Academic literature on the topic 'Biology – Study and teaching (Secondary) – Namibia'
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Journal articles on the topic "Biology – Study and teaching (Secondary) – Namibia"
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Naxweka, Johanna, and Di Wilmot. "Namibian teachers’ perceptions and practices of teaching mapwork." Journal of Geography Education in Africa 2, no. 1 (October 30, 2019): 1–14. http://dx.doi.org/10.46622/jogea.v2i1.2479.
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This article addresses the problem of consistently poor learner performance in mapwork in secondary school geography in Namibia from the perspective of teachers. It presents the findings of a qualitative case study focused on understanding geography teachers’ perceptions and pedagogical practices of mapwork. Data were generated through a questionnaire administered to thirty teachers in fifteen secondary schools in the Ohangwena Region of Northern Namibia, and interviews and classroom observations were done with a purposive sample of three teachers. The study draws on Shulman’s ideas of teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge (1986, 1987) to interpret what the three teachers say about the teaching of mapwork and how they teach it. The findings reveal that the teachers are conscientious but ill-equipped to teach mapwork. Their classroom practices focus on teaching discrete map skills and procedural knowledge with little if any, attention given to spatial conceptual understanding and application of knowledge to solve problems. The study provides insights that may be of value to teachers, teacher educators and Senior Education Officers in Namibia and other southern African contexts when addressing the problem of low learning outcomes in mapwork.
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Anyolo, Eveline O., Sirpa Kärkkäinen, and Tuula Keinonen. "Implementing Education for Sustainable Development in Namibia: School Teachers’ Perceptions and Teaching Practices." Journal of Teacher Education for Sustainability 20, no. 1 (June 1, 2018): 64–81. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/jtes-2018-0004.
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Abstract Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) has been viewed as education that helps people develop the attitude, skills, and knowledge to make well-informed decisions for the benefit of the present and future generations. It aims at providing quality education through shared understanding and multi-disciplinary approaches in meeting the developmental and environmental apprehension for a sustainable future. Many theorists envisaged ESD as enhancing active involvement of learners both in school and out of school learning initiatives to acquire knowledge about sustainable development issues. The present paper discusses Namibian school teachers’ (n=9) perceptions of ESD and the teachers’ teaching practices using a qualitative-explorative study design. The data were gathered through two semi-structured interviews and lesson observations. The findings have revealed that senior secondary school teachers perceive ESD in terms of knowledge acquisition about the environment in order to use its resources sustainably for the benefit of future generations. The study has also revealed that teachers have positive sentiment toward the inclusion of ESD into the senior secondary school curriculum. Following this, they suggested that ESD should be either implemented as an independent subject or integrated with other existing subjects as a multi-disciplinary subject.
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MBONGO, EMILIA, Andrew Möwes, and Charles Chata. "FACTORS IMPACTING THE IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING SERVICES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE OHANGWENA REGION OF NAMIBIA." International Journal for Innovation Education and Research 4, no. 5 (May 31, 2016): 11–25. http://dx.doi.org/10.31686/ijier.vol4.iss5.537.
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The study aimed to establish teacher counsellors’ views on the factors impacting the implementation of guidance and counselling services in the Ohangwena region of Namibia. The study was quantitative in nature and used a non experimental design that involved a survey. The population of the study comprised of teacher counsellors in all senior secondary schools in Ohangwena region. Data were collected using questionnaires which were administered to a sample of twenty six (26) teacher counsellors. Teacher counsellors were purposively sampled. The data was analysed by use of descriptive statistics using The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Based on the findings of this study teacher counsellors viewed inadequate training, high teaching loads and time constraints, lack of support given to teacher counsellors and lack of resources and facilities as key factors impacting the successful implementation ofschool guidance and counselling. It was thus recommended that the training of teacher counsellors in school guidance and counselling be improved, reduced workload for teacher counsellors, better resources and facilities for guidance and counselling, and for teacher counsellors to be supported in order for guidance and counselling to be successfully implemented in schools.
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Almuqbil, Norah Saleh M. "A Proposal for Virtual Laboratories in Learning Biology for Secondary School Curriculum." Journal of Educational and Social Research 10, no. 6 (November 18, 2020): 323. http://dx.doi.org/10.36941/jesr-2020-0130.
