Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of district subject facilitators in monitoring and evaluating teachers’ assessment methods during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The traditional assessment methods were disrupted by the pandemic. Globally, schools were forced to close, and methods of teaching and learning changed. This paper emanated from the Engaged Scholarship project CN5600 from the University of South Africa which primarily focuses on school management leaders as curriculum and instructional leaders. A case study research design, interpretive paradigm, and a qualitative approach were used to collect data from schools. Five subject facilitators from Johannesburg East responsible for monitoring effective teaching and learning in hundred schools were purposefully sampled to participate in semi-structured interviews. The collected data was interpreted using themes. Findings indicated that most teachers could not apply formative assessments during COVID-19 despite the initiative of rotational teaching and learning. Most teachers resorted to giving homework that was not assessed. The unavailability of technological gadgets such as laptops and lack of knowledge on how to use them for assessment purposes hindered teachers from adequately assessing learners. It was found that most teachers focused on summative assessments that were venue-based to collect data in order to generate quarterly and end-of-year reports. The study advocates resourcing schools with computers for learners and teachers to use for assessment purposes. The study suggests that subject facilitators should train teachers in the use of online assessments using technological gadgets such as computers and cell phones to assess learners formatively.
Presenters
Ailwei Solomon MawelaAssociate Professor, Curriculum and Instructional Studies, University of South Africa, Gauteng, South Africa
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
SUBJECT FACILITATOR, MONITORING AND EVALUATING, TEACHERS' ASSESSMENT METHODS, COVID-19
