Miss N Xaba

Lecturer
+27 35 902 6809

Miss N Xaba completed her undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Witwatersrand where she was also academic intern. She joined the University of the Zululand in 2021 as a Life science lecturer within the Mathematics, Science and Technology (MSTE). Within the MSTE department, she is also a library representative, and also responsible for teaching the following modules:

  • Practical biology
  • Biological Systems
  • Practical Genetics
  • Natural Science and Technology
  • Life Science Education
  • Natural Science Education

She is part of a community engagement program within the faculty which is entitled: Creating sustainable teaching and learning environments in the rural northern KwaZulu-Natal schools”.  Her role in the project involves mainly facilitating the Life Science in-service teachers on thinking about how they can adopt a shoe-string teaching approach as a tool for fostering inquiry-based learning in their practise.

Qualifications:

  • PhD studies in progress with the University of the Witwatersrand
  • Masters in Science Education, University of the Witwatersrand
  • Honours in Science Education, University of the Witwatersrand
  • Bachelor of Education, University of the Witwatersrand

Research interests: 

She is interested in quality and meaningful Life Science education in secondary schools and higher education (Pre- and in-service teachers), with a special focus on:

  • Language issues
  • Inquiry-Based Learning
  • Anxiety and Resilient informed teaching and learning practises

Professional membership:

  • Full member of the Southern African Association for Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (SAARMSTE).
  • South African Council for Educators (SACE)

Research Outputs / Publications:

  • Xaba, N., & Sondlo, A (2022). Using a learner-based activity approach in developing science teachers ‘readiness in inquiry-based learning. International Conference of Education and New Developments.
  • SAARMSTE Conference hosted by Tshwane University 2014, presented a short paper entitled “The role of code switching in science classrooms”
  • SAARMSTE Conference hosted by University of Technology, Free State,2018 presented a short paper entitled “A comparison study of type the of disciplinary knowledge that 4th year biology and PGCE students gain at the end of their teacher training program”
  • SAARMSTE Conference hosted by Nelson Mandela University,2020, presented a snapshot entitled “Investigating meaning making opportunities that biology lecturers create in their biology classrooms
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