• Question: What do you think could be improved in the teaching of science?

    Asked by monkeyevolution to Andy, Chris, Harriet, Jess, Nikki on 9 Mar 2016.
    • Photo: Christopher Blanford

      Christopher Blanford answered on 9 Mar 2016:

      Hi MonkeyEvolution
      More interaction and more time for everyone to work out answers for themselves. You can’t get rid of books and maths, but you can keep it from being boring on a day-to-day basis. Keep it relevant and it’ll stay interesting.
      Chris

    • Photo: andy chapman

      andy chapman answered on 9 Mar 2016:

      Loads more contact time between students and teachers and more ‘problem solving’ activities. Much less ‘learning off by heart’ and recalling facts. We need to teach how you how to solve problems you have never seen before, ones that may not even exist yet.

    • Photo: Harriet Reid

      Harriet Reid answered on 9 Mar 2016:

      Hi,
      Great question. I totally agree with Chris and Andy. There should be way more thinking and working stuff out for yourself. I would also do more about how the scientific method works (aways trying to disprove yourself), and looking at and evaluating evidence. Most people won’t become scientists, but they need to understand how science works so that they can make informed choices in their medical care and in political debates about things like climate change and GM foods.

    • Photo: Jessica Groppi

      Jessica Groppi answered on 9 Mar 2016:

      Hi!

      Everything that has been said before plus I would add the importance of explaining clearly and making sure that the students understand the basics of the scientific subjects they are studying. Sometimes there are students solving an exercise or doing an experiment mechanically, following a list of notes, and when you ask them why or something goes wrong they panic, because they have no idea of what’s going on from the beginning.

      Jess.

    • Photo: Nikki D'Arcy

      Nikki D'Arcy answered on 9 Mar 2016:

      Hi,

      I think there are not enough practical lessons any more in science, particularly at degree level. I don’t know why they have cut practicals but it’s silly when you may spend so much time in the lab in a job!

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