Evaluation of environmental education courses in Bophuthatswana colleges of education
- Authors: Leketi, Makgau Peter
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: Environmental education -- South Africa -- Bophuthatswana Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Bophuthatswana Environmental education -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Bophuthatswana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1525 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003407
- Description: This study evaluates Environmental Education courses in Bophuthatswana Colleges of Education. The semi-structured interviews with final year students, lecturers, rectors of colleges offering the courses, external examiners and the course co-ordinator at the Institute of Education at the University of Bophuthatswana (Unibo) are made. Written documents relating to Environmental Education courses, such as students' examination answer books, moderators' reports and minutes of meetings, are also used to evaluate the courses. Specifically, the aim of this study is to identify the strengths and the weaknesses of Environmental Education courses in Bophuthatswana Colleges of Education and this would present a contribution in the research field and also be useful in the further refinement of the courses. Strengths and weaknesses identified in this research are related to knowledge of Environmental Education and environmental issues, the syllabuses of the Environmental Education courses, the operation of the courses, the examining of the courses and the ethos and support of the colleges and the local university's Institute of Education. New insights are gained inter alia into the operation of Environmental Education courses in the Teacher Education programme in Bophuthatswana. An important contribution of the study is the application of the phenomenological paradigm, since it allows understanding of subjective experience as far as the operation of Environmental Education is concerned.
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- Authors: Leketi, Makgau Peter
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: Environmental education -- South Africa -- Bophuthatswana Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Bophuthatswana Environmental education -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Bophuthatswana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1525 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003407
- Description: This study evaluates Environmental Education courses in Bophuthatswana Colleges of Education. The semi-structured interviews with final year students, lecturers, rectors of colleges offering the courses, external examiners and the course co-ordinator at the Institute of Education at the University of Bophuthatswana (Unibo) are made. Written documents relating to Environmental Education courses, such as students' examination answer books, moderators' reports and minutes of meetings, are also used to evaluate the courses. Specifically, the aim of this study is to identify the strengths and the weaknesses of Environmental Education courses in Bophuthatswana Colleges of Education and this would present a contribution in the research field and also be useful in the further refinement of the courses. Strengths and weaknesses identified in this research are related to knowledge of Environmental Education and environmental issues, the syllabuses of the Environmental Education courses, the operation of the courses, the examining of the courses and the ethos and support of the colleges and the local university's Institute of Education. New insights are gained inter alia into the operation of Environmental Education courses in the Teacher Education programme in Bophuthatswana. An important contribution of the study is the application of the phenomenological paradigm, since it allows understanding of subjective experience as far as the operation of Environmental Education is concerned.
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History reading comprehension in black secondary schools : a Ciskei study
- Authors: Poswa, Mandisa
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: History -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Ciskei
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1555 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003437
- Description: This thesis examines briefly the problems of learning and understanding history when the subject is taught through the medium of a second language. It assesses the difficulty levels (for first language speakers) of the history textbooks commonly used in Ciskei secondary schools and considers the implications of these levels for second language speakers. It assesses the ability of 400 pupils in standard 8 and standard 10 to comprehend an English text which is deliberately written at a lower level of difficulty than that of the current secondary school texts. Comparisons are made of the comprehension scores of those pupils whose answers are written in English with those who are allowed to answer in Xhosa on questions based on the simple text. Finally, it compares the quality of the pupils' answers in Xhosa and English. Tentative recommendations are made about the language implications of history teaching which emerge from the results of the research.
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- Authors: Poswa, Mandisa
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: History -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Ciskei
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1555 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003437
- Description: This thesis examines briefly the problems of learning and understanding history when the subject is taught through the medium of a second language. It assesses the difficulty levels (for first language speakers) of the history textbooks commonly used in Ciskei secondary schools and considers the implications of these levels for second language speakers. It assesses the ability of 400 pupils in standard 8 and standard 10 to comprehend an English text which is deliberately written at a lower level of difficulty than that of the current secondary school texts. Comparisons are made of the comprehension scores of those pupils whose answers are written in English with those who are allowed to answer in Xhosa on questions based on the simple text. Finally, it compares the quality of the pupils' answers in Xhosa and English. Tentative recommendations are made about the language implications of history teaching which emerge from the results of the research.
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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.
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- 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.
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School guidance and counselling in Natal : present realities and future possibilities
- Authors: Naicker, Dhanasagaran
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: Educational counseling -- South Africa Counseling -- Vocational guidance -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1758 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003643
- Description: School guidance and counselling is a programme that is complementary to the education process and is seen as a support service for the pupil. However, owing to the apartheid policies of the South African government, all pupils did not have equal access to guidance services. In a post-apartheid South Africa it is anticipated that a unitary education system would emerge to provide equal access to education for all South African pupils and this implies that previous imbalances that existed would have to be addressed. In this study the present state of guidance and counselling services in Natal was investigated and policy options to redress past inequities and to make school guidance and counselling services a reality for all South African pupils, within the context of limited resources were explored.
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- Authors: Naicker, Dhanasagaran
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: Educational counseling -- South Africa Counseling -- Vocational guidance -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1758 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003643
- Description: School guidance and counselling is a programme that is complementary to the education process and is seen as a support service for the pupil. However, owing to the apartheid policies of the South African government, all pupils did not have equal access to guidance services. In a post-apartheid South Africa it is anticipated that a unitary education system would emerge to provide equal access to education for all South African pupils and this implies that previous imbalances that existed would have to be addressed. In this study the present state of guidance and counselling services in Natal was investigated and policy options to redress past inequities and to make school guidance and counselling services a reality for all South African pupils, within the context of limited resources were explored.
