Getting practical: An evaluation

1. Ian Abrahams ian.abrahams@york.ac.uk Getting practical: An evaluation

2. Structure Background Secondary Primary CPD Implications

3. Background Getting practical: Improving practical work in science A government funded (�900k) national project in England Evaluation: Abrahams, Reiss and Sharpe

4. IPWiS Project Aims Observable changes in the emphasis given to practical science in schools and colleges. Observable improvements in young people�s perception of, and positive attitudes towards, science. Observable changes in the confidence and attitudes of science teachers and other staff in using practical science as part of the teaching and learning process. Observable improvements in the learning of science concepts.

5. Training Training options: 1 x 6 hours 2 x 3 hours 3 x 2 hours Composition of training groups Solely primary, solely secondary or mixed

6. Sample Evaluation: Sample 30 schools across England � 20 secondary and 10 primary Second round 20 schools � 12 secondary and 8 primary Multi-site case study approach Pre and post-training visits 18 months

7. School type by location

8. A model of the process of design and evaluation of a practical task (from Millar et al)