An IPA study of the integration and work conditions of white teachers in historically black (township) schools
- Authors: Seane, Boitumelo Seville
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4606 , vital:20698
- Description: This interpretative phenomenological analysis study focuses on analyzing the lived experiences of white teachers with regards to their integration and work conditions within the context of historically black (township) schools. It consists of four aims: a) what are the experiences of white teachers teaching in previously disadvantaged schools; b) what do they experience to be major obstacles towards the day to day process of teaching and learning; c) what are the positive highlights and accomplishments they experienced while teaching in previously disadvantaged schools; d) what aspects do they deem essential for an efficient culture of teaching and learning. Five semi-structured interviews were conducted with regards to the experiences of the teachers. The methodology chapter will cement the notion of the use of semi-structured interviews as a function within IPA. As a result, this should not be inadvertently be confused to be an aspect of thematic analysis which is distinctive from IPA. Four of the participants were females and one was male. The interview questions were centered on the main aims of the study. Data was analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The results and interpretations of narratives revealed 6 super ordinate themes. They are: a) reinforces; b) enablers and desirable principles; c) social ills and other challenges; d) organization and administration factors; e) challenges with regards to teaching and learning and lastly, f) systemic and systematic issues. The following are the key findings that emerged during the interviews: Most of the teachers felt that they were well integrated in their schools. There was one exception. There were similarities with regards to adapting to working in previously disadvantaged schools. There were variations with the length or duration of service in the teaching profession from a minimum of less than a year, an average of 14 years and a maximum of 30 years. The teachers shared major challenges with regards to discipline among learners. Most of the teachers shared that their schools were variable with regards to lack of amenities and lack of finances. The dominant aspect was that some previously disadvantaged schools had many deprivations or encountered many difficult circumstances. Most of the teachers shared concerns that learning difficulties where being overlooked and there was lack of capacity to correctly intervene with regards to them. Various social ills emerged as having some level of impact on the lives of learners within their schools. Teachers reflected on the experiences about racism and racial intolerance; racial stereotypes and myths as well as no experiences of being marginalized. There were various experiences to diversity, culture and gender. Finally, various systemic and systematic issues that pose a challenge towards education within previously disadvantaged schools emerged. This study is based on the theoretical frameworks of assimilation, integration, multi-cultural education and anti-racist education.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Seane, Boitumelo Seville
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4606 , vital:20698
- Description: This interpretative phenomenological analysis study focuses on analyzing the lived experiences of white teachers with regards to their integration and work conditions within the context of historically black (township) schools. It consists of four aims: a) what are the experiences of white teachers teaching in previously disadvantaged schools; b) what do they experience to be major obstacles towards the day to day process of teaching and learning; c) what are the positive highlights and accomplishments they experienced while teaching in previously disadvantaged schools; d) what aspects do they deem essential for an efficient culture of teaching and learning. Five semi-structured interviews were conducted with regards to the experiences of the teachers. The methodology chapter will cement the notion of the use of semi-structured interviews as a function within IPA. As a result, this should not be inadvertently be confused to be an aspect of thematic analysis which is distinctive from IPA. Four of the participants were females and one was male. The interview questions were centered on the main aims of the study. Data was analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The results and interpretations of narratives revealed 6 super ordinate themes. They are: a) reinforces; b) enablers and desirable principles; c) social ills and other challenges; d) organization and administration factors; e) challenges with regards to teaching and learning and lastly, f) systemic and systematic issues. The following are the key findings that emerged during the interviews: Most of the teachers felt that they were well integrated in their schools. There was one exception. There were similarities with regards to adapting to working in previously disadvantaged schools. There were variations with the length or duration of service in the teaching profession from a minimum of less than a year, an average of 14 years and a maximum of 30 years. The teachers shared major challenges with regards to discipline among learners. Most of the teachers shared that their schools were variable with regards to lack of amenities and lack of finances. The dominant aspect was that some previously disadvantaged schools had many deprivations or encountered many difficult circumstances. Most of the teachers shared concerns that learning difficulties where being overlooked and there was lack of capacity to correctly intervene with regards to them. Various social ills emerged as having some level of impact on the lives of learners within their schools. Teachers reflected on the experiences about racism and racial intolerance; racial stereotypes and myths as well as no experiences of being marginalized. There were various experiences to diversity, culture and gender. Finally, various systemic and systematic issues that pose a challenge towards education within previously disadvantaged schools emerged. This study is based on the theoretical frameworks of assimilation, integration, multi-cultural education and anti-racist education.
