Pamela February | The University Of Namibia (original) (raw)
Papers by Pamela February
JYU dissertations, 2018
This thesis is in the form of a monograph consisting of three distinct, but related studies. The ... more This thesis is in the form of a monograph consisting of three distinct, but related studies. The three studies examined Grade 1 teachers' knowledge and perceptions of reading instruction in classrooms in Namibia; and the use of GraphoGame in Afrikaans as a digital learning tool and as an intervention tool for struggling readers. Three data sets were collected: teachers (N = 132), children (N = 202) and struggling readers (N = 19). The results offered three main findings. First, the results revealed that teachers lacked basic knowledge regarding language and reading instruction. Second, the effect of using the GraphoGame Afrikaans digital reading tool in the classroom showed that the gain scores of the learners who played GraphoGame Afrikaans were higher than those of learners who formed the two control groups (i.e. the GraphoMath group who played a digital mathematics tool and the no-treatment control group) in reading skills. Additionally, the results revealed that the two groups that played a digital game (GraphoGame Afrikaans or GraphoMath Afrikaans) during the intervention phase showed higher gains than the control group that did not play. The results also revealed that playing GraphoGame Afrikaans for an extended period vastly improved the reading skills of struggling readers. The evaluation of the struggling readers' motivation revealed mixed results. Although the learners themselves had a strong self-concept and a high regard for their classroom tasks, their classroom teachers observed that they tended to avoid tasks in which they struggled. When one considers the learners' high selfconcept and motivation, which show that struggling learners have strengths, there is much hope for Namibian children' reading acquisition.
JULACE, 2020
A number of international and national assessments show that Namibian children are not reading ac... more A number of international and national assessments show that Namibian children are not reading according to set benchmarks. The teaching and learning of reading can only be as good as the teachers who facilitate the reading acquisition process. Namibian learners are formally taught how to read in Grade 1, and thus this article focuses the perceptions of Grade 1 teachers in Windhoek, Namibia regarding their knowledge and classroom practices in teaching reading and how they support their learners' reading acquisition. Through a survey to gauge their use of reading practices, 132 teachers were asked about the teaching methods they use, the specific instruction content they use, how they create a literate classroom, how they encourage and support poor readers, and whether and how reading instruction in small groups occurs. Their teacher training was examined, as well as the knowledge that they have regarding certain language and reading components that support reading instruction. Teachers reported that they mostly use a range of methods when teaching reading (83%), while (15%) report using only one method. Of all the reading and language skills that teachers had to select from, 90% included phonological awareness as part of their reading instruction content, more so than the other reading and language skills. Among different strategies used to create a literate environment in the classroom, the majority (82%) use labels and notices to draw children's attention to literacy. To encourage struggling readers to read, teachers indicated they mainly use simple, easy texts so that poor readers can experience success. The results of the study reveal that while most Grade 1 teachers (81%) claim that they have received average to excellent training in teaching reading and demonstrate that they overwhelmingly agree (99%) with good reading practices and beliefs, the results reveal that their actual knowledge of various aspects of reading does not relate to their stated teacher training and reading beliefs. It appears that the overall average for the knowledge section showed that less than 37% of teachers had detailed knowledge of specific aspects of reading such as being able to identify syllables, morphemes, and speech sounds in words as well as demonstrating knowledge of phonics, phonemes, and diphthongs. The article discusses some strategies to alleviate some of the issues highlighted in the results.
IGI Global eBooks, 2022
This chapter investigates the effectiveness of a digital reading tool, called GraphoGame, that co... more This chapter investigates the effectiveness of a digital reading tool, called GraphoGame, that could be employed as one of the solutions to the poor reading results of learners that have been revealed in both national and international assessments in Namibia, specifically, and Sub-Saharan Africa in general. Following a research study, this chapter sets out to demonstrate that, through pre-and post-tests, GraphoGame Afrikaans improved the initial reading skills of Grade 1 learners. The results have implications for the utilization of computer-assisted tools to support reading acquisition in the lower grades. As GraphoGame employs a scaffolded approach by presenting learners with letters and words, it can be utilized to support learners individually in classes with large numbers, as is typical in Africa.
