Pub Date : 2023-05-31DOI: 10.15700/saje.v43n2a2076
Halit Karatay, Kadir Vefa Tezel, Ahmet Demirel
In this qualitative research we employed the case study method to identify the factors that affect Turkish fifth to eight graders’ selection of books to read and the reasons that cause them to stop reading the books they have selected. To identify those factors and reasons, data were collected from a total of 32 participating students who were selected using stratified purposive sampling. A group was formed for each grade. Each grade group included 8 students who borrowed books from public libraries and voluntarily participated in the study. The participants were interviewed using open-ended questions. Interviews revealed that in selecting books to read, the students considered theme, genre, and structural features such as title, cover design, author, publisher, and recommendations made by peers, teachers, and family members as criteria. The students also stated that the events and themes in the books, language features, font size, insufficient time to read, and the library’s requirement to return a book in 15 days were the reasons to give up reading a selected book.
{"title":"Middle schoolers’ book selection and reasons for discontinuing reading","authors":"Halit Karatay, Kadir Vefa Tezel, Ahmet Demirel","doi":"10.15700/saje.v43n2a2076","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15700/saje.v43n2a2076","url":null,"abstract":"In this qualitative research we employed the case study method to identify the factors that affect Turkish fifth to eight graders’ selection of books to read and the reasons that cause them to stop reading the books they have selected. To identify those factors and reasons, data were collected from a total of 32 participating students who were selected using stratified purposive sampling. A group was formed for each grade. Each grade group included 8 students who borrowed books from public libraries and voluntarily participated in the study. The participants were interviewed using open-ended questions. Interviews revealed that in selecting books to read, the students considered theme, genre, and structural features such as title, cover design, author, publisher, and recommendations made by peers, teachers, and family members as criteria. The students also stated that the events and themes in the books, language features, font size, insufficient time to read, and the library’s requirement to return a book in 15 days were the reasons to give up reading a selected book.","PeriodicalId":47261,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Education","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2023-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44509114","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"教育学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-31DOI: 10.15700/saje.v43n2a2227
C. Joubert
Life Orientation (LO) teachers should be prepared to employ a pastoral approach – i.e., emotional support to learners – particularly when facilitating the topic “Development of the self in society” as prescribed in the curriculum and assessment policy statement (CAPS). Currently, LO teachers have limited knowledge and strategies to develop a pastoral approach due to limited training and resources. The purpose of this article is to present 10 LO teachers’ perspectives on employing a pastoral approach. Two unstructured focus-group interviews were conducted, and the data were analysed inductively following a qualitative research design. The analysis indicates that LO teachers are constrained by their lack of access to resources, assistance, expertise and competencies to establish a pastoral approach. To address this, it is recommended that a variety of teaching strategies are applied, attachment relationships are developed, proficiencies akin to those of community counsellors are acquired, cooperative partnerships are set up, and contextually appropriate interventions are tailored. Implementing suggestions that emerged from the findings might support LO teachers to employ a pastoral approach. Recommendations from the findings imply possible LO curriculum reformation and training. This might bring about a change in the attitude of school communities towards the compulsory nature of LO as a subject. It might also provide more nurturing and supportive relationships in schools and a more socially just dispensation for all involved.
{"title":"Life orientation teachers’ perspectives on a pastoral approach to the topic: “Development of the self in society”","authors":"C. Joubert","doi":"10.15700/saje.v43n2a2227","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15700/saje.v43n2a2227","url":null,"abstract":"Life Orientation (LO) teachers should be prepared to employ a pastoral approach – i.e., emotional support to learners – particularly when facilitating the topic “Development of the self in society” as prescribed in the curriculum and assessment policy statement (CAPS). Currently, LO teachers have limited knowledge and strategies to develop a pastoral approach due to limited training and resources. The purpose of this article is to present 10 LO teachers’ perspectives on employing a pastoral approach. Two unstructured focus-group interviews were conducted, and the data were analysed inductively following a qualitative research design. The analysis indicates that LO teachers are constrained by their lack of access to resources, assistance, expertise and competencies to establish a pastoral approach. To address this, it is recommended that a variety of teaching strategies are applied, attachment relationships are developed, proficiencies akin to those of community counsellors are acquired, cooperative partnerships are set up, and contextually appropriate interventions are tailored. Implementing suggestions that emerged from the findings might support LO teachers to employ a pastoral approach. Recommendations from the findings imply possible LO curriculum reformation and training. This might bring about a change in the attitude of school communities towards the compulsory nature of LO as a subject. It might also provide more nurturing and supportive relationships in schools and a more socially just dispensation for all involved.","PeriodicalId":47261,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Education","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2023-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45126947","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"教育学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-02-28DOI: 10.15700/saje.v43n1a2112
Daniel Jambo Ghirmai, Lei Hongde
The aim of the study reported on here was to explore the effects of principals’ distributed leadership (DL) practices on learners’ learning achievement as mediated by teachers’ commitment. In the study we employed survey data with a sample size of 603 learners from 8 technical and vocational education training schools in Eritrea. The proposed model of this study was tested through multiple regression analyses and structural equation modelling using teachers’ commitment as a mediator. The findings of this study show that distributed leadership practices have a positive and significant effect on teachers’ commitment and an indirect effect on learners’ learning achievement. The results also show that teachers’ commitment has a partial mediation effect. Moreover, the variance test analysis reveals the effect of distributed type of leadership practices by school principal determined by school type, size, location, and ownership.
