Geletterdheidsondersteuning vir 'n leerder met Downsindroom

Date
2002-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The literacy development of learners with special educational needs has traditionally been approached from a behaviouristic framework, which led to the reductionistic teaching of language, focussing on smaller units and sub-skills in order to facilitate a simplification of the learning process. During the 80's changes in the area of literacy development occurred, placing the focus on the whole language approach. This approach (embedded in a constructivistic framework) emphasises the holistic and integrated nature of the language and literacy system, which seems to hold advantages for learners with special educational needs. This also includes learners with Down Syndrome since literature shows that a phonetic approach (which is reductionistic in nature) does not seem to benefit these learners in terms of literacy development and support. The purpose of this study therefore was to ascertain the usefulness of the whole language approach in the development of literacy skills of a , learner with Down Syndrome. This was accomplished by means of a literature review and learner support twice a week. The research methology took the form of a single case study consisting of a learner with Down Syndrome within an inclusive classroom. The qualitative nature of the research, which were descriptive and explanatory, made it possible to provide a rich holistic description of the findings. Data derived from various sources were analyzed according to the constant comparative method in order to identify the main and sub-categories. The findings of the study showed real development in the literacy skills of the learner with Down Syndrome. Noticeable, was the fact that the learner's reading skills developed faster in relation to the other skills. This is supported by the literature review. A fifth dimension, namely personal development was identified which promoted development on the cognitive as well as affective area. Although the scope of the study was limited, it seemed that the whole language a
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geletterdheidsontwikkeling van leerders met spesiale onderwysbehoeftes is tradisioneel vanuit 'n behavioristiese raamwerk benader, wat daartoe aanleiding gegee het dat taal gereduseer is tot kleiner eenhede en subvaardighede ten einde die leerproses te vergemaklik. Gedurende die tagtigerjare het veranderinge op die gebied van geletterdheidsontwikkeling plaasgevind, wat die fokus op die geheeltaalbenadering geplaas het. Hierdie benadering (gesetel in die konstruktivistiese verwysingsraamwerk) lê klem op die holistiese en geïntegreerde aard van die taal- en geletterdheidsisteem, wat blyk om voordeel vir leerders met spesiale onderwysbehoefte in te hou. Dit sluit ook die leerder met Downsindroom in, aangesien literatuur daarop wys dat die fonetiese benadering (reduksionisties van aard) nie blyk om tot voordeel van hierdie leerders se geletterdheidsontwikkeling en -ondersteuning te strek nie. Die doel van die studie was gevolglik om die bruikbaarheid van die geheeltaalbenadering in die ondersteuning van 'n leerder met Downsindroom se geletterdheidsvaardighede te ondersoek. Dit is by wyse van In literatuuroorsig en leerondersteuningsessies op 'n tweeweeklikse basis gedoen. Die navorsingsmetodiek het die vorm van 'n enkel gevallestudie aangeneem, bestaande uit 'n leerder met Downsindroom in 'n inklusiewe klaskamer. Die kwalitatiewe aard van die navorsing, wat beskrywend, verkennend en verklarend is, het dit moontlik gemaak om 'n ryk holistiese beskrywing van die bevindinge te gee. Data afkomstig van verskeie bronne is volgens die konstante vergelykende metode geanaliseer ten einde die hoofkategorieë en subkategorieë te identifiseer. Die bevindinge van die studie het gedui op 'n beduidende ontwikkeling van die die leerder met Downsindroom se geletterdheidsvaardighede. Opmerklik was die feit dat die leerder se leesvaardighede, in vergelyking met die ander geletterdheidsvaardighede, vinniger ontwikkel het. Dit word deur die literatuuroorsig ondersteun. 'n Vyfde dimensie, naamlik persoonsontwikkeling, is geïdentifiseer wat ontwikkeling op kognitiewe sowel as affektiewe gebied bevorder het. Alhoewel die omvang van die studie beperk was, blyk dit dat die geheeltaalbenadering tot voordeel van die leerder met Downsindroom se geletterdheidsontwikkeling strek.
Description
Thesis (MEd(Psych))--University of Stellenbosch, 2002.
Keywords
Children with disabilities -- Education, Down syndrome -- Patients -- Education, Literacy, Dissertations -- Education, Theses -- Education
Citation