Exploring how Grade 9 Physical Science teachers mediate learning of the topic of chemical changes
- Likando, Orrice Munukayumbwa
- Authors: Likando, Orrice Munukayumbwa
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Chemistry -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Culturally relevant pedagogy , Pedagogical content knowledge , Prior learning -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177918 , vital:42890
- Description: The examiners’ reports for 2013-2018 indicated that learners consistently perform poorly in questions based on chemical changes. My assumption is that the reason why learners are challenged with understanding the topic of chemical changes could be due to the way this topic is taught. It is against this background that this study explored how grade 9 Physical Science teachers mediated learning of the topic of chemical changes. The study is underpinned by an interpretive paradigm. Within the interpretive paradigm, a qualitative case study research design was employed. It was conducted at two different schools in the Otjozondjupa region with two Physical Science teachers. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, lesson observations, stimulated recall interviews, and teachers’ reflections. The study is informed by Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory together with Shulman’s pedagogical content knowledge as the theoretical frameworks. A thematic approach to data analysis was adopted. That is, qualitative data were analysed inductively to come up with sub-themes to form themes. Moreover, validation and trustworthiness were completed through data triangulation, member checking, and watching videotaped lessons with the participants. The findings of this study revealed that the topic of chemical changes has many examples which can be used during mediation. Teachers seemed to be aware of integrating learners’ experiences into their lessons. Furthermore, they were aware that they should improvise resources during mediation of learning. In contrast, during lesson observations, the findings revealed an imbalance between this awareness and the actual knowledge of using easily accessible materials, and the elicitation and integration of prior knowledge throughout the science lessons. Moreover, hands-on practical activities were lacking in the mediation process and instead, traditional methods of teaching tended to dominate. Nonetheless, teachers’ reflections influenced them to analyse and strengthen their lessons. Thus, the study recommends that there is a need for teachers to have mentorships and platforms which can expose them to the knowledge of different types of easily accessible materials. This might strengthen their PCK. Teachers are also encouraged to do some reflections after very lesson as these have a potential to influence their pedagogical practices. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Likando, Orrice Munukayumbwa
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Chemistry -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Culturally relevant pedagogy , Pedagogical content knowledge , Prior learning -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177918 , vital:42890
- Description: The examiners’ reports for 2013-2018 indicated that learners consistently perform poorly in questions based on chemical changes. My assumption is that the reason why learners are challenged with understanding the topic of chemical changes could be due to the way this topic is taught. It is against this background that this study explored how grade 9 Physical Science teachers mediated learning of the topic of chemical changes. The study is underpinned by an interpretive paradigm. Within the interpretive paradigm, a qualitative case study research design was employed. It was conducted at two different schools in the Otjozondjupa region with two Physical Science teachers. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, lesson observations, stimulated recall interviews, and teachers’ reflections. The study is informed by Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory together with Shulman’s pedagogical content knowledge as the theoretical frameworks. A thematic approach to data analysis was adopted. That is, qualitative data were analysed inductively to come up with sub-themes to form themes. Moreover, validation and trustworthiness were completed through data triangulation, member checking, and watching videotaped lessons with the participants. The findings of this study revealed that the topic of chemical changes has many examples which can be used during mediation. Teachers seemed to be aware of integrating learners’ experiences into their lessons. Furthermore, they were aware that they should improvise resources during mediation of learning. In contrast, during lesson observations, the findings revealed an imbalance between this awareness and the actual knowledge of using easily accessible materials, and the elicitation and integration of prior knowledge throughout the science lessons. Moreover, hands-on practical activities were lacking in the mediation process and instead, traditional methods of teaching tended to dominate. Nonetheless, teachers’ reflections influenced them to analyse and strengthen their lessons. Thus, the study recommends that there is a need for teachers to have mentorships and platforms which can expose them to the knowledge of different types of easily accessible materials. This might strengthen their PCK. Teachers are also encouraged to do some reflections after very lesson as these have a potential to influence their pedagogical practices. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Motivation to learn science and make sense of the concept of malleability through the traditional blast furnace in a grade 9 Physical Science class
