Abrahams, Ian;
Reiss, Michael;
Sharpe, Rachael;
(2014)
The impact of the ‘Getting Practical: Improving Practical Work in Science’ continuing professional development programme on teachers’ ideas and practice in science practical work.
Research in Science and Technological Education
, 32
pp. 263-280.
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Abstract
Background: Despite the widespread use of practical work in school it has been recognised that more needs to be done to improve its effectiveness in developing conceptual understanding. The ‘Getting Practical’ CPD (Continuing Professional Development) programme was designed to contribute towards an improvement in the effectiveness of practical work through initiating changes in teachers’ predominantly ‘hands-on’ approach to practical work to one which manifests a more equitable balance between ‘hands-on’ and ‘minds-on’. Purpose: To evaluate the impact of the Getting Practical: Improving practical work in science CPD programme on teachers’ ideas and practice in science practical work in primary and secondary schools in England. Programme description: The CPD programme was designed to improve the effectiveness of science practical work in developing conceptual understanding in primary and secondary schools in England. Sample: Ten teachers of primary science and twenty secondary science teachers. Design and methods: The study employed a condensed fieldwork strategy with data collected using interviews, observational field notes and pre- and post-CPD training observations in practical lessons within thirty schools. Results: Whilst the CPD programme was effective in getting teachers to reflect on the ideas associated with the Getting Practical programme, it was much less effective in bringing about changes in actual teaching practice.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | The impact of the ‘Getting Practical: Improving Practical Work in Science’ continuing professional development programme on teachers’ ideas and practice in science practical work |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Keywords: | Science education, practical work |
| UCL classification: | UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10019309 |
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