Explore our glossary, topics and concepts and more
Our November pānui is all about pedagogy – targeted ways to use our huge science glossary, why concepts matter, how you can inform our online PLD in 2022 and COP26.
Using our new glossary to learn the language of science
Science has its own language. Content vocabulary is important – students need to understand the meanings of key terms to master the underlying science concepts. The Hub has more than 2,500 glossary terms and they are now easily accessible and usable!
Glossary options
There’s a glossary tab under the title of most resources. This provides a list of all glossary terms and definitions in the resource. You can download the glossary terms – either as a full list or select terms to build your own vocabulary list. It creates a .docx file so you can edit the text to include your own information, create a quiz or upload it to a shared platform.
Glossary terms within a resource
Clicking the glossary button at the top right, for example in the The gravity well – a physics analogy article, provides a list of every glossary term that appears within that resource. Users can download all or some of the terms and/or add them to one of their collections.
You can also use the full glossary as a science dictionary. Use the glossary filters to create bespoke vocabulary lists. Hub users who are signed in can add glossary terms to their collections. You can then add notes with questions about the terms, examples of their use or links to resources.
Anyone can use these tools – students are welcome to create their own lists and collections, too! It’s all explained in this article.
Topics and concepts
Another new enhancement is the Related topics & concepts tab. It sits next to the glossary tab and makes the related topics and concepts more visible and easy to access. Why is this important?
Science is often taught as a topic or theme. Science concepts are the big ideas that underpin a topic. Because students’ conceptual understandings develop more fully over time, having an awareness of the underlying concepts enables teachers to scaffold understanding.
Related topics and concepts
Clicking on the related Topic and/or Concept buttons at the right of article and activity resources displays the underpinning concepts and relevant topics. For example the topics related to The seed-flower life cycle.
Free PLD webinars and ideas for 2022
Our two most recent PLD webinars are now live: Having fun with the science capabilities and Tame Malcolm – indigenous pest management.
We are making plans for our PLD programme for 2022. We'd love to know what webinar topics you'd like us to pursue, and any other feedback you have about our webinars. If you have comments or suggestions, please use this short Google form or email us.
Resources to support COP26
If you want to connect with what’s happening at COP26, check out our news post. It has links to events in Aotearoa, online groups and Hub resources. Climate change is a big topic, but there are ways to present it in smaller, more manageable themes.
Planning pathways using climate change resources
This interactive groups Hub resources into key science and teaching concepts. The article Climate change resources – planning pathways provides pedagogical advice and links to the New Zealand Curriculum. Click on the labels for links to supporting articles, media and student activities.
Best wishes for term 4
The Science Learning Hub is managed by the University of Waikato. We know first hand that it’s a trying time for educators and families in the Auckland and Waikato regions. We also know that teachers across the motu are heading into exams and report writing. We send our sincere best wishes to educators everywhere!
Follow us
We offer added value through our social media. Contact us about creating collections or boards tailored to your needs. We can help foster connections between the education and science communities.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nzsciencelearn
Twitter: www.twitter.com/NZScienceLearn
Pinterest: nz.pinterest.com/nzsciencelearn
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sciencelearninghubnz
Your feedback
We hope you enjoy using the Science Learning Hub – Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao in your teaching and would love to hear from you. Your comments, ideas and feedback can be emailed to enquiries@sciencelearn.org.nz.
Regards
Science Learning Hub – Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao
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