The number of African learners who participate and succeed in physical science is recognized to be ‘disturbingly low’. One of the factors attributed to the low levels of enrolment and performance in physical science is language. In this study, teaching and learning through the language of science is examined in the context of the bilingual classroom. A model of analysis is constructed that (1) extends the notion of the language of science to include the mathematical and visual ‘languages’ of science, (2) takes recognition of the manner in which language, content, and values and beliefs construct the science learner, and (3) moves beyond the characterization of teaching and learning according to the dichotomy of the ‘traditional’/ the ‘progressive’. The model of analysis draws upon the central concepts of a sociocultural model of pedagogy, namely the ‘developmental model’. In addition, the model of analysis makes use of Systemic Functional Linguistics to examine teaching and learning at the micro level of classroom interaction. This study reveals the complex nature in which the language, content, and values and beliefs change as a lesson unfolds: teaching and learning through the language of science has been shown in these classrooms to be marked by features of both a ‘traditional’ and a ‘progressive’ model – each of which appears to serve different functions in the overall construction of the science learner. In addition, this study begins to uncover how a ‘successful’ teacher equips his/ her learners in the context of the bilingual physical science classroom: teaching and learning through the language of science has been shown in these classrooms to incorporate complex and varied strategies that depend upon choices made by both the teacher and learners. These findings substantiate the need to understand the challenges teachers and learners face in the bilingual physical science classroom in ways that acknowledge the complexity of the teaching and learning process.

Project 1: This is a literature review on the teaching of ecology in South African schools. The importance of ecology education in the school curriculum is well reported. It is also reported that in spite of the apparent importance of the subject, not much ecology is taught or learned in schools. This report examines what ecology is supposed to be about and the challenges that confront its teaching. The approaches to teaching the subject are also discussed. It would seem that if teachers focus on teaching ecological concepts using constructivist teaching/learning strategies, students might be helped to learn ecology meaningfully. Project 2: 'Constructing eco-concepts' is a case study that reports the effects of a module whose design was informed by social constructivist ideas on the understanding of selected ecological concepts by college students. Social constructivism as a philosophy of learning has gained increasing attention in science education in recent times and yet the approach is so alien to so many. Many teachers still teach by the traditional teacher-centred approaches. This research project reports the conceptual change of students after undertaking the module. It also reports the students' perceptions about the teaching/learning strategies employed in the module. It would seem that the social constructivist strategies used in the module assisted the students to improve their frameworks of ecological concepts. Data also tend to reveal that the students enjoyed the approach to learning and had positive views about the social constructivist teaching/learning approach. Project 3: With the advent of the new curriculum framework for South Africa, the outcomes based curriculum, it would seem that teachers could no longer approach teaching by the traditional transmission methods. Colleges of education have been criticised for producing teachers who do not seem to be adequately prepared for their job. Presently, the argument seems to be that teachers would need in-service education on a wide scale and the colleges of education would seem to be important in-service teacher education centres. This research, using case study methodology, investigated the potential of one of the colleges of education to become an in-service teacher education institution based on its physical and human resources.

The study investigated how the child centred approach is applied in teaching Natural Science (NS) in Johannesburg East schools. Most attention was paid on which teaching methods were used and how they were used to teach NS. Data was collected from 5 randomly selected schools in Johannesburg East through observations of Natural Science teachers teaching, and focus group discussion with them. Data presentation and analysis revealed that NS teachers who participated in the study used a limited range of child centred teaching methods. They only used experiments, class activities, as well as question and answer method. Literature review revealed that there are numerous child centred teaching methods that NS teachers can use. Some of these methods are brainstorming, discussions, games, group/pair work, field trips, case studies and assignments, using Information and Communication Technology (ICT), debates and facilitation. The majority of teachers still used the out-dated lecture method contrary to the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) 2012 documents that call for an end in the use of traditional teaching methods such as the lecture method. The study also revealed that there are certain challenges and factors that inhibit the implementation of the child centred approach in NS. These challenges among others include the teacher centred curriculum which dictates the pace and content to the child, lack of adequate NS resources, big volumes of learners in classes, different abilities, talents, interests and skills possessed by learners, learners’ lack of discipline, as well as shortage of qualified NS teachers. All these were seen as inhibiting factors in the implementation of the child centred approach in NS. The study among other recommendations recommended that, in order for the child centred approach to be implemented successfully the Ministry of Basic Education should develop a child centred curriculum that does not dictate the pace to the child. The Ministry as well should come up with a specific or customised child centred approach model that is relevant to NS as a subject, in-service all NS teachers and empower them with the child centred teaching methods, principles and strategies, capacitate all schools with all necessary resources such as qualified NS teachers as well as relevant chemicals, materials, apparatus and information and communication technology infrastructure designated for NS. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)

