Einflüsse lehrergeführter Schüler-Interviews auf Schülereinschätzung und Unterrichtsunterstützung im Mathematikunterricht der Grundschule

In Folge der Ergebnisse der PISA und IGLU Studien ist das Thema Diagnose und individuelle Förderung in die öffentliche Diskussion geraten. Vor diesem Hintergrund richtet sich im Herbst 2002 die Aufmerksamkeit der Arbeitsgruppe Wollring auf ein mathematikdidaktisches empirisches Forschungsprojekt in Australien: Early Numeracy Research Project (ENRP) (Clarke et al. 2002). Eine Besonderheit dieses Projektes besteht in der Eins-zu-eins-Situation zwischen Lehrer und Schüler bei einem Interview über Mathematik. Dieses Projekt bildet den Ausgangspunkt der vorliegenden Arbeit. Im ersten Kapitel wird das australische Projekt sowie seine Umsetzung in Deutschland vorgestellt. Ziel des Projektes ist es, die individuellen mathematischen Performanzen von Grund-schulkindern mit Hilfe eines Interviews in einer Eins-zu-eins-Situation des Schülers mit dem Lehrer (Schüler-Interview) zu erheben und damit mathematikdidaktische Orientierungshilfen für den Unterricht zu liefern. Das Schüler-Interview bestimmt den Lernstandort eines Kindes, der als Ausgangspunkt für eine Diagnose dienen kann. Daher werden unterschiedlichen Sichtweisen der Disziplinen – Psychologie, Medizin, Pädagogik, Sonderpädagogik und Fachdidaktik – in Hinblick auf den Begriff „Diagnose“ diskutiert. Die Durchführung von Schüler-Interviews kann neben ihrem diagnostischen Wert auch eine Bedeutung für die Professionalisierung von Lehrern einnehmen, da sie die Lehrer herausfordert, sich mit den Denk- und Lösungswege von Kindern aller Leistungsniveaus intensiv auseinanderzusetzen. In einer Studie von Steinberg et al. (2004, p. 238) wird deutlich, dass dieses Wissen des Lehrers sowohl als ein Index der Veränderung als auch als ein Mechanismus zur Veränderung des Unterrichts dient. In dieser Arbeit werden über den Zeitraum eines Jahres der Umgang der Lehrer mit dem Führen von Schüler-Interviews und den von ihnen daraus gewonnenen Erkenntnissen ausgewertet. Dabei werden mit den Lehrern nach einem halben und nach einem Jahr Erprobung mehrerer von ihnen selbst geführter Schüler-Interviews je ein Interview mit der Forscherin geführt, um herauszufinden, in welchen verschiedenen Bereichen das Führen von Schüler-Interviews den einzelnen Lehrern Unterstützung bietet. Die erhobenen Daten werden qualitativ mit Hilfe der Grounded Theory ausgewertet. Im empirischen Teil der Arbeit werden drei, der am Projekt beteiligten, Lehrerinnen in Form von Fallstudien vorgestellt und