LearningWhat is your current affiliation and role?
International School of Belgrade (Serbia) – DP Biology, TOK, MYP Science, PLC Coordinator
What drew you to write teaching & learning resources for us?
I have a keen interest in developing methods to help students learn through multiple pathways. Meeting every learner where they are and providing them with the targeted resources they need is a challenge that I find very exciting.
What do you see as the principal challenge(s) in teaching the new Science curriculum?
The most immediate challenge will be developing a scope and sequence for the new course that makes sense for your students and fits your school’s timeline. In the long term, addressing the linking questions and all of the skills applications will likely be the challenge that we need to think most deeply about.
Looking at your subject, how does the new syllabus impact teacher planning & course delivery?
We will see a shift from developing units based on content to developing units based on themes. Addressing this and giving students the opportunity to discover connections between topics/themes will have to be intentional in our planning.
What recommendations or practical tips would you give teachers as they prepare to teach the new curriculum? (What do they need to change, incorporate or do differently?)
Let go of your old order for units and embrace the thematic approach. Plan experimental activities in order to group as many of the applications, mathematical skills and content pieces into one lab, whenever possible. You will not have time to do every single experiment, so using time effectively will require some advance planning.
What needs do the materials that you are developing fulfill for students? For teachers?
For students, videos provide a good overview of each topic with some practical tips on establishing a solid foundation of knowledge. The opportunity to focus on particular areas and take time for understanding new vocabulary terms should be immensely helpful. For teachers, the option to preview an overview themselves (particularly for the new content) could be quite helpful, and they will spot lots of opportunities to recommend revision and previewing exercises to supplement their teaching.
What do you like best about the resource package that is available on ManageBac / Pamoja Study Companion for student learning & review (exam practice / theory videos / flashcards / revision guides)?
The ability students are given to self-assess their learning, then choose their next revision resources accordingly, goes a long way towards helping them to become independent learners and to make efficient use of time.
