Revisiting the teaching and learning of Life Sciences in schools: the effect of curriculum change on teacher attitudes
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Date
2016-01
Authors
Okwara, Valentine Ukachukwu
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
Curriculum change has always been associated with new conceptualisations
and practices which the Life Sciences teachers may not be too familiar with.
These affects their attitudes towards curriculum change and influence their
classroom practices. In this study conducted with Life Sciences teachers, it
was found that factors such as the negative beliefs and perceptions of the
teachers towards curriculum change, inadequate content knowledge,
ambiguous curriculum language, non-adherence to curriculum policy on
assessment and planning will negatively influence the teachers’ attitudes
towards curriculum change and their classroom practices while factors such
as adequate content knowledge, curriculum materials that are easy to
understand and interpret as well as curriculum content that relates to the
learners’ everyday lives will positively influence the teachers’ attitudes and
practices. Positive attitudes towards curriculum change will positively
influence the teachers’ effective classroom practices.
Description
Keywords
Curriculum change, Implementation, Positive attitudes, Beliefs, Perceptions, Classroom practices, Professional development, CAPS curriculum, Life Sciences, Adequate content knowledge, Life sciences -- Study and teaching, Dissertation (M.Ed. (Curriculum Studies))--University of the Free State, 2016