About the Book

The most important contribution of the elementary or secondary school teacher is his/her ability to make interpretations innovations invent his/her own study units. Meaningful science education for pre-service and in-service teachers is imperative to develop study units in this direction. And qualitative rather than quantitative aspect of in-service orientation programmes is crucial.
The book emphasises on new approaches effective planning monitoring and evaluation of pre and in-service programmes to reflect upon development of desired competencies in teaching and minimum levels of learning which a pupil must acquire at the primary level. It focuses on development of exemplar science teaching learning materials; integrated science teaching activities and projects; motivational devices in science teaching and learning; classroom research etc. The book may be useful to all interested in the subject.

About Author

Prof. Rajinder M. Kalra is former Dean (Academic) NIE Prof. and Head Department of Educational Measurement & Evaluation NCERT. He got his Doctorate and Masters' in Education and Masters' in Chemistry from USA and Canada.
He has written several books and articles and won international recognition for his contributions in educational experimentation and innovations. He was honoured by the Canadian Teachers Federation Ottawa (Hilroy Fellowship) NSTA Washington STAR Awards and Chemical Institute of Canada Award Ottawa.
Dr. Kalra has been actively involved in Commonwealth UNESCO UNDP UNICEF and World Bank assisted Projects. He has been appointed as a visiting Professor in Canada and USA. He is Professor Emeritus International Institute of Adult and Life Long Education Delhi.

Contents

Introduction to Science
What is Science?;Nature of Learning Science; Pillars of Science Teaching;Goals of Science Programme;

Teaching Learning Environment at the ElementaryLevel in the Developing Countries
Three Important Elements in Elementary Teaching; Competencies to be Developed;Recent Developments in Elementary Education in India;Minimum Levels of Learning; In-service Training of Teachers;Conclusion

Curriculum Development in Science Education-Based on Competence Approach
Curriculum Developments in Science Education;International Perspective;Curriculum Developments in Science Education in India-An Overview; Minimum Levels of Learning

Teaching of Science at the Elementary Level-Based on Competency Approach
Components of "Open Competence" Approach; Teaching Learning Strategies in the Open Competence
Approach

Recent Approaches to Teaching Learning Science
Environmental Education-An Introspection; Science Values and Applications to Daily Life Environment;Philosophy and Aims of Science Teaching; Science Teaching with a Focus on Values and Daily Life Environment

Development of Exemplar Science Teaching Learning Materials
Environmental Studies Units;Village Pond;Exemplary Unit; Statement of General Objectives;Specific Objectives;General Suggestions to the Teacher; Heat and Energy Change;Chemistry in Home and in Farming;Maintaining Good Health

Environmental Studies and Integrated Science Teaching Activities and Projects
Suggested Environmental Studies Projects at the Elementary Level; Integrated Approach to Science Education Activities at the Elementary Level in Action

Motivational Devices in Science Teaching Learning
Science Fair;Improvisation of Apparatuses for Teaching of Science;Academic Games in Science Teaching;Academic Games in Chemistry Teaching

Development of Scientific Temper
Scientific Temper-What is it?; How do we Inculcate Scientific Temper?;Ingredients of Scientific Temper

Elementary School Science-Psychological Basis of Learning
Learning-An Acquisition of Knowledge; Retention and Forgetting;Transfer of Training

Evaluating Science Education-Based on Environmental and Integrated Approach
Status of Evaluation and Examination System in India-An Introspection;Examinations and the Threat of Failure;Contract Method and Elementary Science Education

Classroom Research in Science Education-Action Research
Classroom Research in Ancient and Modern India; Definition of Classroom Research;Criticism of Classroom Research;How to start Classroom Research?

Summary and Assignments

Additional Info.