Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
George Glasson, Associate Professor School of Education [email protected] Abstract Researchers investigated how indigenous science knowledge can enhance the learning of Western Science and teaching about ecological sustainability issues in developing African countries. Data sources included interviews with traditional healers and elders in Malawi to learn about indigenous science practices, interviews with Malawian teachers to assess their understandings and use of indigenous science in the curriculum, and science curriculum guides that pertain to the use of indigenous science. These interviews and data analysis revealed that traditional healers and elders were able to identify many common applications of indigenous knowledge, including: the medicinal use of plants, preserving vegetables by boiling and storing in ash; composting and soil fertilization using indigenous agricultural practices, and channel irrigation. African educators were also very aware of traditional knowledge and practices; however, the acquisition and application of indigenous science was marginalized as not being acceptable science. Indigenous Science, Ecological Sustainability, and Education in Malawi Literature Review Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) represents descriptive and explanatory knowledge about nature acquired across generations of people from cultures with strong oral traditions (Kawagley, Norris-Tull, 1998; Snively & Corsiglia, 2001) Students from indigenous cultures may experience problems in school when crossing cultural borders to learn Western Science (Aikenhead & Jegede, 1999; Lewis & Aikenhead, 2001) Ecological sustainability in Malawi impacted by socio-cultural factors associated with colonialism (Glasson, G.E., Frykholm, J., Mhango, N., & Phiri, A., 2006). Methods Data Sources • Audio and video recorded interviews with traditional healers and elders • Audio-recorded interviews with Malawian educators Data Analysis • Post-colonial framework: hybridization of ideas from Western and indigenous perspectives (Carter, 2004) Results Purpose Investigate how indigenous knowledge can enhance the learning of science and teaching about ecological sustainability issues in Malawi Challenges in Malawi: Ecological Sustainability • Deforestation • Poverty • HIV-AIDS • Water Borne Diseases • Famine Challenges in Malawi: Primary Education • 80 students per class • Lack of books & materials • Teacher preparation Absalom Phiri, Graduate Assistant Ndalapa Mhango, Graduate Assistant Indigenous Science, Ecological Sustainability, and Education in Malawi Traditional Healer • Traditional Medicines - Roots and tree barks - Leaves or seed pods from trees and herb • Benefits - Treats most prevalent diseases (e.g. Malaria) - Inexpensive • Challenges - Growing negative attitude towards indigenous knowledge - Deforestation - Western medicine and traditional medicine working together Vegetable Seller •Traditional Food Preservation - Vegetables : Boiled and sun-dried - Cereals and legumes: use of ash made from certain types of trees - Sweet potatoes: use of ash, sand • Benefits - Ensures ample food throughout the year - Cheaper than western methods (ideal for rural people) • Challenges - Growing negative attitude (influence of western methods) - Some foods cannot be preserved using this method . t Name Traditional Farmer • Traditional Soil Conservation - Fertilize soil by growing crops under Msangu trees (indigenous acacia species) -Use of traditional crops to fertilize soil, e.g. pigeon peas, kalongonda (indigenous bean species) • Benefits - Cheaper than use of chemical fertilizers - Helps conserve water • Challenges - Traditional crops considered of little commercial value Dr. Chinkhuntha: Freedom Gardens • Blends beneficial traditional ecological knowledge with western science - Channel irrigation using gravity - Organic Gardening - Composting - Minimal resources (e.g. no inorganic fertilizers) Indigenous Knowledge & Western Science The interviews with the Malawian elders revealed rich descriptions and information regarding indigenous knowledge and practices. In each category of interviews, we were able to identify connections with the indigenous knowledge practices with Western Science (see examples in table 1). Interviews Indigenous Knowledge Practices Western Science Connections Traditional Healing Medicinal use of plants (e.g. bark of tree for treatment of malaria). Boiling preserves vegetables. Quinine is a chemical found in the bark used to treat malaria. Boiling destroys cells and retards met abolic activity and bacterial growth. Preserving vegetables by storing in ash. Ash absorbs moist ure, thus retarding bacteria growth. Food Preservation Sustainable Agriculture Preserving seeds with crushed tobacco and neem leaves. Growing crops under the msangu tree. Channel irrigation and organic composting to grow crops. Tobacco and neem leaves contain chemicals that kill or repel seed pests. Msangu tree drops leaves in the rainy season, thus provide comp ost and nitrogen for the crops. Eliminates use of fertilizers and provides year-long farming.