The study has a twofold purpose. The first is to compare the priority order of the seven fundamental areas of skill among the three sample groups, The second is to compare the differences between actual and ideal teacher performance in the seven fundamental skill areas. The conclusions are generalizable only to the population of Texas teacher educators, members of the Texas Science Supervisors Association and members of the Science Teachers Association of Texas, All of the groups had basic agreement as to the priority order of the science teacher competencies being demonstrated by teachers, The profession's success in educating teachers in the content areas is reflected by the priority of the rankings. The position of the science supervisors' ratings of teacher performance between teachers and teacher educators indicated that supervisors have the most accurate view of teacher performance, The least discrepancy among groups occurred in the ideal rating of teacher performance, indicating general agreement as to the level at which teachers should be demonstrating skills, The greatest discrepancy occurred in the identification of actual level of teacher performance.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:24:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-09-29Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:52:33Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 fiorato_ps_me_bauru.pdf: 507743 bytes, checksum: 8db8846a2849f2e3ad2a9a90896f3b37 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Assumindo o desafio de estabelecer condições que levariam os educadores à percepção da necessidade de vincular o trabalho que desenvolvem na escola com o seu processo de formação contínua, nesta pesquisa, buscamos representações de professores de ciências sobre uma série de projetos desenvolvidos em uma escola, para os quais eles eram permanentemente convidados. Trata-se de uma pesquisa participativa, uma vez que éramos também o professor/mentor dos referidos projetos. Utilizamos um método de entrevista, denominado de reflexivo, caracterizado pela possibilidade de o pesquisador compartilhar com o entrevistado sua compreensão dos dados. Através da Análise de Conteúdo e do ponto de vista do paradigma crítico para a formação de professores, nós pudemos perceber alguns aspectos da situação. Por um lado, os projetos apareceram para os professores como uma valorosa oportunidade para que os estudantes reconstruíssem seu envolvimento com o estudo e sua forma de caminhar em direção a objetivos pessoais de vida. Por outro lado, estes professores não percebiam a necessidade de interlocução com teorias educacionais, implícitas no trabalho da docência, de modo que, durante as entrevistas, o contraste de nossa posição com a deles consistiu no fato de que almejávamos trazer colegas para a reflexão sobre formação docente. Atribuímos essa diferença à qualidade do convite que recorrentemente fizemos a eles, durante o desenvolvimento dos projetos, que se restringiu à participação deles em um trabalho de investigação-ação prática e não de investigação-ação teórica-prática. / Assuming the endeavor of establishing conditions that could lead educators to the perceptions of a necessity of connecting their job in the school with their process of professional development, in this research, we seek out science teachers' representations about a set of projects developed in a school, for what they were permanently invited. In fact, that is a participative research, since we were also the teacher/mentor of the referred projects. We made use of an interview method, called reflexive, characterized by the possibility for the interviewer to share data comprehension with the interviewed. Through the Content Analysis and from critical paradigm point of view for teacher education, we grasped some aspects of the situation. By one hand, the projects appeared to the teachers as a valuable opportunity for the students to reconstruct both their own involvement in the study process and their way of persuading personal objectives of life. On the other hand, these teachers did not realize the necessity of maintaining a interlocution with educational theories, implicit in teaching work, so that, during the interviews, there were a clear contrast between their position and ours, respecting to bringing colleagues to a critical thinking on teacher development. We attributed such a difference to the quality of the invitation we did to them during the projects, that was restricted to participation in a practical investigation-action instead a theoretical-practical investigation-action.

