Understanding how Grade 11 Biology teachers mediate learning of respiration: A Namibian case study
- Authors: Amutenya, Laina N
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Biology -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Respiration -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2020 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017331
- Description: The new curriculum in Namibia has introduced a new approach to teaching and learning requiring teachers to make use of learners’ prior everyday knowledge (PEK) including indigenous knowledge (IK) and practical work/activities. It further emphasizes some variations in teaching methods such as; the use of analogies, the use of mind maps, and so forth with the aim to actively involve learners in the learning process and develop skills to solve global challenges. The emphasis is on understanding of knowledge, skills and the will to use them appropriately throughout their lives. The main aim of this study was to understand and document how Biology teachers mediate learning of the topic respiration. Informed by an interpretive paradigm, a qualitative case study was conducted at two secondary schools in the Kunene region. The participants were selected using a convenience sampling. Data were gathered using three main sources, namely, documents, semi-structured interview questions which culminated into a questionnaire and observations. Triangulation was thus used to give credibility, objectivity and validity to the interpretation of the data. Data analysis in this case study involved a multi-stage process of organizing, coding and categorizing, synthesizing and summarizing. The audio recorded lessons were transcribed into text and I analyzed data using a colour coding technique by segmenting and labelling text to identify descriptions and broad themes in the data. Vygotsky’s Mediation of Learning and Social Constructivism in conjunction with Shulman’s Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) informed the data analysis process. Teacher-learner interactions were the main theme for mediation of learning (social constructivist perspective), hence during analysis I paid more attention to moments where interactions evolved and I used PCK to gain insights in teaching and instructional strategies used by teachers. The findings of this study revealed that: 1) teachers endeavor to use a variety of teaching methods such as the use of a mind maps and question and answer method. Learners were keen to ask questions in order to understand this topic. 2) The study also revealed that a lack of practical activities is one of the challenges teachers are faced with. Based on my research findings, I therefore suggest that there is a need for continuous professional development of biology teachers and capacity building in order to improve both their content and pedagogical content knowledge.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Amutenya, Laina N
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Biology -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Respiration -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2020 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017331
- Description: The new curriculum in Namibia has introduced a new approach to teaching and learning requiring teachers to make use of learners’ prior everyday knowledge (PEK) including indigenous knowledge (IK) and practical work/activities. It further emphasizes some variations in teaching methods such as; the use of analogies, the use of mind maps, and so forth with the aim to actively involve learners in the learning process and develop skills to solve global challenges. The emphasis is on understanding of knowledge, skills and the will to use them appropriately throughout their lives. The main aim of this study was to understand and document how Biology teachers mediate learning of the topic respiration. Informed by an interpretive paradigm, a qualitative case study was conducted at two secondary schools in the Kunene region. The participants were selected using a convenience sampling. Data were gathered using three main sources, namely, documents, semi-structured interview questions which culminated into a questionnaire and observations. Triangulation was thus used to give credibility, objectivity and validity to the interpretation of the data. Data analysis in this case study involved a multi-stage process of organizing, coding and categorizing, synthesizing and summarizing. The audio recorded lessons were transcribed into text and I analyzed data using a colour coding technique by segmenting and labelling text to identify descriptions and broad themes in the data. Vygotsky’s Mediation of Learning and Social Constructivism in conjunction with Shulman’s Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) informed the data analysis process. Teacher-learner interactions were the main theme for mediation of learning (social constructivist perspective), hence during analysis I paid more attention to moments where interactions evolved and I used PCK to gain insights in teaching and instructional strategies used by teachers. The findings of this study revealed that: 1) teachers endeavor to use a variety of teaching methods such as the use of a mind maps and question and answer method. Learners were keen to ask questions in order to understand this topic. 2) The study also revealed that a lack of practical activities is one of the challenges teachers are faced with. Based on my research findings, I therefore suggest that there is a need for continuous professional development of biology teachers and capacity building in order to improve both their content and pedagogical content knowledge.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The enactment of teacher leadership in a township high school : a restricted form
- Authors: Mancoko, Melikhaya Kenneth
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Educational leadership -- South Africa -- King William's Town , Teacher participation in administration -- South Africa -- King William's Town , School management and organization -- South Africa -- King William's Town , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- King William's Town
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2060 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019886
