CAPES / Este trabalho relata um estudo que investigou o papel e a importância da Física nos Cursos Superiores de Tecnologia, tendo como base o Câmpus Curitiba da Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (UTFPR), instituição considerada referência em educação técnica e tecnológica no Brasil. Partindo da premissa de que a Física tem grande importância para, ao menos, proporcionar bases técnicas e científicas aos estudantes, mas que ela pode, além disso, ter papel fundamental na formação geral, esta pesquisa procurou mostrar as relações entre a Física e a formação de tecnólogos nos cursos investigados. Fundamentando-se nos trabalhos de Celso Suckow da Fonseca, Luiz Antônio Cunha e Nilson Marcos Dias Garcia, buscou-se, através de pesquisa documental, evidenciar a presença de conceitos de Física nas propostas de ensino das escolas de formação profissional, desde as Escolas de Aprendizes Artífices, até o surgimento da educação tecnológica de nível superior. Tomando como fontes documentos oficiais da UTFPR e relatos concedidos em entrevistas pelos(as) seus(suas) coordenadores(as) e professores(as), foi possível mostrar e analisar, no momento atual, a presença da Física nos cursos investigados, assim como analisar o contexto em que ela se insere, sua importância e seus papéis em cada um deles. Os resultados apontaram que os conceitos de Física se fazem bem mais presentes do que os documentos mostram, e têm participação em diversos níveis, desde ser considerada uma simples ferramenta ou mesmo um conhecimento geral, até fazer parte da estrutura do curso, representando forte base sobre a qual ele pode ser organizado, contribuindo, assim, de forma diversa, em carga horária e conteúdo. Mesmo em cursos em que ela se faz pouco presente, desempenha um papel de relevante importância, dando condições de compreensão científica, técnica e tecnológica aos estudantes, e proporcionando o estabelecimento de raciocínios fundamentais para compreensões tanto acadêmicas quanto profissionais, ou ainda pessoais e sociais. / This work reports a study which investigated the role and importance of Physics in Technology Undergraduate Programs, being based on the Curitiba Campus of the Federal University of Technology - Paraná (UTFPR), an institution considered a point of reference in technical and technological education in Brazil. Starting from the premise that Physics has a large importance in, at least, providing technical and scientific basis for the students, but also that it can have a fundamental role in general formation, this research intended to show the relations between Physics and the formation of technical personnel in the investigated programs. Underlain by the works of Celso Suckow da Fonseca, Luiz Antônio Cunha e Nilson Marcos Dias Garcia, this research sought to evidence, through a documental investigation, the presence of Physics concepts in teaching proposals of professional formation schools, from the Schools of Artifice Apprentices up to the emerging of technological teaching in undergraduate programs. Taking as sources the official documents of UTFPR and testimonies conceded in interviews with coordinators and professors of this institution, it was possible to show and analyze, at the current moment, the presence of Physics in the investigated programs, as well as to analyze the context in which it is inserted, its importance and its roles in each one of them. The results showed that Physics concepts are a lot more present than what was shown by the documents and participate at several levels, from being considered a simple tool or general knowledge, to being part of the program structure, representing a strong basis on which it can be organized, thus contributing in diverse manners to credit load and content. Even in programs in which Physics is not too present, it performs a role of great importance, offering conditions for scientific, technical and technological comprehension to the students, enabling the establishment of fundamental thoughts for both academic and professional comprehensions, as well as private and social.

Schools are traditionally established as the main meeting platforms for awareness, education, training and capacity building in the local communities, and as such, are highly regarded and respected. They are situated and integrated in nearly all local communities. They are thus perfectly suited to reach, draw on and provide capacity building to the communities. Zambia recently introduced a new curriculum aspect named localised curriculum, which makes up 20% of the curriculum. This curriculum area encourages schools to address issues of sustainable development that are locally relevant through this curriculum component, but it is not clear what kind of learning emerges from this curriculum aspect. The study looked at the shift in pedagogical discourse since the introduction of the localised curriculum. Using case study methodology and observation of a number of classroom activities in the Keemba District near Monze in Zambia, I observed social learning interactions taking place in the implementation of the localised curriculum. In particular, I was interested in how the different aspects of the localised curriculum enabled social learning, at different levels. What is important in this research is that it focused not so much on what people should know, or be able to do, but rather, drawing on some of the questions raised by Wals (2007), I considered questions of how people learn, and how social learning emerges in school-community interactions in the localised curriculum. The main research question was to investigate: How does localised curriculum enable social learning in response to environmental issues in Zambian schools? This research drew on a number of associated research projects that were carried out in southern Africa and beyond. In his research, Namafe (2008) states that he saw a great need to institutionalise increased participation of Zambian Basic Schools and their local communities in sustainable development of the country in order to alleviate poverty and achieve equitable development. Hogan (2008, p. 122 ) researching in a different context, argues that contextualisation of the curriculum allowed for indigenous knowledge to come in to the classroom, stating that ‘Weakening of the frames provided the opportunity of closer relationships to give space for knowledge other than teacher selected knowledge or book knowledge to enter the classroom.’ In this study I found that: - Teaching localised curriculum allowed for contextualisation and integration of environment and natural resource management issues - Localising the curriculum contributed to curriculum relevancy: teaching localised curriculum helped learners, teachers and community to develop concern for quality of life and contributed to an understanding of sustainable development - Localised curriculum allowed for frame awareness, frame deconstruction and reframing to take place: this allowed teachers to use methods which promoted active pupil participation and interaction, encouraging learners to be reflexive thinkers rather than just using rote memory - Participation of teachers, community and learners in the implementation of the localised curriculum: The involvement of community members to teach topics of the localised curriculum was useful and articulated processes of inter–epistemological dialogue between traditional or every day and scientific or institutional knowledge - The localised curriculum implementation involved various roles and was influenced by various factors. Of key interest to this study was the fact that neither parents, learners nor teachers saw the localised curriculum as an opportunity for problem solving, but rather emphasised the learning of practical life skills relevant to the community. This differed from the curriculum manuals, and reduced the environmental education potential and also social learning opportunities.

This study considers a Grade 9 Integrated Environmental Research Project which was implemented as a vehicle to induce knowledge-based change in learners. It was noted that change did not occur as hoped, and this study was undertaken to review the Grade 9 Project in order to improve it and to probe the apparent gap between knowledge and action. The study generated evidence on the learning processes within the project. This revealed a number of contradictions and tensions which limit change initiatives within the local environment. Notable here was a contradictory mandate between undertaking a research-based change project and responding to the rubric of assessment which was not linked to the research done. It was found that faced with this dual mandate, learners chose to focus on the assessment-laden mandate as this was the ultimate agenda that would reap the reward within the traditional school environment. The study examines the gap between knowledge and practice to probe ways in which to close this gap in the context of an environmental research assignment. The outcome is a recommendation that we as the project designers review the evidence of tensions and contradictions revealed in the study to reflect on the underlying purpose of the project and reshape it in light of recent literature on the challenges of social learning and change.

This study sought to investigate teacher, learner and parental perceptions and understanding of a whole school approach in environmental education (EE). There were five schools piloting environmental education through a whole school development approach in the Oshana Region of Namibia. The study was conducted in two rural schools in the Oshana Region. The schools were selected because they participated and piloted the infusion of environmental education themes in the curriculum through the whole school approach during the Supporting Environmental Education in Namibia (SEEN) project piloting phase from 2001 to 2005. This study was shaped and informed by international theories, practices and perspectives of a whole school approach as cited in chapter two of this study. In other words a whole school approach has provided theoretical background information and a practical framework on which this study was built. A whole school approach provides a theoretical understanding of how the school community, the biophysical environment, as well as the curriculum can benefit from EE projects through a whole school development approach. The whole school approach, discussed in this study, provides an opportunity to see the link between the whole school approach and ESD in order to understand the role a whole school approach plays in the implementation of ESD in Namibia. The research took the form of an interpretive case study focusing on a study of two teachers, two learners, and two members of the community. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, document analysis and site observations. This study was undertaken two years later after the Supporting Environmental Education Namibia (SEEN) pilot project phased out. The findings indicate that despite the training and support received by the schools during the operation of the Supporting Environmental Education Namibia (SEEN) pilot project, schools are still experiencing problems with the application of a whole school approach. The findings revealed that the curriculum should provide guidelines and examples to support teachers on how to integrate environmental education in the teaching and learning process. The results of the study indicate that teachers, learners and members of the community have a limited understanding about how a whole school development approach in environmental education is linked to Education Sustainable Development (ESD) and the four dimensions of the environment.