O presente trabalho avalia a implementação de Unidades de Ensino Potencialmente Significativas (UEPS) de Astronomia na disciplina de ciências em quatro turmas do sexto ao nono ano do ensino fundamental em uma escola do campo da rede estadual de ensino de Caxias do Sul. O principal motivador educacional deste trabalho foi propiciar aos estudantes o envolvimento em uma estratégia de caráter observacional e experimental como uma possibilidade de qualificar o processo de ensino e aprendizagem de ciências. O embasamento teórico do trabalho é a Teoria da Aprendizagem Significativa. Nessa teoria, o conhecimento prévio é a variável isolada mais importante para a aprendizagem significativa de novos conhecimentos. Portanto, a identificação dos conhecimentos prévios dos estudantes é um requisito essencial para elaborar sequências didáticas com potencial para promover a ocorrência da aprendizagem significativa. A pesquisa desenvolvida neste trabalho é de natureza aplicada com abordagem qualitativa e a análise dos dados qualitativos utilizou a técnica de análise textual discursiva. Quanto aos objetivos, a investigação é descritiva e interpretativa e os procedimentos técnicos são do tipo pesquisa participante. As quatro UEPS aplicadas abordaram aspectos relacionados às fases da Lua, estrelas e constelações, estações do ano e planetas. Diferentes instrumentos avaliativos foram utilizados, como a avaliação diagnóstica aplicada antes e após o desenvolvimento das atividades, registros coletados pelo professor durante as atividades acerca de atitudes e concepções dos estudantes e materiais produzidos pelos estudantes ao longo das atividades, como modelos didáticos e materiais escritos. Os resultados obtidos revelam que os estudantes, de forma geral, demonstraram melhorias significativas na predisposição em aprender e a compreensão dos conceitos estudados, pois conseguiram identificá-los, diferenciá-los progressivamente e reconciliá-los de modo a aplicar os conhecimentos relacionados à Astronomia em novos contextos. Os dados levantados são, portanto, indícios da ocorrência de aprendizagem significativa. / Submitted by Ana Guimarães Pereira (agpereir@ucs.br) on 2016-02-22T16:40:36Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Daiana Pellenz.pdf: 4099816 bytes, checksum: 7c030636406c9e8c77b25aa97cab34a0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-22T16:40:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Daiana Pellenz.pdf: 4099816 bytes, checksum: 7c030636406c9e8c77b25aa97cab34a0 (MD5) / This study evaluates the implementation of Potentially Meaningful Teaching Unit (PMTU) of Astronomy in the discipline of science in four classes of sixth-ninth year of elementary school in a field school of the state of Caxias do Sul. The primary motivator this work is to provide education to students engaging in a observational and experimental strategy as an opportunity to qualify the teaching and learning of science. The theoretical basis of the work is the Theory of Meaningful Learning. In this theory, prior knowledge is the single most important variable for the significant learning of new knowledge. Therefore, identification of prior knowledge of the students is an essential requirement to develop teaching sequences with the potential to promote the occurrence of meaningful learning. The research developed in this work is of applied nature with a qualitative approach and analysis of qualitative data used the technique of discursive textual analysis. As to the objectives, research is descriptive and interpretive and technical procedures are of the research participant. The four PTMU applied aspects relating to the phases of the moon, stars and constellations, seasons of the year and planets. Different evaluation tools were used as the diagnostic evaluation applied before and after the development of activities, records collected by the teacher during activities about attitudes and conceptions of students and materials produced by the students over the activities such as teaching models and written materials. The results show that students, in general, demonstrated significant improvements in the predisposition to learn and to understand the concepts studied, because they could identify them, differentiate them progressively and reconcile them in order to apply the knowledge related to astronomy in new contexts. The data collected are thus evidence of the occurrence of meaningful learning.

Thesis (MTech (Further Education and Training))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012. / This research explored the utilization of problem solving techniques by Computer Applications Technology (CAT) teachers in grade 11. The requirements and criteria as set out in the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) and the National Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS), were applied in this study. CAT is only introduced in grade 10 in the Further Education and Training (FET) phase. The researcher thus focussed on the surrounding schools that offer CAT as a subject. The research focussed on the teacher and the teaching of problem solving techniques in CAT. The researcher used a case study design and employed a constructivism as the theoretical framework. Classroom observations, interviews and both teacher generated and formal documents served as data sources. A thematic analysis approach was adopted to make sense of the data. The analysis of the different data sources indicated that the respondents did not fully comply with the requirements set by the NCS and CAPA with reference to the teaching of problem solving techniques in CAT. The researcher recommends that courses are presented to address the gaps in the knowledge and skills of teachers in CAT referring to problem solving techniques. This creates both the opportunity and challenge to tertiary institutions to align their curricula and training programmes to address the gaps identified by this research.

Thesis (MEd (Education))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / This study aims to narrate the lived experiences of Grade 12 Physical Sciences learners. According to UMALUSI reports on National Senior Certificate (NSC) of 2011 and 2013, there seems to be a steady decrease in the number of learners writing Physical Sciences from 2008 to 2013. One of the aims of this study is to investigate why there is a steady decline in the number of learners choosing the subject and what their classroom experiences are. A related aim is to describe how these learners’ perceptions of their Physical Sciences educators affect their mental experiences in the subject. The study used phenomenology both as a research methodology as well as the underpinning theoretical framework. Twelve Grade 12 learners from 3 different schools in the Metro North Education District in Cape Town were chosen to participate in this research. The data were collected using two rounds of in-depth semi-structured interviews. The interviews were transcribed and explicated using Giorgi’s phenomenological method. The findings show that although Physical Sciences educators are trying to support their learners, they are failing to meet the expectations of the learners. These findings provide new insights into understanding the world of the learner better and that the recommendations could have transformative implications for curriculum planners, curriculum advisors and pedagogical strategies in how the subject is presented to learners.

