ACE SM
Advanced Certificate in Education (ACE) in Science (SM)
Intended Audience
Applicants for Mathematics and the Science ACE need not have formal qualifications in those subjects, but they must be practising teachers in those subjects in science teaching in the senior (and FET phase). Phases offered depend on demand.
Type of Course
This is a 2-year, part-time course with regular face-to-face sessions at selected times. The proposed ACE SM in science education course aims at preparing and developing inspired and effective science teachers. Another aim of the course is to enable the science teachers to contribute specifically to an Outcomes Based Education approach in the Natural Sciences Learning Area. The curriculum for the ACE SM itself, therefore, is designed on an Outcomes Based approach and is based on the four themes of the Natural Sciences learning area, viz. Energy and Change, Life and Living, Matter and Materials and Earth and Beyond. These themes are however not seen as being mutually exclusive but rather are seen as being interdependent and having more particular interests as well as contexts and concept areas; imply links to other learning areas; and imply cross-curricular issues. To cater for science teachers who are teaching in the FET phase, these themes would be expanded with more content knowledge addressed. In practice, therefore, this means that the curriculum is designed on outcomes that reflect both the development of the teachers’ skills, knowledge, attitudes and values in science as well as those in education.
The nature of the ACE SM course is activity-based since we believe that an interactive approach to learning science is vital in encouraging learners to construct understanding of knowledge. However, practical activities should not be a goal in itself, but a means by which to develop conceptual understanding. In view of this, science teachers are stimulated to think beyond the ‘recipe style’ curricula; develop new instructional approaches and new ways of relating to their learners and to science; provide more ‘hands-on’, ‘minds-on’ and ‘words-on’, learner-centered, and inquiry-orientated experiences. Similarly, the nature of science and role of investigations is seen is a vital component of the course.
Entry Requirements
To gain entry to the ACE you will need at least a Matric plus a 3-year teaching qualification (e.g. Teachers' Diploma) and you must teaching one science class. Applicants for Mathematics and the Science ACE need not have formal qualifications in those subjects, but they must be practising teachers in science.
Outline of Course
The Advanced Certificate in Education (ACE) SM consists of the following components:
• Science Education I & II
• Mathematics Education I & II
• ICT I & II
The course is taught in a fully integrated manner by emphasising the interrelationship between theory and practical application. The course focuses on curriculum change thereby equipping teachers to promote recent trends in curriculum reform and learning with particular emphasis on RNCS and NCS. The programme includes mathematics, language development and use of computers in the classroom.
Bursaries
Partial bursaries are available for 24 applicants to the value of at least R4 500.00 per annum over two years.
For further information please contact:
Dr Kenneth Mlungisi Ngcoza
Education Department
Rhodes University
Grahamstown, 6140
Tel: +27 (0) 46 603 7269
Fax: +27 (0) 46 622 8028
Email: k.ngcoza@ru.ac.za
Application forms are available from:
The Registrar
Rhodes University
Grahamstown, 6140
tel: +27 (0) 46 603 8276
fax: +27 (0) 46 603 7350
email: Registrar@ru.ac.za
website: http://www.ru.ac.za/studentZONE/applying
