Appendix 1: The Effective Secondary Science Teacher

  1. Knowledge & Understanding
  • An effective teacher will have knowledge of:
  • a.SCIENCE – content; concepts children find difficult; the curriculum
  • b.PEDAGOGY – strategies to support learning in science
  • c.LEARNING – how children learn, and how to take account of this
  • d.ASSESSMENT – how to find out what children understand / have learned
  • e.THE CHILD – social; cultural; personal (interests, home)
  • f.MOTIVATION – how children are motivated or de-motivated
  1. Attitudes; Values; Attributes
  • An effective teacher will have the following attributes:
  • a.PROFESSIONAL – be a good role model
  • b.SELF-MOTIVATED – wanting to learn; seeks improvement
  • c.RESPECTFUL – of children, parents, colleagues
  • d.INQUIRER – takes risks; try things out; experiments
  • e.RESOURCEFUL – problem solver; creative; positive thinker; risk taker
  1. Practices
  • An effective teacher will do the following things:
  • a.PREPARATION - planning & preparation will be careful and thorough
  • b.BE INCLUSIVE - consider and involve all learners
  • c.BE ENGAGING - engage learners and engage WITH learners
  • d.PROVIDE VARIETY - use a variety of teaching approaches, strategies and resources
  • e.ASSESS PROGRESS – using a variety of techniques
  1. Skills
  • An effective teacher will have the following skills:
  • a.COMMUNICATION – listening; explaining; questioning
  • b.MANAGEMENT – of learning, resources, learners, time, self
  • c.SCIENCE SKILLS – practical skills of science
  • d.MOTIVATIONAL - how to inspire, excite and promote interest in science

Conclusion

Appendix 2