Science forges ahead. And since the main goal of educational establishments that teach science is to introduce students to the latest discoveries of science, teachers need to stay up-to-date and follow the newest trends in science and methods of teaching it in the classroom.
People, familiar with the matter, claim it takes time and effort for a science teacher to be able to grow professionally and help his students grow as well. Even in the last few years, new technologies emerged that are meant to help teachers to integrate technology into the classroom.
That is why to help science teachers grow a new developmental program called Technology Enhanced Communities (TEC) emerged. It was developed in order to create a special community where science teachers will be able to learn new methods as well as exchange their experience of science integration.
As you understand being able to integrate science in the classroom is more than just learning basic computer skills or gaining knowledge of how in particular software works. It includes science as an active part of students’ curriculum. Scholars say that there are four main factors in such a learning process. Among them are personal participation, engagement into group activities, interaction in a group and sharing one’s feedback as well as connection to modern professionals of the area. The biggest effect can be only achieved when all four main factors are involved and integrated into the curriculum. Moreover, these factors should be used as frequently as possible so that students will get an idea of science is not just theoretical knowledge, but a practical one.
In the framework of Technology Enhanced Communities teachers will be equipped with new ideas of how to make science real and interesting. These ideas will include different projects they can start doing with students of all ages as well as guidance on how to introduce students to modern professionals and their latest discoveries.
By integrating science into the daily curriculum of a student the teacher will not only help him acquire profound scientific knowledge but also improve his problem-solving skills as well as for analytic and critical thinking.
Apart from these, teachers will be introduced to interesting and educational projects available on the Internet. Such projects can be beneficial to their students as they reach out to make science interesting and understandable to students that percept information better from the text, image or sound. That is why these communities and the experience they share within them are a useful tool for teachers to learn how to teach all kinds of students.
As we know, science is a complicated matter. However, there is nothing more thrilling in the student’s curriculum than it. Being able to draw students attention to different facets of this area, a teacher will be able to develop student’s intellectual ability as well as become his mentor on a way to student’s personal discoveries and searching.
Integration of science into the classroom is beneficial in many other ways. As a matter of fact, scholars state that it reduces the chances of behavioral issues. This can be explained by the fact that students stay focused and are motivated to deepen their knowledge, to be pioneer explorers in areas they got interested in, and that is why they will not be willing to waste their time on coming up with ways and new tricks. And even more, students are likely to be willing to achieve better results and continue this path after they finish school. As a result, their engagement in scientific activities at school will improve their behavior, encourage them to develop and gain the better understanding of the subject and continue the work they began farther on.
Finally, not only students but also teachers will benefit from a nationwide campaign on the use of new technologies in teaching. Technology Enhanced Communities not only help them create an atmosphere where they share their practices as well as teaching and learning experiences but also encourage each other to keep moving on a way to professional growth. Having a community that motivates you and that you are accountable to is one of the most effective ways of stimulating the learning process. It is in these communities that science teachers become researchers themselves. They conduct studies and challenge each other to keep learning. Being able to collaborate with your fellow teachers is a key tool to have teachers being passionate about what they teach.
Considered all the points, a nationwide campaign is an excellent opportunity for teachers to keep growing professionally and learn new ways of how technologies can be implemented in the classroom. Meanwhile, this campaign is of great use for students as well given the opportunities for personal and educational growth they will achieve with highly motivated teachers. That is why Technology Enhanced Communities should be a common practice for all those who teach science at school.
Written By: Lori Wade