Contextual Coursework for Elementary Pre-Service Teachers (ConCEPT)

为了扭转历史上许多加州小学教师在科学方面的准备不足，并提高该州小学课堂科学教学的质量和数量，加州州立大学富勒顿分校（CSUF）与五所当地社区学院合作，将为小学职前教师开发情境课程（Concept）。由于大多数小学教师在社区学院满足他们的科学要求，概念将针对未来的小学教师在CSUF和社区学院（3500 - 4500名学生）。ConCEPT将利用现有的示范课程材料开发三个3单元的课程，包括实验室经验，旨在帮助未来的K-6教师理解科学概念，获得科学过程技能，并实施K-6国家科学教育标准。这些课程将是跨学科的，具有科学的背景方法和实践，以探究为基础的教学法。ConCEPT课程将在第一年合作开发，并在第二年进行完善和试点。ConCEPT的直接影响将是改变六个参与机构未来小学教师体验科学的方式。几年之内，随着新获得证书的教师进入他们自己的教室，Concept将开始影响加州小学生学习科学的方式。ConCEPT课程将在未来的小学教师满足其通识教育科学要求的任何机构中应用，并在成功的实地测试后，将传播到美国各地的机构。为社区学院和四年制院校之间的衔接创造了一种新的方法。最终，它将有助于为全国各机构的通识教育科学课程奠定基础。

To reverse the historically poor preparation of many of California's elementary school teachers in science, and to increase the quality and quantity of science instruction in the state's elementary classrooms, California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), in collaboration with five local community colleges, will develop Contextual Coursework for Elementary Pre-Service Teachers (ConCEPT). Because most elementary teachers fulfill their science requirements at community colleges, ConCEPT will target prospective elementary teachers at CSUF and the community colleges (a pool of 3,500-4,500 students). ConCEPT will draw on existing exemplary curriculum materials to develop three 3-unit courses, including laboratory experience, designed to help future K-6 teachers understand science concepts, acquire science process skills and implement the K-6 National Science Education Standards. The courses will be cross-disciplinary, with a contextual approach to science and a hands-on, inquiry-based pedagogy. ConCEPT courses will be developed collaboratively during the first year and refined and piloted during the second year. ConCEPT's immediate impact will be to change the way future elementary teachers at the six participating institutions experience science. Within a few years, as newly credentialed teachers enter their own classrooms, ConCEPT will begin to affect the way California's elementary students learn about science as well. The ConCEPT courses will have application at any institution where future elementary teachers fulfill their general education science requirements and after successful field testing, will be disseminated to institutions throughout the U.S. Beyond the course design, ConCEPT will establish an innovative model for higher education collaborations generally and course development specifically, creating a new approach to articulation between community colleges and four-year institutions. Ultimately, it will help lay the foundation for general education science courses at institutions across the country.