- Authors: Kudumo, Wilfred Peter
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia -- Kavango West , Metals -- Effect of high temperatures on , Blast furnaces , Ethnoscience -- Namibia -- Kavango West , Ubuntu (Philosophy) , Culturally relevant pedagogy , Motivation in education -- Namibia -- Kavango West , Continuity Argumentative Theory (CAT)
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177262 , vital:42804
- Description: The current situation of teaching and learning science in Namibia is of great concern since it does not seem to take into consideration learners’ socio-cultural backgrounds. As a result, learners are finding that science is not relevant to their everyday life experiences and hence are not motivated to learn it. This is compounded in part by the fact that the Namibian curriculum seems to be silent on how science teachers should include learners’ socio-cultural backgrounds, for example, local or indigenous knowledge in their teaching repertoires. It is against this background that in this study I explored how mobilising the cultural practice of a traditional blast furnace (mudukuto) as an approach enables and/or constrains learners’ motivation to learn science and make sense of the concept of malleability. This is a qualitative case study underpinned by a combination of interpretive and Ubuntu paradigms. It was carried out in a rural school in Namibia, Kavango West Region, where I am currently teaching. The participants in the study were grade 9 learners and one expert community member. Focus group interviews, participatory observation, learners’ reflections, and stimulated recall interviews were used to gather qualitative data. Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory was used as a theoretical framework and Ogunniyi`s Continuity Argumentative Theory (CAT) was used as analytical framework or lens to analyse the data. A thematic approach to analyse data was employed. That is, qualitative data were analysed inductively to come up with sub-themes and themes. The findings of the study revealed that the traditional furnace motivated the learners involved in this study to learn science and learners were able to extract science concepts on malleability from the traditional practice. The implication for this study is that when science is related to learners’ daily life or real-world experiences, they are enabled to bridge the gap from what they learn at home or in the community with school science. The study thus recommends that teachers should make an effort to integrate local or indigenous knowledge and practices to make science accessible and relevant in their classrooms. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Kudumo, Wilfred Peter
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia -- Kavango West , Metals -- Effect of high temperatures on , Blast furnaces , Ethnoscience -- Namibia -- Kavango West , Ubuntu (Philosophy) , Culturally relevant pedagogy , Motivation in education -- Namibia -- Kavango West , Continuity Argumentative Theory (CAT)
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177262 , vital:42804
- Description: The current situation of teaching and learning science in Namibia is of great concern since it does not seem to take into consideration learners’ socio-cultural backgrounds. As a result, learners are finding that science is not relevant to their everyday life experiences and hence are not motivated to learn it. This is compounded in part by the fact that the Namibian curriculum seems to be silent on how science teachers should include learners’ socio-cultural backgrounds, for example, local or indigenous knowledge in their teaching repertoires. It is against this background that in this study I explored how mobilising the cultural practice of a traditional blast furnace (mudukuto) as an approach enables and/or constrains learners’ motivation to learn science and make sense of the concept of malleability. This is a qualitative case study underpinned by a combination of interpretive and Ubuntu paradigms. It was carried out in a rural school in Namibia, Kavango West Region, where I am currently teaching. The participants in the study were grade 9 learners and one expert community member. Focus group interviews, participatory observation, learners’ reflections, and stimulated recall interviews were used to gather qualitative data. Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory was used as a theoretical framework and Ogunniyi`s Continuity Argumentative Theory (CAT) was used as analytical framework or lens to analyse the data. A thematic approach to analyse data was employed. That is, qualitative data were analysed inductively to come up with sub-themes and themes. The findings of the study revealed that the traditional furnace motivated the learners involved in this study to learn science and learners were able to extract science concepts on malleability from the traditional practice. The implication for this study is that when science is related to learners’ daily life or real-world experiences, they are enabled to bridge the gap from what they learn at home or in the community with school science. The study thus recommends that teachers should make an effort to integrate local or indigenous knowledge and practices to make science accessible and relevant in their classrooms. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Using the indigenous technology of dyeing and weaving African baskets as a cultural tool to mediate learning of chemical and physical changes
