Internet
resources and websites for the professional growth of science Teacher.
Prepared by
SABARISH-P
M.Sc., M.Ed., JRF & NET
Assistant Professor in Physical Science, Arafa Institute for Teacher Education
Attur, Thrissur.
Professional development of science teachers, is described
in the National Science Education
Standards:
“ Professional development for teachers should be analogous
to professional development for other professionals. Becoming an effective
science teacher is a continuous process that stretches from preservice
experiences in undergraduate years to the end of a professional career. Science
has a rapidly changing knowledge base and expanding relevance to societal
issues, and teachers will need ongoing opportunities to build their
understanding and ability. Teachers also must have opportunities to develop
understanding of how students with diverse interest, abilities, and experiences
make sense of scientific ideas and what a teacher does to support and guide all
students. And teachers require the opportunity to study and engage in research
on science teaching and learning, and to share with colleagues what they have
learned” . (p. 55)
Internet
Resources
- http://www.nas.edu/rise/backg4a.htm-
The most recommended resource for understanding the professional
development of teachers is summarized in the article The Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM): A Model
for Change in Individuals. This information will help to
develop some understanding of the stages of interest and commitment
through which teachers must progress when learning new teaching strategies
or using new curricula.
- http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/nses/html/4.html-
Professional development for teachers is more than training or classes.
The growth of a teacher's skill and understanding is developed through
personal reflection, interactions with colleagues, and mentoring as well.
The Standards for Professional
Development for Teachers of Science describe
professional development as becoming more integrated with what happens in
the classroom and school.
- http://www.wcer.wisc.edu/NISE/Publications/Briefs/NISE_Brief_Vol_1_No_1.pdf-
Recommendations from many sources for high-quality teacher education and
certification have been compiled in Principles of Effective
Professional Development for Mathematics and Science Education: A
Synthesis of Standards NISE
Brief (National Institute for Science Education) Vol. 1, No. 1 - May 1996.
(Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed to view NISE briefs, and produces a very
high quality reprint.)
4.
http://unr.edu/homepage/jcannon/ejsev1n3.html- What professional development do teachers say they want? The
President of the National Science Teachers Association, Joanne Vasquez,
outlined the results of surveys in this March 1997 article in the Electronic Journal of Science Education .
Websites for the
professional growth of science Teachers
Free online courses in teacher education are offered by
some real schools websites.
1)
African
Virtual University
The African Virtual University offers free online
courses, but does not currently offer credit for completed courses. Students
are able to access PDF and Microsoft Word files and completely access modules
through Scribd.
2)
Annenburg
Learner
Annenburg Learner is a free online resource intended
mainly for teachers. Credit is available for those who pay the appropriate
tuition and fees when taking a course. The Learning Classroom examines learning theories, as well as
how people learn and process information. PDF files serve as support materials,
as do videos. Writing assignments are included for those who want to pursue
them, along with online forms provided for the purpose of organizing
information. Class sessions include cognitive processing, metacognition and
multiple intelligences.
3)
Edutopia
Edutopia pulls in outside resources from universities and
websites for users to take advantage of for free on the Edutopia website. Teacher Development: Starter Kit
for Teaching Online is a
resource for teachers who want to learn how to teach online.
4)
PBS
Teachers
Offered on this site provided by the Public Broadcasting
Service, Teaching Evolution is a professional development course
that offers teachers a way to teach evolution in modern society. The class can
also be used as a guide for a professional development workshop.
5)
The
Open University
The Open University offers free, non-academic credit
courses, articles, videos and games.
Moreover
Indian universities like IGNOU, Sikkim manippal University etc is also
providing courses for the professional development of Science teachers.
Ø Online Course Requirements
Teachers will find a combination of courses, videos,
seminars and supplemental materials from the following sources listed below.
Some offer academic credit by paying a fee for taking the course or by taking
an exam. Users should make sure that their computers have updated software in
order to gain full access to videos and PDF files..
