Course Details

Course Information Package

Course Unit Title	SPECIALIZATION IN NATURAL SCIENCES I
Course Unit Code	SPE304C
Course Unit Details
Number of ECTS credits allocated	4
Learning Outcomes of the course unit	By the end of the course, the students should be able to: Understand and employ the teaching and learning theories connected to science education as well as appropriate teaching models in order to produce and teach science lessons. Be informed about the new science curriculum’s objectives and concepts. Understand and be able to teach scientific concepts from the areas of physics, chemistry and biology. Promote critical scientific thinking, science processes and inquiry using appropriate pedagogical approaches and methods within their teaching. Integrate technology in the teaching and learning of scientific concepts and in order to facilitate the development of scientific skills and processes. Critically examine their own role as educators to promote the consideration of scientific, environmental and social issues as well as values through science teaching. Be informed about research concerning good practices and actions in the area of science education and be able to perform small scale research in the field of science education.
Mode of Delivery	Face-to-face
Prerequisites	NONE	Co-requisites	NONE
Recommended optional program components	-  Anagnostakis S. (2006) Exploring students’ systemic thinking and attitutdes on energy uses. 2nd Conference of School programs on EE, Athens (in greek) -  Plakitsi K., Colios N., (2008) Natural Sciences as a means to upraising contemporary citizens for peace and sustainability,4ο PEEKPE Conference, Nafpliio. (in greek) -  Kalkanis G., Stranga S., Imbrioti D., Dendrinos K., Demopoulos B., Patrinopoulos M., Tsagkogeorga Α., (2002). A proposal for science oriented approaches to teaching natural sciences through systems analysis by the use of digital technologies. Conference Proceedings 3rd Panhellenic Conference for Science Education  and New Technologies in Education University of Crete  (in greek)
Course Contents	-  Science Education: Theories and perspectives         o  The constructivism theory         o  Active learning         o  Higher order reasoning in science teaching         o  Metacognition in science education -  Scientific method, scientific processes, teaching science through inquiry. -  Organising the science class: Collaborative learning in the natural sciences - the role  of the teacher and the students -  Scientific concepts: Energy, environmental and social concerns
Recommended and/or required reading:
Textbooks	Halkia K. (2012) Teaching natural sciences (Διδάσκοντας Φυσικές Επιστήμες) Patakis, Athens (in greek). P. Kokkotas (2000). Teaching approaches in Natural Sciences, Typotheto, Athens. (in greek) Spyropoulou – Katsani (2000) Educational and Pedagogical Approaches in teaching natural sciences. (Διδακτικές και παιδαγωγικές προσεγγίσεις στις φυσικές επιστήμες). Typotheto. Athens (in greek) Flogaiti Ε. (2005) Education for the Environment and Sustainability, Ellinika Grammata, Athens (in greek)
References	R. Driver et al. (2000). Constructing Natural Sciences Concepts, Typotheto, Athens. (in greek)
Planned learning activities and teaching methods	Lecture is used in some cases for the introduction of the theoretical part of the module. The scientific concepts are delivered mainly through participative and collaborative workshops with the use of scientific investigations, use of technology and teaching techniques such as concept mapping, debate, role play etc. Students work in groups in order to produce and deliver lesson plans through microteaching.
Assessment methods and criteria	Test 25% Micro – teaching 25% Final Exam 50%
Language of instruction	Greek
Work placement(s)	NO