Does Formal Environmental Knowledge Inform the Everyday Practices of Senior Secondary Biology Learners in Lesotho?
This paper explores the link between formal environmental knowledge encapsulated in the University of Cambridge International Examination Curriculum and learners’ ability to translate this knowledge into everyday practices in Lesotho. The paper reports on research undertaken in three secondary scho...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Environmental Association of Southern Africa
2014-12-01
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| Series: | Southern African Journal of Environmental Education |
| Online Access: | https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/121969 |
| _version_ | 1811216428257247232 |
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| author | Lira Molapo Michèle Stears Edith Dempster |
| author_facet | Lira Molapo Michèle Stears Edith Dempster |
| author_sort | Lira Molapo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper explores the link between formal environmental knowledge encapsulated in the University of Cambridge International Examination Curriculum and learners’ ability to translate this knowledge into everyday practices in Lesotho. The paper reports on research undertaken in three secondary schools in Lesotho based on an interpretive paradigm. Data was collected through questionnaires, followed by focus group interviews with learners. The findings suggest that learners have sound theoretical knowledge and awareness of environmental problems, but are not action competent with regard to such problems. In the context of this study, formal knowledge therefore does not inform everyday practices. Possible reasons for this may be due to a de-contextualised curriculum and a teaching and learning environment where ‘action competence’ is not nurtured. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T06:39:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5fd914eb72fb476197e8bd6dfeb23603 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2411-5959 2411-5959 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T06:39:03Z |
| publishDate | 2014-12-01 |
| publisher | Environmental Association of Southern Africa |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Southern African Journal of Environmental Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-5fd914eb72fb476197e8bd6dfeb236032022-12-22T03:43:47ZengEnvironmental Association of Southern AfricaSouthern African Journal of Environmental Education2411-59592411-59592014-12-0130Does Formal Environmental Knowledge Inform the Everyday Practices of Senior Secondary Biology Learners in Lesotho?Lira Molapo0Michèle Stears1Edith Dempster2National Department of Education, LesothoUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaThis paper explores the link between formal environmental knowledge encapsulated in the University of Cambridge International Examination Curriculum and learners’ ability to translate this knowledge into everyday practices in Lesotho. The paper reports on research undertaken in three secondary schools in Lesotho based on an interpretive paradigm. Data was collected through questionnaires, followed by focus group interviews with learners. The findings suggest that learners have sound theoretical knowledge and awareness of environmental problems, but are not action competent with regard to such problems. In the context of this study, formal knowledge therefore does not inform everyday practices. Possible reasons for this may be due to a de-contextualised curriculum and a teaching and learning environment where ‘action competence’ is not nurtured.https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/121969 |
| spellingShingle | Lira Molapo Michèle Stears Edith Dempster Does Formal Environmental Knowledge Inform the Everyday Practices of Senior Secondary Biology Learners in Lesotho? Southern African Journal of Environmental Education |
| title | Does Formal Environmental Knowledge Inform the Everyday Practices of Senior Secondary Biology Learners in Lesotho? |
| title_full | Does Formal Environmental Knowledge Inform the Everyday Practices of Senior Secondary Biology Learners in Lesotho? |
| title_fullStr | Does Formal Environmental Knowledge Inform the Everyday Practices of Senior Secondary Biology Learners in Lesotho? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Does Formal Environmental Knowledge Inform the Everyday Practices of Senior Secondary Biology Learners in Lesotho? |
| title_short | Does Formal Environmental Knowledge Inform the Everyday Practices of Senior Secondary Biology Learners in Lesotho? |
| title_sort | does formal environmental knowledge inform the everyday practices of senior secondary biology learners in lesotho |
| url | https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/121969 |
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