Research School Network: Improving Secondary Science Teaching 1 – What to know and how to remember it with James de Winter, University of Cambridge

Research has shown that disadvantaged students start to fall behind in science as early as Key Stage 1 and the gap only widens throughout primary and secondary phases. The EEF Guidance Report ​‘Improving Secondary Science Teaching’ has reviewed the best available international research and has consulted with experts to identify key principles for effective secondary science teaching.

This suite of 4 online, interactive training coursesfocuses on specific aspects from the Guidance Report. Each session will be a standalone event. 

Book one or more to suit you.

Session 1 – What to know and how to remember it: preconceptions and memory.

Preconceptions
Pupils hold preconceptions about scientific concepts which may or may not align with scientific understanding. We will explore strategies and resources to address common misconceptions so that pupils can build secure knowledge and how you can build these ideas into lesson planning. There will also be a consideration of threshold concepts which can be transformative to the way pupils think.

Memory
Evidence shows that strategies to help pupils to secure knowledge can be very effective in making progress. We will look at strategies to help pupils embed ideas in their long-term memory through consideration of cognitive load, spaced review and retrieval practice.

Aimed at:
Teachers and heads of science in secondary schools

Led by:
James de Winter, Lecturer in Science Education, University of Cambridge