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The construction, implementation and evaluation of a transactional analysis stress management course for adolescents
- Authors: Ritchie, Harriet Anne
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: Transactional analysis Stress in adolescence Adolescent psychology Stress management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1461 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003342
- Description: Stress is a problem in today's world and adolescents are not exempt from suffering its ill effects. Currently no stress management courses are offered as part of the formal guidance programme in high schools or in the community. This pilot study is an attempt to construct a stress management course based on the concepts of Transactional Analysis. The course was implemented with a multi-racial, standard eight group of nine boys and girls. The course was evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. The quantitative measures proved to be inappropriate to this study and did not render any useful information. The study found that the scholars expressed that they had changed in their handling of their daily stressors as a result of the course. Personal growth had also taken place. The findings of this research are discussed in terms of the important implications they have for school guidance programmes.
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- Authors: Ritchie, Harriet Anne
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: Transactional analysis Stress in adolescence Adolescent psychology Stress management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1461 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003342
- Description: Stress is a problem in today's world and adolescents are not exempt from suffering its ill effects. Currently no stress management courses are offered as part of the formal guidance programme in high schools or in the community. This pilot study is an attempt to construct a stress management course based on the concepts of Transactional Analysis. The course was implemented with a multi-racial, standard eight group of nine boys and girls. The course was evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. The quantitative measures proved to be inappropriate to this study and did not render any useful information. The study found that the scholars expressed that they had changed in their handling of their daily stressors as a result of the course. Personal growth had also taken place. The findings of this research are discussed in terms of the important implications they have for school guidance programmes.
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The state of guidance in Mdantsane High Schools
- Nonyukela, Nontathu Elizabeth
- Authors: Nonyukela, Nontathu Elizabeth
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: Educational counseling -- South Africa -- Ciskei Black people -- Education -- South Africa -- Ciskei Counseling -- Vocational guidance -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1771 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003656
- Description: Guidance was introduced into Black Schools in 1981. Its aim was to help students so that they could understand themselves and the world they live in. At present it appears that very little Guidance is taking place in the Mdantsane High Schools. This was supported by these research findings. In the research five High Schools were investigated to discover the state of Guidance in these High Schools. The writer made use of an interview schedule which was presented to the principals of the five High Schools. Questionnaires were given to twenty seven Guidance teachers from the same High Schools and to two hundred and fifty student respondents. In each High School fifty student respondents were chosen, that is, ten from each standard. The research findings suggested that Guidance is not receiving its rightful place in these five High Schools since it is not effectively taught. The findings were generalised to other High Schools. Reasons for the ineffective teaching of Guidance were given by both the principal and teacher respondents. Recommendations are made as to how this state of Guidance can be remedied and improved.
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- Authors: Nonyukela, Nontathu Elizabeth
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: Educational counseling -- South Africa -- Ciskei Black people -- Education -- South Africa -- Ciskei Counseling -- Vocational guidance -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1771 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003656
- Description: Guidance was introduced into Black Schools in 1981. Its aim was to help students so that they could understand themselves and the world they live in. At present it appears that very little Guidance is taking place in the Mdantsane High Schools. This was supported by these research findings. In the research five High Schools were investigated to discover the state of Guidance in these High Schools. The writer made use of an interview schedule which was presented to the principals of the five High Schools. Questionnaires were given to twenty seven Guidance teachers from the same High Schools and to two hundred and fifty student respondents. In each High School fifty student respondents were chosen, that is, ten from each standard. The research findings suggested that Guidance is not receiving its rightful place in these five High Schools since it is not effectively taught. The findings were generalised to other High Schools. Reasons for the ineffective teaching of Guidance were given by both the principal and teacher respondents. Recommendations are made as to how this state of Guidance can be remedied and improved.
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The use of the local environment for teaching geography : a case study in the Umtata administrative area
- Authors: Adonis, Agrinette Nolwandle
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: Geography -- Fieldwork -- Study and teaching Geography -- South Africa -- Study and teaching (Secondary) Black people -- Education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1816 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003702
- Description: Current theories in geographical education advocate the use of strategies that encourage the pupil to play an active role in learning, thereby making such learning more meaningful and effective. Fieldwork is perceived as one such method. Fieldwork helps pupils acquire and develop understanding of geographical concepts, skills, attitudes and values through their own efforts and involvement. Fieldwork approaches have tended to change with the changing paradigms resulting in the development of approaches that are more pupil and experience oriented. In the South African school geography curricula fieldwork has been explicit since 1985. However, research has shown that in most South African secondary schools fieldwork as a teaching strategy is only applied to a limited extent. Teachers have always used financial constraints and time limitations as explanations for their failure to use fieldwork in teaching geography. This study attempts to demonstrate how the local environment of any school can be used effectively for teaching and learning most aspects of the senior secondary school geography syllabus, thereby alleviating the problems of time and money perceived by teachers as the major constraints inhibiting their use of fieldwork. In order to illustrate the effectiveness of fieldwork in the local environment, this study incorporated an analysis of the current senior secondary school geography syllabus, the identification of potential fieldwork sites in the Umtata District and the development and implementation of three fieldwork units based on three of the sites identified. The analysis of the evaluations of the three fieldwork units by the researcher, the pupils and the non-participant observer revealed that fieldwork conducted in the local environment is highly effective, interesting and rewarding to pupils even when they have no prior experience of fieldwork.
