UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS

Oct/Nov 2024

HED2601

History of Education in Foundation Phase

100 marks
Duration: 3 hours

QR Code:

EXAMINERS:

FIRST EXAMINER: DR MZ MNCANCA

SECOND EXAMINER: DR TF SAMBO

[TURN OVER]
QR ACCESS CODE: 4879f06e 2 HED2601
OCT/NOV 2024

This paper consists of EIGHT (8) pages, including the cover page.

CONFIDENTIAL
Instructions:

This examination paper consists of compulsory questions.

Total: 100 marks

• Answer ALL FIVE questions in this examination. Answer all questions in English.
• Write the question numbers for all answers, for example, Question 1.
• Number your answers correctly as they appear in the examination paper.
• Write or type neatly. If you write, please do so in black pen.
• If you wrote your answers, scan all the pages in the correct order and upload them
as one PDF document on the myExams platform (from where you downloaded the
examination paper).
• If you typed your answers in a Word document, save the Word document as a PDF
and upload the PDF document. Do not upload a Word document.
• Remember to sign the honesty declaration form and upload it with your answer
sheet as one document/file.
• This examination will be proctored using the Invigilation App. Use of the Invigilator
App is compulsory for this exam.
• The Invigilator App Student User Guide was posted as an announcement on the
module site. You can also locate it by clicking on this link: Invigilator App Student
Guidelines
• First upload your exam script on the myExams platform and then upload your
invigilation data on the app.
• This is a closed book examination.

[TURN OVER]
INVIGILATOR APP INSTRUCTIONS
• Please log in to the Invigilator app. You need to be connected to the internet to log in and
scan the QR code.
• Scan the QR code above when the examination has formally commenced. If you have
trouble with scanning the QR code, you can also enter the QR access code at the bottom
of the QR code to do the assessment/exam.
• Once the QR code has been scanned, put your smartphone next to you. The Invigilator
App will notify you when an action is required. Ensure that your media volume is turned up.
• If you only have one device, you may access MyExams in the app by clicking on the
“Access LMS” button.
• Please remember to keep your smartphone on charge for the duration of the
assessment/exam.
• Keep the Invigilator App open on your cellphone during the assessment/exam.
• Do not leave or minimise the application.
• When an action is required, a notification beep will be heard. Action the request.
• Please ensure you are connected to the internet to start and finish the examination. No
internet connection is needed during the assessment/exam.
• First upload your script to MyExams. Because the uploading of app data is not time
sensitive, you can do it after you have uploaded your script to MyExams.
• You must adhere to the time limit in MyExams assessment/exam because the invigilation
time in the app could exceed the time in which you have to complete your
assessment/exam.
• Click the "Finish Assessment" button in the app if you finish early.
• Should you encounter any technical difficulty, please WhatsApp the Invigilator Helpdesk on
073 505 8273.
• Below is the QR Code of the HED2601 examination.

[TURN OVER]
QR ACCESS CODE: 4879f06e 4 HED2601
OCT/NOV 2024

HONESTY DECLARATION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EARLY

CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT

Module Code:……………….…. Assessment/Exam Date……………….…. 20………………..

1. I know that plagiarism means taking and using the ideas, writings, works or inventions of
another as if they were one’s own. I know that plagiarism not only includes verbatim
copying, but also the extensive use of another person’s ideas without proper
acknowledgement (which includes the proper use of quotation marks) or any attempt to
cheat the plagiarism checking system. I know that plagiarism covers the use of material
found in textual sources and from the Internet.
2. I acknowledge and understand that plagiarism is wrong.
3. I understand that my assessment/exam answers must be accurately referenced.
4. This assessment/exam file/portfolio is my own work. I acknowledge that copying someone
else’s work, or part of it, is wrong, and that submitting identical work to others constitutes
a form of plagiarism.
5. I have not allowed, nor will I in the future allow, anyone to copy my work with the intention
of passing it off as their own work.
6. I understand that I can be awarded 0% if I have plagiarised.
7. I understand that my assessment/exam file/portfolio may be submitted automatically to
Turnitin.
8. I confirm that I have read and understood the following UNISA policies:
8.1 Policy for Copyright and Plagiarism -
8.2 Policy on Academic Integrity
8.3 Student Disciplinary Code

Name……………………………………………… Student No: ........................................

Signed ……………………………………………. Date ……………………………..…….

