Publications and Presentations

Books and chapters in books (peer reviewed)

2013                                                                                                                          

  • Archer, E. & Howie, S.J. (2013). South Africa: Optimising a Feedback System for Monitoring Learner Performance. In Plomp. T & Nieveen, N. (Eds). Educational Design Research: Introduction and Illustrative Cases. SLO, Netherlands Institute for Curriculum Development, Enschede, The Netherlands.
  • Dowse, C. & Howie, S. (2013). Promoting academic research writing with South African masters students in the field of education. In Plomp. T & Nieveen, N. (Eds). Educational Design Research: Introduction and Illustrative Cases. SLO, Netherlands Institute for Curriculum Development, Enschede, The Netherlands
  • Howie, S. (2013). Measuring the Health of South Africa’s Education System: Insights from the IEA Studies. In Nele McElvany, Heniz Gunter Holtappels (Ed) Empirische Bildungsforschung: Theorien, Methoden, Befunde und Perspektiven. Munster: Waxmann.pp135-156.
  • Scherman, V., Howie, V & Archer, E. (2013). The interface between monitoring performance and how data is used: striving to enhance the quality of education in schools.  In J. MacBeath, C. Sugrue and M. Younger (Eds).  Millennium Goals Revisited: A Common Wealth of Learning.  London: Routledge.

2012 

  • Archer, E., Scherman, V & Howie, SJ. (2012). Approaches to Effective Data Use: Does One Size Fit All?  In K. Schildkamp,. M. K. Lai, & L. Earl. (Eds). Data-Driven Decision Making Around the World. Challenges and Opportunities. Dordrecht: Springer.
  • Howie, S.J. and Acana, S. (2012). The logistics of a national assessment: Part 1. In V. Greaney & T. Kellaghan. (Eds). Implementing a National Assessment of Educational Achievement. pp. 9-58. Washington: World Bank.
  • Howie,S.J and Venter. E. (2012). The Impact of PIRLS in South Africa. In K. Schwippert. (Ed). Progress in Reading Literacy in National and International Context: The impact of PIRLS 2006 in 12 countries. Munster: Waxmann Publishers.
  • Howie, S.J., van Staden, S., Tshele, M. Dowse, C. & Zimmerman, L. (2012). PIRLS 2011 South African Children’s Reading Literacy Achievement. Centre for Evaluation and Assessment: University of Pretoria. ISBN 978-1-77592-023-6
  • Howie, S.J. and Draper, K. (2012). Assessment Tools and Techniques using ICT. In K, McCabe, K and K. van Wyk. (Eds). Teaching and e-Learning in the South African Classroom. Cape Town: Macmillan.
  • Dowse, C. and Van Rensburg, W.A. ‘Conversations’ with postgraduate writers: Understanding the role of the peer tutor in A. Archer & R. Richards (eds.) (2011). Changing Spaces: writing centres and access to higher education. Stellenbosch, SUN

2011

  • Howie, S.J. (2011). The involvement of African countries in the IEA studies over 50 years. In C. Papanastasiou, T. Plomp, T. and E. Papanastasiou,. (Eds). IEA 1958-2008: 50 years of experiences. Vol. 1. pp. 289-316. Nicosia: CCKM.
  • Howie, S.J. Draper, K. & Zimmerman, L. (2010). Classroom Assessment Practice in Policy Context (sub-Saharan Africa). In Barry McGaw, Eva Baker and Penelope P Peterson (Eds). International Encyclopedia of Education, 3rd Edition. Oxford: Elsevier.
  • Blignaut, A. S. and Howie, S.J. (2009). South Africa’s readiness to integrate ICT into mathematics and science pedagogy in secondary schools. In T. Plomp, R.E. Anderson, N. Law & A. Quale (Eds), Cross-national ICT policies and practices in education (pp. 653-670). Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.

