PROJECT

Development of Research Based Pedagogical Tools (RBPTs) for Science Education

Learner of 21st century is exposed to the ocean of information at her/his fingertips. A single query posed on a Google search engine gives an array of output hits. To maintain pace with the present generation of learners who are digital natives, the real challenge is faced by the teachers. The primarily role of a teacher as information provider has shifted to more challenging role of a mentor or a guide or a facilitator. Science teaching has always been a major challenge for teachers across grades globally. Teaching science with conventional methods would not be appropriate for today’s learners. Science teaching involves creating a learning environment wherein each learner deals with problem situations, engages in reflection within one self and with others, looks for concrete evidences and thereby construct one’s own knowledge.

The course aims in introducing research as a pedagogical tool to build an environment for the learner which promotes inquiry based learning. The basic idea is to promote learners to think beyond the textbooks and do some research to understand the concept in more concrete way. The course will acquaint science teachers to develop Research Based Pedagogical Tools (RBPTs) which can be used effectively in teaching- learning process. The teachers will be on learner’s seat across the progression of the course so that they are able to shift gears in creating amazing experiences for their students.

The course is designed embedding videos, power-points presentations, pdf materials, activities, quizzes, participation in discussion forums, short tasks and finally submitting a strategic plan. This course is an attempt towards promoting incorporation of research based pedagogical tools for science teachers in developing strategic plans, which can be then shared as OER so as to enhance quality education and promote lifelong learning.

Project resources are available at:

The talk is a part of the Open Education Design Workshop 2019 event filmed and produced by Videolectures.NET.

Author

Rohan Vilas Mamta Gavankar

Dr Rohan Vilas Mamta Gavankar is an Assistant Professor at the VIVA College, Virar West, affiliated to University of Mumbai, India. He obtained a PhD in Botany at the University of Mumbai. His area of interest includes research and developing OER for quality education.

Mentor

Mohandas B. Menon

Professor Mohandas B. Menon is a Former Deputy Vice Chancellor at the Wawasan Open University, Penang, Malaysi, Chief at UNESCO-UNRWA Educational Programme in Jordan and Chairperson at the National Institute of Open Schooling, India.  Presently he is Honorary Chairperson of DISHA Global Trust, Kochi-692011, INDIA. His areas of expertise include open education, digital learning, teacher education and science education.