Every young South African needs quality schooling, and well-trained, capable and confident teachers are very important in imparting knowledge, values and skills to their learners. These teachers therefore need to execute fundamental and challenging tasks in and outside the classroom, meet the diverse needs of South African learners in the 21st century and continually enhance their professional development, performance and competence in the workplace. In General Subject Didactics, practical guidance is provided for both the experienced and student teacher on how to teach effectively in the challenging South African education system, in order to ultimately contribute to quality education. Contents include the following: Concepts of General Subject Didactics versus Specific Subject Didactics; Roles and characteristics of competent teachers; Theory models of learning; The development of curricula; Teaching methods and strategies; Learning barriers and learner support; Methods, techniques and tools of assessment; Media and technology in the classroom. General Subject Didactics is aimed at all prospective and practising teachers who need to acquaint themselves with the basic competency requirements for effective and quality teaching in any South African classroom.

Arts education is regarded as an essential part of quality education which not only enhances learners' social, personal and intellectual development, but also their critical and creative thinking skills. It provides learners with opportunities to work collaboratively with each other and in so doing, to develop respect for others' opinions and backgrounds. It is also a healthy outlet for emotions and ideas that learners may not otherwise be able to express. Creative arts education provides guidelines on how to teach dance, drama, visual arts and music in a more animated, vibrant and practical manner so as to allow each child to reach his full potential. Based on the grades 7-9 curricula, Creative arts education provides examples and activities to enable creative arts teachers to put theory into practice. Besides sections for each art form, a full chapter is devoted to inclusive education, learning barriers and how best to accommodate the different learning styles and needs of a diverse class of learners. Structural guidance according to CAPS requirements is also included. Creative arts education is aimed at all prospective and practising grades 7-9 teachers of visual arts, dance, music and drama.

Every young South African needs quality schooling, and well-trained, capable and confident teachers are very important in imparting knowledge, values and skills to their learners. Teachers therefore need to execute fundamental and challenging tasks in and outside the classroom, meet the diverse needs of South African learners in the 21st century and continually enhance their professional development, performance and competence in the workplace. In Didactics: the art and science of teaching, practical guidance is provided for both the experienced and student teacher on how to teach effectively in the challenging South African education system, ultimately to contribute to diverse and quality education. Didactics: the art and science of teaching is aimed at all prospective and practising teachers who need to acquaint themselves with the basic competency requirements for effective and quality teaching in any South African classroom. Dr Thelma de Jager is a senior lecturer and chairperson of the Teaching and Learning and Research Committees in her department at the Tshwane University of Technology. She teaches Didactics (how to teach) and trains student teachers on how to teach effectively. She has presented and published papers nationally and internationally in accredited and peer-reviewed journals and at conferences. She has received "Lecturer of the Year" (Faculty: Humanities) and "Woman Researcher of the Year" awards several times and was also selected to participate in the National Teaching and Learning Awards of higher education. She has been involved in teaching learners with special educational needs, as well as primary and secondary school teaching, for more than two decades. She obtained her doctoral degree from the University of South Africa.