Miss N Xaba
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