Teaching science and math the new way
http://www.bt.com.bn/en/home_news/2009/05/26/teaching_science_and_maths_the_new_way

IMPROVEMENT in teaching methods is a continuous process as new approaches and

New approach: Participants of the Action Research Workshop on science and mathematics teaching are all ears as Dr Wahyudi explains new teaching methods at the Central Lecture Theatre at Universiti Brunei Darussalam yesterday. Picture: BT/Hana Roslan

practices are being devised by experts and researchers to further raise the quality of the teaching workforce.

The Human Resource Development Division of the Ministry of Education (MoE) has selected local teachers for the action research workshop to ensure the continuous professional development of the teaching workforce.

The four-day workshop entitled "Action Research: Improving Classroom Practice and Resolving the Science and Mathematics Classroom Problems" which began yesterday is being conducted by two experts — Dr Wahyudi, a Science education specialist and Kyaw Kar Nyunt, an ICT education specialist, of the Southeast Asia Ministers of Education Organisational Regional Centre for Science and Mathematics (Seameo-Recsam) from Penang, Malaysia.

More than 60 secondary and primary school Science and Mathematics teachers are taking part in the workshop.

True to its theme, the participants of the workshop will discuss many areas such as philosophies relating to research, research report writing and implementing these researches in their classrooms.

The launch of the workshop began with Hjh Donnaliza Abdullah Puasa, head of Human Resource Development Section at the Ministry of Education, encouraging the participants to make full use of the workshop and incorporate new methods to enhance the quality of teaching.

Following the brief welcome, the workshop began with an ice-breaking session amongst the teachers that was coordinated by Dr Wahyudi.

The Science specialist began his lecture by giving an overview of action research to the participants.

Stressing the importance of action research, Dr Wahyudi said the process involves self-evaluation and self-examination by the practitioners themselves where they identify a particular problem and analyse it to correct the mistakes and evaluate their decisions and actions in order to improve their teaching skills.

"It is a process whereby the participants can examine their own educational practice and use the techniques of research," he said.

Dr Wahyudi said that it was a process of systematic inquiry into self-identified teaching or learning a problem to "develop strategies geared towards solving a problem".

Other issues such as the purpose, the assumptions as well as step by step details on how to conduct "Classroom Action Research (CAR)" were also discussed by Dr Wahyudi during the afternoon session.

According to a statement by the ministry, the action research was a form of self-reflective inquiry practice used in school-based professional development and school improvement.

"It is considered by present educators as an alternative to the more traditional theory-based approach in educational research," the statement was quoted as saying.

Through action research, the statement said, teachers are encouraged to develop their own theories and pedagogy from their classroom practice to bring changes through professional growth and collaboration.

The session will end on May 29, where the participants will also do work visits and conduct hands-on research with students at the Rimba Secondary and Primary School.

The workshop is currently being conducted at the Central Lecture Theatre of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (SHR1)