Summer School - Science teaching

This morning’s keynote was by Dr Christine Redman from the University of Melbourne and is titled Innovative Integration of Technologies into Meaningful Science Learning Experiences”. Technologies in this context are ICT. She used rich visuals and stories (Pooh Bear, Goldilocks) to convey the issues ie using the familiar but with a twist.

She punctuated her presentation with lots of snippets of actual examples to use in teaching. These are all on the presentation slides which will be on the Summer School website in due course.

Critical Readings/Journal Articles

Holbrook, J. & Rannikmae, M. (2007). The Nature of Science Education for Enhancing Scientific Literacy. International Journal of Science Education, 29 (11), 1347-1362.

Murcia, K. (2006). An evidenced based framework for developing scientific literacy. Proceedings Western Australian Institute for Educational Research Forum 2006.
http://www.waier.org.au/forums/2006/murcia.html

Redman, C. (2006). Harry Potter works magic into science education. Journal of the Royal Australian Chemistry Institute, Jan/Feb, p 14 – 16
http://www.raci.org.au/chemaust/docs/pdf/2006/CiAJan-Feb06p14.pdf

Accepting and Coping with Change (Margaret Meijers)

A reality of using ICT is the constant change and this can be daunting for teachers. It’s actually about change, we are all going to have to change and we need to accept that and get used to it. Although this is a challenge, ICT is also helps us cope - once material is digitised, it is readily re-used and/or modified

Just being digital is not the solution or an end in itself

Just because it’s on a computer, does not make it interesting

How do we inspire others and encourage reluctant teachers

• commonly shared concern
• best to invest energy in the ones who are willing to get involved
• encourage people to take baby steps eg learn one new skill per month in an area of interest
• not about changing your whole way of thinking but changing one bit at a time - otherwise it is too overwhelming
• need to apply adult learning principles by working alongside others and not talking down to them - take time to talk to them and find out their needs
• leverage off any opportunities to fund teacher professional development time
• one of the most powerful forms of professional learning is seeing something in action in the classroom - leaders can invite others in to observe
• important to respect teachers by providing time, space and appropriate goals to learn
• an idea is to make use of the digital natives in the role of tutor

Issue of replacing wet labs with ICT simulations etc

• an international issue
• ICT can help reduce danger and cost
• ICT cannot replace the kinaesthetic and visual experience

Closing comments - Margaret Meijers

• anyone thinking of replacing labs with ICT may not have fully looked into ICT costs
• really exciting times ahead
• only just getting to the stage of there being enough ICT in schools to make a difference
• ICT not a replacement but offers additional and alternative ways in science teaching

Closing comments - Brenda Frisk

• does not have to happen overnight - little steps
• involve students in developing curriculum - when students develop digital artefacts they tend to learn deeply