EDUC-5120: Teaching of General Science (Credit Hours=3)

Introduction to Course:

Science has become an essential and integral part of our life. Without the knowledge of basic principles , concepts , theories and laws of science one cannot understand and explain a number of daily-life processes and many phenomena which one observes and experience in one’s life . Hence a basic knowledge about the fundamentals of science has become a necessity of everyone. Furthermore, science is not only a knowledge rather it is a attitude towards nature I a way of thinking as well as a way of life. Keeping this in view, science has been given the status of a compulsory subject in any education system in the form of “general science”. So it is being taught even to the students of arts, literature and social sciences. It is due to this large scale demand of science teaching that we need a large number of science teachers. These science teachers must be equipped with an in-depth knowledge with full understanding and well-developed skills to communicate (teach) the concepts, principles, theories and laws of science at elementary and secondary level. They must have competence and command over the content of science from class I-X as well as over the latest available methods, techniques and approaches towards science teaching. They must keep in mind the objectives of science teaching and its need and importance in the advancement and progress of the society and civilization. These courses on the “teaching of general science” have been designed to meet all these requirements. Course -1 deals with the content of general science from classes I-X and course-II discusses on the methods & techniques of teaching science. Course-III deals with the practical work & developing teaching materials in science.

Learning Outcomes:

After completion of this course learner would be able to:

• Understand and apply the concepts of science in daily life .

• Develop scientific thinking and scientific attitude among their students

• Plan, organize and teach a lesson on a given topic of science in the light of theory and research in science education

• Understand recent trends and issues in methods and techniques of teaching science at elementary and secondary level

• Comprehend and teach theories , Laws and principles of science effectively upto secondary level

• Understand and apply the scientific method in daily life

• Understand and apply various methods and techniques for teaching concepts of science

• Develop scientific thinking and scientific attitude among their students

• Select an appropriate method or technique for teaching a given topic of science by developing and arranging necessary materials and conditions

• Plan organize and teach a lesson on a given topic of science in the light of theories and research in science education

• Understand recent trends and issues in methods and techniques of teaching science at elementary and secondary levels

Course Outline:

1. Introduction & history of Science:

1.1. Nature, scope and importance of science education

1.2. Scientific Method

1.3. Branches of science

1.4. Science and society

1.5. Important scientist

1.6. Islam and science

2. Use of A.V-aids in teaching general science

2.1. Planning lessons

2.2. Activities in science classrooms

2.3. Imparting instruction

3. Different methods used in the teaching of general science ( A detailed study of the nature, scope procedures, merits, demerits and application of the following methods and techniques)

3.1.  Expository method

3.2.  Laboratorial or practical method

3.3.  Logical puzzles

3.4.  Demonstration

3.5.  Discussion method

3.6.  Problem solving method

3.7.  Project method

3.8.  Modeling

3.9.  Discovery and inquiry method

3.10. Modular instruction

3.11. Activity base

4. New Trends in Science Teaching

4.1. CAI and ICT

4.2. Science technology and society

4.3. Science technology and literacy

4.4. New trends in teaching of General Science at Elementary and Secondary level

5. Laboratory Skills

Description of System of Evaluation (Formative/Summative) (Exams, assignments etc.)

In order to pass the course and gain a certificate students should therefore:

• Individually complete a self-assessment exercise after the gaup work, showing the reflective and personal development aspects of the programme and their appreciation of the course learning;
• Participate in the design and planning of a project and provide evidence of this in the form of a group presentation, to a panel of peers, tutors and a representative for feedback before implementing the project.
• Compile a group report on the project process to a standard format at the end of the project commenting on: project outcomes, individual contributions and group learning. 

The assessment criteria to evaluate your overall performance in the relevant course would be as under:

*subject to the directions of university

Detailed lesson plans for each lecture:

Following links provide detailed lesson plans in accordance with the guidelines of HEC:

1. https://hec.gov.pk/english/services/universities/RevisedCurricula/Documents/2011-2012/Education/Science1_Sept13.pdf

2. https://hec.gov.pk/english/services/universities/RevisedCurricula/Documents/2011-2012/Education/Science2_Sept13.pdf

3. https://hec.gov.pk/english/services/universities/RevisedCurricula/Documents/2011-2012/Education/Science3_Sept13.pdf

4. https://hec.gov.pk/english/services/universities/RevisedCurricula/Documents/2011-2012/Education/MethodsTeaching_Sept13.pdf

Timetable of Class Meetings:

Week-wise Distribution and Key Dates of Class Meeting

Suggested Readings

Sickel, A. J., & Witzig, S. B. (2017). Designing and Teaching the Secondary Science Methods Course. Sense Publishers.

Coe, R., Aloisi, C., Higgins, S., & Major, L. E. (2014). What makes great teaching? University of Durham.

Methods of Teaching (2012). Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan

General Science for Class VIII (2010). National Curriculum and Textbook Board Dhaka. National Curriculum for General Science GRADES IX-X (2009)

Demkanin, P. et al (2008). Effective use of ICT in Science Education. European cooperation for the training of school education staff. Bob Kibble, School of Education, University of Edinburgh.

Science Teaching in Schools (2006). Published by the Authority of the House of Lords. https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200506/ldselect/ldsctech/257/257.pdf