Good practices
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Working Group:Science through digital learningCountry:LatviaLanguages:EnglishAge of students (target group/s):13-14Contact person information:Inese Liepina This is a classroom practice from Vecumnieku Secondary School, teacher Anda Kuzma. Teacher lets students use smartphones to search for pictures of plants, lichens, insects etc. because students are accustomed to do this every day. She uses tablets for practical work in biology (particularly outside the classroom or school premises) as it is easy to record research steps and it makes a learning process more interesting. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Students like to communicate on social networks, so the teacher often makes use of them for consultations online or for different tasks (e.g. Facebook, draugiem.lv, or Skype). For instance, students share selfies with deciduous trees, birds, stork nests and so on via Instagram.Strong points and opportunities:Students usually use Internet to search for information – why not to use it for learning purposes? Students like communication via social networks, that is why such tasks, such as selfies are interesting for them and motivate them to learn.Limitations:Not all students have smartphones or tablets. Therefore, they may feel bad and cannot fulfil the tasks. Sometimes, students’ interest lasts for a very short time (only for using phones) and they forget quickly what they have learned. The school has to have a good Internet connection and WiFi. The balance between nature and technology should be kept. Not all information found in the Internet is valuable. Teachers should be aware of this.Added value with regards to the 3 topics of the MASS project:WG1 You can reach students who do not like science but who like technologies. Quick search for information. Quick communication. The practice could be useful also for WG3 as it gives possibility to consult things with students individually.Any prerequisites needed:Tablets or smartphones, Internet connection, WiFi. | ||
Teaching materials
MASS project intends to identify, analyze, evaluate and disseminate practical tools and methods in teaching science which will effectively lead to arise students' motivation and acquire higher level of basic skills in science. We will explore what happens in science lessons at schools and increase the knowledge of good practice in teaching science in three research areas: Science for Digital Learners, Early Inquiry and Low achievers in Science (See more: Main topics).
Main project activities include:
1. Identification of the national examples of good practices
The initial phase of the project is to analyze the strengths, weaknesses and potential in the particular area of science education method in each partner country. It will include identification of good practices on raising students motivation for science on the national level. Examples identified will be collected in the online database.
See more: Good practices repository
2. Development of pilot teaching materials and testing phase
Findings from the research phase of the project will form the ground for development of the pilot version of educational materials in each Working Group.
Piloting stage of the project, with the involvement of target group, will raise the quality and exploitability of the products.
3. Development of the final version of teaching materials
Final version of educational products will be developed after summing up the piloting phase. They will be available in each partner language. The final project results will bring a change at the classroom level. Teachers will be aware of the key factor for motivation of their students to learn science. They will use a wide range of methods effectively and appropriately to the learning needs and preferences of their students. More teachers will be confident and successful in use such of methods. They will make teaching science more relevant and accessible to students.
Final products will be widely presented and disseminated during the Open Conference III in the middle of 2016.
Pilot materials
To help teachers to become empowered, skillful and self-confident, we work on:
- Study (recommendations)
- Examples of good practices
- Module of teacher training
- Hands-on lessons / tutorials
for Digital Learners, Early Inquiry and Low Achievers in Science.
If you want to help us to improve these materials by taking part in piloting, please contact leader of each Working Group:
Leonie de Vries (Digital Learners), e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Lenka Pachmanova (Early Inquiry), e mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Daiga Kalnina (Low Achievers), e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or the MASS project partner in your country:
Czech Republic, TEREZA Educational Center
Lenka Pachmanova e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cyprus, Cyprus Center for Environmental Research and Education (CY.C.E.R.E.)
Chrisis Kleovoulou, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Estonia, Estonian Physical Society
Kaido Reivelt, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Germany, University of Cologne Geographical Institute
Astrid Hensel, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Greece, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Thalia Mavrakou, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Latvia, Children's Environmental School
Inese Liepina, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Netherlands, SME Advies
Bregje van den Brand, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Poland, UNEP/GRID-Warsaw Centre
Elżbieta Wołoszyńska-Wiśniewska, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.