ausgewertet. Bei der Lehrerin, die Mathematik nicht als Fach studiert hat, besteht vor allem ein eigener Lernzuwachs in der Sicht auf Mathematik. Zu Beginn der Untersuchung hatte sie laut ihrer eigenen Aussagen eine eher ergebnisorientierte Sicht auf die Mathematik. Die Aussagen der drei Lehrerinnen beruhen auf einzelnen Schülern und ihren Besonderheiten. Im Laufe der Studie verallgemeinern sie ihre Erkenntnisse und beginnen Konsequenzen für ihren Unterricht aus den Schüler-Interviews zu folgern, wie sie in den abschließenden Interviews berichten. Das Schüler-Interview scheint dem Lehrer einen geschützten Raum zu bieten, um die Reflexion über die mathematischen Performanzen seiner Schüler und seinen eigenen Unterricht anzuregen, ohne ihn bloßzustellen und ohne ihm Vorschriften zu machen. Nach der einjährigen Erprobung von Schüler-Interviews betonen alle drei Lehrerinnen größeren Wert auf prozessorientiertes Mathematiklernen zu legen. Sie berichten, dass sie die Performanzen der Kinder stärker kompetenzorientiert wahrnehmen. Jedoch haben sie Schwierigkeiten, die für sich selbst gewonnene Transparenz über die mathematischen Performanzen des interviewten Kindes, den Schülern mitzuteilen und ihnen ermutigende Rückmeldungen zu geben. Außerdem können die Lehrer die problematischen mathematischen Bereiche der Schüler zwar beschreiben, sehen sich laut ihrer eigenen Aussage aber nicht in der Lage mit den Schülern daran zu arbeiten und sie angemessen zu för-dern. Selbst nach den ausführlichen Analysen der ausgewählten Lehrerinnen bleibt unklar, ob und in welcher Weise sie die Erkenntnisse aus dem Führen der Schüler-Interviews für ihren Unterricht nutzen. Laut der Aussage zweier beteiligter Lehrerinnen sollten Lehrer offen und interessiert sein und sich bereitwillig mit ihren eigenen Kompetenzen auseinandersetzen, damit das Führen von Schüler-Interviews für die Lehrer selbst und für die Schüler einen besonderen Nutzen besitzt. Um diese Auseinandersetzung stärker anzuregen und zu vermeiden, dass sich im Schüler-Interview mit dem Kind nicht die Einstellungen des Lehrers gegenüber den Leistungen des Schülers widerspiegeln, könnten sie vor Beginn des Führens von Schüler-Interviews verstärkt in der Ausbildung ihrer Interviewkompetenzen unterstützt und geschult werden. Obwohl sich die Lehrer zuerst Freiräume schaffen mussten, in denen sie trotz ihres Zeitmangels Schüler interviewen konnten, bietet das Führen von Schüler-Interviews die Chance, den Ist-Zustand der Schülerperformanzen in den mathematischen Bereichen Zahlen, Größen und Raum zu erfassen.

