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Science teaching: arouse the pupils? interest
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Science teaching: arouse the pupils? interest
When it comes to teaching science, the book approach tends to be the worst way to arouse pupils? interest. The best way to discover science is in fact through experiments.
Enabling them to step into the unknown is the best way to get convincing results, as this allows students to learn through discovery. Science is always more interesting when you?re allowed to take risks. Of course, this does not mean that dangerous experiments ? which could end up with the school catching fire ? should be allowed.
Research has found that pupils are keen to venture into the unknown, in their practical work and in their thinking. Unfortunately, such methods are not applied in classrooms, and this for several reasons. ?We don?t have time for such things. The text books are too bulky. And to be honest, I think that we don?t have the right mindset. We?re not really used to this approach?, says a science teacher posted in a national college.
It all starts at primary level. The Mauritian system is characterized by rote-learning. As from Std I, pupils are encouraged to gobble up the manual and learn it by heart, instead of grasping the concepts that lie behind the subject being taught.
The CPE report 2007 for science is quite explicit. ?As noted in previous reports, it was again noticed that many answers were learnt by heart without the children understanding the scientific concepts behind the lesson. Learning by heart does not help the children to apply their knowledge, to interpret visual diagrams and to answer correctly to the situation given in the question. Many children only grasped some key words and answered the question from the bank of knowledge they have acquired often through ?rote learning?.?
?As far as possible, teachers must be encouraged to use demonstrations, experiments, observations, classifications, hands-on experiences, discussions, project work, role play, brainstorming, modelling and games for the effective teaching of science.?</I>
The Mauritius Examinations Syndicate (MES) insists thus on the fact that ?it is important to encourage candidates to understand the meaning of scientific concepts and to apply it to real life situations?. The MES feels that pupils will in this way also develop an interest in the subject and will not find it boring to learn everything by heart.
?As far as possible, teachers must be encouraged to use demonstrations, experiments, observations, classifications, hands-on experiences, discussions, project work, role play, brainstorming, modelling and games for the effective teaching of science.?
On the CPE level, the percentage pass in science was 72.3% last year. And like every year, the percentage of candidates who were unclassified was again high with 31% boys and 20.3% girls scoring a grade ?U?. On the other hand, the number of candidates scoring an A or A+ was appreciably high, with 34.3% for boys and 39.5% for girls.
One of the most important aspects in the teaching and learning of science is to have ?hands-on? experiments or at least to have some visual demonstrations on the concepts being taught in the classroom. That?s why, the MES recommends to have a ?Science corner? in the classroom or for the school, where such activities can be carried out.
?Since science is one of the main subjects and is one that can be experienced and seen in real life situations, we must from the beginning, arouse the interests of our children so that they can later become scientifically literate citizens and be able to make informed decisions.?
Professor Soodursun Jugessur, chairman of the Mauritius Research Council, considers the way the science subjects are taught in Mauritius, to be inadequate. ?In Scandinavian countries, teachers and their pupils spend a lot of time outside the classroom. They discover things on the spot. It makes a major difference with what is done here?, he states.
He feels the whole approach about Science should be changed. A national policy should be worked out. ?At SC and HSC-level, you even have an exam called ?alternative to practicals?. I don?t think that?s the best way to encourage youngsters to make a career in the science sector?, he adds.
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