A dissertation submiited to the Faculty of Education in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Education in the Department of Comparative Education at the University of Zululand, 1999. / This study is an investigation into the significant role of the University of Zululand Science Development Centre on pupils' perception of Science. It attempts to establish whether the Science Development Centre is effective in achieving its objectives, namely to:
i. Investigate the perceptions of science held by pupils who visit the University
of Zululand Science Development Centre (UZSDC).
ii. Determine whether specific difficulties or problems experienced by pupils in
learning science were alleviated after attending the University of Zululand
Science Development Centre (UZSDC).
iii. Determine whether the University of Zululand Science Development
Centre(UZSDC) helps create a more positive attitude towards science and
science careers.
The sample was drawn from four schools in the Empangeni-Richards Bay and Babanango area. Questionnaires were administered to Secondary school pupils who were doing science (N=88) from two different grades, that is, grade 10 and 11. Data were statistically analysed to establish frequencies and percentages.
The major findings of the study are: (1) that the University of Zululand Science Development Centre does play a significant role in promoting positive perceptions of science in secondary school pupils. Perceptions of learners showed that:
i. The majority of learners perceived science as valuable knowledge in solving
daily problems in society and worth while careers.
ii. An interest in science and positive feelings towards learning science were
expressed
iii. Predominant view of learners indicated that the time spent at the centre was
limited for them to gain enough knowledge and skills to solve individual
problems in science.
Recommendations of this study are based on pupils' perception of the value of science and interest in pursuing of science careers.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uzulu/oai:uzspace.unizulu.ac.za:10530/380 |
| Date | January 1999 |
| Creators | Mfusi, Leonard Velenkosini Mbhekeni |
| Contributors | Magi, N.V. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
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