- Description: Whilst the concept of teacher leadership is not new in the international literature (Grant, 2006), research on the topic of teacher leadership is emerging slowly as a new area of research interest in South Africa (Grant, 2006; Grant, 2005; Singh, 2007). Teacher leadership is basically about teachers who are leaders within and outside the classroom, who identify with and contribute to a community of teacher learners and leaders, influence others to improve their teaching practice and accept responsibility for realising the goals of their organisation (Katzenmeyer & Moller, 2001 in Grant, 2006). Therefore, teachers’ roles in operating as leaders in schools are acknowledged in literature. This study is a replication of a University of KwaZulu-Natal multi-case study on the enactment of teacher leadership conducted in various educational institutions in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. In line with the original study, this study aimed at obtaining an understanding of the enactment of teacher leadership in a township high school in the King William’s Town education district, in the Eastern Cape. I further explored what factors promoted or hindered such enactment. As an Eastern Cape Master of Education student participating in a group research programme at Rhodes University, we adopted and used the same research questions, research approach, data collection methods as well as data analysis techniques as utilised in the original study. Therefore, this research study was conducted within the interpretive paradigm, following a qualitative approach. I adopted a case study methodology, with the case being the school and three teacher leaders as units of analysis. Data were gathered through a multi-method approach which consisted of a school profile, a focus group interview, semi-structured individual interviews, questionnaires, self reflective journaling and observations. Whilst the research was guided by distributed leadership theory, Grant’s (2008) Model of teacher leadership and thematic content analysis was used to analyse data. Research findings revealed that the enactment of teacher leadership was evident in Zones 1, 2 and 4 of Grant’s (2008) Model of teacher leadership in the case study school. However, a restricted form of teacher leadership was enacted in Zone 3, whereby teachers were not regularly involved in school-wide decision-making processes. When teacher leadership was enacted, it was in a form of authorised distributed leadership. The study further identified the autocratic leadership style of the principal and of the School Management Team members, as well as the non-inclusive school culture as main barriers towards the enactment of teacher leadership in the case study school. Despite these barriers, teachers’ high levels of enthusiasm were identified as an enabling factor that promoted the enactment of teacher leadership in the case study school.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Mancoko, Melikhaya Kenneth
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Educational leadership -- South Africa -- King William's Town , Teacher participation in administration -- South Africa -- King William's Town , School management and organization -- South Africa -- King William's Town , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- King William's Town
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2060 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019886
- Description: Whilst the concept of teacher leadership is not new in the international literature (Grant, 2006), research on the topic of teacher leadership is emerging slowly as a new area of research interest in South Africa (Grant, 2006; Grant, 2005; Singh, 2007). Teacher leadership is basically about teachers who are leaders within and outside the classroom, who identify with and contribute to a community of teacher learners and leaders, influence others to improve their teaching practice and accept responsibility for realising the goals of their organisation (Katzenmeyer & Moller, 2001 in Grant, 2006). Therefore, teachers’ roles in operating as leaders in schools are acknowledged in literature. This study is a replication of a University of KwaZulu-Natal multi-case study on the enactment of teacher leadership conducted in various educational institutions in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. In line with the original study, this study aimed at obtaining an understanding of the enactment of teacher leadership in a township high school in the King William’s Town education district, in the Eastern Cape. I further explored what factors promoted or hindered such enactment. As an Eastern Cape Master of Education student participating in a group research programme at Rhodes University, we adopted and used the same research questions, research approach, data collection methods as well as data analysis techniques as utilised in the original study. Therefore, this research study was conducted within the interpretive paradigm, following a qualitative approach. I adopted a case study methodology, with the case being the school and three teacher leaders as units of analysis. Data were gathered through a multi-method approach which consisted of a school profile, a focus group interview, semi-structured individual interviews, questionnaires, self reflective journaling and observations. Whilst the research was guided by distributed leadership theory, Grant’s (2008) Model of teacher leadership and thematic content analysis was used to analyse data. Research findings revealed that the enactment of teacher leadership was evident in Zones 1, 2 and 4 of Grant’s (2008) Model of teacher leadership in the case study school. However, a restricted form of teacher leadership was enacted in Zone 3, whereby teachers were not regularly involved in school-wide decision-making processes. When teacher leadership was enacted, it was in a form of authorised distributed leadership. The study further identified the autocratic leadership style of the principal and of the School Management Team members, as well as the non-inclusive school culture as main barriers towards the enactment of teacher leadership in the case study school. Despite these barriers, teachers’ high levels of enthusiasm were identified as an enabling factor that promoted the enactment of teacher leadership in the case study school.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Developing and using an assessment instrument for spatial skills in Grade 10 geometry learners
- Authors: Cowley, Jane
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Geometry -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Geometry -- Evaluation. , Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2025 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017336
