Skip to main content

Conceptualizing Theoretical Frameworks for Post-colonial Education for Kisii K–12, Kenya

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Advances in Quantitative Ethnography (ICQE 2023)

Part of the book series: Communications in Computer and Information Science ((CCIS,volume 1895))

Included in the following conference series:

  • 400 Accesses

Abstract

This research examined the relationship between the elements of culturally relevant education that might enhance learning for primary and secondary students in the Kisii tribe in Kenya. A mismatch exists between what and how Kisii children learn in school and at home. The study examined elements of culture that can be leveraged to enhance learning, focusing on mathematics. A total of 60 participants, divided into eight focus groups, were interviewed. The themes from the thematic analysis were used as codes in the epistemic network analysis, a quantitative ethnographic technique. This research confirms a mismatch is present between what and how Kisii children learn in school and at home. The epistemic network analysis showed connections between codes from the thematic analysis: initiation, language, heritage, oral traditions, values, beliefs, rewards and punishment, practical over theory, and local STEM. These analyses show elements of culture support learning and teaching for students in Kisii K–12 schools. This multilayered analysis contributes to the cultural integration and augmentation framework and the transfer and adoption of universal principles model.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Kirkpatrick, J.D., Kirkpatrick, W.K.: Kirkpatrick’s Four Levels of Training Evaluation. ATD Press (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Hodell, C.: ISD from the Ground Up: A No-Nonsense Approach to Instructional Design, 4th edn. ATD Press (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Im, E.-O., Page, R., Lin, L.-C., Tsai, H.-M., Cheng, C.-Y.: Rigor in cross-cultural nursing research. Int. J. Nurs. Stud. 41(8), 891–899 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2004.04.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Nashon, S.M., Anderson, D.: Interpreting student views of learning experiences in a contextualized science discourse in Kenya. J. Res. Sci. Teach. 50(4), 381–407 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.21078

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Zimmerman, H.T.: Participating in science at home: recognition work and learning in biology. J. Res. Sci. Teach. 49(5), 597–630 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.21014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Gay, G.: The what, why, and how of culturally responsive teaching: international mandates, challenges, and opportunities. Multicult. Educ. Rev. 7(3), 123–139 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1080/2005615x.2015.1072079

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Hammond, Z.: Looking at sold through an equity lens: will the science of learning and development be used to advance critical pedagogy or will it be used to maintain inequity by design? Appl. Dev. Sci. 24(2), 151–158 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2019.1609733

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Kuhn, D., Arvidsson, T.S., Lesperance, R., Corprew, R.: Can engaging in science practices promote deep understanding of them? Sci. Educ. 101(2), 232–250 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.21263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Marope, M.: Reconceptualizing and repositioning curriculum in the 21st century: a global paradigm shift. UNESCO International Bureau of Education (2019). http://www.ibe.unesco.org/sites/default/files/resources/reconceptualizing_and_repositioning.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3oOL6pkLL-j4VtLB4ClIFtuDP6fD2M5SAz2zvTKcsfe2NDg3_i0_nL-Ao

  10. Penuel, W.R., Gallagher, L.P.: Preparing teachers to design instruction for deep understanding in middle school earth science. J. Learn. Sci. 18(4), 461–508 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1080/10508400903191904

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Hanfstingl, B., Benke, G., Zhang, Y.: Comparing variation theory with Piaget’s theory of cognitive development: more similarities than differences? Educ. Action Res. 27(4), 511–526 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1080/09650792.2018.1564687

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Abrams, E., Taylor, P.C., Guo, C.-J.: Contextualizing culturally relevant science and mathematics teaching for indigenous learning. Int. J. Sci. Math. Educ. 11(1), 1–21 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-012-9388-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Rosa, M., Orey. D.C.: Principles of culturally relevant education in an ethnomathematical perspective. Revista de Educação Matemática [Math. Educ. Perspect. J.] 17, 1–24 (2020). https://doi.org/10.37001/remat25269062v17id306

  14. Mosweunyane, D.: The African educational evolution: from traditional training to formal education. High. Educ. Stud. 3(4), 50–57 (2013). https://doi.org/10.5539/hes.v3n4p50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Doolittle, P.E.: Complex constructivism: a theoretical model of complexity and cognition. Int. J. Teach. Learn. High. Educ. 26(3), 485–498 (2014). https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1060852

  16. Irvine, J.J.: Culturally relevant pedagogy. Educ. Digest: Essent. Read. Condens. Quick Rev. 75(8), 57–61 (2010). https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ880896

  17. Babakr, Z.H., Mohamedamin, P., Kakamad, K.: Piaget’s cognitive developmental theory: critical review. Educ. Q. Rev. 2(3), 517–524 (2019). https://doi.org/10.31014/aior.1993.02.03.84

  18. Hammond, Z.: Culturally Responsive Teaching & The Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students. Corwin (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Trester, E.F.: Student-centered learning: practical application of theory in practice. About Campus 24(1), 13–16 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1177/1086482219859895

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Encyclopedia Britannica: Gusii. In Encyclopedia Britannica (2007). https://www.britannica.com/topic/Gusii. Accessed 2 Aug 2021

  21. Kisii County Government: Education and Literacy (2021). https://www.kisii.go.ke/index.php/county-profile/socio-economics/item/1587-education-and-literacy

  22. Encyclopedia.com: Gusii. In Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life (2018). https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/gusii-0. Accessed 2 Aug 2021

  23. Githige, R.M.: The mission state relationship in colonial Kenya: a summary. J. Relig. Afr. 13(2), 110–125 (1982). https://doi.org/10.2307/1581206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Etieyibo, E.: Why decolonization of the knowledge curriculum in Africa? Afr. Today 67(4), 74–87 (2021). https://www.muse.jhu.edu/article/794678

  25. Mandillah, L.: Kenyan curriculum reforms and mother tongue education: issues, challenges and implementation strategies. Educ. Change 23, 1–18 (2019). https://doi.org/10.25159/1947-9417/3379

  26. Biraimah, K.L.: Moving beyond a destructive past to a decolonised and inclusive future: the role of Ubuntu-style education in providing culturally relevant pedagogy for Namibia. Int. Rev. Educ. 62(1), 45–62 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11159-016-9541-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Muthivhi, A.E.: Development of verbal thinking and problem-solving among Tshivenda-speaking primary school children. Perspect. Educ. 31(2), 22–32 (2013). https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC145503

  28. Burney, S.: Conceptual frameworks in postcolonial theory: applications for educational critique (chap. 7). Counterpoints 417, 173–193 (2012). http://www.jstor.org/stable/42981704

  29. Weiss, T., Wilkinson, R. (eds.): International Organizations and Global Governance. Routledge Press (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  30. Césaire, A.: Discourse on Colonialism. (J. Pinkham, Trans.). Monthly Review Press (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Fanon, F.: The Wretched of the Earth. (R. Philcox, Trans.). Grove Press. (Original work published 1961) (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  32. Kessi, S., Marks, Z., Ramugondo, E.: Decolonizing knowledge within and beyond the classroom. Crit. Afr. Stud. 13(1), 1–9 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1080/21681392.2021.1920749

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Gwanfogbe, M.: Changing Regimes and Educational Development in Cameroon. Spears Media Press (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  34. Ladson-Billings, G.: Toward a theory of culturally relevant pedagogy. Am. Educ. Res. J. 32(3), 465–491 (1995). https://doi.org/10.3102/00028312032003465

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Odari, M.H.: The role of value creating education and “Ubuntu” philosophy in fostering humanism in Kenya. J. Interdiscip. Stud. Educ. 9(SI), 56–68 (2020). https://doi.org/10.32674/jise.v9is(1).1857

  36. Fernández, J.S., Sonn, C.C., Carolissen, R., Stevens, G.: Roots and routes toward decoloniality within and outside psychology praxis. Rev. Gen. Psychol. 25(4), 354–368 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1177/10892680211002437

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Brizuela-García, E.: The history of Africanization and the Africanization of history. Hist. Afr. 33, 85–100 (2006). http://www.jstor.org/stable/20065766

  38. Rashid, M., Hodgson, C.S., Luig, T.: Ten tips for conducting focused ethnography in medical education research. Med. Educ. Online 24(1) (2019). https://doi.org/10.1080/10872981.2019.1624133

  39. Creswell, J.W., Poth, C.N.: Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches, 4th edn. Sage (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  40. Creswell, J.W., Creswell, D.J.: Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, 5th edn. Sage (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  41. Siebert-Evenstone, A., Arastoopour Irgens, G., Collier, W., Swiecki, Z., Ruis, A.R., Williamson Shaffer, D.: In search of conversational grain size: modeling semantic structure using moving stanza windows. J. Learn. Anal. 4(3), 123–139 (2017). https://doi.org/10.18608/jla.2017.43.7

  42. Shaffer, D.W., Collier, W., Ruis, A.R.: A tutorial on epistemic network analysis: analyzing the structure of connections in cognitive, social, and interaction data. J. Learn. Anal. 3(3), 9–45 (2016). https://doi.org/10.18608/jla.2016.33.3

  43. Espino, D.P., Lee, S., Eagan, B., Hamilton, E.: An initial look at the developing culture of online global meet-ups in establishing a collaborative, STEM media-making community. In: Lund, K., Niccolai, G.P., Lavoué, E., Hmelo-Silver, C., Gweon, G., Baker, M. (eds.) A Wide Lens: Combining Embodied, Enactive, Extended, and Embedded Learning in Collaborative Settings, 13th International Conference on Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) 2019, vol. 2, pp. 608–611. International Society of the Learning Sciences, Lyon, France (2019). https://doi.org/10.22318/cscl2019.608

  44. Frederiksen, J.R., Sipusic, M., Sherin, M., Wolfe, E.W.: Video portfolio assessment: creating a framework for viewing the functions of teaching. Educ. Assess. 5, 225–297 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1207/s15326977ea0504_1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Herrenkohl, L.R., Cornelius, L.: Investigating elementary students’ scientific and historical argumentation. J. Learn. Sci. 22(3), 413–461 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1080/10508406.2013.799475

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Bandura, A.: Social Learning Theory. General Learning Press (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  47. Skinner, B.F.: The Behavior of Organisms: An Experimental Analysis. Prentice Hall (1938)

    Google Scholar 

  48. Acar-Çiftçi, Y., Gürol, M.: A conceptual framework regarding the multicultural education competencies of teachers. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi [Hacettepe Univ. J. Educ.] 30(1), 1–14 (2015). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279324029

  49. Alismail, H.A.: Multicultural education: teachers’ perceptions and preparation. J. Educ. Pract. 7(11), 139–146 (2016). https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1099450.pdf

  50. Le Grange, L., Ontong, K.: The need for place-based education in South African schools: the case of Greenfields Primary. Perspect. Educ. 33(3), 42–57 (2015). https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC178500

  51. Ross, J.B.: Indigenous intergenerational teachings: the transfer of culture, language, and knowledge in an intergenerational summer camp. Am. Indian Q. 40(3), 216–250 (2016). https://doi.org/10.5250/amerindiquar.40.3.0216

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ruth Vitsemmo Akumbu .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Akumbu, R.V. (2023). Conceptualizing Theoretical Frameworks for Post-colonial Education for Kisii K–12, Kenya. In: Arastoopour Irgens, G., Knight, S. (eds) Advances in Quantitative Ethnography. ICQE 2023. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 1895. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-47014-1_17

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-47014-1_17

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-47013-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-47014-1

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics