An investigation into how grade 9 learners make sense of the fermentation and distillation processes through exploring the indigenous practice of making the traditional alcoholic beverage called Ombike: a case study
- Uushona, Kleopas Ipinge Twegathetwa
- Authors: Uushona, Kleopas Ipinge Twegathetwa
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia -- Omusati -- Case studies High school students -- Namibia -- Omusati -- Social life and customs -- Case studies Education, Secondary -- Namibia -- Omusati Brewing -- Study and teaching -- Namibia Ovambo (African people) -- Namibia -- Social life and customs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1396 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001757
- Description: One of the purposes of the Namibian curriculum is to ensure cultural inclusivity. That is, it recognises the inclusion of traditional cultural practices and experiences in science lessons where appropriate. Based on my experiences both as a learner and a science teacher, I have noted there is a rapid decline and loss of values in most of our cultural practices and heritages. This triggered my interests to do a study on an Oshiwambo traditional beverage known as Ombike. This study is therefore aimed at enhancing conceptual development, meaning making and understanding of concepts in fermentation and distillation. This study was conducted with my grade 9 learners at a school where I was teaching in Omusati region of Namibia. A community member who served as an expert was also a participant. She was involved more in discussions, interviews and most importantly in showing and demonstrating to the learners how Ombike is made practically. Essentially, the goal of this study was to investigate how the indigenous practice associated with the making of Ombike can be used to support meaning making of fermentation and distillation processes. This research is located within an interpretive paradigm where a qualitative case study was adopted. I consider this methodological framework appropriate in this study because it allowed me to use the following data gathering methods: brainstorming and discussion, observation, semi-structured and focus group interviews, and practical activities worksheet. Multiple methods were used for the purpose of triangulation and validation. An inductive analysis was used to discover data patterns and themes from the data. Moreover, ethical considerations were also taken seriously and all the participants gave informed consent. The findings of the study revealed that brainstorming and discussions were an appropriate strategy in eliciting learners’ prior everyday knowledge and experiences on, in particular, the making of Ombike. Furthermore, learner engagement and conceptual development were enhanced. This suggests that contextualisation of knowledge can enhance meaningful learning if it is properly planned. It was also found that practical activities in conjunction with mind maps helped learners to make meanings of scientific concepts. Based on my research findings, I therefore recommend the following three aspects: the consideration of learners` prior knowledge and experiences; contextualising knowledge through use of indigenous knowledge; and the learners’ active involvement in practical activities with an emphasis on key scientific concepts to be developed. That is, there is a need to teach for conceptual understanding.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Uushona, Kleopas Ipinge Twegathetwa
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia -- Omusati -- Case studies High school students -- Namibia -- Omusati -- Social life and customs -- Case studies Education, Secondary -- Namibia -- Omusati Brewing -- Study and teaching -- Namibia Ovambo (African people) -- Namibia -- Social life and customs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1396 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001757
- Description: One of the purposes of the Namibian curriculum is to ensure cultural inclusivity. That is, it recognises the inclusion of traditional cultural practices and experiences in science lessons where appropriate. Based on my experiences both as a learner and a science teacher, I have noted there is a rapid decline and loss of values in most of our cultural practices and heritages. This triggered my interests to do a study on an Oshiwambo traditional beverage known as Ombike. This study is therefore aimed at enhancing conceptual development, meaning making and understanding of concepts in fermentation and distillation. This study was conducted with my grade 9 learners at a school where I was teaching in Omusati region of Namibia. A community member who served as an expert was also a participant. She was involved more in discussions, interviews and most importantly in showing and demonstrating to the learners how Ombike is made practically. Essentially, the goal of this study was to investigate how the indigenous practice associated with the making of Ombike can be used to support meaning making of fermentation and distillation processes. This research is located within an interpretive paradigm where a qualitative case study was adopted. I consider this methodological framework appropriate in this study because it allowed me to use the following data gathering methods: brainstorming and discussion, observation, semi-structured and focus group interviews, and practical activities worksheet. Multiple methods were used for the purpose of triangulation and validation. An inductive analysis was used to discover data patterns and themes from the data. Moreover, ethical considerations were also taken seriously and all the participants gave informed consent. The findings of the study revealed that brainstorming and discussions were an appropriate strategy in eliciting learners’ prior everyday knowledge and experiences on, in particular, the making of Ombike. Furthermore, learner engagement and conceptual development were enhanced. This suggests that contextualisation of knowledge can enhance meaningful learning if it is properly planned. It was also found that practical activities in conjunction with mind maps helped learners to make meanings of scientific concepts. Based on my research findings, I therefore recommend the following three aspects: the consideration of learners` prior knowledge and experiences; contextualising knowledge through use of indigenous knowledge; and the learners’ active involvement in practical activities with an emphasis on key scientific concepts to be developed. That is, there is a need to teach for conceptual understanding.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The effect of a scientific literacy strategy on grade 6 and 7 learner's general literacy skills
