This study aimed to explore teaching difficulties of Natural Sciences teachers when offering lessons in the Planet, Earth and Beyond strand. The aim was to understand their teacher knowledge, type of instructional strategies, and classroom discourse and interactions in their Natural Science classroom. The following question guided the study: What are the teaching difficulties of Planet, Earth and Beyond strand? A qualitative case study design was used for the study. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews and observations. The study revealed that NS educators: carry misconceptions to class; show poor knowledge of context in specific aims and assessment strategies while also choosing poor and irrelevant instructional strategies and; still see themselves as authority in class by applying a one- way approach. It is recommended that: educators be trained on how to implement active and critical learning, while empowering them with knowledge on NS specific aims and assessment strategies; departmental heads, SMTs, and subject advisor should engage in regular class visits in the NS educators` classes, reviewing lesson plans that educators prepared; schools should provide educators with CAPS relevant documents; the DoE should provide more education to educators on the importance of following the curriculum as prescribed in the CAPS document; the department should provide educators with relevant teaching aids and practical apparatus and in the absence advice educators on how to improvise and; the subject advisors should assist educators in identifying misconceptions. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Natural Sciences Education)

This study was motivated by the lack of in-service training in cooperative learning and science process skills whereas both are emphasized in the new natural sciences curriculum. The aims of the study were to determine the influence of cooperative learning on the development of science process skills. Two classes were selected from two rural schools for inclusion as case studies of this research. These classes were taught using the Jigsaw and Group Investigation methods of cooperative learning respectively. Pre- and post-tests were administered on the two classes and the influence of these methods on learners' achievement on four process skills were determined. Mixed results were found with regard to the influence of the two cooperative learning methods on the development of learners' process skills of observation, controlling variables, graphing and experimenting. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)

This study aimed at determining whether participating in an environmental education programme (GLOBE) was positively reflected in participants' environmental perceptions, attitudes and level of environmentally responsible behaviour. An ecologically homogeneous sample consisting of 40 Grade 8 GLOBE participants and 40 non-GLOBE participants was selected. Pearson correlation coefficients, multiple regression analyses and t-tests were employed to compare the research groups. Results showed that GLOBE participants were more positive in their attitudes and actions toward the environment than non-GLOBE participants. GLOBE participants were however not environmentally more perceptive than non-GLOBE participants. Analysing responses of the GLOBE participants in terms of gender and place of residency was fruitless as the sample was too small to yield meaningful results. It was recommended that a more controlled and extended replication of this study, paying specific attention to initial motivations for participation/non-participation in the GLOBE programme, be considered. / Psychology / M.A.

This exploratory study sought to determine how the current science education curriculum at Nazarene Teachers College contributes to the final (third) year’s students’ career readiness from their own perspectives. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The target population was 150 third year students; 110 responded to the questionnaire which had a response rate of 79%. To describe the biographical information of the respondents, frequencies and percentages were used. Tables of frequency distribution were then used to deduce the respondents’ responses to the group of questionnaire questions that probe the various career readiness concepts. Scale reliability testing was also used to determine the reliability of career readiness concepts. An overall measure of career readiness was calculated for each respondent and the effect of biographical properties as part of evaluation of respondents. The empirical (quantitative survey)showed that the science education course at the Nazarene Teachers College indeed prepares the students for their career readiness with specific reference to the teaching profession although some aspects can be improved. Therefore, it was recommended that there should be increased time allocated to science education and its teaching approaches; that a suitable science laboratory with all the required equipment for experiential learning should be constructed; the current curriculum content with regards to the relevance for primary school science should be reviewed; and the lecturers should be workshopped on the use of interactive methods of teaching science to facilitate active engagement with students. This study reveals that the science education course at the Nazarene Teachers College strengthened the students’ attitudes towards teaching science; improved their skills and confidence to teach science and enabled them to focus on a learner-centred approach. Students indicated that the use of specific teaching methods and the use of teaching aids contributed in a significant way to their preparation as teachers in the classroom. However, the students rated the contribution science makes to society as of minor importance / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)

This study was motivated by the lack of in-service training in cooperative learning and science process skills whereas both are emphasized in the new natural sciences curriculum. The aims of the study were to determine the influence of cooperative learning on the development of science process skills. Two classes were selected from two rural schools for inclusion as case studies of this research. These classes were taught using the Jigsaw and Group Investigation methods of cooperative learning respectively. Pre- and post-tests were administered on the two classes and the influence of these methods on learners' achievement on four process skills were determined. Mixed results were found with regard to the influence of the two cooperative learning methods on the development of learners' process skills of observation, controlling variables, graphing and experimenting. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)