- Authors: Kakambi, William Mafelezo
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Chemistry -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Ethnoscience -- Namibia , Culturally relevant pedagogy , Traditional ecological knowledge -- Namibia , Basket making -- Namibia , Dyes and dyeing -- Namibia , Pedagogical content knowledge
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177268 , vital:42805
- Description: Literature has revealed that indigenous learners, especially in many African nations are subjected to learning school science in unfamiliar contexts. Learners in Namibia where this study was conducted are no exception. In consequence, learners experience cognitive conflict between school science and the experiences learnt at home and in the community. This is exacerbated, in part, by the fact that science teachers do not seem to know how to integrate indigenous knowledge in their science teaching. As an attempt to address this problem, some scholars call for the integration of indigenous knowledge into the science curriculum to provide a much needed context for learning science. It is against this background that this study sought to use the indigenous technology of dyeing and weaving baskets as a cultural tool to mediate learning of chemical and physical changes. Underpinned by the interpretivist and Ubuntu paradigms, the study employed a qualitative case study research design. The study was conducted in the Zambezi region in Namibia. Four grade 8 Physical Science teachers, an expert community member, and a critical friend were involved as participants in this study. Data were gathered using semi-structured interviews, workshop discussions, participatory observation, and journal reflections. Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory and Mavhunga and Rollnick’s topic specific pedagogical content knowledge were used as theoretical and analytical frameworks, respectively. A thematic approach to data analysis was employed to come up with sub-themes and themes. The findings of the study revealed that all the participating teachers in this study had never been exposed to ideas on how to integrate indigenous knowledge in their science teaching. As a result, they all embraced and valued the indigenous technology of dyeing and weaving as relevant and useful in the teaching and learning of chemical and physical changes. This study recommends that there is a need to empower science teachers on how to integrate indigenous knowledge in their science teaching in order to make science accessible and relevant to their learners’ lived worlds. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Kakambi, William Mafelezo
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Chemistry -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Ethnoscience -- Namibia , Culturally relevant pedagogy , Traditional ecological knowledge -- Namibia , Basket making -- Namibia , Dyes and dyeing -- Namibia , Pedagogical content knowledge
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177268 , vital:42805
- Description: Literature has revealed that indigenous learners, especially in many African nations are subjected to learning school science in unfamiliar contexts. Learners in Namibia where this study was conducted are no exception. In consequence, learners experience cognitive conflict between school science and the experiences learnt at home and in the community. This is exacerbated, in part, by the fact that science teachers do not seem to know how to integrate indigenous knowledge in their science teaching. As an attempt to address this problem, some scholars call for the integration of indigenous knowledge into the science curriculum to provide a much needed context for learning science. It is against this background that this study sought to use the indigenous technology of dyeing and weaving baskets as a cultural tool to mediate learning of chemical and physical changes. Underpinned by the interpretivist and Ubuntu paradigms, the study employed a qualitative case study research design. The study was conducted in the Zambezi region in Namibia. Four grade 8 Physical Science teachers, an expert community member, and a critical friend were involved as participants in this study. Data were gathered using semi-structured interviews, workshop discussions, participatory observation, and journal reflections. Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory and Mavhunga and Rollnick’s topic specific pedagogical content knowledge were used as theoretical and analytical frameworks, respectively. A thematic approach to data analysis was employed to come up with sub-themes and themes. The findings of the study revealed that all the participating teachers in this study had never been exposed to ideas on how to integrate indigenous knowledge in their science teaching. As a result, they all embraced and valued the indigenous technology of dyeing and weaving as relevant and useful in the teaching and learning of chemical and physical changes. This study recommends that there is a need to empower science teachers on how to integrate indigenous knowledge in their science teaching in order to make science accessible and relevant to their learners’ lived worlds. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
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