Latest PDU3701 exam pack - This document will help you pass the module with ease. The document contains summary notes, previous exam/assignment questions, & answers.
Oral Traditions
Every society passes information about its history, myths, and customs along to new generations. In many
African societies such material has been transmitted orally, through the spoken word. This method of passing
along literature and history is oral tradition.
Colonialism
The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with
settlers, and exploiting it economically. Increased European encroachment ultimately led to the colonisation and
occupation of South Africa by the Dutch. The Cape Colony remained under Dutch rule until 1795 before it fell
to the British Crown, before reverting back to Dutch Rule in 1803 and again to British occupation in 1806.
Decolonization
The action or process of a state withdrawing from a former colony, leaving it independent. Decolonization,
process by which colonies become independent of the colonizing country. Decolonization was gradual and
peaceful for some British colonies largely settled by expatriates but violent for others, where native rebellions
were energized by nationalism.
Ubuntu
“I am, because you are”
And most striking of all was his use of the word Ubuntu. According to his explanation, Ubuntu means "I am,
because you are". In fact, the word Ubuntu is just part of the Zulu phrase "Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu", which
literally means that a person is a person through other people.
Ubuntu in the community:
This concept of Ubuntu is prominent on the basis that it implies when a person acts humanely towards others,
she cares for others. And this means that that person exercises her responsibility towards other human beings,
her fellow human beings. ... And that implies to enact your responsibility towards others.
Ubuntu is an eternal African philosophy of 'Oneness' – this oneness is an understanding of the
interconnectedness of all life. A golden thread of goodness connects all life from the lowest creature to the
highest, this golden thread of goodness is commonly known as love i.e. Ubuntu.
Ubuntu means love, truth, peace, happiness, eternal optimism, inner goodness, etc. Ubuntu is the essence of a
human being, the divine spark of goodness inherent within each being. From the beginning of time the divine
principles of Ubuntu have guided African societies. How one interacts with other human beings, nature, or The
Creator, Ubuntu was and still is the guiding principle. Ubuntu is extremely important in Africa and the world at
large – as the world needs a common guiding principle of human values. Ubuntu is the core of human values
and without Ubuntu mankind is enveloped by greed, selfishness, immorality, pride etc.
Communality
The notion of Ubuntu and communalism is of great importance in an African educational discourse, as well as in
African Philosophy of Education and in African philosophical discourse. Ubuntu is a philosophy that promotes
the common good of society and includes humanness as an essential element of human growth. In African
culture the community always comes first. The individual is born out of and into the community, therefore will
always be part of the community. Interdependence, communalism, sensitivity towards others and caring for
others are all aspects of Ubuntu as a philosophy of life (Le Roux, 2000, p. 43). The community and belonging to
a community is part of the essence of traditional African life. Philosophy of life and Philosophy of Education,
thus, go together, because a philosophy of life helps to identify the goals and purposes that a particular society
holds dear. Humanness is very important in African philosophy in the sense of seeing human needs, interests
and dignity as fundamental to human existence and therefore it will also be important in African Philosophy of
Education (Letseka, 2000, p. 182). According to Letseka(2000, p. 186) nobody is born with botho or Ubuntu–
these are communally accepted and desirable ethical standards that a person acquires throughout his/her life and
therefore education also plays a very important role in transferring the African philosophy of life.
, Application in the classroom:
Human dignity and respect are the key values of Ubuntu leadership. Teachers should respect all learners
and create an environment of acceptance and respect toward other students.
The teacher can create awareness about the concepts of Ubuntu and communality in the class in various
ways.
Be a role model, foster compassion and give your students practical experiences to understand what
Ubuntu and communality means.
Create a rich Multicultural environment for your students • Allow students to have access to literature rich
text which reflects our customs and traditions.
Ubuntu leadership encourages reconciliation and dialogue rather than climate of fear and corporal
punishment.
Have open discussions about the history of our country and the foundation it was built on. • Foster a sense
of belonging/ community in your students.
Promote Ubuntu through group work, where learners work together as a whole and not a competitive
environment.
Establish school norm that build values and morals
Chapter 2 - Empiricism and Education
Attain knowledge through experience (5 senses).
Focuses on what can be measured and tested objectively/ Experience/ Verification • Based on facts and what
can be proven (scientifically) logical and factual truth.
Quantitative research- knowledge must be measurable
Math
Sciences
Application in the classroom:
Encourage learners to think clearly and critically.
Learners will be precise in what they mean (factual).
Learners will be able to identify false statements.
Understand how the physical world operates – experimentation.
Encourages honesty in learners.
Allows learners to learn through experiences.
Objectives - learning goals which must be achieved - measurable.
Assessments/formative and summative - test knowledge objectively.
Pragmatism - Common sense approach - Everything must be practical
Chapter 3 - Scientific Rationalism and Education (Critical Rationalism)
Encourages questioning
Identifies falsehood and searches for the truth
Don’t believe everything you are told/ taught - question always
Against organisations that discourage questioning (government)
Education systems are government designed!
Lerner centered approach
Problem solving
Debates/ dialogue
Application in the classroom:
Encourage constant questioning
Hold debates and dialogues with your students
Encourage students to research and find explanations to the questions they have
Promote problem solving to encourage critical thinking
Maintain the idea that making mistakes is okay, we learn by trial and error (teachers and learners) •
Encourage students to seek the truth and be able to identify false claims.
Promote open- mindedness.
Encourage students to explore the unknown, to interact and seek information about different cultures
(cross cultural interaction).
Help students understand that there are multiple perspectives
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