Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Education, Primary Victoria Curricula'
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Borin, Meredith Dawn 1971. "A qualitative evaluation of multicultural art curricula at primary levels." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/292021.
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Today, a large number of multicultural publications and resources are available for elementary classroom use. The purpose of the study was to examine existing multicultural elementary art curricula and resources to evaluate their adequacy and availability to the classroom art teacher, according to criteria, methods, and materials recommended by scholars in art education. The examination included price range and adaptability of material, audiovisual resources, art production, art criticism, art history, aesthetics, sequential organization, developmental appropriateness, cultural integrity, and multicultural content level. Upon completion of this study, two of the five curriculum publishers proved to consistently produce multicultural art education curriculum at a high quality level. Crizmac and Crystal Publications offer a number of curriculum settings that comply with current NAEA standards as well as the criteria set forth in this paper. Supplementary resources and the future of multicultural art education in respect to curriculum and classroom implementation are also discussed.
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Longobardi, Paul. "Religious education: Outcomes-based integration across the primary curriculum." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2002. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/735.
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This study shows that the integrity of curriculum in Catholic Schools can be demonstrated through an integrated curriculum, with Religious Education (R.E.) as the primary focus, centre point and generator of learning experiences across all subjects or Key Learning Areas (K.L.As). The contemporary, Catholic nature of curriculum is able to be developed via an outcomes-based approach that integrates R.E. with other Key Learning Areas. The "Integrated Religious Education Outcomes Approach" represents a personal belief of the author, developed as a classroom teacher in five Catholic schools and a member of three schools' Executive. The response to this belief is the motivation behind this study. The theoretical response includes an examination of integration and the function and purpose of outcomes- based education. There is relevance and potential for Religious Education curriculum outcomes to be linked to other Key Learning Areas Consequently, the role of Catholic schools in developing courses of work within a Catholic setting, and the religious dimension of the broad curriculum and of each K.L.A., are explored. Findings show that there is validity to the development of an approach that integrates R.E. outcomes when programming courses of work. This practical response IS demonstrated in a uniquely Catholic unit of work that focuses on one of the R.E. themes recurring across the Primary school. The integrated unit used in this study sets out the outcome and content links across and between all K.L.A.s. Findings show that it is a document from which teachers are able to facilitate the teaching and learning process, whilst maintaining course requirements of the N.S.W. Board of Studies' K.L.A. Syllabuses and the Wollongong Diocesan R.E. Curriculum Guidelines. Findings also show that teachers are supported in developing the practice of integration, an increased awareness of the function of outcomes, and the significance of R.E. in the formal curriculum. The study shows that teachers are willing to embrace trends and methodology that assist planning, organise and present learning in new ways and promotes R.E. within the context of the broader curriculum.
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Ferris, Alison Jill 1949. "Classroom music in Victorian state primary schools 1934 to 1981 : curriculum support." Monash University, Faculty of Education, 2002. http://arrow.monash.edu.au/hdl/1959.1/8472.
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Vaníček, Jiří. "Introducing topics from informatics into primary school curricula : how do teachers take it?" Universität Potsdam, 2013. http://opus.kobv.de/ubp/volltexte/2013/6448/.
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The process of introducing compulsory ICT education at primary school level in the Czech Republic should be completed next year. Programming and Information, two topics from the basics of computer science have been included in a new textbook. The question is whether the new chapters of the textbook are comprehensible for primary school teachers, who have undergone no training in computer science. The paper reports on a pilot verification project in which pre-service primary school teachers were trained to teach these informatics topics.
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Campbell, Coral, and mikewood@deakin edu au. "Science education in primary schools in a state of change." Deakin University, 2000. http://tux.lib.deakin.edu.au./adt-VDU/public/adt-VDU20050815.101333.
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Through a longitudinal study of one teacher's science teaching practice set in the context of her base school, this thesis records the effects of the structural and policy changes that have occurred in Victorian education over the past 6-7 years - the 'Kennett era'. Initially, the purpose of the study was to investigate the teacher's practice with the view to improving it. For this, an action research approach was adopted. Across the year 1998, the teacher undertook an innovative science program with two grades, documenting the approach and outcomes. Several other teachers were involved in the project and their personal observations and comments were to form part of the data. This research project was set in the context of a single primary school and case study methodology was used to document the broader situational and daily influences which affected the teacher's practice. It was apparent soon after starting the action research that there were factors which did not allow for the development of the project along the intended lines. By the end of the project, the teacher felt that the action research had been distorted - specifically there had been no opportunity for critical reflection. The collaborative nature of the project did not seem to work. The teacher started to wonder just what had gone wrong. It was only after a break from the school environment that the teacher-researcher had the opportunity to really reflect on what had been happening in her teaching practice. This reflection took into account the huge amount of data generated from the context of the school but essentially reflected on the massive number of changes that were occurring in all schools. Several issues began to emerge which directly affected teaching practice and determined whether teachers had the opportunity to be self-reflective. These issues were identified as changes in curriculum and the teaching role, increased workload, changed power relations and changed security/morale on the professional context.
This thesis investigates the structural and policy changes occurring in Victorian education by reference to documentation and the lived experiences of teachers. It studies how the emerging issues affect the practices of teachers, particularly the teacher-researcher. The case study has now evolved to take in the broader context of the policy and structural changes whilst the action research has expanded to look at the ability of a teacher to be self-reflective: a meta-action research perspective. In concluding, the teacher-researcher reflects on the significance of the research in light of the recent change in state government and the increased government importance placed on science education in the primary context.
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Risley, Robert Michael Kevin. "A proposal for using a literature-based functional curricula for primary moderate cognitively delayed learners." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2000. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/1864.
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Wise, Wendy E. "The Effects Of The Wise Self-Esteem Project Upon The Development Of Self-Esteem In Primary Grade Children." Scholarly Commons, 1985. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/3474.
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Purpose of the study was to determine the effects of the Wise Self-Esteem Project (WISEP) on the development of self-esteem in primary grade children. Sample population was ethnically composed of approximately 270 Asian, Black, Hispanic, and White students. The majority of students were White and Hispanic; a lesser proportion were Asian and Black. The research questions focused on gains in self-esteem for WISEP participants. The Self-Appraisal Inventory (SAI), a student self-report measure, and the Behavioral Academic Self-Esteem (BASE), an observer rating scale, were used for data collection. Data analyses were based on pretest and posttest data from both instruments. Three-Way Anova of the gain scores indicated consistently superior gains for WISEP participants on all BASE subtests for grades one and three. Pearson correlation showed correlations between subtest scores to be substantial and significant. Second-grade WISEP participants whose research circumstances differed from first- and third-grade participants compared less favorably with second-grade control group. Chi-Square Test of Association showed gains of self-esteem level for WISEP participants to be significantly higher than the control group. Anova results indicated a significant gain in one category of self-esteem on the SAI for WISEP participants at the first-grade level. There were no significant gains for WISEP participants in any of the four categories at second- and third-grade level and no significant gains for the control group at any of the three grade levels.
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Kgohlo, Piet Maphodisa. "The evaluation of the implementation of the national curriculum statement (NCS) in a few selected grade 1 classrooms of the Limpopo Province." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/690.
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation of the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) in a few selected Grade 1 classrooms of the Limpopo Province. The investigation was carried our in 2007 and was guided by the following three sub-problems: 1. What are the concerns of teachers about the NCS?. 2. Wgat are the teachers' levels of used of the NCS?. 3. What are the adaptations that teachers have made in teaching the NCS?
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Landers, Denise, and mikewood@deakin edu au. "Improving primary school health education through action research: A case study." Deakin University, 1994. http://tux.lib.deakin.edu.au./adt-VDU/public/adt-VDU20050915.102258.
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Limited research has been conducted concerning the actual practice of health education in Victorian schools.
This study investigates the health education curriculum at a large primary school in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. The investigation involves a critical analysis of current practices in health education in the upper school through the development of a small action research group. Data were gathered through document collection, questionnaires, interviews, discussions, diary and reflective journal entries.
The action research group, consisting of the teacher-researcher and upper school teachers, developed, implemented and reflected upon units of work piloted with upper school students. Alternative approaches to health education were explored. The aim was to accommodate critically informed discourse amongst colleagues to promote self-reflective enquiry and facilitate improvements to existing pedagogic practices.
During the course of the investigation, factors limiting and facilitating action research and curriculum change in health education, became evident. These included personal, practical, curriculum and organisational constraints operating externally and internally on the school and classroom environments. Despite these constraints, it was demonstrated in this study, that action research can contribute to the improvement of pedagogic practices in health education. Small authentic action research projects may provide alternative internal professional development structures for teachers and consequently improve learning opportunities for students.
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Gibbs, Desmond Robert. "Victorian school books : a study of the changing social content and use of school books in Victoria, 1848-1948, with particular reference to school readers /." Connect to thesis, 1987. http://eprints.unimelb.edu.au/archive/00001321.
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Hogan, Alice Rosemary. "Education in the wetlands and wetlands in the education: a case of contextualizing primary/basic education in Tanzania." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003386.
