Department of Science and Technology Education

Prof MT Gumbo

College of Education
School of Teacher Education
Department: Science and Technology Education
Professor
Tel: 012 429 3339
E-mail: gumbomt@unisa.ac.za

Expertise

  • Distance education
  • E-learning
  • Indigenous Knowledge
  • Participatory action research
  • Postgraduate student support
  • Technology teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge

Qualifications

  • MEd Course Work (Open Distance and Learning), University of South Africa, 2016
  • Certificate in Distance Education and E-Learning, University of Maryland (University College), 2015
  • Mphil (Applied Theology), University of Pretoria, 2008
  • PhD in Technology Education titled “Indigenous technologies: Implications for a technology education curriculum”, Vista University, 2003
  • MEd Course Work (Technology Education), Rand Afrikaans University (now University of Johannesburg),1998
  • BEd (Hons), University of South Africa,1995
  • BA, Vista University, 1990
  • UED, Vista University, 1991
  • ORT-International Certificate (Technology Education), ORT-Step Institute, 1998

NRF Rating

C1

Currently teaching

  • M&D Supervision, mentoring developing academics

Fields of academic interests

  • Africanisation / indigenisation / decolonisation of Technology Education
  • Technology Teachers Professional Development
  • Distance Education and Online learning

Field of Specialisation

  • Indigenous Technological Knowledge Systems Education
  • Technology Education
  • Technology Education teachers' Pedagogical Content Knowledge and curriculum and pedagogy
  • Multicultural Education
  • ODeL

Books

Journal articles

Paper presentations

Professional positions, fellowships & awards

Professional Bodies:

  • Editor-in-Chief of Indilinga: African Journal of Indigenous Knowledge Systems: Appointed from 1 July 2021.
  • Editor-in-Chief of Action Learning and Action Research Journal: 2017 to 30 June 2021.
  • Member of Senate at UNISA: 2017 to 2021.
  • Member of College of Education’s Executive Committee: 2018 to 2021.
  • Chairperson of College Higher Degrees Committee at UNISA: 2017 to 2021.
  • Member of College Research and Innovation Committee: 2018 to 2021.
  • Board Member of College of Graduate Studies: 2019 to 2021.
  • International Advisory Board Member of Dilla Journal of Education: 2021
  • Editorial Board Member for University of Eswatini Journal of Education: 2018 to date.
  • Editorial Board Member for Australasian Journal of Technology Education: 2017 to date.
  • Editorial Board Member for Design and Technology Education: An International Journal: 2017 to date.
  • International Representative and Board Member for International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA): 2013 to 2016.
  • Regional Editorial Board Member for Africa Update: 2008 to date (ISSN  1526-7822).
  • Board member of International Society for Academic Researchers: 2018 to date.

Awards:

  • Special Recognition for Academic in Faculty 2021
  • NRF C1 Rated Researcher for the period 2021 to 2026.
  • 2019 Prestigious External Research Award and Recognition: Editor-in-Chief: Action Learning and Action Research Journal (ALARj).
  • A partner in the academic development of learners at Itireleng Secondary School, Rooiberg for the period 2016 – 2020.
  • Recognition of my outstanding support rendered to Master’s and Doctoral students in UNISA North Region for the period 2014 – 2016.
  • Best International Research Project Paper during 6th Biennial Technology Education Research Conference. Brisbane, Australian in 2010.
  • Vice Chancellor’s Award for best Education III student at Vista University in 1991.

 

Projects

  •  Project 1

    Open and Distance Learning Research Support Programme

    Project title: Evaluating Ethiopian postgraduate students support services in an Open and Distance Learning institution. I am the Project Leader. The grant is to the value of R450 000 over three years (2018 – 2020). Each year is budgeted for R150 000. The study in this project is taking place in Ethiopia. My Team goes to Ethiopia once a year to gather data during the support workshops that they give to students.

  •  Project 2

    2010: Technology teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge

    Initiated a collaborative research project on Technology Teachers’ Pedagogical Content Knowledge. This was a comparative study between South Africa and New Zealand. I implemented the project with Prof John Williams, who was then based at Waikato University, New Zealand. The study was conducted in November 2010 to April 2011. A few publications resulted from this project. UNISA funded my trip to and from New Zealand, as well as conference attendance in Australia where my co-researcher and I presented a paper related to the project. The paper won an International Project Award.

  •  Project 3

    2015: Supervisors’ use of ICTs in the ODeL postgraduate supervision context

    The study was conducted in the College of Education at UNISA. It surveyed the supervisors’ use of ICTs for effective supervision. This was a non-funded project.

  •  

    Project 4

    2014 to date: A Strategic Intervention in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education

    This is a teacher development project to help promote excellence in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education. The project is a partnership between UNISA and Mathematics, Science and Technology Academy (MSTA) under the auspices of Mpumalanga Department of Education. This is a Community Engagement project which integrates research. This project is currently running at the MSTA in Mpumalanga and is funded by UNISA.

