|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
APPREND research project “Science is important, but not for me” Worldwide, science has been losing its popularity with students. Worried Governments have attempted to increase the numbers opting for science by changing the curriculum. ‘Wikid’ is the Y7/8 course from upd8, based on a different philosophy, called 'Cracking Science'. It aims to increase both student motivation and conceptual understanding, compared to ‘traditional’ approaches. Research has so far contributed to understanding the motivational problems: we know students view science as a dry body of knowledge not a living method of enquiry. However, it has not yet been successful in helping to solving the problem, beyond exposing reforms that are ineffective. The APPREND research project will test the impact of the Cracking Science philosophy in the upd8 secondary programme. Over several years, it will measure:
APPREND tools are designed to make the upd8 course even better, providing extra support for the learning process. GetScience is a student companion to Wikid that fulfils a much requested need - to consolidate student's understanding of the material in the activities. No book on the market follows a similar Big ideas approach. Mission booklets enable stronger implementation of formative assessment, a vital component in developing motivation and undersrtanding.
|