This study was conducted at Lungelolethu Lower/Higher Primary School in Keiskammahoek at a time when I was struggling to understand and implement the new South African curriculum policy, particularly in the Foundation Phase Life Skills Learning Programme. The research focused on my developing an understanding of key Learning Outcomes and linking them with the National Curriculum Statement principle of social justice, human rights, a healthy environment and inclusivity. During this time I was the key 4-H Programme educator in my school, responsible for school food garden activities. I used the school food garden for this study to explore the opportunities the garden might provide to develop the new curriculum using active learning approaches to teaching and learning; as well as to respond to environmental issues such as poverty. This research was an interpretive case study which supported my reflections within a practical action research framework. This framework suited my intention to change my classroom practice. I undertook three action research cycles with the first cycle aimed at gaining insights from the 4-H Programme teachers which informed 2 lesson plans for cycles 2 and 3 respectively. I generated data through focus group interviews, observations, document analysis, video and tape recording, and my research journal entries. The data indicated the value of school food gardens in meeting curriculum requirements, particularly in relation to learner centred ideologies and the first principle of the national curriculum. As both researcher and mediator of learning, I developed skills and knowledge that helped me to understand working in the Foundation Phase. The study also revealed a need for meaningful integration within and across Learning Areas when planning lessons in the Life Skills Learning Programme. The study indicated that there is a need to develop assessment practices beyond a technical exercise to a more interpretive approach. Lastly this study offers some recommendations for further research into the use of school food gardens through taking the context of learners into account and by encouraging school community relationships that will also contribute in poverty alleviation.

This study is an exploration of contextual environmental learning through integrated life skills and literacy in a Foundation Phase classroom. It attempts to document, explore and clarify some of the challenges of situated environmental learning in a Foundation Phase classroom through an integrated program of life skills learning and literacy acquisition. The research draws on a rich but often overlooked cultural historical context of embodied intergenerational healthy living practices in a rural Eastern Cape context to construct a learning platform for a more carefully situated and potentially relevant education. The integrated life skills and literacy acquisition program thus unfolded as a contextual process of situated learning within a developing blend of listening, writing and reading to learn in a Grade 3 program of additive bilingualism. The data generated in the study and represented in Chapter 4 suggests curriculum contextualisation in an integrated Foundation Phase program can contribute to environmental learning with enhanced relevance and literacy skills. The evidence from working with learner knowledge and experience in a community context appears to be a key to meaningful curriculum contextualization in an integrated Foundation Phase programme producing enhanced literacy and relevance. It was noted that engaging elders (gogos) enabled the process of opening up local knowledge to link with learner experience and school knowledge to foster relevance, appeared to contribute to more meaningful learning across other learning areas. There is evidence that acquiring literacy skills is a lengthy process that is supported by learner interest and the relevance of what they are learning especially when it is acknowledged by the teacher and the community. The findings of an exploratory study such as this cannot be conclusive beyond the experience that I had of working with learners who were engaged in learning as well as acquiring literacy skills literacy skills. My personal enthusiasm and work with the Gogos and with a community focus were key factors that strengthened environmental learning across school, home and community. The experience has convinced me that this is the way we must work to enhance relevance and literacy in our Foundation Phase teaching.

