Department of Education, Unit Catalogue 2009/10 |
ED30006: Issues in science education |
 Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Honours |
| Period: | Semester 2 |
| Assessment:
| CW 90%, OR 10% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| |
| Description: | Aims: This unit aims to consider some of the current issues in science education and to explore and examine some of the key implications for teachers of science in primary and secondary schools. Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit students should be able to: a) explain the significance of developments in science education; b) give examples of the practical consequences of these developments at the classroom level; c) explain, where appropriate, basic implications for curriculum developers and policy makers in science education. Skills: Written communication (A), Oral communication (F), Presentation (F/A), Self-directed learning (F), Problem analysis, Research and reflection (F/A). Content: The issues will change from time to time, examples include: the nature of science; the role of ICT in science education; developments in children's learning in science (e.g. the Cognitive Acceleration through Science Education); the nature of assessment of science (with a focus on diagnostic assessment); the role of language in science education; recent developments in practical work; personal and professional subject knowledge; scientific literacy and the implications for the Public Understanding of Science. See website pages for full detail. |