In-service support for a technological approach to science education
Abstract
This project facilitated the production of learning materials for two units in the junior secondary science syllabus in Swaziland. A cross-section of practising teachers was involved in the creation and trialling of the materials.
These new materials, called the Matsapha Lessons, replace the standard
SWISP (Swaziland Integrated Science Project) units, and have a
technological approach to science, characterised by three aspects:
(i) contextualisation - linking science to everyday life and the
experiences that students may have had or are likely to have
(ii) application - helping students to select and apply their science
knowledge to solve problems
(iii) investigation - developing science investigative abilities to
help students to design and execute valid practical tests.
An INSET induction programme, including a detailed workshop manual, has been developed to introduce the materials to teachers. The effectiveness of various features of this induction programme has been evaluated longitudinally in terms of teacher adoption and implementation of the novel teaching approach, and in terms of student attainment and attitude.
Citation
Educational Paper No. 16, DFID, London, UK, ISBN 0 902500 71 6, 48 pp.
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