Science Education and Science Teacher Education in Hong Kong.ppt

Science Education and Science Teacher Education in Hong Kong Dr. Alice Siu Ling Wong Dr. Benny Hin Wai Yung Trends in Science Achievement from TIMSS (Grade 8, Age 14) Science Education in Hong Kong Why are we here? …as a negative example! What was wrong with our Science Education? What have we done right when we are entering into the 21st century? Science Education in Primary Schools[Primary 1-6 (Age 7 -12)] - Fairly traditional since 70’s Pre -1996 Science and Health Education existed as individual subjects Curriculum time for Science: 5-6% Curriculum time for Health Education 2-3% Content-focused Most curriculum time was allocated to English Chinese Language Science Education in Primary Schools[Primary 1-6 (Age 7 -12)] - Major change started in 1996 Science Education in Primary Schools[Primary 1-6 (Age 7 -12)] - Further restructuring in 2004 Science Education in Primary Schools[Primary 1-6 (Age 7 -12)] Science Education in Primary Schools[Primary 1-6 (Age 7 -12)] Science Education in Primary Schools[Primary 1-6 (Age 7 -12)] Reform since 1996 and further curriculum restructuring in 2004 has brought about the following: Integration of knowledge, skills and values across 3 areas (Personal, Social and Humanities Education, Science Education, Technology Education), students see more relevance of science with daily life Less content-focused Promotion of creativity through hands-on and minds-on learning experiences and problem solving process Most primary schools now have laboratories/activity rooms for science classes Emphasis on student inquiry and the development of skills for learning to learn Science Education in Primary Schools[Primary 1-6 (Age 7 -12)] – A glance of science-related topics Key stage 1 (Primary 1-3) different stages of human growth and development functions of different parts of the body as a basis for body care living things, their characteristics and life processes features of day and night; weather changes use of resources