rather need to assume the identity of “the other”. While the position of music in the South African primary school classroom is emphasised with its inclusion in the formal curriculum, teachers exercise their autonomy in rejecting music in their classroom and encouraging others to do the same. Where music is included in the classroom, teachers are performative agents of the curriculum and fail to bring any passion to their music teaching. Furthermore, Western and Eurocentric notions of music education are foregrounded, while local and indigenous music is marginalised. This thesis argues that adherence to the curriculum and the sense of performativity is killing the heart and soul of teaching. In order to counter this, teachers need to be empowered to bring their entire selves, including their personal histories, into the primary classroom. To achieve this, I argue that the metaphor of the organic professional is a useful construct. The organic professional is rooted in the curriculum but is not constrained by it. The organic professional feels empowered to draw on his or her unique history in the classroom, celebrate his or her individuality, and, under the right conditions, will thrive in the classroom.
Exploring learning styles, instructional preferences, and mathematics achievement among secondary school students in delta north senatorial district, Nigeria.
(2024) Ojeme, Patrick Nwasiwemua.; Bansilal, Sarah.
Countries across the world have embarked on curriculum revision in efforts to try and improve the teaching and learning of mathematics. There has been much interest in Africa, particularly in how mathematics could be made more accessible and understandable to learners, so that the countries could benefit from a more highly skilled workforce. One aspect that has received interest is that of learning styles and whether learners who express preferences for certain learning styles perform better than some others who have different learning style preferences. In this study, I set out to investigate the relationship between learning style preferences and the mathematics achievement of senior high school graduates in Nigeria. Furthermore, the study looks at the extent to which gender and age are related to learning styles and mathematics achievement. In trying to get a more in-depth picture. I further looked at students’ and teachers’ views of the relationship between learning style preferences and mathematics achievement as well as instructional styles and achievement. The study used a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design approach, where the quantitative data was obtained first, and then the qualitative data. The participants in the study were 171 graduating senior secondary school learners and three mathematics teachers from Delta State in Nigeria, from three schools. The learners completed Kolb’s learning style inventory as well as a mathematics achievement test comprising both multiple-choice and open-ended items. Sixteen of the learner participants were selected for interviews, by trying to get a distribution across the different learning styles, genders, and levels of achievement. The study complied with all the ethical protocols of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and I was granted ethical clearance to conduct the research. The interviews were semi-structured and probed their learners about their preferred learning styles in learning mathematics as well as the teacher’s instructional styles that they preferred and how these influenced their achievement in mathematics. Similarly, the teachers were probed about the differences in learning styles that they may have noticed and achieved, as well as the instructional styles they preferred and why they did so. The quantitative data generated from the learning styles inventory as well as the mathematics achievement was transcribed into Excel. The inventory was analyzed as directed by the Kolb’s learning style studies. This allowed me to characterize each student in terms of four learning styles- Accommodators; Divergers; Assimilators and Convergers. The achievement test was marked by an expert in mathematics. The qualitative data generated by the teacher and learner participants was transcribed and then coded using inductive techniques. The emerged codes were then refined and summarized in terms of the focus of the last two research questions. The quantitative results showed that the dominant learning style preference according to the learning style inventory was the Diverger learning style which was endorsed by over 80% of the participants. The results provided no significant association regarding the relationship between learning style preferences and mathematics achievement of graduating senior secondary school learners, and neither gender nor age were significantly associated with mathematics achievement. The qualitative analysis identified many themes related to learning styles. The participants identified that asking questions enhanced learning; sharing ideas and collaboration was an essential part of learning; and listening and reflecting contributed to effective learning practices. In terms of instructional styles, the participants identified teacher questioning practices ad active listening as important strategies. The study has implications for learning and teaching mathematics in that teachers need to know more about learners’ preferences for learning, and what they perceive as effective teaching strategies. It is important for teachers to extend their repertoire of teaching strategies so as to meet their learners’ learning needs.
Possibilities for playful pedagogy: a creative arts teacher-educator’s self-study.
(2023) Bele, Nosipho Precious.; Campbell, Bridget.; Pithouse-Morgan, Kathleen Jane.
