The 21st century environmental crisis that humankind faces has resulted in a need to re-orientate ourselves towards environmental sustainability. Singular paradigmatic ways of knowing no longer deal with multiple interconnected realities and associated uncertainty, diversity and risk faced by humankind. Geography focusses on interactions between the ‘human’ and ‘natural’ world, and should play a leading role in Education for Sustainability (EfS). The multidimensional worldview of geographers together with their integrative skills, awareness of scale, place and space and holistic viewpoint positions the discispline in the forefront of sustainability related challenges. The extent of the contribution depends on the view of Geography and how it is transferred to graduates, during their undergraduate studies. In reality non-geographers view the discipline as suitable for EfS, with the Geography fraternity less enthusiastic. This thesis suggests that South African Geography (as is the case internationally) has limited success in making its instrumental value known through EfS. Using the integral perspective of epistemological pluralism, it is suggested that an obstacle is the fragmentation of undergraduate Geography between sub-fields and theoretical and practical/ analytical courses, with limited intra-discipline discourse. The identity of Geography appears to be locked into dualisms of society versus nature and theory versus technique. These dualisms create an obstacle for the reconfiguration in terms of mutual conceptualisation of society-nature interaction in a strong theoretical setting and with techniques in a supporting role. The multi-paradigmatic methodology used in this thesis includes an assessment of undergraduate curricula of 17 Departments of Geography at South African universities, a questionnaire on Geography and EfS sent to departments, focus groups at selected departments and interviews with a selection of South African geographers. Findings indicate that although sustainability features on the undergraduate level in all departments, it is not a cross-cutting theme. It is concluded that closer integration between the sub-fields and identities of Geography, regarding the diversity of Geography as an asset and the acceptance of multiple paradigms, is the only way through which Geography in South Africa will be able to strengthen its position in EfS, while ensuring a vibrant future for the discipline. / Geography / Ph. D. (Geography)

Submitted by Maria de Lourdes Mariano (lmariano@ufscar.br) on 2017-01-18T17:10:38Z No. of bitstreams: 1 MORAIS_JUNIOR_Eduardo_2015.pdf: 10941952 bytes, checksum: 4fa4446036f535fb747a8a7b4f52667b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria de Lourdes Mariano (lmariano@ufscar.br) on 2017-01-18T17:10:47Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 MORAIS_JUNIOR_Eduardo_2015.pdf: 10941952 bytes, checksum: 4fa4446036f535fb747a8a7b4f52667b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria de Lourdes Mariano (lmariano@ufscar.br) on 2017-01-18T17:10:55Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 MORAIS_JUNIOR_Eduardo_2015.pdf: 10941952 bytes, checksum: 4fa4446036f535fb747a8a7b4f52667b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-01-18T17:11:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MORAIS_JUNIOR_Eduardo_2015.pdf: 10941952 bytes, checksum: 4fa4446036f535fb747a8a7b4f52667b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-15 / Não recebi financiamento / This research aims to identify the teacher's knowledge announced by a group of teachers Initial Years of elementary school (1st to 3rd grade), linked to PNAIC (National Pact for Literacy Certain Age) in 2014 in the city of Sumaré - SP, through the detailed planning by a collective reflection and realization of a geometry activity developed in the classroom. This study, of qualitative nature, are based on participatory research, specifically action research, in view of the proposal for an intervention in the group studied. For the analysis of data produced by the teachers, the content analysis by the very nature of such data was used, the main landmarks references Bardin (1977) and Franco (2005) and for reasons of narrative, which constitute the data from this survey, we rely on Cunha (1997), Souza (2006) and Galvão (2005). The issue of teaching knowledge which is another aspect discussed in this work is grounded by the studies of Tardif (2011), Gauthier (1998) and other researchers dealing with the subject. The perspective is adopted in this research is an investigative work and that does not close at the time of analysis, and opening to the continuity of the reflections that now will be brought here. The object of study is seated in the triad: teaching knowledge, curriculum and teaching of geometry, with the theoretical foundation Silva (2010) in the curriculum conceptions, Leme da Silva and Valente (2014), Lorenzato (2011) and Fainguelernt (1999) in thinking about the geometry of education as well as the theoretical development of Piaget and Inhelder (1993) and Van Hiele (1990). Presented with this dissertation contributions to the continued discussion of teaching knowledge in the educational context, valuing the voice of the teacher of Primary Education Years Initials. As conclusions, we have the teaching knowledge arising announced by the teachers of vocational training, as well as disciplinary, curricular and experiential knowledge in the analyzed narratives. We bring to this indicative study for teacher continuing education concerning the reflective professional attitude and also to learn experiential as knowledge important to be considered in academic research as well as in their own continuing education of teachers. / A presente pesquisa tem como objetivo identificar os saberes docentes anunciados por um grupo de professoras dos Anos Iniciais do Ensino Fundamental (1º ao 3º ano), vinculadas ao PNAIC (Pacto Nacional pela Alfabetização na Idade Certa) no ano de 2014, na cidade de Sumaré – SP, por meio do planejamento circunstanciado por uma reflexão coletiva e realização de uma atividade de geometria desenvolvida em sala de aula. Este estudo, de cunho qualitativo, se assenta na pesquisa participante, especificamente a pesquisa-ação, tendo em vista a proposta de uma intervenção no grupo pesquisado. Para a análise dos dados, produzidos pelas professoras, foi utilizada a análise de conteúdo pela própria natureza desses dados, tendo como principais marcos referenciais Bardin (1977) e Franco (2005) e para fundamentação das narrativas, que se constituem os dados desta pesquisa, nos apoiamos em Cunha (1997), Souza (2006) e Galvão (2005). A questão dos saberes docentes, que é outra vertente discutida neste trabalho, é fundamentada pelos estudos de Tardif (2011), Gauthier (1998) e demais pesquisadores que tratam da temática. A perspectiva que se adota nessa pesquisa é de um trabalho investigativo e que não se fecha no momento de análise, tendo abertura para a continuidade das reflexões que ora serão trazidas aqui. O objeto de estudo está assentado na tríade: saberes docentes, currículo e ensino de geometria, tendo como fundamentação teórica Silva (2010) nas concepções de currículo, Leme da Silva e Valente (2014), Lorenzato (2011) e Fainguelernt (1999) na reflexão sobre o ensino de geometria, bem como o desenvolvimento teórico de Piaget e Inhelder (1993) e Van Hiele (1990). Apresentamos com esta dissertação contribuições para a continuidade da discussão dos saberes docentes no contexto educacional, valorizando a voz do professor dos Anos Iniciais do Ensino Fundamental. Como conclusões, temos os saberes docentes anunciados pelas professoras decorrentes da formação profissional, bem como saberes disciplinares, curriculares e experienciais nas narrativas analisadas. Trazemos com esse estudo indicativos para formação continuada docente que dizem respeito à postura reflexiva do profissional e também o saber experiencial como um saber importante a ser considerado nas pesquisas acadêmicas e também nas próprias formações continuadas de professores.