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- Authors: Adonis, Agrinette Nolwandle
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: Geography -- Fieldwork -- Study and teaching Geography -- South Africa -- Study and teaching (Secondary) Black people -- Education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1816 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003702
- Description: Current theories in geographical education advocate the use of strategies that encourage the pupil to play an active role in learning, thereby making such learning more meaningful and effective. Fieldwork is perceived as one such method. Fieldwork helps pupils acquire and develop understanding of geographical concepts, skills, attitudes and values through their own efforts and involvement. Fieldwork approaches have tended to change with the changing paradigms resulting in the development of approaches that are more pupil and experience oriented. In the South African school geography curricula fieldwork has been explicit since 1985. However, research has shown that in most South African secondary schools fieldwork as a teaching strategy is only applied to a limited extent. Teachers have always used financial constraints and time limitations as explanations for their failure to use fieldwork in teaching geography. This study attempts to demonstrate how the local environment of any school can be used effectively for teaching and learning most aspects of the senior secondary school geography syllabus, thereby alleviating the problems of time and money perceived by teachers as the major constraints inhibiting their use of fieldwork. In order to illustrate the effectiveness of fieldwork in the local environment, this study incorporated an analysis of the current senior secondary school geography syllabus, the identification of potential fieldwork sites in the Umtata District and the development and implementation of three fieldwork units based on three of the sites identified. The analysis of the evaluations of the three fieldwork units by the researcher, the pupils and the non-participant observer revealed that fieldwork conducted in the local environment is highly effective, interesting and rewarding to pupils even when they have no prior experience of fieldwork.
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What can TOLs reveal about the nature of ESL reading? : a critical evaluation of current ESL research utilising think-aloud protocols
- Authors: Dixon, Robyn
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers Reading comprehension Reading -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1823 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003709
- Description: This thesis explores the efficacy of think-aloud protocols (TOLs), and the extent to which the TOL technique is able to reveal the nature of ESL reading interaction with expository prose. The investigation constituted a critical evaluation of current ESL TOL research, which was essentially a theoretical examination of emerging problems derived from an in-depth assessment of current ESL TOL studies. The theoretical examination was supplemented by the practical implementation of the technique in a case study research, utilising three verbal protocols obtained from ESL students at the University of Fort Hare. The close observation afforded by the evaluative case study research paradigm provided the writer - as participant observer - with a further means of judging the merit of TOLs, which corroborated findings from the theoretical evaluation, and enabled a consideration of unanticipated issues which emerged from the practical implementation of the technique. The conclusion was that TOLs seem to have a unique ability to identify aspects of the nature of ESL reading gained from an on-line assessment of reader interaction, provided that TOL research is conducted within certain methodological and analytic research constraints. The writer has proffered suggestions for future ESL TOL research, and feels that the combination of TOL research findings with other measures of reading comprehension could elucidate aspects of ESL comprehension, making a valuable contribution to ESL reading theory and practice.
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- Authors: Dixon, Robyn
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers Reading comprehension Reading -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1823 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003709
- Description: This thesis explores the efficacy of think-aloud protocols (TOLs), and the extent to which the TOL technique is able to reveal the nature of ESL reading interaction with expository prose. The investigation constituted a critical evaluation of current ESL TOL research, which was essentially a theoretical examination of emerging problems derived from an in-depth assessment of current ESL TOL studies. The theoretical examination was supplemented by the practical implementation of the technique in a case study research, utilising three verbal protocols obtained from ESL students at the University of Fort Hare. The close observation afforded by the evaluative case study research paradigm provided the writer - as participant observer - with a further means of judging the merit of TOLs, which corroborated findings from the theoretical evaluation, and enabled a consideration of unanticipated issues which emerged from the practical implementation of the technique. The conclusion was that TOLs seem to have a unique ability to identify aspects of the nature of ESL reading gained from an on-line assessment of reader interaction, provided that TOL research is conducted within certain methodological and analytic research constraints. The writer has proffered suggestions for future ESL TOL research, and feels that the combination of TOL research findings with other measures of reading comprehension could elucidate aspects of ESL comprehension, making a valuable contribution to ESL reading theory and practice.
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'n Ondersoek na die aanwending van 'n enkele mikrorekenaar in die klaskamer as hulpmiddel vir die onderrig van wiskunde in die sekondere skool
- Authors: Mostert, Marthinus Petrus
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Computer-assisted instruction Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Data processing Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa Educational technology -- South Africa
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1679 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003562
- Description: Suppes beweer dat "All teachers everywhere recognise the help that books give them in teaching students. The day is coming when computers will receive the same recognition. Teachers look on computers as a new and powerful tool for helping them to teach their students more effectively." In hierdie ondersoek word gepoog om op die voordele van die aanwending van een mikrorekenaar as hulpmiddel vir die onderwyser vir die onderrig van wiskunde, te wys. Die belangrikste oorwegings in die ondersoek was: 1. Efektiwiteit van die metode. 2. Bekostigbaarheid van die metode. Die effektiwiteit van hierdie metode van onderrig word hoofsaaklik bepaal deur die geskiktheid van die programmatuur. Programmeringsvaardighede aan die kant van onderwysopgeleide persone versterk hierdie oorweging. Deurdat slegs een mikrorekenaar gebruik word, word deels aan die tweede oorweging, naamllk bekostigbaarheld, voldoen. Programmeringsvaardighede, soos hierbo genoem, kan ook bydra tot die besparing van koste deurdat bogenoemde programmatuur 'intern' ontwikkel word. Die wens word uitgespreek dat hierdie metode van onderrig tot voordeel van die totale leerlingbevolking van die land aangewend sal kan word.
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- Authors: Mostert, Marthinus Petrus
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Computer-assisted instruction Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Data processing Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa Educational technology -- South Africa
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1679 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003562
- Description: Suppes beweer dat "All teachers everywhere recognise the help that books give them in teaching students. The day is coming when computers will receive the same recognition. Teachers look on computers as a new and powerful tool for helping them to teach their students more effectively." In hierdie ondersoek word gepoog om op die voordele van die aanwending van een mikrorekenaar as hulpmiddel vir die onderwyser vir die onderrig van wiskunde, te wys. Die belangrikste oorwegings in die ondersoek was: 1. Efektiwiteit van die metode. 2. Bekostigbaarheid van die metode. Die effektiwiteit van hierdie metode van onderrig word hoofsaaklik bepaal deur die geskiktheid van die programmatuur. Programmeringsvaardighede aan die kant van onderwysopgeleide persone versterk hierdie oorweging. Deurdat slegs een mikrorekenaar gebruik word, word deels aan die tweede oorweging, naamllk bekostigbaarheld, voldoen. Programmeringsvaardighede, soos hierbo genoem, kan ook bydra tot die besparing van koste deurdat bogenoemde programmatuur 'intern' ontwikkel word. Die wens word uitgespreek dat hierdie metode van onderrig tot voordeel van die totale leerlingbevolking van die land aangewend sal kan word.