I am an emerging female academic at the School of Education in a research-intensive university in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. When I assumed the teacher-educator role, I assumed I would excel due to my prior experience as a freelance artist and highschool teacher. However, I had never reflected on the skills and understanding needed to teach preservice teachers about teaching. I soon realised that my experience was insufficient for my current role. Suddenly, how I taught Creative Arts became as crucial as what I taught. I became motivated to focus this research on teaching Creative Arts through playful pedagogy due to self-reflection and observation of the preservice teachers I taught. What I noticed was that they lacked demonstration in their Creative Arts teaching. This observation inspired me to improve my teaching practice and learn about integrating playful pedagogy into my practice. The theoretical perspective of becoming guided this doctoral study, and assisted me in weaving the pedagogical threads of my becoming a teacher-educator. The research questions necessitated transparent reflections through memory-work and arts-based methods. In my initial reflections, I identified the salient idea of play and how it had been evident throughout my life. This approach provoked the concept of teaching through playful pedagogy. I explored the impact of play on my life and from my memories, identified ways in which I could teach more effectively. I also sought to understand the possibilities of playful pedagogy in my teaching practice, and learnt about practical ways of integrating playful pedagogy into my practice. My learnings translated into lessons that I integrated into my teaching practice; these benefitted me as a teacher-educator, the students I taught and will continue to teach and, by extension, the learners they will teach one day. This thesis details the methodological and theoretical explorations of my learning and experiences as they were employed to support my doctoral journey. In this quest to integrate playful pedagogy into my teaching practice, my most valuable highlight was the self-discovery and confidence I gained through the process of reimagining and becoming a teacher-educator.
Female principals’ leadership experiences in rural schools in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2024) Mutula, Dorah Lyaka.; Martin , Melanie Yvette.; Amin , Nyna.
Women face multiple challenges in accessing and participating in educational leadership, and this remains a problem and compelling issue for research. This study aimed to explore female principals’ leadership experiences in six selected public primary rural schools in the KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa. To understand women's leadership experiences, the study examined their biographies, early learning, and school experiences as leaders. An intersectional lens was employed to understand women’s multiple challenges encountered in educational leadership based on an interlocking system that shapes the interpersonal, organisational, and structural aspects of their experiences. This reflects Collin’s (2000) assertion that cultural, structural, and interpersonal domains are intertwined, collectively shaping gender dynamics.A qualitative approach with a narrative inquiry design was applied, and six female principals were purposively selected from rural schools. The data was collated using semi-structured interviews, a focus group discussion, and photographs and analysed using content analysis. The findings reveal that women experience multiple challenges in the form of gender stereotypes, discrimination, prejudices, bias, rejection, and infantilisation. Women’s biography, early learning, and school experiences shape and influence how women lead. The study concludes that the nature of women’s leadership experiences is linked to multiple factors, situations, and events; thus, it is personal and complex, and rural women must overcome and surpass the challenges through resilience and supportive environments. The study has implications for leadership structures, women leaders, and policymakers.
A feminist analysis of Black lesbian students’ academic and social experiences at a technical and vocational education and training institution in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa.
(2023) Siwela, Sanele.; Sader, Saajidha Bibi.
There is scant research regarding the experiences of Black lesbian students in relation to their access to tertiary education, their success at higher education institutions and their experiences with their lecturers and co-students, especially within the environment of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. The lack of empirical research on the academic and social experiences of Black lesbian students has left a gap in the understanding of how their social identities intersect to influence their post-school education and training experiences. To address this gap in knowledge, I investigated the academic and social experiences of six Black lesbian students at a TVET college in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. This dissertation adopted an eclectic theoretic approach, using the African decolonial perspective of Oyeronke Oyèwùmí as well as the work of decolonial feminist theorist, Maria Lugones. I also drew on key concepts from Black feminist thinkers Patricia Hill-Collins and bell hooks – in particular, their concept of intersectionality. I used these frameworks to argue against the ongoing influences of past colonialism and apartheid that tend to permeate the institutional culture of TVET colleges in South Africa. This feminist research study adopted a qualitative methodology and used visual narrative inquiry. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews, photo voice, reflective journaling and focus groups. Poetry was used as a data-generating reflective tool. Data analysis combined both visual narrative analysis and analysis of the narratives. Findings revealed institutional heterosexism and a lack of educational access for black lesbian students at this TVET college which impeded their educational participation and success, resulting in failure, absenteeism and dropout. Educational access is understood in this thesis as a multifaceted phenomenon that includes administrative, financial, physical, social, career guidance and epistemic aspects. Enablers to learning at the college included individual strategies (using their own agency) as well as strategies that the college could initiate. This included stronger support from lecturers to contribute to lesbian students’ participation in class and their academic success. Meeting other lesbians who were open about their sexual identities was also another enabler to learning, as it provided these students with a sense of belonging. Financial enablers to be able to attend a college and study were present in the form of the NSFAS grant, which covered their study costs and also enabled them to provide support to their families. Whilst there has been significant evolution in the TVET sector in terms of administrative access and funding for students, the provision of psychological support for minority students is still lacking. This study recommends that the Department of Higher Education develop ongoing psychological support interventions to address the negative psychological impacts LGBTQ+ students experience within the tertiary environment, inclusive curriculum and institutional policies. New college buildings should always include 3-5 individual toilets to provide an alternative for individuals who feel uncomfortable entering the main toilet blocks.
