INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE FOR EDUCATION

 
For further information on the course content or registration process, please contact Prof Josef de Beer at
018 285 2626 or [email protected]
 

Short Course on the affordances of indigenous knowledge in Geography and Environmental Education

Proposed NQF: Level 6
Proposed Credits: 16
The purpose of this course is to:

• show teachers how to incorporate indigenous knowledge in the classroom. Participants will engage in various geography and environmental education learning activities, related to physical geography and social geography;
• engage with indigenous knowledge related to astronomy, agriculture, meteorology, archaeology etc. and will also focus on the ways in which the holders of indigenous knowledge lived in harmony with their environments;
• learn how to use generic methods such as De Bono’s thinking hats in the classroom. The programme also includes a visit to the Mphebatho Museum, where they will interact with the holders of indigenous knowledge.

Short Course on the affordances of indigenous knowledge in Physical Sciences

Proposed NOF: Level 6
Proposed Credits: 16
The purpose of this course is to:

• show teachers how to incorporate indigenous knowledge in the classroom using the processes of science;
• engage in chemistry and physics laboratory investigations to validate the rich indigenous knowledge of different cultural groups, e.g. by looking at endothermic reactions related to traditional leather tanning, the chemistry involved in traditional brewing, and the physics involved in traditional construction practices;
• show teachers how to use generic methods such as De Bono’s thinking hats in the classroom. The programme also includes a visit to the Mphebatho Museum, where they will interact with the holders of indigenous knowledge.

Short Course on the affordances of indigenous knowledge in Natural Sciences (Intermediate and Senior Phases)

Proposed NQF: Level 6
Proposed Credits: 16
The purpose of this course is to:

• show teachers how to incorporate indigenous knowledge in the classroom using the processes of science;
• engage in biology, chemistry and physics laboratory investigations to validate the rich indigenous knowledge of different cultural groups, e.g. by looking at endothermic reactions related to traditional leather tanning, the chemistry involved in traditional brewing, the physics involved in traditional construction practices, and the biology of the anti-microbial actions of medicinal plants that are used traditionally;
• show teachers how to use generic methods such as De Bono’s thinking hats in the classroom. The programme also includes a visit to the Mphebatho Museum, where they will interact with the holders of indigenous knowledge. A strong emphasis will be placed on providing teachers with a more nuanced understanding of both the nature of science, and the nature of indigenous knowledge.

Short Course on the affordances of indigenous knowledge in the Life Sciences classroom

Proposed NQF: Level 6
Proposed Credits: 16
The purpose of this course is to:

• show how to incorporate indigenous knowledge in the classroom using the processes of science;
• conduct anti-microbial tests on medicinal plants that are culturally used. Apart from the laboratory inquiries, teachers will also be shown how to use generic methods such as De Bono’s thinking hats in the classroom. The programme also includes a visit to the Mphebatho Museum, where they will interact with the holders of indigenous knowledge. A strong emphasis will be placed on providing teachers with a more nuanced understanding of both the nature of science, and the nature of indigenous knowledge, as well as the principles underpinning self-directed learning.

Short Course on the affordances of indigenous knowledge in Technology

Proposed NQf: Level 6
Proposed Credits: 16
The purpose of this course is to:

• show how to incorporate indigenous knowledge in the classroom using the technological process of technology;
• engage in technological processes associated with the rich indigenous knowledge of different cultural groups, e.g. by looking at endothermic reactions related to traditional leather tanning, the technology involved in traditional brewing, and the technology involved in traditional construction practices (e.g. the “matjieshuise” of the KhoiSan);
• show how to use generic methods such as De Bono’s thinking hats in the classroom. The programme also includes a visit to the Mphebatho Museum, where they will interact with the holders of indigenous knowledge. A strong emphasis will be placed on providing teachers with a more nuanced understanding of both the nature of technology, and the nature of indigenous knowledge, utilising a problem-based approach.

Short Course on the affordances of indigenous knowledge in Mathematics

Proposed NOF: Level 6
Proposed Credits: 16
The purpose of this course is to:

• show how to incorporate indigenous knowledge in the mathematics classroom. Participants will engage in various ethno-mathematics learning activities, such as isometric shapes and geometric patterns that underline cultural artefacts and artwork;
• explore the mathematics that under pin African music. Apart from these ethno-mathematical activities, teachers will also be shown how to use generic methods such as De Bono’s thinking hats in the classroom. The programme also includes a visit to the Mphebatho Museum, where they will interact with the holders of indigenous knowledge, and some of the traditional games that showcase mathematical thinking.