Report on the Survey conducted at the end of Live Session on Oct. 18/19, 2005

 

  1. How would you rate the usefulness of this session?

 

Very Useful  (10)                             Some use  (4)

 

 

  1. How would you rate the quality of the communication tool that was used for the session?

 

Alright  (1)                                       Good (8)                       Very Good  (5)

 

3.  Were you able to form ideas about similarities between the Science Curriculum in the two countries? 

 

Somewhat  (2)                                        Yes  (11)

 

  1.  Do you feel you have gained good knowledge of  the science curriculum in US and NZ?

 

Somewhat – Need more information (10 )              Yes  (4)

 

  1. Would you be interested in continuing your discussion using an online discussion forum?

 

Yes  (14)

 

6. What do you see as the major differences between the two curriculums.

 

New Zealand’s Perspective

 

NZ has more flexibility in teaching style and delivery and student choice, with a broader range of topics.  NZ teachers have more flexibility in meeting students learning needs with a range of AA and AO, catering to student’s abilities across a wide range in response to their curiosity and interest. They have more freedom to choose what will be taught and how, in response to the student’s learning need.

 

 

US Perspective

 

US have a specific curriculum with tighter/ schedule of specific goals.  Less individual work, more class based work. The curriculum means there is less freedom or room to explore deeper with students and less ability to cater for the needs of less able students.  A more content rich curriculum that ensures all children are exposed to the same knowledge.  A teacher based curriculum.

 

7. Where do you see common ground between the two curriculums?

 

Many of the topics actually studied are the same, as well as the skills and attitudes required to be taught.  There seems to be some cross over between the levels with NZ having a slightly wider approximate age band than the US.  How we are using scientific principles in research.

 

 

More Information required on

 

*US / NZ science curriculums - Website links so they can be looked at in more depth

 

*Teaching strategies used in the NZ curriculum

 

*Assessment procedure used to assess students

 

*Education - The different Education structure each group operates under

                   - How the schools are set up in each area; age range, grading, classroom sizes, year

                      levels, timetables etc.