- Authors: Mayaba, Nokhanyo Nomakhwezi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Science -- Language , Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Communication in science
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9519 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1012 , Science -- Language , Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Communication in science
- Description: In this study I investigated the effect of a science literacy strategy on the development of grade six and seven second-language learners’ general literacy skills in both their home language (isiXhosa) and language of instruction (English). The scientific literacy strategy used focuses on reading to learn science, writing to learn science, classroom discussion and argumentation. A mixed method design was used. Quantitative data were collected from baseline and post-testing of language skills of learners. Qualitative measures were generated through interviews of learners and teachers and classroom observations. The sample comprised of seven grades six and seven (multigrade classrooms) classes in seven primary schools situated in the rural areas near Hogsback in the Eastern Cape (five experimental schools and two control schools). Mean differences between the experimental and control groups for the reading, listening, writing and speaking aspects of the literacy tests were computed and the data generated were treated statistically using Analysis of Variance. The qualitative data were used to gain deeper insights into the quantitative results. The data suggest that the science literacy strategy statistically significantly improved the learners reading skills in English, their listening skills in both English and isiXhosa, and their writing skills in isiXhosa over a six-month period. Possible explanations for these results are that the reading material was in English only, extensive use of code-switching from English to Xhosa was made by the teachers while teaching, and that learner classroom discussion and writing in isiXhosa was encouraged.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Mayaba, Nokhanyo Nomakhwezi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Science -- Language , Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Communication in science
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9519 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1012 , Science -- Language , Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Communication in science
- Description: In this study I investigated the effect of a science literacy strategy on the development of grade six and seven second-language learners’ general literacy skills in both their home language (isiXhosa) and language of instruction (English). The scientific literacy strategy used focuses on reading to learn science, writing to learn science, classroom discussion and argumentation. A mixed method design was used. Quantitative data were collected from baseline and post-testing of language skills of learners. Qualitative measures were generated through interviews of learners and teachers and classroom observations. The sample comprised of seven grades six and seven (multigrade classrooms) classes in seven primary schools situated in the rural areas near Hogsback in the Eastern Cape (five experimental schools and two control schools). Mean differences between the experimental and control groups for the reading, listening, writing and speaking aspects of the literacy tests were computed and the data generated were treated statistically using Analysis of Variance. The qualitative data were used to gain deeper insights into the quantitative results. The data suggest that the science literacy strategy statistically significantly improved the learners reading skills in English, their listening skills in both English and isiXhosa, and their writing skills in isiXhosa over a six-month period. Possible explanations for these results are that the reading material was in English only, extensive use of code-switching from English to Xhosa was made by the teachers while teaching, and that learner classroom discussion and writing in isiXhosa was encouraged.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The use of environmental learning support materials to mediate learning in outcomes-based education: a case study in an Eastern Cape school
- Authors: Nduna, Nomalungelo Rosement
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Environmental education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Environmental education -- Curricula -- South Africa Teaching -- Aids and devices -- South Africa Environmental education -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1812 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003698