Local food security and principle of organic farming (from farm to fork) in context of food culture in Indonesia: Minangkabau's case study

The basic idea behind improving local food security consists of two paths; first, accessibility (price, stock) and second, availability (quantity and biodiversity); both are perquisites to the provision of nutrients and a continuous food supply with locally available resources. The objectives of this thesis are to investigate if indigenous knowledge still plays an important role in traditional farming in the Minangkabau`s culture, thus supporting local food security. If the indigenous knowledge still plays a role in food culture in the Minangkabau`s culture which is linked to the matrilineal role and leads to a sound nutrition. Further, it should be tested if marantau influences traditional farming and food culture in Minangkabau`s, and if the local government plays a role in changing of traditional farming systems and food culture. Furthermore this thesis wants to prove if education and gender are playing a role in changing traditional farming system and food culture, and if the mass media affects traditional farming systems and food culture for the Minangkabau. The study was completed at four locations in West Sumatera; Nagari Ulakan (NU) (coastal area), Nagari Aia Batumbuak (NAB) (hilly area), Nagari Padang Laweh Malalo (NPLM) (lake area), Nagari Pandai Sikek (NPS) (hilly area). The rainfall ranged from 1400- 4800 mm annually with fertile soils. Data was collected by using PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) to investigate indigenous knowledge (IK) and its interactions, which is also combining with in depth-interview, life history, a survey using semi-structured-questionnaire, pictures, mapping, and expert interview. The data was collected from June - September 2009 and June 2010. The materials are; map of area, list of names, questionnaires, voices recorder, note book, and digital camera. The sampling method was snowball sampling which resulted in the qualitative and quantitative data taken. For qualitative data, ethnography and life history was used. For quantitative, a statistical survey with a semi-structured questionnaire was used. 50 respondents per each site participated voluntarily. Data was analyzed by performing MAXQDA 10, and F4 audio analysis software (created and developed by Philip-University Marburg). The data is clustered based on causality. The results show that; the role of IK on TFS (traditional farming system) shown on NPLM which has higher food crop biodiversity in comparison to the other three places even though it has relatively similar temperature and rainfall. This high food crop biodiversity is due to the awareness of local people who realized that they lived in unfavourable climate and topography; therefore they are more prepared for any changes that may occur. Carbohydrate intake is 100 % through rice even though they are growing different staple crops. Whereas most of the people said in the interviews that not eating rice is like not really eating for them. In addition to that, mothers still play an important role in kitchen activities. But when the agriculture income is low, mothers have to decide whether to change the meals or to feel insecure about their food supply. Marantau yields positive impact through the remittances it provides to invest on the farm. On the other hand, it results in fewer workers for agriculture, and therefore a negative impact on the transfer of IK. The investigation showed that the local government has a PTS (Padi Tanam Sabatang) programme which still does not guarantee that the farmers are getting sufficient revenue from their land. The low agricultural income leads to situation of potential food insecurity. It is evident that education is equal among men and women, but in some cases women tend to leave school earlier because of arranged marriages or the distances of school from their homes. Men predominantly work in agriculture and fishing, while women work in the kitchen. In NAB, even though women work on farmland they earn less then men. Weaving (NPS) and kitchen activity is recognized as women’s work, which also supports the household income. Mass media is not yielding any changes in TFS and food culture in these days. The traditional farming system has changed because of intensive agricultural extension which has introduced new methods of agriculture for the last three decades (since the 1980’s). There is no evidence that they want to change any of their food habits because of the mass media despite the lapau activity which allows them to get more food choices, instead preparing traditional meal at home. The recommendations of this thesis are: 1) The empowerment of farmers. It is regarding the self sufficient supply of manure, cooperative seed, and sustainable farm management. Farmers should know – where are they in their state of knowledge – so they can use their local wisdom and still collaborate with new sources of knowledge. Farmers should learn the prognosis of supply and demand next prior to harvest. There is a need for farm management guidelines; that can be adopted from both their local wisdom and modern knowledge. 2) Increase of non-agricultural income Increasing the non-agricultural income is strongly recommended. The remittances can be invested on non-agricultural jobs. 3) The empowerment of the mother. The mother plays an important role in farm to fork activities; the mother can be an initiator and promoter of cultivating spices in the backyard. Improvement of nutritional knowledge through information and informal public education can be done through arisan ibu-ibu and lapau activity. The challenges to apply these recommendations are: 1) The gap between institutions and organizations of local governments. There is more than one institution involved in food security policy. 2) Training and facilities for field extension agriculture (FEA) is needed because the rapid change of interaction between local government and farmer’s dependent on this agency.

Indigenous Knowledge (IK) of Water Resources Management in West Sumatra, Indonesia

This study was aim to describe the indigenous knowledge of farmers at Nagari Padang laweh Malalo (NPLM) and their adaptability to climate change. Not only the water scarcity is feared, but climate change is also affecting their food security. Local food security can be achieved if biodiversity in their surrounding area is suitable to the local needs. The study was conducted by using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) such as observation and discussion. The combination of in depth interview, life history, semi structure questionnaire, pictures, mapping and expert interviews was implemented. Data was analyzed by using MAXQDA 10 and F4 audio analysis software. The result shows awareness of the people and scarcity of water conditions has allowed the people of NPLM to face this challenge with wisdom. Aia adat (water resources controlled and regulate by custom) is one of their strategies to distribute the water. The general rule is that irrigation will flow from 6 pm – 6 am regularly to all farm land under supervision of kapalo banda. When rains occur, water resources can be used during the day without special supervision. They were used traditional knowledge to manage water resources for their land and daily usage. This study may be helpful for researcher and other farmers in different region to learn encounter water scarcity.

Wild food trees in Eastern Nuba Mountains, Sudan: Use diversity and threatening factors

This study was conducted in 2010 in Eastern Nuba Mountains, Sudan to investigate ethnobotanical food and non-food uses of 16 wild edible fruit producing trees. Quantitative and qualitative information was collected from 105 individuals distributed in 7 villages using a semi-structured questionnaire. Also gathering of data was done using a number of rapid rural appraisal techniques, including key informant interviews, group discussion, secondary data sources and direct observations. Data was analysed using fidelity level and informant consensus factor methods to reveal the cultural importance of species and use category. Utilizations for timber products were found of most community importance than food usages, especially during cultivated food abundance. Balanites aegyptiaca, Ziziphus spina-christi and Tamarindus indica fruits were asserted as most preferable over the others and of high marketability in most of the study sites. Harvesting for timber-based utilizations in addition to agricultural expansion and overgrazing were the principal threats to wild edible food producing trees in the area. The on and off prevailing armed conflict in the area make it crucial to conserve wild food trees which usually play a more significant role in securing food supply during emergency times, especially in times of famine and wars. Increasing the awareness of population on importance of wild food trees and securing alternative income sources, other than wood products, is necessary in any rural development programme aiming at securing food and sustaining its resources in the area.

Bridging Perspectives

People’s ability to change their social and economic circumstances may be constrained by various forms of social, cultural and political domination. Thus to consider a social actor’s particular lifeworld in which the research is embedded assists in the understanding of how and why different trajectories of change occur or are hindered and how those changes fundamentally affect livelihood opportunities and constraints. In seeking to fulfill this condition this thesis adopted an actor-oriented approach to the study of rural livelihoods. A comprehensive livelihoods study requires grasping how social reality is being historically constituted. That means to understand how the interaction of modes of production and symbolical reproduction produces the socio-space. Research is here integrated to action through the facilitation of farmer groups. The overall aim of the groups was to prompt agency, as essential conditions to build more resilient livelihoods. The smallholder farmers in the Mabalane District of Mozambique are located in a remote semi-arid area. Their livelihoods customarily depend at least as much on livestock as on (mostly) rain-fed food crops. Increased climate variability exerts pressure on the already vulnerable production system. An extensive 10-month duration of participant observation divided into 3 periods of fieldwork structured the situated multi-method approach that drew on a set of interview categories. The actor-oriented appraisal of livelihoods worked in building a mutually shared definition of the situation. This reflection process was taken up by the facilitation of the farmer groups, one in Mabomo and one in Mungazi, which used an inquiry iteratively combining individual interviews and facilitated group meetings. Integration of action and reflection was fundamental for group constitution as spaces for communicative action. They needed to be self-organized and to achieve understanding intersubjectively, as well as to base action on cooperation and coordination. Results from this approach focus on how learning as collaboratively generated was enabled, or at times hindered, in (a) selecting meaningful options to test; (b) in developing mechanisms for group functioning; and (c) in learning from steering the testing of options. The study of livelihoods looked at how the different assets composing livelihoods are intertwined and how the increased severity of dry spells is contributing to escalated food insecurity. The reorganization of the social space, as households moved from scattered homesteads to form settlements, further exerts pressure on the already scarce natural resource-based livelihoods. Moreover, this process disrupted a normative base substantiating the way that the use of resources is governed. Hence, actual livelihood strategies and response mechanisms turn to diversification through income-generating activities that further increase pressure on the resource-base in a rather unsustainable way. These response mechanisms are, for example, the increase in small-livestock keeping, which has easier conversion to cash, and charcoal production. The latter results in ever more precarious living and working conditions. In the majority of the cases such responses are short-term and reduce future opportunities in a downward spiral of continuously decreasing assets. Thus, by indicating the failure of institutions in the mediation of smallholders’ adaptive capabilities, the livelihood assessment in Mabomo and Mungazi sheds light on the complex underlying structure of present day social vulnerability, linking the macro-context to the actual situation. To assist in breaking this state of “subordination”, shaped by historical processes, weak institutions and food insecurity, the chosen approach to facilitation of farmer groups puts farmer knowledge at the center of an evolving process of intersubjective co-construction of knowledge towards emancipation.