Located on the campus of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in
Singapore is the National Institute of Education (NIE). This is the
only teacher education university in Singapore and provides everything
from initial teacher preparation to graduate and in-service programs.
Right now there are about 5,500 full time students.
I had the privilege of observing Dr. Aik Ling Tan's science methods course. This class focuses on teaching Biology in secondary schools and consists of around 25 undergraduate students. On the day that I visited, Dr. Tan was demonstrating how to teach simulations as a pedagogy. She had prepared simulations for the concepts of predator/prey, camouflage, epidemiology, enzyme-substrate, and the action of motor/sensory neurons. The class was fast paced, energetic, and engaging. For the predator /prey activity, we went outside (this was at 8:30 a.m.).
Dr. Tan peppering the yard with different colored toothpicks
Students in groups of 4, selected "mouth parts" (a single chopstick, forceps, plastic spoon, or test tube holder) and received a "stomach" (plastic cup). They were the predators searching for prey (toothpicks).
Students searching for prey
The green toothpicks were difficult to spot on the grass and there was a bit of competition between "mouthparts"!!
After each activity Dr. Tan would ask the pre-service teachers, what made it a good simulation? How would they utilize the activity in their teaching? What might they change about the activity to better fit their particular audience?
Back in the classroom, Dr. Tan rolled out a display board and asked students to count the number of different colored dots on each side of the board (black and white).
The trick was that white dots on white paper did not easily show up (likewise with black dots on black paper) and students overlooked counting those dots. She discussed how simulations could provide a way for students to experience camouflage rather than the teacher just providing a definition of camouflage.
Next, students were given test tubes and eye droppers and asked to "mingle" and exchange the fluid in their test tube with three others in class. Then the professor put a drop of "indicator" in everyone's tubes. If your tube turned bright RED, then you were infected. This was to simulate the spreading of germs from a single sneeze (patient 0).
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Luckily, these two girls did NOT get infected! | | |
For the enzyme/substrate simulation, students were given three toothpicks (substrate) and 7 seconds to break each one in 1/2 using just one hand (enzyme). Then, students were given 5 toothpicks to break in 7 seconds and finally 9. Of course, 9 were too many for one hand to break in 7 seconds. This demonstrated the limiting factors on enzyme/substrate interactions.
And finally, Dr. Tan provided her students with an opportunity to experience the relay of sensory input --> to the brain -->to the motor neurons. She paired students and asked for them to place one hand above the other as seen here.
The person with the hand the greatest distance from the paper was told to initiate picking up the paper. Can you guess which student was successful in getting the paper?
Dr. Tan concluded with a powerpoint on the advantages and limitations of using simulations to teach secondary biology. I couldn't believe that 3 hours had already passed -- I was so engaged with the simulations that time just flew by.
Dr. Tan and I exchanged syllabi for the science methods courses that we each teach. She was very gracious hosting me and letting me observe her in action!
Afterwards, I walked over to Nanyang Technological University to meet Troy for lunch as he had just finished teaching HIS 8 a.m. lecture on linear algebra and office hours.
Imagine my surprise as I walked into the physical science and math building to find a giant poster of Dr. Troy Lee touting "curiosity" hanging in the foyer.
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Proud Mom Moment! | | | | |
I will continue along my path of learning about science education in Singapore with a visit to Our Lady of Good Counsel Primary School--stay tuned for the next blog post to see their "ECO GARDEN"!