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This dissertation describes an action research case study carried out at a sub-village school at Nyamakurukuru, Utete, Rufiji District, Tanzania. The study was a fully independent research activity funded and led by a female Irish environmental and community specialist who has fifteen years experience of working in rural Tanzania, five of which were in Rufiji District. The aim of the action research was to engage a community of villagers, teachers, students and district officers in a participatory process to adapt a module of a school curriculum to the local context, and teach it in order to describe one way in which contextualization, using local and indigenous knowledge and active discovery teaching-learning processes, can be done. The major research question, which I wished to answer for one specific case, was: Does integrating local environmental cultural knowledge into formal schooling contribute to curriculum relevance? If so, in what way? This document describes the background and context of the research, the motivation and the theoretical basis for the work, the methodology and methods, and the action research process itself. The results are interpreted and discussed in the light of current theoretical perspectives on education and environmental education. The main findings within the case are that: Contextualization improved relevance of education and thus its quality by: • breaking through traditional frames/barriers between teachers and students, students and elders and community and teachers, • allowing formal education to take place outside of the school, • necessitating a change in pedagogy1 to more learner-centered, discovery methods, • allowing indigenous knowledge to come into the classroom, • stimulating creativity and increased confidence, and • bringing local socio-political environmental issues into the classroom. This study provides a case example of how education processes, when engaging local cultural knowledge, can improve the relevance, and thus an aspect of the quality of teaching and learning in school-community contexts, while providing a conduit for integrating environmental education into the formal school curriculum. It provides insights into the key issue of relevance which currently faces educators of children in wetlands in Tanzania. Recommendations were made for the case studied and may be useful beyond the boundaries of the case: • Give more explicit government policy and strategic support for community involvement in educational content–epistemologies and pedagogies. • Weaken framing (hierarchical power positions) to encourage greater partnership between school, home and community to improve relevance. • Investigate the provision of education beyond schools. • Provide practical teacher and community training on use of learner-centered, discovery and active pedagogies. • Provide teacher and community education on biodiversity and the environment. • Provide relevant reference texts and research data on the ecology, biodiversity, vegetation, hydrology, agriculture, sociology, history and other relevant subjects. • Officially nurture a culture that learning should be enjoyable. • Allow the curriculum freedom, in these times of increasing risk for rural tropical wetland communities, to make the curriculum fit the local issues rather than vice versa. • Nurture critical analysis of the curriculum in local pedagogic discourse i.e., at the local contextualization level of the home, community and school.
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Swedosh, Philip, and mikewood@deakin edu au. "An Investigation into the skill levels achieved by mathematics students in the V.C.E. and the H.S.C. mathematics courses." Deakin University, 1994. http://tux.lib.deakin.edu.au./adt-VDU/public/adt-VDU20051017.153947.
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This study examines whether recent changes to the mathematics courses offered in the final year of secondary school (Year 12) in the state of Victoria, Australia have affected the learning outcomes of students in terms of then: skill levels in algebra, calculus and problem solving; and in terms of their preparation for a tertiary mathematics unit. The impact of these changes on the transition from secondary to tertiary mathematics is also considered.
A comparison is made between students who attempted a first year mathematics unit at the University of Melbourne (U. of M.) having completed the new V.C.E. (Victorian Certificate of Education) mathematics courses and mathematics courses from the previous H.S.C. (Higher School Certificate) system. The comparison involves the use of tests administered upon entrance to a tertiary mathematics unit at the U. of M., and questionnaires.
In 1991, V.C.E, students and H.S.C. students attempted the same mathematics test at the U. of M. and their results were compared. In 1992, the tests were attempted by V.C.E. students only. To compare new V.C.E. students and H.S.C. students, questions on the 1991 test were matched with similar questions on the 1992 tests and a panel of experts determined what the H.S.C. students who attempted the 1991 test would have been expected to average on these matched questions on the 1992 tests had they attempted them. These expected average scores were then compared with the actual scores of the new V.C.E. students. The scores of the groups were scaled when necessary.
Questionnaires were administered to 1991 U. of M, mathematics students who were part of the V.C.E. pilot group in 1990, secondary mathematics educators, tertiary mathematics educators, and 1991 V.C.E. (1992 U. of M.) students.
The mathematical misconceptions exhibited by new V.C.E. students are discussed and their frequencies stated.
The research indicates that the new V.C.E. mathematics courses have provided the V.C.E. mathematics students in this study with significantly lower skill levels and a significantly poorer preparation for a tertiary mathematics unit than those which were previously provided by the H.S.C. mathematics courses.
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Tatnall, Arthur, and mikewood@deakin edu au. "A curriculum history of business computing in Victorian Tertiary Institutions from 1960-1985." Deakin University, 1993. http://tux.lib.deakin.edu.au./adt-VDU/public/adt-VDU20051201.145413.
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Fifty years ago there were no stored-program electronic computers in the world. Even thirty years ago a computer was something that few organisations could afford, and few people could use. Suddenly, in the 1960s and 70s, everything changed and computers began to become accessible. Today* the need for education in Business Computing is generally acknowledged, with each of Victoria's seven universities offering courses of this type. What happened to promote the extremely rapid adoption of such courses is the subject of this thesis.
I will argue that although Computer Science began in Australia's universities of the 1950s, courses in Business Computing commenced in the 1960s due to the requirement of the Commonwealth Government for computing professionals to fulfil its growing administrative needs. The Commonwealth developed Programmer-in-Training courses were later devolved to the new Colleges of Advanced Education. The movement of several key figures from the Commonwealth Public Service to take up positions in Victorian CAEs was significant, and the courses they subsequently developed became the model for many future courses in Business Computing. The reluctance of the universities to become involved in what they saw as little more than vocational training, opened the way for the CAEs to develop this curriculum area.
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Nabuco, Maria Emilia Monteiro. "The effects of three early childhood curricula in Portugal on children's progress in the first year of primary school." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 1997. http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/10020289/.
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Campbell, Alistair B. "Using hypermedia to improve the dissemination and accessibility of syllabus documents with particular reference to primary mathematics." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 1993. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1157.
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The fundamental question that this study set out to investigate was: Can the advantages of hypermedia be extended to curriculum materials that are for the sole use of teachers? To consider this question, three areas needed to be investigated: hypermedia (the medium); teachers (the target) and curriculum documents (the content). Hypermedia has a long history dating back to Bush (1986) who in 1945 imagined his Memex system as building information trails between ideas. However, it was not until the mid 1980s that technology caught up with the theory and hypermedia came of age. The evaluation of hypermedia documents is still in its infancy and design standards are still being formlulated. Social acceptability and usability will be of major concern in the evaluation process of hypermedia. Therefore this study needed to investigate whether this medium of presentation is socially acceptable to teachers? Advances in Information Technology (IT), both in hardware and software in the last few years have brought the potential of hypermedia to the personal computer (PC). Information, be it text, sound, graphics or video, or a mixture of these, can now be presented on the same screen and the movement between screens can be seamless. The movement between screens is no longer limited to sequential movement as it is when the information is presented in a hard copy form, but can be randomly accessed. This access allows the user to move about the information as they would move about within their own minds, that is, by association. Already commercial hypermedia products are being produced for the education and "leisure" markets. Teachers' work loads are increasing, as they take on more curriculum responsibilities, while at the same time, information is expanding at a rapid rate. The challenge today is to encourage teachers to use new information technology to overcome these problems. However, since their inception into schools fifteen years ago, computers have not delivered the results that had been expected of them. Can the access to hypermedia curriculum documents help teachers to lessen their work load and encourage them to use IT? Firstly, it is important to consider whether curriculum materials for teacher use are suitable for hypermedia presentation. The literature indicated that textual materials that are not meant to be read sequentially like a novel, arc suitable to be presented in hypermedia form. At present, curriculum materials for teachers contain the content in hard copy form but the presentation is lacking in quality. This hard copy material is expensive, hard to correct and slow to update. Hypermedia offers the potential to overcome these limitations and to provide easy access to much more information. This new medium could allow teachers for the first ti.me to truly integrate their teaching programme by enabling them to access multiple curriculum documents. The methodology used in this study was based on two types of descriptive research, survey and correlation methods. The target population for this study was all K-7 teachers using the Western Australia Mathematics syllabus within Western Australia. The instrument was a mailed survey questionnaire that consisted of five parts. The first part consisted of collecting personal data such as age and gender. The second part was the Computer Attitude Scale (CAS), designed by Loyd and Gressard (1984), and was used to measure attitudes towards learning and using computers. The third part consisted of questions that asked teachers for their views and impressions on the social acceptability and utility of the present hard copy. The fourth part consisted of questions on computer experience and use, both in and outside the classroom. The final part consisted questions on the likely acceptance and usefulness of a hypermedia copy of the syllabus. This study found that the likely medium-based anxiety for this type of application is low for the teachers sampled, with 70 percent indicating that they were likely to accept this type of application. The findings indicated that the acceptance rate increased as the teachers' positive attitude towards computers increased. Teachers that rated themselves competent at using a computer were also more likely to accept this type of application. Time spent using a computer at school showed that teachers who frequently use them at least several times a week were more likely to accept this type of application. The study also found that the majority of teachers sampled considered the ability to link the syllabus to other teaching material was very useful. Many of the problems identified by the teachers sampled concerning the usability of the present hard copy could be overcome using a hypermedia version.
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Ho, Yuen-ching, and 何婉貞. "Value orientations in primary Chinese language curriculum of HongKong." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1999. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31960893.
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BARREIROS, CLAUDIA HERNANDEZ. "WHEN DIFFERENCE IS A SOURCE OF TENSION: A STUDY OF THE CURRICULA BEING IMPLEMENTED IN INITIAL YEARS OF PRIMARY EDUCATION." PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIRO, 2006. http://www.maxwell.vrac.puc-rio.br/Busca_etds.php?strSecao=resultado&nrSeq=9293@1.