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The study aimed to identify the extent of biology teachers' awareness regarding the importance of virtual laboratories in teaching biology for secondary school. It also intended to develop a proposal to enable biology teachers to use virtual laboratories in teaching secondary level. To achieve these aims, the descriptive-analytical approach was used. The research sample consisted of fifty female biology teachers at the secondary level in the city of Al-Kharj. The study applied the questionnaire as its main tool to gather data. The study concluded that the degree of awareness among female biology teachers regarding the importance of virtual laboratories in teaching biology for the secondary level was found at a moderate level. Besides, the ability of female biology teachers to use virtual laboratories in teaching biology for the secondary stage was low. Considering these results, a proposal was developed to enable female biology teachers to use virtual laboratories in teaching biology for secondary school.
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Mwangu, Edson C., and Lwazi Sibanda. "Teaching Biology Practical Lessons in Secondary Schools: A Case Study of Five Mzilikazi District Secondary Schools in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe." Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies 6, no. 3 (November 27, 2017): 47–55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/ajis-2017-0020.
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AbstractThe study examined how teachers teach Biology practical lessons at Ordinary Level in Mzilikazi District Secondary Schools of Bulawayo Metropolitan Province. Qualitative approach and case study design were adopted. Data was collected using document analysis and semi-structured interviews conducted with purposively selected five Biology teachers, five Heads of Science Department from five schools, and one Science Subject Inspector. Data were thematically analysed. The study revealed that teachers used both teacher-centred and student-centred methods in teaching Biology practical lessons and various factors constrained the teaching of practical lessons. The study concluded that some Biology teachers in selected schools did not conduct practical lessons in line with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education expectations. The study recommends that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education should continue equipping teachers with knowledge and skills of teaching Biology practical lessons through workshops and other staff development programmes.
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Porozovs, Juris, Laura Liepniece, and Daina Voita. "Evaluation of the Teaching Methods Used in Secondary School Biology Lessons." Journal of Pedagogy and Psychology "Signum Temporis" 7, no. 1 (June 1, 2015): 60–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/sigtem-2016-0009.
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Abstract The teacher’s skills in conducting the lesson and choice of teaching methods play an essential role in creating students’ interest in biology. The aim of the research was to study the opinion of secondary school students and biology teachers regarding the most successful teaching methods used in biology lessons and viable options to make biology lessons more interesting. The research comprised polling students and biology teachers from several schools, namely: 2 secondary schools in Jelgava, 2 in Riga and 1 in Vecumnieki. The responses revealed that 58% of students find biology lessons interesting. 56% of students indicated that their ability to focus attention during biology lessons depends on the task presented to them. Most of all they prefer watching the teacher’s presentations, listening to their teacher telling about the actual topic as well as performing laboratory work and group-work. Many students like participating in discussions, whereas a far smaller number would do various exercises, individual tasks, fill out worksheets or complete projects. Least of all students wish to work with the textbook. The methods most frequently applied by teachers are as follows: lecture, explanation, demonstration, and discussion. Teachers believe that their students prefer laboratory work and discussions as well as listening to their teacher and watching presentations or films. They also indicate at the necessity to link theory with practice and to involve information technologies. While teaching their subject biology teachers try to establish relationship between theory and real life in order to develop their students’ interest in natural processes.
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İsfəndiyar qızı Sadıqova, Günay, and İlhamə Əlixan qızı Quliyeva. "Physical education secondary schools, relations sports, preschool military and biology." SCIENTIFIC WORK 15, no. 3 (March 24, 2021): 43–45. http://dx.doi.org/10.36719/2663-4619/64/43-45.
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Sport not only makes us healthier, but also gives us a sense of self-confidence. In general, we become more energetic with an active lifestyle, which affects the rejuvenation of cells and metabolism. While some people consider sports to be a duty to protect their health, there are also people who believe that sport is a form of entertainment, because there are many sports that do not require much physical effort. There are no barriers to exercise for a person who is really worried about his health. Healthy upbringing of young people, equipping schoolchildren with medical knowledge has not lost its relevance today as the main task of pedagogical staff. Because our independent republic must be governed by healthy, well-developed and ready young people. By conducting research on the teaching of sports knowledge to students in the teaching of biology, it is to study its content, possibilities, directions, forms and methods, optimal forms of organization, ways and effective work system. Key words: sports lessons, health, anatomy, teaching process, extracurricular, interest, favorable conditions, application of new learning technologies, quality of education, family, educational institutions, secondary schools, universities
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Tsaparlis, Georgios. "First and second thoughts about teaching secondary chemistry." Lumat: International Journal of Math, Science and Technology Education 3, no. 3 (July 30, 2015): 371–80. http://dx.doi.org/10.31129/lumat.v3i3.1035.
