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Teacher development and change in the context of teaching large under-resourced science classes

Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2009.

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Other Authors: Onwu, Gilbert O.M.
Format: Thesis
Published: University of Pretoria 2013
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 Onwu, Gilbert O.M.
author_browse Onwu, Gilbert O.M.
author_facet Onwu, Gilbert O.M.
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2008, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria
description Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2009.
format Thesis
id oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/26189
institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:39:44.581Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2013
publishDateRange 2013
publishDateSort 2013
publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
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source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/26189 Teacher development and change in the context of teaching large under-resourced science classes Onwu, Gilbert O.M. elize.randall@up.ac.za Randall, Elizabeth Sylvia Learners Science classes Teaching conditions Lack of resources Pedagogical content knowledge School Teachers UCTD Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2009. This is a biographical case study of science teachers who teach at schools that have consistently produced good results in the examinations despite disabling teaching conditions such as large, under-resourced classes. The study analysed the life experiences, education, school- and community environment of the teachers in an attempt to identify the critical features that inspire and support their classroom commitment to hands-on / minds-on teaching. Evidence was collected through semi-structured interviews with the teachers to get their stories, with groups of learners to assess how they perceived the teachers in the classrooms, and through informal discussions with the principals (school management) and colleagues, for a richer description. Questionnaires were administered to find out what the situations concerning resources were at the schools. Classroom interactions were observed and analysed for more information on the conduct of the teachers in the process of teaching and learning. It was found that both case study teachers had adequate content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and taught in a way that reflected their understanding and belief of the nature of science (NOS). The view that the two participating teachers have of the nature of science was formed during their own formative school years and influenced the view of the nature of science they instill in their learners. The inadequacy of resources at the schools although a frustration to the teachers, did not deter them from teaching science in an experimental way reflective of the nature of the subject matter. The education implications of this study are discussed in relation to lessons that can be learnt from such inspiring teachers. The significance of the study is seen in the contribution it can make to the existing scholarship on effective science teaching and on teacher development programs including factors contributing to effective science teachers in the present South African climate of having large, under-resourced science classes. Copyright Curriculum Studies unrestricted 2013-09-07T03:42:12Z 2009-07-13 2013-09-07T03:42:12Z 2009-04-20 2009-07-13 2009-07-10 Dissertation Randall, ES 2008, Teacher development and change in the context of teaching large under-resourced science classes, MEd dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://hdl.handle.net/2263/26189 > E1333/gm http://hdl.handle.net/2263/26189 http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-07102009-170724/ © 2008, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle Learners
Science classes
Teaching conditions
Lack of resources
Pedagogical content knowledge
School
Teachers
UCTD
Teacher development and change in the context of teaching large under-resourced science classes
title Teacher development and change in the context of teaching large under-resourced science classes
title_full Teacher development and change in the context of teaching large under-resourced science classes
title_fullStr Teacher development and change in the context of teaching large under-resourced science classes
title_full_unstemmed Teacher development and change in the context of teaching large under-resourced science classes
title_short Teacher development and change in the context of teaching large under-resourced science classes
title_sort teacher development and change in the context of teaching large under resourced science classes
topic Learners
Science classes
Teaching conditions
Lack of resources
Pedagogical content knowledge
School
Teachers
UCTD
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/26189
http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-07102009-170724/