- Description: Educational transformation and curriculum reform within the new South African Outcomes Based Education (OBE) system has introduced new roles for teachers, and a focus on environmental learning within each learning area. In an OBE system, teachers are required to mediate learning, develop learning programmes, and use a range of different learning support materials. This study aimed to explore how one teacher in an Eastern Cape school used environmental learning support materials to mediate learning within an OBE curriculum framework. Over the past ten years a number of environmental educators and researchers have been participating in curriculum policy development and curriculum implementation research. This has led to the incorporation of an environmental focus within different learning areas in Curriculum 2005. The focus on environment in the curriculum was strengthened by the introduction of the National Environmental Education Project in the General Education and Training (NEEP-GET) band in 2001. I am employed as a provincial co-coordinator within this project (for the Eastern Cape province), and one of my tasks is to work with service providers (who provide learning support materials) and teachers (who use these materials) to ensure improved environmental learning within the OBE curriculum. A qualitative and empirical case study was conducted in which I observed one teacher in a multi-grade class (with grade 6 and 7 learners) using learning support materials to achieve learning outcomes in three different lessons. The study employed a range of data collection methods such as questionnaires, interviews, field notes, video recording, and document analysis, photographs and journal entries. I compiled a contextual profile of the school and classroom and undertook two 'layers' of data analysis to report the findings of the study. This research indicates that theories of learning and associated teaching methods influence learning interactions, and the use of learning support material in the class. The study also highlighted emerging issues in the use of environmental learning support materials, which relate to planning; access to materials; over-use of materials; and the relationship between learning support materials and teaching methods.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: Nduna, Nomalungelo Rosement
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Environmental education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Environmental education -- Curricula -- South Africa Teaching -- Aids and devices -- South Africa Environmental education -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1812 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003698
- Description: Educational transformation and curriculum reform within the new South African Outcomes Based Education (OBE) system has introduced new roles for teachers, and a focus on environmental learning within each learning area. In an OBE system, teachers are required to mediate learning, develop learning programmes, and use a range of different learning support materials. This study aimed to explore how one teacher in an Eastern Cape school used environmental learning support materials to mediate learning within an OBE curriculum framework. Over the past ten years a number of environmental educators and researchers have been participating in curriculum policy development and curriculum implementation research. This has led to the incorporation of an environmental focus within different learning areas in Curriculum 2005. The focus on environment in the curriculum was strengthened by the introduction of the National Environmental Education Project in the General Education and Training (NEEP-GET) band in 2001. I am employed as a provincial co-coordinator within this project (for the Eastern Cape province), and one of my tasks is to work with service providers (who provide learning support materials) and teachers (who use these materials) to ensure improved environmental learning within the OBE curriculum. A qualitative and empirical case study was conducted in which I observed one teacher in a multi-grade class (with grade 6 and 7 learners) using learning support materials to achieve learning outcomes in three different lessons. The study employed a range of data collection methods such as questionnaires, interviews, field notes, video recording, and document analysis, photographs and journal entries. I compiled a contextual profile of the school and classroom and undertook two 'layers' of data analysis to report the findings of the study. This research indicates that theories of learning and associated teaching methods influence learning interactions, and the use of learning support material in the class. The study also highlighted emerging issues in the use of environmental learning support materials, which relate to planning; access to materials; over-use of materials; and the relationship between learning support materials and teaching methods.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
Responding to literature: empowering girls to speak with their own voices in a multicultural context
- Authors: Foster, Lesley
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Reader-response criticism--South Africa Multicultural education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1742 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003626
- Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the space provided by a readerresponse transaction between girls and the text, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (Taylor 1977) .. empowered pupils to tell their own stories. It also sought to identify ways in which the problems and possibilities perceived by these pupils might guide curriculum decisions in a transforming education system. In addition to engaging in reader-response activities around the text, drama and videos providing social context were integral to the programme. Related work in the subject areas of history and lifeskills was also undertaken. Data was drawn from pupils' reading journals, responses to specific passages, transcripts of small group discussions, and interviews. The study is ethnographic in nature and all the data qualitative. Theoretical insights were drawn from the felds of cultural studies, postmodern criticism, and postructural modes of cultural and social analysis inasfar as they illuminate and inform the relationship between language, knowledge and power. The research was conducted in an historically white, girls' school which adopted a nonracial admissions policy in January 1991. Despite the fact that existing traditions and values of the the school to a very large extent influence what is taught, the data suggests that pupils were becoming agents in their own learning and were taking up multiple identities both within and without the world of the school.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1997
