The Very Best Methods of Instruction for the Secondary Science Classroom

By: Jovanne M. Cole

Univer

sity o

f Tur

ku, 2

008

Students want REAL SCIENCE!!!

Graveyard shift website, 2009

Allhealthcare, 2010

Uni

vers

ity o

f Bat

h, 2

010 Leeds SCITT website, n.d.

UNB website, n.d.

NOT WORKSHEETS, W

ORKSHEETS

WORKSHEETS!!!!!

The Problem

There is a need for the incorporation of a variety of instructional methods in secondary science classrooms.

We must be changing our instructional methods from day to day to tend to the needs of all the different types of learners!

Look! This is how realScientists do it!!!

Allhealthcare, 2010

“Participation rates in senior secondary school science, as a percentage of the Year 12 cohort, have declined over the last 30 years and university enrolments in the natural and physical sciences have remained static since 2001” (Ainley, Kos & Nicholas, 2008).

“Generating higher levels of participation in science-related studies at university appears to be partly dependant on strengthening science education in schools” (2008).

OH NO!!! OUR FUTURE

SCIENTISTS ARE LOSING

INTEREST!!!!

“A number of reviews and reports on secondary scienceeducation (Goodrum, Hackling & Rennie 2001; Tytler 2007) have highlighted problems with engaging students' interestin the study of science and have suggested that thecurriculum should be reformed so that it is more inquiry-oriented, provides greater opportunity for students toengage in practical science investigations and givesthem a more authentic experience of science” (Hackling 2009).

YAY!!!REAL SCIENCE!

My Research Statement

The goal of this research is to refine our current understanding of the best instructional methods for secondary science classrooms.

This is what happens when I mix

these together!!!

University of Bath, 2010

Significance

This research will be a review of popular, new, and effective teaching methods and resources that can greatly improve the quality of instruction in the science classroom.

It will also point out other instructional methods to avoid…

A GREATRESOURCE!

Hands-OnLabs

CreativeLessonPlans

ProblemSolving and

Analysis

Relevanceto

Real World

CollaborationAnd

Networking

SecondaryScience

Education

Methods of Instruction Worksheets!!!

Hands-on, problem solving labs are the best way to give students the best idea of what real scientists do.

“…secondary science education needs to be more inquiry-oriented and involve authentic and practical investigations to develop scientific literacy and better engage students in learning science” (Hackling 2009). GROUP WORK!!!

Real Science!

Click this picture!Leeds SCITT website, n.d.

Professional Development

Consider mentors: Scientists mentoring

science teachers

Consider professional associations: National Science Teachers

AssociationCORD website, 2010

Stressing Relevance Teach students how information

relates to the real world!

Teach them about real scientists!

Use every opportunity to get students involved with scientists in their community.

Consider video tours as a free classroom “field trip”.

Look! This is how real

Geneticists do it!!!

NOAA website, 2007

Challenge Students

Always be challenging students to achieve the highest cognitive domains of Bloom’s taxonomy: analyze, evaluate, and create.

Consider programs where students are working with scientist mentors.

UNB website, n.d.

Get Creative

There are resources all over the internet: Use a scientist’s real data!

Get students up and moving with science skits: Act out the electron transport

chain!

Art4me, 2010

Things to Avoid! Avoid using worksheets every day!

Don’t let Power Point take over your classroom!

There are concerns, “…about the lack of relevance and engagement, and the chalk and talk nature of secondary science education...”(Hackling 2009).

Conclusions

Give students the feel of what it is like to work in a real laboratory!

Always be trying to improve your teaching strategies through professional development!

Look for ways to get students involved with their community to add real world elements to your classroom!

Conclusions

Really push your students with challenging activities that allow them to discover and analyze information!

Get creative! There are many online resources for teachers to get your students moving around and involved in the science they are learning!

Avoid doing the same thing every day! Possible future scientists may be losing interest in science! Demonstrate passion and enthusiasm for science to make students want to find out more!

Your task…. Never stop researching how to improve your classroom

teaching strategies!

Collect resources and talk with coworkers and other professionals to get new ideas!

Create a memorable experience for your students with exciting activities that challenge them!

Give your classroom a real-world feel with inquiry-based instruction that allows them to make their own discoveries!

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