PhD, Unversity of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Health, School of Public Health / Rationale Understanding how to ensure and sustain the health and health equity of urban populations is of increasing importance as over half of the world population is now urban (UNFPA, 2007). Urbanisation is taking place rapidly across Africa, with fifty percent of the continent expected to be residing in urban areas by 2030 (UNFPA, 2007). South Africa has experienced a faster rate of urbanisation compared to neighbouring countries, with almost sixty percent of the population estimated to be urban (Kok & Collinson, 2006). This process of urban growth is accompanied by in-migration from within the country and across borders. Urban growth places pressure on limited, well-located and appropriate housing, resulting in the development of informal settlements within and on the periphery of urban areas. In addition to the multiple exposures to a variety of health hazards in informal settlements, HIV presents a contextual challenge, particularly in South Africa where the highest HIV prevalence is found within urban informal settlements (Shisana, Rehle, Simbayi, Parker, Zuma, Bhana et al., 2005). South African local government has a ‘developmental mandate’ which calls for government to work with citizens to develop sustainable interventions to address their social, economic and material needs (The Republic of South Africa, 1998a). This requires local government to address the challenges of urban growth, migration, informal settlements and HIV, as outlined above (Bocquier, 2008; Landau & Singh, 2008; Landau, 2007). The current (2007 – 2011) South African National Strategic Plan (NSP) for HIV signalled a welcome shift in HIV policy, with recognition of the role of government in ensuring that (1) internal and cross-border migrant groups and (2) residents of informal settlements are able to access the continuum of HIV-related services, which includes prevention, testing, support, treatment, and access to basic services. However, guidelines are lacking to assist local government in addressing HIV-related concerns with migrant groups and in informal settlements at the local level. As a result, migrant groups and residents of informal settlements struggle to access HIV-related services, including healthcare, adequate housing, and basic services such as water, sanitation and refuse removal. Given the developmental mandate of local government in South Africa (The Republic of South Africa, 1998a), this raises the question: how should local government respond to the urban challenges of migration and informal settlements in the context of high HIV prevalence? This thesis explores how the challenges of migration and informal settlements – within a context of high HIV prevalence – interact to generate a specific urban reality that requires an appropriate urban health response at the local government level. The question of how to address the gap between discourse, theory and action is tackled. Various frameworks for urban health have been developed that aim to assist in understanding the impact of city living on urban health, several of which draw on the concept of the social determinants of urban health (SDUH) (for example Galea, Freudenberg, & Vlahov, 2005; WHO, 2008b, 2008a). However, as I will go on to argue, none of the existing urban health frameworks deal adequately with the specific complexities of developing country urban environments. In particular, the frameworks have failed to adequately account for guiding local government in responding to the challenges identified above, namely: urban growth and informal settlements; internal and cross-border migration; high HIV prevalence; and, the responsibilities of a developmental local government. Aim Based on the findings from four studies, this PhD research aims to generate a revised urban health framework that will address the following specific challenges that I argue are associated with developing country contexts: (1) urban growth and informal settlements; (2) internal and cross-border migration; (3) high HIV prevalence; and, (4) the responsibilities of developmental local government. It is proposed that this revised framework will assist local government in responding to the interlinked challenges of informal settlements and migration in a context of high HIV prevalence. Methods A series of four studies were undertaken in Johannesburg. A review of international and local literature – including existing policy – was undertaken. In order to engage with the complexity of the urban environment, the four studies draw on both quantitative and qualitative methods. These include: a cross-sectional household survey across Johannesburg inner-city