Life Science: About the Workshop
Course Structure
On-Site Activities
Essential Science for Teachers: Life Science consists of eight three-hour sessions, each of which includes group activities and discussions as well as an hour-long tape.
The workshop guide provides activities and discussion topics for pre- and post-viewing investigations that complement each of the eight one-hour video programs.
Getting Ready (Site Investigation)
In preparation for watching the program, you will engage in 60 minutes of investigation through discussion and activity.
Watch the Course Video
Then you will watch the 60-minute video, which includes classroom footage,
commentary, science demonstrations, and more.
Going Further (Site Investigation)
Wrap up the session with an additional 40 minutes of investigation through
discussion and activity.
For Next Time
Homework Assignment
You will be assigned exercises and activities that tie into the last course
session or prepare you for the next one.
Ongoing Activities:
Bottle Biology
Each course video features a section titled Bottle
Biology, which is a long-term, hands-on activity that uses readily available
materials to explore plant growth. You can follow along or simply watch the
investigation and ponder the questions it poses.
Reflective Journal Entry
A critical part of taking steps toward change is representing learning along
the way. This is a deliberate process that calls for reflecting upon your
own understandings before, during, and after key experiences, and documenting
how these understandings change. While there are numerous ways to represent
learning, we suggest using a journal. As the course progresses, pay particular
attention to changes in your thinking, and the implication of these changes,
and record them in your journal
Teacher-Talk
You can communicate with other course participants via email discussion list, Teacher-TalkLife (the
course discussion list). To send a message to the list, write to: teacher-talklife@learner.org
Graduate Credit Option
Essential Science for Teachers: Life Science is a
three-credit, graduate-level
course available through Colorado State University. As
a result, there is a significant amount of work for between
sessions. Assignments are detailed in the course activities
section of the course
guide.
General Tip
It is strongly recommended that participants acquire a college-level biology text. Reading topics will be listed in each session.