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This paper selectively reviews both early and more recent work by the author on the teaching of chemistry at secondary level. The purpose is twofold: (i) to review the proposals, their features, and the research behind them, (ii) to emphasize the strength over time of the work presented, but also the need for constant revision. The reviewed topics for lower secondary education (7th-9th grades) include: a revised curriculum (1984); a study of Greek students’ contextual chemistry knowledge (1987); an updated proposal about the curriculum (2001); an integrated physics and chemistry program for the 7th grade (2000), that has been further developed recently (2011) to include biology; two research studies on teaching methodology (2000)’; a chemistry course for the 8th grade (2010); revision of the current formal Greek chemistry curriculum (2014). The reviewed topics for upper secondary education (10th-12th grades) include: three early (1981, 1985a, 1985b) studies on Greek students’ strengths and difficulties with chemistry; a context-based chemistry curriculum (1988, 1991); proposals for new chemistry curricula (2000, 2011, 2014) for the 10th and 11th grades. Coupling to the PARSEL modules is also made. The paper concludes by making reference and connection to the work of Hans Jürgen Schmidt.
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Akinbadewa, Bukola Omowumi, and Olaniyi Alaba Sofowora. "The Effectiveness of Multimedia Instructional Learning Packages in Enhancing Secondary School Students’ Attitudes toward Biology." International Journal on Studies in Education 2, no. 2 (August 23, 2020): 119–33. http://dx.doi.org/10.46328/ijonse.19.
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The study investigated the effectiveness of multimedia learning packages in improving the attitudes of students toward learning Biology in secondary schools. The study employed a quantitative and qualitative research approach. The population for the study consisted of all students offering Biology as a subject in the senior secondary schools in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Nigeria, from where a sample of 80 students was randomly selected from three secondary schools and assigned to three groups (one control and two experimental groups). Two multimedia instructional learning packages (MILP) were designed for the study. The topic treated was Cell Division, and the study lasted for six weeks. The packages and all instruments used were validated for content and construct validity, and reliability test was also done. The results showed that multimedia instructional packages used in teaching and learning Biology in secondary schools enhanced better students’ engagements and positive attitudes toward learning. It was concluded that students developed positive attitudes toward learning Biology after using the packages and that multimedia instructional packages are an interesting and creative method of teaching, learning, and enhancing positive attitudes towards learning among secondary school students.
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Fadzil, H. M., and R. M. Saat. "Exploring Secondary School Biology Teachers’ Competency in Practical Work." Jurnal Pendidikan IPA Indonesia 9, no. 1 (March 31, 2020): 117–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.15294/jpii.v9i1.21477.
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A competent biology educator should be efficient in the design, organizing, and execution of practical work and the evaluation of practical skills. Nevertheless, according to past research, the participation of students in conducting experiments is inadequate, and the teachers are not guiding them effectively. One of the issues that could lead to this problem is the lack of efficiency of the teacher to carry out practical work. To gauge this problem, a qualitative study has been conducted. The study involves eight biology teachers from eight secondary schools in two states in Malaysia, namely Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. Data were collected through observation at biology laboratory, interviews with biology teachers, and analysis of related documents such as lesson plans. Collected data were analyzed using constant comparative data analysis methods to explain the core phenomenon of this study. Three (3) themes emerged in this study: (i) difficulty in designing and planning practical lessons effectively, (ii) insufficient preparation before conducting practical lessons and (iii) improper evaluation of students’ achievement in biology practical lessons. The results of this study offer information on the competence of biology teachers, which can be used to enhance the quality and standards of biology teaching and learning.
Dissertations / Theses on the topic "Biology – Study and teaching (Secondary) – Namibia"
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Amutenya, Laina N. "Understanding how Grade 11 Biology teachers mediate learning of respiration: A Namibian case study." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017331.
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The new curriculum in Namibia has introduced a new approach to teaching and learning requiring teachers to make use of learners’ prior everyday knowledge (PEK) including indigenous knowledge (IK) and practical work/activities. It further emphasizes some variations in teaching methods such as; the use of analogies, the use of mind maps, and so forth with the aim to actively involve learners in the learning process and develop skills to solve global challenges. The emphasis is on understanding of knowledge, skills and the will to use them appropriately throughout their lives. The main aim of this study was to understand and document how Biology teachers mediate learning of the topic respiration. Informed by an interpretive paradigm, a qualitative case study was conducted at two secondary schools in the Kunene region. The participants were selected using a convenience sampling. Data were gathered using three main sources, namely, documents, semi-structured interview questions which culminated into a questionnaire and observations. Triangulation was thus used to give credibility, objectivity and validity to the interpretation of the data. Data analysis in this case study involved a multi-stage process of organizing, coding and categorizing, synthesizing and summarizing. The audio recorded lessons were transcribed into text and I analyzed data using a colour coding technique by segmenting and labelling text to identify descriptions and broad themes in the data. Vygotsky’s Mediation of Learning and Social Constructivism in conjunction with Shulman’s Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) informed the data analysis process. Teacher-learner interactions were the main theme for mediation of learning (social constructivist perspective), hence during analysis I paid more attention to moments where interactions evolved and I used PCK to gain insights in teaching and instructional strategies used by teachers. The findings of this study revealed that: 1) teachers endeavor to use a variety of teaching methods such as the use of a mind maps and question and answer method. Learners were keen to ask questions in order to understand this topic. 2) The study also revealed that a lack of practical activities is one of the challenges teachers are faced with. Based on my research findings, I therefore suggest that there is a need for continuous professional development of biology teachers and capacity building in order to improve both their content and pedagogical content knowledge.
