Die psigososiale ontwikkeling van leerders in die ACE (Accelerated Christian Education)-skool

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:In this study an investigation was conducted to determine whether theeducation in ACE-schools(within the South African context) provides inthe development needs of learners.Political changes in South Africa have, on the one hand, led to theperception amongst especially Christian parents, that, due to a stronghumanist tendency in state schools, their children experience a lack ofadequate Christian education. On the other hand, the educationsystem in South Africa has enabled the establishment of a wide rangeof different educational institutions from which parents can choose theone that provides in their unique needs.Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) is a Christian education systemthat originated in the USAbut is now implemented world-wide. Theuniqueness of this system lies in the fact that education is mostlyprovided via written material which every learner can masterindividually and on his/her own time (within the classroom setting). Theadvantages are in the individualizing of learning, but a question arisesas to the desirability of the lack of interpersonal communication in thelearning activities.A literature study was undertaken to establish the psychosocialdevelopment needs that have to be provided in to ensure that learnersare guided towards effective and balanced adulthood. An overviewwas also obtained on Christian education in general and on the ACEsysteminparticular.To evaluate the ACE-system in practice, the views (and especiallycriticism) of theorists and authors are supplemented by information gathered from parents, learners and teachers from three ACE schools.This information was gathered by means of individual informaldiscussions. The research groups consisted of five representatives fromeach of the sub-groups from each of the three schools (N=45).The most important findings are the following: The ACE school systemoffers an acceptable alternative to parents who wish to ensure thattheir children receive education of a more Christian nature, or at leasteducation in a Christian setting. Other benefits include individualizingand the fact that learners set their own learning objectives daily, whichsimplifiesmotivation and discipline.From an educational psychological perspective, the ACE schoolsystemdoes, however, have important deficiencies:• Firstly,the nature of education in an ACE school does not makeadequate provision for interpersonal communication. Theimportance of interpersonal communication for effectivelearning, whether it be in the form of content being mediated tothe learner via the teacher, or through classroom discussions(peergroup interaction) iswidely accepted.• Secondly, the exclusive nature of the ACE school leads to theisolation of learners from the wide variety of people, views andreligious beliefs that are present in society.• Thirdly, in the ACE school little, if any, provision is made forphysical activities, which are important for balanceddevelopment of learners.• Lastly, the ability of ACE schools to make provision for learnerswith special education needs, islimited.Following from these findings, a few recommendations are made.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University