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COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DO PESSOAL DE ENSINO SUPERIORNesta pesquisa de inspiração etnográfica, procurou-se conhecer e compreender de que forma o referencial teórico da diferença, trazido à escola e à formação de professoras via estudos sobre o fracasso escolar, foi incorporado nas práticas pedagógicas cotidianas de professoras dos anos iniciais do ensino fundamental. Foi investigada uma escola da rede pública municipal do Rio de Janeiro, localizada no interior de uma grande favela- bairro. O estudo contou com observações a reuniões de planejamento e centros de estudos, a aulas de quatro turmas e três professoras e também com entrevistas a essas três professoras e à diretora e à coordenadora pedagógica da escola. Considerou- se a princípio que a diferença é um tema que não exige apenas ações planejadas e conscientes, uma vez que também emerge em situações não previstas e que, quase sempre, implicam em tensão. Iniciou-se o estudo pela delimitação do que se entende por uma educação intercultural e, para isso, optou-se por tomar como autores/as de referência Peter McLaren, com seu multiculturalismo crítico e Vera Candau, com sua didática intercultural. Para compreender como as professoras constróem seus conhecimentos didáticos, optou-se por trabalhar com Maurice Tardif e sua noção de saberes docentes. Para lidar com a ação docente diante do inesperado e do imprevisto, escolheu-se Philippe Perrenoud e a noção de habitus profissional que ele aperfeiçoou. A partir daí, analisam-se o projeto pedagógico da escola apresentado pela equipe técnico pedagógica e discutido em algumas reuniões observadas, cenas do cotidiano da escola acompanhadas pela pesquisadora e as entrevistas feitas às professoras pesquisadas. Percebeu-se que a palavra diferença congrega variados sentidos e que alguns deles de fato estão presentes nessa escola e sendo enfrentados por essas professoras em suas atividades como docentes, mas que a perspectiva cultural abordada por McLaren, Candau e outros e procurada pela pesquisadora somente apareceu nos momentos de estudo do tema pelo grupo de docentes. Nesse sentido, acredita-se que ainda há muito o que investir em políticas de formação docente para que esse referencial, pelo seu viés cultural e numa perspectiva crítica, penetre as práticas pedagógicas.
In this study of an ethnographic nature, we have sought to understand how a theoretical framework based on the concept of difference and introduced in schools and teacher education via studies on school failure has been incorporated into the daily pedagogic practice of teachers in charge of initial grades in primary education. We focused our investigation on a public school located in a large shantytown in Rio de Janeiro. The study included observation of planning sessions and study centers, of lessons given to four different classes by three different teachers, as well as interviews with the teachers, the coordinator and the school´s headmistress. Our starting point was the idea that difference does not demand only planned, conscious action, once it also emerges in unplanned situations frequently generating tension. Another starting point is the concept of intercultural education. To this end, we have chosen to adopt Peter McLaren and his concept of critical multiculturalism as well as Vera Candau´s idea of intercultural teaching practices as major theoretical references. To understand how teachers build up their pedagogical knowledge, we have chosen Maurice Tardif´s notion of teacher knowledge. To analyse teachers´ ways of coping with the unexpected, unplanned-for situations in their lessons, we have chosen Philippe Perrenoud´s notion of professional habitus. From these theoretical perspectives, we have attempted to analyse the school´s pedagogic project presented by the school´s pedagogic team and debated at some staff meetings we had the opportunity to attend; some aspects of the school daily routine we were able to observe and the interviews with key staff. From these analyses, we have concluded that different meanings are attributed to the word difference, some of which are present in the school and are encountered by the teachers in their practice. However, the cultural perspective proposed by McLaren, Candau and other authors was only considered when it was the focus of a study group made up by the teachers. This observation led us to conclude that a lot of effort has yet to be invested into teacher education policies in order to promote the cultural and critical perspectives proposed by this theoretical framework so that it becomes incorporated into teaching practices.
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Nel, Andri. "An intergrated learning programme for the Knysna Montessori school." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1142.
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In line with Montessori methodology, the Knysna Montessori School runs its programmes in an integrated and holistic manner. Learning programmes are based on a blend of various Montessori learning programmes and the Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS). Classes are divided into three year-age groupings; and integrated learning programmes are in place within the pre-school, (including grade R), the grade 1 to 3 class, and the grade 4 to 6 class. However, the grade 7 to 9 Montessori class has been running in a more traditional and less integrated manner since its inception in 2004. That has motivated the undertaking of this study. The main aim of this qualitative study has been to determine how to best arrange the RNCS according to Montessori principles, that is to say, in a holistic and integrated manner, with the intention of presenting a learning programme for the grade 7 to 9 class. This aim was based on a constructivist philosophical foundation and addressed in conjunction with interpretivism and critical theory. The grounded theory research paradigm was followed. In this paradigm research findings are grounded in the data gathering and the analysis. Three methods of data collection were applied, namely a literature review, interviews and document analysis. A literature review was conducted to gain a better overview and understanding of the RNCS and Outcomes-Based Education (OBE). Furthermore, through the literature review, an in-depth understanding of the Montessori method of education, adolescent development and integrated and holistic education have been achieved. Interviews were conducted with staff from the Knysna Montessori School, with the purpose of gathering information on the Knysna Montessori School and its current application to the RNCS, from pre-school to grade 6. An availability and purposive sampling method was applied, in order to determine which staff members to interview. Finally, document analysis was done. The learning areas for the senior phase (grades 7 to 9) of the General Education and Training Band (GET) of the RNCS were coded and analysed in order to discover emergent themes within the RNCS and how these link with the Montessori curriculum arrangement for this age group. It became apparent that Montessori classrooms, both prior to and for the senior phase, are divided into three areas, namely language, mathematics and cultural studies. Based on this knowledge, as well as the documentary analysis, an integrated learning programme, grounded in the data analysis, was designed. It was found that the RNCS matches well with Montessori’s curriculum arrangement. Thus, this learning programme is in line with Montessori’s curriculum arrangement for the senior phase of the GET band. Such a curriculum arrangement integrates the learning outcomes and assessment standards from arts and culture, economic and management sciences, life orientation, natural sciences, social sciences and technology into different studies. These are globally referred to as cultural studies. However, specific attention was also given to moral education, self-expression through music, art and drama, entrepreneurship, career education and sport. The conclusion was reached that an integrated learning programme, based on Montessori principles and in line with the RNCS requirement, is possible for the Knysna Montessori School.
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O'Mahony, Gary Raymond McColl, and mikewood@deakin edu au. "Learning the role: Through the eyes of beginning principals." Deakin University. School of Scientific and Developmental Studies, 2002. http://tux.lib.deakin.edu.au./adt-VDU/public/adt-VDU20051017.120428.
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This study examines how first year principals learn their roles and provides the picture through their eyes. As there is no formal preparation requirement to become a principal in Victorian government schools, new principals must seek out and direct their own learning for the role. The study describes the informal and formal sources of learning that are sought by beginning principals to help them learn about their new role. The focus is on identifying what sources of learning were used through different phases of the study and how some became more critical than others in shaping and developing the role of a principal in the school.
This thesis is a story of continuous professional socialization and learning of a group of seven beginning principals using case studies and interviews over four phases of learning in their first year in the role as they proceed from appointment, entry, establishment through to consolidation of the role.
The process of socialization underpins the study and is conceived as a process of learning in which the participants actively direct and participate in their own socialization. However, greater emphasis is placed on the developing nature and reliance on learning in role development. Previous studies of professional socialization of beginning principals have identified licensure programs as significant in the preparation and ongoing development process, whereas this is not the case in Victoria where no such requirements exist. This study adds to existing studies through the finding that there are similarities in the stages of professional socialization process in the Australian context, but also explores new aspects about professional learning by identifying various phases and sources of learning for Victorian principals. These ranged from dependence upon an apprenticeship arrangement, through self-directed task learning, to that of becoming an independent learner within a professional community of equals. Some of the themes identified and explored in this study included examining phases of learning, sources of learning, and their effect on role development.
The study was initially based on identifying and exploring some of the key issues and the significance of learning experiences suggested by the beginning principals rather than researching predetermined hypotheses. This grounded and qualitative approach involved data collection over four different time phases in the first year in the role and allowed flexibility in the construction of case studies and the cumulative development of data through the study. The greater part of the data were collected through interviews in each of the four phases of the study along with the collection of survey data for comparison and contrast in the first and final study phases.
The research raises many issues that can serve as a basis for further exploration of the complexity of the role of learning within professional socialization for beginning principals. As well, it suggests a number of implications for the organization of professional learning and socialization in beginning principal socialization for the first year in the role.
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Chan, Yip Ah-may Amy, and 陳葉雅薇. "A study of the curriculum development strategy for the certificate in primary education programme." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1996. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31958576.
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Waldron, Peter. "Parish rationalisation : A case study of the effects the clustering of three Catholic parishes has had on the Religious Education Curricula of the parish primary schools." Master's thesis, Australian Catholic University, 2001. https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/download/0200c0441c3c0d02dccae4008fc826361beccf016974927d37837dc8f7f0bf9e/4240363/Waldron_2001_Parish_rationalisation_a_case_study_of.pdf.
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The study sets out to examine the impact of the clustering on the relationship between the individual school and the Parish Priest, on the relationship between the individual schools, and on the relationship between the schools and their parish communities. It seeks to propose findings and recommendations to assist similar initiatives in Australia and beyond.
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Wan, Wai-yan, and 溫慧欣. "Teachers' concerns about curriculum integration: a case study of a Hong Kong primary school." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2002. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31963249.
