PDU3701
EXAM PREP
SECTION A: Application in the classroom
SECTION B: Past papers
SECTION C: REVISION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Application in the classroom:
Chapter 1 African Philosophy and Education:
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 orubuntu– 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:
Subjects: Anthropology – tut 201
• 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
