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Science Literacy tdt

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According to the Programme for International Student Assessment (2006): “Scientific literacy is the capacity to use scientific knowledge, to identify questions and to draw evidence-based conclusions.” In other words scientific literacy can be defined as the knowledge and understanding behind a range of scientific concepts and processes that we use in day-to-day life in varying contexts. According to NWS (2011) students are scientifically literate they are aware and have an understanding of various scientific concepts which apply to their life within society. Furthermore these pupils will be able to read articles and then evaluate the quality of the information through applying their previous understanding. Another aspect that a pupil who is scientifically literate will be able to undertake is pin pointing specific scientific issues that influence local and central government. The term scientific literacy can therefore be referred to as an umbrella term as it refers to a number of areas.

 

For those who do not have a good grasp of scientific literacy it can be hard to make sense of news articles and reports, journals and even published papers which often include scientific jargon incomprehensible to the ‘everyday’ person. And so when articles and papers are published containing ideas which people cannot fully understand the instinctual response is to follow what others are doing in reaction. This is exactly what happened with the MMR scandal. A paper published by Andrew Wakefield stated that the MMR vaccination could have potential links to autism, and therefore giving your child this vaccination would increase their chance of becoming autistic. This paper was held with high regard due to the credibility of its author and publisher. For many people this paper would be far too advanced to unpick and evaluate without appropriate scientific literacy and so newspapers began to publish articles in a simpler language for people to understand. However this paper published by Wakefield was later found to be biased and based upon unfair testing and untruths. And so in fear, provoked by media pressure, many parents chose to withhold the MMR vaccination for their child, therefore putting their child at a higher risk of contracting measles, mumps and rubella. This was caused by a lack of scientific literacy allowing an informed decision to be made and this is why being scientifically literate is so important.

 

When doing a science experiment in a classroom it is crucial to do the test fairly to get the best possible results. Fair testing is the process of changing a different factor of the experiment and keeping the rest the exact same in order to achieve the most reliable results. There are multiple ways in which you can conduct change factors in an experiment in order to receive the best and most reliable results. Examples of the different things you could change whilst conducting science experiments could be changing the PH levels, the amount of a specific factor, the volume of a specific factor or the materials used. Fair testing in science can teach children multiple things. For example after a fair testing experiment has been carried out, it will allow the children to write up an effective conclusion about the experiment as they will have the evidence to do so. Fair testing links to science literacy as it has the children thinking and discussing the most effective ways in which to carry out an experiment

 

Scientific Literacy is not just having the knowledge, but is also having the understanding of scientific concepts. Meaning, that a person has the ability to explain and predicted natural phenomena. National Academy Press states; “A literate citizen should be able to evaluate the quality of scientific information on the basis of its source and the methods used to generate it.” Enforce the notion that a person who is scientifically literate should be able to explain how just the how but the why. All of this portraying the thought that you would need to know everything about science in order to be scientifically literate. However, this is false. “You can be scientifically literate without knowing how a superconductor works at the atomic level, what the various species of superconductor are or how one could go about fabricating a superconducting material.” This quote from Hazen. H and Terfil. J indicates that in order to be scientifically literate you do not need to know everything about science, but have a basic understanding of the matter being discussed.

 

Reference List:

Greenslade, R. (2013) “The story behind the MMR Scare” 25th April. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/apr/25/mmr-scare-analysis [Accessed: 13/02/16]

H Hazen. H & Trefil. J (2009) Science Matters: Achieving Scientific Literacy. United States of America.

National Academy Press (1998) National Science Education Standards. United States of America: Washington, DC.

NSW Department of Education and Communities: What is Scientific Literacy? Available at: http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/investigate/ [Accessed: 13/02/16]

PISA Programme for International Student Assessment: Scientific Literacy. (2006) Available at:

http://www.pisa2006.helsinki.fi/oecd_pisa/pisa_in_a_nutshell/scientific_literacy.htm [Accessed: 12/02/16]

Jessica Murray, Megan Gowens, Amy Louise Burnett, Kaylan McAtear

 

What makes a teacher who makes a difference

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The video titled ‘What makes a teacher who makes a difference’ on YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U58EFAwnKpw covered a variety of thoughts on the matter of professionalism.

The video highlights the need for teachers to maintain a high level of professionalism in order to complete their job successfully eg. assisting and helping children to learn. The video makes a comparison between teachers and nurses by illustrating that a lack of professionalism leads to a breakdown in the working environment and therefore the job cannot be completed effectively. Where nurses risk people’s lives by being unprofessional, teachers risk the futures of students and pupils.

The video also focuses on the individual views of a group of teachers. It discusses which attributes are required to excel in the role of a teacher who makes a difference. The first skill mentioned is the importance of teamwork. I agree with this statement as I feel that in order to create an effective and positive learning environment teamwork must be used. According to the second teacher, teachers must be approachable by both pupils and their families as well as the community. This is vital in creating a good relationship with children and their parents and will minimise the risk of any conflict arising. The third teacher highlights the importance of loving your job. I too believe in this idea as how can you possibly be able to effectively do your job without having a passion for it. By being passionate this will in turn inspire your pupils. Dedication is another factor that is key in being a teacher. A teacher must be dedicated to providing the best education for their pupils. In addition to this sacrifice is also necessary. Teaching isn’t just a 9-5 job, there is a great deal more to it. For example planning lessons is a time consuming task which may eat into your free time however it is necessary and is required if you want to be that teacher who makes a difference. We all know it is nice to be fun in the classroom but a degree of discipline is necessary. Children need discipline in their lives in order to develop as individuals and develop an understanding of what is right and what is wrong.

The video then goes onto discuss three teachers who have gone the extra mile in their profession:

Teacher 1: The first of the three teachers illustrates the commitment to education within her local community. She worked within adult language classes  and thus aided the attendants of her class with life requirements such as paying bills and filling out essential forms. I feel that this dedication and commitment to her local community is a well developed and professional aspect of her teaching as she helps others create a strong “can do” attitude by helping them to gain confidence in completing allocated tasks. This not only makes her exceptional as a teacher but also a strong role model to her younger pupils who will in turn recognise the importance of going the extra mile for others.

Teacher 2: The second teachers shows an understanding of her need to improve in her mathematic ability in order to continue to effectively educate her pupils as the curriculum in which they work in evolves and develops. I feel that self awareness is key as a teacher as experience in a classroom may be a crucial element in becoming a great teacher but ultimately it is not enough when it comes to being well equipped for teaching learning students and pupils. Over the years I have heard the expression that “everyday is a school day” and I feel that this couldn’t be more true. Yes, teachers teach the pupils but it is not only the pupils that are required to learn. To be that teacher that who makes a difference it is so important that we can recognise the areas in which we ourselves must develop.

Teacher 3: The third teacher shows the importance of a good relationship with the people who work around you. I feel that she acts as a catalyst for success within the working environment as she encourages and helps her colleagues to develop confidence in their job position. This sense of leadership in the way of looking out for others is a strong aspect in her willingness to go the extra mile as she supports her fellow teachers and helps establish a working environment that will consistently go under positive and effective change.

Finally, it is clear to see that the teachers in the video have all gone out of their way to make a difference in their profession. I agree that simply acting in a “textbook” fashion is not enough to become an outstanding teacher. Going beyond the everyday expectations is what shows dedication and skill within the job and I feel that this is where I want to excel. I want to continue to learn as I teach, I want to inspire and help those around me and I want to be an effective leader within my working environment. Ultimately, I want to be that teacher who makes a difference.