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Tshiningayamwe, Sirkka Alina Nambashusan. "Implementation of environmental learning in the NSSC biology curriculum component: a case study of Namibia." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003446.
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In the context of ecological crisis and environmental deterioration, teaching about environmental issues and the preservation of the world’s environment has become increasingly important across the globe (Chi-chung Ko & Chi-kin Lee, 2003). Of the various subjects taught in secondary schools, Science is often perceived as one that can make a significant contribution to environmental education. It is in this light that the study has looked at how Grade 11 and 12 Biology teachers in the Namibian context implement Environmental Learning (EL). This study was constituted as a case study of two schools in Windhoek, in the Khomas region. The study investigated the implementation of EL in the Biology curriculum focusing on the constraints and enabling factors influencing the implementation. This study employed qualitative methods, specifically semi-structured interviews, classroom observations and document analysis in its investigation of EL implementation. Purposive sampling was done and piloting of interview and observation schedules was used to refine the schedules. Ethical issues were taken into consideration throughout the study. The key findings from the study are as follows: - Teachers’ knowledge and interest in environmental education influence how teachers facilitate EL; - There is a mismatch between EL theories and practice; - Teaching of EL is mainly informed by the syllabus and not other curriculum documents, - Current assessment policy and practice impact on EL; and - Possibilities exist for improving EL in Namibia’s Biology curriculum. These key findings have been used to make recommendations for the study which are as follows: - Strengthen the subject content and interest of teachers; - There should be a match between EL theories and practice; - Reorient curriculum documents and other learning support materials used for EL; - Change in assessment approaches; and - Translate constraints of EL into enablers. The study concludes by calling for further research into EL pedagogies. This can be used to improve EL implementation in the region where the study was situated.
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Kanime, Justina Kashuupulwa. "An investigation into how Grade 11 Biology teachers mediate learning through code-switching from English to Oshiwambo : a case study." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017345.
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This study aimed to investigate how Grade 11 Biology teachers mediate learning through code-switching from English to Oshiwambo. It was triggered by my experience as a teacher when I came to observe that the majority of teachers still use the home language during their lessons though the language policy for schools in Namibia clearly states that English should be used as a medium of instruction from Grade Four onwards. The research was carried out at Happy Secondary School (pseudonym), a rural government school in Omusati Region, Namibia. It was a qualitative case study underpinned by an interpretive paradigm. The unit of analysis was the mediation of learning through codeswitching from English to Oshiwambo. Document analysis, questionnaires, interviews (semistructured, focus group, stimulated recall interviews) and lesson observations were used as data gathering techniques, to ensure adequate coverage, validity and trustworthiness of the data gathered. The study adopted Vygotsky’s social constructivism and the socio-cultural perspective in conjunction with Shulman’s Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) as the theoretical frameworks. The data analysis process entailed organising data into themes from which four analytical statements were then derived in relation to the research questions. The study found that both Biology teachers and learners view code-switching as a useful tool in making learners understand the biological concepts. The study revealed that Biology teachers code-switch from English to Oshiwambo to make learners understand better, increase participation, explain concepts, elaborate, for disciplinary purposes, when giving examples of everyday knowledge events and when asking questions. The study also revealed that learners code-switch mainly for good communication, easier self-expression, due to loss of words, when unprepared to explain concepts and due to fear of making mistakes. It emerged, however, that both teachers and learners experience some challenges when codeswitching from English to Oshiwambo is used to mediate learning in Biology lessons. These include time constraints, lack of biological terms in Oshiwambo, different Oshiwambo dialects and the language policy. In addition, learners also lose the opportunity to learn English and find it difficult to answer questions in the examinations. The study revealed that Biology teachers and learners try to overcome these challenges by good lesson preparation, mini-teaching, using English/Oshindonga dictionaries or simply by adhering to the language policy.