{"title":"Exploring the effects of principals’ distributed leadership practices on learners’ learning achievement as mediated by teachers’ commitment","authors":"Daniel Jambo Ghirmai, Lei Hongde","doi":"10.15700/saje.v43n1a2112","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15700/saje.v43n1a2112","url":null,"abstract":"The aim of the study reported on here was to explore the effects of principals’ distributed leadership (DL) practices on learners’ learning achievement as mediated by teachers’ commitment. In the study we employed survey data with a sample size of 603 learners from 8 technical and vocational education training schools in Eritrea. The proposed model of this study was tested through multiple regression analyses and structural equation modelling using teachers’ commitment as a mediator. The findings of this study show that distributed leadership practices have a positive and significant effect on teachers’ commitment and an indirect effect on learners’ learning achievement. The results also show that teachers’ commitment has a partial mediation effect. Moreover, the variance test analysis reveals the effect of distributed type of leadership practices by school principal determined by school type, size, location, and ownership.","PeriodicalId":47261,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Education","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2023-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41831813","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"教育学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-02-28DOI: 10.15700/saje.v43n1a2031
Aikaterini Draganoudi, G. Kaliampos, Konstantinos Lavidas, K. Ravanis
In the last 30 years, 4 distinct theoretical approaches have been described for early childhood science education. The approaches are, empiricist, Piagetian, socio-cognitive and socio-cultural. Drawing on the differences among these approaches regarding the theoretical framework adopted in teaching, the role that is assigned to the teacher during the activity and the actions that are expected from the children, we aimed to serve 2 purposes with this research. Firstly, to elicit the in-service pre-school teachers’ beliefs about teaching practices for natural sciences and to record the approaches that these beliefs match. To fulfil this purpose, a new instrument was developed. Secondly, to examine the instrument’s validity and reliability. The participants in the study were 94 pre-school teachers who served in public schools in 2 prefectures in Greece. Research findings suggest that pre-school teachers tend to state that they mainly adopt practices that fit the empiricist approach while practices that fit the socio-cognitive approach are not used so often. Finally, they seem to rarely follow practices that fit the socio-cultural and Piagetian approaches.
{"title":"Developing a research instrument to record pre-school teachers’ beliefs about teaching practices in natural sciences","authors":"Aikaterini Draganoudi, G. Kaliampos, Konstantinos Lavidas, K. Ravanis","doi":"10.15700/saje.v43n1a2031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15700/saje.v43n1a2031","url":null,"abstract":"In the last 30 years, 4 distinct theoretical approaches have been described for early childhood science education. The approaches are, empiricist, Piagetian, socio-cognitive and socio-cultural. Drawing on the differences among these approaches regarding the theoretical framework adopted in teaching, the role that is assigned to the teacher during the activity and the actions that are expected from the children, we aimed to serve 2 purposes with this research. Firstly, to elicit the in-service pre-school teachers’ beliefs about teaching practices for natural sciences and to record the approaches that these beliefs match. To fulfil this purpose, a new instrument was developed. Secondly, to examine the instrument’s validity and reliability. The participants in the study were 94 pre-school teachers who served in public schools in 2 prefectures in Greece. Research findings suggest that pre-school teachers tend to state that they mainly adopt practices that fit the empiricist approach while practices that fit the socio-cognitive approach are not used so often. Finally, they seem to rarely follow practices that fit the socio-cultural and Piagetian approaches.","PeriodicalId":47261,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Education","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2023-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48487788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"教育学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-02-28DOI: 10.15700/saje.v43n1a2155
L. M. Dos Santos
For almost 2 decades South Korea has been 1 of the popular destinations for English teaching. Due to the development of globalisation, a great number of qualified and experienced South African teachers decided to invest their career development and personal goals in 1 of the schools in South Korea. However, due to the social and cultural differences, many teachers decided to leave their position within the first few years of their contract. The frequent departure of teachers may negatively influence the students’ achievement and the reputation of the school. The purpose of this study was to understand why South African teachers decided to stay in the same school for more than 10 successive years in South Korea. With the application of the phenomenological analysis, 37 participants were invited. Based on the Social Cognitive Career Theory, the results indicate that both the workplace and the social environment were positive for both career and personal development and growth. Government departments, policymakers, school leaders, non-profit organisational leaders, human resource planners, and researchers should regard the findings from this study as support to reform and improve their current regulations and plans for teachers’ professional development and teachers’ recruitment, particularly regarding school teachers’ recruitment and foreign teachers’ plans.