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A classroom-based investigation into the potential of the computer spreadsheet as a learning tool within the secondary school mathematics curriculum
- Authors: Funnell, Lynette
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Computer-assisted instruction Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) Electronic spreadsheets
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1448 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003329
- Description: The influence of modern technology on education is becoming more noticeable and has implications for the curriculum and the teaching methods of mathematics. The microcomputer can be used effectively as a powerful teaching and learning aid within the mathematics classroom. This study considers the role of the computer as an aid to teachers and pupils in the teaching and learning of mathematics and shows it as having great potential. At present relatively few schools in South Africa are using the computer as a teaching aid in the mathematics classroom. The researcher proposes that some reasons are a shortage of suitable programs, the fact that few teachers have adequate skills in educative uses of the computer and most teachers are not skilled in programming techniques. Based on this assessment of the problem, spreadsheet programs related to some mathematics lessons, together with teaching notes and pupils' material have been developed. Besides describing the potential of the computer in mathematics, this study outlines the development of three spreadsheet packages and suitable teaching methodologies used for each package, and assesses an action research investigation undertaken by the researcher, teachers and pupils when using these spreadsheet packages in six classes. The findings of the investigation are most encouraging. The overall conclusion is that computer spreadsheet packages can assist the teacher in making the learning of mathematics more effective, more interesting and more enjoyable.
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- Authors: Funnell, Lynette
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Computer-assisted instruction Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) Electronic spreadsheets
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1448 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003329
- Description: The influence of modern technology on education is becoming more noticeable and has implications for the curriculum and the teaching methods of mathematics. The microcomputer can be used effectively as a powerful teaching and learning aid within the mathematics classroom. This study considers the role of the computer as an aid to teachers and pupils in the teaching and learning of mathematics and shows it as having great potential. At present relatively few schools in South Africa are using the computer as a teaching aid in the mathematics classroom. The researcher proposes that some reasons are a shortage of suitable programs, the fact that few teachers have adequate skills in educative uses of the computer and most teachers are not skilled in programming techniques. Based on this assessment of the problem, spreadsheet programs related to some mathematics lessons, together with teaching notes and pupils' material have been developed. Besides describing the potential of the computer in mathematics, this study outlines the development of three spreadsheet packages and suitable teaching methodologies used for each package, and assesses an action research investigation undertaken by the researcher, teachers and pupils when using these spreadsheet packages in six classes. The findings of the investigation are most encouraging. The overall conclusion is that computer spreadsheet packages can assist the teacher in making the learning of mathematics more effective, more interesting and more enjoyable.
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A critical analysis of problems encountered by senior secondary school pupils in the reading and interpretation of 1:50,000 topographical maps and aerial photographs with special reference to black pupils in Transkei
- Authors: Ndlwana, Monica
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Maps -- Study and teaching (Secondary) Geography -- South Africa -- Transkei -- Study and teaching (Secondary) Black people -- Education -- South Africa -- Transkei
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1470 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003351
- Description: Mapwork is an established part of the geography curriculum, and yet it poses particular problems for pupils and teachers. Maps participate in a complex system of graphic communication: the conceptual abstraction involved in the reading and interpretation of maps requires on the part of pupils a high degree of cognitive and perceptual development; teachers, too, often experience considerable difficulty in imparting the skills necessary for graphic literacy (graphicacy). The peculiar difficulties associated with map reading and the poor performance of pupils in this area have regrettably encouraged an attitude which dismisses mapwork as irrelevant or dispensable in geographical education. Yet graphicacy is essential not only in the learning of geography but in the overall cognitive development of the child, and therefore cannot be excluded from the curriculum. This study attempts to identify some of the specific difficulties experienced by pupils in their attempts to read and interpret maps, and to trace the origin of these difficulties. It argues that the complexity and sophistication of the skills necessary to interpret topographical maps and aerial photographs, for instance, should not be underestimated. Teachers need to be made aware of how pupils acquire map reading skills and of the problems they encounter during this process, so that teaching programmes commensurate with pupils' level of cognitive development can be formulated. It is also important that mapwork be taught in as practical a manner as possible. The findings and recommendations of this study have implications for geography teachers, textbook writers and educational authorities, especially those involved in curriculum and syllabus design.
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- Authors: Ndlwana, Monica
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Maps -- Study and teaching (Secondary) Geography -- South Africa -- Transkei -- Study and teaching (Secondary) Black people -- Education -- South Africa -- Transkei
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1470 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003351
- Description: Mapwork is an established part of the geography curriculum, and yet it poses particular problems for pupils and teachers. Maps participate in a complex system of graphic communication: the conceptual abstraction involved in the reading and interpretation of maps requires on the part of pupils a high degree of cognitive and perceptual development; teachers, too, often experience considerable difficulty in imparting the skills necessary for graphic literacy (graphicacy). The peculiar difficulties associated with map reading and the poor performance of pupils in this area have regrettably encouraged an attitude which dismisses mapwork as irrelevant or dispensable in geographical education. Yet graphicacy is essential not only in the learning of geography but in the overall cognitive development of the child, and therefore cannot be excluded from the curriculum. This study attempts to identify some of the specific difficulties experienced by pupils in their attempts to read and interpret maps, and to trace the origin of these difficulties. It argues that the complexity and sophistication of the skills necessary to interpret topographical maps and aerial photographs, for instance, should not be underestimated. Teachers need to be made aware of how pupils acquire map reading skills and of the problems they encounter during this process, so that teaching programmes commensurate with pupils' level of cognitive development can be formulated. It is also important that mapwork be taught in as practical a manner as possible. The findings and recommendations of this study have implications for geography teachers, textbook writers and educational authorities, especially those involved in curriculum and syllabus design.
