effective science instruction at primary school level

Dr. Lalit Kishore

Required paradigm shift in science educationFor any qualitative change from the present

situation, science education in India must undergo a paradigm shift.

Rote learning should be discouraged.

Inquiry or process skills should be supported and strengthened by language, design and quantitative skills.

What is required to be done?Activities be designed to aim at stimulating among

young students and their teachers – investigative ability – Inventiveness – creativity– scientific temper

Launch new ways of formative testing of students that would – reduce the high level of examination-related stress; – curb the maddening multiplicity of tests– undertake assessing the multiple abilities other

than formal scholastic competence

Role of textbooksNo doubt, textbooks are the primary aid to

learning since for children and teachers, it is the only accessible and affordable resource for education and promote learning.

 We must supplement textbooks with activities

‘inside and outside’ the classroom in within the broad guidelines laid down by the National Curriculum Framework.

Features of a good textbookThese textbooks should incorporate

activitiesobservation experimentation connecting it with the world around thechild

Rather than being information-based learning.

Supplementary materialAdditionally, materials such as …

workbooksCo-curricular and popular science books, children's encyclopedias

…should enhance children's access to information

These need not go into the textbook, loading it further.

Effective science learning: Going beyond the textbooksEnrich learning that takes place through

project work. Development of science cornersProviding access to science experimentation

kitsLaboratories for science and maths at

elementary school level.

Place of ICTInformation and Communication Technology

(ICT) is an important tool for bridging social divides.

ICT should be used in such a way that: • It becomes an opportunity equalizer by

providing information, communication and computing resources to all.

• ICT be used for connecting children and teachers with scientists

Process skills

Designing and makingObserving through senses, instruments and

gathering informationRaising questions, hypothesizingVerifying, experimentingInferringCommunicating

Advantages of Activities

They afford opportunities for:– Material manipulation and perceptual-intuitive

learning– Observation and recording them– Multi-sensory experience– Communicating with others what has been

found– Discussing and deepening learning– Getting a feel for the scientific process

Discussion after activity

It is the most important part of learningIt should never be rushed and left outIt should include the following.

~Reflect on what was done: Process analysis~Learn from difficulties and identify precautions~Look for alternatives~Do self-evaluation

For a trip

• Teacher must pay a visit to the site and identify the learning resources available

• List out specifically the learning objectives• Prepare an action plan• Execute the visit• Have a follow-up discussion• Ask children to prepare reports and present• Make the visit a part of CCE

Facilities for elementary school scienceCreate a general science lab, if possible or a

science corner in the classroom.Have a science bulletin board and vocabulary

pocket-chartsA wall-self science museum to collect and

display specimen and keep on changing themA small botanical garden with aquaria and

terraria

Lab corner techniques and toolsTechniques Cutting glass tubing or empty refill tubing Cork boring or lid boring and fixing a tubing Plastic bottle cutting Making simple improvised apparatus Filtration Grinding Mixture separation Salt and sugar solution makingTools: Nail cutter, triangular file, junior hacksaw, paper cutter, poker,

combination pliers, nose pliers, electrician’s wire sniper, hammer, pincer