Articles in refereed journals: Peer–reviewed international scientific publications 2008-2014

2014

  • Howie, S; Stols, G  & Van Putten, S. (2014). Do prospective mathematics teachers teach who they say they are? Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education.

2013

  • Long, C. & Dunne, T. (2013). A model of assessment: potentially a powerful instrument for improving the quality of classroom teaching and learning mathematics in the South African context. Accepted to Special Issue of Perspectives in Education

2012

  • Howie,S.J. High-stakes testing in South Africa: Friend or Foe? (2012). Special issue: high stakes testing – value, fairness and consequences. Assessment in Education. Principles, Policy and practice. Vol. 19, 1, pages 81-98 Vol 19, 1.Taylor and Francis.
  • Ngololo, E.N., Howie, S.J. Plomp, T. (2012). An evaluation of the implementation of the National ICT Policy for Education in Namibian rural science classrooms. African Journal of Research in MST Education, Volume 16 (1) 2012, pp. 5–18.
  • Van Staden, S. & Howie, S.J. (2012). Reading between the Lines: Contributing Factors that Affect Grade 5 Student Reading Performance. Educational Research and Evaluation 18(1), 85-98.
  • Scherman, V., Archer, E. & Howie, S (2012) Exploring data literacy and how data travels: Implications for performance Feedback Systems. Special issue: Data-based decision making around the world: from policy to practice to results School Effectiveness and School  Improvement.  Vol. 23, 2. Taylor and Francis.

2011

  • Howie,S.J., Kupari, P.,Goy, M., Wendt, H., & Bos, W,. (2011). Rasch measurement in educational context, special issue 1: Rasch modelling in educational testing. Educational Research and Evaluation, 17(5), Pg 301-306.   
  • Long, C., Wendt, H., & Dunne, T., (2011). Applying Rasch measurement in mathematics education research: Steps towards a triangulated investigation into proficiency in the multiplicative conceptual field, Educational Research and Evaluation. 17:5, 387-407
  • Bos, W, Goy, M., Howie, S. Kupari, P.,. Wendt, H. (Eds). (2011). Special issue: Applications of Rasch Measurement in Large-scale Assessments.Vol.2. Educational Research and Evaluation. Elsevier.
  • Scherman, V., Howie, S.J. & Bosker, R. (2011). Constructing benchmarks for monitoring purposes. Education Research and Evaluation. In Special issue (Eds). W. Bos, M. Goy, S. Howie, P. Kupari, H. Wendt. Applications of Rasch Measurement in Large-scale Assessments. Educational Research and Evaluation. 17(6) pg 511-525. Taylor and Francis.
  • Zimmerman, L. Howie, S.J. & Smit, B. (2011): Time to go back to the drawing board: organisation of primary school reading development in South Africa, Educational, Research and Evaluation, 17:4, 215-232.

2010

  • Archer, E., Scherman, V., Coe, R., & Howie, S. (2010). Finding the right fit: the adaptation and translation of the Performance Indicators for Primary Schools for the South African context. Perspectives in Education, 28 (1), 77-88.
  • Howie, S.J. (2010). ICT-supported pedagogical policies and practices in South Africa and Chile:emerging economies and realities. Journal for Computer Assisted Learning[1]. 26, 507–52.
  •  Long, C., Dunne, T. & Craig, T. (2010) Proficiency in the multiplicative conceptual field: Using Rasch measurement to identify levels of competence. African Journal of the Association for Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education 14 (3) pp. 81-94
  • Van Putten, S., Howie, S.J. & Stols, G. (2010). Making Euclidian geometry compulsory: Are we prepared? Perspectives in Education December,14 (4) pp. 22-31.
  • Howie, S.J. & van Staden, S. (2010). Developing early readers: Patterns in introducing critical reading skills and strategies to South African children. Reading and Writing.
  • Van Staden, S and Howie, S.J. (2010). South African teacher profiles and emerging reading teachers: the picture painted by PIRLS 2006. Reading and Writing. Volume 1. No,1.
  • Van Staden, S., Howie, S.J. & Dunne, T.T. (2010). Reading between the lines: Contributing factors that affect Grade 5 student reading performance across South Africa’s 11 languages. European Journal for Education Online.
  • Blignaut, S., Els, Howie, S.J. (2010). Conceptualizing South Africa's participation in the SITES 2006 Module 3 South African Journal of Education. Vol.30, (4).
  • Archer, E., Scherman, V., Coe, R. & Howie, SJ. (2010). Findings the best fit: adaptation and translation of the Performance Indicators for Primary Schools (PIPS) for the South Africa context. Perspectives in Education.

