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Item Grade 10 teachers’ perceptions of their application of socio-cultural and multiple intelligences on English second language learners(South African Association for Language Teaching, 2022-09-01) 0000-0002-7894-3768; 0000-0002-4542-1752; 0000-0002-7068-4773In multilingual or multi-cultural settings, teachers must be sensitive to the diverse intelligence of learners for teaching and learning to have impact and be beneficial to them. Low performance and the resultant academic failure among high school learners specifically in South Africa, and inability to manage diverse learning abilities have necessitated the search for a unique way to accommodate the learning differences found in the classroom. The study focused on learners’ differences and supports implementation of differentiated instruction. Fewer studies exist on English Second Language (ESL) rural high school teachers’ perceptions of the application of socio-cultural and multiple intelligences, and on the diverse ESL learners taught to ascertain the scope of the need for teacher training in differentiated instruction in rural South Africa. Data were drawn from fifty teachers in grade ten using a questionnaire. The study revealed that it is challenging for teachers to determine learners’ intelligences and emotional needs. 66% (n=33) of the teachers agreed to accommodate students of different learning abilities, 34% (n=17) considered learners' gender differences, and 62% (n=31) considered learners’ cultural backgrounds and adopted group learning. The study mainly recommends training and supervision on the strategies for gender differences and accommodation for diverse learning abilities.Item Popular conceptions of democracy in a mathematics teacher-education programme(South African Journal of Education, 2023-05-02) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5265-1583; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2103-2530While the meaning of democracy remains multi-faceted centuries after the concept was first conceived of and subsequently formulated, democratic principles have spread to the extent of bringing about democratization in all fields of education. Thus, with this study we sought to examine the popular conception of democracy in mathematics-education programmes at South African universities. A qualitative research approach and a case study research design were used in this study. Six mathematics teacher educators and 75 second- to fourth-year mathematics education student teachers from 3 different universities constitute the sample for the study. The findings from the study revealed that participants had a contested notion of democracy, since the majority understood it as involving deliberative participation, a shared decision-making process, as well as freedom of expression. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that participants were aware of what democracy should look like and were willing to live according to democratic tenets. This understanding was, however, greatly influenced by their experiences and way of life in a democratic South Africa.Item Becoming Reflective Practitioners: Gender GAP Analysis of Mathematics Student Teachers’ Reflective Practices(Universitas IVET, 2023-01) Babawande Emmanuel Olawale 0000-0001-5265-1583; Winston Hendricks 0000-0002-1308-9521While reflective thinking practices are thought to be a factor in building bridges between a course of study and personal experience resulting in engaging and personalized learning activities, the present study examined the potential disparities in reflective thinking practices and how they influence preservice mathematics teachers' behavior. Underpinned by a positivist paradigm, the present study employed a quantitative research approach and a survey design. Data was collected from three hundred and fifty-nine mathematics student teachers who were preparing to become mathematics teachers once they had obtained a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree. Data collected was therefore analyzed through the use of descriptive statistics. Lifelong learning skills, self-assessment, self-belief, teaching awareness, and reflective thinking were all examined using a framework based on five components. Research findings revealed that while reflective thinking practices are often emphasized in teacher education programs, results clearly show that the process of reflective practices is conceptualized differently by female and male participants. Research findings also revealed that constructs such as lifelong learning skills, self-assessment ability, and teaching awareness have a more decisive influence on male participants than their female counterparts. This resulted in male participants having less perception of the usefulness of reflective thinking practices. Based on the findings, it was suggested that various support systems should be developed in mathematics teacher education programs to facilitate more independent and self directed reflective thinking practices among both female and male mathematics students teachers.Item The Application of a Humanistic Pedagogy-Based Evaluation Tool to Capture Educators’ Perceptions of the Value of Digital Technologies to Enhance Teaching and Learning in Higher Education(Atlantis Press, 2023-02-07) Vokwana, N.; Baleni, N.The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the prevalence of 21st century digital learning technologies in numerous curriculum-related learning environments. Institutions of higher education progressively tuned to use learning technologies to resource and support teaching and learning environments in either face-to-face or blended or hybrid approaches. However, there is limited research on educators’ perceptions of the value and worth of digital technologies in their practice. In order to capture and portray the educator’s perceptions of the worth and value of digital technologies, an evaluation tool designed based on Humanistic Pedagogy (HP) was developed for this purpose. The HP theory was used as an underpinning theoretical