Doctoral Degrees (Education Policy Studies)

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Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Education Policy Studies) by Subject "Basic education -- South Africa"

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    Environmental education for sustainable communities by adult practitioners in a black urban community
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2000-12) Nduna, Joyce Nothemba; Schreuder, D. R.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Education. Dept. of Education Policy Studies.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Within the broad theoretical context provided by debates and policies on curriculum development and current approaches in adult and environmental education, this study attempted to improve my own practice by making a meaningful contribution towards the professional development and conceptual understanding of student teachers who have registered for a three-year National Diploma in Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) at the Peninsula Technikon in Cape Town. Although these students have no teaching qualifications, they are involved in community literacy education for disadvantaged people in various communities and in non-governmental education centres. The professional development and conceptual understanding of the students with regard to sustainability as a key environmental concept was effected by focusing on the concepts, and applying the processes of environmental education for sustainability (EEFS) in the teaching and learning process. In an attempt to integrate theory and practice the student teachers took action in community-based environmental projects organised by the Tsoga Environmental Resource Centre in Langa, Cape Town. The idea was that they should apply their acquired skills and understanding of sustained environments and teach adult learners to transform their local environments through their literacy classes. This means integration of adult literacy with environmental or ecological literacy The interviews and observations of the students at work in the community were not only aimed at providing feedback for the purposes of future programme design but also at monitoring what the students did with their learning experiences regarding EEFS as a theme, in a different teaching situation (adult literacy classes). In the final analysis, the present study attempted to clear up conceptual misunderstandings and to show that education processes are as important as its content and outcomes. It has attempted to operationalise curriculum approaches, recommended for environmental sustainability, in a practical way. The study as a whole is set within the general literature of both adult and environmental education, and particularly that of curriculum and student development for social transformation.