2009

  • Long, C. (2009).From whole number to real number: an investigation of threshold concepts. Pythagoras 70, December, pp. 32-42.
  • Lopes, T., Eloff, I., Howie, S.J. & Maree, J. (2009). South African Educators’ Experiences of Learners Who May Have ADHD in Their Classrooms. Journal for Psychology in Africa 19(3);347-354
  • Howie, S.J. & Blignaut, A.S. (2009). South Africa’s readiness to integrate ICT into mathematics and science pedagogy in secondary schools. Education and Information Technologies.
  • Motaung, J., Fraser, W. & Howie, S. (2009).The ABCs of prior learning assessment: Higher Education scenario in South Africa. South African Journal of Higher Education. 22(6).

2008

  • Howie, S.J & Plomp, T. (2008). Reading Achievement: International Perspectives from IEA's Progress in International Reading Literacy Studies (PIRLS). Education Research and Evaluation. Volume 14, Issue 6.
  • Howie, S.J. (2008) A historical overview of the IEA’s language-related studies leading to the implementation of the Progress in International Reading Literacy Studies. In Howie, S.J & Plomp, T. Reading Achievement: International Perspectives from IEA's Progress in International Reading Literacy Studies (PIRLS). Education Research and Evaluation. Volume 14, Issue 6, 2008, pp. 477 – 487
  • Howie, S.J., Venter, E., & Van Staden, S. (2008). The effect of multilingual policies on performance and progression in reading literacy in South African primary schools. In Howie and Plomp, Reading Achievement: International Perspectives from IEA's Progress in International Reading Literacy Studies (PIRLS). Education Research and Evaluation. Volume 14, Issue 6, 2008, pp. 551 – 560.
  • Howie, S.J. and Plomp, T. (Eds) (2008) Narrowing the Achievement Gap. Studies of Educational Evaluation. Special issue. Vol 34, No.2.
  • Howie, S.J. and Scherman, V. (2008). Closing the achievement gap between science classrooms and the persistence of historic inequalities. In Howie, S.J. and Plomp, T. (Eds) Narrowing the Achievement Gap. Studies of Educational Evaluation. Vol 34, No.2.
  • Howie, S.J., Scherman, V. and Venter, E. (2008). The gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students in science achievement in South African secondary schools. In Papanastasiou, C and Plomp, T (Eds). Educational Research and Evaluation, Volume 14, Issue 1, February 2008, pages 29-46.

Conference papers presented 2008-2013

2013

  • Howie, S.J. Insights into reading achievement in South Africa: Results from PIRLS and prePIRLS. Presented at the International Association for Educational Assessment, Tel Aviv, Israel 20-24 October 2013.
  • Howie, S.J van Staden, S., Tshele, T., Dowse, C and Zimmerman, L (2013). What has changed in reading? Trends in conditions supporting reading in South African schools: PIRLS 2011. European Conference on Educational Research. Istanbul, Turkey, September 2013.

