EDF4220

Science education: teaching and learning in science ( 6 points, SCA Band 0, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Dr B Jane

Offered:
Not offered in 2005.

Synopsis: Methods for exploring and describing children's understandings. Common curricula such as the Curriculum and Standards Framework (CSM) series and the national curriculum. Students explore their own understanding of a range of natural phenomena to increase their confidence in teaching and learning science; and devise appropriate learning activities and strategies for use in primary school classes.

Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be familiar with the ideas of learning (elements of memory, prior knowledge, rehearsal, cognitive strategies, abilities); competent in using a range of methods (observation, questioning, concept maps [drawings], POEs, journals [thinking books]) to determine young children's understandings; familiar with the learning outcomes of the four strands at levels 1-4 of the Curriculum and Standards Framework series; able to devise and prepare 'stand alone' or integrated science activities using a variety of teaching strategies; experienced in using observational learning processes such as observation, classification, ordering, interpreting, to meaningfully understand natural events; able to explore the role that technology, especially computers, can play in children's learning; able to identify and explore their own beliefs, values and attitudes towards a range of science-technology-society-environment issues.

Assessment: Design and presentation of a science curriculum unit (3000 words): 50% + Folio of work tasks (2500 words): 50%

Contact Hours: 2 hours per week