Teaching Electric Circuits by @emc2andallthat

Name: Gethyn Jones
Twitter name: @emc2andallthat
Sector: Secondary
Subject taught (if applicable): Physics
Position: Head of Physics
What is your advice about? Teaching Electric Circuits

1: Introduce flow of charge by sending a shock down a line of students from a van der graaf generator.

2: I favour the coulomb train model: picture a closed loop of railway wagons called coulombs. One amp of current = one coulomb passing per second.

3: Voltage / potential difference / p.d. is an “energy difference”. One volt = one joule added/removed from each coulomb.

4: Use rope models: a closed loop of rope with knots tied at regular intervals to represent the coulombs. They are especially useful to explain current flow in parallel circuits.

5: Don’t assume that students understand the formalism of even simple circuit diagrams. They always appreciate photos/3D sketches of any circuits.

Science Practicals by @ladyroisin

Name: Roisin
Twitter name: @ladyroisin
Sector: Secondary
Subject taught (if applicable): Science
Position: Second in Science
What is your advice about? Science practicals

1: Try it out first or at the very least see another staff member do it.

2: Make friends with the technicians- they often know more than Science teachers and will be invaluable.

3: Don’t be afraid to admit to pupils if something goes wrong – that’s Science.

4: Make it worthwhile. Don’t just do a practical for the sake of doing one.

5: If in doubt, demo it instead of getting the class to do it.

Subject Specific Support and CPD for Science Teachers by @oboelizzie

Name: Liz Coppard
Twitter name: @oboelizzy
Sector: Secondary
Subject taught (if applicable): Science
Position: Supply teacher and freelance curriculum developer
What is your advice about? Subject specific support and CPD for Science teachers

1: Join the Association for Science Education, the ASE, the largest subject teachers’ association in the UK. Visit their website at http://www.ase.org.uk

2: Join #asechat on twitter every Monday night between 8.00 and 9.00 pm. Attend the regional CPD events in your area and meet other Science teachers.

3: Attend the ASE Annual Conference held in January; this offers the very best value for money CPD and fabulous networking opportunities for science teachers of all disciplines

4: Start to think about your own ‘professional learning journey’, Look at what you need to do to achieve Chartered Science Teacher Status (C.Sci.Teach – all on the ASE website).

5: Remember you are not alone. The ASE offers support, friendship, resources, journals, books and high quality CPD opportunities at reduced rates.