Evaluering van natuurwetenskaphandboeke vir die onderrig van warmte in graad 7

Abstract

The aim of the study is to evaluate Grade 7 natural sciences textbooks' presentation of the subject heat and the Grade 7 teachers' assessment thereof in the light of the requirements for the Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS) (Department of Education, 2003). The study focuses on the subject heat, which forms the foundation for a study in chemistry and physics. Recommendations are made with regard to the training of teachers and assistance with the selection of natural sciences textbooks for classroom use. Structured interviews were held with 17 Grade 7 natural sciences teachers of the Potchefstroom district. The questions related to how the teachers select the textbooks and how they evaluate those textbooks that they are currently using. The teachers also helped to complete a questionnaire on learner textbooks' and teacher guidebooks' presentation of the subject heat. The researcher also did an investigation to determine the subject contents and scientific accuracy of the text and possible alternative conceptions that might appear in the textbooks. The results indicate that the textbooks do to a large extent comply with the requirements of the RNGS. However, there are shortcomings, especially with regard to the level of presentation and activities, the amount of work that is covered and the scientific accuracy of the contents. Although more than a third of the teachers use only the textbook as a teaching-learning aid, the majority find it necessary to use additional sources to give substance to the contents and to provide more challenging activities to the learners.