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At the Crossroads: The impact of new Irish science curricula on first year post-primary students

Varley, Janet, Murphy, Clíona orcid logoORCID: 0000-0002-6251-5785 and Veale, Órlaith (2013) At the Crossroads: The impact of new Irish science curricula on first year post-primary students. Research in Science Education, 43 (1). pp. 275-298. ISSN 0157-244X

Abstract
In Ireland, new science curricula were introduced at primary and early post- primary levels in 2003, in an effort to reverse declining interest and enrolment in science. This paper reports on a national study that explored first year post-primary students’ experiences of and attitudes towards school science under these new curricula. Data were gathered from 366 pupils using survey and case study approaches. Findings revealed broadly positive attitudes towards post-primary school science, especially the experimental work that is at the heart of the new curriculum. However, it would appear that students were not conducting open-ended investigations or using information and communications technology [ICT] to any great extent; moreover, there was some evidence of traditional teaching methods being utilised. Pupils were highly critical of previous primary school science experiences, reporting a lack of ‘hands-on’ activities, didactic methodologies and, for a significant minority, a paucity of any memorable primary science at all. Improvements in curricular implementation are proposed.
Metadata
Item Type:Article (Published)
Refereed:Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:Children’s voice; Curriculum; primary/ post-primary transition; School science
Subjects:Social Sciences > Education
Social Sciences > Teaching
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > Institute of Education > School of STEM Education, Innovation, & Global Studies
Research Initiatives and Centres > Center for the Advancement of Science Teaching and Learning (CASTeL)
Publisher:Springer
Official URL:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11165-011-9252-3
Copyright Information:© 2013 Springer. The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com
Use License:This item is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License. View License
ID Code:21559
Deposited On:20 Dec 2016 11:30 by Thomas Murtagh . Last Modified 02 Mar 2022 13:41
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