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Harrison, Jo-Anne Elizabeth. "Perceptions of primary school teachers towards the South African Museum as an environmental education resource." Thesis, Rhodes University, 1994. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003577.
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This study examines the perceptions of a small group of primary school teachers from Gugulethu in Cape Town, of the various exhibitions and education services currently offered at the South African Museum. Their perceptions of proposed services are also examined in order to find out which of these proposals, as well as existing services, best meet the needs expressed by this group of teachers. An attempt was also made to determine their level of understanding of environmental education and awareness of environmental issues. This study suggested the need for greater emphasis to be placed on the 'hands-on' components of the Museum's education programmes. The need for syllabus related and enriching educational programmes and resource materials was also identified. In this regard, the exhibits perceived to be of greatest benefit to the pupils were those relating either to the syllabus or their culture, whilst exhibits seen to be 'out of the pupils' experience' (eg. Fossils) were perceived as unimportant. The teachers also epressed a strong desire for training sessions to be held at the Museum that would help them improve their knowledge of the displays and programmes. It was found that the teachers understanding of environmental education ranged from syllabus-related definitions to more holistic views. The environmental issues perceived to be of greatest importance were mainly social issues such as poverty, violence, child abuse and street children as well as water pollution and cruelty to animals. The production of posters and resource materials, drama, story-telling and programmes for parents were seen to be among the choices most favoured for the Museum to adopt in promoting environmental awareness in the community.
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Ryterband, Astrid. "The pros and cons of using technology in primary education." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2005. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/2665.
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The aim of this thesis is to examine computer technology as an educative tool in primary education and to discover how it's affecting instruction and learning. The writer of this thesis believes that the integration of literacy and computer technology can be successful, provide that government, administration, faculty, parents and students work together.
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Rulashe, Brenda Lavisa. "An evaluation of the implementation of curriculum 2005 in grade 7 in the Motherwell primary schools." Thesis, Port Elizabeth Technikon, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/231.
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This study focuses on the effective implementation of C2005 by the Grade 7 teachers in the Motherwell area. For teachers to meet the demands of the new curriculum, in-service training is needed to develop them to be competent in all the aspects required for the use of the OBE approach. The main research question is: How have Grade 7 teachers in Motherwell implemented C2005 in their classrooms? Questionnaires and interviews were used as tools to collect the data. The data was collected from five selected primary schools in the Motherwell area. The teachers’ responses obtained from questionnaires and interviews were analyzed both statistically (using tables) and descriptively (telling teachers’ stories). Responses determined the competence of teachers in four areas, namely, teaching methods, content, classroom organization and assessment of learners. An account of inservice training courses attended by teachers is provided. These courses revealed the problems encountered by teachers during the implementation process and the subsequent assisstance they received. The data provided in this study is in line with the research done by the Review Committee (Chisholm, 2000) in the Eastern Cape. Recommendations of the Review Committee gave rise to the establishment of the Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS). The responses from this study confirmed the need for retraining of teachers to develop their competences. This study urges the Department of Education to focus on establishing methods of training that will develop teachers in their teaching experience. The SMTs should also be able to assist teachers with the problems they encounter in their schools. Teachers should be able to take responsibility for their learners’ competence and take ownership of changes in their schools. The financial assistance of the National Research Foundation towards this research is hereby acknowledged. Opinions expressed in this thesis and conclusions arrived at, are those of the author and not necessarily to be attributed to the National Research Foundation
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Hendricks, Paul Charles. "The role of physical education in South African primary schools." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2004. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&.
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This thesis argued that Physical Education is marginalised in the South African primary school education sector. Through this marginalisation, Physical Education has been reduced from having full subject status, to being only one of the components of one of the primary school learning areas, namely, Life Orientation. Simultaneously, Physical Education finds itself in a situation in which it is generally being taught by a class teacher and no longer by a specialist Physical Education teacher. Possible reasons for this marginalisation are expressed, however, the argument that Physical Education is an imperative in the holistic development of the child, is also espoused. This thesis critically examined the route that South African primary school education is taking and focused on the issues of holistic education and development, Outcomes-based Education and Life Orientation.
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Lane, Maureen, and res cand@acu edu au. "Growing Up Catholic in Sunshine, 1919-1927, The Establishment of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Primary School: A journey in historiography." Australian Catholic University. School of Education, 1999. http://dlibrary.acu.edu.au/digitaltheses/public/adt-acuvp213.02092009.
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This study is, in effect, the compilation and the telling of the story of the establishment of the school of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception at Sunshine, it seeks to add to the quantum of knowledge available in regard to: First - the story of that particular school's establishment, Second - its derivation from and contribution to the \vider context of the development of Catholic education in Victoria, and Third - its place in the story of the growth of a suburban community as a reflection of some of the social forces which were operating in Victoria at that time. This thesis is the result of an invitation by the writer to a number of people to collaborate in constructing the storf. These people ranged from those who, as children, attended the new school, and those whose experience of its establishment was a generation removed but who, nevertheless. claim an affinity ,with the school and its society, to those archivists, professional and otherwise, whose task or desire is to keep alive the historical foundations of our culture. It this thesis is attached to any particular school of historiography it would be closest to the Annales school as outlined in The Living Past: Western Historiographical Traditions (1975). As Andrea and Schmokel describe it, The labors of love of a group of historians associated with the journal Les Annales have produced a wealth of informative detail studies about the life styles, living standards, social values and assumptions about various social groups in all periods of French and European history. (This school) simply seeks to recover knowledge about the past as it was lived. (p.266) In the light of postmodern criticism developed since 1975, this thesis acknowledges directly the ideological base from which the author is coming. Nevertheless, it remains within the orbit of Annales historiography in that it seeks to
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Fiorillo, Risa Maree. "Music handbook for primary grade teachers." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2001. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/1739.
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Academic research in the area of music and learning has proven that there is both a deficiency and need for classroom music education commencing at the primary grade levels. The research has shown that by incorporating music education into the academic curriculum the arts can be more effectively taught and other academic subject areas can gain from the diverse teaching strategies the arts bring to education. There are two goals of this project. One is to demonstrate to teachers what primary grade level students should be learning in music. A second goal of this project is to design a music education handbook for primary teachers that can serve as a basis for intergrating music into the curriculum. This handbook takes into consideration the general lack of sufficient teacher training in music instruction, along with teaching time constraints, and potential roadblocks, such as the acquisition of music and instrumental supplies.
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Nthulanyane, Malefa Regina. "Teacher receptivity of an integrated curriculum with special reference to the foundation phase of curriculum 2005." Thesis, University of Port Elizabeth, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/378.
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The purpose of the study was to investigate teacher receptivity of a new curriculum, in particular, the new integrated curriculum of South Africa. As the New Revised national curriculum Statement is starting to be operational this year, Curriculum 2005 was used as a model of an integrated curriculum in this study. The study focused on the following sub-problems: the meaning of an integrated curriculum; teacher receptivity of an integrated curriculum; and the extent to which teachers are receptive of the new integrated foundation phase curriculum. The review of relevant literature provided a conceptual framework for the study. Six dimensions of a curriculum that were regarded as critical in classroom practice for practicing teachers were identified and used to describe an integrated curriculum. These were: platform, learning outcomes, content, instructional materials, teaching and learning strategies and assessment. The conceptual framework for teacher receptivity was also identified by means of review of relevant literature. Teacher receptivity was conceptualised as comprising of attitudes and behavioral intentions. The empirical part of the study was undertaken to determine the attitudes of teachers towards an integrated foundation phase curriculum and the extent to which foundation phase teachers were receptive of the new curriculum. The sample for the empirical part of the study included 63 foundation phase teachers randomly selected from 21 schools in Herschel District. The schools were randomly selected from 3 zones which had been randomly selected from 7 zones that make up Hershel Educational District in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Empirical data on teachers’ attitudes towards an integrated curriculum indicated that the majority of teachers were viewed the curriculum in an extremely positive light/somewhat positive light. There were responses which indicated that some teachers regarded the curriculum as complicated, restrictive, and idealistic. This situation is highlighted in their responses to the semantic differential on the attitude objects of the curriculum. Data on teacher receptivity indicated positive responses but vi there were some area of concern such as, for example, support from the district manager, school and the community. Data indicated that teachers were not so positive abut learning outcomes and assessment as a basis of teaching an integrated curriculum. Based on the empirical part of the study, conclusions and recommendations were made.
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Jeko, Ishmael. "An improved mentoring model for student teachers on practicum in primary schools in Zimbabwe." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1017553.