{"title":"Satisfaction, professional development, and professionalism of overseas South African teachers: The application of social cognitive career theory","authors":"L. M. Dos Santos","doi":"10.15700/saje.v43n1a2155","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15700/saje.v43n1a2155","url":null,"abstract":"For almost 2 decades South Korea has been 1 of the popular destinations for English teaching. Due to the development of globalisation, a great number of qualified and experienced South African teachers decided to invest their career development and personal goals in 1 of the schools in South Korea. However, due to the social and cultural differences, many teachers decided to leave their position within the first few years of their contract. The frequent departure of teachers may negatively influence the students’ achievement and the reputation of the school. The purpose of this study was to understand why South African teachers decided to stay in the same school for more than 10 successive years in South Korea. With the application of the phenomenological analysis, 37 participants were invited. Based on the Social Cognitive Career Theory, the results indicate that both the workplace and the social environment were positive for both career and personal development and growth. Government departments, policymakers, school leaders, non-profit organisational leaders, human resource planners, and researchers should regard the findings from this study as support to reform and improve their current regulations and plans for teachers’ professional development and teachers’ recruitment, particularly regarding school teachers’ recruitment and foreign teachers’ plans.","PeriodicalId":47261,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Education","volume":"42 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2023-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41273856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"教育学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-02-28DOI: 10.15700/saje.v43n1a2065
A. P. Bal
The aim of the study reported on here was to assess the impact of differentiated instruction in terms of mathematics achievement and the attitudes of secondary school learners to reveal their views on differentiated instruction. The study was designed according to a mixed method design in which both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. The study group, which constituted the quantitative dimension of the study, consisted of 2 control groups and 1 experimental group. The Mathematics Achievement Test, Mathematics Attitude Scale and a semi-structured interview form were used as data collection tools. One-way anova and descriptive analysis techniques were applied for the analysis of the data. We concluded that differentiated instruction in mathematics courses increases secondary school learners’ mathematics achievement, but has no effect on their attitudes towards mathematics.
{"title":"Assessing the impact of differentiated instruction on mathematics achievement and attitudes of secondary school learners","authors":"A. P. Bal","doi":"10.15700/saje.v43n1a2065","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15700/saje.v43n1a2065","url":null,"abstract":"The aim of the study reported on here was to assess the impact of differentiated instruction in terms of mathematics achievement and the attitudes of secondary school learners to reveal their views on differentiated instruction. The study was designed according to a mixed method design in which both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. The study group, which constituted the quantitative dimension of the study, consisted of 2 control groups and 1 experimental group. The Mathematics Achievement Test, Mathematics Attitude Scale and a semi-structured interview form were used as data collection tools. One-way anova and descriptive analysis techniques were applied for the analysis of the data. We concluded that differentiated instruction in mathematics courses increases secondary school learners’ mathematics achievement, but has no effect on their attitudes towards mathematics.","PeriodicalId":47261,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Education","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2023-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46437463","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"教育学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-02-28DOI: 10.15700/saje.v43n1a2174
S. Hart
The South African education system is considered one of the most unequal in the world. Providing learners with quality education and equipping them with the digital skills required for the Fourth Industrial Revolution is essential. To achieve this, plans are in place to incorporate educational technology in schools. However, it is important to understand the factors and conditions which have had the greatest impact on this process. This systematic review outlines 5 aspects that have been found to influence the use of educational technology in South African schools: access to technical resources; skills, training and competence; efficacy and efficiency beliefs; pedagogical compatibility; and a supportive leadership and management structure. Recommendations based on these findings are provided which can inform policy and practice.
