WWW Site for John Lawrence Bencze, Assistant Professor, Science Education, OISE/UT (University of Toronto)


Research & Development
This coverpage provides a brief description of my overall research focus and corresponding research & development activities.
Given that the latter frequently change, check back often to this site and those linked to it.
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R&D Focus
The overarching focus of my research and development is empowerment for all individuals. I strongly support efforts to achieve excellence AND equity in education, which is strongly supported by the Science, Mathematics & Technology Group at OISE/UT; i.e., helping all students gain maximum literacy and self-actualization. 

In the context of science education, that translates (for me) into enabling students to conduct 'open-ended' scientific investigations and invention projects of their design, dealing with their interests.

In order to conduct these science & invention projects, students require significant understanding of: 

  • science; e.g., laws, theories & inventions;
  • about science; e.g., the nature of science & technology and relationships between them and society and the environment; and,
  • how to do science; e.g., expertise enabling a person to select appropriate methods & strategies for scientific investigations & invention projects (Hodson, 1998).
My research interests fall within the latter two domains.

To enable this, teachers with whom I have worked have had success using a curriculum framework based on constructivist learning principles.

R&D Projects
D&T Challenge
In collaboration with a science & technology museum, a workshop for students has been developed. Along with pre- and post-visit activities, students learn to conduct technological design projects and then carry out one to achieve goals they set. The research seeks to understand these students' expertise with technological problem solving and their understanding of knowledge building in science and technology.
Pre-service Scientific Flair
Student teachers' expertise in science & invention are tracked as they proceed through their pre-service science education programme. As well, their ability to enable students in schools to develop expertise in science & invention project work is to be monitored.
Let's Do Science
Through this Web site, students in schools across Canada collaborate in science & invention projects of their design. Educational research will focus on their changing expertise with scientific problem solving and their understanding of the nature of knowledge construction in science & technology. Co-investigators on this project include Dr. Michael Bowen (Lakehead U), Leo Elshof (OISE/UT PhD Candidate) and Roland Van Oostveen (OISE/UT PhD Candidate & Teacher-in-Residence). NOTE: This site is currently under development and not on-line, as yet. However, we expect it to be available early in 2001.
Case Methods in Teacher Ed
In collaboration with Dr. Jim Hewitt & Dr. Erminia Pedretti (both in CTL), a broad portfolio of cases of representative science teaching in elementary and secondary schools is being produced on a multi-media format for use in pre-service science education classes. Research will focus on factors relating to their development and use in teacher education.
Arctic Science
A group of teachers in diverse locations in Canada collaborate --- mostly via the internet --- in curriculum development aimed at incorporating field studies of scientists engaged in arctic research. Educational research will focus on factors affecting curriculum development, especially teachers' understanding of the nature of science and technology. Co-investigator for this project is Leo Elshof (OISE/UT PhD Candidate).
S.T.A.R.
In collaboration with Dr. Derek Hodson & Dr. Erminia Pedretti (both in CTL) and with a regional district school board, research is being conducted to determine directions taken by teachers engaged in action research and factors affecting their choices. In all cases, teachers are attempting to develop assessment procedures, and corresponding curriculum approaches, that address Expectations in Ontario's curriculum for Science & Technology, Grades 1-8.
S.T.A.R.T.
Educators worldwide may collaborate in action research, through an on-line forum, making improvements in science & technology education. Educational research focusses on the nature of their collaborations and their priorities and practices for S&T education.
Teachers are invited to join!
Teach-Talk-Teach
Through this Web site, graduates of OISE/UT Elementary Teacher Education programmes who are now teachers can share ideas, resources, concerns, etc.
Teachers are invited to join.


Please send comments/questions etc. about any of the above @ E-mail to Larry.

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