Blended Science Methods & Conceptual Physics

2005 hp Technology for Teaching Grant Project Blended Science Methods and Conceptual Physics
G. Student Learning - What is the evidence that student learning has improved? One Year Ago - the typical CSUS student teacher took physics as an undergraduate, science methods as a credential student and a separate technology class. Today - in the blended program, students take physics and science methods the same semester and simultaneously learn how to use tablet/mobile technology learning tools. Comparison of pre/post exam and research project scores over the past 3 years show consistent measurable gains in student achievement ranging from 4% to 24%. The greatest gain is achieved when substantive curricular changes based on research on teaching and learning accompany the integration of technology. See Evidence of Student Learning on the homepage One Year From Now – Although progress has been made utilizing technology for science learning the transfer of this learning into best practice K-8 curriculum and instruction needs to be facilitated. The project’s next step is to integrate a field experience into the curriculum where future teachers can take the technology and use it not only to design science lessons, but to teach science lessons in the K-8 classroom. This will be accomplished through existing partnerships with local K-8 schools that are “technology ready” but lacking in science instructional support.