D.Phil. / The aim of this research is to determine the state of concept learning and concept teaching in History at Vista University. In order to determine this, the following objectives were formulated: To determine the role of concepts in History. To determine, from a learning-psychological perspective, the importance of concept-learning as a significant part of the process of meaningful learning. To identify factors which influence concept learning. - To determine guidelines for the meaningful learning and teaching of concepts from a didactical perspective. - To illustrate the link between the learning theories and the distinctive nature of History as an academic discipline by means of an example. In order to address the aim and objectives, an extensive and comprehensive literature study was undertaken. The literature study firstly focussed on the various conceptualizations regarding concepts, its value in teaching and learning, its distinctive nature, as well as its general and unique characteristics. The differences between the use of concepts in the Natural Sciences and Social Sciences were highlighted. It was further established that concepts in History have a significant structuring value as well as formative value. For this very reason, the close link between concepts and generalizations in History was elaborated upon. Generalizations in History should however not be equated to laws formulated in the Natural Sciences. Generalizations in History have no control or predictive value, but rather explain historical events by providing detail (local expressions in time, place and circumstance). These local expressions are made up of concepts. Attention was given to the theoretical substructure of concept learning in general by studying the learning theories of Piaget, Bruner, Ausubel, Gagne and Vygotsky. Concept learning was identified as an integral link in the chain/process of meaningful learning.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:3325 |
| Date | 28 August 2012 |
| Creators | Oosthuizen, Francois |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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