Teaching of science strategies should relate to the outcomes of the science curriculum and be consistent with the adopted teaching role. For students to achieve the identified outcomes of science learning. Techers can adopt a variety of learning and teaching roles in the teaching of science subject. Also, he/she adopt the strategies will need to be adopted. The students will be the center of the learning process.
This entails negotiated, cooperative and interactive learning.
Role of teachers in teaching of science subject
- Take an active role on the student’s learning;
- Moreover, Take into account what students know already and understand about science.
- Also, Ensure that key science concepts and terms are clear.
- They cannot use complex way as student’s progress through the bands of learning.
Examples of effective teaching of science Strategies
- Questioning and discussion
- Investigation and problem solving
- Demonstration and laboratory work
- Utilizing whole class, group, and individual work
- Incorporating literacy strategies (reading, writing, speaking, &listening)
- Using student work to inform instruction
In the classroom, learning of concepts should be integrated with the learning of language, also with the learning of processes. It should be linked to applications in the context of human purpose. Science teaching should lay a foundation for future science studies. Also, help students integrate their science learning with other knowledge and to use it outside school.
Inquiry-based Science Learning
Inquiry/investigation is a process of framing questions, gathering information, analyzing it and also drawing conclusions. An inquiry classroom is one where students take responsibility for their learning and are required to be active participants, searching for knowledge, thinking critically also solving problems.
There are two main types of inquiry:
Knowledge-based inquiry
It enables students to use science process skills to gather, organize, analyze, and present their information, which will enhance their knowledge and understanding of content.
Problem-based inquiry/investigation
encourages learning of social, economic, ethical, and environmental, also other science and technology related problems.
Steps involved for conducting an inquiry
- Start with an open-ended question or demonstration.
- Gather responses and subsequent questions from students with little comment or direction.
- Involve students to collaborate on designing experiments or methods of inquiry.
- Ask students to conduct experiments and/o gather data.
Students analyze and interpret the data.
If time allows, re-evaluate question based on new data and repeat experiment or collect new data based on revised question. Present findings as an oral presentation, a poster presentation, charts, tables, graphs or an evaluative write-up.
Inquiry-based science learning involves:
Learning is Student-focused
Inquiry shifts ownership of the learning process from teacher to student, making the process through which students learn concepts and develop skills as important as the science content. Teacher also acts as a facilitator in the process. Students engage in scientific inquiry by asking questions and devising answers.
Inquiry requires students to describe objects and events, ask questions and devise answers, collect and interpret data and test the reliability of the knowledge they’ve generated. They also identify assumptions, provide evidence for conclusions and justify their work.
Teachers ask questions that encourage inquiry and stimulate thinking.
To guide students through inquiry, teacher engages in open-ended questions such as “How do you know?” and “How does your activity data support your conclusions?” in order to encourage further probing and discovery.
Students are engaged in problem solving,
constructing meaningful experiences
Because students act as scientists, engaging in meaningful problem solving, they can construct meaning out of their experiences. Science endeavors include hands-on exercises as well as critical and logical thinking activities.
Students also gain a greater understanding of the purpose of learning Inquiry lets teachers create a framework where students understand how and why to ask questions. Students reflect on the lesson and explain why-it is important-and gain a greater understanding about the inquiry process and how it relates to learning.
Inquiry is a creative learning environment using both group and individual discovery techniques Inquiry involves setting short- and long-term goals and adapting them to students’ interests to avoid boredom.
Within this framework teacher might involve students in hands-on activities, whole class instruction, or also group collaboration. This learning environment allows students the freedom to explore and investigate while making connections and drawing conclusions.
Students interact purposefully with each other and the teacher, leading to effective communication Inquiry teaching encourages students to collaborate with one another, communicate ideas and thoughts, ask questions, justify answers and seek advice from others.