Use of models in the teaching and learning of scientific concepts at early childhood education level in Gokwe North district

Abstract

The study was nessesitated by the need to improve the teaching and learning of scientific concepts at Early Childhood Education level in Gokwe-North, District of the Midlands province through the use of models..A sample of twenty ECD teachers and three TICs from three primary schools was purposively selected from a cluster that was randomly selected from a population of 128 primary schools. The population has 530 ECD teachers and 128 TICs. All the twenty ECD teachers selected completed questionnaires and the three TICs were interviewed. The researcher also used an observation guide to supplement his research findings. Descriptive statistics was used to present quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data was presented in form of frequency tables and percentages and all the qualitative data was presented in verbatim. Research findings revealed that ECD teachers in the cluster rarely use models in the teaching and learning of scientific concepts. There is a critical shortage of instructional materials and most ECD teachers in the cluster can not improvise simple learning and teaching materials from locally available materials. As a result they prefer two dimensional media. The few materials available for example the globe are only used for reference. The study recommends that workshops on how to use models should be held at both school and district level and teachers should be encouraged to improvise learning materials from locally available materials. There is need for combined effort between schools and the district office to mobilize resources for the ECE programme. The study further recommends a national in-service programme for all primary school teachers with over five years of teaching experience so that they are reoriented.