Teaching, Learning and Assessment in Science Education

Taking a broad international approach, this book examines fundamental aspects of science education in a wide range of settings. It looks not only at recent developments in Britain but at the experience in several other countries, with contributions from leading science education professionals from the USA, Canada and Australia as well as from Britain itself. Concerns at all levels are addressed - from university teaching through secondary education to developments in primary schools. This book is in three parts. The first part, Science Education and Teaching, explores what science and science education are about and whether valid international comparisons of achievement can be made. The next part, Learning Science, presents recent research on the learning of science, as well as a commentary on the implications that current psychological perspectives have for teaching. The final part, Issues in Assessment, considers assessment as an integral part of the teaching and learning process, from its role as a diagnostic tool in primary schools to its use as a means of accountability. Intellectually challenging and professionally relevant, this book is valuable reading for teachers, educationalists, policy makers - in fact, for all who have an interest in science education. This is the companion volume to Challenges and Opportunities for Science Education (edited by Elizabeth Whitelegg, Jeff Thomas and Susan Tresman).