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As part of a drive to improve the quality of teachers, Zimbabwe introduced a school-based mentoring model in 1995, a move which regrettably seems not have borne fruit. Therefore, this study sought to propose an improved mentoring model for initial teacher training for primary school teachers. Efforts to improve the current mentoring could, however, be facilitated if they were informed by an empirically-based understanding of the shortcomings of the existing mentoring system for student teachers and teachers. In order to attain the above objective, this study adopted a multisite case study design, guided by the interpretive paradigm. A core of nine primary schools, drawn from the rural, urban and peri-urban areas of the Masvingo Province in Zimbabwe, was purposively selected to participate in the study. In the participating schools, key participants were student teachers and mentors, while school principals participated when they had time. A secondary group of primary schools were also identified to be used as validation of findings in a wider setting. An in-depth literature study on teacher education and mentoring was also carried out and this, combined with empirical data, illuminated the issues being investigated. The empirical data were primarily gathered through focus group and face-to-face individual semi-structured interviews, while participant observation (used in conjunction with informal unstructured interviews) and questionnaires were used to verify and triangulate data collected through the interviews. To safeguard the ethical integrity of the study, ethical approval from the relevant university committee, as well as the official consent of educational authorities, was obtained beforehand, as was the informed consent of individual participants. The research established that the support rendered to student teachers in the participating primary schools was largely inadequate and of a shallow mode, focusing primarily on facilitating the mastery of technical skills and the provision of psycho-social support, while being sorely deficient in empowering the student teachers with the skills and attitudes to reflectively and critically engage with their own and others‟ teaching practices. The mentoring was taking place in the context of field experience, organised along the apprenticeship model, hence located in an outmoded traditional paradigm of field experience, something which is regrettable at a time when international best practices seek to move towards a reflective-inquiry-oriented paradigm. Secondly, the research found that the participating schools were not structurally or culturally ready to take significant teacher training responsibility; hence the schools, in their present state, could be seen as constraining the smooth functioning of the mentoring model. Thirdly, some mentor-based factors also seemed to inhibit the functioning of the mentoring model. These included teachers who were attitudinally indisposed to accept student teachers as their professional colleagues, preferring to relate to them hierarchically and vertically, thereby limiting the emergence of a culture of professional collaboration and reciprocal learning relationships. In similar vein, the mentors‟ lack of training limited their capacity of mentors to perform the extended range of mentoring functions necessary for supporting student teachers trained in 21st century schools. The above conclusions and implications point towards the following recommendations: Mentor support for student teachers should be extended from the present superficial level to include functions that are oriented towards reflective practice. However, for this to happen, some adjustments will need to be made in the schools. These include, most importantly, making time available for mentoring activities. In order for the mentors to be able to perform their mentoring functions knowledgeably, they must be made fully aware of what they are supposed to do by providing them with the official documents spelling out mentoring expectations in schools. Additionally, the commitment of mentors to their duties could be made more sustainable by putting in place a clearly defined reward structure that is fully recognized officially and integrated into the employee grading system. To make school environments more propitious towards mentoring, schools must be structurally modified and re-cultured to create slots for mentoring activities, provide opportunities for informal professional interaction among teachers, as well as establish professional engagement forums, such as school-based learning circles. The research also suggests that student teachers should be allowed to choose their mentors through providing them with opportunities for early contact with their prospective mentoring partners. In an attempt to close the gap between college-based modules and field-based school experiences, the research further recommends that college-based modules be delivered in a way that ensures that they are fully integrated with student teachers‟ field experiences. Finally, mentoring could be better facilitated if schools and colleges adopted a partnership arrangement that is more aligned to mentoring. This implies provisionally shifting from the present separatist to the HEI-led partnership model, while preparing for the adoption of a fully-fledged collaborative partnership in the long term. The research was, however, by no means carried out perfectly. It was somewhat limited by its failure to take into account the view of officials from the Department of Education, as well as the input of colleagues in teacher education. In similar vein, the researcher felt that a more nuanced and fine-grained picture of the participants‟ mentoring experiences could have emerged if he had spent more time in the field, something which limited resources and work commitments did not allow him to do. Some significant issues arose from this study, but which it could not pursue. These include exploring the possibility of coming up with a model of teacher education that integrates ITE and CTPD in the context of mentoring, as well as conducting a similarly designed research into the mentoring that is taking place in secondary schools.
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Van, Niekerk Chantelle Emirina. "The effective establishment and functioning of the institutional level support team at primary schools in the Uitenhage district." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020808.
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Policy documents derived from the South African Constitution and the South African Schools Act clearly state that all learners are entitled to support, thus enabling them to reach their full potential. Support should be rendered effectively at school level within a well-established and functioning Institutional Level Support Teams (ILST). Institutional Level Support Teams (ILSTs) at primary schools within the Uitenhage District seem to be problematic, since parents, the school and the community do not realise that they should work interrelated with each other to enhance the effective establishment and functioning of the ILST. The main aim of this study is, therefore, to formulate guiding principles for the effective establishment and functioning of Institutional Level Support Teams. A qualitative research design using a phenomenological strategy was deemed appropriate for this study, as the researcher wants to gain a deeper understanding of the phenomenon under study. The researcher used a combination of convenience sampling, as well as purposive and judgement sampling. The sample group included educators, members of the Institutional Level Support Teams, Institutional Level Support Team co-ordinators, School Principals, community members and members of the District Based Support Team (DBST). Data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews, participant observations and questionnaires. Tesch’s eight step data analysis process was employed to identify possible common themes. The findings indicated that the stakeholder component of the social system representing learners, parents, schools and the community, do not provide sufficient support to learners experiencing learning challenges and therefore ILSTs are not functioning optimally presently.. Therefore the researcher provided supportive guiding principles to parents, the school and the community, for the effective establishment and functioning of the ILST, based on Bronfenbrenner’s eco-systemic theory, which is the theoretical framework of this study.
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Anyolo, Eveline Omagano. "Investigating the incorporation of education about, in/through and for the environment in the Geography junior phase curriculum: a case study of three Namibian schools." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003476.
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This study was carried out to investigate how education about, in/through and for the environment is incorporated in the Namibian Geography Junior Phase curriculum in three schools in Oshana Education Region. Education about, in/through and for the environment are three forms of environmental education identified by Fien (1998). This study is a qualitative, interpretive case study. It reviews the activities, content knowledge, methods, competencies and resources and describes how they were used by teachers in fostering education about, in/through and for the environment in the curriculum. Data was generated through document analysis, observations and semi-structured interviews. The results were interpreted and discussed in relation to the research question which is: How is education about, in/through and for the environment incorporated in the Geography Junior Phase curriculum? Key findings of the study suggested that teachers incorporated education about, in/through and for the environment in their teaching. Teachers used the prescribed syllabus to structure their environmental learning lessons. Most methods, resources and activities used by the teachers promoted education about the environment. The study also found that most types of knowledge about the environment were covered by the teachers. This enabled learners to examine the complexity and interrelatedness of natural systems. The study found that the way the resources were used exclusively supported education about the environment. Linking learning to local context in this study encouraged education in/through the environment and enhanced the learning process through real life experience. The study also found that, although teachers taught their learners for the environment, they did not empower them in taking actions towards environmental problems. Based on the insights offered by this research, the study identified further support required by teachers and made recommendations for effective incorporation of about, in/through andfor the environment in the curriculum.
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Blum, Miriam Perez. "Using research based teaching strategies with bilingual students." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2004. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/2460.
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This project examines instructional approaches that have been used to teach literacy to the English language learner. It also examines elements of the Foundation for California Early Literacy Learning (2003) and how they become integrated into daily classroom instruction.
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Petrova, Irina School of Music & Music Education UNSW. "A comparative study of primary/ elementary school music curricula in Australia (NSW), in the UK (England), in the Russian Federation and in the United States of America." Awarded by:University of New South Wales. School of Music and Music Education, 2005. http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/23330.
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In different countries, the music curricula for primary/ elementary school children has been influenced by many diverse factors including a number of progressive educational practices and a variety of psychological theories. This research gives a detailed analysis of a number of primary/ elementary school programs for general music in Australia (New South Wales, i.e. NSW), in the UK (England), in the Russian Federation and in the United States of America. The research aims to find out to what extent music education in different countries is based on or follows psychological theories of child development and progressive educational practices. Firstly, to acquire an adequate understanding of child education this research examines the philosophical roots of primary/ elementary education and a set of psychological ideas of Piaget and Vigotsky about the nature of children and the nature of knowledge. This provides insight of how children learn (the nature of learning) and the role of the teacher in learning music. Secondly, the research examines the musical content of the syllabae (the nature of subject). It critically compares the following components of curricula and syllabae: philosophy, objectives and contents including musical concepts, activities and music repertoire. This is then subjected to further analysis examining these contents in relation to theories of child development (Piaget and Vigotsky) and traditional and progressive educational practices (where it is applicable). Finally, a questionnaire is aimed at primary school teachers in NSW. These teachers are generalist teachers, there are no specialist music teachers employed as such in public primary schools in NSW. Music is taught in the NSW primary schools by class teachers. The problem is that NSW university faculties of education do not train music teachers as specialists at primary level. They only train generalist teachers. In other countries the situation is different. There are music specialists in the USA, UK and Russia teaching in primary schools. There are also such teachers in primary schools in Queensland, SA, Victoria, and WA and there are some in NSW. The questionnaire was, therefore, designed to enquire into the specific situation in NSW. Finally, issues of further investigation and research of curricula and syllabae in the primary/ elementary school are outlined.
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Zaram, Gyang Nyam. "An experimental study of self-regulated learning with mathematically gifted pupils in Nigerian primary schools." Thesis, Nelson Mandela University, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13381.
