Perspectives in Education
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Perspectives in Education is a professional, peer-reviewed journal that encourages the submission of previously unpublished articles on contemporary educational issues. As a journal that represents a variety of cross-disciplinary interests, both theoretical and practical, it seeks to stimulate debate on a wide range of topics. PiE invites manuscripts employing innovative qualitative and quantitative methods and approaches including (but not limited to), ethnographic observation and interviewing, grounded theory, life history, case study, curriculum analysis and critique, policy studies, ethno-methodology, social and educational critique, phenomenology, deconstruction, and genealogy.
Debates on epistemology, methodology or ethics, from a range of perspectives including post-positivism, interpretivism, constructivism, critical theory, feminism and post-modernism are also invited. PiE seeks to stimulate important dialogue and intellectual exchange on education and democratic transition with respect to schools, colleges, non-governmental organisations, universities and universities of technology in South Africa and beyond.
ISSN 2519-593X (Online), ISSN 0258-2236 (Print)
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Item Open Access Access or inclusion? Conceptualisation and operationalisation of gender equality in Zimbabwean state universities(Faculty of Education, University of the Free State, 2014) Chauraya, EfirithaThis article explores concerns about gender inequality in Zimbabwean state universities. The researcher’s interest arose from the realisation of persistent gender inequalities despite initiatives to close gender gaps. Of particular concern is the conceptualization and operationalisation of gender equality in institutions. Focusing only on the student admissions sector, this paper critically surveys the experiences of the departmental chairpersons and students who enrolled through affirmative action, their vision of gender equality and the impact thereof on the inclusion of the said students in the mainstream. The study applied a gender perspective to development as well as in-depth and focus group interviews with purposively sampled stakeholders. The findings of the study shed light on the adopted tailoring model of gender equality by the institutions and how the model blinkered the other qualitative gender dimensions of the mainstream, rendering the envisaged goal of gender equality elusive due to the exclusion of the students from the mainstream. Based on the findings, useful recommendations are made to resuscitate the almost paralysed gender equality agenda of the institutions.Item Open Access The accommodation of multilingualism through blended learning in two Information Technology classes(Faculty of Education, University of the Free State, 2013) Olivier, JakoThe South African society can be described as culturally diverse and multilingual. However, despite the advantages of mother-tongue education, English is often chosen as the language of learning and teaching at the cost of the other official languages. This article proposes that multilingualism, through the use of languages other than English in the classroom, could be accommodated through blended learning. Blended learning refers to the blending of traditional instruction methods, such as face-to-face instruction, with online learning. For example, through an evaluation of e-learning tools, it was established that wikis could be used for this study. The empirical research in this article focuses on the establishment and testing of a set of steps for the accommodation of multilingualism by means of blended learning in the subject Information Technology. The research took the form of a sequential embedded mixedmethods design, and both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used. Based on the literature and the empirical investigations, blended learning was implemented through the use of a wiki at two high schools in the Free State province, and the effectiveness of the intervention was tested through a quasi-experimental study. In conclusion, it was found that multilingualism could be accommodated through blended learning.Item Open Access Accountability issues in testing academic literacy: the case of the Test of Academic Literacy for Postgraduate Students (TALPS)(Faculty of Education, University of the Free State, 2015) Rambiritch, AvashaApplied linguists should strive to ensure that the tests they design and use are not only fair and socially acceptable, but also have positive effects – this, in light of the fact that tests can sometimes have far-reaching and often detrimental effects on test-takers. What this paper will attempt to do, is highlight how this concern for responsible test design is articulated in an emerging framework for applied linguistics. The paper begins by questioning the role of applied linguists working within this framework before focusing specifically on the concepts of accountability, dual accountability, public accountability and academic accountability with particular reference to their use in language and academic literacy testing. The last part of this paper sees the practical application of the concept of (academic) accountability to the Test of Academic Literacy for Postgraduate Students (TALPS). With regard to the accountability of the test developers, which is the focus of this article, the intervention programme which follows the test must be considered.Item Open Access Accounting teachers' readiness for e-learning in the Fourth Industrial Revolution: a case of selected high schools in the Eastern Cape, South Africa(University of the Free State, 2020) Skhephe, Melikhaya; Caga, Ntombekhaya Princess; Boadzo, Robert Mauli KwasiThis study sought to explore Accounting teachers’ readiness