This study aimed at determining whether participating in an environmental education programme (GLOBE) was positively reflected in participants' environmental perceptions, attitudes and level of environmentally responsible behaviour. An ecologically homogeneous sample consisting of 40 Grade 8 GLOBE participants and 40 non-GLOBE participants was selected. Pearson correlation coefficients, multiple regression analyses and t-tests were employed to compare the research groups. Results showed that GLOBE participants were more positive in their attitudes and actions toward the environment than non-GLOBE participants. GLOBE participants were however not environmentally more perceptive than non-GLOBE participants. Analysing responses of the GLOBE participants in terms of gender and place of residency was fruitless as the sample was too small to yield meaningful results. It was recommended that a more controlled and extended replication of this study, paying specific attention to initial motivations for participation/non-participation in the GLOBE programme, be considered. / Psychology / M.A.

Acompanha: Articulação de tecnologias de informação e comunicação, TIC, no ensino de biologia para estudo interdisciplinar de uma área urbana: ilha dos Valadares-PR / As transformações sociais e tecnológicas contemporâneas fizeram emergir a necessidade por mudanças significativas no sistema educacional, citam-se: a análise do perfil dos sujeitos, estrutura e enfoque curricular, expectativas de aprendizagem, formação inicial e continuada dos docentes, inserção de Tecnologiasde Informação e Comunicação - TIC no planejamento e na prática pedagógica, abordagens metodológicas ativas, interdisciplinares e contextualizadas. A partir desse contexto, a pesquisa desenvolvida propôs a análise do potencial interdisciplinar e contextualizador das TIC, representadas pela Internet e pelo software Google Earth® no ensino de Biologia com ênfase ao estudo multitemático de uma área urbana. Contemplou uma amostra de 11 estudantes cursistas do 3o ano do Ensino Médio de uma instituição da rede privada de ensino do município de Paranaguá-PR, na qual a pesquisadora é regente. A área de estudo foi a Ilha dos Valadares, localizada no mesmo município e sua seleção ocorreu porque a mesma apresenta aspectos propícios ao desenvolvimento da proposta, tais como: localização, peculiaridades do processo de ocupação antrópica, densidade demográfica, pressão sobre ecossistemas vulneráveis e especificidades do contexto social, ambiental e cultural. O referencial teórico que subsidiou essa dissertação está vinculado à interdisciplinaridade e contextualização sócio-histórica, aliando-os a adequações metodológicas com o uso de TIC, através da análise do software Google Earth® e do site Laifi segundo critérios pedagógicos e ergonômicos.A estratégia de metodologia utilizada neste trabalho foi o estudo de caso, por ter um objeto de pesquisa definido, e a pesquisa-ação, uma vez que lança aos estudantes o desafio de usar as tecnologias já referidas para traçar um perfil abrangente da área estudada. Os instrumentos de coleta de dados aplicados foram: questionários diagnóstico e avaliativo, construção de um arquivo de registro para os trabalhos dos estudantes com o software, observação participante e focus group que permearam os eventos de aprendizagem ofertados durante o trabalho: seminário sobre sensoriamento remoto, apresentação inicial da área de estudo, oficina com o software Google Earth®, saída de campo pela baía de Paranaguá, pesquisa bibliográfica e socialização dos resultados em uma rede social denominada Laifi e um mural para atender a comunidade escolar.Observou-se que a maioria dos estudantes não possuía conhecimentos a respeito da área, mas seu interesse foi crescente durante o desenvolvimento dos trabalhos, trazendo sugestões para discussão e explorando outras áreas do conhecimento, demonstrando o potencial interdisciplinar e contextualizador das TIC utilizadas. Também foi possível identificar o desenvolvimento de competências e habilidades dos estudantes durante o trabalho. São produtos da pesquisa: uma sequência didática, postagem no Laifi na categoria educação e cultura e um tutorial para o uso do software que pode ser adaptado pelos professores de acordo com área pretendida. / Contemporary social and technological changes have made emerge the need for significant changes in the education system, we can mention the analysis of the personal characteristics, structure and curriculum focus, learning expectations, initial and continuing training of teachers, Information Technologies and insertion Communication - ICT in planning and teaching practice, active methodological approaches, interdisciplinary and contextualized. From this context, the research developed proposed the analysis of the interdisciplinary potential and contextualizing of ICT, represented by the Internet and Google Earth® software in teaching biology with emphasis on multi-theme study of an urban area. Included a sample of 11 course participants of the 3rd year students of the High School of an institution of private schools in the city of Paranaguá, in which the researcher is regent. The study area was that of Valadares Island, located in the same municipality and their selection was because it presents favorable aspects to the development of the proposal, such as location, peculiarities of human occupation process, population density, pressure on vulnerable ecosystems and specificities the social, environmental and cultural context. The theoretical framework that supported this thesis is linked to interdisciplinary and socio-historical context, combining them to methodological adjustments with the use of ICT by analyzing Google Earth® software and site Laifi second pedagogical and ergonomic criteria. The methodology strategy used was the case study, to have a defined research object, and action research, once it launches to students the challenge of using the technologies mentioned above to chart a comprehensive profile of the studied area. The applied data collection instruments were: diagnosis and evaluation questionnaires, building a log file to the work of the students with the software, participant observation and focus group that permeated the learning events offered at work: seminar on remote sensing, initial presentation of the study area, workshop with Google Earth® software, field trip across the bay of Paranaguá, literature and socialization of results in a social network called Laifi and a wall to meet the school community. It was observed that most students had no knowledge about the area, but his interest was increasing during the development of the work, bringing suggestions for discussion and exploring other areas of knowledge, demonstrating the interdisciplinary potential and contextualizing of ICT used. It was also possible to identify the development of skills and abilities of students at work. Are research products: a didactic sequence, posting Laifi in the category education and culture and a tutorial for using the software that can be adapted by teachers according to desired area.

