Sub-Standard Teaching Methods Combated by Ambitious Social Enterprise
As high school science grades continue to fall, ALISON, the free online learning and certification provider has just released two new free interactive courses on Biology to rekindle student’s waning interest in Science.
The need for high quality Science students has never been
higher. Economic development is a goal of all nation-states, and a
life necessity for lesser developed countries. However for
economies and nations to prosper in the 21st century they must be
on the cusp of scientific innovation.
Scientific innovation rarely begins in the laboratory but rather
much earlier than that in the classroom. Corporations today
recognize that for their employees to be on the cutting edge of
innovation they need to be reared on an educational diet of solid
scientific fundamentals. Schools need to develop sound knowledge of
maths and science in their students and foster scientific curiosity
from a young age.
However in spite of the obvious advantages of developing
sophisticated scientific minds in the classroom, the education
system seems to churn out apathetic students year on year. Science
grades are not increasing but rather falling and at an unsettling
rate.
Students are are disillusioned with subject matter presented to
them in the classroom and lecture halls. That's the view of Dublin
City University (DCU) President Ferdinand Von Prondzynski who
recently met with second-level students who spoke about their
relationship with the school curriculum. Von Prondzynski in a
recent Irish Times article opined that the student's struggle to
grapple with the outdated, unengaging school curriculum currently
facing them. "[Student's] educational experience was too often
undermined by a system that did not encourage initiative,
participation, analysis and evaluation"
"I cannot say that the students were complaining: what they were
presenting was not a list of accusations, but the expression of
disappointment and regret. And what were they disappointed about?
At one level, it was about inadequate resources: excessively large
classes, not enough computers or outdated equipment. But listening
to them I understood that what exercised them much more than any of
that was that our system of secondary education did not allow them
to show initiative, voice opinions, or practice participation.
"
Von Prondzynski is not alone in voicing in his concern over the
inadequacy of the traditional education system in the 21st century.
Educators and educational institutions are painfully aware of
student's lack of engagement with their studies. However as
computers continue to become more and more part of our lives,
interactive pedagogical technology is beginning to provide an
alternative to archaic teaching methods.
These interactive learning technologies are capturing learners'
attention and allow students to grapple with science in an
interesting, interactive and though-provoking way.
For example, Irish-based course provider ALISON has recently added
to their extensive suite of free online courses with the
announcement of two new interactive Biology courses.
These course are a useful introduction for those who wish to learn
and understand the fundamentals of biology from the definition of
living things to complex phenomenon such as photosynthesis and
homeostasis. The course is also an ideal study aid for biology
students at both second and third-level.
Foundation
Biology
Biology- Upper
Secondary 1
Biology- Upper
Secondary 2