to implement e-learning in their classrooms during the Fourth Industrial Revolution, specifically in schools in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. To this end, the authors employed a qualitative approach and a case study research design. Interviews and observation were used to gather data from Accounting teachers with sampling consisting of six educators being purposively and conveniently selected. The findings revealed that Accounting classrooms are not designed in a way that supports e-learning. Another finding was that Accounting teachers do not understand e-learning or the benefit associated with an e-learning classroom. The recommendation made here is that information and communication technology officials at the district level should establish educational platforms at the cluster level to service teachers, advising them on how to use helpful technologies in practice. The Department of Basic Education needs to establish relationships with local universities so that the universities’ specialists might assist teachers in implementing e-learning in practice.Item Open Access Addressing the assessment dilemma of additional language learners through dynamic assessment(Faculty of Education, University of the Free State, 2011) Omidire, M. F.; Bouwer, A. C.; Jordaan, J. C.Many learners with an additional language (AL) as their language of learning and teaching (LoLT) have not acquired the level of proficiency required for them to demonstrate their knowledge and achieve the desired outcome on assessment tasks given in that language. Using instruments designed for fully fluent learners and covertly including proficiency in the AL when assessing them academically or clinically, is inequitable and certainly yields invalid results. The notion of language of learning, teaching and assessment (LoLTA) should replace LoLT to represent the dilemma more accurately. This paper reports on empirical research in Nigeria using curriculum-based dynamic assessment (CDA) as an alternative method of assessment of AL learners in mainstream education. The study aimed to determine the influence of the CDA procedure on the performance and affect of AL learners. Eight learners in Grade 8 selected from two schools participated in a process of debriefing and mediation during three continuous assessment cycles and the end-of-term examination in Business Studies and Integrated Science. The assessments were mediational in nature as they contained linguistic adaptations of the questions and incorporated a glossary of assessment terms. The results suggest a generally positive influence of CDA, although to varying degrees, on participants’ performance and affect. The school context also has a crucial influence on these two aspects.Item Open Access Adolescents’ perceptions of an adventure-based programme(Faculty of Education, University of the Free State, 2010) Bosch, Ronel; Oswald, MarietjieA qualitative study was undertaken to explore the perceptions of youth regarding their wilderness rites of passage experience and its value for their lives. The researchers operated in an interpretive/ constructivist paradigm and employed a qualitative research methodology. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, and individual interviews, documents, records, observations and reflections were used to collect data. Data were analysed by means of content analysis. We argue that participation in a wilderness rites of passage programme can contribute to the personal growth and development of youth at risk of experiencing or manifesting emotional or behavioural difficulties in schools. The research findings indicate that wilderness rites of passage programmes can contribute significantly towards school support for young people. The findings also highlight the fact that young people in the South African context are in need of caring school communities and adult mentorship. Young people are in need of support, discipline and guidance, as well as experiences of trust, love and care. School environments should change from being places of disappointment to being places of safety and growth. Such a culture of care could possibly curb the anger, resentment and distrust of the youth and support learners who are experiencing or mani festing emotional or behavioural difficulties in schools.Item Open Access The affective affordances of frugal science using foldscopes during a Life Sciences water quality practical(University of the Free State, 2020) Jackson, Cherine; De Beer, Josef; White, LounellManu Prakash, the developer of the foldscope microscope reported on in this paper, stated that it is important to use tools that can support open-ended inquiry in the classroom, without dumbing down those tools. Scientific equipment in the school laboratory is often very expensive and only available to those who can afford it. “Frugal science” is a trend in education that researches, develops and introduces economical and quality scientific resources to developing countries. In South Africa, many underprivileged schools lack quality practical and laboratory resources to perform simple tasks, such as microscopy. Furthermore, the absence of laboratory investigations could lead to learners not enjoying Life Sciences nor developing a more nuanced understanding of the nature (tenets) of science. As part of an indigenous knowledge intervention hosted by the North-West University, teachers were provided with $1 foldscopes (paper microscope) to use in their classrooms. This research reports on the views of Life Sciences learners and teachers on the use of foldscopes in the Life Sciences classroom during a practical lesson. The focus of the research is to illuminate how such problem-based approaches could enhance affective outcomes. This generic qualitative research study has elements of design-based research (DBR) as well as