A research report in part fulfilment of the
requirements of an MSc in Science Education at the
University of the Witwatersrand / This study reports the findings of a research project in a DET
(Department of Education and Training)* school in Mamelodi, South
Africa, in 1995. An investigrtion was carried out to ascertain
whether students benefit from having access to science
definitions in their vernacular, and to determine their
preference in terms of the medium of instruction in the science
classroom.
A Science Concept Guide, written at RADMASTE** Centre, was used
as the main component of the intervention in a pretest -
post-test study. This was followed by student questionnaires and
interviews. The Concept Guide consisted of definitions and
explanations of Physics and Chemistry concepts arranged according
to themes. These explanations were translated into North Sotho.
Two groups of Std 10 students participated in the evaluation of
the Concept Guide. One group used an English version of the
Concept Guide and the other an English and North Sotho version.
The differences between the pre-test and post-test scores of each
group were compared. The results indicated that a significant
improvement in scores had occurred in the English and North Sotho
Group. Interview results showed that a number of students were
in favour of having learning material of this sort available in
their vernacular and claimed that they had found it helpful. In
general, both groups expressed favourable comments about the
Guide. Opinions about medium of instruction varied. Overall,
findings indicate that further efforts in the development of
vernacular material for the learning of science would prove
beneficial.
Although the area of policy decision is outside the scope of this
study, it hopes to contribute in some way to the knowledge about
the preferred medium of learning in South Africa. / Andrew Chakane 2018
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/26130 |
| Date | January 1998 |
| Creators | Keane, Moyra |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
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