and one urban informal settlement (n = 487); a cross-sectional survey with ART clients at four ART sites in the inner-city (n = 449); and semi-structured interviews with community health worker volunteers, healthcare providers, local level policy makers and programmers involved with urban health and HIV in Johannesburg. By reflecting on involvement in participatory photography and film projects, the experiences of rural migrants who enter the city through ‘hidden spaces’ are examined; the concept of ‘being hidden’ is explored as a tactic employed by marginalised groups so that they are able to find a way to enter and participate in the city. Through the four studies, a series of four central themes were identified: (1) rights to the urban social determinants of health; (2) urban livelihoods; (3) policy and governance; and (4) urban methodologies. These four themes assist in synthesising the study findings and generating a revised approach to guide local government in responding to urban health challenges in a developmental way. Key findings The developmental mandate of local government is evolving very slowly (Paper I, V). Local level responses to the interlinked urban health challenges of migration, informal settlements and HIV are lacking (Paper I, V). Where they do exist, HIV is not viewed as an intersectoral developmental challenge and vertical HIV programmes prevail (Paper V). It will be argued that informal settlements require integrated local developmental responses (Paper V). In general, policies and guidelines that outline the right to basic healthcare and ART for crossborder migrants are not implemented at the local level (Papers I and III). In addition, residents of informal settlements struggle to access adequate housing and basic services (Papers IV and V). Some internal migrant groups, who reside in ‘hidden spaces’ of the innercity, are found to employ deliberate tactics in order to evade the state, whilst others are marginalised through a lack of state intervention (Paper II). The research shows that innovative methods are required to engage with urban populations, both for research and intervention purposes. Participatory approaches are found to be useful methods for engaging with urban migrant groups and this research draws on participatory photography and film projects as examples (Paper II, V). It is essential that urban public health practitioners and other development professionals learn how to engage with the complexities of the urban environment. A review of existing urban health frameworks finds that whilst these frameworks are themselves complex, and include the multiple levels and determinants that ultimately impact health outcomes, they result in generalised and static models of urban health. I argue that these existing frameworks are unable to inform responses to the specific complexities present within a particular urban context. Through the synthesis of the four study findings, an alternative approach to assist local government and other stakeholders in responding to urban health challenges is proposed. The idea of ‘concept mapping’ is suggested as a way to vii enable local government, and other actors, to engage with the complexities of the urban context in a participatory way. A core set of components have been identified that can be used to guide the creation of city-specific ‘concept maps’, that are able to work towards identifying and addressing the specific urban health needs associated with different areas within a city. A recommitment to intersectoral action, ‘healthy urban governance’ and public health advocacy is considered critical to the effectiveness of such an approach. It is suggested that the resultant ‘concept map’ will assist local government in responding in a developmental way to the interlinked challenges of migration and informal settlements in a context of high HIV prevalence. Implications Based on the findings of the PhD research, a new approach to urban health is suggested. ‘Concept mapping’ is presented as a new tool to assist local government in achieving its developmental mandate and address urban health. Whilst developed to address the challenges faced by urban migrants and residents of informal settlements in a context of high HIV prevalence, the concept map approach is likely to be a useful tool for considering the health and development needs of other urban groups. Future research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the application of participatory ‘concept mapping’ to assisting local level urban health policy makers, planners, and other stakeholders respond to the interlinked challenges of migration and informal settlements in a context of HIV.

No description available.

No description available.

