An evaluation of the implementation of the Science-Technology and Society (STS) concept in Science Instruction in secondary schools in Zimbabwe
Abstract:
The
study evaluated the implementation of the Science-Technology-Society (STS)
concept during science instruction in secondary schools and the possible
constraints to its implementation and the possible solutions the identified
constraints.
The
sample consisted of fifteen schools in Makoni District of Manicaland and
involved all the Science Heads of department in the schools including five form
four students per each sampled school. The total number of participants was
ninety.
Data
was collected using questionnaires, lesson observations and interviews. Results
reflected great discrepancy between the intended and the actual implementation processes
taking place in schools. The results show that the majority of the science
teachers used the lecture method as opposed to the recommended child centered
science teaching approaches. Half the numbers of the teachers are not well
versed with the concept of STS. There is a critical shortage of science
teachers. Lack of resources, staff development workshops and poor science
infrastructure in schools are negatively affecting the implementation of
science-technology-society education in the schools.
References:
[1] Achinstein, B. & Villar, A. (2002). Politics
of the Mentoring Process for Novices: Negotiating Professional Relationships
and New Teacher Learning. Paper presented at the American Educational Research
Association in New Orleans. P.A.P.E. CEP, Grahamstown. Rhodes University.
[2] Aikenhead, G. (2005). Science for everyday life:
Evidence-based practice. New York:
[3] Aikenhead, G. and Solomon, J. (1994).Eds. STS
Education: International Perspective on Reform. New York. Teachers College
Press.
[4] Ary, D., Jacobs, L. C. and Razavieh, A. (1972).
Introduction to Research in Education. London. Rinehart and Winston.
[5] Ausubel, D.P. (1968). Educational Psychology: A
Cognitive View. Holt. Rinehart and Winston.
[6] Barker, R. (1990). Philosophies of Education: An
Introductory Course. Harare. College Press.
[7] Bell, J. (1993). 2nd. Doing your research
Project: A Guide for first-time researchers in Education Science. Buckingham.
Open University Press.
[8] Borg, W. R. and Gall, M. D. (1989). Education
Research: An Introduction. London. Longman.
[9] Business Herald of 28 / 12 /89. Harare.
[10] Business Herald of 28/12/89.
[11] Bybee, R. (1993b). Reforming Science Education:
Social perspectives and Personal Reflections. Washington DC. Teacher’s College
Press.
[12] Chemistry, Vol. 19, Iss. 2 (2010)
[13] Chetsanga, C. J. (1994). Genetic diversity of
Hepatitis B virus isolation in Zimbabwe. Journal. Med.vol.42:73-78.
[14] Chikwamba, R.K.. (1995). State of the art of
Biotechnology Research in Zimbabwe.
[15] Circular Minute No. 2 of 2001. Zimbabwe.
MOESC).
[16] Cohen, L. and Manion, L. (1980). Research
Methods in Education. London. Croom Helm Ltd.
[17] David-de, V. (2002). 5th Ed. Surveys in Social Research.
London. Routledge.
[18] Descombe, M. (1998). A Good Research Guide for
small scale social Projects. Philadelphia. Open University Press.
[19] Duschl, R. (2008). Science education in three-part
harmony: Balancing conceptual,
[20] Engestrom, Y. (1999). Innovative learning in
work teams: Analysing cycles of knowledge creation in Practice. In Y.
Engestrom, R. Miettinen & R.L.Punamaki (eds). Perspectives on Activity
Theory. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press.
[21] Fensham, P. (2007). Policy issues for science education.
Discussion paper prepared for epistemic, and social learning goals. Review of Research
in Education, 32, 268-291.
[22] Fowler, F. J. (2002). 3rd Ed. Survey Research
Methods. Thousand Oaks. Ca. Sage.
[23] Fraenkel, J. R. and Wallen, N. E. (1990). How
to Design and Evaluate Research in Education. New York. McGraw-Hill Publishing
Company.
[24] Freire, P. (1972). Pedagogy of the Oppressed.
New York. Penguin Books Ltd
[25] Gagne, R.M. (1977). The Conditions of Learning.
Holt. Rinehart and Winston.
[26] Gatawa, B.S.M. (1990). The Politics of the
School Curriculum: An Introduction.
[27] Gay, L. R. (1979). Educational Evaluation and
Measurement: Competencies for Analysis and Applicational Evaluation and
Measurement: Toronto. Charles, E. Merrill.
[28] Geddis, A.N. (1993).Transforming Subject Matter
Knowledge: The Role of Pedagogical Content Knowledge in Learning to Reflect on
Teaching. Intern. J. Sci. Educ. 15,673-683.
[29] Guilford, J. P. (1995). 4th Ed. Fundamental
Statistics in Psychology and Education. New York. Education.
[30] Hammenet, 23 – 27 April 1999, Fifth General
Conference of the African Academy of Science (Tunisia Declaration).
