Department of Educational Studies
Permanent URI for this community
Browse
Browsing Department of Educational Studies by Issue Date
Now showing 1 - 20 of 83
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Open Access Conflict management styles by school management teams in secondary schools(2009-01) Nemaguvhuni, Adziambei; Ravhudzulo, M. A.See the attached abstract belowItem Open Access Understanding learning styles of adult learners in the Vhembe District Municipality(2010-03) Kgomommu, Selaelo; Ngobeli, T. D.; Kutame, A. P.Little is still known about the Vhembe district municipal employees' learning style although considerable research on learning styles has been conducted. The purpose of this study was to investigate and understand the different learning styles among municipal employees in order to develop appropriate strategies to be used by instructors during training and determine the relationship between those learning styles and training methods. The method of data collection for this study is quantitative in nature using a self-designed questionnaire consisting of 34 items. The findings of this study revealed that Vhembe district municipal employees prefer visual learning compared to verbal learning. Active learning was preferred to reflective learning. However, both sensing and intuitive learning received equal preference. The municipal employees also preferred sequential learning to global learning. The findings also revealed that training methods, which ere suitable for the Vhembe district municipal employees are lectures, video tapes, computer based learning, and group discussions. The findings of this study suggest that those training methods are effective when used to train employees that are visual, verbal, active, and sequential learners. A considerable number of training methods is effective; however, the effectiveness of the training method largely depends on the instructor. If the instructor understands the learner's learning style, it will be easier for the instructor to select the training methods that will accommodate most of the learners. The importance of this study is to assist employees and trainers to identify the most suitable learning styles and training methods which will assist in enhancing performance and productivity in the municipalities.Item Open Access The involvement of parents in their children's education(2010-03) Masindi, Stella; Mutshaeni, H. N.; Kutame, A. P.Lack of parental involvement is still a challenge significantly in rural schools. This dissertation reports on the investigation of parental involvement in rural areas. The research was conducted in schools under Soutpansberg East circuit at Madombidzha village. This was done by means of questionnaires which identified nature of parental involvement, barriers to parental involvement, the extent to which school management and educators involve parents, consequences of lack of parental involvement and strategies to overcome the barriers. Data was also collected through interviews from parents. Forty eight management educators who were randomly selected from ten primary and secondary schools completed the questionnaires which the researcher administered. The researcher adopted qualitative approach to explore settings in the schools. At the beginning of this study participants were briefed and they gave informed consent in writing. They were also informed that the information would be treated confidentially. The results indicated that parents are involved in school activities but the involvement is based mostly in so called traditional involvement; that is, in attending quarterly meetings to collects progress reports or attending class plays where learners display their talents. Parents do not become active in decision making activities or in financial matter for learner and school development. Various strategies are used to overcome lack of parental involvement. However, the strategy of giving SGB the mandate to use authority was preferred by all. Data analysis revealed the following: • Parental involvement is still a problem. • There is lack of knowledge and skills for school management in developing strategies for parental involvement. • The issue of socio - economic instability also has the impact in lack of parental involvement. • Poor health among parents also has the contribution in lack of parental involvement • Lack of parental involvement impacts negatively learners and school development. The results of this study and in this sample area suggest that a school's management style is more important to parental involvement. Further investigation is needed before these conclusions be generalized to other circuits, district and provinces.Item Open Access Parental involvement in dealing with learners' behavioural problems(2010-06-09) Rankhododo, Ndishavhelafhi Elizabeth; Mutshaeni, H. N.; Denhere, C.Debate has been raging as to what could be the cause of learners' poor performance. Apart from ineffective teaching leading to poor quality education, lack of adequate and suitable reading materials, some argue that lack of parental involvement in education could be the primary cause. The primary aim of the study was to investigate parental involvement when dealing with learners' problematic behaviours in Nzhelele East circuit. The basic research question was formulated as follows: How can parents be actively involved in the problematic behavioors of their children? In this study, the multimethod strategy involving both the quantitative and qualitative approaches was employed so as to triangulate data. Data were gathered by means of questionnaires, and structured interviews were conducted with SGB members and principals. Amongst others, the most important findings were that parents are not fully involved as far as learner's behaviour is