Browsing by Author "Van Wyk, Milton Lester"

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    Die geleefde ervarings van primere skoolonderwysers binne 'n kultuur van performatiwiteit
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2015-03) Van Wyk, Milton Lester; Le Grange, L. L. L.; Carl, A. E.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Education. Dept. of Curriculum Studies.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study focuses on the lived experiences of primary school teachers within a culture of performativity. The French philosopher, Jean-Francois Lyotard (1984) more than anyone else gave credence to the notion of ‘performativity’ in education which he used to represent political and bureaucratic mechanisms of control. Embedded in regulatory mechanisms there are performance indicators such as ‘monitoring systems’ with associated ‘production of information’, that according to Ball (2003) engenders the ‘terrors of performativity’. To conform to the regulatory mechanisms the performativity culture in schools, pressure is increasingly placed on teachers to demonstrate their accountability to education authorities for the responsibilities delegated to them. The literature review does not only seeks to give meaning to key terms and concepts relevant to the study, but also aims to define the operational. Relevant terms included: accountability, professionalism, performance and performativity. In the discussion it is shown that there is a close underlying relationship between performativity and performance, between performativity and accountability, and between performativity and professionalism. In order to answer the main research question and to align logically to the purpose of the study, the researcher conducted a qualitative research study within the interpretative research paradigm. The study was guided by the phenomenological research approach – and more specifically by the hermeneutical-phenomenological research method of Max van Manen (1990). Two data collection methods were employed: protocol narratives (descriptions of lived experiences) and in-depth semi-structured phenomenological interviews. In this study a thematic analytical approach was followed whereby the researcher identified emerging themes from the collected data. Different steps were taken to increase the internal validity of the study and to give attention to the ethical aspects that emerged during the investigation. In this study it is evident that performativity, with its emphasis on effectiveness, efficiency and quality, is currently the most powerful and pervasive discourse in education. The description of the results shows that teachers tend to be swallowed up by the demands of performativity – so much so that teachers are overwhelmed by the ‘terrors of performativity’. Teachers’ ‘escape’ from the ‘imprisonment’ of performativity is not only associated with distorted side Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za viii effects, but there are also physiological and emotional processes that teachers are confronted with in their attempts conform to the regulatory systems. The study found that the undesirable side effects of performativity serve and a push factor for the early exit of teachers from the profession.
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    Die leerderportefeulje as 'n assesseringsinstrument in die leerarea sosiale wetenskappe, intermediêre fase (Grade 4-6)
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2007-03) Van Wyk, Milton Lester; Carl, A. E.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Education. Dept. of Curriculum Studies.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT:The focus of this study is on the utilisation of the learner portfolio for the Social Sciences learning area as an alternative, authentic assessment instrument to record the achievements, progress and growth of the learner as required by the expected learning outcomes. As such the learner portfolio is a more qualitative and valid alternative to traditional “pen-and-paper” testing, because the learner portfolio should present a more comprehensive picture of learners’ achievement, progress and growth. It has been endeavoured to explore and describe not only the learner portfolio as an authentic assessment instrument, but to establish the current perceptions, comprehension and experience of teachers in the Social Sciences learning area (Intermediate Phase) regarding its application. To answer the research question, and to make a logical link to the purpose of this study, the researcher executed a qualitative research study from an interpretative research paradigm. The researcher implemented multiple sources (interviews, document analysis and questionnaires) to generate data. In the course of the study a number of steps were taken to ensure the validity and reliability of the data, and to pay attention to the ethical aspects that surfaced during the research. In the literature study, extending over two chapters, the theoretical foundation of the study, consisting of assessment as a broad concept in outcomes-based education (OBE) and the learner portfolio as an authentic assessment instrument, is described. The study concludes that at present teachers are not equipped with an extensive knowledge of assessment, and have only a superficial knowledge of the structure, purpose and management of the learner portfolio and the benefits offered. It appear that teachers have relatively limited experience of utilising the learner portfolio as an assessment instrument, and the results of the study indicate that learner portfolios are not optimally utilised. Learner portfolios merely contain the best and final results of learners’ activities. They do not indicate development and growth over a given period, so that the expected learning outcomes are not realised. It is clear that the utilisation of the learner portfolio as an alternative assessment instrument is imperative in the South African education system, but that it do not achieve its purpose in the context of this specific study.