The purpose of the study is to explore teacher’s classroom practices when teaching electric circuits in a grade 12 classroom. This qualitative interpretive study involves three participants who perceive electric circuits to be a difficult topic to teach in the Tshwane west district, Gauteng Province. The study uses the Classroom Practice Diagnostic framework to present and analyse results. Pseudonyms are used to protect the identities of the participants. The study reveals that teachers’ classroom practices differ from one participant to the other, despite the same perception that electric circuits is a difficult topic to teach. / Ndivho khulwane ya ngundo/Tsedzusulo iyi ndi u bveledza na u tandavhudza mugudisi kha ngudo dza kilaŝini musi a tshi gudisa sekhethe dza mudagasi kha gireidi ya 12(ya vhufumbili) kilasini. Nyangaredzo ya thaluso ya ngudo I katela vhashelamulenzhe vhararu vhane vha vhona sekhete dza mudagasi dzi tshi konda kha Tshitiriki tsha Tswane Vhubhaduvha; na kha vunda la Gauteng. Ngudo iyi I shuma u ita tsedzuluso u itela u netshedza na u ita tsedzuluso yo dzhenelelaho ya mvelelo. Madzina o dzumbamiswaho o shumisa u nwala muvhigo u tsereledza vhashelamuledhe vha ngudo iyi. Tsedzuluso yo dzumbulula uri zwine vhagudisi vha ita kilasini zwi fhambana u bva kha munwe mudededzi uya kha munwe; nga nnda ha ndavhelelo ya uri ngudo ya sekethe ya mudagasi I a konda u funza. / Maikaelelo a serutwa se ke go katisa morutabana gore a nne le bokgone jwa go ruta sekete ya motlakase ka mo phaposing ya gagwe ya materiki. Ka kakaretso tlhaloso ya serutwa se sa sekete ya motlakase se akaretsa batsaya karolo ba ba raro ba ba reng serutwa se se thata, mme ba tswa kwa Tshwane West le kwa Porofenseng ya Gauteng. Serutwa se se dirisiwa go dira dipatlisiso le go neela dipatlisiso tse di tseneletseng tsa dipholo tsa batsaya karolo. Mo dipatlisisong tse go dirisitswe maina a a bofitlha go sireletsa batsaya karolo ba patlisiso e. Serutwa se kgotsa patliso e,e re lemosa gore se barutabana ba se dirang mo phaposing se a farologana go tswa go morutabana mongwe le mongwe, ka ntlha ya gore serutwa sa sekete ya motlase se thata. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Specialisation in Natural Science Education)

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Recent technological applications have made the life of people too much dependent on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and its applications. Understanding basic level science is a must in order to use and contribute to this technological revolution. Science education in middle and high school levels however depends heavily on visual representations such as models, diagrams, figures, animations and presentations etc. This leaves visually impaired students with very few options to learn science and secure a career in STEM related areas. Recent experiments have shown that small aural clues called Audemes are helpful in understanding and memorization of science concepts among visually impaired students. Audemes are non-verbal sound translations of a science concept. In order to facilitate science concepts as Audemes, for visually impaired students, this thesis presents an automatic system for audeme generation from STEM textbooks. This thesis describes the systematic application of multiple Natural Language Processing tools and techniques, such as dependency parser, POS tagger, Information Retrieval algorithm, Semantic mapping of aural words, machine learning etc., to transform the science concept into a combination of atomic-sounds, thus forming an audeme. We present a rule based classification method for all STEM related concepts. This work also presents a novel way of mapping and extracting most related sounds for the words being used in textbook. Additionally, machine learning methods are used in the system to guarantee the customization of output according to a user's perception. The system being presented is robust, scalable, fully automatic and dynamically adaptable for audeme generation.

