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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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