{"title":"Identifying the factors impacting the uptake of educational technology in South African schools: A systematic review","authors":"S. Hart","doi":"10.15700/saje.v43n1a2174","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15700/saje.v43n1a2174","url":null,"abstract":"The South African education system is considered one of the most unequal in the world. Providing learners with quality education and equipping them with the digital skills required for the Fourth Industrial Revolution is essential. To achieve this, plans are in place to incorporate educational technology in schools. However, it is important to understand the factors and conditions which have had the greatest impact on this process. This systematic review outlines 5 aspects that have been found to influence the use of educational technology in South African schools: access to technical resources; skills, training and competence; efficacy and efficiency beliefs; pedagogical compatibility; and a supportive leadership and management structure. Recommendations based on these findings are provided which can inform policy and practice.","PeriodicalId":47261,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Education","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2023-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47583979","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"教育学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-02-28DOI: 10.15700/saje.v43n1a2181
Yasir A. Alsamiri, Malik A. Hussain, Mansour M. Aljohani, Ibraheem M. Alsawalem
Primary school students with both giftedness and learning disabilities (SGLD) in inclusive educational settings may not always receive a differentiated curriculum. Differentiation in all-level classrooms is necessary for consistently meeting the needs of SGLD. There is insufficient research on teachers’ knowledge of SGLD and differentiation in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. To fill this knowledge gap, we interviewed 9 primary school teachers in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. The interview data were analysed using content analysis. Our conceptual framework is based on the theories of Howard Gardner, who believe that all students learn in different ways. We also considered Lev Vygotsky’s view that students learn best with instructions that meet their individual developmental level and address their zone of proximal development. Our findings suggest that teachers are willing to teach SGLD along with other students in the same classroom. Although they understand that differentiation is important, they were not implementing it for SGLD. Professional training and development related to teaching SGLD can improve the educational outcomes for SGLD. These results can assist teachers and educational personnel to seek optimal methods to identify and assist SGLD in Saudi Arabia and other regions. Finally, we provide recommendations for accommodations, strategies, and a differentiated curriculum for SGLD in primary schools.
{"title":"Primary school teachers’ knowledge of differentiation for students with giftedness and learning disabilities in mixed-abilities classrooms in Saudi Arabia","authors":"Yasir A. Alsamiri, Malik A. Hussain, Mansour M. Aljohani, Ibraheem M. Alsawalem","doi":"10.15700/saje.v43n1a2181","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15700/saje.v43n1a2181","url":null,"abstract":"Primary school students with both giftedness and learning disabilities (SGLD) in inclusive educational settings may not always receive a differentiated curriculum. Differentiation in all-level classrooms is necessary for consistently meeting the needs of SGLD. There is insufficient research on teachers’ knowledge of SGLD and differentiation in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. To fill this knowledge gap, we interviewed 9 primary school teachers in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. The interview data were analysed using content analysis. Our conceptual framework is based on the theories of Howard Gardner, who believe that all students learn in different ways. We also considered Lev Vygotsky’s view that students learn best with instructions that meet their individual developmental level and address their zone of proximal development. Our findings suggest that teachers are willing to teach SGLD along with other students in the same classroom. Although they understand that differentiation is important, they were not implementing it for SGLD. Professional training and development related to teaching SGLD can improve the educational outcomes for SGLD. These results can assist teachers and educational personnel to seek optimal methods to identify and assist SGLD in Saudi Arabia and other regions. Finally, we provide recommendations for accommodations, strategies, and a differentiated curriculum for SGLD in primary schools.","PeriodicalId":47261,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Education","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2023-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46025298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"教育学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-02-28DOI: 10.15700/saje.v43n1a2144
T. Phala
In South Africa, the issue of learning to read is an area of concern. While studies have focused on reading problems in the Foundation Phase, little is known about this issue in full-service schools. In light of this, the aim of this study was to explore how Grade 3 teachers supported learners who experienced reading problems in full-service schools. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory was used to understand the meaning-making of Grade 3 teachers in the context of reading. This qualitative study with a case study design was conducted in 3 full-service schools in the Tshwane North district in the Gauteng province. Participants included 6 learner-support teachers and 11 Grade 3 class teachers. Data were produced using semi-structured interviews. The findings show that the methods of reading and modes of working to support learners are complex, varied, and largely teacher-driven. This set of circumstances highlight the need for co-construction of reading with learners and the addressing of specific barriers to learning to read. This was somewhat evident among the specialist teachers but not sufficiently robust. This study raises questions for professional development for reading problems in the Foundation Phase.