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The purpose of this study was to determine whether gifted pupils can master an enriched advanced level curriculum in mathematics using self-regulated learning strategies. A mathematics curriculum for class five primary school learners in Nigeria was developed for this study. An empirical study was conducted on primary five pupils who were seen to be significantly gifted in mathematics. The study employed the quantitative method of research, that is, the true experimental research. The pre-test, post-test control group design was used. Sixty gifted pupils who participated in a mathematics enrichment programme (MEP) were assigned into two groups of the control group and experimental group with thirty pupils forming each group. The control group was exposed to direct teaching (DT) while the experimental group used self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies. Four teachers served as facilitators in the MEP. The teaching and learning activities were carried out at a higher cognitive level as opposed to the regular curriculum, ensuring that the contents of the MEP were enriched and accelerated. Pupils in both the experimental group and the control group were administered a pre-test, problem-solving exercises, and post-test. These pupils also completed an attitudinal questionnaire to provide feedback about the MEP. The empirical results show that gifted pupils in primary five are capable of self-regulating their own learning through self-monitoring, self-evaluation, and self-reinforcement. The empirical results also show that there is a significant relationship between self-regulated learning, gifted learners, and an enriched advanced level differentiated curriculum as a realistic alternative to the present regular curriculum for gifted pupils in the mainstream of education. The findings further show that the lack of differentiation of instruction, lack of facilities such as libraries, media centres, and support materials contributes to low achievement of gifted pupils. Furthermore, the findings show that pupils were challenged and motivated with the MEP to the extent that they were engaged to think divergently and applied their metacognitive skills in finding solutions to mathematical problems. Therefore, the findings of this study could have significant implications for the future direction of gifted primary school education as well as teacher education. This study has made a significant contribution to the existing body of knowledge for implementing an enriched advanced level curriculum using SRL strategies for mathematically gifted pupils in the mainstream of primary school education.
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Stroud, Judith E. "Teacher opinions of the curriculum for a transitional grade between kindergarten and first grade." Virtual Press, 1988. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/533886.
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The purpose of this study was to compare the opinions of kindergarten teachers, transitional grade teachers, and first grade teachers regarding the importance of selected goals, content, learning activities, and evaluation procedures for a transitional grade between kindergarten and first grade. Effects of teaching experience and educational background were examined.The Transitional Curriculum Questionnaire for Teachers was developed by the researcher and mailed to 189 elementary schools with transitional classrooms. Respondents included 156 kindergarten teachers, 104 transitional grade teachers, and 263 first grade teachers. The majority of the teachers reported educational backgrounds in elementary education. Teaching experience ranged from 1 to 44 years.Through the use of a checklist, responding teachers identified goals, content, learning activities, and evaluation procedures which they considered "important" for a transitional program. A chi-square test at the .05 level of significance was used to analyze the data.Results1. Kindergarten teachers, transitional grade teachers, and first grade teachers agreed on the importance of 10 of the 16 goals, 6 of the 16 content areas, 6 of the 16 learning activities, and 11 of the 16 evaluation procedures for a transitional program.2. Teachers with backgrounds in early childhood education and teachers with backgrounds in elementary education agreed on the importance of all 16 goals, 14 of the 16 content areas, 13 of the 16 learning activities, and all 16 evaluation procedures for a transitional program.3. Teachers with varying years of teaching experience agreed on the importance of 15 of the 16 goals, 14 of the 16 content areas, all of the 16 learning activities, and 13 of the 16 evaluation procedures for a transitional program.Department of Elementary Education
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Gobingca, Zameka. "Strategies employed by primary school teachers to support non-isiXhosa speaking learners in Mthatha education district." Thesis, University of Fort Hare, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006250.
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The purpose of this research was to investigate strategies employed by primary teachers to support the non-isiXhosa speaking learners of Mthatha Education District. This was the researcher’s observation and concern emanating from the difficulties displayed by her non-isiXhosa speaking learners, as the medium of instruction in these schools is not their mother tongue. The language of learning and teaching (LOLT) is isiXhosa in the school where the research was conducted. The school is composed of non-isiXhosa speaking and isiXhosa speaking learners. The research sought to address the following questions: 1 What strategies are employed by Mthatha district teachers to support non- isiXhosa speaking learners? 2 What challenges do Mthatha teachers face in supporting the non-isiXhosa speaking learners? 3 How do Mthatha teachers overcome the challenges they face in supporting the non-isiXhosa speaking learners? The qualitative design approach was used in this study. The study was a case study of one Mthatha primary school. Face-to-face interviews were used to collect the data from the six female teachers who teach from Grade 1 to Grade 6 and one male teacher who is the principal of the selected school, and who teaches English and Life Orientation from Grade 7 to Grade 9. The interviews were tape-recorded. The data collection process began after all the ethical consideration requirements were fulfilled and approved by the relevant stakeholders of the research. The thematic approach was adopted as data analysis of the study was guided by the responses given to the questions asked of interviewed teachers. The research showed the following results which surfaced from the data provided by the respondents: (i) Teachers employed few teaching strategies to support the non-isiXhosa speaking learners in their multilingual classroom. The interviewed teachers expressed their challenges as stemming from the large numbers of learners in their classrooms; (ii) IsiXhosa as a language of learning and teaching was a challenge for the non-isiXhosa speaking learners. (iii) Absenteeism and indiscipline by non-isiXhosa speaking learners (iv) Limited or non-involvement of parents in the education of children The data also showed that there was limited support to empower teachers to deal with multilingual classrooms. The study made the following and other recommendations based on the results: teachers should use many teaching strategies in linguistically diverse classrooms. The school management teams (SMTs) should admit learners in relation to the number of teachers available in a school. It is also recommended that schools implement the language policy as it relates to the learners in each classroom. The DoE should increase parental involvement in the education of their children and also provide professional support to teachers.
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Cheung, Ngar-wing Anita, and 張雅穎. "Children culture of the visual: to what extent can the HK art curriculum address the intercultural diversityin art acquisition?" Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2005. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B35329634.
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Setlalentoa, Wendy Ntebaleng, and W. N. Setlalentoa. "An ethnographic study of the implementation of whole school evaluation at selected primary schools in the Southern Free State." Thesis, Bloemfontein : Central University of Technology, Free State, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/54.
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Hishmeh, Amber Lee. "Neurolinguistic programming as observational and mediational strategies in teaching primary-level English as a second language." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2005. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/2882.
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This project serves as a resource for kindergarten ESL educators to explore more creative multisensory teaching strategies. The five methodologies presented are Neurolinguistic Programming, Suggestopedia, music, storytelling and Total Physical Response.
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Smith, Sue Erica. "To be wise and kind: a Buddhist community engagement with Victorian state primary schools." Thesis, 2010. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/15538/.
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This is a case study of the development of the Buddhist Education in Victorian Schools program in state primary schools. It is located alongside the theoretical and policy
frameworks of Australian state schooling and a growing but disparate international movement that is applying meditative techniques and principles with roots in the Buddha- Dharma in secular and pluralist education. The meta-ethics of wisdom and compassion, it is argued, are the foundation for spiritual education, personal development and positively engaged citizenship in the Dharma. These are also and congruent with the intrinsic aims of education.
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Testa, Doris. "Silos to symphonies: social work and its contribution to student wellbeing programs within a Victorian Catholic School." Thesis, 2010. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/16068/.
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Schools of today are very much about preparing young people to function as productive members of society. Schools equip young people with the skills and knowledge needed to participate in the social, economic and cultural life of their local, national and global communities. Alongside a vocational role schools have another role. This role is to provide a health promoting setting within which students can develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes required to live healthy lives both in the short and long term.
Using a case study, this thesis examines how a cross-disciplinary collaboration between teaching and social work can negotiate the global, national and local policy trends that require schools to focus on both vocational pathways and student wellbeing needs.
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Smee, Cameron. "“If we were all, like, learning at the same time, we might have, like, the same experience”: an investigation into the development of physical subjectivities in early primary education." Thesis, 2019. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/40597/.
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There is growing consensus about the importance of physical activity and regular engagement is known to have a number of health and developmental benefits. Accordingly, research across a variety of fields has argued for the importance of laying the foundations for lifelong physical activity engagement in the early years. The school plays a central role in this effort by impacting children’s initial relationships with physical culture. Within the school, PE is often the primary vehicle for the promotion of physical activity. However, the problems with PE and its failure to connect with all children has been widely reported. Concurrently, there has been a significant physical activity dropout rate in adolescence for girls, and some boys. Scholarly attempts to address these concerns have focused mainly on late primary or high school settings, specifically curriculum and pedagogy. To date, very little research has focused on the early (Year One/Two) years of PE, when many children are developing their initial physical subjectivities. Rather than a period which all children enter as a ‘blank slate’, early PE is defined by the differing levels of experience that children bring to class. How these differing levels of embodied experiences are valued mean the children are constantly engaging in a range of stratified interactions. The outcomes of these interactions can have a profound impact on how students engage in physical activity, both in PE and on the playground. To examine how children are embodying and developing their physical subjectivities in these two spaces, a six- month ethnographic project was conducted at a primary school in Victoria. This allowed for the examination of the experiences of a Year 1/2 cohort through the implementation a variety of ethnographic and child-centred methods. Drawing on a theoretical approach, combining Bourdieu (1998) and Collins (2004), this thesis shows how the outcomes of PE activities, impacted the types of activities that children chose to engage in on the playground. Additionally, the findings show how the children play a key role in reproducing the dominant elements of the field (including the ‘naturalized’ gender order inherent in sport/PE) and the hierarchies that contextualized each activity. This research offers an in-depth focus into the complex social processes, in the playground and PE, which continue to usher children along seemingly pre-determined physical paths. This thesis concludes with a call for a critical approach to early PE that incorporates the different experiences of the children to create
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curricula, with a particular focus on teaching children to be reflective of the impact of their embodied experiences. This also incorporates changes to the playground as a continuation of the PE space.
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Wallace, Heather D. "Authentic Learning in the Kitchen and Garden: Synthesising planning, practice and pedagogy." Thesis, 2014. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/25923/.
