ERIC Number: EJ1125870
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0300-4430
EISSN: N/A
Empowering Teachers to Teach Science in the Early Years in Mauritius
Kamudu Applasawmy, B.; Naugah, J.; Maulloo, A. K.
Early Child Development and Care, v187 n2 p261-273 2017
Children act as emergent scientists through active involvement with their environment and adults. Science forms an important component of early childhood education curriculum in Mauritius. Since 2015, The Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre (RGSC), has initiated a new project: empowering educators to teach science in pre-primary schools. One-day workshop on hands-on science activities using simple easily available materials was conducted. This paper describes the workshop and identifies training needs educators. Over 90% of participants have not studied Science beyond O-Level, illustrating the need to reinforce their science content knowledge. They are confident to use hands-on activities but request for more training and exposure on science activities. We discuss how a science centre can support Continuous Professional Development of Teachers in the early years by encouraging scientific discovery. We suggest that a structured professional development programme for educators be developed and that RGSC should become a strategic partner in this endeavour.
Descriptors: Teacher Empowerment, Teacher Competencies, Preschool Teachers, Preschool Education, Science Education, Workshops, Faculty Development, Hands on Science, Pedagogical Content Knowledge, Early Childhood Education, Foreign Countries, Questionnaires, Surveys, Knowledge Level, Pretests Posttests
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Preschool Education; Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Mauritius
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A