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Nakale, Elifas. "Understanding how teachers scaffold learners to make sense of biological language and concepts when using English as a mediational tool: a case study." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001517.
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For the past few years, Namibian grade 11-12 learners’ achievement level in biology has not been very encouraging. Evidence to this effect is contained in recent examiners’ reports which outline misunderstanding and various misconceptions. The causes of these misunderstandings and misconceptions may be varied, but there is credible evidence that some of it is rooted in the language problem for learners. A classroom is a social unit where many social practices are acquired, including the use of English language. Equally, it is a place where errors in language are learnt and reinforced. Triggered by these challenges facing biology learners, a qualitative case study was conducted at two secondary schools in Ohangwena Region, Namibia. Its purpose was to investigate how biology teachers scaffold learners to make sense of biological language and concepts when English is used as the mediational tool. Underpinned by an interpretivist paradigm, the study made use of document analysis, observation (lessons were also video-taped) and interviews to generate the data. Several data generating techniques were used for triangulation and validation. To further validate the data, transcripts of video-taped lessons and interviews were sent back to the research participants for member checking. The data gathering methods were also used in data presentation, analysis and interpretation to determine the extent of scaffold that teachers provide to their biology learners. The main findings of my study are that, despite efforts by participant teachers to scaffold their learners in making sense of biological language and concepts, success rates in this regard remain disappointingly low due to their (teachers) limited pedagogical content knowledge. Teachers therefore require improved mentorship, monitoring and capacity building.
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Nanghonga, Ottilie Mwanyenenange. "An investigation on how grade 8 learners make sens of static electricity through exploring their cultural beliefs and experiences about lightning: a case study." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001537.
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Lightning as a natural phenomenon is shallowly presented in the Namibian curriculum documents such as the syllabus and textbooks. This gap in curriculum triggered my interest to investigate whether learners’ meaning-making in static electricity was enabled or constrained by elicitation and integration of their cultural beliefs and experiences about lightning and by their practical activities. This study was conducted with my grade 8 learners at the school where I am currently teaching. The school is located in a rural area in Ohangwena region in Northern Namibia. The study is situated within an interpretive paradigm. Within the interpretive paradigm, a qualitative case study approach was adopted. I considered this methodological orientation appropriate in this study as it allowed me to use the following data gathering methods: document analysis, brainstorming, discussions and presentations, semi-structured interview, focus group interview, observation and an assessment test. Multiple methods to gather data were used for triangulation and validation purposes. For data analysis purposes, the data sets were colour-coded to derive themes and analytical statements. Ethical considerations were also taken seriously in this study and all participants gave consent. An analysis of data revealed that there is no learning objective or basic competence in the Namibian Physical Science syllabus for grade 8-10 that requires learners to bring in their cultural beliefs and experiences, in particular, about lightning. Yet the study revealed that learners possess a lot of prior everyday scientific and non-scientific knowledge and experiences about lightning that they had acquired from their communities. Also, mobilization of learners' everyday knowledge and experiences about lightning enabled learner engagement during the science lessons. Likewise, engaging learners in practical activities in static electricity helped them to make meaning of scientific concepts. Based on my research findings, I therefore, recommend that learners' prior everyday knowledge and experiences about lightning should be incorporated during teaching and learning of the topic on static electricity.
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Luwango, Luiya. "Critical reflective teaching practice in three mathematics teachers." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003366.
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This qualitative study reports on critical reflective teaching by three mathematics teachers and how it shapes their classroom practice. The study was carried out in three secondary schools in Rundu in northern Namibia. The study employed a case study method. The selection of teachers was based on their rich practical professional knowledge and exemplary teaching practices. Data collection and analysis was done through an interpretive approach. Interviews and document analyses were the two research tools used, not only for the collection of data but for triangulation also. Interpretations of the findings were validated through member checking. Critical reflective teaching involves thought and action, and it raises teachers’ consciousness of what they do. Through critical reflective practice, teachers scrutinize their beliefs and knowledge of the subject and their practice. Furthermore critical reflective practice may get teachers into a disposition to find alternatives to improve their teaching. In this study, the findings are that participants reflect extensively on their classroom practice. The teachers pointed out that reflection on practice enables them to analyse and evaluate their teaching in line with effective mathematics teaching. They emphasised that critical reflection leads to the identification of weaknesses in teachers’ classroom practice. This culminates in better planning whereby alternative approaches to teaching are exercised. Because of its potential to improve teaching and enhance professional development it is therefore recommended that mathematics teachers be exposed to skills that enhance critical reflective teaching practice. Teachers need to familiarise themselves with the concept of critical reflective teaching in mathematics to meet the demands of superior quality teaching.