classroom action research (CAR), carried out by participating teachers to investigate the affordances of foldscopes. Data was collected using observations, teacher reflections, learner reflections, photographs and personal interviews. From an affective stance, this qualitative study used Engeström’s third-generation Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) as a research lens in order to identify factors that promote or inhibit the use of foldscopes in the Life Sciences classroom during a practical lesson.Item Open Access Aligning school discipline with the best interests of the child: some deficits in the legislative framework(Faculty of Education, University of the Free State, 2017) Reyneke, J. M.; Pretorius, J. L.The best-interest-of-the-child concept should guide the legislative framework with regard to the approach followed as well as the disciplinary processes used in schools. Currently schools revert mostly to a retributive and adversarial approach to discipline that is not compatible with the best-interests-of-the-child standard. In this article, the provisions of section 8 of the Schools Act are scrutinised and it is concluded that these provisions are supporting an adversarial and punitive approach to school discipline. This is evident from the lack of prescriptions ensuring that sanctions serve the best interest of children, the insufficient provision for support measures and structures for counselling, the undue focus on the best interests of the transgressor and the lack of guidance concerning the appointment of an intermediary. The introduction of restorative discipline as an alternative approach to discipline is recommended. The latter approach is recommended, because it is submitted that amendments to the existing legislative provisions would not address the key objection to the legislative framework namely its retributive and adversarial character.Item Open Access An alternative approach to a complex issue: youth-designed strategies for the prevention of teenage pregnancy in schools(Faculty of Education, University of the Free State, 2017) Hendricks, F.; Wood, L.Teenage pregnancy of school-going girls is a persistent concern, not only in South Africa, but globally. Despite various curricular responses aimed at educating young people about prevention, the numbers continue to rise. While recognising the intersectionality of teenage pregnancy, we believe that school-based prevention measures can play an important role in helping youth to make healthy decisions about their sexual behaviour. However, the effectiveness of the prevention messages depends on how they are designed and delivered. Using a participatory action research design, we engaged 24 peer educators in a process of data generation and analysis to help them to design, implement and evaluate prevention strategies that were found to be youth-friendly, contextualised and culturally relevant. This approach benefitted not only the participating youth in terms of the development of specific life skills, but also influenced how they, their peers and teachers began to think differently about the issue of teenage pregnancy. The research also influenced change in school policy. The findings thus indicate that the involvement of youth in finding ways to address issues that affect their lives may be an important way to improve the effectiveness of such programmes.Item Open Access An analysis of family-school collaboration in preventing adolescent violence in urban secondary schools(Faculty of Education, University of the Free State, 2010) Bender, C. J. Gerda; Emslie, AnnemarieThe purpose of this article is to describe how school staff members, learners and parents collaborate to prevent adolescent learner violence in two different urban secondary schools. The increase in acts of interpersonal learner violence has a destructive effect on the safe and positive development of young people. Empirical evidence indicates that successfully addressing the issues that can contribute to the development of interpersonal violence requires taking into account the developmental stages of the learners as well as exploring the impact of the learner’s immediate social environment. A qualitative descriptive and exploratory case study, rooted in the sociological interpretive research paradigm, was conducted to explore how school staff members, learners and parents collaborate to prevent learner violence at two urban secondary schools. Contrary to current belief, the participating learners explicitly expressed their need for the support and guidance of their parents and also the school staff members in withstanding the peer and societal pressures that can result in their acting in aggressive or violent ways at school.Item Open Access ‘And I have been told that there is nothing fun about having sex while you are still in high school’: dominant discourses on women’s sexual practices and desires in Life Orientation programmes at school(Faculty of Education, University of the Free State, 2015) Shefer, Tamara; Ngabaza, SisaYoung women’s sexuality is a contested terrain in multiple ways in contemporary South Africa. A growing body of work in the context of HIV and gender-based violence illustrates how young women find it challenging to negotiate safe and equitable sexual relationships with men, and are often the victims of coercive sex, unwanted early pregnancies and HIV. On the other hand, young women’s sexuality is also stigmatised and responded to in punitive terms in school or community contexts, as is evident in research on teenage pregnancy and parenting in schools. Within both these bodies of work, women’s own narratives are missing, as well as their agency and a positive discourse on female sexuality. Female desires are absent in heteronormative practices and ideologies, as pointed out by feminist researchers internationally. A