Project on Problem Based
Learning: New Zealand - United States Collaboration
Background
Introduction
This project is intended to initiate action
research based teaching in the classroom through international
collaboration among academics from two different continents.
Educators, students and researchers involved in
this project will work in collaboration with each other by forming a
community of learners. Presently available internet based systems of
communication will provide opportunities for teachers, students and
researchers to share their ideas, resources and help each other to
succeed in their own classroom environment.
The initial focus will be the Science
Curriculum of New Zealand and United States. Through online
synchronous and asynchronous discussion school teachers, student
teachers and researchers will present the science curriculum and try
to identify the similarities and differences between the science
curriculum of New Zealand and United States (specifically North
Carolina).
In the second phase project participants will
be introduced to the problem based learning approach. Problem based
learning is in practice in the Integrated Curriculum: Science and
Technology paper in primary teacher education programme at Massey
University in New Zealand. Discussion during this phase will allow
participants to discuss about the common issues and problems in the
US and in NZ based on the similarities of two science curriculum
documents.
The actual hands-on activities will start in
2006 where the teachers will implement PBL approach with a group of
students in their respective schools. More on this will be available
at a later date.
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