Pedagogy of Biological Science

1. Foundations of Biological Science

a) Nature of Biological Science- Meaning, its dimension (the historical, scientific, aesthetic, recreational ) development of science with special reference to India

b) Learning of Biological Science- Constructionists perspectives of teaching Biological Science emphasizing Piaget and Vygotsky, critical and realistic Physical Science education

c) Curriculum reform in Science- Critical appraisal of NCF- 2005, BCF 2008 in the context of Science teaching, Need for standards for school Science

d) Contextual Issues - Learning Science without burden, developing democracy and equity through Science, environment protection, sustainable development; Child Scientist, developing scientific attitude

2. Organizing Teaching-Learning Biological Science

a) A Science teacher

b) Understanding of classroom communication

c) Planning for teaching-learning in Science - analysis of aim and general objectives of teaching Science vis-à-vis the objectives of secondary education, lesson and unit plans

d) Critical understanding of Science curriculum , syllabus and textbook

3. Strategies for learning subject matter content in Biological Science

a) Paradigm shift in teaching-learning of the subject viz. constructivist approach

b) Critical understanding of various strategies in teaching –Learning by exposition,

Learning by discovery, inductive-deductive, guided discovery, cognitive apprenticeship, learning by scaffolding

c) Teaching problem-solving in Science-definition of problem, posing a problem, generating problem, modelling and model for problem solving, exploring various options for solving the problem i.e. developing heuristics approach

d) Learning in Groups- Cooperative and collaborative learning, addressing needs of heterogeneous classroom

4. Assessment of and for learning in Biological Science

a) Issues in assessment in Biological Science

b) Shifting Trends in assessment in Biological Science

c) Construction of test design and subject question paper along with marking scheme

d) Diagnosing basic causes of difficulties in learning of Biological Science -concept, generalizations, problem-solving and proof

e) Planning remedial teaching strategies based on the perceived causes, implementing and evaluating the strategies

Sessional Work

• Assignment(select any two of the following)

(Concerned teacher can devise assignment as per requirement of the course)

1. Designing learning activities, appropriate strategies, selecting/preparing learning resources; assessment techniques and tools, etc.

2. Analysis of unit/chapter in subject textbook to identify the concepts, principles and processes and to understand the underlying the subject structures

3. Analysis of subject textbook of the concerned class taught by the pupil-teacher (content, exercises, activities, activities, activities and overall presentation of the book)

4. Critical analysis of teaching skills and strategies used in a lesson taught in a class or lesson plan in a nearby school

5. Identification of learning difficulties experienced by students in a lesson and evaluation of the diagnostic and remedial strategies adopted by the teacher in a nearby school