ACER eNews
Research Conference 2006 special edition
The following articles are based on papers presented at the ACER Research Conference 2006, held in Canberra, 14-15 August 2006 entitled Boosting science learning - what will it take?.
Science curriculum must focus on ideas, evidence and argument
Current practices in science education may be leaving many students poorly
educated about science and with an ambivalent or negative attitude
towards science according to a visiting expert. Professor Jonathan
Osborne of King’s College London argues that science education
requires a shift in focus towards ideas, evidence and argument that
is more appropriate to the needs of the future citizen and the values
of contemporary youth.
Read more.
Boosting science learning through curriculum materials
Effective curriculum materials are central to enhancing science teaching
and learning, according to visiting expert Dr Rodger Bybee of the US
Biological Sciences Curriculum Study. In his conference keynote address,
Dr Bybee argued that information conveyed to students must be made explicit
and students must also be taught how to retrieve information.
Read more.
Science curriculum requires greater focus on community
If science education is to remain useful to students outside of school
the curriculum must move beyond the textbook, using community resources
to explore science-related community issues according to a leading expert
in science education, Professor Léonie Rennie of Curtin University
of Technology.
Read more.
Highly accomplished science teachers deserve higher pay
The quality of science teaching and learning in our schools would be
improved if science teachers were assessed and highly accomplished teachers
rewarded with a higher salary, according to a paper by Dr Lawrence Ingvarson
and Ms Anne Semple. They said improving the quality of science learning
in our schools will require more effective policies and career pathways
for attracting, developing and retaining effective science teachers.
Read more.
Crisis of interest in science needs humanistic approach
A humanistic approach to curriculum is urgently required in order to
address the current crisis of interest in science. Despite an apparently
rich set of positive options for increasing student interest in science
a number of constraints imposed by science teachers, academic science
and competing systemic demands stand in the way of implementing them.
Professor Peter Fensham of Queensland University of Technology told
delegates at ACER Research Conference 2006 that students are not enjoying
studying science. Most have concluded that post-compulsory science studies
should be avoided unless needed for some career purpose.
Read more.
ACER UPDATE
Research Conference 2007
ACER's Research Conference 2007 will take place in Melbourne from 12-14 August. The theme is The Leadership Challenge - Improving learning in schools. The conference will address key issues related to building leadership in schools that make a difference to student learning outcomes. It will:
* Provide news about the latest research on leadership practices that
enable conditions for quality teaching and student learning.
* Examine the implications of this research for the recruitment and
preparation of a new generation of effective school leaders and the
ongoing professional learning of established school leaders.
* Simulate discussion about the resources and conditions that need
to be in place if effective forms of leadership are to flower and be
sustained in our schools.
Conference speakers will include:
* Professor Philip Hallinger, Mahidol University, Bangkok
* Dr Chris Sarra, Indigenous Education Leadership Institute, Queensland Professor
Viviane Robinson, University of Auckland
* Dr Lawrence Ingvarson and Michelle Anderson, ACER
* Professor Bill Mulford, University of Tasmania
* Professor Sheryl Boris-Schacter, Lesley University, Massachusetts
* Professor Steve Dinham, University of Wollongong
* Professor Brian Caldwell, Educational Transformations, Victoria
Further information on Research Conference 2007 will be posted on the
conference website as it becomes available.
Conference proceedings available online
The full conference proceedings and individual papers from Research Conference 2006 - Boosting science learning: what will it take? are now available online. The papers and some PowerPoint presentations from conference sessions can be downloaded from the conference website.
Conference opens to beat of African buckets
The beat of African “drums” sounded through Canberra's Hyatt Hotel on 14 August as delegates arrived for Research Conference 2006. Grade five students from Forrest School’s Bucket Band welcomed delegates with their unique version of African percussion.
The Forrest School Bucket Band was founded in 2005 by teacher Michael Rosenberg as an alternative activity for students who had not been selected for the school band program. The children make their instruments from recycled 25 litre plaster, chlorine and nappy buckets, which have been picked up on the side of the road or donated, and sticks made from lengths of dowel with the ends rounded. Fry pans, plastic bottles and lids are also used.
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