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Teaching Practical Science

Biology

Gill Gunnill, Karen Hornby, and Matt Cornock

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more The course has been designed as CPD for teachers of science subjects for 14-16 year olds. Teachers of biology, early career teachers, returning teachers, non-specialist teachers, technicians and teaching assistants will gain from the peer learning and resources available on this course. Learn from national CPD subject leaders, the experience of other teachers and access high quality supporting resources throughout this course. You can use the hashtag #FLSTEMPractical to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

Practical work for 14-16 year olds for the key topics of: enzymes, microscopy and microbiology.
Contextualising practical work in biology to the everyday environment.
How progression in practical work impacts on students’ learning.
Assessment of learning through practical work in biology.
Approaches to teaching practical science that can be applied to other topic areas.

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Reviews summary

Practical biology for educators

According to teachers, this course is a highly valuable professional development resource, particularly for those involved in teaching 14-16 year old biology. Learners frequently commend the practical strategies and resources provided, finding them directly applicable to the classroom. The course is seen as beneficial for both specialist and non-specialist teachers, offering a solid foundation in key topics like enzymes, microscopy, and microbiology. While some suggest more interactive elements could enhance the experience, the overall sentiment points to a strong, actionable learning experience focused on improving practical science delivery and student assessment.

Provides actionable insights into assessing learning through practicals.

"I particularly appreciated the emphasis on how to assess student learning effectively."

"The focus on progression and assessment was particularly strong and helpful."

"I learned effective ways to assess students' understanding during practical work."

Excellent for teachers less familiar with biology content or practicals.

"Very helpful for a non-specialist like me; I gained so much confidence."

"As a returning teacher, I appreciated the clear foundational knowledge."

"I found it easy to follow even without a strong biology background."

Covers key biology topics crucial for the 14-16 age group syllabus.

"The focus on enzymes and microscopy was spot-on for my classroom needs."

"The depth on microbiology was good, and I picked up useful tips."

"The course covered practical work for topics like enzymes and microscopy, which are essential."

Offers concrete strategies and resources directly applicable to teaching.

"This course provided invaluable strategies for teaching practical biology."

"I've already implemented several ideas from this course into my lessons."

"I gained confidence in setting up practicals and found the resources excellent."

Some wish for more interactive elements to enhance engagement.

"While the content was relevant, the course could benefit from more interactive elements."

"It felt a bit like reading sometimes; more hands-on simulations would be great."

"I wished there were more opportunities for direct engagement with the material."

Career center

Learners who complete Teaching Practical Science: Biology will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 40 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Teaching Practical Science: Biology.

Noncontact Atomic Force Microscopy

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This three-volume handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the field of microscopy, covering a wide range of topics from the history of microscopy to the latest advances in imaging techniques.

Teaching Practical Science

Topics Covered

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Reviews summary

Practical biology for educators

Career center

Reading list

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