Workshop 1
 Contents
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Section E Transformations: values
Activity
E2 Energy and change |
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Aims
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To explore factors related to personal values that
may influence teachers’ transformations of the ‘Energy and Change‘ innovation.
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To consider these issues in the light of your own
values and teaching experience.
Background
Our actions are guided by what we see as important
and what we value. Activity E1 looked at the consequences of this in relation
to the teaching of energy transfers, and the stories in that activity are
equally relevant in relation to ‘Energy and Change’. The stories in this
activity address further questions. How important is it that pupils should
be able to abstract fundamental similarities and differences between changes?
Is it necessary to include ‘Second Law’ ideas in the curriculum? What purpose
do they serve?
[N.B. These stories are based
on research into the work of teachers implementing this innovation. Though
they are not based on particular individuals, they do focus on issues that
were identified in the research.]
What to do
1. It is best to do this activity in a group
of two or three. Before you start discussion, however, work individually
and read through each of the stories on page 2.
For each story, decide whether you are:
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broadly sympathetic to the position outlined in the
story (S)
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broadly unsympathetic to the position outlined in
the story (U)
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neither (N)
Write the appropriate letter next to each story.
2. Discuss each story in turn within the
group. It may be useful to think about the following:
What is the key idea of the story?
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Are there points that the teacher makes that we all
agree with?
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Are there points that the teacher makes that we all
disagree with? If so, is this because we disagree in principle or because
we think the teacher has said something factually incorrect? Or because
they say something which may apply in their own situation but not in yours?
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What are the issues where we do not reach a consensus?
What are the reasons for this?
3. After discussion, work individually again
and look back over all of the stories. Pick out a few key sentences, which
you agree with and think address the most important ideas for you. Underline
them. Pick out a few sentences that you disagree with strongly. Underline
them in a different colour or style. (Make a note of what the colours/styles
mean so that you can work it out later.) You will be returning to these
sheets in a later session. |
