Exploring a story-based learning design in a grade 4 science and technology classroom
- Authors: Kemp, Hermione
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Classroom environment , Classroom learning centers , Student teaching , Classroom management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9467 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021017
- Description: Stories are a vehicle through which experiences and events are communicated amongst people. Stories have the potential to influence people’s understandings and beliefs, and essentially, promote a societal and cultural change. Grounded in literature pointing to the value of narrative in supporting learning and the need to explore new modes of communicating science, this study explores the potential of narrative in science education. The aim was to explore the use of a Story-Based Learning Design in a Grade 4 Science and Technology classroom. Using a qualitative case study research design the researcher took on the role of participant-observer. Data were collected through observations, learner verbal and written descriptions of a final product and teacher reflective interviews. The findings of this study illustrate the value of stories, as learning tools, in science education. In this regard pertinent conclusions were derived, namely, that stories attract learners and have the potential to be used as a vehicle for learning scientific concepts and the target vocabulary, that stories enable learners to make meaning of abstract concepts and relate it to their world and finally that the use of the imagination assists learners to visualise concepts making learning relevant.
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- Date Issued: 2014
How can educators in the intermediate phase be empowered to cope with the demands they face in an inclusive classroom situation?
- Authors: Bosman, Ysanne Bosman
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Learning disabilities , Children with disabilities -- Education (Elementary) , Inclusive education , Teachers of problem children , Classroom management , Special education teachers -- Training of , Teachers -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9507 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1234 , Learning disabilities , Children with disabilities -- Education (Elementary) , Inclusive education , Teachers of problem children , Classroom management , Special education teachers -- Training of , Teachers -- Uganda
- Description: The rationale of my research was to make sure that all learners are treated as equals in the education afforded to them. The researcher noticed that not all educators in mainstream schools facing learners experiencing learning problems could deal with the Curriculum and that many had difficulty in coping in an inclusive classrooms setting. Furthermore, the researcher noticed that many educators percieve that they did not have the knowledge and skills to identify and support learners experiencing learning problems. Consequently, the educators felt that they could not effectively help these learners in their learning progress. While the educators struggle to cope, learners ended up having to repeat a grade or being promoted to the next grade without having attained the neccesary skills yet. The researcher set out to research what the available literature stated about how educators could be empowered to cope with teaching learners experiencing learning problems in an inclusive classroom situation. For this research study, a qualitative approach was followed, as it best matched the type of interactive investigation considered necessary. Due to time, financial and resources constraints, purpose sampling was used as the most effective method of yielding data. The qualitative approach embraced a multi-perspective approach, in terms of which methods of data collection were used, such as collection questionnaires, conducting interviews and using observations. The researcher trusts that her understanding as presented in the research findings and the recommendations made will benefit not only herself, but will empower all educators coping with the stress of teaching learners experiencing learning problems and improving their skills and self-esteem in the educational environment.
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- Date Issued: 2010
An exploration of disciplinary approaches to classroom management in selected northern area schools in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Erasmus, Julian Malcolm
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Classroom management , School discipline -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9476 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/950 , Classroom management , School discipline -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: The study analysed the management of disciplinary approaches to classroom management in selected Northern Areas schools in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The South African education system has historically promoted corporal punishment as a means of maintaining discipline. As a result corporal punishment was an integral part of schooling for most educators and learners in twentieth century South African schools (Morrel, 2001b:292). Since 1994, however, the South African government has implemented principles of equity, redress and social empowerment in broader society and education. Consequently, corporal punishment was banned in schools and new methods of managing discipline were introduced. The study followed a qualitative investigation, which is explorative, descriptive and contextual, using interviews with educators and questionnaires with learners to collect data at selected schools. The study’s aim was to investigate and explore the perceptions and experiences of learners and educators regarding discipline and to make recommendations regarding proactive, positive disciplinary approaches so as to guide educators to facilitate learners towards self-discipline. However, it was discovered that educators were unable to facilitate self-discipline or guide learners as they themselves had not learnt to practise and demonstrate the values and principles of self-discipline. This study thus has as its intention to challenge educators to review and refocus their ways, motives and expected outcomes as they demonstrate and exercise discipline.
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- Date Issued: 2009
The role of school management teams in selected Northern areas schools in Port Elizabeth in creating a culture of discipline and order
- Authors: Oosthuizen, Lizette Clarise
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: School discipline -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Classroom management , School management teams
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9524 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/983 , School discipline -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Classroom management , School management teams
- Description: Good discipline is one of the key characteristics of an effective school and is a vital prerequisite for a culture of learning and teaching at any school. Despite the requirement that every public school should have a code of conduct and other disciplinary policies to ensure a disciplined environment of teaching and learning, there is a perception that learner discipline at certain schools in the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth is busy eroding the fabric of effective school management. As an educator and more specifically a member of the school management team (SMT) at a Northern areas high school, I elected to investigate the role of SMTs in managing discipline at selected schools in the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth. The research question, which formed the basis of my research, was: What is the role played by SMTs of specific schools in the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth in creating a culture of discipline and order? By investigating how these SMTs cope with the challenge of managing learners’ ill-discipline, I was hoping to provide SMTs with possible solutions and/or guidelines for future use by SMTs facing similar challenges. This study chose the interpretive paradigm in which to conduct its investigation, as the aim was to understand how SMTs experience the phenomenon of school discipline at selected schools in the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth. This was done by means of qualitative research methods, which allowed me to listen to and share the experiences of SMT members in the participating schools. The sample of this investigation comprised of the SMTs of four schools in the Northern areas – three high schools and one primary school. Data were collected by getting the viewpoints of the participants by means of questionnaires as well as individual and group interviews. This data were then analyzed by highlighting significant themes resulting in the formulation of emerging themes, namely: a decline in discipline, socio-economic factors, classroom planning and school management and discipline practices. These four themes were then sub-divided into two categories each and thereafter the experiences of the participants were described in rich, thick detail. The main findings of this research focused on school discipline being the responsibility of all the relevant stakeholders of a school; finding solutions to the discipline problems should be a collective effort of SMT, educators and parents; the Department of Education (DoE) should increase its efforts to assist schools to manage discipline problems more effectively in order to create a culture of discipline and order. The findings of this study resulted in specific recommendations being formulated, e.g. the development of learners’ self-discipline should be high on the priority list of any school, educators need to be trained in effective alternatives to corporal punishment, and parents need to set standards of acceptable behaviour for their children at home, which will automatically spill over to the school. The conclusions from this research are that SMTs need to work as a team and in collaboration with other educators and parents to effectively manage discipline at their respective schools.
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- Date Issued: 2009