The Reception Year (Grade R) classroom is the educational setting for lifelong learning to take place. The Reception Year teacher is primarily involved in equipping the young child with care and education. Quality education calls for trained teachers with diverse, intense training; teachers who would use their knowledge, skills and attitudes to lead the child to ultimately reach his/her full potential in the classroom setting through the curriculum. This study investigates what constitutes and influences quality teaching in the Reception Year classroom. The investigation includes a literature review and empirical research using quantitative research approaches and expands on the role of the Reception Year teacher with regards to the child in totality, Grade R curriculum and outcomes-based education. Findings show that teachers with specialised qualifications in early childhood education bring to the Grade R classroom relevant skills, knowledge and attitudes that affect the young child’s developmental needs. / Teacher Education / M.Ed. (Didactics)

Summaries in English and Afrikaans / The bright future of education in South Africa, as in every developed and developing country such as the United States of America, United Kingdom, France and many others, depends greatly on grade 1 teachers' involvement in School-Based Curriculum Development (SBCD). The fallacy that grade 1 teachers can be operated effectively by remote control should be abandoned from the school curriculum. Success will always be elusive task if grade 1 teachers are excluded from curriculum decision-making, because their proximity to learners in the learning situation is a source of valuable information for curriculum developers, a source which is currently overlooked. This warrants a paradigm shift in teacher training programmes. A situation analysis in our democratic country necessitates problem-centred teacher training which will equip the future generation of teacher trainees and prospective grade 1 teachers with relevant professional skills, precipitated by our country. The bone of contention in this study revolves around the kind of teaching and learning problems experienced by grade 1 teachers involved in SBCD in the Northern Province. It is apparent from the thesis that grade 1 teachers' involvement in curriculum decisionmaking is limited to a certain extent because members of the top structure of curriculum planners are reluctant to quit their 'ivory towers' to perceive the real situation of the noble profession of teaching. A profound problem in South Africa in general and the Northern Province in particular is that there is a serious lack of consultation and negotiations with grade 1 teachers, and the implications thereof are detrimental to SBCD. The measure in which the grade 1 teachers are involved in participation and decisionmaking is a determinant of the success or failure of the innovation project. It is thus noteworthy to point out that the grade 1 teacher must be fully supported by his or her academic seniors, to become actively involved in curriculum activities. The overriding aim of this study, an exploratory investigation of the identified teaching and learning problems by grade 1 teachers in terms of SBCD in the Northern Province emanated from this need. It should also be pointed out that our world is characterised by the rapid tempo at which knowledge becomes out-dated and is replaced by new ideas and concepts. The twentieth century has become known as the information era. This has necessitated a change of emphasis in education; instead of the transfer of knowledge, the grade I teacher must rather be taught how to acquire knowledge on his or her own and be provided with instruments necessary for exploiting knowledge. The method of analysis began with in a literature review, with a viewpoint to provide guidelines for grade I teachers' involvement in SBCD. After an introductory orientation provided in chapter 1, the theories of SBCD and Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) were examined in chapter 2. Qualitative research as a strategy to address problems in SBCD was dealt with in chapter 3 by means of identifying the research instruments to be utilised for data collection techniques and analysis. Furthermore, in this chapter, the researcher elaborated on the types of qualitative methods, characteristics and outcomes of qualitative research, phases of data collection and analysis strategies and qualitative research as a remedy in SBCD problems. In chapter 4, the researcher elaborated on research instruments, findings and data analysis. Findings were based on the implementation of research instruments and literature review. It is in this chapter that the theories of SBCD and OBE in chapter 2 and qualitative research as a strategy to address SBCD problems in chapter 3 have been synthesised. In the ensuing chapter 5, guidelines which could serve as a framework for grade I teachers' involvement in SBCD were provided. It is strongly believed that these guidelines will be useful for both Pre-service Teacher Education and Training (PRESET) and In-service Teacher Education and Training (INSET) to keep pace with the changes taking place in the South African society. Teacher training should thus ensure that teacher trainees and prospective grade I teachers are sufficiently skilled to cope with the tremendous escalation of