#4 Reforms-based science teaching

   My research topic is reforms-based science teaching. It has been a little challenging to find information about this topic, but there have been enough articles for me to get a better understanding of what this teaching style looks like. I have found the differences between traditional teaching versus reform teaching are very different, and the reform style is what we have been talking about in class. Give students inquiry based lessons, let them be active in their learning, and center your instruction around their needs.

   The website I read for this blog can be found here. It was actually written by a biology professor, which I thought was unusual at first. It was interesting to read an article from a scientist's point of view, rather than that of a teacher. He talks about how teaching is seen as an easy job until you actually get in the schools and watch what teachers do.

   The article starts off by discussing 10 common myths about science instruction. The myths are obvious ones, but he did that on purpose because the obvious can be overlooked. The author states why he does not believe them to be true, which actually made me feel better. I know a lot of people in our class have been worrying about knowing enough science content to teach it. The author believes that with adequate materials, and enough planning time all teachers can be effective science teachers. He believes it is more about our feeling of inadequacy that leads us to avoid teaching science than a lock of content knowledge. The author includes a section on what scientists can do to assist with science education reform. One of his biggest suggestions is to get involved, either directly in the classroom or indirectly through grants or other programs that can offer funding. The author believes quality professional development can provide the support teachers need in science content instruction.

   This article actually made me feel a lot better about my future in teaching science. It can seem daunting, but by taking advantage of the resources available, and being creative it is the same as planning a lesson for any other subject. Teachers also need to be aware of their own teaching style and knowledge. By recording yourself, you might learn something you need to change or add. As a teacher, you need to be aware of how you teach your students. If you don't like what you see, then change it. A great part of our profession is we have the ability to change things minute to minute, day to day. We  don't need to be restricted to one type of instruction, and we can improve. Keeping up to date on science issues is also a good idea, so you can have discussions with your students and update your instruction.