Secondary school teachers' experiencesof learning support

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Secondary school teachers are faced daily with many challenges when supporting learners with diverse needs. These challenges can influence their ability to perform their role of supporting such learners in the classroom. Even though learning support in the secondary school is a complex multi-level phenomenon, teachers are expected to ensure that all the learners reach their full potential. The aim of this study was to explore and describe secondary school teachers' experiences of supporting learners with diverse needs in challenging circumstances. Bronfenbrenner's bio-ecological model framed the research enquiry. Proximal processes and their related concepts were used as tools to explore and describe the teachers' approach to learning support in a secondary school. Since this study was an exploration of a phenomenon qualitative research methods were applied. The research methods added rich information using various techniques. These included an activity in which the teachers reflected on their experiences, individual semi-structured interviews, a focus group interview, research questions and narrative discussions with participants. The data collected was analysed using the method of constant comparison. Findings from the analysed data revealed the teachers' concerns and the challenges they faced in their classrooms while supporting their learners. Although they described these challenges and adverse circumstances as barriers, they nevertheless appeared as caring, confident professionals who had both the potential and the desire to advance their own development and to carry out effective learning support.Against this background, the teachers' own needs, whether emotional, social, cognitive or developmental, were vital to their ability to support effective learning in the classroom.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University