[31] http://echo.gmu.edu/center/
[32] http://mwl.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/technology
[33] http://science.howstuffworks.com/
[34] http://www.belugaschoolforlife.com/
[35] http://www.fundacionypf.org.or/indexn.html.
[36] http://www.project2061.org/tools/sfaaol/Intr.htm,
http:www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/nses/html/action.html/action.html
[37] http://www.schoolforliife.org/en/index.html
[38] http://www.usak.ca/education/people/aikenhead/cvshort.htm.
http://www.adre.edu.av./94pop/peacl.94257.txt.
[39] Jegede, Olugbemiro J., Peter A. Okebukola, and
Gabriel A. Ajewole. (1991). "Computers and the Learning of Biological
Concepts: Attitudes and Achievements of Nigerian Students”. Science Education
75 (6): 701-06.
[40] Jokomo, E., Moyo, W.F., Ndowora, M.C.,
Mukwekwezeke, S.M., Madhowi, A.M., Ranganai,G.P., Hosking, B. and Groombridge,
(1990) D.B. Handbook For Science Teaching. Harare. The Standard Control Unit of
the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture.
[41] Jones, M.G., Rua, M.J. & Carter, G. (1998).
Science Teachers’ Conceptual Growth within Vygotsky’ Zone of Proximal
Development. J. Res. Sci. Teaching 35, 967 – 985.
[42] Kelly, G. A. (1991). The Psychology of Personal
Constructs: Vol. One. A Theory of Personality. London. Routledge.
[43] Leedy, P. D. (1985). Practical Research
Planning and Design. New York. MacMillan Publishing Company.
[44] Machinga, G, Report presented to the cabinet in
March 2000 on the Nziramasanga Commission findings.
[45] MODULE 6: New Technologies in Teaching and
Learning in Higher Education. UNESCO-AFRICA.
[46] MOESC. Secretary’s Circular Minute NO. 2 of
2001.
[47] Nkrumah, K. 1964. Consciencism. London.
Heineman.
[48] Nwaboku, N.C. (1997). New information
technologies in education and new roles for potential teachers. UNESCO-AFRICA
15/15, 30-37
[49] Okanlawon, A.E. (2010). Constructing a
framework for Teaching reaction Stoichiometry using Pedagogical Content
Knowledge. Nigeria. Department of Science, Technology and Mathematics
Education.
[50] Osborne, D.G. (1983). A paper prepared for
inclusion in Reflections on the Future Developments of Education. Paris.
UNESCO.
[51] Parawira and Khosa. (2009). Scientific Research
and Essay. Vol.(4).(9), pp. 825-841, September, 2009.
[52] Richards, L. (2008). Handling Qualitative Data.
A Practical Guide. London. Sage Publications.
[53] Rosenberg, E., O’Donoghue, R. and Olvitt,
L.(2008). Methods and Processes to support Change-Oriented Learning.
Grahamstown. C.A.P.E. CEP, Rhodes University.
[54] Science-Technology-Society in the Science
Curriculum. ERIC/SMEAC Special Digest No. 2.
[55] Sidhu, K. S. (1984). Methodology of Research in
Education. New Delhi. Sterling Publishers.
[56] Solomon, J. and Aikenhead, G. (1994). STS
Education: International Perspectives on reforms. New York. Teacher’s College
Press.
[57] Strotman cited in Teachers Forum, 1990. Vol 18:
NO.3.
[58] Sutton, F. X. (1964). Africa’s Educational
Needs and Opportunities. Addis Ababa Conference, “man and Africa”.
[59] Teacher’s Forum. October 1989.
[60] The Herald, 4 October 2010
[61] The Lagos Plan of Action of 1980 (Science for
the twenty-first century: A new Commitment.
[62] Tuckman, B. W. (1994). 4th Ed. Conducting
Educational Research. New York. Harcourt Brace College Publishers.
[63] UNESCO (1993). Science & Technology Education
and National Development. France. UNESCO.
[64] UNESCO, (1982). Harare Declation. Africa.
Unesco.
[65] Van Dalen, D. B. (1979). Understanding
Educational Research: An Introduction. New York. McGraw-Hill Book Company.
[66] White, B. (2000). Dissertation Skills for
Business and Management Students. London. Continuum.
[67] World Conference on Science and Technology. Perth,
Australia, 8-12 July.
[68] World Conference on Science. Budapest. Hungary.
26 June – 1 July 1999.
[69] www.capeaction.org.za
[70] www.ru.ac.za
[71] www.tessafrica.net.
[72] Yager, R.E. (1996). Science/technology/society
as reform in Science, technology and society: Albany, NY: State University of
New York Press.
[73] ZIMSEC. (1998) Biological Sciences: Report on
the June 1998 Examinations. Mt Pleasant. Zimsec.
[74] ZIMSEC. Syllabi (5006, 5008 and 5009), Harare.
ZIMSEC.