[TURN OVER]
QR ACCESS CODE: 4879f06e 5 HED2601
OCT/NOV 2024
QUESTION 1: (24)

1.1 Define the term “early childhood education” in your own words. (1)
1.2 Briefly discuss three factors that contribute to the unequal access to
quality education in South Africa. (9)
1.3 After 1994, the South African government took a multidisciplinary
approach that focused on holistic child development. Discuss the meaning
of developing a child holistically. (6)
1.4 Evaluate the importance of infusing African Indigenous knowledge in the
school curriculum. (2X2) (4)
1.5 Name two prominent individuals (theorists) who shaped our understanding
of the learning needs of young children. (4)

QUESTION 2: (22)

2.1 Redraw the table below in your answer sheet and motivate why each
indicator of quality education is important. (10)
Indicators of quality Why is this indicator important
education
2.1.1 Teacher qualifications

2.1.2 Teacher-to-learner ratio

2.1.3 Availability of teaching

materials and resources

2.1.4 The language of

teaching and learning

2.1.5 The school infrastructure

(e.g. buildings,
playgrounds etc.)

[TURN OVER]
QR ACCESS CODE: 4879f06e 6 HED2601
OCT/NOV 2024

2.2 Determine three characteristics of a child-centred approach to teaching and

learning. (3X2) (6)

2.3 Demonstrate your understanding of the concept of “zone of proximal

development” using a classroom example. (6)

QUESTION 3: (24)

3.1 Provide an example of a classroom activity in which children learn through

the following approaches:

3.1.1. Learning through the environment. (4)

3.1.2 Learning through the play. (4)

3.2 Interpret the meaning of this statement: “the environment is the child’s third
teacher”. (2)

3.3 Read the passage below and answer the question that follows.

Tchombe explains that much of the learning in the African traditional home is
informal and incidental, taking place through observation and imitation.
Sometimes, children learn through guided participation, where an adult (or
older sibling) teaches a young child how something is done.

In view of the passage, differentiate between formal learning and informal

learning by stating two characteristics of each type of learning. (8)

3.4 Read the statement below and answer the question that follows.

As a teacher who is charged with the job of influencing young minds, it is

essential that you have a heightened awareness of the different cultural
backgrounds that each learner brings into the classroom.

In view of the statement, outline three ways (3x2) in which you can promote
the awareness of cultural diversity through your teaching. (6)

[TURN OVER]
QR ACCESS CODE: 4879f06e 7 HED2601
OCT/NOV 2024

QUESTION 4: (15)

4.1 Read the statement below and answer the following questions.

According to UNICEF (2024), early childhood education in the mother tongue

enables a deeper grasp of concepts, encourages critical thinking and
strengthens cultural connections. However, most education systems around
the world struggle to implement mother tongue education.

4.1.1 In view of the statement, reflect on two challenges that teachers might face
when teaching in African indigenous languages instead of English. (4)

4.1.2 Recommend possible solutions to address the challenges that you identified
in question 4.1.1. (4)

4.2 Indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statement (1).
Provide a reason or an example to support your answer (3). (4)

The education of young children is still grounded in theorists from Europe and
America who, according to Serpell (2008), are presented as 'scientific' and,
therefore, unquestionable.

4.3 Read the statement below and answer the question that follows.

The curriculum is not just about a teacher being guided by documents, but
also the question of implementation…, and the unconscious messages the
teacher conveys to the learners.

Provide an example of an unconscious message that a teacher might convey

to the learners without being aware. (3)

QUESTION 5: (15)

5.1 The NCS gives expression to the knowledge, skills and values worth learning
in South African schools. Given what you learned in this module about the
history of early childhood education, identify three important things that you
think children should learn during the foundation phase. (6)

[TURN OVER]
QR ACCESS CODE: 4879f06e 8 HED2601
OCT/NOV 2024

5.2 Children grow up learning from parents, siblings and adults who help them
to acquire the various skills, knowledge and habits, relating to their growth
and development. Provide examples of three types of knowledge or skills
that young children learn from their siblings. (6)

5.3 Read the following statement and answer the question that follows.
In traditional societies, knowledge of early childhood education is passed
on from generation to generation, although not written.
Elaborate how knowledge of early childhood education may be passed on
from generation to generation. (3)

TOTAL: [100]

©
UNISA 2024