Elements of Effective Science Lessons: Understanding and Environment

Chapter 3

Understanding is one of the essential goals in any classroom. Individual strategies assist students in understanding science concepts.  It is important for the teacher to engage students in science inquiry as learning science can be confusing for students. Providing models and illustrations is one way of illustrating complex scientific concepts. Teachers may also implement formative assessments in their attempts to help students understand the intended content. Formal evaluation involves asking probing questions so as to get feedback during a teacher’s interaction with learners. This can be used to alter teaching and learning. Thirdly, the teacher should address preconceptions and prior knowledge and uncover what students know about a subject and allow them to make connections to past experiences so as to make sense of the new topic. One should also provide wrap-up and sense-making opportunities. Teachers should plan activities that help students in understanding and give them time to absorb what they are learning. Student understanding is developed by designing for interactive and collaborative science discourse. This can improve student relationships and learning environment. By providing students with opportunities for practice, review, and revision, a student will refine his or her understanding of the areas being studied.

Chapter 4

The environment can enhance or undermine the effectiveness of a well-prepared lesson. Hence, the environment is an essential element of effective science lessons. Scholars have developed strategies for creating an environment that is conducive to learning. A teacher can show through actions that all the students have the ability to learn. S/he should also teach students to think scientifically and think like scientists. To think effectively, students must have a working knowledge of the nature of science. It is imperative that teachers develop positive attitudes and motivation by establishing relationships with learners in the classroom. Providing timely and criterion-referenced feedback to allow students to make corrections is also important. There is often a need to ensure that students are provided with a chance to peer-assess and self-assess. This builds a positive classroom climate since it builds relationships among students.