Light, Science and Society

Challenges

Read the letter. It is available in English, Portuguese and Italian (Google translated)

Letter from ministry

Science Didactics Erasmus I.P.

Development of Science Education

‘ Light’ in Science and Society

Development of ‘Light’ Science Education

Challenges

Didactic challenges in Science Education

Classical approach: Content based education through different sciene concepts

Concept - Context

Problem: pupils don’t see the connection between the concepts (Irrelevant content)

Possible solution: introduce an overall connecting context to link the different science concepts (Context based education)

ChallengesContext based education

• Direct link with the perception of the pupils and therefore relevant to them.

• Development of knowledge originates from the context (Constructivistic approach)

• Through the direct link with the perception a bridge with relevant issues in society is made

(Social constructivistic method)

ChallengesGoals of today's workshop

1. Introduction to the module developed by us as an example of a context based didactical approach.

! FOCUS ON APPROACH, NOT THE SCIENCE CONTENT!

2. Evaluate the context based method developed by us and how it can be used and improved.

The Context

The Context: lessons

Lesson Description1 Sunlight! Source of sustainable enery

2 The Global Carbon Cycle

3 The energy within the light

4 Solar cells

5 Electrolysis

6 Carbon dioxide capture (CO2)

7 Catalysis

8 Fuel cells versus combustion engines

9 (Lab work) Lab work on solar cells and the fuel cell

! FOCUS ON APPROACH, NOT THE SCIENCE CONTENT!

Programme

1. Read letter of Ministry

2. Introduction Context based Education

3. Work through Lessons 1 + 2 (Groupwork) (45 minutes)

Break (10 minutes)

4. Evaluate Context based Education approach (Groupwork) (60 minutes)

5. Group discussion (30 minutes)

Break (10 minutes)

Context based learning in general

Expected Outcome:+ fun - might stay in context instead of theory+ social learning - context may cover only a small part..+ motivated (because how and why) - context may not interest students+ integration with other courses+ differentiation

Unexpected Outcome:+ develop critical thinking - time consuming

- does not promote abstract thinking- difficult to put poorly motivated student to work- dominant students can effect the proces negativelly - low/high order questions

The module

Expected Outcome:+ Promotes scientific literacy+ Reallife situation+ sufficient high order questions

Unexpected Outcome:+ they have to stand up for opinions - One society situation+ independent learning - Only small link between lesson 1+2

and letter- to many concepts in to short a time- more practical lessons!!

Context

+ student really feel involved by the chosen context

- Government may be a bit dull

Alternatives:

• Financial• Multi media• Field trip• (Swedish workshop) storyline with characters

Evaluating

- Keep track during proces

- Organise debate

- Build an AST

- Write report about similar assignment (no guidance)

- Individual discussion afterwards

- Use rubric with skills

- Make a documentary

- Make an overall lesson to present to the students