La indústria hotelera es presenta avui com un dels subsectors més destacats del sector turístic i del sector econòmic espanyol. El seu impacte tant a l'economia com al seu entorn d'actuació és molt destacable i estratègic pel desenvolupament del país i la seva zona d'influència. Durant els últims anys, el sector basa la seva estratègia en un alt desenvolupament de la oferta. Durant aquesta mateixa etapa, la demanda ha experimentat una sèrie de canvis i disminucions ocasionats per la revolució de les tecnologies de la informació i la comunicació, l'aparició de nous segments i l'augment de l'exigència de la relació qualitat-preu, fet al que el sector hoteler no ha sabut adaptar-se.Fins a la data, tot i que la qualitat ha estat un element valorat pel sector, no s'han aconseguit grans avenços en el que respecta a la implantació d'aquesta filosofia. El sector públic espanyol aposta per a la seva implantació mitjançant el desenvolupament de normes de qualitat; el sector privat, paral·lelament, desenvolupa segells i marques turístiques per a destacar la qualitat dels establiments acollits. Tot i aquestes actuacions, la implantació no ha estat tant elevada com ho ha estat a d'altres sectors , fet que ha portat a plantejar si els plans desenvolupats són realment els més adequats pel sector.Per respondre a la problemàtica descrita i després d'una revisió de la bibliografia relacionada amb la qualitat, qualitat de servei i qualitat de servei aplicat a la hotelera, es planteja el propòsit del treball que és la determinació i priorització de quins són els aspectes de gestió que portaran a una cadena hotelera a millorar la seva qualitat de servei. Per a dur a terme el treball, s'han considerat les opinions d'un grup d'experts directius hotelers i els resultats d'una enquesta que s'ha realitzat a les cadenes hoteleres a Espanya.La metodologia d'anàlisi és doble, per a una banda s'ha aplicat la tècnica del concept mapping a les opinions d'un grup d'experts directius hotelers, fet que , després de l'aplicació del multidimensional scaling i un anàlisi clúster, ha suposat la determinació de 84 aspectes de gestió agrupats en set clústers que reflecteixen set àmbits de gestió a considerar per les cadenes hoteleres, que són: Gestió dels Recursos Humans, Gestió de màrqueting estratègic, Gestió de la informació de clients, Gestió interna de la cadena hotelera, Gestió interna de la qualitat, Gestió estratègica de la cadena hotelera i Gestió estratègica de la qualitat. Per d'altra banda s'ha utilitzat un procés de raonament qualitatiu, fonamentat en les ordres de magnitud, amb el propòsit de determinar quins són els aspectes prioritaris entre els trobats a la fase anterior. Per a dur a terme el procés, s'han utilitzat els resultats obtinguts d'una enquesta que s'ha fet a les cadenes hoteleres a Espanya. Els resultats mostren una importància cap al pensament estratègic de la cadena hotelera tot i que no és veu un clúster que sigui més valorat que els altres. / La industria hotelera se presenta hoy como uno de los subsectores más destacados del sector turístico y del sector económico español. Su impacto tanto en la economía como en el entorno de actuación es muy destacable y estratégico para el desarrollo del país y su zona de influencia.En los últimos años, el sector basa su estrategia en un desarrollo desmedido de la oferta. Durante esta misma etapa, la demanda ha experimentado una serie de cambios y disminuciones ocasionados por la revolución de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación, la aparición de nuevos segmentos y el aumento de la exigencia de la relación calidad-precio, hecho al que el sector hotelero no ha sabido adaptarse.Hasta la fecha, aunque la calidad ha sido un elemento valorado por el sector, no se han conseguido grandes avances en lo que respecta a la implantación de esa filosofía. El sector público español apuesta por su implantación mediante el desarrollo de normas de calidad; el sector privado, paralelamente, desarrolla sellos y marcas turísticas para destacar la calidad de los establecimientos acogidos. Pese a todas estas actuaciones, la implantación no es tan elevada como ha sido en otros sectores, lo que ha llevando a plantearse si los planes desarrollados son realmente los más adecuados para el sector.Para responder a la problemática descrita y tras una revisión de la bibliografía relacionada con la calidad, calidad de servicio y calidad de servicio aplicada a la hotelería, se plantea el propósito de este trabajo que es la determinación y priorización de cuáles son los aspectos de gestión que llevarán a una cadena hotelera a mejorar su calidad de servicio. Para desarrollar el trabajo, se han considerado las opiniones de un grupo de expertos directivos hoteleros y los resultados de una encuesta que se ha realizado a las cadenas hoteleras en España.La metodología de análisis utilizada es doble, por un lado se ha aplicado la técnica del concept mapping a las opiniones de un grupo de expertos directivos