Workshop 2
 Contents
|
Section J Relating to research case studies
| Activity
J2 |
Energy
and Change: research on teachers' transformations |
|
|
Aims
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To consider an example of a case study related to the ‘Energy and Change’
materials.
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To relate the case study to the general findings of the research on teachers’
transformations.
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To review your own experience and compare it with the case study material.
Background
The ‘stories’ that you looked at in the first workshop, about the ways
in which teachers approach and implement curriculum innovation, were simplified
accounts drawn from real case studies. They were simplified because they
viewed the factors that affected teachers’ transformations in isolation.
Reality is more complex, since transformations are brought about not by
single factors, but by factors that overlap and interact with each other.
The case study presented here attempts to capture some of that complexity.
It is about an experienced science teacher, Ivan, who is attempting the
difficult task of integrating the ‘Energy and Change’ materials into the
school’s existing schemes of work.
What to do
1. Read the case study in the document ‘Activity
Resource 2’ (‘Energy and Change’: case study).
2. Consider the following questions in relation to these case
studies.
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What benefits does Ivan believe the new approach will bring to pupils’
understanding of energy?
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How is he going about ensuring that the approach will be systematically
used by other teachers in the department and how is he supporting them?
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To what extent has Ivan adapted the scientific ideas of the Energy and
Change materials to fit into the existing schemes of work?
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Do you think that this approach would work in your own department? What
other approaches might be appropriate in your own context?
3. Read the document ‘Activity Resource
3’ (Transformation of curriculum innovation: dimensions of analysis),
which gives a summary of some findings of the research into teachers’ transformations.
These findings are expressed in general terms, without examples from particular
curriculum innovations. Can you relate any of the aspects identified in
this summary to the case study or to your own experience? |