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Deriving norms for learners in the disadvantaged schools of the peri-urban areas of the Eastern Cape: the case of the Vassiliou Mathematics Proficiency Test (VASSI)
- Masango, Siphesihle Polkadot
- Authors: Masango, Siphesihle Polkadot
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: VASSI Mathematics Proficiency Test , Mathematical ability -- Testing -- South Africa , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa , Children with social disabilities -- Education -- South Africa , Children with social disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Makhanda -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/49929 , vital:25943
- Description: This study builds on South African cross-cultural research which highlights the need for careful stratification of normative samples for quality of education and geographical location. The aim of the present study was to produce an expanded set of preliminary norms for learners in the disadvantaged schools of the peri-urban areas of the Eastern Cape, Grahamstown, on the Vassiliou Mathematics Foundation Phase Test (VASSI) and Vassiliou Mathematics Proficiency Test (VASSI), respectively. The test was administered to Grade 1-6 learners in four different schools all within Joza location, Grahamstown. For the learners’ convenience the tests were translated into isiXhosa, the translations were provided together with the original English questions. Archival data collected by honours students was also incorporated in this study. The total number of participants was N=724 which was comprised of 147 grade 1s, 123 grade 2s, 117 grade 3s, 128 grade 4s, 113 grade 5s and 96 grade 6s. Norm-referenced criterion was used in analysing the data. The results of this study are in accordance with those purporting the low performance of disadvantaged learners on the school subject, mathematics. Stanines for the various grades (Grade 1 to 6) were calculated and are presented in the study. This study has demonstrated that although gender, language and other ethnic variables have an impact on mathematics performance, quality of education and socioeconomic status have a significant effect. Further research is needed on the effect of quality of education and socioeconomic status on learners in disadvantaged schools on this test in particular.
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- Authors: Masango, Siphesihle Polkadot
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: VASSI Mathematics Proficiency Test , Mathematical ability -- Testing -- South Africa , Educational tests and measurements -- South Africa , Children with social disabilities -- Education -- South Africa , Children with social disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- Makhanda -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/49929 , vital:25943
- Description: This study builds on South African cross-cultural research which highlights the need for careful stratification of normative samples for quality of education and geographical location. The aim of the present study was to produce an expanded set of preliminary norms for learners in the disadvantaged schools of the peri-urban areas of the Eastern Cape, Grahamstown, on the Vassiliou Mathematics Foundation Phase Test (VASSI) and Vassiliou Mathematics Proficiency Test (VASSI), respectively. The test was administered to Grade 1-6 learners in four different schools all within Joza location, Grahamstown. For the learners’ convenience the tests were translated into isiXhosa, the translations were provided together with the original English questions. Archival data collected by honours students was also incorporated in this study. The total number of participants was N=724 which was comprised of 147 grade 1s, 123 grade 2s, 117 grade 3s, 128 grade 4s, 113 grade 5s and 96 grade 6s. Norm-referenced criterion was used in analysing the data. The results of this study are in accordance with those purporting the low performance of disadvantaged learners on the school subject, mathematics. Stanines for the various grades (Grade 1 to 6) were calculated and are presented in the study. This study has demonstrated that although gender, language and other ethnic variables have an impact on mathematics performance, quality of education and socioeconomic status have a significant effect. Further research is needed on the effect of quality of education and socioeconomic status on learners in disadvantaged schools on this test in particular.
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The clinical utility of the Kinetic School Drawing (KSD)
- Authors: Mohammed, Raghshanda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Kinetic Family Drawing Test , Art therapy for children , Kinetic-House-Tree-Person Technique , Children's drawings -- Psychological aspects , Projective techniques for children , Psychological tests for children
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4433 , vital:20669
- Description: This study aimed to establish the clinical utility of the Kinetic School Drawing (KSD) projective technique. It attempted to do so by using an existing self-report measure of children’s self-perceptions in the school environment (Harter’s Self-Perception Profile for Children) by which to corroborate the projections derived from the KSD’s. Following the development of this measure (in 1984) limited research has been undertaken to assess its validity, reliability and clinical utility despite promising initial findings. The KSD has therefore not received much attention and as a result, it has yet to be established as a useful psychological assessment tool. This study sought to revive interest and discussion around the KSD. Qualitative methods and specifically thematic analysis was employed to explore the usefulness of the KSD in an attempt to address the gap in the literature in a meaningful way. The sample consisted of 26 grade 5 learners from a private school in the Eastern Cape. The themes were presented under the following headings: scholastic competence, athletic competence, social competence, physical appearance and behavioural conduct.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mohammed, Raghshanda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Kinetic Family Drawing Test , Art therapy for children , Kinetic-House-Tree-Person Technique , Children's drawings -- Psychological aspects , Projective techniques for children , Psychological tests for children
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4433 , vital:20669
- Description: This study aimed to establish the clinical utility of the Kinetic School Drawing (KSD) projective technique. It attempted to do so by using an existing self-report measure of children’s self-perceptions in the school environment (Harter’s Self-Perception Profile for Children) by which to corroborate the projections derived from the KSD’s. Following the development of this measure (in 1984) limited research has been undertaken to assess its validity, reliability and clinical utility despite promising initial findings. The KSD has therefore not received much attention and as a result, it has yet to be established as a useful psychological assessment tool. This study sought to revive interest and discussion around the KSD. Qualitative methods and specifically thematic analysis was employed to explore the usefulness of the KSD in an attempt to address the gap in the literature in a meaningful way. The sample consisted of 26 grade 5 learners from a private school in the Eastern Cape. The themes were presented under the following headings: scholastic competence, athletic competence, social competence, physical appearance and behavioural conduct.
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