Continuing education in science teaching: Chemistry

Full-time/Part-time

Part time 50 %

Teaching semester

Spring

Place of Instruction

Bergen

Objectives and Content

The aim of the course is to provide a professional background for teaching about chemistry and the interdisciplinary subject health and life skills. Furthermore, the course should provide insight into didactic research on science education in general, and on the course topics in particular. The course facilitates the testing of teaching methods within the topic, and discussion of the experience.

Chemistry is the main theme of the course. First, the inorganic chemistry and the basic principle of chemistry are considered. Based on the periodic system, the substance and the properties, we go through chemical reactions and bonds, acid / base, and redox reactions. The next part is about organic chemistry, with carbon chemistry as the central element, in the context of petroleum chemistry, photosynthesis and carbohydrate. The last part of the course takes the knowledge of nutrients into teaching about food and health. In this section, there is also a focus on life skills.

The curriculum for the relevant school type will be used during the course. This applies to both the science curriculum, the overall part and the interdisciplinary theme, with guidance pages.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence

Knowledge

The student is able to

• explain chemical reactions and bonds
• use the periodic table to describe the chemical properties of the elements
• explain the structure and properties of the main groups of organic matter
• present central health issues

Skills

The student

• master laboratory technology that is relevant for educational use
• know and use safety rules and environmental supervision in chemistry teaching
• uses chemistry nomenclature and formula
• is able to teach about central themes of good public health
• assesses, analyzes and presents young people's health challenges

General competence

The student is able to

• plan and carry out teaching in the relevant school type, on the topics included in the course
• apply natural science didactic research, learning theory, curriculum and subject knowledge in the construction of science education
• use varied methods for normative and formative evaluation
• use subject-specific digital aids in facilitation and teaching
• participate in the development of science education at their own school
• guidance in critical thinking and argumentation in the work on science subjects
• use relevant resources for professional and didactic updating

Required Previous Knowledge

Approved teacher education. It is also a prerequisite that the participant has access to a school class for trials of science education.

Recommended Previous Knowledge

Teaching experience from primary and / or secondary school. Knowledge of the natural sciences as taught at levels 8-11.

Access to the Course

The course is open both to students who have been admitted through ¿Competence for quality¿, and for applicants who fill the requirements and apply for direct admission through ¿UiB Videre¿.

Teaching and learning methods

The teaching is organized with three seminars, assignments, and professional discussions at Mitt UiB. The assignments will be related to themes from the seminars, to practice and to the literature. The assignments are solved in groups. One of the assignments is peer-reviewed. The discussions have didactic themes related to the content of the seminars. Answers to these can be group or individual. The exam is based on the syllabus, material presented at the seminars, assignments and participation in the discussions.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

80% attendance at the seminars.

3 assignments must be approved before the exam.

Forms of Assessment

The form of assessment is oral group examination with individual grading.

Examination Support Material

All examination support materials are allowed.

Grading Scale

Pass/fail

Assessment Semester

Spring

Reading List

Reading list will be ready by December 1st.

Course Evaluation

The Centre for Science Education is responsible for the professional content and structure of the study and for the quality of the course.

Programme Committee

The Centre for Science Education is responsible for the professional content and structure of the study and for the quality of the course.

Course Coordinator

Course coordinator and administrative contact person can be found at Mitt UiB, contact naturfag@skolelab.uib.no

Course Administrator

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences / The Centre for Science Education.