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A critical analysis of school computer studies syllabuses in South Africa with reference to university computer science curricula
- Authors: Roets, Rina Annette
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Electronic data processing -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa Electronic data processing -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa Electronic data processing -- Curricula -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1471 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003352
- Description: This thesis analyses the existing and proposed Computer Studies syllabuses in South African schools. Thereafter it compares the South African syllabuses with syllabuses in the United Kingdom. An attempt is made to assess the objectives of the design of the new S.A. syllabus. University Computer Science syllabuses are examined in order to gauge the purported overlap between what is taught at schools and universities. Opinions are obtained on the problems which apparently exist in offering or teaching the subject at schools and universities by conducting surveys on syllabus designers and university Computer Science departments. Finally recommendations are made for future Computer Studies syllabuses.
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- Authors: Roets, Rina Annette
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Electronic data processing -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa Electronic data processing -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- South Africa Electronic data processing -- Curricula -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1471 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003352
- Description: This thesis analyses the existing and proposed Computer Studies syllabuses in South African schools. Thereafter it compares the South African syllabuses with syllabuses in the United Kingdom. An attempt is made to assess the objectives of the design of the new S.A. syllabus. University Computer Science syllabuses are examined in order to gauge the purported overlap between what is taught at schools and universities. Opinions are obtained on the problems which apparently exist in offering or teaching the subject at schools and universities by conducting surveys on syllabus designers and university Computer Science departments. Finally recommendations are made for future Computer Studies syllabuses.
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A strategy for promoting computer literacy in staff and students of a teacher training institution : a case study
- Authors: Keep, Joan Diane
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Computer literacy Computer-assisted instruction Teachers -- Training of -- Data processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1773 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003658
- Description: A case study carried out at Edgewood College of Education (Natal) attempted to demonstrate how in-house training could provide staff with the necessary computer literacy skills to integrate computer technology into lecturing and teaching programmes. The duration of the project was six months and during this time a group of thirty academic staff members were exposed to computer technology via practical experience, lectures and demonstrations. The results gleaned from the project show that most of the staff involved in the project developed sufficient computer skills to be of benefit in their professional and personal tasks. In addition the recognition of the value of word processing and desk top publishing led to the staff encouraging students to use these software packages in the preparation of coursework. Consequently the use of the computer resources increased noticeably in the six month period. One of the goals of the study was to show how staff, once computer literate, would make use of generic software to integrate computer technology into their lecturing programmes. This did not happen and the reasons for this failure are discussed.
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- Authors: Keep, Joan Diane
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Computer literacy Computer-assisted instruction Teachers -- Training of -- Data processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1773 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003658
- Description: A case study carried out at Edgewood College of Education (Natal) attempted to demonstrate how in-house training could provide staff with the necessary computer literacy skills to integrate computer technology into lecturing and teaching programmes. The duration of the project was six months and during this time a group of thirty academic staff members were exposed to computer technology via practical experience, lectures and demonstrations. The results gleaned from the project show that most of the staff involved in the project developed sufficient computer skills to be of benefit in their professional and personal tasks. In addition the recognition of the value of word processing and desk top publishing led to the staff encouraging students to use these software packages in the preparation of coursework. Consequently the use of the computer resources increased noticeably in the six month period. One of the goals of the study was to show how staff, once computer literate, would make use of generic software to integrate computer technology into their lecturing programmes. This did not happen and the reasons for this failure are discussed.
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A study of the role of nature conservation law enforcement officers as facilitators of environmental education
- Authors: Barrett, Janice Anne
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Environmental education Nature conservation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1783 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003668
- Description: This study explores the potential roles of a sample of 18 nature conservation law enforcement officers, as facilitators of environmental education. More specifically it examines their attitudes towards their dual duties of enforcing laws and providing extension services. Attitudes were examined by means of qualitative data analysis from semi-structured interviews. Officers' environmental attitudes, as well the relative emphasis placed on law enforcement and extension, and their own perspectives of working with communities, are explored. The historical and cultural context of officers' work, as well as worldviews and personality traits are also discussed. Certain recommendations regarding officers' roles as facilitors of environmental education are made.
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- Authors: Barrett, Janice Anne
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Environmental education Nature conservation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1783 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003668
- Description: This study explores the potential roles of a sample of 18 nature conservation law enforcement officers, as facilitators of environmental education. More specifically it examines their attitudes towards their dual duties of enforcing laws and providing extension services. Attitudes were examined by means of qualitative data analysis from semi-structured interviews. Officers' environmental attitudes, as well the relative emphasis placed on law enforcement and extension, and their own perspectives of working with communities, are explored. The historical and cultural context of officers' work, as well as worldviews and personality traits are also discussed. Certain recommendations regarding officers' roles as facilitors of environmental education are made.
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An evaluation of the use of computers in a South African primary school
- Authors: Mostert, Orla
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Education, Elementary -- South Africa -- Computer-assisted instruction Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa Educational technology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1528 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003410
- Description: The introduction of the computer into the educational arena is unique as pressure for its inclusion has come not from educationalists, but from public demand based on the conviction that exposure to computers is an essential ingredient of modern education. This has resulted in computers being added to school curricula before there has been careful research into its educational implications, making huge demands on teachers involved in the innovation. South African primary schools involved in computer education have followed international trends in their adoption of computers, initially perceiving computer education as a separate subject added on to the present curriculum. However, changing trends in computer use internationally are now beginning to reflect educators' changing perceptions of the nature of primary education, and educators are calling for the use of computers to be integrated into the curriculum rather than being seen as an area of study in themselves. This investigation attempts to outline general trends and perceptions of computer use in a South African primary school. Despite a high level of computer usage at the observed school, the computer was seen by teachers, in the main, as an extra subject, and has not yet led to any significant changes in teaching styles and methods. The research suggests that two main issues need to be resolved before computer education in primary schools reflects the present paradigm shift towards learner-centered educational practices. Firstly, there is a need to rethink the delivery of the curriculum towards one which promotes a greater degree of problem solving and decision making on the part of the learner. Secondly, it would appear that teachers need to be made more aware of this trend.
