What does the teaching of science look like
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This document summarizes research on science teaching in Icelandic schools. Data was collected from 20 schools through classroom observations and surveys. The research looked at teaching methods, resources, and time spent on science instruction. Key findings include: - Science is typically taught in regular classrooms, not dedicated labs. Practical and inquiry-based activities are rare, especially in primary grades. - Classroom activities focus on teacher-led discussions, written work, and arts/crafts projects. Little use is made of technology or outdoor lessons. - While middle schools show the most variety, emphasis is still on textbooks and worksheets rather than hands-on learning or student choice. - Equipment and resources are limited
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What does the teaching of science look like
- 1. What does the teaching of science look like? Svava Pétursdóttir Ed.D. Gunnhildur Óskarsdóttir Ph.D. Nordic Research Symposium on Science Education , Helsinki, 4-6 June 2014
- 2. Research questions • What are the main characteristics of teaching science in Iceland? – Teaching methods, pedagogy – Organisation (classroom, timetables, classroom setup) – Equipment, devices, ICT, outdoor facilities – Assessment
- 3. Research questions • Teachers – Education – Participation in CPD – Pedagogical content knowledge – Attitutes • New national curriculum – Has is started to influence school practice? •
- 4. Data • the Research project on Teaching and learning in Icelandic schools 2009-2011 (age levels 6- 15) (see http://skrif.hi.is/starfshaettir/) • Personalised learning – Official policy and school development discourse – Diverse pupils – Pupil choose what and how to learn – Learning environment
- 5. Data collection • From 20 schools • A large team of researchers • Field reports: – registration of all equipment – arrangement of the furniture – timings and main activities – use of curriculum materials and pupil assignments.
- 6. Space given to teach science? Number of lessons* Total reports Science/ all lessons Curriculum guidelines min per week/total Curriculum guidelined Primary (6-9 year olds) 5 162 3,1% 320 / 4800 6,7% Middle school (10-12 y) 8 122 6,6% 360 / 4200 8,6% Lower secondary (13-15 y) 10 99 10,1% 360 / 4440 8,1% Total 23 383 6,0% 1040 / 13.440 7,7% *used time varied between 10-140 minutes
- 12. Where is science taught? Total number Science room Outdoors Home room Other Primary (6-9 year olds) 5 0 0 5 0 Middle school (10-12 y) 8 0 0 8 0 Lower secondary (13-15 y) 10 6 1 3 1 Total 23
- 13. Science specific artefacts • Primary (4 rooms) – Owls and flowers hanging from the ceiling • Middle school (7 rooms) – Sinks in 3 rooms – Glassware, measuring beakers and quipment teacher brought in on a trolley – Fish tank – Pictures of wasps
- 14. Lower secondary Posters: birds, horses, periodic table Science gadgets, refrigerator, drying rack, microwave, high worktable without chairs, periodic table Pictures of; birds; whales; star signs, models, equipment for experiments, microscopes, binocular microscopes Globe, models, equipment for experiments, microscopes, binocular microscopes Some equipment on the teachers desk, a shelf with birds, poster with birds, catagories of animals, fish, mammals, reindeer antlers on the wall Specimens of rocks, biology posters, models, glasses with specimens, microscopes, binocular microscopes Nature, hut, hammock, more manmade equipment made of wood Sinks in 7/10 rooms
- 15. Media Equipment 19 classrooms Number of classrooms Percentage Traditionally styled OHP 4 21% Television 5 26% VCR 3 16% Stereo or radio 4 21% DVD player 1 5% Þessi búnaður ekki nýttur í þessum kennslustundum Image http://www.acco.com.au/products/6001047_14001290_21015210/Nobo-Quantum-2511-Projector.aspx
- 16. Computer equipment 19 classrooms Number of classrooms Percentage Computer Teacher 11 58% Computer Pupil 2 11% Overhead projector 7 37% Printer 4 21% Laptop for pupils 1 5% Eftir að skoða notkun kennara, nemendur aldrei
- 17. Primary, 6-9 year olds • Teacher presentation with discussions followed by arts and crafts • Cutting, cluing, pasting Images: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Snj%C3%B3tittlingur.jpg http://www.aslandsskoli.is/menningardagar/2012/menningardagar12.html http://www.goingonanadventure.co.uk/2013_10_01_archive.html
- 18. Middle school • Quiz-game • Drawing • Written tasks • Discussion • Practical work • Painting
- 19. Lower secondary • Written tasks and questions • Teacher led discussions
- 20. Classroom activities Primary N=5 Middle N=8 L-secondary N=10 Practical work 0 3 0 Correcting written work 0 4 2 Arts and crafts 4 2 0 Written tasks 1 6 6* Answering written questions 0 4 0 (2) Teacher led discussions 3 5 3 *varied kinds
- 21. Classroom practices Examples and instances 1 test 1 (1) video middle school (primary) 0 ICT based work 1 outdoor lesson 2 lectures, new content in lower secondary 1 mindmap - Quiz
- 22. Textbooks Total number Textbooks used Percentage Primary (6-9 year olds) 5 3 60% Middle school (10-12 y) 8 3 63% Lower secondary (13-15 y) 10 4 40% Total 23
- 23. Preliminary conclusions • Little practical work • Little inquiry based methods • Little pupil choice • Varied teaching methods in middle school • Less emphasis on textbooks than previous research has shown • Few signs of integration of subjects