Workshop on Trends and Development in Science and

Mathematics Education

Computer Professionals' Union

IBON-Partnership in Education for Development

IBOP-ASIA

Balai Kalinaw15 May 2009

Our context

● National Achievement Tests have shown that Mathematics and Science continues to be the most difficult subject in the elementary and high school education.

● Studies of UP NISMED even conclude that a large number of Filipino students cannot apply concepts to real life

Our context

● In the 2003 National Achievement Test, the average grade is 44% for elementary and 36% for secondary level. Students scored poorly in Science and Math

● In TIMMS 2003, the Philippines ranked 41st out of 45 countries in Mathematics.

● There is a shortage of almost 50, 000 teachers

Our context

● The biggest problem is the deficiency of adequate resources, specially in public schools● 65% of public schools still does not have electricity● Public schools have limited access to phone lines and

internet● Less than half of public secondary school teahers and

students had been able to use computers as educational tool

● Lack of teacher training in the use of ICT as an alternative teaching tool.

Our context

● Although tools are readily available for educators, the inadequacy of the facilities is the first problem that needs to be solved.

● It is still the teacher’s encouragement and creativity to come up with exciting ways to present subject matters using these tools which is the greater factor.

Reflection of the lack of government support in education

● Funds for debt servicing and military rather than social services (like education and healthcare)

● Import-dependent and export-oriented economy manifesting in misprioritizing subjects and skills● Emphasis on English language and compressed

teaching of science and math

● Lack of infrastructures● Low wages and lack of benefits for teachers● Poverty

But we continue to be teachers ...

Ways Forward (1)

● To pull together the good practices and effective teaching methods which can be replicated for the use of the education sector;● Graphic organizers● Puzzles● Mental Models● Predict Observe Explain Activities● Problem-based Activities● Models● Technology Integration

Ways Forward (1)

● To pull together the good practices and effective teaching methods which can be replicated for the use of the education sector;● Peer Instruction Method● Guided Discussion● Field trips● Optical seating arrangement

Ways Forward (1)

● To pull together the good practices and effective teaching methods which can be replicated for the use of the education sector;● Weblog● Multimedia modules● Interactive and Visual method● Internet/Online/Virtual Classroom● Gallery Walk

Ways Forward (2)

● To have an initial list of instructional tools which are appropriate and will best explain the difficult concepts in science and mathematics; ● Graphing Calculator● Microsoft Math● Derivative Algebra Software● Cabri Geometry Software

Ways Forward (2)

● To have an initial list of instructional tools which are appropriate and will best explain the difficult concepts in science and mathematics; ● BioEdit● Classroom Response System● Data Logging● Interactive Simulations● Mobile Phones

Ways Forward (3)

● To initiate the formation of a community of educators and ICT professionals which will actively work on the creation of apt and effective methods and materials which can help in improving the state of the basic science and mathematics education.

www.opensciencebox.org

Basic SnT in a Box Project

● A documentation of applicable software tools to basic science concepts from various FOSS projects.

● A DVD set of Basic SnT in a Box containing compilation of FOSS tools for basic science instructions. A localized User’s Guide of software in the compilation will be included.

● A User’s module for methods of scientific research using FOSS to familiarize teachers to practices of scientific research.

● Pilot schools training to introduce teachers on Basic SnT in a Box

Concepts

● Theory of Evolution

● Radiation

● Chemical Reactions

● Problem Solving

● Example of minerals

● Vectors

● Derivation of relationships

● Mechanics

● Nomenclature

● Taxonomy

● Cell division

● Fundamental operations/arithmetic

● Kreb's cycle

● Molecular Formula

● Functions and Proving

● Lack of actual samples

● Cells

● Force/Mass & Weight

● Meiosis

● Geometry

● Rock cycle

Computer Professionals' Union

● Project People's Web● Digital Resource Bureau● Applications and Systems● FOSS @ Schools● SciPop Project● Basic SnT in a Box● Citizen Journalism● Basic Computer Literacy Initiatives

ICT and Society

● Any attempt, therefore, to make ICT fully accessible and beneficial to the majority of peoples of the world, should first and foremost address the foreign plunder, the widespread poverty and uneven economic development of the different countries.

● ICT for the People

References

www.cp-union.comwww.opensciencebox.org