An exploration of the learners’ views on the efficacy of information communication technology in improving work performance : The case of KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health employees registered at a community learning centre in Durban.
(2024) Malinga, Charlotte Lungiswa.; Harley, Anne.; Mbatha, Lulama Nothando.
This study is situated in the context of adult education in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and is framed within the national policies of the Skills Development Act No. 31 of 2008 and the Human Resource Development Strategy of South Africa 2010-2030. These policies underscore the importance of providing continuous skills development and education opportunities for adults in the labour market, particularly emphasizing the need for basic education and training. The research focuses on evaluating the views of adult learners from the Department of Health in KwaZulu-Natal regarding the efficacy of the Information and Communication Technology Adult Basic Education and Training (INCT4) programme at a local Community Learning Centre. It examines how this programme impacts their work performance and personal lives. The study employs a qualitative research design within an interpretivist paradigm. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with employees who had participated in the INCT4 program. This methodological approach was aimed at understanding the learners' perspectives on the skills they acquired and their application in both professional and personal contexts. The findings indicate that learners value the skills gained from the INCT4 programme highly, noting improvements in their work performance and personal life management. These skills enhanced their confidence and self-esteem, enabling them to undertake new tasks and engage more effectively in their professional roles. While the application of these skills varied across different job roles, all learners noted personal benefits, such as increased ability to use digital platforms independently. The study underscores the significance of adult education as a form of lifelong and life-wide learning. It highlights the role of self-directed learning in adult education, drawing on Knowles's theory of andragogy and Maslow's hierarchy of needs. The research contributes to the understanding of how adult education can facilitate individual and societal development and underscores the need for adult education programmes to be relevant and responsive to learners' needs. The study concludes with a call for further research into the involvement of adult learners in the planning and evaluation of educational programs and the effectiveness of various learning areas in Community Learning Centers (CLCs).
A river runs through it : landscapes of learning, development and change of nontraditional workers.
(2023) Cox, Amanda Jane.; John, Vaughn Mitchell.
In the 21st century contexts in which we live, precarious work has become more prevalent. This study explored how workplace learning takes place for those of us who do not belong fully to an organisation. The need for lifelong and life-wide learning in formal, non-formal and informal ways becomes critical for non-traditional workers, who are defined as those who are not in traditional full-time employment but work on short-term contracts, often for multiple companies. This study focused on this niche group of professionals who work in alternative ways. I was drawn to conduct this study due to my own expectations and experiences about the world of work. Childhood mindsets about work being in one company and job for life were challenged and changed during my career, in which I found myself working in non-traditional ways, enjoying the flexibility that this way of working afforded me. Transformative learning theory, which is about a revision of frames of reference, was a helpful theoretical lens to explain some aspects of my career story. My unique career journey piqued my curiosity about how other non-traditional workers navigate their way into and through the world of work and how they develop as professionals in contexts of precarity. Communities of practice theory (a social learning theory) surfaced as a helpful theoretical lens to explore the learning journeys of my own and another five non-traditional workers. A narrative autoethnographic research approach and a participatory interview technique called river of life were used as the methodological roadmap to navigate my way through the study. The study explored the development of identities, the processes and sources of learning, and the implications of learning in such contexts. The findings identified the importance of lifelong and life-wide learning for non-traditional workers, culminating in the notion of careers being like living landscapes that are moving and changing as we engage in them. The important role of experience and the development of transferable skills was identified. The participants were also found to be good at managing multiplicity in their careers, working across subject areas, projects and multiple identities. Finally, an emerging culture of this type of worker was explored.
Learning financial literacy amongst adult Mauritians.
(2023) Ramjeet, Amit Kumar.; Maistry, Suriamurthee Moonsamy.; James, Angela Antoinette.; Mariaye, Marie Hyleen Sandra.
