Melding Authentic Science,Technology, and Inquiry-Based Teaching: Experiences of the GLOBE Program

Journal of Science Education and Technology - Initial findings from the evaluation of the GLOBE Program are used to shed light on three issues concerning student-scientist partnerships: (1) Can...     

Teacher development in advanced educational technology

Advanced educational technology promises to improve science teaching and learning. To achieve the posited outcomes, however, teachers must have access to, know how to, have the skills to, and want to use the proposed advanced educational technologies in their teaching. In response, for the past eight years with support from the National Science Foundation, BSCS has conductedENLIST Micros — a teacher development to help science teachers improve their use of microcomputers.ENLIST Micros has three phases — Phase one (1984–1986): BSCS designed, tested, and producedENLIST Micros (Ellis and Kuerbis, 1987, 1989) teacher development materials (text, video, and tutorial software) for helping science teachers improve their use of educational technology. Phase two (1986–1989): BSCS designed, developed, tested, and disseminated a staff development model for helping science teachers integrate educational technology into instruction. Phase three (1989–1992): BSCS established Teacher Development Centers to implement theENLIST Micros teacher development materials and staff development model with science teachers throughout the United States.ENLIST Micros has served more than 1500 science teachers in 15 states. Teachers who have participated in the program have improved their knowledge, attitude, and self-efficacy about computer usage and have improved their use of microcomputers in their science courses. Furthermore, as part of the project, BSCS has described the implementation process and has developed recommendations to support improvements in the use of educational technology in science programs.     

Conceptually enhanced simulations: A computer tool for science teaching

In this paper, we consider a way computer simulations can be used to address the problem of teaching for conceptual change and understanding. After identifying three levels of understanding of a natural phenomenon (concrete, conceptual, and metaconceptual) that need to be addressed in school science, and classifying computer model systems and simulations more generally in terms of the design choices facing the programmer, we argue that there are ways to design computer simulations that can make them more powerful than laboratory models. In particular, computer simulations that provide an explicit representation for a set of interrelated concepts allow students to perceive what cannot be directly observed in laboratory experiments: representations for the concepts and ideas used for interpreting the experiment. Further, by embedding the relevant physical laws directly into the program code, these simulations allow for genuine discoveries. We describe how we applied these ideas in developing a computer simulation for a particular set of purposes: to help students grasp the distinction between mass and density and to understand the phenomenon of flotation in terms of these concepts. Finally, we reflect on the kinds of activities such conceptually enhanced simulations allow that may be important in bringing about the desired conceptual change.     

英国初中生科学课程会考评析

本文从英国初中学生科学课程会考的要求出发 ,以具体题目为例 ,对会考题目的特点以及对学生科学素质进行考察的方法和考察的重点进行了分析和讨论。分析讨论的结果对于我国科学教育的发展以及中考命题改革具有参考价值     

Computer Technology in an Authentic Science Project

Summary

While a constructivist approach to the integration of technology in the science curriculum can enable teachers to educate students on the cyclical nature of the research process and interrelate various scientific concepts, there are several considerations for educators must take to assure that it is done effectively. The authors provide a review of a project that was designed and implemented for high school science students that integrated the use of technology in a constructivist environment. This review summarizes the strengths and limitations of the project and provides educators with further considerations when implementing such a project. As educators become more familiar with what is required to successfully integrate technology in a constructivist environment, the limitations and obstacles that may be encountered can be limited. More research devoted to the use of computer technology to teach science process skills will bring teachers and students closer to harnessing the potential powers of both project-based learning strategies and the computer environment.     

Using Computers to Support a Beginning Teacher's Professional Development

This study explored the efficacy of promoting a beginning chemistry teacher's curriculum development and teaching practices through the use of computers. Using pictorial analogies, historical cases of science, and discrepant events in a web site designed by the researchers as curricular samples, the beginning teacher was asked to develop similar curriculum for his own teaching. After taking the researchers' advice into account and making adjustments, the beginning teacher implemented the curriculum in his classroom teaching and shared his experience with the researchers by e-mail communications. The teacher's teaching practices both before and after the web site treatment were observed and analyzed. It was found that before the treatment the teacher used the textbook as the only resource of his teaching. Extra curriculum was rarely seen, there were not many student-teacher interactions, and analogies or examples used in his explanation of abstract concepts were not preorganized. On the other hand, after the treatment, the teacher was able to develop suitable curricula by himself for the purpose of increasing student involvement. He also explained the applications of chemical concepts in daily lives and his analogies and demonstrations were well organized. Although the beginning teacher was able to develop curricula after the treatment, many aspects of his teaching can be improved, especially in the areas of student-teacher interaction and the implementation of students activities in science teaching.     