body of work on young women who parent at school has shown that a key component of the moralistic response to women’s sexuality hinges on the way in which childhood, adolescence and adulthood are popularly understood, together with dominant notions of masculinity and femininity within heteronormative and middle-class notions of family. Such discourses are also salient in the responses and understandings of sexuality education in Life Orientation, particularly the way in which young women are represented. This paper draws from qualitative research conducted with teachers, school authorities and young people on sexuality education in the Life Orientation programme at schools in the Western and Eastern Cape. Key findings reiterate disciplinary responses to young women’s sexuality, often framed within ‘danger’ and ‘damage’ discourses that foreground the denial of young women’s sexual desire and practices within a framework of protection, regulation and discipline in order to avoid promised punishments of being sexually active.Item Open Access The animal experimentation controversy: ethical views of prospective teachers(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2012-09) De Villiers, RianVivisection (live animal experimentation) is a controversial issue for many people. The purpose of this case study is to examine the attitudes of prospective teachers toward vivisection in education and research, to determine if gender has an influence on these attitudes, and to discuss the implications of these attitudes with regard to teaching of the disciplines in the life sciences. A sample of 100 prospective life sciences and natural sciences teachers from a South African university responded to a questionnaire on vivisection in education and scientific research. The responses were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. The results showed that most prospective teachers are in favour of animal rights and that females are more averse to vivisection than males. A number of suggestions are made with regard to vivisection in schools and tertiary institutions.Item Open Access Applying a humanistic pedagogy to advance and integrate humane values in a medical school environment(Faculty of Education, University of the Free State, 2017) Jama, M. P.Sometimes universities in general are criticised because of impersonal campus environments, or “academic incivility”. However, research shows that this phenomenon is more common in medical schools, pointing to increased levels of stress and incidences of attempted suicide among medical students. The decay in humanitarian attitudes and decline in humane values contribute to stress, although some academics believe that this type of environment is normal for medical students. To confront this criticism, academics should not only focus on cognitive aspects, but also adopt a humanistic pedagogy by integrating humane values in curricular and co-curricular activities of the academic environment. The aim of this paper is to illustrate how a humanistic pedagogy is applied in a Medical School in South Africa, by sharing narratives collected from medical teachers who advance and integrate humane values such as, care, empathy and love in their teaching practice.Item Open Access Approaches to assessing preservice teachers' learning in authentic and rigorous ways: the case of an inclusive education module(Faculty of Education, University of the Free State, 2016) Walton, Elizabeth; Rusznyak, LeeInitial teacher education programmes offer inclusive education modules that seek to prepare teachers for teaching diverse learners. While there is growing research on the content and pedagogy of inclusive education modules, relatively less attention has been given to the assessment of these modules. This paper focuses on the challenges of promoting authenticity, academic depth and rigour in inclusive education through assessment tasks. Drawing on Cochran-Smith and Lytle’s (1999) concepts of knowledge for-, in- and of- practice in education, we critically reflect on three approaches used to assess an inclusive education course over a number of years. The first approach required pre-service teachers to articulate their understanding of important concepts associated with inclusive education, the second required them to provide evidence of their ability to use inclusive strategies, while the third approach provided opportunities for them to participate in a research project about inclusionary and exclusionary practices in schools. We find that these approaches represent inclusive education knowledge with different degrees of conceptual integrity and provide opportunities for pre-service teachers to participate in authentic academic and professional practices to different extents. We conclude by suggesting how the assessment of inclusive education can be approached so that neither academic rigour nor authenticity is compromised.Item Open Access Are Grades 10-12 physical sciences teachers equipped to teach physics?