The purpose of the study was to investigate the implementation of scientific
investigations at Grade 9. The study focussed in particular on the autonomy learners have
in doing scientific investigations, and the strategies that teachers employ in supporting
learners when they are doing investigations. The study adopted a mixed methodology
research design which involved the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data.
The quantitative data was collected by means of questionnaires which were administered
to teachers and learners. Qualitative data was collected by means of classroom
observations, teacher interviews and learner interviews. The general trends that were
quantitatively established were validated and explicated by the qualitative analysis.
A finding of the study was that at schools where scientific investigations are taking place,
the learners have varying degrees of autonomy across the different stages of the
investigation. In general, autonomy increases from little autonomy at the start when
formulating the investigation question to significant autonomy in drawing conclusions.
The study also revealed that both teachers and learners believe that when learners do their
own investigations, it facilitates conceptual understating, leads to the development of
scientific skills, and helps to motivate learners. In addressing the question of teacher
support, the study found that teachers support learners by asking questions at all stages of
the investigations, offering suggestions when necessary, giving learners a prompt sheet,
and instructing learners in the use of practical techniques. Finally, the study identified
class size, the availability of resources, the availability of time, and teacher competence
as significant factors which affect the degree of learner autonomy in the implementation
of scientific investigations in the classroom.
These findings have implications for the implementation of scientific investigations at
schools. Firstly, the findings it is believed will inform the practice of teachers who would
want to introduce learner-centred investigations in their teaching. Secondly, the study has
identified factors which will need to be considered by curriculum planners if the scenario
of learners doing their own investigations is to become a reality in South Africa. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2007.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ukzn/oai:http://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za:10413/1576 |
| Date | January 2007 |
| Creators | Ramnarain, Umesh Dewnarain. |
| Contributors | Hobden, Paul Anthony. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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