Singapore educators are focusing their classroom teaching on 21st century competencies that include managing information, solving problems, contributing socially, thinking globally, and acting ethically.
22-23 May 2012 Upper Primary Science Workshop
- Teaching Science While Developing 21st Century Competencies
24-25 May 2012 Junior College Biology Workshop
- Investigative Case-Based Learning: Teaching Biology in the 21st Century
28-29 May 2012 Lower Secondary Science Workshop
- Teaching Science While Developing 21st Century Competencies
Investigative Case Based Learning (ICBL) is a method of teaching and learning that uses a case (a short story or scenario) about contemporary topics as the entry point for learners. During their analysis of a case, students draw upon their prior knowledge and experience and collaboratively generate questions they need to answer in order to further understand the case. Instructors can then engage students in investigations by using resources in classrooms, laboratories, studios, libraries, online activities, or the outdoors.
The ICBL method is a variant of other case study methods, particularly Problem Based Learning as was used in medical schools. ICBL, however, emphasizes investigations and uniquely strengthens students’ abilities to pose questions, work in teams successfully, identify solutions, and present findings. Because of its emphasis on investigation, ICBL is particularly well suited for taking advantage of the wealth of resources available in cyberspace (online), such as simulations and models, global data, real research tools, information sources, images, animations, visualizations, and collaboration tools.
Presenters:
Dr. Margaret A. Waterman, Southeast Missouri State University email
Dr. Ethel D. Stanley, BioQUEST Curriculum Consortium email