hoteleros, hecho que, tras la aplicación un multidimensional scaling y un análisis clúster, ha supuesto la determinación de 84 aspectos de gestión agrupados en siete clústeres que reflejan siete ámbitos de gestión a considerar por las cadenas hoteleras, que son: Gestión de los Recursos Humanos, Gestión de marketing estratégico, Gestión de la información de clientes, Gestión interna de la cadena hotelera, Gestión interna de la calidad, Gestión estratégica de la cadena hotelera y Gestión estratégica de la calidad.Por otro lado se ha utilizado un procedimiento de razonamiento cualitativo, basado en las órdenes de magnitud, con el propósito de determinar cuáles son los aspectos prioritarios de entre los expuestos en la fase anterior. Para llevar a cabo el procedimiento se ha utilizado los resultados obtenidos de una encuesta realizada a las cadenas hoteleras en España. Los resultados muestran una importancia hacia el pensamiento estratégico de la cadena hotelera pero sin que haya un clúster más importante que los demás. / The hotel industry is presented today as one of the most important sub-sectors of the Spanish tourism industry and economic sector. Its impact on both the economy as well as the environment is significant and also strategic for the country's development and its area of influence. In recent years, the industry has based its strategy on an excessive development of market supply. There have been a number of changes and down turns in demand during this period, caused by the ITC revolution, the emergence of new segments and an increasing demand for value for money, to which the hotel industry has failed to adapt. To date, and although quality has been an element valued by the industry, not much progress has been achieved with regard to the implementation of that philosophy. The Spanish public sector has decided on its implementation through developing quality standards; the private sector, in parallel, has developed seals of quality and tourism brands to enhance the quality of establishments. In spite of all these measures, implementation is not as high as it has been in other sectors, which has led experts to consider whether the plans developed are in fact suited to the sector. To respond to the above-described problem - and following a review of the literature related to quality, service quality and service quality applied to the hotel industry - this paper puts forward the identification and prioritisation of those management aspects which lead a hotel chain to improve its service quality. In developing the paper, we have considered the views of a group of expert hotel managers and the results of a survey carried out among hotel chains in Spain.The analytical methodology used is twofold: on the one hand the concept mapping technique has been applied to the views of a group of expert hotel managers, which, after applying a multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis, led to the identification of 84 management aspects grouped into seven clusters reflecting seven management areas to be considered by hotel chains. These are: Human Resource Management, Strategic Marketing Management, Client Information Management, Internal Hotel Chain Management, Internal Quality Management, Strategic Hotel Chain Management and Strategic Quality Management. On the other hand, a qualitative reasoning procedure based on the orders of magnitude has been used with the aim of identifying the priority areas of the findings for the previous phase. The results of a survey on hotel chains in Spain have been used to carry out the procedure. These results reveal an import shift towards strategic thinking among hotel chains but without there being one cluster that is more significant than the rest.

Thèse numérisée par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

A vivência nas escolas ilustra complexos desafios e peculiaridades da apropriação das novas tecnologias pelos professores, dos problemas de infraestrutura e de formação. Compreendê-los a partir deste cenário e identificar as variáveis responsáveis pela sua transformação é compromisso das escolas, dos professores e da pesquisa. Este trabalho investiga interpretações de professores do ensino fundamental da rede municipal sobre ensino, aprendizagem e avaliação. Descreve a situação de infraestrutura quanto ao uso dos recursos da web, o perfil de formação dos professores e identifica a compreensão que os mesmos têm sobre o fenômeno educativo. Nosso campo de atuação investigou 16 escolas municipais do litoral de Santa Catarina. Foram realizadas visitas, entrevistas, ofertas de cursos e preenchimento de formulários, levando-se em conta a localização geográfica, o espaço físico e as características dos professores quanto à sua formação e ao uso das tecnologias. Os mapas conceituais foram utilizados como estratégias para compreender os conhecimentos prévios dos professores. Eles revelaram-se como importante ferramenta de reflexão sobre suas próprias práticas