{"title":"Learner support for reading problems in Grade 3 in full-service schools in the Gauteng province","authors":"T. Phala","doi":"10.15700/saje.v43n1a2144","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15700/saje.v43n1a2144","url":null,"abstract":"In South Africa, the issue of learning to read is an area of concern. While studies have focused on reading problems in the Foundation Phase, little is known about this issue in full-service schools. In light of this, the aim of this study was to explore how Grade 3 teachers supported learners who experienced reading problems in full-service schools. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory was used to understand the meaning-making of Grade 3 teachers in the context of reading. This qualitative study with a case study design was conducted in 3 full-service schools in the Tshwane North district in the Gauteng province. Participants included 6 learner-support teachers and 11 Grade 3 class teachers. Data were produced using semi-structured interviews. The findings show that the methods of reading and modes of working to support learners are complex, varied, and largely teacher-driven. This set of circumstances highlight the need for co-construction of reading with learners and the addressing of specific barriers to learning to read. This was somewhat evident among the specialist teachers but not sufficiently robust. This study raises questions for professional development for reading problems in the Foundation Phase.","PeriodicalId":47261,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Education","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2023-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44024015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"教育学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-02-28DOI: 10.15700/saje.v43n1a2132
Fru Vitalis Akuma, E. Gaigher
The inquiry-based strategy in science education is widely recommended and incorporated in practical work. However, contextual and intrinsic teaching challenges associated with practical investigations (inquiry-based practical work), occur in resource-constrained physical sciences classrooms in South Africa. The intrinsic challenges have previously been identified from the perspective of the pedagogical content knowledge framework and the concerns-based adoption model. In this article we present a novel approach, investigating the intrinsic challenges from a viewpoint of instructional design. The multi-method technique was used to collect data which was analysed by combining the deductive and the inductive approaches in thematic analysis. The findings consist of intrinsic teaching challenges in the initiation, planning, and implementation phases of practical investigations. Examples of the challenges include practical work being considered to have a confirmatory role, inadequacies linked to addressing learner safety, and unfamiliarity with well-known instructional models. While new challenges were identified, the findings add a new perspective to intrinsic challenges relating to practical investigations in the context of physical sciences education in South Africa. Also, the findings enhance global knowledge about the complexity of intrinsic teaching challenges linked to practical investigations. In addition, the findings inform teacher support while suggesting lines of future research linked to practical investigations in resource-constrained physical sciences classrooms in South Africa and beyond.
{"title":"Intrinsic teaching challenges relating to practical investigations in some classrooms: An instructional design perspective","authors":"Fru Vitalis Akuma, E. Gaigher","doi":"10.15700/saje.v43n1a2132","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15700/saje.v43n1a2132","url":null,"abstract":"The inquiry-based strategy in science education is widely recommended and incorporated in practical work. However, contextual and intrinsic teaching challenges associated with practical investigations (inquiry-based practical work), occur in resource-constrained physical sciences classrooms in South Africa. The intrinsic challenges have previously been identified from the perspective of the pedagogical content knowledge framework and the concerns-based adoption model. In this article we present a novel approach, investigating the intrinsic challenges from a viewpoint of instructional design. The multi-method technique was used to collect data which was analysed by combining the deductive and the inductive approaches in thematic analysis. The findings consist of intrinsic teaching challenges in the initiation, planning, and implementation phases of practical investigations. Examples of the challenges include practical work being considered to have a confirmatory role, inadequacies linked to addressing learner safety, and unfamiliarity with well-known instructional models. While new challenges were identified, the findings add a new perspective to intrinsic challenges relating to practical investigations in the context of physical sciences education in South Africa. Also, the findings enhance global knowledge about the complexity of intrinsic teaching challenges linked to practical investigations. In addition, the findings inform teacher support while suggesting lines of future research linked to practical investigations in resource-constrained physical sciences classrooms in South Africa and beyond.","PeriodicalId":47261,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Education","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2023-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43158023","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"教育学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}