Many countries, including Mauritius, have placed financial literacy high on their agenda, with stakeholders including banking and non-banking regulators, government policymakers and the financial industry considering it to be in their best interests to increase financial literacy and consumer awareness. This study assesses the perceptions and understanding of adult Mauritians regarding financial literacy. The research questions concern the state of financial literacy among the adult population, the means through which Mauritians become financially literate, how these learning experiences influence financial decision-making, and why acquisition of financial literacy happens in this way in Mauritius. The study was conducted with groups from varied geographical and socio-economic backgrounds, and tries to address the causal link between being financially literate and using this knowledge for financial decision-making. The findings will contribute to improving perceptions of financial literacy and its use in financial decision-making. Another aim is to identify the best tools, techniques and strategies that can be adopted to help the adult Mauritian population to become financially literate. Most financial literacy programmess are developed with little or no attention to adult learning theory, inclusive learning environments, or culturally responsive teaching. Rather they have been grounded more in financial risk investment models, life cycle consumption theories, or behavioural modification models adapted from a health behaviour model or a combination thereof. In this study both quantitative and qualitative research techniques are used to study the complexities of financial literacy, and substantial evidence has been amassed through this mixed-method approach. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were utilised in this concurrent mixed-method design. Findings from this study demonstrate the importance of financial knowledge for effective decision-making, while also indicating the usefulness of financial literacy for a good understanding of individual financial choices. This study also highlights the lack of institutional financial literacy initiatives, and its recommendations may be used to inform policymakers and practitioners on the best tools, techniques, and strategies for providing financial literacy to the population.
Teachers’ experiences of teaching an ancestral language in a multilingual context : the case of Telugu in Mauritius.
(2023) Yenkanah, Shailendra.; Pillay, Ansurie.; Govender, Nadaraj Kumeren.; Rughoonundun-Chellapermal, Nita.
Since the arrival of indentured immigrants to Mauritius in the 19th century, the teaching of the Telugu language has been present across various levels. Over time, it gained official recognition when it was formally incorporated into the curriculum as an ancestral language during the 1960s. The inclusion of ancestral languages as optional core subjects fulfils linguistic roles such as revitalisation, identity preservation, and cultural maintenance. This stands in contrast to compulsory subjects like English and French, which primarily serve as languages for epistemological development. Teachers teaching Telugu, like other ancestral languages, experience their role as teachers differently. This study delved into the nuances of these experiences. A case study design was employed to investigate and gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of teachers instructing Telugu in state secondary schools. Initial data sources, directed at the entire population, allowed me to obtain a comprehensive overview of the phenomenon and subsequently select participants for the subsequent phases. Adopting an interpretive phenomenological approach, I conducted semi-structured interviews with six participants in three distinct settings. The collected data were analysed through the application of a socio-cultural perspective and Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory. This approach and theory provided a framework to comprehend the experiences of a culturally and linguistically minority group of teachers within a multilingual environment. Various constructs and concepts such as ‘language power’, ‘’minority languages, ‘linguistic identity’, ‘language preservation’, and ‘revitalisation’ were unpacked and a thematic approach was employed to interpret and analyse the data. The study reveals that Telugu teachers exhibit a strong sense of attachment and belonging to the language of their immigrant forefathers, even though it is largely no longer spoken. Ascribing a distinct role and significance to their profession, these teachers exhibit language loyalty and actively contribute to the preservation of the language. Telugu teachers are actively involved in the revitalisation process, and the existing language policies lead to transformations in identities and experiences of Telugu teachers over time. Telugu teachers mediate the use and study of the language by maintaining a home environment where Teluguness is omnipresent. Socio-cultural factors influence the experiences of teachers and the participating Telugu teachers were socially involved and influenced by their engagement in socio-cultural activities in socio-cultural spaces.
Online informal learning and 21st century skills among secondary school students : the Mauritian context.
(2023) Pentiah, Bharatee.; Blewett, Craig Neville.; Govender, Desmond Wesley.; Ramful, Ajay.
Informal learning refers to most human learning that takes place outside of the official educational system. In this technological era, every secondary student is exposed to digital or online tools in either for academic purposes or for their leisure activities or for learning something new on any topic of interest informally. What has not been explored yet is the extent to which secondary school learners can acquire 21st Century Skills through Online Informal Learning in the absence of a formal school setting. 21st Century skills are abilities and competencies that today’s students need to possess to become global citizens in this competing working market. Since technology plays a vital role in the learning process of students outside their school settings, it can also act as an important medium for them to communicate, collaborate, and develop their 21st Century Skills such as creativity, digital literacy, and critical thinking. In response to the underexplored gap in the literature, the researcher embarked on an explorative investigation of the development of 21CS through Online Informal Learning of secondary school students using Web 2.0 tools. To adequately address the phenomenon under study, the first research question aimed to explore the various kinds of OIL that are available to secondary school pupils. The second and third research questions were formulated to investigate how secondary school students grow and acquire 21CS through OIL. To further the objectives of the study, qualitative and quantitative methods were integrated to provide a more complete comprehension of the phenomenon and provide answers to the research questions. By analysing the literature review, the researcher designed a conceptual framework underpinned by the six components of Engeström’s Activity Theory, the P21 (Framework for 21st Century Learning), and the three dimensions of Fenwick and Tennant (2004). In a mixed-method explanatory sequential research process, data were derived from secondary school pupils who utilised internet technologies in informal contexts in semi-structured interviews, surveys, and focus group interviews. In the quantitative phase, 310 questionnaires were collected from secondary school students between 11 to 18 years old. The data were then aligned with the conceptual framework. Further, data analysis and trend and correlation detection were performed using quantitative and qualitative models to understand how and why informal online learning (OIL) affects the abilities of 21st century secondary school learners. The findings revealed that certain online resources are utilised for online informal learning while others are used for both informal and formal learning. Furthermore, it was also discovered that social networking sites and instant messaging technologies contribute to online informal learning. The data gathered from the learners’ replies identified the following types of Online Informal Learning among secondary school students: self-directed learning, collaborative learning, explorative learning, accidental Online Informal Learning, self-discovery learning, and intentional learning. The study contributes valuable insights into the potential of OIL to complement formal education and promote critical thinking for lifelong learning. Moreover, the research identifies the pedagogical approaches that are effective in OIL environments. The findings of this study can help educators understand how OIL assists secondary school learners in similar contexts across the world. Significantly, the model proposed in the study provides a framework for future research in this area regarding the use of online informal tools as a foundation to promote learning.
