Course Objectives

The course will contribute to providing the student with a heightened awareness of teaching situations, and includes knowledge of, and reflection on, goals, content, teaching, learning and assessment methods in natural sciences.
The teacher and teaching framework
On completing the course, the student should be able to:

• Use the current curricula in the planning, implementation and evaluation of natural sciences teaching.
• Evaluate and use various teaching and learning methods in natural sciences; for example, writing, role playing, experiments, mind maps, excursions, etc.
• Evaluate and design assignments and practical work that is relevant to the curriculum, society and the pupils.
• Evaluate and use various learning materials and aids, including ICT and models.
• Assess the risk of field and laboratory work and facilitate learning activities on the basis of this.
• Explain some of the results of research in natural sciences didactics.
• Collaborate with other teachers with regard to organised interdisciplinary teaching.

The teacher and student
On completing the course, the student (should be able to):

• Have knowledge of the pupils’ world of experience and knowledge (pupils’ previous knowledge, attitudes and misconceptions), and use this knowledge to create possibilities for adapted teaching.
• Give an account of research results with regard to topics on equality, as well as discuss various pupil attitudes related to natural sciences.
• Help the pupils gain a positive attitude towards the natural sciences both in terms of further recruitment and the ability to participate in public debate.

The teacher and assessment/guidance
On completing the course, the student should be able to:

• Evaluate and apply various forms of pupil assessment and supervise pupils in natural sciences classes.
• Discuss criteria for grading pupils in natural sciences on the basis of the curriculum.

Course Description

The course is both a practical and theoretical study of natural sciences didactics. It is based on the national curriculum for Natural Sciences Didactics 1 July 1999 set by the Ministry of Education and Research. The course runs over one semester and will be part of the practical teacher education programme (PPU), which provides teaching competence in natural sciences / the subjects, biology, chemistry and physics in the primary school, secondary school and adult education at the equivalent level. The course should reflect the fact that the natural sciences is both an academic and school subject. See also aims.

Learning Methods

The course requires a minimum of 80% attendance. The teaching includes discussions / assignments that are difficult for students to complete by means of self-study. During their period of practical training, students will be given the opportunity to put into practice what they have learnt in natural sciences didactics. Students will receive individual support at the respective schools during this period, in addition to written communication using Classfronter. Full-time students will have 5 weeks of practical training. Part-time students with work in schools will have a placement period of 3 weeks during the same period the full-time students carry out their practical training. Emphasis will be placed on varied teaching and learning methods in line with the objectives of the curricula for primary and secondary education. In addition to lectures and various approaches to the natural sciences, emphasis will be placed on students' own activities, individual assignments, use of ICT, discussions / dialogue and group work.

Students will select an additional 400 pages of syllabus literature, and write an in-depth assignment (15 ECTS). A supervision session will be held in connection with the selection of literature, the approval of the assignment question, and written feedback on the content before the assignment is submitted for final assessment.

Assessment Methods

The obligatory elements of the course must be completed before students may be allowed to take the final examination. This applies to the requirements regarding attendance, portfolio and passing marks for the mandatory practical training in the current semester. Assignments must be submitted within the deadlines stipulated in the semester plan. In natural sciences didactics the course requirements include 3 portfolio assignments and a group assignment including an experiment. The portfolio should comprise roughly 20 typed pages or the equivalent. The content of the various portfolio assignments will be stipulated in the semester plan.
Students must also select syllabus literature in consultation with the teacher (min.: 400 pages). They will write an in-depth assignment of roughly 15 pages (± 2 pages) (cover, attachments, graphs, tables and illustrations not included). The syllabus literature and assignment question should be selected from one of the natural sciences subjects (biology, chemistry or physics), or general natural sciences. The syllabus literature may be chosen from the optional reading list (see section V).

Examination
All the components must receive passing marks in order to pass the course.

Both the subject teacher and the internal examiner will assess the in-depth assignment. The weighting of the examination components (30 ECTS):

Nature sciences, portfolio work (internal examiner) counts 30%.
Natural sciences, oral examination (internal examination) counts 20%.

The in-depth assignment (internal examiner) counts 50%.

The submitted portfolio and the obligatory practical experience must receive passing marks, and the in-depth assignment must be submitted, before the student may be allowed to take the final oral examination. An overall grade will be given for all the components.

A grade from A to F will be given, where A is the highest grade and E the lowest passing grade. Please refer to Telemark University College’s examination regulations for further information, and clause 2.4 in the Practical Teacher Education curriculum.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean