Assessment for Learning – the teachers perspective

In our latest video, we interview three science teachers from across the British Isles who attended our Assessment for Learning course in York.  These are their opinions and thoughts.

If you can’t view YouTube videos you can also watch the video on the Leading Assessment for Learning in Science course page.

A big collection of free materials to support triple science teachers (and more to come)

By James de Winter

In recent weeks you will probably have seen details and information about the various types of support and training that is available for those teaching triple science GCSEs.  To add to this support, I can offer a place to go for free resources and materials that have been developed and used by teachers across the country. You may be familiar with the National STEM Centre Website  and its wonderful eLibrary but did you know that there is also a community part of the site where you can now get lots of free materials produced, trialled and refined by teachers to support your teaching of the units across all three triple science subjects as well as a place to share ideas and discuss issues online?

My job as manager and moderator of the Triple Science Communities is to be as nice to you as possible, finding and sharing things that may make your lives easier as well as trying to answer any questions. To start things off, I have created three resource community groups, one for each of the science subjects and added a whole load of materials for teaching. These are a combination of activities and worksheets, lesson plans, slideshows, teacher notes as well as other things that I hope you will find useful.

Inside the three subject community groups I have created a separate topic for the main content areas in that subject that are covered in the triple science extension modules. Use the links below to have a look and a rummage around and see what is there, no need to even log in to browse. You’ll need to log in to the National STEM Centre  to download anything but it only takes a minute or two and it may save you much more than that in planning time. I could put links to each of the sections that are included but it’s a bit dull and if it is in your triple science course then there is a section there, I promise.

Physics 

Chemistry

Biology

I have just finished uploading several hundred files produced by teachers working on the previous specifications. Whilst a few things have changed in the recent course revisions, much of this is still relevant and worth a look. In the coming months these groups will expand with more content and we’d be delighted if you felt happy to uploaded your own files as well as commenting upon what is there. I do really value the views of those who will be using these resources on a daily basis. Also, feel free to contact me if you are looking for something that I might be able to track down and upload to the community, or indeed if you have any questions – my email is j.dewinter@slcs.ac.uk 

Whilst you are there, drop in and have a look at the Triple Science Eye Community group. This has a more science staff room feel and is a place for any questions. Whether you are a teacher, technician or head of department, chances are that if you have a problem relating to triple science, someone has solved it already. So have a read, make a post or answer someone else’s questions and I’ll try and reply a quickly as I can as well.

Finally if you are one of those people who are looking at the options for introducing triple science into your school you may also want to watch our triple science case study videos on YouTube.