Responding to literature: empowering girls to speak with their own voices in a multicultural context
- Authors: Foster, Lesley
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Reader-response criticism--South Africa Multicultural education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1742 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003626
- Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the space provided by a readerresponse transaction between girls and the text, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (Taylor 1977) .. empowered pupils to tell their own stories. It also sought to identify ways in which the problems and possibilities perceived by these pupils might guide curriculum decisions in a transforming education system. In addition to engaging in reader-response activities around the text, drama and videos providing social context were integral to the programme. Related work in the subject areas of history and lifeskills was also undertaken. Data was drawn from pupils' reading journals, responses to specific passages, transcripts of small group discussions, and interviews. The study is ethnographic in nature and all the data qualitative. Theoretical insights were drawn from the felds of cultural studies, postmodern criticism, and postructural modes of cultural and social analysis inasfar as they illuminate and inform the relationship between language, knowledge and power. The research was conducted in an historically white, girls' school which adopted a nonracial admissions policy in January 1991. Despite the fact that existing traditions and values of the the school to a very large extent influence what is taught, the data suggests that pupils were becoming agents in their own learning and were taking up multiple identities both within and without the world of the school.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1997
Personal growth through classroom English : (What pupils say they get out of English teaching)
- Authors: Thiel, Louise
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: Educational counseling English language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1696 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003579
- Description: Guidance and counselling aims to promote the personal growth of the adolescent. However, in the current South African context, it is possible that formalised Guidance instruction and the post of the school counsellor may disappear in many schools as a result of economic rationalisation. If this occurs, the fostering of personal growth will rest with all teachers and it will be vital to utilise all available opportunities. The study of English is one of the areas traditionally seen to promote personal growth, as several aims of English teaching relate to such growth. The purpose of this study is to investigate from the pupil's perspective whether these aims are being fulfilled within 'Model C' CEO schools in order to gauge the potential of English teaching to fulfil the personal growth role of Guidance teaching. Pupils were asked what influence English teaching had on their attitudes and ideas towards life, on themselves and on their development as people. From the data, common themes were established and documented. These themes showed that important aspects of personal growth are indeed fostered by the English teaching of literature, poetry, written work, oral work and visual literacy. This study therefore confirms that English teaching does foster personal growth and that the potential does exist for English teaching to subsume some of the roles of Guidance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1993
- Authors: Thiel, Louise
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: Educational counseling English language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1696 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003579
- Description: Guidance and counselling aims to promote the personal growth of the adolescent. However, in the current South African context, it is possible that formalised Guidance instruction and the post of the school counsellor may disappear in many schools as a result of economic rationalisation. If this occurs, the fostering of personal growth will rest with all teachers and it will be vital to utilise all available opportunities. The study of English is one of the areas traditionally seen to promote personal growth, as several aims of English teaching relate to such growth. The purpose of this study is to investigate from the pupil's perspective whether these aims are being fulfilled within 'Model C' CEO schools in order to gauge the potential of English teaching to fulfil the personal growth role of Guidance teaching. Pupils were asked what influence English teaching had on their attitudes and ideas towards life, on themselves and on their development as people. From the data, common themes were established and documented. These themes showed that important aspects of personal growth are indeed fostered by the English teaching of literature, poetry, written work, oral work and visual literacy. This study therefore confirms that English teaching does foster personal growth and that the potential does exist for English teaching to subsume some of the roles of Guidance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1993
A pilot study of the relationship between the English language abilities of a group of primary school children and their tree-drawings
- Authors: Kierman, Wynsome Doreen
- Date: 1991
- Subjects: Children -- Language -- Research Children -- Language -- Study and teaching -- Research Cognition in children Communicative competence in children -- Research English language -- Study and teaching (Primary) -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1704 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003587
- Description: This pilot study attempts to assess the correlation between language ability and a projective Tree-drawing test. The hypothesis tested is that expounded by Sandra Michel, a psychologist working with Dr. A. A. Tomatis at the Language Centre in Paris. The theory of Language from which her work derives is that put forward by A. A. Tomatis in Vers l'écoute humaine (Towards Human Hearing), (1977) and Education and Dyslexia trans . , Louise Guiney, (1972). This hypothesis states that the Tree-drawing can give a clear indication of the kind of dialogue the testee will be able and willing to use. The claims for projective Tree-drawing 'tests' or techniques have been mainly concerned with personality or psychological assessments and sometimes with intelligence testing since Charles Koch first began his work in this field in the early forties. Sandra Michel in "The Tree Test", translated by T . Brown, (unpublished paper), Tomatis Centre (Scarbrough, Ontario, 1980) discusses a Tree-drawing scale that indicates both the developmental level of the child's language ability and his/her motivation towards dialogue and communication at this level. To test this hypothesis a sample of 1094 Tree-drawings was used. The drawings were done by Primary School children of both sexes from Sub. A. to Std . 5, collected over four years of research. These drawings were studied to see if the Tree scale of drawings described by Michel did in fact occur and if they occurred in the sequence she suggests. As a result of these preliminary investigations a developmental scale was devised and proposed as a refinement of Michel's scale. Scores from these two Tree-scales were correlated with English language scores using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and the Spearman Rank techniques. The sample for this correlation study was a group of 54 Std. 5 pupils whose English language ability was evaluated by (i) a school English Examination mark, (ii) a Questionnaire scoring receptive and expressive language behaviours and (iii) Verbal I.Q. scores. The positive correlation between these language scores and the Tree-drawing projective test scores are discussed and the implications for English language teaching and suggestions for further research mentioned.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1991
- Authors: Kierman, Wynsome Doreen
- Date: 1991
- Subjects: Children -- Language -- Research Children -- Language -- Study and teaching -- Research Cognition in children Communicative competence in children -- Research English language -- Study and teaching (Primary) -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1704 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003587
- Description: This pilot study attempts to assess the correlation between language ability and a projective Tree-drawing test. The hypothesis tested is that expounded by Sandra Michel, a psychologist working with Dr. A. A. Tomatis at the Language Centre in Paris. The theory of Language from which her work derives is that put forward by A. A. Tomatis in Vers l'écoute humaine (Towards Human Hearing), (1977) and Education and Dyslexia trans . , Louise Guiney, (1972). This hypothesis states that the Tree-drawing can give a clear indication of the kind of dialogue the testee will be able and willing to use. The claims for projective Tree-drawing 'tests' or techniques have been mainly concerned with personality or psychological assessments and sometimes with intelligence testing since Charles Koch first began his work in this field in the early forties. Sandra Michel in "The Tree Test", translated by T . Brown, (unpublished paper), Tomatis Centre (Scarbrough, Ontario, 1980) discusses a Tree-drawing scale that indicates both the developmental level of the child's language ability and his/her motivation towards dialogue and communication at this level. To test this hypothesis a sample of 1094 Tree-drawings was used. The drawings were done by Primary School children of both sexes from Sub. A. to Std . 5, collected over four years of research. These drawings were studied to see if the Tree scale of drawings described by Michel did in fact occur and if they occurred in the sequence she suggests. As a result of these preliminary investigations a developmental scale was devised and proposed as a refinement of Michel's scale. Scores from these two Tree-scales were correlated with English language scores using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and the Spearman Rank techniques. The sample for this correlation study was a group of 54 Std. 5 pupils whose English language ability was evaluated by (i) a school English Examination mark, (ii) a Questionnaire scoring receptive and expressive language behaviours and (iii) Verbal I.Q. scores. The positive correlation between these language scores and the Tree-drawing projective test scores are discussed and the implications for English language teaching and suggestions for further research mentioned.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1991
Evaluating an English department: the use of illuminative evaluation procedures in descriptive and diagnostic analysis of English teaching programmes in high schools
- Authors: Thorpe, Robert Nicholas
- Date: 1991
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa English language -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1522 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003404
