Oscar Koopman Boeken

This book explores the impact of the socio-historical, political, and economic environment in South Africa, both during and after Apartheid. During this time, the South African education system demonstrated an interest in a specific type of knowledge, which Koopman refers to as ‘a science of government’. This ‘science of government’ leaves the learners with a blurred understanding of science that is disconnected from external nature and human nature, and is presented as a series of abstract concepts and definitions. The book also investigates the dialectical tensions between the science curriculum and the role of the teacher as an active implementer of the curriculum. The book draws on the work of various phenomenological scholars, namely Edmund Husserl, Martin Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty, and Max van Manen to discuss these tensions. 

Science Education and Pedagogy in South Africa is a contemporary contribution that entices science teachers to 're-examine' or 'rethink' the pedagogical strategies they use in their teaching. It offers fresh and exciting teaching approaches that explore new ways to tackle the worrisome problems of how to plan, implement, and present excellent and quality learning opportunities. From this perspective the book is also a driver to enhance, promote, and accelerate learner performance in science education, given the many challenges that plague the subject. Science Education and Pedagogy in South Africa paves the way for researchers, postgraduate science education scholars, as well as pre-service and in-service science teachers to become empowered in their professional growth and development in search of appropriate pedagogies for a multicultural classroom.