Handbook of Research on Acquiring 21st Century Literacy Skills Through Game-Based Learning, 2022
This chapter investigates the effectiveness of a digital reading tool, called GraphoGame, that co... more This chapter investigates the effectiveness of a digital reading tool, called GraphoGame, that could be employed as one of the solutions to the poor reading results of learners that have been revealed in both national and international assessments in Namibia, specifically, and Sub-Saharan Africa in general. Following a research study, this chapter sets out to demonstrate that, through pre-and post-tests, GraphoGame Afrikaans improved the initial reading skills of Grade 1 learners. The results have implications for the utilization of computer-assisted tools to support reading acquisition in the lower grades. As GraphoGame employs a scaffolded approach by presenting learners with letters and words, it can be utilized to support learners individually in classes with large numbers, as is typical in Africa.
This chapter starts with the description of deaf education in the Namibian context in terms of pr... more This chapter starts with the description of deaf education in the Namibian context in terms of providing formal education for learners who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH). It traces the history of deaf education from the 1960s to date and reports on early childhood education and primary, secondary, and tertiary education for this population. The second section of the chapter describes the road that Namibia has taken considering the needs and challenges the country is facing in providing quality education to DHH learners. The outcomes of two important conferences dealing with this issue are discussed. The last section discusses options for the way forward. Despite constraints in financial and human resources, there has been definite progress in the provision of quality education to DHH learners in Namibia.
Improving Early Literacy Outcomes, 2019
February, Pamela J. Teaching and learning to read in Afrikaans: Teacher competence and computeras... more February, Pamela J. Teaching and learning to read in Afrikaans: Teacher competence and computerassisted support Jyväskylä: University of Jyväskylä, 2018, 138 p. (JYU Dissertations ISSN 2489-9003; 5) ISBN 978-951-39-7515-9 (PDF) This thesis is in the form of a monograph consisting of three distinct, but related studies. The three studies examined Grade 1 teachers’ knowledge and perceptions of reading instruction in classrooms in Namibia; and the use of GraphoGame in Afrikaans as a digital learning tool and as an intervention tool for struggling readers. Three data sets were collected: teachers (N = 132), children (N = 202) and struggling readers (N = 19). The results offered three main findings. First, the results revealed that teachers lacked basic knowledge regarding language and reading instruction. Second, the effect of using the GraphoGame Afrikaans digital reading tool in the classroom showed that the gain scores of the learners who played GraphoGame Afrikaans were higher than ...
The purpose of this study was to find out Namibian teachers’ understanding of their work circumst... more The purpose of this study was to find out Namibian teachers’ understanding of their work circumstances, goals of education for all (EFA) and quality of education. To obtain data on these issues, a structured questionnaire was administered to a proportional representative sample of 1611 primary and secondary school teachers from six regions. Some of the study’s main findings were that several sampled teachers taught under difficult circumstances in which their schools lacked classroom furniture, electricity, water, teaching and learning materials; had problems communicating with parents of their learners; had difficulties managing overcrowded classrooms; were given heavy administrative loads that prevented them from effectively undertaking their teaching duties and that they knew little about the existence of EFA goals. These and other findings are discussed in the paper and developed into insights for enhancing educational practice in Namibia and for identifying issues on which to b...
JULACE: Journal of the University of Namibia Language Centre
A number of international and national assessments show that Namibian children are not reading ac... more A number of international and national assessments show that Namibian children are not reading according to set benchmarks. The teaching and learning of reading can only be as good as the teachers who facilitate the reading acquisition process. Namibian learners are formally taught how to read in Grade 1, and thus this article focuses the perceptions of Grade 1 teachers in Windhoek, Namibia regarding their knowledge and classroom practices in teaching reading and how they support their learners’ reading acquisition. Through a survey to gauge their use of reading practices, 132 teachers were asked about the teaching methods they use, the specific instruction content they use, how they create a literate classroom, how they encourage and support poor readers, and whether and how reading instruction in small groups occurs. Their teacher training was examined, as well as the knowledge that they have regarding certain language and reading components that support reading instruction. Teach...