- Description: This qualitative investigation took the form of a case study and fell within the interpretive research paradigm. The Mathematics Chair at the Education Department of Rhodes University launched the Mathematics Teacher Enrichment Programme (MTEP) in 2010 in order to combat poor Mathematics performance of learners in the lower Albany district of the Eastern Cape. The challenge that the participating MTEP teachers faced was a lack of time available to implement new teaching ideas. This was because most of their time was spent catching up “lost” or untaught concepts in the classroom. To address this problem, the Catch-Up Project was launched, whereby selected Mathematics teachers in the area taught lost concepts to Grade Ten learners during afternoon classes in an attempt to improve their fundamental Mathematics knowledge. In order to establish which sections of Mathematics were more difficult for the learners in this programme, bench mark tests were administered biannually. Whilst these tests certainly identified deficient areas within their Mathematics knowledge, the poorest performance areas were the sections of the syllabus which were spatial in nature, such as Space and Shape and Geometry. However, a more in depth assessment tool was required to establish which specific spatial skills the learners were not able to employ when doing these Geometry tasks. To this end, the Spatial Skills Assessment Tasks (SSAT) was developed. It consisted of traditional text book type Geometry tasks and real-world context tasks, both of which were used to assess six spatial skills deemed crucial to successfully facilitate learning Geometry. The case study took place in two of the schools which participated in the Grade Ten Catch-Up project. The case was focused on Grade Ten learners and the unit of analysis was their responses to the SSAT instrument. The learners that participated all did so on a strictly voluntary basis and great care was taken to protect their wellbeing and anonymity at all times. The results of the SSAT instrument revealed that the real world context tasks were in general far more successfully answered than the traditional text book type questions. Important trends in learner responses were noted and highlighted. For example, geometric terminology remains a huge challenge for learners, especially as they study Mathematics in their second language. The ability of the learners to differentiate between such concepts as congruency and similarity is severely compromised, partly due to a lack of terminological understanding but also due to a perceived lack of exposure to the material. Concepts such as verticality and horizontality also remain a huge challenge, possibly for the same reasons. They are poorly understood and yet vital to achievement in Geometry. Recommendations for the development and strengthening of spatial skills support the constructivist approach to learning. Hands on activities and intensive sustained practice over a period of a few months, in which both teachers and learners are actively involved in the learning process, would be considered most beneficial to the long term enhancement of these vital spatial skills and to the learning of Geometry in general.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Cowley, Jane
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Geometry -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Geometry -- Evaluation. , Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2025 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017336
- Description: This qualitative investigation took the form of a case study and fell within the interpretive research paradigm. The Mathematics Chair at the Education Department of Rhodes University launched the Mathematics Teacher Enrichment Programme (MTEP) in 2010 in order to combat poor Mathematics performance of learners in the lower Albany district of the Eastern Cape. The challenge that the participating MTEP teachers faced was a lack of time available to implement new teaching ideas. This was because most of their time was spent catching up “lost” or untaught concepts in the classroom. To address this problem, the Catch-Up Project was launched, whereby selected Mathematics teachers in the area taught lost concepts to Grade Ten learners during afternoon classes in an attempt to improve their fundamental Mathematics knowledge. In order to establish which sections of Mathematics were more difficult for the learners in this programme, bench mark tests were administered biannually. Whilst these tests certainly identified deficient areas within their Mathematics knowledge, the poorest performance areas were the sections of the syllabus which were spatial in nature, such as Space and Shape and Geometry. However, a more in depth assessment tool was required to establish which specific spatial skills the learners were not able to employ when doing these Geometry tasks. To this end, the Spatial Skills Assessment Tasks (SSAT) was developed. It consisted of traditional text book type Geometry tasks and real-world context tasks, both of which were used to assess six spatial skills deemed crucial to successfully facilitate learning Geometry. The case study took place in two of the schools which participated in the Grade Ten Catch-Up project. The case was focused on Grade Ten learners and the unit of analysis was their responses to the SSAT instrument. The learners that participated all did so on a strictly voluntary basis and great care was taken to protect their wellbeing and anonymity at all times. The results of the SSAT instrument revealed that the real world context tasks were in general far more successfully answered than the traditional text book type questions. Important trends in learner responses were noted and highlighted. For example, geometric terminology remains a huge challenge for learners, especially as they study Mathematics in their second language. The ability of the learners to differentiate between such concepts as congruency and similarity is severely compromised, partly due to a lack of terminological understanding but also due to a perceived lack of exposure to the material. Concepts such as verticality and horizontality also remain a huge challenge, possibly for the same reasons. They are poorly understood and yet vital to achievement in Geometry. Recommendations for the development and strengthening of spatial skills support the constructivist approach to learning. Hands on activities and intensive sustained practice over a period of a few months, in which both teachers and learners are actively involved in the learning process, would be considered most beneficial to the long term enhancement of these vital spatial skills and to the learning of Geometry in general.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015