pedagógicas, mostrando aspectos subliminares relacionados com a teoria e a prática em seu cotidiano escolar. O mapeamento conceitual também se mostrou eficaz para o entendimento das transformações da prática pedagógica na apropriação do uso das Tecnologias da Comunicação e de Informação (TIC) como apoio ao desempenho docente. Esta pesquisa inferiu que a construção dos saberes dos professores não pode depender exclusivamente da sua formação inicial. A possibilidade de reflexão sobre a própria prática torna-se campo fértil como diagnóstico para o aperfeiçoamento futuro das suas ações. Esta investigação contribuiu para a compreensão de que a efetividade de projetos com tecnologias requer a formação continuada do professor em serviço e espaços pedagógicos efetivos para intercâmbio das atividades e compartilhamento de estratégias, tais como os mapas conceituais, que possibilitam a compreensão e construção de uma didática como suporte e enriquecimentos das TIC nas ações pedagógicas. / The experience in schools illustrates complex challenges and peculiarities of the appropriation of new technologies by teachers; problems of infrastructure and training. Understanding them from this scenario and identifying the variables responsible for their processing is the commitment of schools, teachers and research. This work investigates interpretations of elementary school teachers of the municipal school on teaching, learning and evaluation. It describes the infrastructure of web resource, the profile of training teachers and identifies the understanding that they have about educational phenomenon. Our field of action investigated 16 municipal schools of the coast of Santa Catarina. There were visits, interviews, course offerings and filling out forms, taking into account the geographical location, physical space and the characteristics of teachers regarding their training and the use of technologies. The conceptual maps were used as strategies to understand the prior knowledge of teachers. They proved how important tool of reflection on their own educational practices, showing subliminal aspects related to the theory and practice in their daily life at school. The conceptual mapping also proved effective for understanding the transformation of pedagogical practice in the use of Technologies of information and communication (ICT) as support for the teaching performance. This search inferred that the construction of the knowledge of teachers cannot rely solely on their initial formation. The possibility of reflection on the practice becomes fertile field as a diagnosis for the improvement of their educational future actions. This research contributed to the understanding that the effectiveness of projects with technologies requires the continued training of teacher in-service and effective pedagogic environment for exchange of activities and strategies sharing, such as the conceptual maps, to enable understanding and construction of a didactic as support and enrichment of ICT in educational actions.

A vivência nas escolas ilustra complexos desafios e peculiaridades da apropriação das novas tecnologias pelos professores, dos problemas de infraestrutura e de formação. Compreendê-los a partir deste cenário e identificar as variáveis responsáveis pela sua transformação é compromisso das escolas, dos professores e da pesquisa. Este trabalho investiga interpretações de professores do ensino fundamental da rede municipal sobre ensino, aprendizagem e avaliação. Descreve a situação de infraestrutura quanto ao uso dos recursos da web, o perfil de formação dos professores e identifica a compreensão que os mesmos têm sobre o fenômeno educativo. Nosso campo de atuação investigou 16 escolas municipais do litoral de Santa Catarina. Foram realizadas visitas, entrevistas, ofertas de cursos e preenchimento de formulários, levando-se em conta a localização geográfica, o espaço físico e as características dos professores quanto à sua formação e ao uso das tecnologias. Os mapas conceituais foram utilizados como estratégias para compreender os conhecimentos prévios dos professores. Eles revelaram-se como importante ferramenta de reflexão sobre suas próprias práticas pedagógicas, mostrando aspectos subliminares relacionados com a teoria e a prática em seu cotidiano escolar. O mapeamento conceitual também se mostrou eficaz para o entendimento das transformações da prática pedagógica na apropriação do uso das Tecnologias da Comunicação e de Informação (TIC) como apoio ao desempenho docente. Esta pesquisa inferiu que a construção dos saberes dos professores não pode depender exclusivamente da sua formação inicial. A possibilidade de reflexão sobre a própria prática torna-se campo fértil como diagnóstico para o aperfeiçoamento futuro das suas ações. Esta investigação contribuiu para a compreensão de que a efetividade de projetos com tecnologias requer a formação continuada do professor em serviço e espaços pedagógicos efetivos para intercâmbio das