Internet resources and websites for the professional growth of science Teacher.

Internet resources and websites for the professional growth of science Teacher.

Prepared by

SABARISH-P

M.Sc., M.Ed., JRF & NET

Assistant Professor in Physical Science, Arafa Institute for Teacher Education

Attur, Thrissur.

Professional development of science teachers, is described in the National Science Education Standards:

“ Professional development for teachers should be analogous to professional development for other professionals. Becoming an effective science teacher is a continuous process that stretches from preservice experiences in undergraduate years to the end of a professional career. Science has a rapidly changing knowledge base and expanding relevance to societal issues, and teachers will need ongoing opportunities to build their understanding and ability. Teachers also must have opportunities to develop understanding of how students with diverse interest, abilities, and experiences make sense of scientific ideas and what a teacher does to support and guide all students. And teachers require the opportunity to study and engage in research on science teaching and learning, and to share with colleagues what they have learned” . (p. 55)

Internet Resources

1. http://www.nas.edu/rise/backg4a.htm- The most recommended resource for understanding the professional development of teachers is summarized in the article  The Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM): A Model for Change in Individuals. This information will help to develop some understanding of the stages of interest and commitment through which teachers must progress when learning new teaching strategies or using new curricula.
2. http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/nses/html/4.html- Professional development for teachers is more than training or classes. The growth of a teacher's skill and understanding is developed through personal reflection, interactions with colleagues, and mentoring as well. The Standards for Professional Development for Teachers of Science  describe professional development as becoming more integrated with what happens in the classroom and school.
3. http://www.wcer.wisc.edu/NISE/Publications/Briefs/NISE_Brief_Vol_1_No_1.pdf- Recommendations from many sources for high-quality teacher education and certification have been compiled in Principles of Effective Professional Development for Mathematics and Science Education: A Synthesis of Standards  NISE Brief (National Institute for Science Education) Vol. 1, No. 1 - May 1996. (Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed to view NISE briefs, and produces a very high quality reprint.)

4.      http://unr.edu/homepage/jcannon/ejsev1n3.html- What professional development do teachers say they want? The President of the National Science Teachers Association, Joanne Vasquez, outlined the results of surveys in this March 1997 article in the Electronic Journal of Science Education . 

Websites for the professional growth of science Teachers

1)      http://www.nas.edu/

2)      http://www.nap.edu/

3)      www.nsta.org

4)      http://www.ncert.nic.in/

5)      http://www.exploratorium.edu/

Free online courses in teacher education are offered by some real schools websites.

1)      African Virtual University

The African Virtual University offers free online courses, but does not currently offer credit for completed courses. Students are able to access PDF and Microsoft Word files and completely access modules through Scribd. 

2)      Annenburg Learner

Annenburg Learner is a free online resource intended mainly for teachers. Credit is available for those who pay the appropriate tuition and fees when taking a course. The Learning Classroom examines learning theories, as well as how people learn and process information. PDF files serve as support materials, as do videos. Writing assignments are included for those who want to pursue them, along with online forms provided for the purpose of organizing information. Class sessions include cognitive processing, metacognition and multiple intelligences.

3)      Edutopia

Edutopia pulls in outside resources from universities and websites for users to take advantage of for free on the Edutopia website. Teacher Development: Starter Kit for Teaching Online is a resource for teachers who want to learn how to teach online.

4)      PBS Teachers

Offered on this site provided by the Public Broadcasting Service, Teaching Evolution is a professional development course that offers teachers a way to teach evolution in modern society. The class can also be used as a guide for a professional development workshop.

5)      The Open University

The Open University offers free, non-academic credit courses, articles, videos and games. 

Moreover Indian universities like IGNOU, Sikkim manippal University etc is also providing courses for the professional development of Science teachers.

Ø  Online Course Requirements

Teachers will find a combination of courses, videos, seminars and supplemental materials from the following sources listed below. Some offer academic credit by paying a fee for taking the course or by taking an exam. Users should make sure that their computers have updated software in order to gain full access to videos and PDF files..