Pupils in the Republic of South Africa in the T.B.V.C. States (Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei) are expected to commence study in all school subjects, except the first language (Xhosa, Tswana, Venda etc.) and the third language (Afrikaans), through the medium of English at the Std 3 level. English thus is the official medium of instruction for the greater part of the pupil's school experience. All examinations in all subjects (except those mentioned above) are set and answered through the medium of English. School textbooks from Std 3 upwards, in all subjects, are written in English. It is fairly safe to assert, therefore, that English should be the language life of the Higher Primary and Secondary School classroom. In 1953 a UNESCO report of proceedings of a conference held in 1951 maintained that the best medium for teaching a pupil was that of the mother-tongue. The report pleaded for mother-tongue instruction to be extended to as late a stage as possible in a pupil's school life (UNESCO 1953). While such a plea may be grounded on sound psychological and pedagogical reasoning, it is often ignored because of the realities existing within the educational system. The R.S.A. and the T.B.V.C. states are a case in point for as I have already mentioned, examinations, textbooks, and for that matter tertiary education at the post-matriculation level, all employ English as instructional medium. Pragmatism carries the day and the black pupil is compelled to use English. Other factors applicable to the South African context are the existence of many different ethnic groups, each with its own language, and the fact that a shortage of qualified and experienced teachers in many subjects and different levels within the schools has meant that often teachers whose first language is English are involved in teaching pupils from these various language groups

MEd (Curriculum Studies) / Department of Curriculum Studies / The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges prevalent in teaching mapwork in Geography at Grade 12. The researcher adopted the mixed-methods research design which, combines elements of the qualitative and quantitative approaches. The researcher used an interview schedule and questionnaires to collect data. Purposive sampling and simple random sampling were used to select participants for the study. The population comprised of Heads of Departments of Geography, Geography teachers and Grade 12 learners. The Qualitative sample consisted of 5 Heads of Departments of Geography and 5 Geography teachers. The Questionnaires were administered on 150 learners. The researcher analysed the qualitative data thematically. The Quantitative data was analysed through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The findings showed that the dearth of learner-teacher support materials and overcrowded classrooms are the major set back on teaching Geography mapwork at Grade 12. The study recommended that the Department of Basic Education should provide schools with enough learner-support materials and construct enough classrooms at schools, so that there is a conducive teaching-learning environment. / NRF