2012

  • Dowse, C. EWCA 2012: ‘Conversations’ with postgraduate writers: Understanding the role of the peer tutor. American University in Bulgaria, Blaegovgrad.Long, C., Dunne, T. & Mokoena, G. (2012). Accessible assessment: potentially a powerful instrument for classroom teaching and learning mathematics in the South African context. Presented at the Umalusi Conference, Misty Hills, Muldersdrift. 10th-12th May, 2012.
  • Long, C. & Dunne, T. (2012). Insights into the multiplicative conceptual field investigated within a Rasch measurement and assessment framework. Presented at the Fifth International Rasch Conference, University of Western Australia, Perth, 23rd - 25th January, 2012.
  • Van Staden, S and Howie, S.J. Reflections on a South African model of reading effectiveness: is the underlying framework a square peg in a round hole? European Conference for Educational Research, Cadiz, Spain, 17-21 September 2012.
  • Howie, S.J & Scherman, V. The Tale of Two Systems: Monitoring Quality of Education for School Improvement. Presented to NAPTOSA’ national school leaders conference. Johannesburg, 3 August 2012.
  • Scherman,.V., Zimmerman, L., Bosker, R & Howie, S. Setting standards and teachers’ professional development: Unpacking collective learning, Paper presented at UMALUSI Standard setting Conference, Johannesburg, 10-12 May 2012.
  • Howie, S. Invited speaker. Improving the standard of school level education in South Africa. Panel Presentation. UMALUSI Standard setting Conference, Johannesburg, 10-12 May 2012.
  • Howie, S.J. Invited speaker for SANPAD Panel at SANPAD conference, Durban, May 21-23 2012.

2011

  • Howie, S.J. The relationship between childhood activities and reading achievement in low and high achieving countries in PIRLS 2006. Paper presented at European Conference for Educational Research. Berlin, Germany. September 2011
  • Long, C. & Dunne, T. (2011). Assessment in mathematics education: The interface between the multiplicative conceptual field and the Rasch measurement model. Presented at the European Conference for Educational Research (ECER), Freie University, Berlin, 10th-13th September, 2011.
  • Zimmerman, L. and Howie, S.J. Setting the South Africa reading instruction scene: a comparison of Grade Four teachers’ reading practices and schooling contexts from the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study 2006. Paper presented at the British Education Research Association conference, September 2011.
  • Howie, S.J. and Scherman, V. Unpacking validity in cross-national studies. Electronic paper session. ASEASA conference, Vanderbijlpark, 11-13 July 2011.
  • Archer, E., Scherman, V and Howie, S.J. Bridging the Gap: Design principles for the optimising of feedback systems for monitoring learner performance. Paper presented at International Conference for School Effectiveness and School Improvement, Malaysia, January 2011
  • Long, C. & Dunne, T. (2011). The multiplicative conceptual field: What have we learnt in 30 years? In Proceedings of the 19th Annual Meeting of the Southern African Association for Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (SAARMSTE), 18th-21st January, University of the North-West, Mafikeng.

2010 

  • Archer, E., Scherman, V. & Howie, S.J. (2010). Models of effective data use: Does one size fit all? A South African perspective. Paper presented at the International Conference on School Effectiveness and Improvement. January 2010, Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia.
  • Long, C, Dunne, T. & Craig, T. (2010).Proficiency in the multiplicative conceptual field: Using Rasch measurement to identify levels of competence Southern African Association for Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (SAARMSTE 2010). University of KwaZulu-Natal, 18-21 January 2010
  • Scherman, V.,Howie,S.J &, Archer,E. The interface between monitoring performance and how data is used. Commonwealth Conference, Mauritius June 2010
  • Zimmerman, L., Howie, S.J. & Smit, B. Is it time to go back to the drawing board? School organisation for reading literacy development in South African primary schools. Paper presented at the 5th Annual RASA Conference, 1-3 October 2010, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.

