Primary science: authentic contexts

Description
These seven learning activities, which focus on 'authentic contexts' using a variety of tools (software) and devices (hardware), illustrate the ways in which content, pedagogy and technology can be successfully and effectively integrated in order to promote learning. In the activities, teachers engage their students' interests, probe and assess their science understanding and facilitate the development of their scientific literacy skills. To do so, they use familiar and novel contexts to provide opportunities for students to make connections between different science content areas.
Educational value
These are valuable resources for teachers of science in years 1-6 who are looking for teaching and learning activities that are pedagogically sound, that address the Australian Curriculum in science and that use (software) and devices (hardware). Each learning activity has been written to explicitly support specific strands and descriptors within the Australian Curriculum in science. In most cases, an activity will cover a number of descriptors. This has value in that the educational content of the activities is current and relevant to the needs of Australian teachers and students. These are useful learning activities in that they cater for a broad range of abilities. A number of the activities are short and focused, using few resources and tools. These tend to be more teacher-centred and allow for greater teacher guidance of student learning. Other activities include more student-centred learning and incorporate a more diverse set of tools. Less experienced teachers undertaking these activities might benefit from a team-teaching approach. The learning and teaching of the science content is supported by a focus on sound pedagogies and descriptions of the effective use of technological devices. The selection of the tools and devices reflects considerations such as accessibility and ease of implementation as well as their relevance to the content knowledge.

Resources

Primary science: authentic contexts