challenges in SBCD. In fact, grade I teachers should be trained to teach learners who must fulfill their vocational mandate some time in the near future. The youth must be empowered for the future, which covers the period from the time they enter school. These guidelines make it imperative for the trainers of prospective teachers to predict the future realistically and to train grade I teachers in accordance with the principle of constancy and change. Future education requires individuals who will know how to apply principles, norms and values and how to design new methods for effective instruction and learning. The final chapter focused on the background to the problem, the methodology of the investigation and conclusions. The study also highlighted recommendations for the improvement of teaching practice and teacher training and the implications thereof. The researcher summed up the study by proposing areas of concern for future research. / Die suksesvolle ontwikkeling en toekoms van onderwys in Suid-Afrika, soos in elke ontwikkelde en ontwikkelende land, insluitend die Verenigde State van Amerika, die Verenigde Koninkryk, Frankryk en vele ander, hang hoofsaaklik af van die betrokkenheid van graad 1-onderwysers by Skoolgebaseerde Kurrikulumontwikkeling (SBKO) . Dit geld ook vir die Noordelike Provinsie waar hierdie studie gedoen is. Die aanname dat graad 1-onderwysers effektief kan deelneem aan die skoolkurrikulum deur middel van afstandsdeelname, moet laat vaar word. Indien die onderwysers uitgesluit word van die besluitnemingsproses in kurrikulumontwikkeling sal die kanse op sukses bemoelik word. Hulle deelname aan en betrokkenheid by die leersituasie kan dien as 'n bron van inligting vir kurrikulumontwikkelaars. Tans word hierdie bron van inligting nie in aanmerking geneem nie. Hierdie hipotese vereis 'n paradigmaskuif in die onderwysersopleidingsprogramme. 'n Situasie-analise in die Noordelike Provinsie het getoon dat 'n probleemgerigte onderwysersopleidingsprogram nodig is om die toekomstige generasie van onderwysers (veral graad 1-onderwysers) toe te rus met die relevante professionele vaardighede wat so dringend in ons land benodig word. Die kernpunte in hierdie studie handel oor die tipe kennisoordrag- en leerprobleme wat graad 1-onderwysers ondervind m hulle betrokkenheid m Skoolgebaseerde Kurrikulumontwikkeling in die Noordelike Provinsie, en in watter mate dit aangespreek word m kurrikulumontwikkeling. Bevindings m hierdie studie toon dat onderwyserbetrokkenheid beperk word deur die topstruktuur van die kurrikulumbeplanners wat onwillig is om hulle ivoortorings te verlaat en sodoende nie die werklike situasie in die onderwysberoep in aanmerking neem nie. 'n Groot probleem in Suid-Afrika in die algemeen, en in die Noordelike Provinsie in die besonder, is die emstige gebrek aan konsultasie en onderhandeling met graad 1-onderwysers en die negatiewe impak hiervan op kurrikulumontwikkeling. Die mate waarin hierdie onderwysers betrokke is, is bepalend vir die sukses of die mislukking van die innoverende projek. Dit is gevolglik noodsaaklik om daarop te wys dat die graad 1- onderwyser ten voile ondersteun moet word deur sy/haar akaderniese seniors ten einde aktiefbetrokke te kan wees by sodanige kurrikulumaktiwiteite. Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie is dan ook 'n ondersoek na die geldentifiseerde kennisoordrag- en leerprobleme van graad l-onde111Jysers in die Noordelike Provinsie in voorafgenoemde verband. Ons leef in 'n snel veranderende wereld waarin kennis vinnig verouder raak en met nuwe idees en konsepte vervang word, die sogenaarnde inforrnasieera. Dit noodsaak 'n verandering in die onderwys, waar die onderwyser geleer moet word om eerstens self kennis te verkry asook dat die instrumente wat no dig is om die kennis te eksploiteer, verskafword, eerder as om net op kennisoordrag te let. Analise as ondersoekmetode is in die literatuuroorsig gebruik met die doel om riglyne vir graad 1-onderwysersbetrokkenheid te verskaf. Na die inleidende orienteringspostulaat in Hoofstuk 1, Is die teoriee van Skoolgebaseerde kurrikulumontwikkeling en Uitkomsgebaseerde Onde111Jys (UGO) m Hoofstuk 2 ondersoek. In Hoofstuk 3 is kwalitatiwe navorsing as strategie om probleme met Skoolgebaseerde Kurrikulumontwikkeling uit te wys, aangespreek. Dit is bereik deur die identifisering van die navorsingsinstrumente wat gebruik is vir data-insameling en analise. In die hoofstuk bespreek die navorser die tipes kwalitatiewe metodes; die eienskappe en gevolge van kwalitatiewe navorsmg; die fases van dataversarneling asook analisestrategiee en kwalitatiewe navorsmg as instrumente in die uitskakeling van Skoolgebaseerde Kurrikulumontwikkeling-probleme. In Hoofstuk 4 word verder uitgebrei oor navorsingsinstrurnente, bevindings en data- analise. In die hoofstuk word die teoriee van SBKO en UGO soos bespreek in Hoofstuk 2 en kwalitatiewe navorsing as strategie om SBKO probleme aan te spreek, gesintetiseer. In Hoofstuk 5 word riglyne verskaf wat kan dien as raarnwerk VIr graad londe111Jyserbetrokkenheid in SBKO. Die verrnoede bestaan dat hierdie riglyne bruikbaar sal wees vir beide Voordiensopleiding en Indiensopleiding om sodoende in pas te wees met die veranderinge wat m die gemeenskap se leefwereld plaasvind. Onderwysersopleiding behoort dus te verseker dat onderwysers wat opgelei word, en veral graad 1-onderwysers, toegerus word om met die toename in uitdagings in SBKO te kan byhou. In werklikheid behoort graad 1-onderwysers sodanig opgelei te word dat hulle leerders kan onderrig en toerus om in die toekoms hulle beroepe te kan beoefen. Die jeug moet bemagtig word vir die toekoms vanaf die oomblik dat hulle die skoolsisteem binnegaan. Hierdie riglyne maak dit noodsaaklik vir die opleiers van voomemende onderwysers om die toekoms korrek te voorspel en om die graad 1-onderwysers op te lei in die beginsels van konsekwentheid en verandering. Toekomstige onderrig vereis individue wat sal weet hoe om beginsels, nonne en waardes toe te pas en hoe om nuwe onderrigmetodes vir effektiewe leer te ontwerp. Die finale hoofstuk fokus op die agtergrond van die probleem, die metodologie van die ondersoek en gevolgtrekkings. Die studie benadruk die aanbevelings vir die verbetering van onderwyspraktyk en onderwysersopleiding en die implikasies daarvan. Die navorser som dan ook die studie op deur areas van belang vir toekomstige navorsing voor te stel. / D. Ed. (Didactics and Curriculum Studies)

The researcher thinks that there is a need to assess learning programmes for the Senior Phase learners at Environmental Education Centres (EEC' s) in Mpumalanga in order to ensure that resources provided by the Department of Agriculture Conservation and Environment in Mpumalanga(DACEM) are utilized for what they are intended. Thus the dissertation investigation is about whether learning programmes for the Senior Phase learners in Mpumalanga are assessed for their quality, namely, effectiveness and relevancy within the Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) system. Each directorate or section of the Mpumalangas' Department of Agriculture Conservation and Environment is obliged to ensure that appropriate policy guidelines are put in place to assist Environmental Officers (EO' s) to implement the Core Functions of the Environmental Education (EE) Directorate. Sometimes EO's need assistance in implementing policy guidelines. In this investigation EO' s were provided with an opportunity to translate policy into action by participating in the workshops conducted by the researcher. The participation of the EO' s meant that they had to learn how to develop learning programmes that are strongly guided by the EE Directorate's policy guidelines and Core Functions. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Environmental Education)

The research focuses on how teachers can use school gardens sponsored by South African National Biodiversity Institute as resource materials for teaching and learning. The study also focused on how teachers can integrate local knowledge into the school curriculum. The setting of the research is Zizamele Senior Primary School situated in Zizamele community in Butterworth in the Eastern Cape. The study is designed in portfolio format. It consists of three separate studies: a contextual profile; a stakeholder analysis; and a small-scale action research project, which build on each other. By developing a contextual profile of the research site, and the school community and school gardens project, I was able to collect information that informed the stakeholder analysis and the action research study. Data for the contextual profile was gathered by using a variety of data gathering techniques like questionnaires and interviews. The findings were that: the study area is characterized by socio-economic issues like poverty, unemployment, drug abuse and crime. This requires that the people of the area take responsibility in addressing some of the problems by being involved and knowing where to report issues. The second study, which is the stakeholder analysis, was done to mobilize stakeholders’ contributions to the gardens project in Zizamele School, sponsored by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. Data was collected at meetings and workshops in the schools through interviews. Findings indicated that different stakeholders had various contributions to make and that they were prepared to work with the school and with each other to develop the school garden and the learning potential of the school garden. This paved the way for the small scale action research case study that would follow. The last study, the small scale action research, was undertaken in the same school, Zizamele School, and focused on investigating ways of integrating local knowledge into the curriculum and how teachers use the gardens as resource for teaching and learning, with reference to Life Orientation Learning Area. Data was collected by interviews, questionnaires and worksheets. The study involved two teachers who worked with me on the action research and Grade 5 and 6 learners, as well as some of the community stakeholders. The main finding of the action researched showed the potential for involving community members in the process of integrating local knowledge as a way of implementing aspects of the Life Orientation curriculum requirements. The three studies link with each other, and show that to start with an action research project, one needs to understand the context, and the roles of different stakeholders, and how they might contribute to the programmes in the school. Findings showed that teachers could use gardens as resource materials for teaching and learning, and that they could bring in local knowledge to the school curriculum.