Practices that help Grade 12 learners to improve their performance in Physical Science: A case of Omusati region, Namibia
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Date
2018
Authors
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
In Namibia, Omusati Region is one of the poorly performing regions in Physical Science Grade 12 national examinations (Omusati Regional Advisory Services (ORAS), 2015). Despite the poor performance, there are few schools in this region which have been ranked among the top six performing schools in the country. These schools are located in the same geographic region with other schools with a poor performance record. Therefore, this study investigated practices that could help improve the academic performance of learners in the Physical Science subject. The study employed a QUAL-quan research approach of a concurrent nested design by using a case study for an in-depth investigation. An extreme case sampling strategy was used to draw a sample of two schools from a population of seventeen secondary schools in the region. The four domains: planning and preparation, the classroom observation, instruction and professional responsibilities were used in data collection. Six Physical Science teachers from both schools were part of the study and were observed over five different occasions. Interviews were used to collect data for domain four while domain one, two and three data were collected using a classroom observation. Thirty classroom observations were conducted at both selected schools. Field notes assisted the researcher to come up with mitigation strategies to be employed by School B. Data analysis was done using contingency table analysis on the four domains of Danielson (2007) by studying the relationships and differences between School A and School B. Results from this study showed that the classroom environment (Domain 2) was an important factor that helps learners improve their performance in Physical Science, with fewer efforts from the teachers towards other practices found in three domains including planning and preparations, instructions and professional responsibilities. Mitigating strategies were suggested to strengthen the classroom environment for School B. These included creating an environment of respect and rapport, establish a culture for learning, manage classroom procedures, managing learner behavior and organising the physical space. To improve on this domain, teachers were advised to empower learners through career fairs, peer tutoring, group discussions while the education officers were recommended to execute the Continuous Professional Development initiatives that focus on improving classroom environment
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of master of Education (Science Education)
Keywords
Physical science