JET Executive Manager Craig Gibbs Awarded PhD

JET Education Services is pleased to announce that Executive Manager: Implementation and Innovation, Craig Gibbs, has been awarded a PhD from the University of Portsmouth. His research evaluated the effectiveness of a digital professional development model for improving primary Mathematics teachers’ content knowledge, motivation, pedagogical content knowledge and self-efficacy. Using a mixed-methods case study over two school terms, the research involved 97 teachers across four South African provinces and combined online pre- and post-assessments with interviews and a mindset questionnaire.

Quantitative results showed significant gains in mathematics content knowledge, with an average improvement of over 8%, increasing from 6.86% in Term 1 to 12.54% in Term 2. Statistical tests confirmed these improvements as significant, with various predictors of success including time on task (hours spent on activities), age (in years), and experience (years), though gender and home language had no notable effect. The findings highlight the impact of a self-regulated digital professional development programme on primary school mathematics teachers that is both a flexible and effective alternative to traditional training, especially in remote or under-resourced areas. By improving content knowledge, it demonstrates how E-Learning programmes can boost teacher confidence, mindset and motivation, offering a scalable and efficient solution for professional development across South Africa and the Global South.

JET is proud of Craig’s contribution to the body of research supporting teacher development.