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- Authors: Mostert, Orla
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Education, Elementary -- South Africa -- Computer-assisted instruction Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa Educational technology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1528 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003410
- Description: The introduction of the computer into the educational arena is unique as pressure for its inclusion has come not from educationalists, but from public demand based on the conviction that exposure to computers is an essential ingredient of modern education. This has resulted in computers being added to school curricula before there has been careful research into its educational implications, making huge demands on teachers involved in the innovation. South African primary schools involved in computer education have followed international trends in their adoption of computers, initially perceiving computer education as a separate subject added on to the present curriculum. However, changing trends in computer use internationally are now beginning to reflect educators' changing perceptions of the nature of primary education, and educators are calling for the use of computers to be integrated into the curriculum rather than being seen as an area of study in themselves. This investigation attempts to outline general trends and perceptions of computer use in a South African primary school. Despite a high level of computer usage at the observed school, the computer was seen by teachers, in the main, as an extra subject, and has not yet led to any significant changes in teaching styles and methods. The research suggests that two main issues need to be resolved before computer education in primary schools reflects the present paradigm shift towards learner-centered educational practices. Firstly, there is a need to rethink the delivery of the curriculum towards one which promotes a greater degree of problem solving and decision making on the part of the learner. Secondly, it would appear that teachers need to be made more aware of this trend.
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An examination of the suitability of some contemporary South African fiction for readers in the post-developmental reading stage
- Authors: Cole, Lorna
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Children's literature, South African -- History and criticism Children -- Books and reading -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1530 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003412
- Description: Adverse criticism regarding the quantity and quality of children's books in South Africa appear in such respected sources as The Oxford Companion to Children's Literature and The Companion to South African English Literature, the authors of which are of the opinion that South African children are dependent solely upon Eurocentric literature for their reading material. In recent years however, local publishers have attempted to redress this imbalance by offering prizes for unpublished works. These prizes have acted as incentives for aspiring writers, many of whom have had novels published specifically for children in the post-developmental reading stage. This study critically examines some of these prizewinning works of fantasy and contemporary realism, in an effort to gauge their literary worth within the context of accepted criteria for judging children's literature. Accolades from adults are not however a guarantee that the prizewinning books will be received with equal acclaim by the children for whom they are written. For this reason, five children in the post-developmental reading stage were asked to pass their opinions and non-literary judgments on the books. Although the critical evaluation of the indigenous works proves them to be eminently worthy of the prizes which they received on publication, the children did not rate them as highly as certain imported works. The works of fantasy by Marguerite Poland rated poorly in terms of their popularity despite the fact that the children said that in a non-circumscribed context, they choose fantasy in preference to contemporary realism. Within the context of the indigenous literature which they read for this study though, they preferred the works of contemporary realism as they were able to identify with particular aspects of the novels. Indigenous literature for children in the post-developmental reading stage is a comparatively new phenomenon which needs to be nurtured if it is to attain any lasting status. The onus rests upon the teachers of literature and librarians to introduce the literature and make the books more accessible to young readers. Publishers need perhaps to engage the views and opinions of the audience for whom the books are written in an effort to publish books which, without in any way detracting from their literary worth, will deal with subjects favoured by young readers.
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- Authors: Cole, Lorna
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Children's literature, South African -- History and criticism Children -- Books and reading -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1530 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003412
- Description: Adverse criticism regarding the quantity and quality of children's books in South Africa appear in such respected sources as The Oxford Companion to Children's Literature and The Companion to South African English Literature, the authors of which are of the opinion that South African children are dependent solely upon Eurocentric literature for their reading material. In recent years however, local publishers have attempted to redress this imbalance by offering prizes for unpublished works. These prizes have acted as incentives for aspiring writers, many of whom have had novels published specifically for children in the post-developmental reading stage. This study critically examines some of these prizewinning works of fantasy and contemporary realism, in an effort to gauge their literary worth within the context of accepted criteria for judging children's literature. Accolades from adults are not however a guarantee that the prizewinning books will be received with equal acclaim by the children for whom they are written. For this reason, five children in the post-developmental reading stage were asked to pass their opinions and non-literary judgments on the books. Although the critical evaluation of the indigenous works proves them to be eminently worthy of the prizes which they received on publication, the children did not rate them as highly as certain imported works. The works of fantasy by Marguerite Poland rated poorly in terms of their popularity despite the fact that the children said that in a non-circumscribed context, they choose fantasy in preference to contemporary realism. Within the context of the indigenous literature which they read for this study though, they preferred the works of contemporary realism as they were able to identify with particular aspects of the novels. Indigenous literature for children in the post-developmental reading stage is a comparatively new phenomenon which needs to be nurtured if it is to attain any lasting status. The onus rests upon the teachers of literature and librarians to introduce the literature and make the books more accessible to young readers. Publishers need perhaps to engage the views and opinions of the audience for whom the books are written in an effort to publish books which, without in any way detracting from their literary worth, will deal with subjects favoured by young readers.
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An exploratory field study into schoolgirl pregnancies, with emphasis on the role the school can play in their prevention
- Authors: Kooverjee, Ishwar
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Teenage pregnancy -- South Africa Sex instruction -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1537 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003419
- Description: This piece of research explores the problem of schoolgirl pregnancies and suggests a role which the school might play in their prevention. Concern over the growing number of unplanned pregnancies under the age of eighteen years at the author's school, culminated in the .present study. Experts on the subject often perceive the problem to be self-defeating to the young girls, medically contra-indicated and socially disruptive. The purpose of this investigation was to determine attitudes towards the description of the problem, to identify causative factors predisposing to pregnancy, and to obtain views on how the school can reconcile efforts to address the problem. The relevant research data was obtained through a comprehensive 64 item attitudinal and knowledge-base questionnaire which was administered to a sample of 187 subjects. The sample comprised seven different occupational groups namely, senior schoolgirls, parents of senior schoolgirls, ex-schoolgirl primigravidae, parents of ex-schoolgirl primigravidae, school teachers, members of the clergy and various health care professionals. The appendices contain full statistical tables as well as full responses to the open-ended essay based on the research questionnaire so that the reader is free to check the reasonableness of the conclusions drawn. In the final chapter the author provides a brief summary of findings, offers justification why the teaching of sex education should be a priority in public schools, and makes recommendations, in the main, for the inclusion of school-based sex education as a component of Guidance in terms of rationale and implementation. In addition, suggestions are made with regard to school policy formulation and networking with parents and other community resources. Finally, a choice of four current model programmes for sex education are proposed in an effort to improve and build upon existing programmes in the present South African curriculum. It is the author's belief that this investigation may contribute to course design and perhaps provide hypotheses for more specific studies in the future.
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- Authors: Kooverjee, Ishwar
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Teenage pregnancy -- South Africa Sex instruction -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1537 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003419
- Description: This piece of research explores the problem of schoolgirl pregnancies and suggests a role which the school might play in their prevention. Concern over the growing number of unplanned pregnancies under the age of eighteen years at the author's school, culminated in the .present study. Experts on the subject often perceive the problem to be self-defeating to the young girls, medically contra-indicated and socially disruptive. The purpose of this investigation was to determine attitudes towards the description of the problem, to identify causative factors predisposing to pregnancy, and to obtain views on how the school can reconcile efforts to address the problem. The relevant research data was obtained through a comprehensive 64 item attitudinal and knowledge-base questionnaire which was administered to a sample of 187 subjects. The sample comprised seven different occupational groups namely, senior schoolgirls, parents of senior schoolgirls, ex-schoolgirl primigravidae, parents of ex-schoolgirl primigravidae, school teachers, members of the clergy and various health care professionals. The appendices contain full statistical tables as well as full responses to the open-ended essay based on the research questionnaire so that the reader is free to check the reasonableness of the conclusions drawn. In the final chapter the author provides a brief summary of findings, offers justification why the teaching of sex education should be a priority in public schools, and makes recommendations, in the main, for the inclusion of school-based sex education as a component of Guidance in terms of rationale and implementation. In addition, suggestions are made with regard to school policy formulation and networking with parents and other community resources. Finally, a choice of four current model programmes for sex education are proposed in an effort to improve and build upon existing programmes in the present South African curriculum. It is the author's belief that this investigation may contribute to course design and perhaps provide hypotheses for more specific studies in the future.
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An investigation into the use of weather type models in the teaching of South African climatology at senior secondary school level
- Authors: Schürmann, Leon
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Climatology -- Study and teaching (Secondary) , Geography -- Study and teaching (Secondary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2009 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015948
- Description: The synoptic chart encodes climatological and meteorological information in a highly abstract manner. The pupil's level of cognitive development, the nature of the syllabus and the teaching strategies employed by the geography teacher influence the pupil's conceptualisation of information. The synoptic chart is a valuable tool for consolidating the content of the S.A climatology syllabus. Recent research has established that climatology-meteorology, and especially synoptic chart reading and interpretation, is difficult for the concrete thinker. These pupils find difficulty in visualising the weather processes and systems. Provided that they are simple and clear, models are useful teaching devices that integrate and generalise information in a manner that is easily retrievable. The intention of the author is to provide weather type models and other supporting strategies and aids as a means to improve the senior secondary pupil's assimilation of southern African climatological-meteorological information. This model-based approach is tested in the classroom using an action research framework to judge its efficacy. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations are made.
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- Authors: Schürmann, Leon
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Climatology -- Study and teaching (Secondary) , Geography -- Study and teaching (Secondary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2009 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015948
- Description: The synoptic chart encodes climatological and meteorological information in a highly abstract manner. The pupil's level of cognitive development, the nature of the syllabus and the teaching strategies employed by the geography teacher influence the pupil's conceptualisation of information. The synoptic chart is a valuable tool for consolidating the content of the S.A climatology syllabus. Recent research has established that climatology-meteorology, and especially synoptic chart reading and interpretation, is difficult for the concrete thinker. These pupils find difficulty in visualising the weather processes and systems. Provided that they are simple and clear, models are useful teaching devices that integrate and generalise information in a manner that is easily retrievable. The intention of the author is to provide weather type models and other supporting strategies and aids as a means to improve the senior secondary pupil's assimilation of southern African climatological-meteorological information. This model-based approach is tested in the classroom using an action research framework to judge its efficacy. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations are made.
