Analysis of science curricula in the light of Bernstein's theory

Abstract:

This study presents a bibliographical review carried out in periodicals of the Education area, on researches that analysed curricula of Natural Sciences with theoretical foundation of the sociological assumptions of Bernstein. The results point out that the Sociology of Classroom Studies (ESSA), University of Lisbon, has developed researches with this focus mainly in Portugal. It is also verified that the main part of the studies were developed from analyses of curricula of Sciences of Basic Education. The review of these studies shows that the concept of re-contextualization was the most present theme in the publications, in which the official pedagogical discourse is analysed in relation to the pedagogical discourse of reproduction of teaching materials, teaching practice and the relationship between school and community. The research points out the reduction of the complexity of scientific knowledge and investigative skills in the re-contextualization process.

Keywords:
Bibliographical revision; Pedagogical discourse; Basil Bernstein; Curriculum; Science teaching