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Stephanus, Gervasius Hivengwa. "Exploring teaching proficiency in geometry of selected effective mathematics teachers in Namibia." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013012.
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Quality mathematics education relies on effective pedagogy which offers students appropriate and rich opportunities to develop their mathematical proficiency (MP) and intellectual autonomy in learning mathematics. This qualitative case study aimed to explore and analyse selected effective mathematics teachers' proficiency in the area of geometry in five secondary schools in five different Namibia educational regions. The sample was purposefully selected and comprised five mathematics teachers, identified locally as being effective practitioners by their peers, Education Ministry officials and the staff of the University of Namibia (UNAM). The schools where the selected teachers taught were all high performing Namibian schools in terms of students' mathematics performance in the annual national examinations. The general picture of students' poor performance in mathematics in Namibia is no different to other sub-Saharan countries and it is the teachers who unfortunately bear the brunt of the criticism. There are, however, beacons of excellence in Namibia and these often go unnoticed and are seldom written about. It is the purpose of this study to focus on these high achievers and analyse the practices of these teachers so that the rest of Namibia can learn from their practices and experience what is possible in the Namibian context. The mathematical content and context focus of this study was geometry. This qualitative study adopted a multiple case study approach and was framed within an interpretive paradigm. The data were collected through individual questionnaires, classroom lesson observations and in-depth open-ended and semi-structured interviews with the participating teachers. These interviews took the form of post lesson reflective and stimulated recall analysis sessions. An adapted framework based on the Kilpatrick, Swafford and Findell's (2001) five strands of teaching for MP was developed as a conceptual and analytical lens to analyse the selected teachers' practice. The developed coding and the descriptive narrative vignettes of their teaching enabled a qualitative analysis of what teachers said contributed to their effectiveness and how they developed MP in students. An enactivist theoretical lens was used to complement the Kilpatrick et al.'s (2001) analytical framework. This enabled a deeper analysis of teacher teaching practice in terms of their embodied mathematical knowledge, actions and interactions with students. procedural fluency (PF) and productive disposition (PD), were addressed regularly by all five participating teachers. Evidence of addressing either the development of students' strategic competence (SC) or adaptive reasoning (AR) appeared rarely. Of particular interest in this study was that the strand of PD was the glue that held the other four strands of MP together. PD was manifested in many different ways in varying degrees. PD was characterised by a high level of content knowledge, rich personal experience, sustained commitment, effective and careful preparation for lessons, high expectations of themselves and learners, collegiality, passion for mathematics and an excellent work ethic. In addition, the teachers' geometry teaching practices were characterised by making use of real-world connections, manipulatives and representations, encouraging a collaborative approach and working together to show that geometry constituted a bridge between the concrete and abstract. The findings of the study have led me, the author, to suggest a ten (10) principles framework and seven (7) key interrelated factors for effective teaching, as a practical guide for teachers. This study argues that the instructional practices enacted by the participating teachers, who were perceived to be effective, aligned well with practices informed by the five strands of the Kilpatrick et al.'s (2001) model and the four concepts of autopoesis, co-emergence, structural determinism and embodiment of the enactivist approach. The study concludes with recommendations for effective pedagogical practices in the teaching of geometry, and opportunities for further research.
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Simanga, Elizabeth Miyaze. "Teaching struggling adolescent readers in Namibia : a case study." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005639.
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Though research has been conducted on many issues since Namibia's independence in 1990, none of these studies has investigated how English Second Language (ESL) teachers teach and support struggling adolescent readers (SARs) to read. Utilising qualitative research techniques such as classroom observations, semi-structured interviews and document analysis, this case study looked at strategies, methods, and resources used by five ESL secondary school teachers to teach SARs to read in two regions in Namibia, Caprivi and Otjozondjupa regions. Two of the five participants were male teachers. The presence of SARs in the classes observed was established by using informal methods such as the ESL teachers' experience (Caprivi region), while a sample of questions from PIRLS 2001 (Mullis, Martin, Gonzalez, & Kennedy (2003) was compiled to form a test used in the Otjozondjupa region. The findings show that despite undergoing initial teacher training and majoring in English, the five ESL secondary school teachers were not trained to teach SARs either how to read or how to support them. In addition, the study found that there was a shortage of reading materials in all five selected schools.
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Ngola-Kazumba, Maria. "An investigation on how learners may use multiple representations in a social interaction to promote learning of percentages and fractions: a case study." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006057.
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The study examined the use of multiple representations such as the real world, written symbols, spoken symbols, diagrams and manipulatives by learners to promote the learning of percentages and fractions through social interaction. This investigation was carried out through a teaching and learning programme which was developed and implemented by me, the researcher. The effect of the implemented programme was the main focus of the research. The qualitative study was oriented in the interpretive paradigm – a paradigm that seeks to understand the meaning attached to human actions. Twenty learners participated in the implementation of the programme and 9 learners were selected for focus group interviews. The purpose of the interviews was to explore learners' understanding and feelings about the use of multiple representations in the learning of percentages and fractions through social interactions. The other tools employed in this study were pre-and-post diagnostic tests, observations, learners' work and a journal. The pre-test was used to determine learners' prior knowledge for the program design and implementation, while the post-test and learners' work were used to analyze the effect of the programme. Observations were used to investigate how multiple representations promoted or did not promote the learning of percentages and fractions. The teacher's journal was to record and reflect on any relevant information gathered on each lesson observed. The data shows that the effective use of multiple representations helped learners learn the concept of percentages and fractions better. Learners were able to look at representations in useful ways; multiple representations made some aspects of the concept clear; and multiple representations enabled learners to correct errors. Through the interaction between the teacher and learners, the following was found: all the learners changed words to change focus; learners made links between multiple representations; the learners deepened their concepts of percentages and fractions; learners could convert between fractions using multiple representations; learners could work out percentages of a quantity; and learners could express one quantity as a percentage of another. Furthermore, through the interaction between learners and learners all learners could identify more equivalent fractions of an initial fraction which was given to them; and they could increase and decrease a quantity by a given percentage. On the basis of this research, it can be concluded that the programme promoted the learning of percentages and fractions through three effective methodologies. The first methodology consisted of the effective use of multiple representations; the second methodology concerned the interaction between the teacher and learner during the learning process and the last methodology related to the interaction between the learners - interactions that were not strongly mediated by the teacher. I would recommend that teachers use these three effective approaches when teaching percentages and fractions to promote the learning of the concepts.
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Hakaala, Beatha Ndinelao. "An exploration of the structural, cultural and agential conditions that shape life skills teachers' responses and experiences in teaching sexuality and HIV and AIDS." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017340.
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This paper reports findings on how Namibian secondary school Life Skills teachers are exercising their agency to teach or not to teach Sexuality and HIV and AIDS, a subject which is regarded as sensitive and has been surrounded by secrecy and has issues which are cloaked by silence and taboos. The aim of the study was to explore the structural and cultural factors that shape the responses and experiences of Life Skills teachers in teaching sexuality and HIV and AIDS. The study was conducted through observations and interviews with four full-time Life Skills teachers. Document analysis was carried out throughout the study in which lesson plans, portfolios, assessment forms, Life Skills syllabuses, schemes of works, national curriculum documents and subject policy on HIV and AIDS were analysed. The data were analysed by identifying categories, codes and themes using the analytic dualism framework, and the literature review was used to summarise the findings. The study revealed that all teachers operate in an environment that consists of the National structures such as high teacher: learner ratio in their classrooms that they have to teach Life Skills and do day to day counselling, a lack of teaching and learning support material that they should use to scaffold the learning of sexuality and HIV and AIDS, and little time allocated to Life Skills teaching. The same study also revealed that the teaching of Life Skills is hampered by the cultural structures which emerged from teachers’ discourses as evidenced from the data which shows that cultural properties have powers that condition teachers in teaching sexuality and HIV and AIDS. This included learners’ silence in sex-related discussion versus teachers’ position; discourses on the importance of full-time Life Skills teachers in school; comfort in teaching selected topics in Life Skills; Life Skills teachers’ perceptions on parents’ feelings on teaching sexuality and HIV and AIDS in schools, and perceptions on the Life Skills teachers’ position and teaching sexuality and sex education. While the findings revealed that teachers are conditioned by the structural and cultural conditions that acted as constraints to teaching sexuality and HIV and AIDS, the observations revealed agency on their part. The study finding depicts instances where teachers acted in agreement or in contravention of the structural and cultural pressures or conditions in their environments.
Books on the topic "Biology – Study and teaching (Secondary) – Namibia"
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Biology 12: Study guide. 5th ed. [Trail, B.C.]: Prior Educational Resources Ltd., 2010.
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Bledsoe, Lucy Jane. Fearon's biology. 2nd ed. Paramus, N.J: Globe Fearon Educational, 1994.
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H, Raven Peter, and Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, inc., eds. Biology: Principles & explorations. Austin, [Tex.]: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2001.
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J, Hummer Paul, and Daniel Lucy, eds. Biology: An everyday experience. New York: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2003.
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Raven, Peter H., and George B. Johnson. Biology: Principles and Explorations. Austin, TX: Holt Rinehart & Winston, 2000.
