Looking back to move forward: Exploring a novice lecturer’s experiences of transitioning from Basic Education to Higher Education

Looking back to move forward: Exploring a novice lecturer’s experiences of transitioning from Basic Education to Higher Education

Seshen Brijmohun

Issue: Vol. 7 No. 2 2026 Article 20 pp.310 – 320
DOI : https://doi.org/10.38159/jelt.20267220 Published online 27th March 2026.

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ABSTRACT

This paper aims to elucidate on an early career academic’s lived experiences of transitioning from teaching in Basic Education (BE) to lecturing in Higher Education (HE), emphasising the development and application of pedagogical skills in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). Through a qualitative narrative self-study approach, vlogs and visual representations were thematically analysed to identify key themes in moving from BE to HE. The objective of this paper was to reflect on how past experiences of teaching in BE influence lecturing in HE. Findings reveal that the novice lecturer often draws upon foundational skills acquired during teaching experiences from BE, which serve as a foundation for developing effective teaching practices in HE. The Transformative Learning Theory underpins the study and underscores the importance of structured support systems, changing identities, and professional development programmes in facilitating this transition from teaching to lecturing. The research contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamics of scholarship and learning for novice lecturers in HE, offering insights for HE institutions and educational practitioners aiming to enhance teaching quality, academic experiences and overall success.

Keywords: Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, Early Career Academic, Reflective Practice, Professional Development, Lived Experiences.

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AUTHOR(S)

Mr. Seshen Brijmohun is a Language Lecturer at STADIO Higher Education, where he also serves as the national module coordinator for English First Additional Language, as well as an Honours supervisor in Inclusive Education. He holds a B.Ed., B.Ed. Honours, and Master of Education degrees from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and has taught English in various schools for almost half a decade. He is currently a PhD candidate and adjunct academic in Language and Arts Education at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

TO CITE ARTICLE

Brijmohun, Seshen. “Looking Back to Move Forward: Exploring a Novice Lecturer’s Experiences of Transitioning from Basic Education to Higher Education.” Journal of Education and Learning Technology 7, no.2 (2026): 310 – 320. https://doi.org/10.38159/jelt.20267220