The Teaching of Science

Prepared by:Mier, Rosemarie M.Tabanas, Joce Ann M.Rios, Nidelyn R.Borres, Star Mae B.

--- Gloria G. Salandanan, Ph.D.---

A. Nature of Science

• Science is defined as organized knowledge, sometimes referred to as empirical knowledge.

• Science is a field of systematic inquiry.

• It is in itself a method, technique and a system.

• It is about nature and natural phenomena.

• It deals with real objects and events.

• It demands perseverance, diligence and sacrifice.

B. Interest in Science

• Science deals with almost everything in the environment.

• The principles and laws used in science when applied enable us to come up with new products and new ways of doing things.

• The instructional materials that can be used in teaching are within reach.

• Scientific knowledge and procedures make us competent in explaining why and how events occur and exist in the environment and all over earth.

• Science brought us modernization and better understanding among nations.

• Science teaching keeps us abreast with discoveries and inventions.

A. Goals

• develop scientific attitudes and values

• acquire skill in employing the scientific method

• gain functional knowledge and information

• arouse and sustain interest in future science-based pursuits

• develop desirable social attitudes

B. Objectives of Science Instruction

On Knowledge

Students should be able to gain knowledge that they can apply in: a.) explaining the occurrence of events in their surroundings, b.) answering questions they are confronted with, and in c.) satisfying the curiosities of children.

On Skill in Employing the Science Processes

Students must be able to classify, identify, predict and interpret things as they investigate and search for information.

On Values and Attitudes

Science instruction must be able to arouse and sustain a variety of interest that may lead to: a.) healthful and enjoyable hobbies, b.) pursuit of science-based daily activities, and c.) future plan to pursue science professions

Method

--- stands for a system, oftentimes referred to as a procedure

--- in teaching, it suggests an approach or a technique used by a teacher in pursuing a lesson objective

Strategies

Inquiry Approach Problem Solving Experimenting Demonstration ProjectsVisiting Community Resources Discussion Direct Instruction Using Audio - Visual Media

Inquiry Approach

--- a way of teaching that leads the students to use the investigative processes and procedure in searching for information

--- a self-directed way of learning modeled after the scientific approach of a scientist

--- it aims to motivate students to seek answers/solutions to their own questions, gather evidence, analyze and evaluate data and draw conclusions

--- students learn to be independent learners capable of managing their own learning activities

Problem Solving

problem --- a condition that must be answered or a difficulty that is being experienced

--- is a way of teaching that is patterned after the way a scientists respond to a puzzling situation

--- follows a procedure called scientific method

a. Sensing and defining a problemb. Formulating hypothesisc. Choosing and testing hypothesisd. Organizing, interpreting, and evaluating

collected datae. Formulating conclusion

Experimenting

--- a way of teaching where students are led to gain knowledge and information by employing investigative techniques and procedures

--- most effective in teaching science concepts

--- also referred to as laboratory method

Demonstration

--- classified as a direct instructional approach in teaching

--- lends best to lessons that require expertise in operating expensive equipment and materials

--- requires demonstrator’s technical know-how

Projects

--- is a teaching strategy that involves gathering and organizing information about a concept and presenting it in a concrete form

--- emphasizes the application of what was learned in noticeable, observable and visual form

Interest Learning Centers

--- an innovative way of inviting students to satisfy their curiosities, by performing learning activities in a designated site

--- consists of assigning an area and organizing a set of instructional materials, tools, and writing paraphernalia that are useful in collecting data by plain observing the characteristics of objects present

Example:

a place where several potted flowering plants are arranged, a card is in front with the following questions:

Write your observations about the plants How will you classify them?

Visiting Community Resources

--- promotes a link between the school and the community

Examples:botanical garden, mini-zoo, historical sites, museum and art galleries

Discussion

--- a group-oriented teaching methodology characterized by a free communication of ideas and information between teachers and students

--- may take a question-and-answer format

Direct Instruction

--- is a way of teaching which aims to help students acquire some basic skills and procedural knowledge

--- described as “straightforward done in step-by-step fashion”

Steps to follow:

a. Provide the rationaleb. Demonstrate the skillc. Provide guided practiced. Check for understanding and provide

feedbacke. Provide extended practice and transfer

Using Audio-Visual Media

--- attracts young and instantly motivate them to react, either positively or negatively

Types of Media

• equipment, tools and instructional materials • bulletin boards and chalkboards• printed materials, books, charts, references• models, miniatures and mock-ups

• projected still pictures , video tapes, films• audio recordings• overhead transparencies• realia, chemicals• computers• dissecting tools

B. Instructional Resources

1. School-based Instructional Resources- displays and exhibits of collections,- flower garden, vegetable garden- mini-zoo, fish ponds, aquarium

2. Community Resources- city/town museum, library, reading

center- parks, plazas- weather station

3. Nature Trips- hill, mountain, forest- fall, spring, stream- river, canal, lake, bay

4. Human Resources- mayor, barangay captain - doctor, nurse, dentist- businessmen

B. Learning Experiences

• Collections- shell, gems, minerals

• Replicas- globe, diorama, models, miniatures

• Living things - live pets, small animals, kind of

plants

• Devices - laboratory tools, simple machines

• Learning activities that can be performed- gardening, taking care of pets

• Information that can be Gathered - role of civic leaders, municipal officials

C. Setting Up Learning Resource Centers and

Activities

1. Preparing exhibits2. Visiting natural history museums3. Taking care of a mini-zoo, pond and

aviary4. Growing plants in a home or school

garden

5. Using videos and other electronic gadgets6. Setting up a mini-reference section7. Undertaking field studies8. Familiarizing and linking with community

officials, experts industries and businesses9. Joining interest clubs and professional

organizations 10. Regular visits to recreation centers in the

community provide motivation for worthwhile hobbies and later to lifetime careers

Assessment-- mainly concerned with the

collection of information regarding the effectiveness of the teaching methodology in relation to the attainment of learning objectives

Evaluation-- forms a judgment on the assessed

data

A. Purpose

• to appraise achievement• to help identify the students’ learning

difficulties• to determine the effectiveness of a teaching

strategy• to serve as a guide in the choice of

appropriate assessment tools

B. Techniques

• administering pencil-and-paper tests• analyzing work products• oral assessment• observing formally and informally the

students’ attitude and behavior• performance-based assessment

• conducting personal interviews and small group conferences

• portfolio assessment