Abstracts in English, Afrikaans and Zulu / This qualitative, single high school case-study conveniently sampled eight natural sciences teachers and, after conducting lesson observations and document analysis, interviewed all participants to obtain their perceptions about the effectiveness of inquirybased teaching in motivating learners to specialise in sciences. The major finding was that most participants were sceptical about inquiry-based teaching. Participants from a behaviourist epistemology did not believe that learner motivation resulted from inquirybased teaching while those from an eclectic epistemology preferred a complementary use of both approaches. The few participants oriented towards inquiry acknowledged the link between learner motivation and inquiry-based teaching but faced the challenge of limited time to prepare all the apparatus and procedures required for inquiry-based teaching. This researcher recommends employing laboratory assistants to assist teachers with setting up apparatus for inquiry-based lessons, trimming some content to reduce overload in the Annual Teaching Plans (ATP), and in-service training on inquirybased teaching to develop learner interest in sciences. / Hierdie kwalitatiewe gevallestudie het agt natuurwetenskap onderwysers betrek en na leswaarnemings en dokumentanalise, is onderhoude met die deelnemers gevoer om hul sienings te bekom oor die bydrae van die ondersoek-gebaseerde konstruktivistiese benadering as ’n strategie om leerders te motiveer om in wetenskap-verwante vakke te spesialiseer. Die belangrikste bevindings was dat die deelnemers logiese positivistiese en eklektiese benaderings verkies; dat hulle skepties is oor ondersoek-gebaseerde onderrig en dat hulle nie leerder motivering aan onderwysbenaderings koppel nie. Daar was egter enkele deelnemers wat wel ondersoekend onderrig het en wat leerder belangstelling in wetenskap aan ondersoek-gebaseerde onderrig gekoppel het. Op grond van die data wat verkry is, beveel hierdie navorser aan dat laboratoriumassistente aangestel moet word om onderwysers by te staan met die opstel van apparaat vir ondersoek-gebaseerde lesse; dat spesifieke modelle van ondersoek in die “CAPS”- dokument ingesluit word; dat inhoud afgeskaal moet word om oorlading in die jaarlikse onderrigplanne (ATP) te verminder, en dat voor- en indiensopleiding aan onderwysers oor ondersoek-gebaseerde onderrig verskaf word as ‘n manier om die belangstelling van die leerders in die wetenskappe te prikkel. / Lesisifundo socwaningo esenziwe esikoleni esisodwa samabanga aphakeme lwakhetha othisha beSayensi Yemvelo (NS) abayisishiyagalombili ukuze kwazakale ukuthi bayibona kanjani indlela yokufundisa iSayensi ngophenyo (inquiry-based teaching) ehlose ukukhuphula intshisekelo yabafundi kwiSayensi. Ngemuva kokubona othisha beSayensi befundisa, lomcwaningi wahlaziya incwadi eziphathelene nokufundiswa kohlelo lwe CAPS, waphinde wenza izingxoxo nabothisha. Okumqoka okutholakale kuloluphenyo kube ukuthi iningi lababambe iqhaza, abakhuthalela ukufundisa ngendlela egxile kuthisha (logical positivism) bangabaza ukuthi abafundi bafunde bephenya njalo abakubonanga ukuxhumana kwenzindlela zokufundisa nokunyuka kwentshiseko yabafundi ezifundweni ze Sayensi. Ababambiqhaza abahlanganisa indlela yokufundisa egxile kuthisha ne ndlela yokufundisa ngophenyo (eclectic) bakholelwa ukuthi indlela yokufundisa egxile kuthisa nendlela yokuthi abafundi bafunde bephenya, kuyomela zisetshenziswe zombili. Kwatholakala ingcosana yabothisha eyenelisa ukufundisa isayensi ngendlela yophenyo eyayisezingeni eliphansi njalo yaqinisekisa ukuthi bukhona ubudlelwano phakathi kwendlela zokufundisa nokunyusa intshiseko yabafundi kwi Sayensi. Ngokolwazi olutholakele, lolucwaningo luncome ukusebenzisa abasizi basemagunjini okusebenzela ososayensi ukusiza ukuhlela amalungiselelo okwenza uphenyo lwezifundo, nokuhlinzekwa kwezindlela eziqondile zokuphenya izincwadi zikaCAPS, kanye nokunciphisa okunye okuqukethwe, kwehliswe umthwalo kuhlelo lokufundisa lonyaka (i-ATP), ukuqeqeshwa kothisha kwi ndlela yokufundisa iSayensi ngokuphenya ukuze kuthuthukiswe intshiseko yabafundi. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)