Full textAbstract:
This study identifies and articulates the interrelationships between six key components
essential for authentic learning to maximise the student-centred learning opportunities in
kitchen and garden-based learning projects. Interpretative case study methodology using
multiple qualitative methods for data analysis were used to direct three layers of inquiry
around kitchen and garden-based learning: the context, content and characteristics of
kitchen and the garden-based learning, the student learning, and the teachers’ work.
Review of the literature indicated significant gaps in understanding how teachers can
foster children’s interest in nature, and plan for effective authentic learning experiences in
the garden. Through analysis of the literature, together with the perspectives of the
Grades 4, 5 and 6 children, and their teachers, key components for authentic,
contextualised learning were identified. These included: a real-world context, the
opportunity for working as professionals, within a collaborative learning community,
work requiring higher-order thinking, ownership of learning and authentic integrated
assessment.
Teachers’ pedagogy and practices are often hidden but were nevertheless significant
factors affecting student outcomes. Teachers made the learning experiences more
meaningful by ensuring student reflection was embedded in learning tasks. Planning and
providing arenas or “safe platforms” for discursive reflection was an essential step in
transforming tacit understandings to explicit knowledge enabling children to connect
their personal experiences with the experiences of others. From this discourse deeper
understanding of ecoliteracy emerged with one cohort, and understandings about the
intricacies of collaborative teamwork with another. The focus group discussions about
common experiential learning experiences had wider implications for teaching; they were
a key step in making the children’s tacit understandings explicit. Examination of the staff
and students’ immersive experiences within a kitchen garden learning environment, led to
the development of a model of learning that provides educators with a comprehensive
approach to scaffold authentic learning opportunities.
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"Environmental education in the primary curriculum in Hong Kong." Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1996. http://library.cuhk.edu.hk/record=b5888883.
Full textAbstract:
by Chi-kin John Lee.Publication date from spine.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 484-512).
Questionnaires in Chineses.
Abstract --- p.i
Acknowledgement --- p.iii
Table of Contents --- p.iv
List of Tables --- p.x
List of Figures --- p.xv
List of Appendices --- p.xv
Chapter Chapter One： --- INTRODUCTION
Chapter 1.1 --- Background of the Study --- p.1
Chapter 1.1.1 --- Emergence of environmental consciousness and environmental protection in Hong Kong
Chapter 1.1.2 --- Environmental education in the context of school curricula in Hong Kong
Chapter 1.1.3 --- The context of curriculum change -- primary education in Hong Kong
Chapter 1.2 --- Statement of the Problem --- p.7
Chapter 1.3 --- Purpose of the Study --- p.11
Chapter 1.4 --- Research Questions --- p.12
Chapter 1.5 --- Significance of the Study --- p.13
Chapter 1.6 --- Delimitations --- p.19
Chapter 1.7 --- Definitions of Terms --- p.19
Chapter Chapter Two： --- REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE -- ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Chapter 2.1 --- The Nature of Curriculum Change -- Environmental Education --- p.32
Chapter 2.1.1 --- Nature of environmental education
Chapter 2.1.2 --- Curriculum theorising and environmental education
Chapter 2.2 --- The Scale of Curriculum Change --- p.41
Chapter 2.3 --- Change and Curriculum Development Strategies --- p.43
Chapter 2.4 --- Status and Perceived Needs of Environmental Education --- p.44
Chapter 2.5 --- Analysis of Curriculum Materials with reference to Environmental Education --- p.49
Chapter Chapter Three: --- REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE -- CURRICULUM CHANGE
Chapter 3.1 --- Theories of Curriculum Change： The introduction of an innovation --- p.55
Chapter 3.1.1 --- General models of change
Chapter 3.1.2 --- Approaches to analysing educational change
Chapter 3.2 --- Teacher Change and Receptivity as an Area of Study --- p.64
Chapter 3.2.1 --- Technical perspective： Variables affecting teachers' receptivity to change
Chapter 3.2.2 --- Studies related to teachers' receptivity to and adoption of an innovation
Chapter 3.2.3 --- Receptivity and status risk theory
Chapter 3.2.4 --- An interpretive perspective： Teachers' voice in curriculum change
Chapter 3.3 --- Teachers' Stages of Concern as Perceptions of Curriculum Change --- p.91
Chapter 3.3.1 --- Concerns-based Adoption Model (CBAM)
Chapter 3.3.2 --- Studies related to Stages of Concern
Chapter 3.3.3 --- Stages of Concern and receptivity
Chapter 3.4 --- Research related to Adoption and Implementation of Environmental Education --- p.105
Chapter 3.4.1 --- Teachers' perceptions of environmental education
Chapter 3.4.2 --- Curriculum implementation of environmental education programmes
Chapter 3.5 --- Research related to Curriculum Change and Implementation in Hong Kong --- p.112
Chapter 3.6 --- Review of the Literature on Environmental Education and Curriculum Change -- An overview --- p.116
Chapter Chapter Four： --- RESEARCH DESIGN
Chapter 4.1 --- The Research Questions and Associated Research Methods --- p.121
Chapter 4.2 --- Methodological Issues --- p.125
Chapter 4.3 --- Questionnaire Surveys --- p.130
Chapter 4.3.1 --- Questionnaire design -- Instruments
Chapter 4.3.2 --- Pre-test phase for the second questionnaire survey
Chapter 4.3.3 --- Samples for the questionnaire surveys
Chapter 4.4 --- Case Studies and Case Study Approach --- p.148
Chapter 4.5 --- Methods of Data Analysis --- p.158
Chapter 4.6 --- Limitations --- p.170
Chapter Chapter Five: --- CURRICULUM DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Chapter 5.1 --- "The Nature of Environmental Education as Stated in the ""Guidelines""" --- p.174
Chapter 5.2 --- Nature of Curriculum Development for Promoting Environmental Education in Primary Schools --- p.200
Chapter 5.2.1 --- Responsibilities of curriculum development agencies at the central level
Chapter 5.2.2 --- Effort of the Education Department
Chapter 5.2.3 --- Effort of government departments and non-government environmental organisations in promoting environmental education in schools
Chapter 5.2.4 --- Other support provided to the primary teachers for implementing the curriculum change
Chapter 5.3 --- Conclusion --- p.218
Chapter Chapter Six： --- THE STATUS OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG
Chapter 6.1 --- Official Information about the Status of Environmental Education in Schools in Hong Kong --- p.223
Chapter 6.2 --- The Status of Environmental Education in Primary Schools --- p.224
Chapter 6.3 --- Some Practices of Environmental Education in Primary Schools --- p.233
Chapter Chapter Seven： --- TEACHERS' PERCEPTIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Chapter 7.1 --- "Concepts of the Term ""Environment' and Environmental Education Objectives and Content Perceived by Primary School Teachers" --- p.264
Chapter 7.2 --- Environmental Education Needs Perceived by Primary School Teachers --- p.277
Chapter 7.3 --- Degree of Teachers' Environmental Concern --- p.280
Chapter Chapter Eight: --- TEACHERS' RECEPTIVITY TO ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Chapter 8.1 --- Teachers' Stages of Concern towards Environmental Education --- p.288
Chapter Chapter Nine: --- CASE STUDIES OF SCHOOLS ADOPTING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS WITH TEACHERS OF HIGH AND LOW RECEPTIVITY TO ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Chapter 9.1 --- Characteristics of the Case Study Schools and the Environmental Education Curriculum and Activities Adopted --- p.321
Chapter 9.2 --- The Adoption Process in the Case Study Schools Adopting Environmental Education --- p.344
Chapter 9.2.1 --- Reasons for initiation and adoption
Chapter 9.2.2 --- The importance of principal support and die-hard supporters in the adoption of environmental education
Chapter 9.2.3 --- Responses of teachers towards the adoption of environmental education
Chapter 9.3 --- Examples of Infusing Environmental Education in Teaching by Individual Teachers --- p.367
Chapter 9.4 --- Factors Influencing Teachers' and Principals' Receptivity to the Adoption of Environmental Education in Primary Schools --- p.369
Chapter 9.5 --- Perceptions of Approaches to Environmental Education --- p.397
Chapter 9.6 --- "Principals' and Teachers' Perceptions of Good ""Guidelines""" --- p.400
Chapter Chapter Ten： --- DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS FROM SURVEYS AND CASE STUDIES
Chapter 10.1 --- Comparison of Survey and Interview Findings --- p.411
Chapter 10.2 --- The Relation of the Present Findings with the Literature of Curriculum Change and Environmental Education --- p.422
Chapter 10.2.1 --- The importance of perceived 'practicality' of the innovation to teachers
Chapter 10.2.2 --- Elements for effective planning of the innovation
Chapter 10.2.3 --- Need for improvement in curriculum development in environmental education
Chapter 10.2.4 --- The linkage between teachers' receptivity and school adoption of environmental education
Chapter 10.2.5 --- The role of the principal and of 'critical mass' in the adoption of environmental education
Chapter 10.2.6 --- "A principal's leadership, contextual characteristics and teachers' receptivity"
Chapter 10.2.7 --- Teachers' perceptions of environmental education
Chapter 10.3 --- Towards a Framework for Studying Teachers' Receptivity to Environmental Education --- p.442
Chapter Chapter Eleven： --- CONCLUSION
Chapter 11.1 --- Summary of Findings and Implications --- p.459
Chapter 11.2 --- Relation of the Present Study to Existing Theories --- p.476
Chapter 11.3 --- Suggestions for Future Research --- p.479
Chapter 11.4 --- Concluding Remarks --- p.481
References --- p.484
Appendices --- p.513
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Pillay, Vannessa Delphine. "Senior primary school educators' experiences of teaching functional and creative writing : a case study of a school in KwaZulu-Natal." Thesis, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/5686.
