Science Teaching Methodologies

Course Code:     

                             ED 162  Physics
                             ED 161  Chemistry
                             ED 187  Biology

Lecturer:             Dr. Veronica McCauley

Welcome to Teaching Science!

During this semester in this science methodology course, we will examine what it means to be an effective science teacher, challenge what we ’know’ about teaching and learning science, and explore various strategies that enhance student learning.  Please make the time in your busy schedules to fully embrace your learning; take the time to reflect and make sense out of each class and discussion session.  Make the most out of this opportunity to discover things about you as a learner, a teacher of science, and a teacher of children.  We will make the time to ’uncover’ many ideas, resources, materials, and approaches that will help to make learning meaningful for you and your students in the future.

Course Description:

Rationale

Aims

Learning Outcome

Methods of Asessment

Bibliography

Teaching and Learning Resources

Rationale:

The course is intended to prepare future secondary teachers to meet the challenge of teaching science.  The course will focus on practical experiences that will provide the necessary skills and pedagogical understandings an individual will need to be successful as a secondary science teacher.  Areas of study include curriculum content, problem solving and inquiry skills, classroom management skills, planning science instruction, instructional strategies, evaluation, use of technology, and professional development.

Back to top.

Aims:

The general aims of these modules include:

• to facilitate constructive debate and discussion, of the application of innovative teaching, learning, and assessment strategies in the science laboratory and classroom;
  
• to encourage the critical analysis of relevant policies and structures in science education with a view to their application and/or relevance in the Irish science classroom;
  
• to employ the planning, integration and reflection on practitioner-based science education research;
  
• to help participants develop a deeper understanding and awareness of the important role of an effective science teacher, within the classroom, school and beyond.    

Back to top 

Learning Outcomes:

This course will challenge you to:

• Study the current Irish science syllabi at Primary, Junior and Senior levels in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics/Chemistry and Transition Year Programmes;
  
• Become familiar with current national standards and initiatives in science teacher education;
  
• Develop a laboratory safety plan and management system to ensure safety in the science classroom;
  
• Discuss various assessment techniques, test construction, test analysis and student record keeping;
  
• Analyze various methods of experiential (inquiry-based) and interactive, student-centered methodologies that have shown to be effective in the science education literature;
  
• Draw a comparison between traditional and interactive teaching techniques in the Science Classroom;
  
• Explore ways that various materials can be used effectively and safely in the classroom to create an active, engaging, learning environment;
  
• Develop your ’sense of self’ as a risk-taking learner and caring, committed science teacher.
  
• Use diverse approaches to become a thoughtful reflective practitioner in science education.

Back to top 

Methods of Assessment:

Students complete the required assessment in respect of each of the science teaching methodology modules for which they are registered.

Students can only receive academic credit for the same work once. Where students are taking two science modules it is their responsibility to ensure, in consultation with the lecturer, that both projects are appropriate aligned with the relevant module and that there is no unwarranted duplication.

For each module taken, the student teacher completes the following:

Back to top

Bibliography:

§         Barton, R. 2004.  Teaching Secondary Science with ICT.  UK: Open University Press

§         Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. 2000.  Research methods in education (5th ed.).  London: Routledge Palmer

§         Dick, B., 1999.  Action Research Activities.  Available online at: http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/gcm/ar/whatisar.html [Accessed: September, 2004]

§         McNiff, J., 2002.  Jean McNiff Website.  Available online at: http://www.jeanmcniff.com/ [Accessed: September, 2004]

§         Murray, L. and Lawrence, B., 2000.  Practitioner-Based Enquiry: Principles for Postgraduate Research.  London and New York: Falmer Press.

§         Safety in School Science (Blue Book). 1996. An Roinn Oideachas Publication, Dublin.

§         Safety in the School Laboratory (Green Book). 1996. Department of Education Publication, Dublin.

§         Safety Legislation for second level laboratories, cited at the Website for Education and Science: http://www.education.ie/

§         Syllabi, Teaching Guidelines and Support Materials/Teachers handbook for Primary Science, Junior Science and Senior Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Physics and Chemistry Combined.

§         Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2001a) E-learning: The Partnership Challenge,  Paris:OECD/CERI

§         Schools Broadband Connectivity Study: Final Report to the Department of Education and Science, Datanet International, July 2003 p4

§         Trowbridge, L.W., Bybee, R.W. & Carlson-Powel, J., 2004.  Teaching Secondary School Science: Strategies for Developing Scientific Literacy.  UK: Prentice Hall

§         Wellington, J. 1999.  Teaching and Learning Secondary Science: Contemporary Issues and Practical Approaches.  Taylor & Francis Ltd.

Back to top 

General Science Education Websites:

Irish Science Teachers Association : http://www.ista.ie/

The ISTA is the professional association for science teachers in Ireland.  It publishes SCIENCE, has representatives on all NCCA science course committees at junior and senior cycle level and holds an annual meeting in the spring of each year.

Association for Science Educaton (ASE): http://www.ase.org.uk/

Excellent resources for science education.

ScoilNet: http://www.scoilnet.ie/

Website for Irish schools (Primary and second level)

Skoool.ie: http://www.skoool.ie/   

A collaboration between AIB Bank, The Irish Times, and Intel Ireland in association with other leading corporate supporters to bring you highly innovative, interactive and exciting learning. Focusing on the Irish Junior and Senior Cycle curricula, skoool.ie is the first resource of its kind designed specifically for Irish students and teachers.

Eric Clearinghouse for Science, Maths and Environmental Education: http://www.ericse.org/

Excellent resource for teaching strategies in science.

Science, Technology and Innovation Awareness Program http://www.science.ie/

Information on science-related events and useful links.

Enterprise Ireland is the state agency for science and technology & has links to the following:

http://www.teachnet.ie/

http://www.galwayscience.ie/

http://www.juniorscience.ie/

Woman in Technology and Science (WITS): http://www.witsireland.com/

WITS actively promotes women’s participation in science and technology.  It has published a role model booklet for girls and Stars and Bluebells a book on women pioneers in science and technology.

Please note: The School of Education, NUI Galway is not responsible for the content contained on external internet sites. 

• Disclaimer
• Privacy
• Copyright
• Accessibility