The purpose of this study was to find out Namibian teachers’ understanding of their work circumst... more The purpose of this study was to find out Namibian teachers’ understanding of their work circumstances, goals of education for all (EFA) and quality of education. To obtain data on these issues, a structured questionnaire was administered to a proportional representative sample of 1611 primary and secondary school teachers from six regions. Some of the study’s main findings were that several sampled teachers taught under difficult circumstances in which their schools lacked classroom furniture, electricity, water, teaching and learning materials; had problems communicating with parents of their learners; had difficulties managing overcrowded classrooms; were given heavy administrative loads that prevented them from effectively undertaking their teaching duties and that they knew little about the existence of EFA goals. These and other findings are discussed in the paper and developed into insights for enhancing educational practice in Namibia and for identifying issues on which to b...
Frontiers in Psychology, 2015
GraphoGame (GG) is originally a technology-based intervention method for supporting children with... more GraphoGame (GG) is originally a technology-based intervention method for supporting children with reading difficulties. It is now known that children who face problems in reading acquisition have difficulties in learning to differentiate and manipulate speech sounds and consequently, in connecting these sounds to corresponding letters. GG was developed to provide intensive training in matching speech sounds and larger units of speech to their written counterparts. GG has been shown to benefit children with reading difficulties and the game is now available for all Finnish school children for literacy support. Presently millions of children in Africa fail to learn to read despite years of primary school education. As many African languages have transparent writing systems similar in structure to Finnish, it was hypothesized that GG-based training of letter-sound correspondences could also be effective in supporting children's learning in African countries. In this article we will describe how GG has been developed from a Finnish dyslexia prevention game to an intervention method that can be used not only to improve children's reading performance but also to raise teachers' and parents' awareness of the development of reading skill and effective reading instruction methods. We will also provide an overview of the GG activities in Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Namibia, and the potential to promote education for all with a combination of scientific research and mobile learning.
Frontiers in Psychology, 2015
GraphoGame (GG) is originally a technology-based intervention method for supporting children with... more GraphoGame (GG) is originally a technology-based intervention method for supporting children with reading difficulties. It is now known that children who face problems in reading acquisition have difficulties in learning to differentiate and manipulate speech sounds and consequently, in connecting these sounds to corresponding letters. GG was developed to provide intensive training in matching speech sounds and larger units of speech to their written counterparts. GG has been shown to benefit children with reading difficulties and the game is now available for all Finnish school children for literacy support. Presently millions of children in Africa fail to learn to read despite years of primary school education. As many African languages have transparent writing systems similar in structure to Finnish, it was hypothesized that GG-based training of letter-sound correspondences could also be effective in supporting children's learning in African countries. In this article we will describe how GG has been developed from a Finnish dyslexia prevention game to an intervention method that can be used not only to improve children's reading performance but also to raise teachers' and parents' awareness of the development of reading skill and effective reading instruction methods. We will also provide an overview of the GG activities in Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Namibia, and the potential to promote education for all with a combination of scientific research and mobile learning.
Frontiers in Psychology, 2015
GraphoGame (GG) is originally a technology-based intervention method for supporting children with... more GraphoGame (GG) is originally a technology-based intervention method for supporting children with reading difficulties. It is now known that children who face problems in reading acquisition have difficulties in learning to differentiate and manipulate speech sounds and consequently, in connecting these sounds to corresponding letters. GG was developed to provide intensive training in matching speech sounds and larger units of speech to their written counterparts. GG has been shown to benefit children with reading difficulties and the game is now available for all Finnish school children for literacy support. Presently millions of children in Africa fail to learn to read despite years of primary school education. As many African languages have transparent writing systems similar in structure to Finnish, it was hypothesized that GG-based training of letter-sound correspondences could also be effective in supporting children's learning in African countries. In this article we will describe how GG has been developed from a Finnish dyslexia prevention game to an intervention method that can be used not only to improve children's reading performance but also to raise teachers' and parents' awareness of the development of reading skill and effective reading instruction methods. We will also provide an overview of the GG activities in Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Namibia, and the potential to promote education for all with a combination of scientific research and mobile learning.
JYU dissertations, 2018
This thesis is in the form of a monograph consisting of three distinct, but related studies. The ... more This thesis is in the form of a monograph consisting of three distinct, but related studies. The three studies examined Grade 1 teachers' knowledge and perceptions of reading instruction in classrooms in Namibia; and the use of GraphoGame in Afrikaans as a digital learning tool and as an intervention tool for struggling readers. Three data sets were collected: teachers (N = 132), children (N = 202) and struggling readers (N = 19). The results offered three main findings. First, the results revealed that teachers lacked basic knowledge regarding language and reading instruction. Second, the effect of using the GraphoGame Afrikaans digital reading tool in the classroom showed that the gain scores of the learners who played GraphoGame Afrikaans were higher than those of learners who formed the two control groups (i.e. the GraphoMath group who played a digital mathematics tool and the no-treatment control group) in reading skills. Additionally, the results revealed that the two groups that played a digital game (GraphoGame Afrikaans or GraphoMath Afrikaans) during the intervention phase showed higher gains than the control group that did not play. The results also revealed that playing GraphoGame Afrikaans for an extended period vastly improved the reading skills of struggling readers. The evaluation of the struggling readers' motivation revealed mixed results. Although the learners themselves had a strong self-concept and a high regard for their classroom tasks, their classroom teachers observed that they tended to avoid tasks in which they struggled. When one considers the learners' high selfconcept and motivation, which show that struggling learners have strengths, there is much hope for Namibian children' reading acquisition.
JULACE, 2020
A number of international and national assessments show that Namibian children are not reading ac... more A number of international and national assessments show that Namibian children are not reading according to set benchmarks. The teaching and learning of reading can only be as good as the teachers who facilitate the reading acquisition process. Namibian learners are formally taught how to read in Grade 1, and thus this article focuses the perceptions of Grade 1 teachers in Windhoek, Namibia regarding their knowledge and classroom practices in teaching reading and how they support their learners' reading acquisition. Through a survey to gauge their use of reading practices, 132 teachers were asked about the teaching methods they use, the specific instruction content they use, how they create a literate classroom, how they encourage and support poor readers, and whether and how reading instruction in small groups occurs. Their teacher training was examined, as well as the knowledge that they have regarding certain language and reading components that support reading instruction. Teachers reported that they mostly use a range of methods when teaching reading (83%), while (15%) report using only one method. Of all the reading and language skills that teachers had to select from, 90% included phonological awareness as part of their reading instruction content, more so than the other reading and language skills. Among different strategies used to create a literate environment in the classroom, the majority (82%) use labels and notices to draw children's attention to literacy. To encourage struggling readers to read, teachers indicated they mainly use simple, easy texts so that poor readers can experience success. The results of the study reveal that while most Grade 1 teachers (81%) claim that they have received average to excellent training in teaching reading and demonstrate that they overwhelmingly agree (99%) with good reading practices and beliefs, the results reveal that their actual knowledge of various aspects of reading does not relate to their stated teacher training and reading beliefs. It appears that the overall average for the knowledge section showed that less than 37% of teachers had detailed knowledge of specific aspects of reading such as being able to identify syllables, morphemes, and speech sounds in words as well as demonstrating knowledge of phonics, phonemes, and diphthongs. The article discusses some strategies to alleviate some of the issues highlighted in the results.
IGI Global eBooks, 2022
This chapter investigates the effectiveness of a digital reading tool, called GraphoGame, that co... more This chapter investigates the effectiveness of a digital reading tool, called GraphoGame, that could be employed as one of the solutions to the poor reading results of learners that have been revealed in both national and international assessments in Namibia, specifically, and Sub-Saharan Africa in general. Following a research study, this chapter sets out to demonstrate that, through pre-and post-tests, GraphoGame Afrikaans improved the initial reading skills of Grade 1 learners. The results have implications for the utilization of computer-assisted tools to support reading acquisition in the lower grades. As GraphoGame employs a scaffolded approach by presenting learners with letters and words, it can be utilized to support learners individually in classes with large numbers, as is typical in Africa.
Handbook of Research on Acquiring 21st Century Literacy Skills Through Game-Based Learning, 2022
This chapter investigates the effectiveness of a digital reading tool, called GraphoGame, that co... more This chapter investigates the effectiveness of a digital reading tool, called GraphoGame, that could be employed as one of the solutions to the poor reading results of learners that have been revealed in both national and international assessments in Namibia, specifically, and Sub-Saharan Africa in general. Following a research study, this chapter sets out to demonstrate that, through pre-and post-tests, GraphoGame Afrikaans improved the initial reading skills of Grade 1 learners. The results have implications for the utilization of computer-assisted tools to support reading acquisition in the lower grades. As GraphoGame employs a scaffolded approach by presenting learners with letters and words, it can be utilized to support learners individually in classes with large numbers, as is typical in Africa.
This chapter starts with the description of deaf education in the Namibian context in terms of pr... more This chapter starts with the description of deaf education in the Namibian context in terms of providing formal education for learners who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH). It traces the history of deaf education from the 1960s to date and reports on early childhood education and primary, secondary, and tertiary education for this population. The second section of the chapter describes the road that Namibia has taken considering the needs and challenges the country is facing in providing quality education to DHH learners. The outcomes of two important conferences dealing with this issue are discussed. The last section discusses options for the way forward. Despite constraints in financial and human resources, there has been definite progress in the provision of quality education to DHH learners in Namibia.
Improving Early Literacy Outcomes, 2019
February, Pamela J. Teaching and learning to read in Afrikaans: Teacher competence and computeras... more February, Pamela J. Teaching and learning to read in Afrikaans: Teacher competence and computerassisted support Jyväskylä: University of Jyväskylä, 2018, 138 p. (JYU Dissertations ISSN 2489-9003; 5) ISBN 978-951-39-7515-9 (PDF) This thesis is in the form of a monograph consisting of three distinct, but related studies. The three studies examined Grade 1 teachers’ knowledge and perceptions of reading instruction in classrooms in Namibia; and the use of GraphoGame in Afrikaans as a digital learning tool and as an intervention tool for struggling readers. Three data sets were collected: teachers (N = 132), children (N = 202) and struggling readers (N = 19). The results offered three main findings. First, the results revealed that teachers lacked basic knowledge regarding language and reading instruction. Second, the effect of using the GraphoGame Afrikaans digital reading tool in the classroom showed that the gain scores of the learners who played GraphoGame Afrikaans were higher than ...
The purpose of this study was to find out Namibian teachers’ understanding of their work circumst... more The purpose of this study was to find out Namibian teachers’ understanding of their work circumstances, goals of education for all (EFA) and quality of education. To obtain data on these issues, a structured questionnaire was administered to a proportional representative sample of 1611 primary and secondary school teachers from six regions. Some of the study’s main findings were that several sampled teachers taught under difficult circumstances in which their schools lacked classroom furniture, electricity, water, teaching and learning materials; had problems communicating with parents of their learners; had difficulties managing overcrowded classrooms; were given heavy administrative loads that prevented them from effectively undertaking their teaching duties and that they knew little about the existence of EFA goals. These and other findings are discussed in the paper and developed into insights for enhancing educational practice in Namibia and for identifying issues on which to b...
JULACE: Journal of the University of Namibia Language Centre
A number of international and national assessments show that Namibian children are not reading ac... more A number of international and national assessments show that Namibian children are not reading according to set benchmarks. The teaching and learning of reading can only be as good as the teachers who facilitate the reading acquisition process. Namibian learners are formally taught how to read in Grade 1, and thus this article focuses the perceptions of Grade 1 teachers in Windhoek, Namibia regarding their knowledge and classroom practices in teaching reading and how they support their learners’ reading acquisition. Through a survey to gauge their use of reading practices, 132 teachers were asked about the teaching methods they use, the specific instruction content they use, how they create a literate classroom, how they encourage and support poor readers, and whether and how reading instruction in small groups occurs. Their teacher training was examined, as well as the knowledge that they have regarding certain language and reading components that support reading instruction. Teach...