and methodological framework to carry out the research. The selection of humanistic pedagogy was intentional since HP is considered a radical approach. The key research question for this study was “What are the edu cator’s perceptions of the worth and value of technology digital technologies to enhance teaching and learning? The evaluation tools were administered to the aca demic educators teaching across various faculties at the university. The data was analysed using qualitative data methods. The study argues that the capacitation of educators on instructional design and technology integration should be guided by a humanistic approach to create spaces for educators to voice their perceptions about the value and worth of digital technologies.Item Language Education and Artificial Intelligence: An Exploration of Challenges Confronting Academics in Global South Universities(OpenED Network, 2023-11-05) Makeleni, Sive; Mutongoza, Bonginkosi Hardy; Linake, Manthekeleng AgnesStudies have shown that self-efficacy is the belief in one's ability to complete a task or achieve a goal, and that this belief can have a significant impact on teaching methods and learning outcomes. Yet, in the context of South Africa, despite the promotion of indigenous languages in Foundation Phase (FP) classrooms, learners continue to struggle on account of low teacher self-efficacy. Underpinned by Bandura’s social cognitive theory, this study used a literature review methodology to explore the self-efficacy-related challenges confronting FP teachers in assessing learners using their indigenous languages. The study also examined the strategies that can used to enhance teachers’ self-efficacy. The findings revealed that factors, such as inadequate teacher training, learner mobility, and resource constraints militate against teachers’ beliefs of their ability to equitably assess FP classrooms. The findings also revealed that possible strategies to enhance FP teachers’ self-efficacy could include making use of role-modelling, improving working conditions, and encouraging continuous professional development and training of in-service teachers, among other steps to be taken. Some of the study’s recommendations include rolling out targeted training and support programmes for FP teachers, aligning FP learner assessment instruments with the diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds of the learners, and tailoring collaboration between schools and local communities for the benefit of the learners.Item Utilisation of ICT Tools for School Governance amid COVID-19 Crisis in South Africa(Society for Research and Knowledge Management, 2023-05) Duku, Ntombozuko; Badaru, Kazeem Ajasa ; Adu, Kemi O.; Mkhomi, Moses Sipho; Adu, Emmanuel O.; Mavuso, Mzuyanda PercivalTeaching and learning activities in South African schools are a focus of several research on the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) resources during the COVID-19 crisis. However, more studies are required to examine how the school principals and the parent members of the School Governing Bodies (SGBs) used the ICT tools to undertake communication on school governance activities during the COVID-19 lockdown. In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis in South African schools, this study examined the use of ICT technologies for decision making communications relating to issues of school governance between the principals and the SGBs. Utilizing a quantitative research methodology, information was gathered from 126 school principals who were chosen at random from the Buffalo City Municipality (BCM) in East London, South Africa. The data analysis method employed was descriptive statistics. The findings showed that the majority of SGB parent members had basic ICT skills, could read and write, used ICT tools like smartphones, voice calls, and SMS messaging, which enabled them to interact with school principals and take part in decision-making related to school governance activities during the COVID-19 crisis. The participants described some of the difficulties associated with their choice of ICT tools, including broken smart phones, a lack of expertise with WhatsApp and Telegram, and slow message answers. The study concludes that the SGBs need to align their school policies with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and adopt more ICT platforms for effective communications, governance, teaching, and learning activities in the new normal. It also recommends that, school principals and other SGB members still need to be trained and retrained for the use of ICT tools for efficient virtual or online participation in meetings; and there is also a need to equip SGB members with digital devices such as tablets, laptops, smartphones, and internet data subscriptions to encourage their participation in meetings from homes, offices or any other locations outside of school premises.Item Role of continuing professional teacher development (CPTD) on teachers’ and learners’ achievement in South Africa: A literature review(Center for Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, 2023-09-17) Adu, Kemi O.; Duku, Ntombozuko; Adu, Emmanuel O.Continuing Professional Teacher Development (CPTD) refers to the ongoing learning and development of teachers throughout their careers. It involves a range of activities, programs, and initiatives designed to help teachers improve their knowledge, skills, and effectiveness in the classroom. CPTD programs can take many different forms, such as workshops, seminars, mentoring programs, online courses, and peer networks. This desktop review paper examines the role of CPTD on teachers' and learners’ achievement. The paper reviews among others the following; the nature and concept of CPTD, the importance of CPTD, South African teacher education policy framework and CPTD, the educational achievement and CPTD, school effectiveness and CPTD, learner and teacher learning and CPTD. The paper uses social learning theory as a theory that underpins the paper and makes some plausible recommendations.Item Lecturers’ Perceptions of the Switch from Teaching in the New Normal to Normal in a Selected University in South Africa(Akadémiai Kiadó, 2023-05-30) Adu, Kemi O.; Duku, NtombozukoThe announcement of the lockdown because of the pandemic by the South African President in March 2020 came as a surprise and shock to many academics. Universities in the country have no choice but to switch to virtual classrooms, termed “the new normal” A few months ago, the president of South Africa announced the removal of all restrictions and back to normal conventional classroom face-to-face teaching. The paper investigates the perceptions of the lecturer to ascertain the strategies used to cope and share their experiences. 