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Developing a problem solving approach to primary mathematics teaching: a case study
- Authors: Naidoo, Anandhavelli
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Elementary) Problem solving -- Study and teaching (Elementary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1493 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003374
- Description: According to recent research a focus in teaching mathematics to children is the development of problem solving abilities. Problem solving means the process of applying mathematical knowledge and skills to unfamiliar situations. A case study was done using a problem solving approach to the learning and teaching of mathematics with a sample of teachers registered at the Umlazi College For Further Education. These teachers were familiar with the traditional approach of teaching mathematics through drill and practice methods. The new syllabus that is to be implemented emphasises a problem solving approach to the teaching of mathematics. This study set out to implement a problem solving approach with primary school mathematics teachers so that they would be someway prepared for the innovations of the new syllabus. Workshops were conducted using an action research approach with discourse and practice leading to reconstruction with improvements. Early theorists like Piaget and Bruner offered ways of understanding children's learning, to help the teacher develop his teaching. Dienes introduced an element of play and Dewey spoke of the importance of experience. Dienes and Dewey show the first positive signs of recognising the importance of social interaction in the learning situation. Social interaction lays emphasis on language and discussion in the mathematics classroom. A social constructivist model of teaching and learning was used for the research. This research includes a study of the established ideas on developing a problem solving approach to mathematics teaching. These ideas were incorporated into the workshops that the group of teachers attended. During the workshops teachers were gradually exposed to the essence of problem solving techniques through much group discussion and doing practical exercises, which they could then implement in their classes. The teachers reported back at each subsequent workshop. A non-participant observer evaluated the development at the workshops. The workshops' success was evident from the change in the teachers' attitudes and behaviour as well as their feedback of what transpired in the classroom. They reported on the change in their roles as information suppliers to facilitators where the thinking process was focused on, rather than the importance of a correct answer. In the workshops the teachers themselves moved from passive listeners to active participants. It would appear from this preliminary investigation that through using a problem solving approach in workshops, inservice teachers can benefit constructively from this approach and will attempt to use it in their own teaching.
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- Authors: Naidoo, Anandhavelli
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Elementary) Problem solving -- Study and teaching (Elementary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1493 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003374
- Description: According to recent research a focus in teaching mathematics to children is the development of problem solving abilities. Problem solving means the process of applying mathematical knowledge and skills to unfamiliar situations. A case study was done using a problem solving approach to the learning and teaching of mathematics with a sample of teachers registered at the Umlazi College For Further Education. These teachers were familiar with the traditional approach of teaching mathematics through drill and practice methods. The new syllabus that is to be implemented emphasises a problem solving approach to the teaching of mathematics. This study set out to implement a problem solving approach with primary school mathematics teachers so that they would be someway prepared for the innovations of the new syllabus. Workshops were conducted using an action research approach with discourse and practice leading to reconstruction with improvements. Early theorists like Piaget and Bruner offered ways of understanding children's learning, to help the teacher develop his teaching. Dienes introduced an element of play and Dewey spoke of the importance of experience. Dienes and Dewey show the first positive signs of recognising the importance of social interaction in the learning situation. Social interaction lays emphasis on language and discussion in the mathematics classroom. A social constructivist model of teaching and learning was used for the research. This research includes a study of the established ideas on developing a problem solving approach to mathematics teaching. These ideas were incorporated into the workshops that the group of teachers attended. During the workshops teachers were gradually exposed to the essence of problem solving techniques through much group discussion and doing practical exercises, which they could then implement in their classes. The teachers reported back at each subsequent workshop. A non-participant observer evaluated the development at the workshops. The workshops' success was evident from the change in the teachers' attitudes and behaviour as well as their feedback of what transpired in the classroom. They reported on the change in their roles as information suppliers to facilitators where the thinking process was focused on, rather than the importance of a correct answer. In the workshops the teachers themselves moved from passive listeners to active participants. It would appear from this preliminary investigation that through using a problem solving approach in workshops, inservice teachers can benefit constructively from this approach and will attempt to use it in their own teaching.
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Educational computing in secondary schools of the Cape Education Department: a research survey to assess computing facility acquisition and its utilization
- Authors: Bean, Pat
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Data processing Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Computer network resources Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1505 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003387
- Description: Secondary schools under the jurisdiction of the Cape Education Department (CED) have, over the past 10 years, been acquiring computer equipment without a national policy on educational computing in South Africa, and within only broad parameters provided by their department. The aim of this study was to determine the present status of educational computing in these schools. A literature survey on educational computing was undertaken and a number of international and local 'computers-in-schools' initiatives were elucidated. A field survey, involving all CED secondary schools (239), was initiated by sending questionnaires to principals of these schools - a return rate of 89% was achieved. The results of the research revealed that most CED secondary schools have already acquired computer facilities. The role of pressure groups such as teachers, parents, business sector etc together with other factors that might have influenced schools in acquiring their computer facilities was also investigated. The investigation also revealed where and how these facilities are being utilised: most schools use their computers for administrative functions, with the computer-as-a-tool for teachers and pupils also fast gaining ground. Computer-assisted learning activities, where the computer is integrated with subject curricula, are however still limited. The extent of both teachers' formal training in educational computing and their familiarity with different software applications were also determined. Schools were also required to indicate the areas where they experience problems in getting teachers and pupils more involved in 'computers-in-education' activities. The present educational computing position in secondary schools of the CED will have to serve as a foundation for the department's CISR Project embarked upon in 1991.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bean, Pat
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Data processing Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Computer network resources Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1505 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003387
- Description: Secondary schools under the jurisdiction of the Cape Education Department (CED) have, over the past 10 years, been acquiring computer equipment without a national policy on educational computing in South Africa, and within only broad parameters provided by their department. The aim of this study was to determine the present status of educational computing in these schools. A literature survey on educational computing was undertaken and a number of international and local 'computers-in-schools' initiatives were elucidated. A field survey, involving all CED secondary schools (239), was initiated by sending questionnaires to principals of these schools - a return rate of 89% was achieved. The results of the research revealed that most CED secondary schools have already acquired computer facilities. The role of pressure groups such as teachers, parents, business sector etc together with other factors that might have influenced schools in acquiring their computer facilities was also investigated. The investigation also revealed where and how these facilities are being utilised: most schools use their computers for administrative functions, with the computer-as-a-tool for teachers and pupils also fast gaining ground. Computer-assisted learning activities, where the computer is integrated with subject curricula, are however still limited. The extent of both teachers' formal training in educational computing and their familiarity with different software applications were also determined. Schools were also required to indicate the areas where they experience problems in getting teachers and pupils more involved in 'computers-in-education' activities. The present educational computing position in secondary schools of the CED will have to serve as a foundation for the department's CISR Project embarked upon in 1991.
- Full Text: