Summer School - Science teaching

Dr Terry Lyons presented on the topic of his latest research Choosing Science: Investigating influences on students’ decisions about taking science courses. The data collection was completed in December and the analysis presented was preliminary but nevertheless very interesting as it showed some trends different to those found in several other recent studies.

It is day 4 and the keynote is Bob Conway who is speaking in a most informative and entertaining way on the topic of Catering for diversity in science.  His presentation succinctly brings together many of the key messages that I have met before over many years of professional development. It makes me realise how privileged I have been in having spent 5 years at Claremont College, the national work where I was immersed in school to work issues for

Criteria of a positively diverse classroom

1. Substantial student-teacher interaction - being asked questions, responding, receiving feedback
2. Opportunity to respond - critically to being involved and included, non-responding can lead to potential behaviour problems
3. Academically engaged time (often only about 20% of the time) - meaningful engagement with learning tasks (high achievers > 85%, low achievers < 40%), relevant curriculum - skills, processes, content for now and the future taught and assessed within the official framework

Clearly some students need additional support.

What it takes to make a difference

• expecting, anticipating and planning for the diversity in classrooms
• continuing to assess students’ level of understanding and performance
• providing activities at the students’ level
• making activities relevant and interesting to the learner
• varying the amount of instruction and practice with the needs of the individual
• having knowledge of a wide range of instructional strategies and the know-how to match them to the nature of the student
• being flexible with class routines
• it is not the nature or severity of the students’ diverse learning needs
• not the facilities or particular resources associrated with different school settings

Relevant Reading

Conway, R .N. F. (2008).  Adapting curriculum, teaching and learning. In P. Foreman (Ed). Inclusion in action (pp. 95-163). Sydney: Thomson.

Websites for diversity

www.itscotland.org.uk/inclusiveeducation - excellent resourcs on inclusion

www.harmony.gov.au - multicultural activities for schools

www.uni.edu/coe/inclusion - groups of unis websites on inclusionfor trainee teachers, schools and parents

www.diverseschools.com  - USA based information on equality, gender, parent involvement

This blog has been created for my reflections on the Summer School for Science teachers that I am lucky enough to be attending at Flinders University in South Australia. The Summer School is funded by the Australian Government as one of 5 similar summer schools. It is being attended by 200 science teachers from every state and territory in Australia and from all education systems. My intention is to link this blog to my main blog which focusses on ICT and learning and school leadership.