Teachers’ understanding and enhancement of learning for sustainability in Mauritian primary schools.
(2022) Hinchoo, Threelocknath Sing.; Hlalele, Dipane Joseph.; Bholah, Ravhee.
Mauritius, a small island, is confronted by numerous environmental challenges such as pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change. The Government developed various policies and strategies at different levels to address these issues to sustain the country’s resources and to maintain the island’s greenery. The education sector has entrenched Learning for Sustainability (LFS) in the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) with the vision of learners becoming responsible citizens. The current NCF which highlights the learning outcomes, acts as a guide for teachers regarding the implementation of the LFS content. Although many concepts and values pertaining to environmental and social citizenship (such as helping and sharing) are taught at school (MoEHR, 2016), the objectives are still to be realised. Many challenges which threaten children’s future have arisen over the years; these are because they continue growing up in an environment that may become unsustainable. School curricula, through LFS, can intervene in this endeavour (Casinader, 2021). The purpose of this study was to explore teachers’ understanding and enhancement of LFS in primary schools using a participant-designed action research methodology, within a multiple case study design framework. The potential value of the participant-designed action research methodology’s findings was to inform teachers and school administrators about teachers’ understanding of LFS in the Mauritian education context. Theoretically, the research drew from two models, Burns’ Model of Sustainability Pedagogy and O’Donoghue’s Active Learning Framework. Burns’ Model of Sustainability Pedagogy focuses on the current need to align teaching and learning strategies with contemporary socio-cultural and ecological issues by empowering and transforming learners into agents of sustainability for the future. O’Donoghue’s Active Learning Framework provides opportunities for authentic decisionmaking that has a positive impact on local communities. Learning for Sustainability may be simply understood as a concept that describes all educational activities concerned with developing an understanding of related concepts in sustainability. However, teachers struggled to align their understanding and practice of LFS, and thus could not efficiently enhance the quality of teaching-learning. Hence, this study aimed to intervene and potentially ‘redress’ the weaknesses in the schools’ teaching and learning system which included observations and reflections in order to generate data from six participants. Data generated was analysed by applying the thematic analysis approach which facilitated categorising and interpreting data into common themes which were synthesised and generalised to provide an overall representation of the case study. The findings indicated that there were various understandings of LFS among primary school teachers which significantly influenced their attempts to enhance the teaching of LFS. This was inconsistent with the various levels of knowledge about teachers’ understanding and their enhancement of LFS; it should have elicited a positive change in teachers’ understanding of LFS practices. Further, the study’s results revealed that LFS enhances teachers’ practices and experiences by exposing them to new knowledge which increases their understanding of LFS. It is recommended that this study concientises other teachers, school leaders, policymakers, and curriculum writers and designers to incisively understand LFS, address the dearth of data on the subject, and provide insights for future teachers to improve the teaching-learning of LFS by ushering in transformation and adaptation strategies to promote best practice.
Victors or victims? an exploration of how teachers navigate changes in teaching and learning during the covid-19 pandemic.
(2022) Pillay, Lucas.; Jairam, Visvaranie.
For many learners and teachers, 2020 and 2021 manifested many challenges, at home and school, as a result of the global pandemic, including facing serve illnesses, death of a loved one, experiencing abrupt school closures, disruption of the teaching and learning process, and the feeling fear, grief, and anxiety as Covid-19 spread. Education shifted from traditional methods of learning to remote and online learning. Teachers and learners found themselves teaching and learning in front of screens at home and in other settings. Even with efforts by teachers, staff, and school principals, many of whom swiftly established online lessons, remote teaching plans, and concrete strategies for meeting learners’ educational basic needs, the challenges were profound. This study explores how teachers navigated the changes in teaching and learning during the Covid-19 pandemic and provides guidance on creating an intervention programme. The study was conducted in three primary and three secondary schools in KwaZulu-Natal. Eleven participants were purposely selected for this study. This study employed a qualitative approach and an interpretivist paradigm, as it is grounded in the world of lived experiences. Data was produced through collages, reflective journals, and interviews. Thereafter, a narrative was developed. Emerging from the data, an intervention programme guide and model was created to assist educational stakeholders in the creation of tailor-made intervention programmes based on their unique school context. Kurt Lewin’s (1951) theory of change was the theoretical framework that underpinned this study, which provided insights on how changes in an institution can occur. Lewin’s (1951) theory of change and the data generated from this study influenced the Navigating Change Theory which is presented in this thesis. From the data produced from the participants, it is revealed that there are many changes and challenges in teaching and learning that need to be carefully navigated to achieve educational goals. This study extensively presents ways in which teachers, victoriously, navigated the changes in teaching and learning during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lecturers’ understanding and enhancement of student engagement at a higher education institution: an appreciative inquiry.
(2022) Muthusamy, Nirashnee.; Hlalele, Dipane Joseph.
The purpose of this study was to explore lecturers’ understanding and enhancement of student engagement at a higher education institution through an appreciative inquiry approach. This investigation was intended to unearth strategies to enhance student engagement at a higher education institution, and to understand how and why such strategies enhance student engagement. A qualitative case study was deemed to be suitable to explore lecturers’ understanding and enhancement of student engagement. The study was informed by an appreciative interpretivist paradigm in conjunction with an appreciative inquiry theoretical framework. A purposive sampling technique was applied to select participants consisting of eight lecturers who facilitate compulsory modules pertaining to the Bachelor of Education (Foundation and Intermediate Phases) programme at one higher education institution in KwaZulu-Natal. The data generation methods utilised in this study were appreciative interviews, discursive informed conversations, and an open-ended questionnaire. All participants were subjected to all three data generation methods. The study’s data generation methods were designed in accordance with the principles and phases of an appreciative inquiry (AI) which focuses on what is working, rather than what is wrong. Findings revealed that lecturers at a higher education institution understand student engagement as active participation which entails being interactive in lectures. Further, active participation involves collaboration, co-constructive relationships, interaction, and metacognition. More importantly, the study revealed strategies that encourage active participation such as immersing oneself in the module, humanising content, creating interconnectedness, using a variety of resources, being positively involved in class activities, applying content to real-life situations, utilising interactive teaching aids, ensuring thorough lecture preparation, authenticating the learning experience, creating opportunities for critical-thinking, providing quality feedback, facilitating smaller groups and tutorials, creating a supportive learning environment, encouraging work-integrated learning and innovative models, and reviewing content and pedagogical practices. The study also revealed that the enhancement of student engagement through active participation is fulfilling and linked to success. This was assisted by effective lecturer-student cooperation, application, and reflection of knowledge, practicing acceptable societal values, preparation of students for the 21st-century world-of-work, and giving positive and expeditious feedback to students. Based on the conclusions and findings, I have suggested further research on the topic but focusing on digital pedagogy that could provide further insight on student engagement. Due to Covid-19 protocols, the institution chosen for this research migrated to online learning, hence lecturers experienced challenges when engaging students on digital platforms. It is also recommended that future research explore in-depth the challenges that impede the enhancement of student engagement at higher education institutions so that barriers to learning could be eradicated.
Physical well-being of four-year-old learners and their readiness for Grade R.
(2023) Pewa, Ngami Phumzile Isabella.; Mzimela, Patience Jabulile.
Early childhood is a formative period during which distinguishable development has projections of bearing desirable outcomes within an individual. This critical period requires interventions that have ramifications for later life. This research study aimed at exploring physical well-being of four-year-old learners in relation to their readiness for Grade R. The study was particularly interested in their level of independence when carrying out certain physical activities. It also aimed at critically analysing the issues which enabled or constrained their physical well-being as well as early childhood development practitioners’ level of readiness to plan for indoor and outdoor physical activities. The study examined the use of both fine and gross motor skills in a learning environment. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory underpinned this study to understand the different environments in which a developing child finds himself/herself. It was conducted in an early childhood development centre located in Mandlankala, an area near Empangeni, north of Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Three early childhood development practitioners who fit the criteria and attributes of the study were purposively selected. An interpretivist qualitative case study methodological design was used. Findings revealed that learners experience challenges in toileting, thorough washing of hands and putting shoes on and off. Centrally important for the thesis was the crafting of a conceptual model that relates the objectives of the study to the findings and conceptual issues at stake in self-care skills in Grade R. This study concluded that physical well-being is a determinant of Grade R readiness as it acts as a precursor for self-care related activities. This study recommends that early childhood development practitioners should continue to offer both structured and unstructured physical activities throughout the day in their engagement. More parental involvement is needed so that good self-care skills can modelled and emulated from home.
Early childhood education in Ghana: teachers’ understanding and enactment of inclusion.
(2022) Mohammed, Awudu Salaam.; Hlalele, Dipane Joseph.
This study explored teachers’ understanding and enactment of Inclusion in Early Childhood Education (IECE) in Ghana. Inclusion theorises that, every child of school-going age must have access to quality education regardless of their cultural and socioeconomic dissimilarity. The keystone of the policy is to stimulate inclusion and lessen exclusions in the educational system. By utilising an interpretive qualitative multi-case study approach involving semi-structured interviews, observation, and photo-elicitation instruments, data from six study teachers was collected. The inductive thematic analysis method was used to interpret the data. Findings from the study revealed IECE was understood as the accommodation and merging of learners with disability with their mainstream peers in the same learning environment to reduce stigmatisation, segregation, and exclusionary practices. Disability was a major factor influencing Ghana’s IECE practices, more than equity issues, ability, and stage of child’s enrolment. Despite the progressive principles underpinning IECE, the enactment of the programmes is encountering challenges due to various debilitating factors such as the lack of educational resources, funding, inappropriate training programmes, and conservative cultural views towards children with disabilities. The study recommended that for a high level of IECE practice, the policy should be supported by effective and ongoing training, Government support by providing the required resources, clear policy guidelines, and employing teachers with knowledge and understanding IECE. For an IECE school to succeed, a culture mind shift must begin at the top, with a coherent understanding, shared vision throughout the entire staff, commitment, and best practices in teaching and learning throughout the whole school community. Teachers, policymakers, and other role-players in education should view IECE in the context of learners’ rights to education rather than focusing on disability problems associated with exclusion and segregation. The exploration concludes that, even though the enactment of IECE is fraught with impediments, it is a reasonable practice that should be enacted to achieve national objectives since IECE exposes children to information and skills which is vital for economic growth and confidence building. By meaningfully adopting IECE and enacting it successfully, the nation’s current and future human resource development, will be enhanced. building. By meaningfully adopting the IECE policy and enacting it successfully, the nation’s current and future human resource development, will be enhanced.
Dynamics of implementing mainstream english curriculum at a school for the deaf in Eswatini.
(2023) Khumalo, Sabelo Mlungisi.; Shoba, Makhosazana Edith.
It is essential to explore the dynamics of implementing the mainstream English curriculum at a school for the deaf. This assists teachers to reflect and critique their practices and experiences with the aim of improving their classroom actions. It also helps to raise awareness of the natural identity of both teachers and learners at the school, with the hope of meeting individual needs and ultimately, the teaching and learning goals. This qualitative study employed the pragmatic paradigm and action research design. Seven teachers purposively sampled participated in the study six teachers of English and the school principal. The study was guided by three research questions: 1) What are the dynamics of implementing the mainstream English curriculum at the school for the deaf in Eswatini? (descriptive); 2) How do the dynamics of the mainstream English curriculum influence its implementation in the school for the deaf? (Operational); and 3) why are the dynamics of implementing the mainstream English curriculum at the school for the deaf the way they are? (philosophical). Five data-generation instruments were used namely: documents review, reflective activity, video observation, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The Natural Identity Framework guided this study leading to the generation of three categories: the top-down, bottom-up, and individual dynamics. Findings revealed that there is tension between the top-down (professional) and bottom-up (societal/school) dynamics, which affects curriculum implementation at the school. This begged for the recognition of individual dynamics which seek to understand the personal “who” questions. Such dynamics are neutral; and they harmonise the tension of the two giants by combining their strengths. The individual dynamics are realised after reflecting and critiquing current practices and experiences. Such help to meet individual needs and to improve practice. Consequently, the study recommends that teachers should always reflect and critique their practices in order to identify what works in their respective school contexts. As a contribution to the body of knowledge, this study proposes the innate dynamics implementation model which recognises the natural and inborn identity of both teachers and learners as the key driver of a successful curriculum implementation.
Integration of technological resources into the curriculum in the fourth industrial revolution: the context of primary schools in Pinetown District.
(2022) Nene, Lindokuhle Gary.; Mpungose, Cedric Bheki.
