LearningWhat is your current affiliation and role?
GEMS Dubai American Academy (UAE) – Head of Science, IB DP Physics
What drew you to write teaching & learning resources for us?
I got involved in creating resources for the same reason I became a teacher. I want to help students understand. They sometimes feel that Physics, in particular, is too difficult, yet it is in everything that goes on around us. So it just needs to be broken down into smaller pieces.
What do you see as the principal challenge(s) in teaching the new Science curriculum?
There is a tendency for some teachers to always rely on “this is what I have always done” and some teachers look to turn the syllabus into a checklist or a recipe. But just as we tell our students, we need to step out of our comfort zones and seek fresh outlooks. The linking questions that have been added at the end of topics aim to get everyone (students and teachers) to reach beyond a surface level of understanding.
Looking at your subject, how does the new syllabus impact teacher planning & course delivery?
The linking questions at the end of each topic cannot be answered from studying that topic alone. This will encourage teachers and students to revisit topics and determine if the new work has added more insight. Perhaps it may influence how they understood previous topics. I believe these questions will help guide students to a deeper understanding, beyond memorisation.
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?)
When you first introduce a topic to your students, you are laying a foundation. They need tools such as the flashcards to consolidate the main ideas. Then you can progress to past paper questions with the knowledge that students won’t see these same questions in future exams. For students to reach the upper levels, they have to be able to apply the understanding to questions they have never seen before. They need to be critical about the problem-solving steps they followed to answer a question and honing that process will help them tackle the next question.
What needs do the materials that you are developing fulfill for students? For teachers?
Taken individually and together, the various materials help students develop a deeper understanding through varied and multiple exposure.
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 resource package allows for better scaffolding and differentiation for the class. In addition, just because a student was strong in Mechanics in the Space, Time and Motion unit, that does not mean that they will find Wave Behaviour as easy. The full resource package supports students where they need it and when they need it. It also allows for independent work, which boosts student confidence.