Full textAbstract:
The Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, has stated that “the Annual National Assessment (ANA) results for 2011 are an indication that the education sector needs to focus even more on its core functions of quality learning and teaching”. ANA is the standardized national assessments for Languages and Mathematics in the intermediate phase (Grades 4-6) and in Literacy and Numeracy for the foundation phase (Grades One to Three). The Grade Six national average in Languages was 28%. Of these grade six learners, only 30% achieved above 35%. The Minister attributed these results to “an under-emphasis on the development of the basic skills for reading and writing”. In the school studied in this dissertation, the average percentage achievement in the ANA for learners from Grade Three to Grade Six was between 18% and 23% for languages. This data revealed that learners lacked basic writing skills.
This dissertation explores and describes the experiences of three educators when teaching functional and creative writing. Data was collected through in-depth interviews. The three educators teach English at the school. The school is situated in a low socio-economic area of Cato Manor, near Durban.
The findings indicate the need for educators to be specialists in the field of Languages and Mathematics in order to improve experiences of teaching and learning. Secondly, lack of sufficient resources, such as lack of the workbooks introduced by the Department of Education, hinder the teaching and learning process. Sustainability of professional development and teambuilding exercises leads to effective teaching and learning. Dewey (1933) revealed that reflection on experience leads to learning. Whole school reflective practice will improve experiences of the teaching and learning of creative and functional writing.
There is a close link between challenges and experiences. The researcher in this study is working from the perspective that all teachers have positive and negative experiences. On the other hand not all teachers face challenges when teaching functional and creative writing.Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood, 2011.
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Naicker, Rubandhree. "Exploring the fostering of values in a school's vision and mission through curriculum implementation in English." Thesis, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/5838.
Full textAbstract:
Vision and mission statements are developed by schools to give purpose and direction to all those who work in these institutions. They also articulate the values that the organisation endeavours to promote. This case study demonstrates how an independent school fosters values in the vision and mission statement through curriculum implementation. The school offers a values education programme in conjunction with the National Curriculum Statement. This is done through the example of the English curriculum in a primary school. The challenge for the National Curriculum Statement is how to promote the goals and values of social justice, equity and democracy, by integrating them across the curriculum. The Department of Education views values development as being crucial for the personal development of the students and to ensure that a South African identity is built on values different from the apartheid era (Department of Education, 2002). The school therefore has an important role to play not only in the development of knowledge and skills of their students, but also the development of values.
This study adopts a qualitative approach which is located in the interpretative paradigm. A case study approach using multiple methods of data production was used. Document analysis, observations and semi-structured interviews were used to gather rich data. The vision and mission statement of the school was analysed to determine what values are articulated in it. Six comprehension lessons of three teacher participants were observed and a semi-structured interview was conducted with each teacher to determine what values are fostered through the teaching of English.
The findings revealed that the values articulated in the school’s mission statement played a pivotal role in teaching. There was a strong relationship between the values in the mission statement and teaching of English. Teachers were successful in eliciting values during their teaching by using a variety of strategies, creating a positive classroom atmosphere and being acutely aware of the importance of being good role models. The training and support received by the teachers enhanced the fostering of values. In spite of the fact that the teachers were not involved in developing the school’s vision and mission statement which was the ideology of the organisation that started and manages the school, their belief in the values programme motivated its successful implementation.Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood, 2011.
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Govender, Selvanaigee Sagree. "Teaching across the curriculum - narratives of teachers' experiences in the primary school." Thesis, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/6117.
Full textAbstract:
There have been some fundamental changes to the education system within post apartheid South Africa. Firstly, in the primary school there are some teachers who were trained as specialist teachers before 1994, and some teachers were trained to teach in the new approach called Outcomes Based Education. A new school curriculum within an outcomes based approach was introduced systematically over a decade. This new curriculum required new ways of teaching and organization. One of the significant changes to the schooling structure was the introduction of a phase-based structure, divided into foundation phase, intermediate phase, senior phase and further education phase. Within this new structure of schooling, curriculum policies guided the teaching and learning in each of these phases of schooling. In the primary school, teaching across the subject curriculum was introduced, where teachers were now expected to teach up to as many as 9 subjects to learners in a class. Of concern is that these teachers had specialized in three subjects during their initial training as teachers, and were now expected to teach subjects that they may not have specialized in. When teaching across the curriculum, the mismatch between training and teaching is increased and results in more curriculum and teaching demands being placed on teachers. This mismatch makes it very difficult for experienced teachers to cope with subjects that they are not familiar with. There are no specific qualifications that develop teachers to teach across the curriculum. Qualifications, at most, develop competence in teaching across three school subjects, but the practice of teaching across the curriculum often requires teachers to teach more than three school subjects to a grade. Teachers have specialized in subjects that are different from what they are currently teaching.
My study is a focus on narratives of teachers’ experiences teaching across the curriculum in the primary school. I used a qualitative research methodology within the interpretivist paradigm. I used purposeful sampling, where the participants were handpicked. Data was generated through intensive interviews and document analysis. Audio tapes were used to record the participants’ voices, and later retrieved. Data was reconstructed by me, and retained for analysis. The recorded data was analyzed, using codes, themes and categories.
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Member checks were used to ensure rigour and trustworthiness. It is evident from this study that teaching across the curriculum requires professional training, ongoing professional development and correct placement in schools to alleviate all the stress and anxiety teachers face in the primary school Teacher training institutions must look at the curriculum and see how best they can assist trainee primary school teachers to fit into a generalist curriculum. This mean that teachers who teach across the curriculum were burdened with more administrative and accountability regimes than other specialist teachers because of the larger number of school subjects that they were responsible for. This administrative overburden is coupled with the greater teaching demands and, therefore, makes it very difficult for these teachers to cope with the workload.Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood, 2011.
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Mushere, Yishak Degefu. "A model for indigenizing the basic education curricula for the Gamo ethnic group in Ethiopian primary schools." Thesis, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/13376.
Full textAbstract:
African curricular reforms indicate major inherent structural defects because only the contents of the curriculum were changed. As a result, the Western cultural influences embedded in the curriculum foundations are transmitted to the students, causing the curricular material to be irrelevant and unrelated to their culture and philosophy. The focus of this study was on making the basic education curricula relevant to the socio-cultural and structural context of the Gamo ethnic group of Ethiopia. The main aim of the study was to critically analyse how the indigenization approach is conceptualized and reflected in the policies and curricula, and in the implementation of the curricula at basic education level since the adoption of the 1994 Education and Training Policy, and to produce a model suited to indigenizing the basic education curricula for the Gamo ethnic group. To this end, the study employed a critical perspective to investigate the problem. The approach and design consists of a qualitative multiple case study. The country‟s constitutions, policies and strategies were treated as one case, while two cases, one from the Gamo Gofa Zone and another from the Addis Ababa City Administration, were treated similarly, so as to study the basic education curriculum planning and implementation process. The findings of the field study disclosed that the indigenization from the ethnic group‟s perspective has some strength, but major deficiencies. In order to keep the strengths up and avoid the weaknesses, a stand-alone indigenization approach, which calls for rooting the curriculum on indigenous foundations, theories, principles and ideas derived from the culture, and a blending approach, which allows for intercultural dialogue, were suggested as feasible. The researcher believes that this approach is an alternative that could contribute towards ensuring the relevance of the basic education curriculum for the Gamo ethnic group. A model which will assist in materialising the curriculum indigenization from the Gamo ethnic group‟s perspective was suggested. The salient features of the constitutional, policy and strategy provisions were outdone by their favour for a standardization approach. They will have to be revisited, either in favour of indigenization, or the standardization thesis, since these paradigms are opposite poles.Curriculum and Instructional Studies
D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)
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Todd, Ann. "An evaluation of the curriculum for senior primary students at a college of education." Thesis, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/3369.
Full textAbstract:
The curriculum for Senior Primary students at a college of education was selected for study as it is a curriculum that seems to be more problematic than other curricula at the college. The study sought to gather a range of evidence from lecturers and students and about the issues that they identified as being of concern and about the learning milieu. The evaluation aimed to engage students and lecturers in a process of critical reflection on the assumptions and values which underpin practice at the college. The overarching research design was multiple operationalism located within a naturalistic paradigm. Interviews were used to generate critical issues from participants. Further interviews, questionnaires and documentary analysis provided thick descriptions of the critical issues. The ways in which the position of the evaluator as a member of the management team influenced the choice of methods and role as evaluator are discussed and the problem of incompatibility between the ethos of the college and the assumptions which support democratic evaluation is considered . In discussing the strengths and limitations of the Senior Primary course, the dichotomy between general and vocational education for teachers is explored and the problematic nature of a knowledge base for teachers is considered. Curricular principles of balance, relevance and cohesion are related to the college curriculum. In considering the obstacles to curriculum change at the college, institutional values of privacy, territory and hierarchy are discussed. Throughout the study an attempt is made to reveal the different perceptions of participants and the many views of reality on which these perceptions are based. The evaluation report concludes by posing key questions which highlight the essential issues which need to be addressed by the college. These are the need to achieve a shared sense of purpose about education for the Senior Primary phase, to make students more responsible partners in the teaching and learning relationship, to forge closer links with primary schools, to move away from subject-centricity and a transmission mode of teaching and to empower lecturers to bring about the changes that they feel are necessary.Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of Natal, 1991.