A study of the problems and possibilities of using the marine intertidal zone for teaching principles of ecology in senior secondary schools: A survey of biology teachers in the western cape.

Abstract

In this study I investigate the attitudes of a group biology teachers in the Western Cape, to using the marine intertidal zone for teaching principles of ecology in senior secondary schools, by exploring the problems experienced and solutions envisaged. The study investigates the problems perceived/experienced by means of a semistructured interview and seeks solutions via teacher workshops and an excursion to the seashore. Teachers mentioned many constraints and school based problems such as time-tab1ing, teacher attitudes, lack of ethos lack of funds, Iarge numbers in classes and collectively found useful answers which reduced the emphasis of many of the problems mentioned. Problems such ds, the lack of knowledge of the marine environment, limited experience of fieldwork technique and management, could only be solved by pre and in-service teacher education programmes. The workshops produced useful solutions and suggestions for implementation by teachers, education departments and governmental and non-governmental agencies that would assist in making this a reality. These include resource development, teacher networking, peer teaching, in-service and pre-service programmes with a marine emphasis, and funding of appropriate programmes