The purpose of this study was to find out Namibian teachers’ understanding of their work circumst... more The purpose of this study was to find out Namibian teachers’ understanding of their work circumstances, goals of education for all (EFA) and quality of education. To obtain data on these issues, a structured questionnaire was administered to a proportional representative sample of 1611 primary and secondary school teachers from six regions. Some of the study’s main findings were that several sampled teachers taught under difficult circumstances in which their schools lacked classroom furniture, electricity, water, teaching and learning materials; had problems communicating with parents of their learners; had difficulties managing overcrowded classrooms; were given heavy administrative loads that prevented them from effectively undertaking their teaching duties and that they knew little about the existence of EFA goals. These and other findings are discussed in the paper and developed into insights for enhancing educational practice in Namibia and for identifying issues on which to b...
Frontiers in Psychology, 2015
GraphoGame (GG) is originally a technology-based intervention method for supporting children with... more GraphoGame (GG) is originally a technology-based intervention method for supporting children with reading difficulties. It is now known that children who face problems in reading acquisition have difficulties in learning to differentiate and manipulate speech sounds and consequently, in connecting these sounds to corresponding letters. GG was developed to provide intensive training in matching speech sounds and larger units of speech to their written counterparts. GG has been shown to benefit children with reading difficulties and the game is now available for all Finnish school children for literacy support. Presently millions of children in Africa fail to learn to read despite years of primary school education. As many African languages have transparent writing systems similar in structure to Finnish, it was hypothesized that GG-based training of letter-sound correspondences could also be effective in supporting children's learning in African countries. In this article we will describe how GG has been developed from a Finnish dyslexia prevention game to an intervention method that can be used not only to improve children's reading performance but also to raise teachers' and parents' awareness of the development of reading skill and effective reading instruction methods. We will also provide an overview of the GG activities in Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Namibia, and the potential to promote education for all with a combination of scientific research and mobile learning.
Frontiers in Psychology, 2015
GraphoGame (GG) is originally a technology-based intervention method for supporting children with... more GraphoGame (GG) is originally a technology-based intervention method for supporting children with reading difficulties. It is now known that children who face problems in reading acquisition have difficulties in learning to differentiate and manipulate speech sounds and consequently, in connecting these sounds to corresponding letters. GG was developed to provide intensive training in matching speech sounds and larger units of speech to their written counterparts. GG has been shown to benefit children with reading difficulties and the game is now available for all Finnish school children for literacy support. Presently millions of children in Africa fail to learn to read despite years of primary school education. As many African languages have transparent writing systems similar in structure to Finnish, it was hypothesized that GG-based training of letter-sound correspondences could also be effective in supporting children's learning in African countries. In this article we will describe how GG has been developed from a Finnish dyslexia prevention game to an intervention method that can be used not only to improve children's reading performance but also to raise teachers' and parents' awareness of the development of reading skill and effective reading instruction methods. We will also provide an overview of the GG activities in Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Namibia, and the potential to promote education for all with a combination of scientific research and mobile learning.
Frontiers in Psychology, 2015
GraphoGame (GG) is originally a technology-based intervention method for supporting children with... more GraphoGame (GG) is originally a technology-based intervention method for supporting children with reading difficulties. It is now known that children who face problems in reading acquisition have difficulties in learning to differentiate and manipulate speech sounds and consequently, in connecting these sounds to corresponding letters. GG was developed to provide intensive training in matching speech sounds and larger units of speech to their written counterparts. GG has been shown to benefit children with reading difficulties and the game is now available for all Finnish school children for literacy support. Presently millions of children in Africa fail to learn to read despite years of primary school education. As many African languages have transparent writing systems similar in structure to Finnish, it was hypothesized that GG-based training of letter-sound correspondences could also be effective in supporting children's learning in African countries. In this article we will describe how GG has been developed from a Finnish dyslexia prevention game to an intervention method that can be used not only to improve children's reading performance but also to raise teachers' and parents' awareness of the development of reading skill and effective reading instruction methods. We will also provide an overview of the GG activities in Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Namibia, and the potential to promote education for all with a combination of scientific research and mobile learning.