TSEC Strategies for Teachers of 5-14 Science - Improving Science Education CPD through Practical Activities (DVD/CD)

News and background

Towards the end of the Summer Term of 2004-05, TSEC (the Tayside Science Education Consortium) effectively entered a dissemination phase. By then, the three partner authorities had seen well over a year of intense development and delivery of training in learning and teaching for 5-14 science. Across the three partner councils (Angus, City of Dundee and Perth and Kinross) techniques intended to improve learning and teaching in science have been introduced, supported and carefully recorded both on video and on paper. Although grounded in only one of three Attainment Outcome for Environmental Studies 5-14 Science (Living Things and the Processes of Life) the TSEC materials have great potential for application across the whole of 5-14 science, and probably well beyond.

The TSEC team have produced a comprehensive collection of materials and video clips of classroom practice covering a wide range of techniques from effective questioning through formative assessment and onto the development and assessment of skills such as those needed for investigative work.

They have also taken the trouble to build on and further develop the good practice exemplified by other practitioners - both within and outwith the ISE 5-14 consortia and from other national or local initiatives. The TSEC pack of materials has been produced with the expert help of the Angus Digital Media Centre in Brechin.

A number of authorities, those represented at the Local and National Launch events, will already have received a copy of this excellent resource. It is our view that the TSEC pack has potential for use in CPD on learning and teaching generally and not just in science.

At present SSERC is organising the contents of the DVD and Resources discs into a web-based format. This is under development at present.