Search

This research reports on an evaluation of conceptions of the environment held by a group of students at the University of Cape Town. This group of students were all registered for the degree of Bachelor of Education, and included in their curricula the elective in Environmental Education. The research attempts to describe the constructivist approach as implemented in the course in Environmental Education over a prescribed period, and to explore the impact of such an approach on student conceptions. The research was conducted primarily through the use of two questionnaires together with unstructured interviews. The results of the questionnaires and interviews were used to assess both qualitatively and quantitatively the development of student conceptions of the environment. The first questionnaire was administered early on in the course, while the second was administered towards the end of the course. In this way it was possible to make a comparative study of the responses. The results indicate that the course contributed to some shift in student conceptions of the environment, and that it contributed also towards the development of environmental attitudes, values and behaviour. The work concludes with suggestions for developing aspects of the course design, in the light of insights gained by this research.

Bibliography: leaves 129-135., The Olushandja Dam situated in far northern Namibia, forms an important component of an international water transfer scheme. In the past, this reservoir has not been used to store water at its maximum capacity. An upgrading project has been proposed by the Namibian Department of Water Affairs (pWA).The project will entail significant fluctuations in the level of the dam with implications for the adjacent human settlements. These comprise rural communities who have come to depend on the dam as a valuable source of water. A impact analysis has been commissioned to examine the potential social effects of the upgrading scheme and identify ways of mitigating negative impacts, and enhancing opportunities for the surrounding communities. The social assessment forms a component of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) commissioned by the DWA in December 1994.The Olushandja Dam was designed as part of system to supply the densely populated former Owamboland in northern Namibia with water from the Cunene River which, in part, forms the border between Namibia and Angola. The transfer scheme was initiated in 1969 by an agreement between the respective administrations of Namibia and Angola which gave each country rights to 50%of the flow of the Cunene River. Prior to the implementation of the transfer scheme, citizens of Owamboland were entirely dependent, for their subsistence way of life, on a seasonal supply of surface water. This supply is concentrated in numerous shallow water courses, known as oshanas which drain southwards to the Etosha pan. The more reliable supply from the Cunene River is necessary to sustain development in the face of recurrent drought and a substantial increase in population pressure.