Fibonacci
The dissemination of Inquiry-Based Science and Matematics Education in Europe
The prime elements in Inquiry-Based Science and Matematics Education are:
- Focus on the pupils preconceptions: Present ideas and ways of thinking
- Inquiry-based questions phrased by pupils: Though training sessions presenting the pupils with the unexpected in a thought-provoking manner that promote their process of making hypotheses and predictions.
- Science and mathematics studies and experiments: Engaging the pupils in group discussions considering and testing their own ideas. Validating results and comparing these to established knowledge.
- Phrasing and documentation of results: The pupils, in their own words, explain the outcome of their experiments and the paths to this outcome.
The Danish Fibonacci strategy can be summarized as follows:
In spring 2010 the advisers in practical-didactical science/mathematics education from the 16 Centers for Educational Resources in Denmark gathered for a kick off IBSME workshop, in order to implement a national approach; to form regional networks (one at each of the six University Colleges) and prepare in-service-training courses for the participating teachers.
A group of schools (primary / secondary) are being attached to each of the six regional networks.
The school year 2010-2011
At the Centers for Educational Resources the advisers in practical-didactical science/mathematics education will organize in-service-training courses for the participating teachers and they will develop learning materials further in order to support the creation of stimulating learning environments in and around the participating schools.
The advisers will assist the participating school teachers in developing didactical plans and further more offer local tutoring during the school year in order to ensure ongoing reflections on the teachers own teaching methods, the different methods used by the pupils to record their science and mathematics work and the pupils learning outcome – in others words bridging the gap between the teachers’ skills and IBSME tools/methods.
The school year 2011-2012
The participating school teachers will pass their practical experiences on to a local group of teachers at a 2nd round of in-service-training courses assisted by the advisers in order to enable a new group of teachers / schools implement IBSME tools/methods. The advisers from the Centers for Educational Resources will support and tutor this dissemination during the school year.
Contact: Ida Guldager
e-mail: igul@ucsyd.dk
Phone: +45 7322 7381