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Dave, Gowans, and McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited, eds. Inquiry into biology. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 2007.
Find full textBook chapters on the topic "Biology – Study and teaching (Secondary) – Namibia"
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Shipalanga, Petrus Dhiginina, Anna Niitembu Hako, and Sakaria M. Iipinge. "Roles of School Management Teams in Effective Curriculum Delivery During COVID-19 in Namibia." In Advances in Educational Marketing, Administration, and Leadership, 52–67. IGI Global, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-7168-2.ch004.
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This qualitative study examined the roles of the school management teams in curriculum delivery during COVID-19 and beyond. The closure of the schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic caused serious disruptions to teaching and learning. Learners were expected to be engaged in learning processes via different platforms. The school management teams were given enormous responsibilities to ensure planning, implementing, and monitoring curriculum delivery during and post COVID-19. Twenty participants are purposefully selected from 10 schools ranging from primary to secondary. Focus group interviews and document analysis were used to collect data. The authors followed the thematic approach in analyzing data. The study revealed that the amount of teaching is not significant as only the quality of learning matters. It proved that planning is the best approach to academic outcomes. The authors hope the study would provide insight into lived experiences of school management teams in curriculum planning, implementation, and monitoring of curriculum delivery amidst COVID-19 and beyond.
Conference papers on the topic "Biology – Study and teaching (Secondary) – Namibia"
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Dostál, Ivo, Petr Anděl, Marek Havlíček, and František Petrovič. "Landscape Fragmentation Around Us – Integrating the Issue into Educational Processes at Primary and Secondary Schools." In 27th edition of the Central European Conference with subtitle (Teaching) of regional geography. Brno: Masaryk University Press, 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.5817/cz.muni.p210-9694-2020-1.
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The steadily increasing landscape fragmentation and the reduction of permeability for wildlife are among the most negative impacts of human activity on the environment. In terms of education, theseproblems appear to be rather demanding, withthe difficulty corresponding tosecondary school standards. Considering the multiple interdisciplinary connections, the entire process cannot be sufficiently understood without a relevant amount of preliminary knowledge. Such a corpus of information is acquired especially through biology/ecology, geographyand history classes, but links to other subjects can be found too. The paper presents didactic methods facilitating the actual presentation of the theme to pupils/students; in this context, the authors discuss the possibilities of integrating the given problems into applicable schoolsubjects andoutline the risks arising from the proposed modification and/ or expansion of the teaching procedures. Also the links to data and supporting methodological materials are included that will allow the teacher to obtain enough information on the topicsto comprehend all the aspects and complexities of the innovated classes. In the corresponding sections, the papercharacterizes individual topics to be combined with selected teaching methods, especially as regards worksheets, project-oriented education, anda case study relating to afield trip targeting one of the areas of high importance for wildlife migration in the Czech Republic.
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Birzina, Rita, Tamara Pigozne, and Sandra Lapina. "Trends in STEM Teaching and Learning within the Context of National Education Reform." In 14th International Scientific Conference "Rural Environment. Education. Personality. (REEP)". Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies. Faculty of Engineering. Institute of Education and Home Economics, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.22616/reep.2021.14.004.
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STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education nowadays is considered priority. To implement it successfully, students must acquire not only STEM “hard” skills, but also “soft” skills, therefore the choice of teaching/learning methods is essential. Problem-based (PrBL) and projectbased learning (PjBL) aim both at the acquisition of science content using real life examples and the improvement of IT skills, critical thinking, decision-making, civil responsibility and cooperation skills. The aim of the research is to find out the use of PrBL and PjBL in the teaching/ learning of STEM in the context of national reform of Latvia. The design of mixed methods was used in the research. The correlative research was performed using QuestionPro e-platform and surveyed 128 STEM teachers and 257 secondary school students to collect quantitative data. As Latvia now is implementing the education reform, the case study for qualitative and quantitative analysis has been carried out using the AQUAD data processing programme and researching the secondary education biology basic course curriculum. This research identified that it was advisable to use practical cases, real everyday examples and project work that would increase students’ interest in science subjects to enable them to solve problems creatively by integrating the content of all STEM subjects. The biology curriculum mainly stresses students’ reproductive than productive work with information, the development of critical thinking by participating in discussions and cooperating, while not enough attention was paid to the use of problem solving in the teaching/ learning process and the implementation of the interdisciplinary project. The use of sensors, practical laboratory works and field study as specific methods of biology are little represented in the curriculum, which is a serious disadvantage. This means that the basic curriculum of biology in the context of national education reform is more oriented to the acquisition of transversal skills, not the development of competent science literacy.