IBSE Final

142 NaTIoNal SCIENCE TEaChERS aSSoCIaTIoN

Chapter 8 a Perspective on the Reform of Science Teaching

increase the rigor and focus of content. Second, you can increase the level of

students’ learning of content. Third, you can increase teachers’ knowledge and

skill for teaching the content (see Figure 8.1).

Figure 8.1 The Instructional Core

Source: Elmore, R. 2009. Improving the instructional core. In Instructional rounds in education: A network approach to improving teaching and learning, ed. E. U. City, R. Elmore, S. Fiarman, and L. Teite. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Education Press.

Changing the Content

Increasing the level or focus of content is usually the goal of revising national,

state, or local content or performance standards. The content standards may, for

example, aim to change science content from facts to major conceptual ideas and

core concepts in science. The focus might change from an exclusive emphasis on

scientific knowledge to a balance of scientific knowledge and scientific literacy.

Whatever the change in content, decisions about the content and performance

standards are controlled by groups and processes such as national organiza-

tions, state committees, or local teams.

Engaging the Learner

In most classrooms, changing the level of student learning is influenced by the

school or district curriculum, instructional materials, and the strategies and

methods of science teaching that teachers use. Instructional materials may facili-

tate teachers’ understanding and use of strategies that change the level of engage-

ment and learning through the introductions of strategies based on contemporary

understanding of how students learn science. The BSCS 5E Instructional Model

serves as an example of an integrated instructional sequence that gives teachers

and students time and opportunities to learn new, challenging science content

and develop abilities for innovation. The design of instructional materials can

Increase students’ active learning of content (Curriculum-Instruction-Assessment)

Increase the level of and emphasis on content (Common Core Standards)

Increase the skills and knowledge that teachers bring to teaching content (Professional Development)