Mathematics education lecturers’ experiences in supervising online teaching practice lessons: An Ubuntu approach

This study documents mathematics education lecturers' experiences supervising pre-service teachers’ lesson presentations in various schools across South Africa to maximise their support. The convergent conversation focuses on the lived experiences of ten mathematics education lecturers during an online teaching practice at an Open Distance and e-learning (ODeL) university. This qualitative case study draws on Ubuntu pedagogy, which promotes positive community relations grounded in the principles of collaboration, cooperation, coordination, interdependence, and kindness within the techno-educational landscape. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and classroom observations. The study explores fostering a collaborative culture through innovative approaches to enhance lesson presentations, benefiting future in-service teachers and learning environments. The findings shed light on the significance of cultivating a culture of collaboration among mentor teachers and pre-service teachers to enhance pedagogical strategies and ultimately improve techno-educational outcomes. The findings reveal that overcrowded classrooms and insufficient teaching resources impede effective instruction and learning; resource constraints underscore fundamental inefficiencies in educational planning and infrastructure, while insufficient support from mentor teachers and lecturers constrains the professional growth of pre-service teachers. Other challenges relate to inadequate ICT integration and unstructured lesson planning. These challenges may be mitigated through the implementation of well-structured pre-session interactions with pre-service teachers. The practical implications emphasise the significance of reflective practice in educational research, particularly for insider researchers. Effective pedagogical mentoring and the amalgamation of domain expertise with instructional methodologies embody Ubuntu's principles of guidance and communal knowledge.