concerned. Also when parents are called to schools, they do not turn up. As a result, schools are spending more time trying to solve behavioural problems of learners instead of teaching. The following are the recommendations: • Establishing trust among the school, parents and learners. • Assisting the school with means of curbing behavioural problems. • Establishing other effective means of communication when inviting and addressing parents. • Revisiting learners' code of conduct • Affecting facets that needs serious attention, inter alia, • Visible facets like: lnactiveness of educators( and learners) that might cause learners to develop behavioural problems. • Hidden facets: Educators (and learners) attitude and disposition towards already developed behavioural problems which can hamper the effectiveness in teaching and learning. • Finding ways to motivate parents to be fully involvedItem Open Access Teaching of HIV and AIDS in Secondary Schools(2010-07) Randela, Rudzani Justice; Sadiki, N.B.The focus of this research is on the teaching of HIV/AIDS in secondary schools in Vhuronga 1 (one) Circuit (Vhembe District) of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The research starts with the background to the research problem. The objective of this research is to show learners, educators and principals current practice or position on the teaching of Life Skills and other learning areas in secondary schools with special reference to HIV/AIDS and the implications thereof. The literature review undertaken in chapter 2 discuss the following: It was noted that educators have a great responsibility of teaching learners about HIV/AIDS, the most important of which was to provide learners with accurate information regarding HIV/AIDS. Educators should also make sure that effective teaching and learning of HIV/AIDS does takes place in schools. It was discovered that the subject of HIV/AIDS could not be taught in isolation, life skills programs should be included. The study also focuses on the knowledge that children should have regarding the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The basic awareness of HIV/AIDS transmission of HIV, HIV prevention and teaching of HIV/AIDS in some of the African and International States were also discussed. The research design used is quantitative and data was collected by means of questionnaires Examples of questionnaires distributed to learners, educators and principals are included in this research as appendices. All questions were analysed and interpreted in chapter 4 of this research. Summary, findings, conclusions and recommendations are included in chapter 5 of this research.Item Open Access Marketing culture in public schools in the Limpopo Province with reference to Bahananwa Circuit(2010-09) Malatji, Phetole Frank; Ravhudzulo, M. A.This research study focused on determining what school marketing is all and it also aimed at helping school managers to create and maintain a marketing culture through effective management. Furthermore, the study also looked at strategies which school managers can used in order to market their schools. In this study, interviews, observations and questionnaires were used to gather information from the school Principals and Departmental Heads in the Bahananwa Circuit in the Limpopo Province. Findings of the study were gathered from the Principals and Departmental Heads from public schools selected randomly by the researcher.Item Open Access Pre-service teacher training in South Africa : are student teachers offered adequate training about the South African education system?(2012-05) Mashau, Takalani SamuelPre-service teacher training is a matter of concern. Due to the shortage of teachers, the Minister of Higher Education in South Africa has made an agreement with South African universities to produce between 13 000 and 15 000 teachers per year from 2010 to 2014. A large number of students who pursue teaching profession are financed by the state so that the determined target can be reached. The student teachers are taught methodologies of teaching for primary and secondary schools in different universities in South Africa. It is of the utmost importance that student teachers be taught about the education system, handling of diversity of learners before they start their teaching careers. This conceptual paper would like to address the importance of offering adequate training on students’ pre-service teacher training programmesItem Open Access Multi-cultural education : is education playing a role in acculturating different cultures in South Africa(2012-06) Mashau, Takalani SamuelIn African alone there are around 2000 ethnic groups in the 53 states. South Africa is not an exception in having different ethnic groups which have different cultures. Prior 1994, during the prime apartheid era, people were divided according to their race, culture and ethnicity. It is also important to note that in different cities, towns, farms and rural areas of South Africa, people were located according to their differences in terms of Whites, Coloureds, Indians and Africans (Blacks) as well as their ethnicity, wherein, Nguni (Xhosa, Zulu, Swati and Ndebele), Sotho (Tswana, South Sotho and North South), Venda and Tsonga groups were separated. Especially noteworthy, the White groups were separated in terms of ethnicity, where Afrikaner, English, Greek and some other Europeans had separate dwellings places in cities. However, the main emphasis was on rural South Africa, what used to be called, homelands which were defined and divided exclusively according to ethnicity and cultural background. In this conceptual paper we reviewed and access how far South African education has gone playing a role in assimilating and acculturating different cultures into one South African nation (culture) since inception of democracy in 1994. Let us not hesitate to assert that it cannot be easy to put together people of different cultures who were strategically divided over a period of centuries. Nevertheless, as a nation which is preaching unity, this should be a priority and supposed to happen sooner than later. We infer that the establishment of a united and progressive nation depends on the provision of education. The question which we attempt to answer is „Is education playing a role in assimilating and acculturating different South African cultures?‟Item Open Access Interpersonal relationships and interaction among stakeholders for effective teaching and learning in schools at Dzondo and Dzindi Circuit in Limpopo Province(2012-12-06) Masakona, Morongwa Florence; Tshivhase-Phendla, T. SItem Open Access Challenges facing primary school governing bodies in financial management within the Shiluvane Circuit of Mopani District, Limpopo Province(2012-12-07) Makgopa, Mmatjie Evelyn; Sadiki, N. B.The study seeks to investigate how school funds are managed in the Shiluvane Circuit .Eight primary schools within the Shiluvane Circuit were visited and they completed the questionnaires. School Managers, members of the School Governing and parents participated in the study. The findings of the study are based on the eight primary schools selected. In this study questionnaires were used to gather information from school managers, members of the school governing body and parents. The study recommends that induction is essential for the newly elected members of the school governing bodies.Item Open Access The role of the educator's unions in Luvuvhu Circuit(2012-12-19) Phanguphangu, Zwiitani Therah; Sadiki, N. B.Item Open Access Barriers to effective science teaching and learning in secondary schools in grade twelve(2012-12-19) Tsiga, George; Mutshaeni, H. N.; Kaheru, S. J. M.This study investigates the barriers to the effective teaching and learning of Science in Secondary schools. Several aspects in Secondary schools constitute to barriers at affect the effectiveness of Science teaching. The literature review covered aspects L at are essential for effective Science teaching and learning in secondary schools. Sibasa circuit Secondary schools formed the bases of the study as Science pass rate for the past four years is on a free fall. The empirical investigation was conducted using individual interviews and questionnaires. Individual interviews with Secondary school principals in Sibasa circuit of Limpopo Province were conducted whilst educators and learners responded to questionnaires. The findings revealed the following: • Barriers to effective Science teaching and learning contribute to poor Science results in Sibasa Secondary Schools especially in grade twelve. • All secondary schools in Sibasa Circuit have similar problems of lack of educational resources which in turn is causing ineffectiveness in Scie ce teaching and learning. • Adequate educational resources can promote effective Science teaching and learning in schools. This study is concluded by making recommendations aimed at solving the identified problems of barriers to effective Science teaching and learning in Sibasa circuit Secondary Schools of Vhembe District in Limpopo Province.Item Open Access The role of school managers in maintaining discipline in primary schools(2012-12-19) Mahafha, T. G.; Sadiki, N. B.The purpose of the study is to investigate the role of school managers in maintaining discipline in primary school. Therefore researcher reviewed national and international literature from primary and secondary sources which reflected on the positive challenges facing school managers on aspects relating to maintenance of sound discipline in schools. Research used quantitative design, and systematic sampling was utilized to reduce the population into a workable sample for the study. The questionnaire was used to collect data from school manager, educators and learners that were statistically analyzed. The findings revealed lack of knowledge and skills on management and curriculum policy which influences school manager not to play their expected roles. However the variety of these challenges contributes towards poor discipline in schools. Researcher concluded by reflecting on what readers could learn from the findings of the research and its contribution towards scholarship in educational management and finally recommended appropriate strategies that school managers could implement in order to maintain sound discipline in schools.Item Open Access The impact of teamwork on school effectiveness : Soutpansberg North Circuit, Vhembe Region in Limpopo(2012-12-19) Ramalamula, Musiiwa Violet; Kutame, A. P.; Mutshaeni, H. N.Teamwork is regarded as a very important component of school effectiveness. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of teamwork in the effectiveness using a quantitative approach. This study was conducted in 37 secondary and primary schools at Soutpansberg North circuit, Vhembe Region, in Limpopo Province. Data were collected from 150 respondents, which included school principals, deputy principals, head of departments and educators. Through this study it was found that teamwork has a positive impact on school effectiveness. Teamwork improves relationships, communication and cooperation. The results indicated that 80 % of the respondents are involved in leadership roles occasionally through teamwork. The findings of this research were based on the experiences of the respondents. The findings of the study recommended that educators should be fully involved in leadership roles.Item Open Access The involvement of parents in rural communities in the education of their children in secondary schools(2013-09-17) Baloyi, Risimati Thomas; Kutame, A. P.; Ramabulana, L. P.The study investigated the involvement of parents m rural communities m the education of their children in secondary schools in the Malamulele East Circuit of Vhembe District in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. This study investigated the extent to which parents in those rural communities are involved in the education of their children in secondary schools. The study was conducted through mixed methodology research design. A total of 170 teachers completed questionnaires while eight parents were interviewed. Simple random sampling was used to select teachers from the eleven secondary schools in a probability sampling technique during the first phase of the study. A non probability purposive-judgemental sampling method was applied to further select eight School Governing Body (SGB) parents' component for face-to-face interviews during the second phase of this study. Quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science 18 (SPSS 18). Qualitative data was coded into themes guided by the aims of the study. Results were presented with the help of tables showing frequencies and frequency percentages. The results showed that parents are not involved in the education of their children in secondary schools. It was also found that the majority of parents do not stay with their children as they work far from home.Item Open Access A comparative study of state funding models of basic education : implications for the provision of quality education(2013-09-17) Mashau, Takalani Samuel; Mutshaeni, H. N.; Kutame, A. P.This study "A comparative study of state funding models of basic education: implications for the provision of quality education" is about funding of public education for quality education. The study compares public funding of public education of England, United States of America and Zimbabwe. The study explored how education is funded in England, United States of America and Zimbabwe. The study explored whether Norms and Standards of school funding policy is addressing the imbalances of the past or not. The study has discussed how Norms and Standards of school funding should be implemented in South Africa in general and how provinces should implement it particularly Limpopo Province. In order to find out whether Norms and Standards for school funding is addressing the imbalances of the past or not, 20 (twenty) questionnaires were distributed to ten Quintile1-3 schools, where principals and treasurers became respondents. Interviews were conducted with other ten Quintile 1-3 school principals and one senior official in the Limpopo Provincial Department of Education. The study concludes that there are challenges in terms of funding schools in terms of providing quality education in themes that the implementation of Norms and Standards of school funding is not redressing the imbalances of the past. The study has therefore suggested model of funding for South Africa. This model can assist in provision of quality education as adequate funding leads to quality education.Item Metadata only Factors leading to poor performance of grade 12 learners(2013-09-18) Masetla, Modjadji Amanda; Mutshaeni, H. N.; Mulaudzi, N. O.Item Open Access The impact of rationalization and redeployment process of educators in public primary schools of Luvuvhu and Sibasa Circuits under the Thohoyandou Cluster Area(2013-10-11) Netshivhuyu, Ndanganeni Phyllis; Kutame, A. P.; Ravhudzulo, M. A.Item Open Access Development of science process skills in the teaching of physical science in secondary schools(2013-12-10) Maumela, Ntsundeni Eric; Mutshaeni, H. N.; Kaheru, S. J.Physical Science, as a subject, has an important component called the learning of Science Process skills. Science Process Skills are very important and need to be developed among learners. These are skills which are still not very well-developed among the majority of teachers. This study sought to evaluate the state of development of these skills in the teaching of Physical Science in Secondary Schools. Physical Science educators were randomly selected to participate in this study. They completed questionnaires based on the study. Quantitative data were only gathered since the study was mainly quantitative. Data generated from this study were carefully analysed and on the basis of their interpretation, it was concluded that the majority of teachers are developing basic and integrated Science Process skills in the teaching of Physical Science lessons. Science process is not just useful in science but in any situation that requires critical thinkingItem Open Access Facilitation of learning in the University : What really makes an effective University Teacher?(2014) Mashau, Takalani Samuel; Maphosa, CosmasDiscourse on effective teaching and learning has changed remarkably from the traditional transmission model to the modern transformative model of teaching. In the present paper, the researchers engage in a critical examination of elements that constitute an effective university teacher. The researchers examine the purpose of teaching in the university and explore the concept “effective teaching” in the university by addressing issues related to understanding (of the) subject matter, basing facilitation of learning on learning theories, and the use of different and appropriate facilitation techniques. The importance of student-centered learning, reflective practice, assessment, andragogy and use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to ensure learning effectiveness is also explained. The researchers conclude that an effective teacher in the university is one who engages in scholarly teaching and recommend vibrant continuous professional development programs in universities to ensure that university teachers are equipped with knowledge, skills and values necessary for effective teaching