    Funding from UNISA:

    2015: R81 935.00

    2016: R38 273.44

    2017: R69 084.20

    2018: R39 000.00

    2019: R50 000.00

    2020: R20 000.00

Other

Keynote address in academic occasions / conferences

  • Gumbo, M.T. (2019). Writing an abstract for a book chapter and chapter review. Workshop hosted by the Curriculum Transformation Unit, UNISA.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2019). Democracy 25 – The hits and misses of education in 25 years of democracy in South Africa. National Teaching Awards. Hosted by Bojanala District.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2019). Decolonising the curriculum at Wits – an open discussion: Practical ways of Decolonising the University Curriculum. Hosted by The Centre for Learning, Teaching, and Development at Wits.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2019). Career Expo – Refuse to surrender to the dark side of life – Let me speak to you. Hosted by Soshanguve Block M Youth.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2019). College of Education EXCO workshop: M&D Policy and procedures.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2019). Africanisation of the Curriculum: Colloquium hosted by Cape Peninsula University of Technology
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2017). Address to Itireleng Secondary School learners on “The alphabet of action and success”.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2018). Contentions of education for African (Adult) learners: An indigenous stance. Hosted by UNISA’s Department of ABET.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2018). South African Research Association for Early Childhood Education National Conference hosted by UNISA’s Department of Early Childhood Education.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2018). Africanisation, Decolonisation & Indigenisation hosted by UNISA.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2018). How could we prepare teachers who will be able to teach in “Africanized” methods? Hosted by UNISA’s College of Education.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2017). Decolonizing education. Decolonization Seminar hosted by Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s Faculty of Education. Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2017). Address to Itireleng Secondary School learners on “The Seven Keys of Education”.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2017). National Teaching Awards: Teachers as Leaders for Inclusion. Hosted by Moretele District.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2017). The secret shadowing the horizon: Unmasking disguised neo-colonial practices of MOOCs. SAICET Conference. Pretoria, South Africa.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2016). Taking advantage of the educational value of Voortrekker Monument. SAASTE’s Tour of Voortrekker Monument. Pretoria, South Africa.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2016). Soshanguve East Secondary School Grade 12’s: The Principle of Selection.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2016). Soshanguve South Secondary School Grade 12’s: The Principle of Selection.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2016). Seageng Secondary School Grade 12’s: The Principle of Selection.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2016). Itireleng Secondary School: The Principle of Selection.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2016). MST teachers’ in-service training: Challenges and needs. Department of Education’s Research Dialogue. White River, South Africa.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2016). The question of Technology Education: A pertinent issue. Inaugural Address. Pretoria, South Africa.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2016). MST teachers’ in-service training: Challenges and needs. Research Dialogue. White River, South Africa.
  • Gumbo, M.T. & Williams, P.J. (2015). The pedagogical content knowledge of Technology teachers: A comparison of case studies from South Africa and New Zealand. Research Dialogue. White River, South Africa.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2015). Blending and flipping the classroom: ICT integration via online teaching and learning. SAASTE Conference. Pretoria, South Africa.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2015). Africa as a player in the puzzle game of development in Science, Technology and Innovation: Issues of power, energy and human capital. 1st ICSHER. Awka, Nigeria. (Presentation made via Scorpia Desktop).
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2014). Emerging trends in higher education with specific reference to the use of online technologies (Chancellor’s Address during Unisa Graduation Ceremony). Pretoria, South Africa.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2014). The future prospects of technology and its role on transforming curriculum delivery in higher education. Management and Delivery in Higher Education Summit. Sandton, South Africa.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2013). Education is the life wire of a developing society (Chancellor’s Address during Unisa Graduation Ceremony). Polokwane, South Africa.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2012). Our teachers, our inspiration Excellence. National Teachers Awards Day. Pretoria, South Africa.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2019). Africanisation of the Curriculum the Colloquium hosted by Cape Peninsula University of Technology
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2018). South African Research Association for Early Childhood Education National Conference hosted by UNISA’s Department of Early Childhood Education.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2018). Africanisation, Decolonisation & Indigenisation hosted by UNISA.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2018). How could we prepare teachers who will be able to teach in “Africanized” methods? Hosted by UNISA’s College of Education.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2018). Contentions of education for African (Adult) learners: An indigenous stance. Hosted by UNISA’s Department of ABET.
  • Gumbo, M.T. (2017). Decolonizing education. Decolonization Seminar hosted by Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s Faculty of Education. Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Professional training and development    

  • Academic Management Capacity Development Programme, UNISA, 2019
  • Introduction to Qualitative Data Analysis with Atlas.ti, Centre for Higher & Adult Education (University of Stellenbosch), 2015
  • Postgraduate Supervision, Centre for Higher & Adult Education (University of Stellenbosch), 2012
  • Article Writing, Centre for Higher & Adult Education (University of Stellenbosch), 2011
  • African Indigenous Knowledge Systems, ASM Communication & Training Solutions, 20113
  • Nine Conversations in Leadership, WorldView Consulting, 2010
  • Dr Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats & Lateral Thinking, De Bono Thinking Systems, 2010
  • Project management, X.Pert Academy, 2010
  • Advanced Short Course in Outcomes-based Assessment in Higher Education and Open Distance Learning, University of South Africa, 2010
  • Time management, Learning Link International, 2009
  • Moderation of Outcomes-based Assessment, Khulisane Academy, 2009
  • MCG’s, UNISA, 2008
  • Formative Assessment, UNISA, 2008
  • Credits, notional hours and workload, UNISA, 2008
  • ClickUP Basic Course, University of Pretoria, 2007
  • Microsoft PowerPoint, University of Pretoria, 2006
  • EA: Processing Student Marks, University of Pretoria, 2005
  • WebCT Intermediate Course, University of Pretoria, 2005
  • Education Induction Course, University of Pretoria, 2004
  • Assessment, University of Pretoria, 2004
  • International Higher Education Institute (TELP), Vanderbilt University, 2002
  • The Leadership Development Programme, Natal Technikon Business Studies Unit, 2000
  • Summer Educational Transformation Institute (SETI), Indiana University, USA, 1999

Others