- Description: To evaluate what is actually happening within a High School subject curriculum, the annual parade of marks, percentages and symbol distributions is not by itself adequate, especially in assessing progress towards such English syllabus goals as: That pupils expand their experience of life, gain empathetic understanding of people and develop moral awareness. (3.1. 4 HG) How too, from examination results alone, can a subject head of English assess the success of his objective "to woo his pupils into the reading habit"? (School 1: Goals 1988) Decisions on English department policy and procedures are frequently based on personal hunches and examination results. Few subject departments engage in proper evaluations of their curricula to support decisions made, or to impart meaning upon the countless daily transactions between child and adult, individual and institution in the learning process. This study demonstrates the efficacy of "illuminative evaluation" techniques in opening out an educational innovation (1986 First Language English syllabi of the Cape Education Department) at two High Schools for comment and appraisal. The array of information gathered should be useful in planning and implementing further curricula initiatives. The inherent flexibility of illuminative evaluation procedures and their freedom from large-scale data base requirements needed for 'scientific' models of evaluation are advantageous in investigating the untidy complexities of English teaching. Both 'closed' and 'open' response questionnaires, interviews, and perusal of relevant documents informed the researcher of the views of pupils, parents, English teachers, other subject heads, the two school principals and the education authorities on what waS and ought to be happening in English classes. From the considerable array of information generated, the distress of conscientious English teachers facing unreasonable work-loads emerged clearly. Such teachers are likely to occupy key roles in the non-racial state schools of the future and cannot be regarded as expendable. 'Open schools' present new challenges to existing curricula and the position of English may prove to be critical. Thus it is submitted that English subject heads should be concerned with evaluating their departments so that informed decisions can be taken on future directions. Illuminative evaluation is demonstrably useful in such analyses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1991
- Authors: Thorpe, Robert Nicholas
- Date: 1991
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa English language -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1522 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003404
- Description: To evaluate what is actually happening within a High School subject curriculum, the annual parade of marks, percentages and symbol distributions is not by itself adequate, especially in assessing progress towards such English syllabus goals as: That pupils expand their experience of life, gain empathetic understanding of people and develop moral awareness. (3.1. 4 HG) How too, from examination results alone, can a subject head of English assess the success of his objective "to woo his pupils into the reading habit"? (School 1: Goals 1988) Decisions on English department policy and procedures are frequently based on personal hunches and examination results. Few subject departments engage in proper evaluations of their curricula to support decisions made, or to impart meaning upon the countless daily transactions between child and adult, individual and institution in the learning process. This study demonstrates the efficacy of "illuminative evaluation" techniques in opening out an educational innovation (1986 First Language English syllabi of the Cape Education Department) at two High Schools for comment and appraisal. The array of information gathered should be useful in planning and implementing further curricula initiatives. The inherent flexibility of illuminative evaluation procedures and their freedom from large-scale data base requirements needed for 'scientific' models of evaluation are advantageous in investigating the untidy complexities of English teaching. Both 'closed' and 'open' response questionnaires, interviews, and perusal of relevant documents informed the researcher of the views of pupils, parents, English teachers, other subject heads, the two school principals and the education authorities on what waS and ought to be happening in English classes. From the considerable array of information generated, the distress of conscientious English teachers facing unreasonable work-loads emerged clearly. Such teachers are likely to occupy key roles in the non-racial state schools of the future and cannot be regarded as expendable. 'Open schools' present new challenges to existing curricula and the position of English may prove to be critical. Thus it is submitted that English subject heads should be concerned with evaluating their departments so that informed decisions can be taken on future directions. Illuminative evaluation is demonstrably useful in such analyses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1991
The community education centre : a factor in the formula for the provision of education in South Africa
- Authors: Heath, Thomas Brian Charles
- Date: 1984
- Subjects: Community education -- South Africa Fundamental education -- South Africa Adult education -- South Africa Education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1908 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006915
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1984
- Authors: Heath, Thomas Brian Charles
- Date: 1984
- Subjects: Community education -- South Africa Fundamental education -- South Africa Adult education -- South Africa Education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1908 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006915
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1984
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