Dr Roy Venketsamy in Japan

Posted on February 16, 2018

Dr Roy Venketsamy, from the Department of Early Childhood Education, recently attended a lesson Study Workshop at Naruto University of Education in Japan. This was done in partnership with the University of Pretoria, the Department of Basic Education in Pretoria, and the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA). Lesson study is a form of professional development whereby teams of teachers collaboratively plan, research, and study their lesson instruction to determine optimum teaching methods.

 Lesson Study serves as a vehicle to enhance teacher learning through observation and reflection about their own and others’ teaching. Critical reflection does not only develop mathematics content knowledge, but also mathematical pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) to strengthen teaching and learning. Naruto University of Education, in partnership with JICA, the Department of Basic Education and University of Pretoria, planned a month-long lesson study workshop for 16 subject advisors from the Kwa-Zulu Natal and Free State Departments of Education. Dr Roy Venketsamy (ECE-Mathematics Lecturer) represented the University of Pretoria, assisting with the facilitation of the lesson study workshop in Japan in 2017.

The workshop was held at the Naruto University of Education in Tokushima Prefecture in Japan. Various education officials from the Tokushima Education Department addressed the South African delegation on the education system, teacher development, teacher professional development, lesson study planning, and experiences of the Japanese education system. The South African team observed Japanese teachers presenting mathematics lessons in the Foundation Phase. It was interesting to observe the high degree of planning, professionalism, and learner participation in Japanese schools. The delegates were also fortunate to meet with President, Professor Kazuo Yamashita, who addressed the South African delegation. The delegates were highly grateful for Professor Yumiko Ono’s involvement in coordinating the Lesson Study Programme for them.

- Author Annalize Brynard

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