NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ1450228
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1029-8457
EISSN: EISSN-1811-7295
Secondary School Life Sciences Teachers' Understanding of Indigenous Knowledge in Relation to Their Views on Its Integration into Their Classroom Practice
Uchechi Agnes Ahanonye; Femi Otulaja; Ida Risenga; Shalini Dukhan
African Journal of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, v28 n2 p185-195 2024
The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between life sciences teachers' understanding of indigenous knowledge (IK) and their views of integrating Indigenous Knowledge in their teaching practice. A qualitative case study research approach was adopted, and purposive sampling strategy was used to select eight Grades 10-12 life sciences teachers in three peri-urban high schools. The Knowledge Synthesis model by Barnhardt and Kawagley is used as a framework for this study. Questionnaires and interviews were employed to collect qualitative data. Findings revealed that if teachers understand IK primarily as a body of inherited wisdom, they see the possibility of integration of IK as the use of local knowledge of the learners, as IK illustrations of life sciences curriculum constructs or as no integration in the science classroom at all. The latter group of teachers consider IK as an inherited body of knowledge in parallel with western science. If inclusion of IK is mandated, they suggest presenting IK separately, preferably by IK custodians. If teachers consider IK primarily as a holistic knowledge system including the physical and metaphysical world, they see integration opportunities at system level, for instance in teaching sustainability. Lastly, if IK is seen as a body of loosely connected science concepts, integration is possible where these concepts appear in the science curriculum documents. This study recommends that teachers should be involved in educational policy decision making since they have first-hand experience of learners in the classrooms and are involved with curricular and school matters. The implication of the findings from this study to science education is that the integration of both worldviews can be used as a tool to enhance science learning among high school learners taking life sciences by ensuring a culturally relevant science classroom.
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education; High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: South Africa (Johannesburg)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A