Acompanha: No mundo das angiospermas / Com o crescente emprego das Tecnologias de informação e comunicação (TICs) é natural que professores procurem fazer uso de softwares educativos e, em certos casos, criem seus próprios aplicativos. O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi produzir um software multimídia para apoio ao aprendizado de angiospermas no ensino fundamental. Este trabalho apresenta critérios a serem considerados na seleção ou construção de softwares para fins educativos e relata o desenvolvimento, aplicação e avaliação de um software sobre angiospermas para o 7º ano do ensino fundamental. A implementação do software foi fundamentada na teoria da aprendizagem cognitiva por multimídia (CTML) à luz da aprendizagem significativa de David Ausubel. O desenvolvimento do produto contou com uma equipe multidisciplinar. A pesquisa mostrou que o uso do computador foi um fator motivador da aprendizagem e que o software funcionou como material de apoio ao ensino de angiospermas. Além da disponibilidade do aplicativo pronto, a contribuição desta pesquisa é a possibilidade de reaplicação da metodologia na construção de outros softwares multimídia educativos / The increasing use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) make teachers adopt more educational software and, in some cases, create their own applications. The main goal of this work was to produce a multimedia software to support the teaching of angiosperms in elementary school. This dissertation presents criteria to be considered in selecting or implementing software for educational purposes and reports the design, implementation and evaluation of a multimedia application. The software was based on the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning of Richard Mayer and on the Meaningful Learning Theory of David Ausubel. The work invoved a multidisciplinary team. Research has shown that the computer acted as a motivating factor in learning and that the software was valid as a supporting material for the teaching of angiosperms. Besides the availability of the finished application, the contribution of the research is the possibility of re-application of the methodology in the construction of other multimedia educational softwares.

Acompanha: Caderno de atividades: Sequência didática para o ensino de ciências nos anos iniciais: subsídios teóricos-práticos para a iniciação à alfabetização científica / O objetivo deste estudo é propor uma sequência didática que contribua para a iniciação à alfabetização científica de alunos em processo de alfabetização da língua materna. Partiu-se do pressuposto de que as orientações epistemológicas do enfoque CTS (Ciência, Tecnologia e Sociedade), contribuem para a alfabetização científica dos alunos dos anos iniciais, como também, propiciam às atividades de leitura e escrita maior contextualização e significado. Nessa perspectiva, foi aplicada uma sequência didática, a partir do tema “alimentação humana”. Optou-se pela abordagem metodológica qualitativa, de natureza interpretativa, junto a crianças do 1º ano do 1º Ciclo do Ensino Fundamental de uma escola pública de Ponta Grossa - PR. Os dados foram coletados por meio de aplicação de teste diagnóstico, observação, gravações em áudio, fotografias, registros escritos, ilustrações realizadas pelas crianças e pós-teste. Os resultados indicam que as atividades dos módulos da sequência didática, contribuíram para o avanço progressivo dos conhecimentos dos alunos, tanto em relação às questões subjacentes ao ensino de ciências e à iniciação da alfabetização científica, quanto em relação ao processo de alfabetização da língua materna, demonstrando que é possível, desde a fase inicial de escolarização, efetivar um trabalho interdisciplinar e contextualizado, centrado na formação para a cidadania. Vale lembrar que a implementação dessa proposta requer esforço coletivo e concretização do compromisso inerente à ação pedagógica – a prática da pesquisa, da reflexão e da formação permanente. Com o propósito de compartilhar saberes docentes com outros profissionais da área, como produto final desse trabalho, foi elaborado um caderno, contendo as atividades desenvolvidas, assim como reflexões e orientações para a iniciação dos alunos ao processo de alfabetização científica. / The objective of this study is to propose a didactic sequence that contributes to the initiation of scientific literacy of students in the literacy process of language. We started from the assumption that the epistemological orientations of focus STS (Science, Technology and Society), contribute to the scientific literacy of students in the early years, but also provide activities for reading and writing larger context and meaning. From this perspective, was applied didactic sequence, based on the theme "human food". We opted for a qualitative methodological approach, interpretative, with the children of 1st year 1st Cycle of Basic Education in a public school in Ponta Grossa - PR. Data were collected through application of diagnostic testing, observation, audio recordings, photographs, written records, illustrations performed by children and post test. The results indicate that the activities of the modules of the didactic sequence, contributed to the progressive advancement of knowledge of the students, both in relation to the issues underlying the teaching of science and the initiation of scientific literacy, as compared to the literacy process of mother tongue demonstrating that it is possible, from the initial stage of schooling, effective interdisciplinary work and contextualized, centered on citizenship training. Remember that the implementation of this proposal requires collective effort and commitment inherent in the implementation of pedagogical action - research practice, reflection and continuing education. With the purpose of sharing teaching knowledge with other professionals in the field, as a final product of this work, we designed a notebook containing the activities, as well as reflections and guidelines for the initiation of students to the process of scientific literacy.