2009

  • Howie, S.J. Early childhood activities and reading achievement in low and high achieving countries in PIRLS 2006 IEA International Research Conference, Gothenburg, Sweden, June/July 2009
  • Howie, S.J. and Draper,K. The challenges of Implementing ICT in Poorly Resourced Schools in Developing Environments. IEA International Research Conference, Gothenburg, Sweden, June/July 2009
  • Long, C. & Dunne, T. (2009). The coherence of theory and measurement: An application of the Rasch model to the investigation of ratio, and related concepts European Conference for Educational Research Long, C. (2009). From whole numbers to real numbers: Applying Rasch measurement to investigate the complexity of key concepts. Proceedings of the 15th Annual Congress of the Association for Mathematics Education of South Africa, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein.
  • (ECER, 2009), University of Vienna, 28th-30th September, 2009.
  • Van Staden, S, and Howie, S.J. Reading between the Lines: Contributing Factors that Affect Grade 5 Learner Reading Performance as Measured Across South Africa’s 11 Languages IEA International Research Conference, Gothenburg, Sweden, June/July 2009 January 2010.
  • Zimmerman, Howie and Smit, (2009). Illustrating teaching at the upper end of the achievement spectrum: What can be learnt from the reading literacy instruction practices of high-performing schools in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study? Presented at the Reading Association for South Africa Conference, Pretoria, South Africa, October 2009Van Staden, S., Howie, S.J. and Dunne, T. Reading between the Lines: Contributing Factors that Affect Grade 5 Learner Reading Performance as Measured Across South Africa’s 11 Languages. Presented at the Reading Association for South Africa Conference, Pretoria, South Africa, October 2009
  • Archer, E. (2009) Scenarios of effective data use: Does one size fit all? Paper presented at the Post-graduate Research Indaba,October 2009: Pretoria, South Africa.
  • Howie, S.J. The relationship between early childhood activities and reading achievement in low and high achieving countries in PIRLS 2006: Presented at the European Conference for Educational Research. Vienna, Austria, September 2009.
  • Scherman, V. Archer, E and Howie, S.J. The interplay between theory and research: Using Rasch analysis to strengthen feedback to schools for improved learning. Presented by S.Howie at the European Conference for Educational Research. Vienna, Austria, September 2009.
  • Howie, S.J. The standardised testing in primary schools: implications for South Africa. South African Teachers Union Conference. Port Elizabeth, South Africa, September, 2009.
  • Howie, S.J. ICT-supported pedagogical policies and practices in South Africa and Chile: emerging economy perspectives and realities. Paper presented at the American Education research Association. April, San Diego, USA.
  • Howie, S.J.  The Status of Reading Literacy in South African Primary Schools. 2nd ABSA THRASS conference, Johannesburg, South Africa, January 2009.
  • Zimmerman, L., Howie, S.J. & Smit, B. (2009). Illustrating teaching at the upper end of the achievement spectrum: What can be learnt from the reading literacy instruction practices of high-performing schools in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study? Paper presented at the 4th Annual RASA Conference, 16-18 October 2009, Wits School of Education, Gauteng.

2008

  1. Dowse, C. Indaba 2008, as part of International Writing Centers Week Celebrations February 2008, at the University of the Western Cape. Presentation at IndabaThe long and winding road … the postgraduate journey.
  2. Draper, K., Howie, S.J. and Blignaut, S. Pedagogy and ICT use in South Africa Science Education. IEA International Research Conference, Taiwan, September, 2008.
  3. Howie, S. Venter, E and van Staden, S. The relationship between English second language proficiency and mother tongue in non-native English speakers in South Africa. IEA International Research Conference, Taiwan, September, 2008.
  4. Howie, S. The relationship between early childhood activities and reading achievement in low and high achieving countries in PIRLS 2006. European Conference on Educational Research, Gothenburg, September, 2008
  5. Howie, S.J. Measuring the health of the education system: lessons from international studies for South Africa. Keynote address, presented at Association for the Study of Evaluation and Assessment national conference, Pretoria, July 2008.
  6.  Howie, S.J. Integrating ICT into mathematics and science pedagogy in secondary schools within a developing context. European Conference on Educational Research, Gothenburg, September, 2008
  7. Howie, S.J. & Blignaut, S.B. Integrating ICT into mathematics and science pedagogy in secondary schools within a developing context: priority or luxury? Presentation at American Education Research Association Conference, New York, March 2008
  8. Howie, S. Venter, E and van Staden, S.  Low levels of reading performance in PIRLS 2006: a national crisis. European Conference on Educational Research, Gothenburg, September, 2008
  9. Howie, S.J. and van Staden, S. South African teacher profiles in teaching reading: The picture painted by PIRLS 2006. Paper presented at the concluding conference of the Teacher Education Programme, 4-5 September, Johannesburg, 2008.
  10. Long, C. (2008). An investigation of the multiplicative conceptual field at Grades 7-9: Using the Rasch Measurement Model to establish focus points. 3rd International Rasch Measurement Conference, Perth, Australia, 22-24th January, 2008.Long, C. (2008). An investigation into the multiplicative conceptual field: Application of the Rasch model. Proceedings of the 15th Annual Congress of the Association for Mathematics Education of South Africa, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein
  11. Long, C. & Zimmerman, L. (2008). Reading beyond the lines: developing South African Foundation Phase learners’ higher order reading literacy skills. Paper presented at the Teacher Education Conference, 4-5 September 2008, Birchwood Conference Centre, Boksburg, Gauteng.
  12. Van Staden, S. and Howie, S.J. Reading between the lines: Contributing Factors that Affect Grade 5 Learner Reading Performance as Measured Across South Africa’s 11 Languages. Paper presented at the IEA’s 3rd International Research Conference, Taipei, 18-19 September, 2008.
  13. Van Staden, S. and Howie, S.J. Developing early readers: Patterns in introducing critical reading skills and strategies to South African children. Paper presented at the Reading Association of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal Conference, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 7-9 November, 2008.
  14. Van Staden, S. and Howie, S.J. Reading between the Lines: Contributing factors that affect Grade 4 student reading performance as measured across South Africa’s 11 languages. IEA International Research Conference, Taiwan, September, 2008.
  15. Zimmerman, L.,  Howie, S.J. & van Staden, S. Exploring the impact of access and use of reading resources on South African Learners' achievement in the Progress in International Reading Literacy  Study 2006". October 2008
  16. Howie, S.J., Venter, E. & v Staden, S. Low levels of reading performance in PIRLS 2006: a national crisis. Teacher Education Programme conference, Johannesburg,, September 2008
  17. Van Staden, S. & Howie, S.J. SA teacher profiles and emerging teacher factors affecting reading literacy. Teacher Education Programme conference, Johannesburg, September 2008
  18. Zimmerman, L., Howie, S.J. & Du Toit, C. (2008). Comprehending the macro through the lens of the micro: Investigating South African Grade 4 teachers’ reading literacy instruction practices. Paper presented at the Teacher Education Conference, 4-5 September 2008, Birchwood Conference Centre, Boksburg, Gauteng.
  19. Zimmerman, L., Howie, S.J. & Long, C. (2008). Despite every good intention: Challenges to the realisation of objectives for South African B.Ed. Foundation Phase teacher preparation for literacy teaching. Paper presented at the Teacher Education Conference, 4-5 September 2008, Birchwood Conference Centre, Boksburg, Gauteng.

[1]JCAL is currently graded "A" by the European Science Foundation which positions it among "high-ranking international publications with a very strong reputation among researchers of the field in different countries, regularly cited all over the world". Impact factor has risen each year in the last 5 years placing JCAL in the top 30 journals in the ISI Education list  (/jcal.info/)

Copyright © University of Pretoria 2024. All rights reserved.

COVID-19 Corona Virus South African Resource Portal

To contact the University during the COVID-19 lockdown, please send an email to [email protected]

FAQ's Email Us Virtual Campus Share Cookie Preferences