8 samples were purposively selected in one of the historically disadvantaged universities. A semi-structured interview was used to collect data. The findings revealed among others that virtually all the respondents have adopted one or two coping strategies with diverse experiences. The paper recommended that the lecturers should think outside the box and be 4IR compliance. They should be flexible to adapt to any situation and use blended approach pedagogy even in the normal stage.Item Educators’ Perceptions of the Influence of Administrative Communication on Effective Teaching in a Selected School in South Africa(Center for Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, 2023-03-14) Adu, Kemi O.; Duku, NtombozukoThe paper examines the educators’ perceptions of the influence of administrative communication on effective teaching in a selected school in South Africa. The paper adopted a case study research design of a qualitative research approach. Purposive sampling techniques were used to select eight (8) participants that comprises of 4 (four) educators and 4 (four) principals of some selected public schools in Buffalo City Metropolitan. A semi-structured interview was used to elicit information from the participants. The findings indicated that administrative communication influences educators’ task performance and communication is revealed to influence the attainment of goals and school objectives. Also, the principals make use of different communication channels according to the skills of their educators to make valuable decisions. Educators performed better when they have a sense of belonging and when they receive constant communication from the principal. It is however recommended that the principals should endeavour to understand the type of communication skills possessed by the educators so that such skills will be used constantly to promote effective teaching.Item Perceptions of Educators on ICT Intergration into the Teaching and Learning of Economics(Scientific Route OÜ, 2023-01-31) Adu, Emmanuel O.; Zondo, Sindiswa S.This study explored educators’ perceptions of the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into the teaching and learning of Economics. Guided by an interpretive paradigm this qualitative study used a case study design. The purposively selected sample comprised eight Economics teachers, selected from four public Secondary Schools, located in KwaZulu Natal (Umlazi district). Data were collected using three instruments (semi-structured interviews, observations, and document review). From the findings, it emerged that teachers had the positive perception that ICT integration positively affects the teaching and learning of Economics and it promotes the teaching of Economics. However, the findings also showed that teachers face challenges in integrating ICT when teaching Economics. Contrariwise, the findings further revealed that some teachers, due to the lack of ICT skills, perceive ICT integration as a waste of time and thus, they remain attached to the traditional teaching methods, which hinder the use of ICT in teaching Economics. Based on the findings, the study recommends that teachers should be workshopped to enhance their ICT skills, there should be school-based ICT specialists to promote ICT integration in teaching, and also the education system should make ICT subjects compulsory from grade R- to grade 12, so that both teachers and learners get used to ICT gadgets.Item Transforming Economics Towards Tackling Teachers' Challenges in Teaching Economics: A Case of Selected Schools in Buffalo City Metropolitan South Africa(nurtureuk, 2023-11-14) Adu, Emmanuel O.Introduction/Purpose: Economics is a dynamic subject whose students use the contents to address real-life problems. Therefore, this paper examines the transformation of economics to tackle teachers’ challenges in the teaching of economics. Design/Methodology/Approach: This paper used a qualitative research technique to collect information from teachers based on a phenomenological research design. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 12 teachers of economics in 6 selected schools in Buffalo City. A semi-structured interview was used to elicit information from the respondents and the data were analysed using a thematic approach. Findings: The study identifies certain notable issues including imprecise economics curriculum materials and learners' inability to demonstrate interest due to various statistics and data components of the subject. Teachers' participation in professional development activities such as seminars, in-service training and workshops for knowledge updates is one of the solutions offered to overcome these difficulties. Limitation: This paper uses only 12 economics teachers from Buffalo City metropolitan municipality. Larger samples can be used in another municipality. A quantitative approach can be used to accommodate representative samples. Practical Implications: Teachers are expected to be at the forefront of disseminating the contents of the subject appropriately because a teacher can only give what he or she has. Teachers should be proactive and current with the recent developments in the nation and be technologically compliant. Contribution to the Literature: This paper contributes to the literature by highlighting practical solutions to the challenges teachers face during the teaching of economics