Anatomy steeplechase online: necessity sometimes is the catalyst for innovation

In most medical schools, summative practical examination in Anatomy usually takes the format of a “steeplechase” (“spotters” or “bell ringers”) conducted in the gross anatomy laboratory using cadaveric material and prosected specimens. Recently, we have started to administer similar examinations online using the quiz facility in WebCT? and Moodle?. This article chronicles how we conceived and developed this method within the peculiar nature of our medical school setting. Over a five year period, practical summative examinations were organized as “steeplechase” online. The online examinations were administered using WebCT? and later Moodle? learning management software. Assessment “objects” were created from the materials available for anatomy teaching. These were digital images of cadaveric materials, radiological, and prosected specimens. In addition, short video clips of 30 seconds duration demonstrating muscle action were produced. These objects were optimized for online viewing and then uploaded onto the learning management software. A bank of questions (multiple choice or short answer type) was then created and linked to the assessment objects. These were used in place of the steeplechase in the computer laboratory. This method serves a crucial purpose in places like ours where continuous availability of human cadavers is impossible. Although time consuming initially, once questions are setup online, future retrieval, and administration becomes convenient especially where there are large batches of students. In addition, the online environment offers distinct advantages with regards to image quality, psychometric analysis of the examination and reduction of staff preparation time compared to traditional “steeplechase.” Anat Sci Educ 4: 115–118, 2011. © 2010 American Association of Anatomists.     

国际教育评价中的科学探究能力测评简介及启示

科学探究能力测评已经成为世界科学教育专家关注的焦点。国际上目前采用了三种测评方法,分别为TIMSS、PISA和NAEP。通过对这三种测评中科学探究的能力目标分类体系的介绍,指出了三种测评在考查科学探究能力各个方面的特点,提出了可供我们借鉴的有关启示。     

俄罗斯职业教育进程与评估中的法制化探讨

在俄罗斯教育体系中,职业教育始终占据重要位置。苏联解体后俄罗斯出台了一系列法规政策,不断推进职业教育的发展和改革,不仅为俄罗斯职业教育进程提供了前进方向与立法保障,也使职业教育评估工作有法可依,有规可循,这些可为我国的职业教育评估法制化进程提供参考与借鉴     

上海市中职校德育工作专项评估的 实施及效应分析

为全面贯彻落实国家和上海市关于中职校开展德育工作文件精神,上海市自2011年至 2014年进行了第一轮上海市中职德育工作专项评估工作。尽管过去也有中职校德育方面的评估, 但这次专项评估在评估目标、内容、方式等方面都有较大的创新。本文介绍这次专项评价采用的指 标体系以及评估的实施过程,评估中强调以“专项”凸显了“育人为本、德育为先”的理念,以目标达 成评估体现学校纵向发展,以多种评估手段的综合运用体现德育工作的多维度的评估特色。这次实 践实现了评估目标多元化、评估工作常态化和评估开展周期化,切实提高了中职校德育工作的针对性和实效性,产生了良好的正面效应。     

Enhancing Inquiry, Understanding, and Achievement in an Astronomy Multimedia Learning Environment

As an example of design-based research, this study refined an assessment strategy for simultaneously enhancing inquiry-based learning and supporting achievement on conventional assessment measures. Astronomy Village ^® : Investigating the Universe? is a software program designed to engage secondary science students in authentic and inquiry-based learning over core topics in astronomy. The software was enhanced with a 20-hour curriculum and three levels of assessment to ensure successful inquiry experiences and high-stakes achievement. The first year implementation of Astronomy Village^® yielded significant gains on a curriculum-oriented exam but not a standards-oriented test, and provided useful design insights that were integrated into the second year implementations. Significant gains were obtained on the test during the second year as well. It is expected that many existing inquiry-oriented science curricula might be similarly enhanced, and is suggested that a large-scale effort to do so might have a lasting impact on science education.     

关于推进军队院校理科实践教学的几点思考

理科教育对于培养军事高科技人才具有举足轻重的地位,理科实践教学作为培养学生创新能力的重要环节,是高质量理科教育体系的重要组成部分。本文在全面分析国内外著名军事院校理科实践教学现状的基础上,针对理科学科特点和当前存在的主要问题,提出了军队院校理科实践教学的基本思路,即从观念转变、课程设置、案例建设、评价体系几个方面构建立体化实践教学体系,培养高科技新型军事人才。