(Faculty of Education, University of the Free State, 2012-09) Basson, Ilsa; Kriek, JeanneSouth African schools have been confronted with educational reform since the mid-nineties and the process is still continuing. The concomitant changes put a very high demand on physical sciences teachers and also have an impact on teacher behaviour. The purpose of this study was to probe whether teachers could be considered equipped to teach the physics part of the FET physical sciences curriculum. A revised framework on teacher behaviour, which includes three factors, namely teacher knowledge, teacher views and beliefs, and teacher attitudes, was used in conjunction with a questionnaire and a survey to analyse the data from individual and focus group interviews. A total of 68 FET physical sciences teachers from urban, township and rural schools participated in the research. Our findings indicate that teachers are positive about the curriculum. However, the problems identified with training, support and resources as well as the lack of teachers’ subject content knowledge, particularly in rural and township schools, cannot be blamed on the curriculum and therefore cannot be fixed by curriculum changes.Item Open Access Arts-based self-study: documenting the ripple effect(Faculty of Education, University of the Free State, 2014) Weber, SandraLike all forms of inquiry, arts-based self-study research can have unexpected consequences. Although we may start out with a fairly clear objective, the data we generate through arts-based methods might address other questions that are even more important than the ones we thought to ask initially, and our study might have an impact that extends beyond the original parameters of the design. The most powerful results of an arts-based self-study intended to improve our own practice might occur in another arena, a ripple effect that is visible only after our inquiry is completed, and hence, undetected because our gaze has shifted elsewhere. By describing and analysing what happens during and after three self-studies done by teachers and teacher educators, this article illustrates the use of visual and other arts-based methods (photography, video, creative writing and drawing) and explores the challenge and nature of the potential ripple effect in/of self-study for learning and growth for many.Item Open Access Arts-based self-study: documenting the ripple effect(Faculty of Education, University of the Free State, 2014) Weber, SandraLike all forms of inquiry, arts-based self-study research can have unexpected consequences. Although we may start out with a fairly clear objective, the data we generate through arts-based methods might address other questions that are even more important than the ones we thought to ask initially, and our study might have an impact that extends beyond the original parameters of the design. The most powerful results of an arts-based self-study intended to improve our own practice might occur in another arena, a ripple effect that is visible only after our inquiry is completed, and hence, undetected because our gaze has shifted elsewhere. By describing and analysing what happens during and after three self-studies done by teachers and teacher educators, this article illustrates the use of visual and other arts-based methods (photography, video, creative writing and drawing) and explores the challenge and nature of the potential ripple effect in/of self-study for learning and growth for many.Item Open Access Assessing early number learning: how useful is the Annual National Assessment in Numeracy?(Faculty of Education, University of the Free State, 2013) Weitz, Maria; Venkat, HamsaAnnual National Assessment (ANA) performance in Mathematics across the primary grades in South Africa indicates a decrease in mean performance across Grades 1–6. In this paper, we explore the apparently high performance in Grade 1 through a comparative investigation of learner responses on two assessments: the Grade 1 ANA taken in February 2011 by Grade 2 learners and a diagnostic oral interview test drawn from the work of Wright et al. (2006), administered at the same time. Our findings point to a predominant pattern of high performance on the ANA and low performance on Wright et al.’s tests. In-depth analysis of the responses of two learners in this group indicates that this discrepancy is due to acceptance in the ANA of correct answers produced through highly rudimentary counting strategies. The diagnostic test, in contrast, awards lower marks when correct answers are produced in inefficient ways. We conclude with concerns that acceptance of low-level counting strategies in the ANA may well work against persuading Grade 1 and 2 teachers to work towards more sophisticated strategies.Item Open Access Assets teachers identify for the teaching of accounting education in a rural secondary school in KwaZulu-Natal(University of the Free State, 2020) Ngwenya, J. C.This paper explores the resources Accounting teachers draw on and how they use the identified resources in the teaching of Accounting in a rural school. The study adopted an interpretive qualitative case study and employed semi-structured individual interviews to collect data from the Accounting teachers. Thematic analysis revealed that Accounting teachers used capacities, skills and resources from the school, neighbouring schools and wider community outside the school to improve their teaching practices. Despite the continuous curriculum changes, the nature of the discipline of Accounting and the school’s context, Accounting teachers were able to identify and utilise assets at different levels, starting from the talents and capacities of learners. The paper concludes that instead of using the deficits as a starting point in development of Accounting teachers, development must build upon the capacities and strengths that exist within the school community.Item Open Access Balance in academic leadership: voices of women from Turkey and the United States of America (US )(Faculty of Education, University of the Free State, 2010) Hacifazlioğlu, ÖzgeThis comparative study examines the experiences of women leaders in Turkey and the US. It argues that the theme of ‘balance in leadership’ appeared to be the most influential driving force in women leaders’ stories. It further shows that balance in leadership is associated with balance in two areas: balancing private and professional life, and balance in research, teaching and leadership. The analysis is based on qualitative interviews with nineteen women leaders working at four-year public and private (foundation) universities in Turkey and the US. It is hoped that aspiring leaders can learn from these women’s experiences.