Department of Educational Psychology

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Browsing by Author "Dept. of Educational Psychology"

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    A case study of a neighbourhood school that included two learners who are blind
    (University of the Western Cape, 2011) Baboo, Nafisa; Lomofsky, Lilian; Dept. of Educational Psychology
    Internationally, the rights of persons with disabilities to participate as full members of society through inclusive education has become a high priority with the adoption of the first legally binding treaty, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006). In keeping with our culture of acknowledging the rights of all, South Africa has already made great strides towards fulfilling these rights and is in the implementation phase of Education White Paper 6: Building an Inclusive Education and Training System (Department of Education, 2001). In spite of this, the practicability of implementing inclusive education is questioned by many. The inclusion of learners who are blind in neighbourhood schools, as opposed to ‘special schools’, is a particularly daunting task. However, the more local cases we have from which to draw insights, the better our chances of making inclusive education both practicable and widely accessible across a range of local contexts. A public, mainstream neighbourhood school that included two learners who are blind was therefore investigated to learn more about how the learners who are blind were physically, socially and academically included in the local school community. Qualitative data collection methods including semi-structured interviews and observations were used to uncover useful strategies, challenges and enabling factors that contributed to their successful inclusion. The findings revealed that the participants in this study had very little knowledge or experience in building an inclusive educational setting at the outset, but engaged in the process with open minds, creativity and trust. By adopting a collaborative approach and an attitude of ‘failing forward’, the objective of social and academic inclusion was to a great extent achieved in the school.
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    Investigating the implementation of learning support strategies by teachers in the intermediate phase of a school in the Western Cape
    (University of the Western Cape, 2010) Joorst, Rene Hazel; Johnson, Bridget; Dept. of Educational Psychology; Faculty of Education
    The purpose of the study was to investigate the implementation of learning support strategies by Intermediate Phase teachers. The study also determined the factors (enhancing or limiting) that impact upon the successful implementation of learning support strategies specifically in a rural school. The study was conducted at one primary school in the Western Cape. The research participants were ten teachers involved in offering learner support at this school. Focus group discussions as well as in-depth interviews were used to explore the teachers' views of their support strategies. The data was analysed using a thematic approach. The main finding of this study is that a huge gap exists between inclusive education policy expectations and the actual manifestation of teachers' support to learners with learning difficulties. The findings of the study reveal a combination of external as well as internal and systemic factors working in conjunction and culminating in a lack of capacity amongst teachers. This study recommends a review of policies with the aim of providing opportunities for a thorough understanding of new concepts and practices, focused and professional development of teachers in the area of learner support and more monetary and infrastructural resources.
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    Parental involvement in the education of learners on farm schools in the Citrusdal area
    (University of the Western Cape, 2010) Davids, Lizl Nanazilee Shareen; Bojuwoye, Olaniyi; Dept. of Educational Psychology; Faculty of Education
    This research focused on parental involvement in the rural farm area in Citrusdal to examine the nature and characteristics of farm worker parents' involvement in their children' education. This study followed a mixed method approach (qualitative and quantitive approach) to determine if parents are involved in their children's education. Questionnaires and interviews were used for data gathering. Participants that were involved were a sample of the parents, and the learners of the four schools in Citrusdal area. From the data gathered the findings of the study indicated that farm-worker parents in rural farms of Citrusdal area are involved in their children's education and that mothers are more involved than fathers in their children's education. I hope this research will make a contribution towards understanding the involvement of the farm-worker parents in their children's education. I have also proposed possible recommendations to assist the school-based personnel and the parents in developing and sustaining a stronger and more positive role in their children's education.
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    The role of the school management team in translating school evaluation into school development : a case study of a school in the Western Cape
    (University of the Western Cape, 2010) Booysen, Cedric; Moolla, Nadeen; Dept. of Educational Psychology; Faculty of Arts
    A mixed methods approach was employed and included a document study, questionnaires and a focus group interview. Participants included post level one teachers, and non-teaching staff and members of the school management team at one school in the Western Cape. Research findings indicated that the school management team only implemented IQMS to comply with departmental requirements and to ensure that teachers received pay progressions. It also emerged that planning was only done for compliance resulting in no real school development taking place at the school due to a number of constraints. It is recommended that the school management team employs a more balanced approach to school evaluation with a strong focus on both Developmental Appraisal (DA) and Performance Management (PM) as they employ whole school v development. It is further recommended that the school management team plans for school development with the intention to implement these in order to improve the conditions in the school. A final recommendation is that the Department of Education establish a directorate of school development in order to fund and assist schools with translating evaluation into school development.