atividades e compartilhamento de estratégias, tais como os mapas conceituais, que possibilitam a compreensão e construção de uma didática como suporte e enriquecimentos das TIC nas ações pedagógicas. / The experience in schools illustrates complex challenges and peculiarities of the appropriation of new technologies by teachers; problems of infrastructure and training. Understanding them from this scenario and identifying the variables responsible for their processing is the commitment of schools, teachers and research. This work investigates interpretations of elementary school teachers of the municipal school on teaching, learning and evaluation. It describes the infrastructure of web resource, the profile of training teachers and identifies the understanding that they have about educational phenomenon. Our field of action investigated 16 municipal schools of the coast of Santa Catarina. There were visits, interviews, course offerings and filling out forms, taking into account the geographical location, physical space and the characteristics of teachers regarding their training and the use of technologies. The conceptual maps were used as strategies to understand the prior knowledge of teachers. They proved how important tool of reflection on their own educational practices, showing subliminal aspects related to the theory and practice in their daily life at school. The conceptual mapping also proved effective for understanding the transformation of pedagogical practice in the use of Technologies of information and communication (ICT) as support for the teaching performance. This search inferred that the construction of the knowledge of teachers cannot rely solely on their initial formation. The possibility of reflection on the practice becomes fertile field as a diagnosis for the improvement of their educational future actions. This research contributed to the understanding that the effectiveness of projects with technologies requires the continued training of teacher in-service and effective pedagogic environment for exchange of activities and strategies sharing, such as the conceptual maps, to enable understanding and construction of a didactic as support and enrichment of ICT in educational actions.

The thesis takes its departure from the extensive literature on students’ alternative ideas in science. Although describing students’ conceptual knowledge in many science areas, the literature offers little about how this knowledge enters into the science learning process. Neither has it focused on how particulars and contingencies of curricular materials enter into the learning process. In this thesis I make high-resolution analyses of students’ learning in action during school science activities about real or idealized electrochemical cells. I use a discursive mechanism of learning developed to describe how students become participants in new practices through slow changes in word use. Specifically, I examine how alternative and accepted scientific ideas, as well as curricular materials, enter into students’ reasoning. The results are then used for producing hypotheses over how a teacher can support students’ science learning. Alternative ideas in electrochemistry did not necessarily interfere negatively with, and were sometimes productive for, students’ reasoning during the activities. Students included the particulars and contingencies of curricular materials in their reasoning not only when interacting with a real electrochemical cell but also in a more theoretical concept mapping activity about an idealized cell. Through taxonomic and correlational investigations students connected the particulars and contingencies of the real electrochemical cell to the generic knowledge of electrochemistry. When actively introduced by the researcher, such investigations had consequences for how single students framed their explanations of a real electrochemical cell. The results indicate ways in which teachers may encourage the productive use of contingencies to promote learning within the science classroom. However, this may require consideration of what students say in terms of consequences for their further learning rather than in terms of correct or incorrect content. / At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows:Paper 3:Manuscript; Paper 4:Manuscript / Hur kan lärare hjälpa elever att resonera naturvetenskapligt

