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How calls for research can awaken self-reflexivity and latent interests in scholarly inquiry
Get PDFWhile we may think that we are well-aware of our scholarly interests, “calls for research” can provide the spark that can transform latent and largely unconscious interests into written accounts. This account describes how “calls” can incite us to explore phenomena that, while there may have been no conscious prior interest, serve to incite creative interest. Psychological perspectives are integrated with autoethnograhic experience with “calls” in order to explore how these calls can spark creative responses. Suggestions for improving calls revolve around understanding to a greater extent the dynamic relationship among calls, creative inquiry, and subsequent transformation into written accounts
Meeting the challenges first year engineering graphic design pre-service teachers encounter when they read and interpret assembly drawing
Get PDFAbstractIn this qualitative study, we explored the challenges first year engineering graphics and design (EGD) preserviceteachers (PSTs) encounter when they read and interpret assembly drawings (ADs). Vygotsky’s zone ofproximal development framed this study. Purposive sampling was used to generate data from twenty-one firstyear EGD PSTs using a think-aloud task and individual semi-structured interviews. We subjected the data tocontent analysis. The findings reveal that first year EGD PSTs, when they attempt to read and interpret ADs,encounter five challenges that have implications for the teaching of EGD with regard to scaffolding thedevelopment of spatial visual ability in first year EGD PSTs.
Keywords: assembly drawing, engineering graphics and design, pre-service teachers, read and interpre
Analysing the hegemonic discourses on comprehensive sexuality education in South African schools
Get PDFDespite the mixed public responses, the South African Department of Basic Education decided to issue its detailed comprehensive sexuality education scripted lesson plans for testing in schools. A desktop review was conducted by searching for digital newspapers on the online archive Sabinet References using 6 key terms such as ‘comprehensive sexuality education’, ‘schools’ and ‘South Africa’. In total, 128 newspaper articles were retrieved, but 83 were selected for a Foucauldian discourse analysis underpinned by governmentality theory. The newspapers reported on marches, letters and press conferences from various stakeholders such as parents, learners, teachers, and other social figures. Some stakeholders took the position of in favour of or against the rollout. Of interest was the seemingly neutral position where the reporting was presented in a balanced, non-biased manner. The current paper aims to make sense of this neutrality from both a newsroom reporting stance and from the public’s point of view
Teacher salary differentials using Purchasing Power Parity (PPP): a South African perspective as both a ‘source’ and ‘destination’ country
Get PDFAbstractTeacher migration is a problem for developing countries as it impacts on delivery of qualityeducation. The potential to earn higher incomes remains the most common factor drivingteacher migration. This study seeks to investigate how the South African teacher salarystructure compares with the equivalent salary structure in six prominent migrating countrieswhilst highlighting the economic appeal of South Africa from a Zimbabwean teacherperspective. Using a representative basket of commonly bought goods (including food,entertainment, fuel and utilities), a purchasing power parity (PPP) ratio is used to equalisethe international price of buying that basket. Our study makes comparisons, using a PPPindex, and allows the identification of real differences in salaries for our selected countries(South Africa, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan andZimbabwe) for selected teaching categories. Even when controlling for differences in thecost of living, the incentive for a South African teacher to seek work overseas remainsstrong and increases with career experience. A worrying conclusion for South Africaconcerned with keeping its experienced teachers is that as more human capital is gained byexperience, the greater the incentive to emigrate
Angels in the wind: future directions for educational research
Get PDFOpening address at the 2014 SAERA conference
Michael Samuel(Chair of the Local Organizing Committee
Attitudes Toward Information Technology Among Operating Theatre Nurses in Sri Lanka
Get PDFIncorporating the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) into everyday professional practice requires nurses to overcome resistance to change and to become willing users and creative operators of IT. Managing the change process effectively while implementing eHealth (e.g., Hospital Information Systems) within the operating theatre environment can facilitate the efficient delivery of quality patient care. Aim: To describe the uses of and attitudes toward current IT by operating theatre nurses at The National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL). Methods: The research used a descriptive design and survey method. The study population was theatre nurses working in 16 theatres. A convenience sample of 112 nurses selected from the 16 theatres was used. Nurses with a service period over 20 years were excluded. Data were gathered with a self-administered questionnaire. Results: The response rate was 97 of 112 (87%). The study found that nurses were highly confident in using computers, touch screens, the Internet and email. Almost 80% of theatre nurses used computer technology for their work and personal matters. However only 60% of the nurses had personal email addresses. Furthermore, 79% of nurses believed that computers would reduce paper work. Conclusion: Most operating theatre nurses possess a positive attitude toward advances that use IT applications. This may be due to the growing presence and accessibility of IT in their work environment, which has added value in their day to day practice in the hospital. To facilitate ongoing growth in use of IT in Sri Lanka, continuing education opportunities for operating theatre and other nurses should be pursued
Continuing the debate on teacher autonomy: A capabilities perspective
Get PDFWhereas much has been written about initiatives to empower teachers, the academic literature is adamant that the capabilities approach, which is an important agent for empowering teachers in the arena of autonomy, requires continued research. The purpose of this paper is, therefore, to continue the debate about the position of autonomy in relation to the capabilities approach. By analysing a South African education policy, this article outlines how agency can be applied to empower teachers to be agents of autonomy. Having employed a capabilities approach, this study shows that possibilities exist for deepening thinking about teachers’ education practices in general. The findings show that teachers should focus on self-attention, self-rediscovery and become author of the self. The results show that by empowering teachers to be autonomous may be regarded as a robust paradigm that can be used even as development challenges and educational priorities shift
A systems thinking perspective on change processes in a Teacher Professional Development programme
Get PDFThis article discusses the developing practice of Foundation Phase teachers involved in a three-yearprofessional development programme. A number of substantive changes in practice were notedover this period and these changes were supported and maintained by the interaction of a number ofdifferent factors. The article takes a systems thinking perspective to formulate and analyse thesechanges and their interactions, as a complex system of change. This analysis enabled theidentification of a number of closed loop interaction effects that supported and maintained thechanges in practice. As well as providing insight into the particular change processes in thisprofessional development programme, the article demonstrates the efficacy of this analyticalperspective both for the analysis of the complex systems of change arising in professionaldevelopment, and for the identification of processes and principles relevant to professionaldevelopment programmes in general