This research is a qualitative study that utilises a phenomenological research study, by means of 24 teachers at primary schools in South Africa, to fulfil its purpose. This study employs an interpretivist paradigm. This paradigm has been utilised because the study aims at exploring three missing levels of integration (constructive, unconstructive, and personal) during teaching and learning. The study intended to understand why teachers resist integration of technological resources. The methods of data generation employed are three online techniques owing to COVID-19: emailed reflective activity, Zoom focus-group discussion, and Skype one-to-one semi-structured interviews. These methods have been used for the purpose of sampling. Convenience sampling was utilised to select the most accessible participants. This study was framed by the curriculum origins concepts which originate from the curricular spider web (Van den Akker et al., 2009). This study utilises the technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) as the theory that shapes the study. Data were analysed through guided analysis in which deductive and inductive methods were deployed. Lastly, ethical issues that are aligned with a qualitative study were considered. These include trustworthiness, dependability, confirmability, credibility, and transferability. This study employs this collection of research methods, the aim being to answer the following critical research questions: Research Questions: 1 .Which technological resources do teachers integrate into the curriculum in the fourth industrial revolution? 2. How do teachers integrate technological resources into the curriculum in the fourth industrial revolution? 3. What informs teachers in the fourth industrial revolution when integrating technological resources into the curriculum in the way they do? These research questions were underpinned by the following research objectives: Objectives of this Study: 1. To explore technological resources integrated into the curriculum in the fourth industrial revolution. 2. To explain the lessons to be learned when teachers integrate technological resources into the curriculum in the fourth industrial revolution. 3. To understand what informs the teachers’ integration of technological resources into the curriculum in the fourth industrial revolution. From the literature, three major concepts were generated by the research phenomena: constructive integration, unconstructive integration, and personal integration. These concepts were aligned with three categories of the curriculum, namely, the pragmatic, the horizontal, and the vertical. The literature and the findings of this study point to the actions of the majority of teachers, when integrating technological resources, being informed by constructive integration. Constructive integration occurs when teachers are compelled to follow a prescribed document such as a CAPS document and manuals. Thus, teachers are following a vertical curriculum. On Skype one-on-one semi-structured interviews teachers reflected on unconstructive integration. Such occurs when teachers’ actions are motivated by their social experience; this means that teachers share information. Such suggests that teachers are driven by the needs of horizontal curriculum. Online reflective activity also revealed that few teachers integrate technological resources, and their actions are informed by personal integration. This imbalance of integration leads to the poor integration of technological resources in which personal integration was singled out as the area for attention. Consequently, the main findings of this study indicate that teachers integrate technological resources into curriculum informed by three levels of integration: constructive, unconstructive and personal integration.
Psychosocial experiences of foundation phase teachers in South Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic.
(2022) Thilakdhari, Jayshree.; Jairam, Visvaranie.
This research dissertation entitled ‘Psychosocial Experiences Of Foundation Phase Teachers In South Africa During The Covid-19 Pandemic’ presents an exploration and understanding of the lived psychosocial experiences of foundation phase teachers in South Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic. This phenomenological research study supports the value of experiences and was aimed at generating in-depth information to deeply understand the psychosocial experiences of foundation phase teachers in South Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic. This research study was conducted with a specific group of six foundation phase teachers from 3 provinces in South Africa, namely: KwaZulu-Natal; Gauteng and Western Cape. Purposive sampling was chosen alongside, availability and convenience of the research participants. This qualitative study is located within the interpretivist paradigm and uses phenomenology as the research methodology. This allowed the researcher to understand the psychosocial experiences of the foundation phase teachers in South Africa from the perspective of the research participants at a particular point in time: the Covid-19 pandemic. Multiple methods of generating data were used for this research study, which included: semi-structured interviews, collage inquiry and metaphor drawing. The data generated allowed the researcher to produce rich and thick information of the research participants. The Psychosocial Development Theory was used as a theoretical framework to offers lenses in exploring and understanding the psychosocial experiences of foundation phase teachers in South Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic. Collage Portraiture was used as an analysis tool to support and enliven the analysis, and Vignettes were presented through themes and subthemes. The research findings indicated that foundation phase teachers in South Africa have knowledge and understandings of the Covid-19 pandemic, experience a variety of challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic, and need intervention strategies to support them during the Covid-19 pandemic. The analysis of this research study revealed that the research participants negotiate their psychosocial experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic which leads to psychosocial development. A Psychosocial Development Research Intervention Model has been created for foundation phase teachers in South Africa, so they may develop psychosocially, work effectively during the crisis, minimize challenges, increase support and become resilient.

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