Acompanha: Uso de filmes de entretenimento no ensino de ecologia / Este trabalho apresenta a utilização de trechos de filmes de entretenimento, como recurso para discussão dos conteúdos de maneira que estimulasse os alunos na aprendizagem de Biomas Brasileiros e Mundiais. Buscou se a compreensão acerca do processo de aprendizagem dos conceitos científicos pelos alunos, a partir da aplicação de duas Sequências Didáticas, elaboradas como produto educacional, sustentadas pela Teoria da Aprendizagem Significativa de Ausubel e nas reflexões de Moreira (2010). Como metodologia, a abordagem foi qualitativa, utilizando o método fenomenológico. Os dados foram obtidos por meio da aplicação de um questionário para obtenção dos conhecimentos prévios e da confecção de Mapas Conceituais pelos alunos, a partir da aplicação da atividade. Após a elaboração dos Mapas, os alunos explicaram oralmente sua produção a fim de se compreender as relações e hierarquizações que eles fizeram acerca do conteúdo. Por meio dessa pesquisa, foi possível demonstrar que a utilização de vídeos de entretenimento no ensino colabora para a aprendizagem de conceitos, quando utilizadas de maneira estruturada e planejada, tendo o professor como mediador de debates, promovendo as relações entre o objeto apresentado e o conhecimento científico. Sendo assim, pode- se afirmar que, ao incorporar trechos de filmes de entretenimento no ensino, é possível promover a aprendizagem significativa de conceitos e não somente a motivação dos alunos. / This paper presents the use of entertainment film clips as a resource for discussion of the contents so as to stimulate students in learning Brazilian Biomes and World. Sought to understanding the learning process of scientific concepts by students from the application of two Teaching Units, designed as an educational product, supported by the Meaningful Learning Theory of Ausubel and the reflections Moreira (2010). As methodology, the qualitative approach using the phenomenological method. Data were obtained through the application of a questionnaire to obtain the prior knowledge and making concept maps by students from the application of the activity. After the preparation of maps, students orally explained their production in order to understand the relationships and hierarchies they did about the content. Through this research, it was possible to demonstrate that the use of entertainment videos in education contributes to learning concepts when used in a structured and planned way, with the teacher as facilitator of debates, promoting relations between the presented object and knowledge scientific. Thus, it can be said that by incorporating entertainment film clips in teaching can promote meaningful learning of concepts and not only the motivation of students.

Acompanha: Uso de filmes de entretenimento no ensino de ecologia / Este trabalho apresenta a utilização de trechos de filmes de entretenimento, como recurso para discussão dos conteúdos de maneira que estimulasse os alunos na aprendizagem de Biomas Brasileiros e Mundiais. Buscou se a compreensão acerca do processo de aprendizagem dos conceitos científicos pelos alunos, a partir da aplicação de duas Sequências Didáticas, elaboradas como produto educacional, sustentadas pela Teoria da Aprendizagem Significativa de Ausubel e nas reflexões de Moreira (2010). Como metodologia, a abordagem foi qualitativa, utilizando o método fenomenológico. Os dados foram obtidos por meio da aplicação de um questionário para obtenção dos conhecimentos prévios e da confecção de Mapas Conceituais pelos alunos, a partir da aplicação da atividade. Após a elaboração dos Mapas, os alunos explicaram oralmente sua produção a fim de se compreender as relações e hierarquizações que eles fizeram acerca do conteúdo. Por meio dessa pesquisa, foi possível demonstrar que a utilização de vídeos de entretenimento no ensino colabora para a aprendizagem de conceitos, quando utilizadas de maneira estruturada e planejada, tendo o professor como mediador de debates, promovendo as relações entre o objeto apresentado e o conhecimento científico. Sendo assim, pode- se afirmar que, ao incorporar trechos de filmes de entretenimento no ensino, é possível promover a aprendizagem significativa de conceitos e não somente a motivação dos alunos. / This paper presents the use of entertainment film clips as a resource for discussion of the contents so as to stimulate students in learning Brazilian Biomes and World. Sought to understanding the learning process of scientific concepts by students from the application of two Teaching Units, designed as an educational product, supported by the Meaningful Learning Theory of Ausubel and the reflections Moreira (2010). As methodology, the qualitative approach using the phenomenological method. Data were obtained through the application of a questionnaire to obtain the prior knowledge and making concept maps by students from the application of the activity. After the preparation of maps, students orally explained their production in order to understand the relationships and hierarchies they did about the content. Through this research, it was possible to demonstrate that the use of entertainment videos in education contributes to learning concepts when used in a structured and planned way, with the teacher as facilitator of debates, promoting relations between the presented object and knowledge scientific. Thus, it can be said that by incorporating entertainment film clips in teaching can promote meaningful learning of concepts and not only the motivation of students.