Degrees Held
- PhD (Sci. Ed.), UCT 2011.
- MPhil (Sci. Ed.), UCT 2003.
- BSc (Ed.), NUL 1998.
Research Interests
- Development of science process skills (SPS) and scientific knowledge beyond the classroom (e.g., through science projects).
- Practical work in science: Scientific investigations and fieldwork in Environmental Education, Life Sciences and Natural Sciences.
- Scientific skills (e.g., SPS) and processes (e.g., the scientific process/method) in Environmental Education, Life Sciences and Natural Sciences.
Teaching Interests
- Methods and pedagogical innovations relevant to a discipline (e.g., Environmental Education, Life Sciences & Natural Sciences).
- Practical work in science teaching.
- Teaching climate change.
- Teacher education: Teaching Environmental Education, Life Sciences and Natural Sciences, with particular reference to knowledge, skills and values.
Selected Publications
Books
Journal Articles
Books
- Brundrit, S., James, A., Molefe, L., Mudaly, R., & Sahadeo, K. (2021), Teaching climate change. Fundisa for Change Programme. Environmental Learning Research Centre, Rhodes University, Grahamstown.
Journal Articles
- Molefe, L., & Aubin, J-B. (2021), ‘Exploring how science process skills blend with the scientific process: Pre-service teachers’ views following fieldwork experience’. South African Journal of Education, 41(2), 1-13. 15700/saje.v41n2a1878
- Molefe, L., & Aubin, J-B. (2021), ‘Pre-service teachers’ views about ecosystem-based fieldwork in terms of the nature of environmental education, investigations, skills and processes’. Journal of Baltic Science Education, 20(4), 622-638. 33225/jbse/21.20.622
- Molefe, L., Stears, M. & Hobden, S. (2016), ‘Exploring student teachers’ views of science process skills in their initial teacher education programmes’. South African Journal of Education, 36(2), 1-12. 15700/saje.v36n3a1279
- Molefe, L. & Stears, M. (2014), ‘Rhetoric and reality: Teacher educators’ views and practice regarding science process skills’. African Journal of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 18(3), 219-230. https://doi.org/10.1080/10288457.2014.942961
- Molefe, M.L. (2007), ‘The attainment of technological skills processes and learning outcomes in a Science Talent Quest project comparing two model boats’. World Transactions in Engineering and Technology Education, 6(1), 165-169. http://www.wiete.com.au/journals/WTE&TE/Pages/Vol.6,%20No.1%20(2007)/34_Molefe39.pdf
Community Involvements
- (2021), Exploring STEM Education for 21st Century Citizenship (SECC21st) in the Mauritian and South African Contexts. The project is based on STEM Education in higher education. It entails three mini-projects that are focused on, (a) Conceptualization of N-N STEM education at national, regional and international levels, and critical analysis of how it (STEM education) is currently measured in the world; (b) Situational analysis on how SECC21st in Mauritius and South Africa (the S-S context) is different from the N-N context; and (c) the contextual factors that present barriers and opportunities to the SECC21st in Mauritius and South Africa.The project is coordinated by Mauritius Institute of Education and the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Science and Technology Education Cluster.
- (2020-present), Keep It Cool (KIC). The project is about climate change education (CCE). It entails material development, facilitation of teacher training and research. The project is coordinated by VVOB and Green Matter.Five South African universities (including the University of KwaZulu-Natal [UKZN]) are participating in the project. UKZN team had been contracted to produce KIC-CCE material for Geography and Natural Sciences.
- (2019-Present), Assessing the Effectiveness of Mathematics and Science Education Initiatives in Schools: Why has South Africa not significantly moved the needle? The project seeks to explore the extent to which mathematics and science-based education initiatives have had a bearing on teacher and pupil performance in schools. The scale and scope of the project is merely to provide a measure of the extent of change resulting from multiple initiatives. The project is coordinated by National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI).The Reference Group on Mathematics & Science Education (NACI Sub-committee) provides an oversight of the project.
Teaching Expertise
- The expertise entails teaching; coordination, development/refinement of material and resources (e.g., fieldwork- and laboratory-based worksheets, module guides & timetables, etc.); and module-based research.
- Modules: Biological Sciences for Educators: EDBS220; Life Sciences Method 2: EDBS311; Ecological Studies: EDBS330 (starting semester 2 of 2021); Natural Sciences: EDNS110; Natural Sciences Method 2: EDNS311 (starting semester 2 of 2021); Science Toolbox: EDNS111; Life & Living:
Student Supervision
Honours
Masters
Honours
- Gowana, Qinisela (2019) Practical work contribution to acids and bases learning in Grade 11: Learners perceptions through the lens of alternative to practical work versus laboratory-based activities.
- Ngobese, Ndumiso (2018) Investigating curriculum enactment of science process skills in Grade 11 through the lens of photosynthesis.
- Hariram, Akshar (2017) Exploring ways of learning potential and kinetic energies by Grade 7 learners at a school in KwaZulu-Natal.
- Maharaj, Varuschka (2015) A study of factors that shape Grade 6 learners’ motivation towards Natural Sciences and Technology learning: A teacher practitioner research in KwaZulu-Natal classrooms.
Masters
- Nhlumayo, Mayaba Brian (2021) Exploring Life Sciences teachers’ views of teaching evolution: A participatory action research through a lens of cogenerative dialogue praxis in Umlazi District.
- Naidoo, Natricia (2017) Exploring spaces for innovative teaching of environmental education in life sciences: A self-study.