Thesis (MEd (Curriculum Studies))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The numerous changes to the South African education system since January 1998 have had far reaching effects on schools and the training of educators (Government Gazette, 31 May 2002:13). Changes in subject content have occurred in various subjects, and the General Science (now Natural Science) syllabus is no exception. The General Science syllabus previously catered mainly for Chemistry, Physics and Biology, but the Curriculum 2005 (C2005) Natural Science syllabus includes subject matter on Physical Geography (Climatology, Astronomy, and Geomorphology) (Department of Education, 2002b:6). The problem with this is that educators that previously taught General Science are not necessarily qualified to present the Physical Geography component of the new syllabus. This study investigates the impact of the changes in the new curriculum. The review of existing literature on curriculum development in Natural Science education in South Africa emphasises key changes made in the development and implementation of C2005 and the Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS). It also explores the characteristic features of misconceptions, before considering specific misconceptions in Natural Sciences. The first part of the two-tiered empirical investigation is based on the results of questionnaires and interviews completed by different groups of Natural Sciences educators. The questionnaires, which drew in part on existing questionnaires used in similar studies, were based on information used for the literature review. The second part of the empirical investigation consisted of interviews conducted with Natural Sciences Departmental Heads at randomly selected schools. An attempt was made to determine how these senior educators experienced the implementation of C2005 and RNCS and what their attitude to the new curriculum were. The data obtained from the questionnaires and the subsequent interviews were categorised, interpreted and coded for statistical processing.

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2018-09-26T10:03:29Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcela Araujo de Mello Lemos.pdf: 5272715 bytes, checksum: 7059c0319546ce9da11db6e50706835e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-26T10:03:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marcela Araujo de Mello Lemos.pdf: 5272715 bytes, checksum: 7059c0319546ce9da11db6e50706835e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-08-17 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / The study aims to analyze geography curriculum of São Paulo state, as product of the 2008 São Paulo Faz Escola program, from SARESP evaluation applied to elementary school between 2009 and 2013. To achieve this goal, the following documents were consult as a primary source: Curricular Proposal of São Paulo State (2010), Array of Reference for Evaluation – SARESP (2009), SARESP Educational Reports (2009, 2010 and 2013) and Geography Notebooks for Teachers (2014). Finally, the Students Newspaper (2008) as secondary source. This research justifies the relevance when considering that the São Paulo Faz Escola program, created by the government of São Paulo state in 2008, aimed at improving the quality of education in accordance with the proposals linked to the interests of the major international institutions, like the World Bank. Therefore, the hypothesis is that SARESP is an assessment designed to shape the curriculum. This hypothesis confirmed when noticed the poor quality of the items produced for evaluation, containing conceptual errors and incompatibility between the skill and the theme of the question. In addition, the Array of Reference for Evaluation containing the guidelines for the SARESP was a document prepared and published before the Curricular Proposal of São Paulo, configuring this curriculum as assessed conformed to the reports of international institutions / O presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar o currículo de Geografia do estado de São Paulo, constituído no programa São Paulo Faz Escola, de 2008, a partir da avaliação SARESP de Geografia aplicada para o Ensino Fundamental II, entre os anos de 2009 e 2013. Para atingir este objetivo, foram consultados os seguintes documentos como fonte primária: Proposta Curricular do Estado de São Paulo (2008 e 2010), Matriz de Referência para Avaliação – SARESP (2009), Relatórios Pedagógicos do SARESP dos anos de 2009, 2011 e 2013 e os Cadernos do Professor de Geografia de 2014 e Jornais do Aluno de EF II que datam de 2008, como fonte secundária. Justifica-se, então, a relevância desta pesquisa ao se considerar que o programa São Paulo Faz Escola, criado pelo governo do estado de São Paulo em 2008, teve como objetivo a melhoria da qualidade da educação de acordo com as propostas ligadas aos interesses dos grandes órgãos internacionais, como Banco Mundial. Sendo assim, levanta-se como hipótese a ideia de que o SARESP é uma avaliação elaborada para modelar o currículo. Esta hipótese foi confirmada, quando se percebeu a baixa qualidade das questões produzidas para a avaliação, contendo erros conceituais da disciplina e incompatibilidade entre a habilidade e o tema da questão. Além disso, a Matriz de Referência para Avaliação contendo as orientações para o SARESP foi um documento elaborado e publicado antes da Proposta Curricular do Estado de São Paulo, configurando este currículo como avaliado e que obedece aos ditames do mercado internacional

University of Macau / Faculty of Education

This research explores the multifaceted benefits that accrue from learning within an international, experiential context. It uses a qualitative, case study approach employing pre and post surveys, in-situ observations, and semi-structured photo-elicitation interviews to analyze the Center for Geography Education in Oregon’s (C-GEO) 2013 Overseas Teacher Institute--a professional development program that took 11 teachers to Russia, Mongolia, and China for a total of 17 days (plus two additional travel days) to learn about the cultural and physical geography of each place. The focus of the research is two-fold and examines processes involved in gaining, synthesizing and applying 1) a sense of place (the emotional ties between people and place), and 2) geo-literacy. The results of this study provide evidence that intensive professional development programs can increase teachers personal and professional knowledge, change their instructional practices, and may lead to improved student learning outcomes.