National Science Teachers Association Standards - Report Example

NSTA STANDARDS NSTA is the abbreviation for National Science Teachers Association Standards. The National Research Council wrote these standards in 1995, these standards were the work of 22 scientific societies and over 18,000 individuals contributed their knowledge to help produce these standards. The NSTA standards are now being implemented in the classrooms and these standards are considered to be a must. As we know that education is not like any other profession because the reason being that the parents or the guardians of the students are very particular of what their children are taught within the classrooms. The NSTA standards are mostly for the teachers who teach science. These standards make sure that the teachers of all levels who teach science should have the capability and the ability to teach science to the students and they (teachers) have the ability to understand the subject as well. These standards also work as a measurement against the teacher's performance. The teacher has to give a satisfactory performance of his or her skills and knowledge about the subject in the science teacher preparation program. There are about 10 NSTA standards and they are 1) Content, 2) Nature of Science, 3) Inquiry, 4) Issues, 5) General Skills of Teaching, 6) Curriculum, 7) Science in the community, 8) Assessment, 9) Safety & Welfare 10) Professional Growth. Content is the first standard of NSTA standards. In content the teachers of science must be able to understand the subject the matter and its practices thoroughly. It is important that they understand the concepts and grasp the ideas and applications of the subject. The teachers must be able to convey the important concepts and the ideas and the applications of the subject to the students. The teachers are able to use mathematical calculations successfully that they can generate reports and process data and solve problems related to their field. It is very important for the teacher of science that they have a very strong content background in the field of science. Content standard basically includes the knowledge and the skills that learned by the teachers in their teacher's science curriculum. The content standard can be and is being used in the school curriculum. Lets take a secondary science teacher who teaches chemistry for example. The teacher must have the grasp of their related field and have the capability to make the students understand the chemical kinetics, the physical and chemical properties, mole concept, fundamental concept of atoms and molecules, fundamental biochemistry and organic synthesis. The teacher should make the subject they are teaching interesting so that learning can take place. It can be done with taking field trips, teaching in such a way that it connects to real life, or through videos etc. Nature Of Science is the second standard of NSTA standards. The teachers, who teach science make the students learn how to differentiate between what is science and is non-science, make them understand the practice of science and the origins of science. The teachers themselves should also understand the goals and the values that are important in the development of scientific studies as well if they plan to teach the nature of science. The nature of science standard can be used in the school curriculum. The teachers should have the skill to engage students in the classroom to participate in the analysis of the scientific assumption and claims. The professors or teachers should be able to show that they can make the students participate in the study of nature of science. The teachers can provide the students with case studies, through seminars on the nature of science or through assignments or projects etc. Inquiry is the third standard of NSTA standards. The teacher who are teaching science engage the students in classroom discussions and make sure that the student takes an active participation in the learning through scientific inquiry. The teachers have to make sure that they can teach through inquiry, they have to show that they understand the procedures and the process of teaching multiple methods of inquiry to obtain to scientific knowledge. This standard can be applied in the school curriculum by preparing the students to so that they are able to solve open-ended problems using the right scientific calculation. The teachers have to make sure that the students get a lot of practice since practice is very important. And the teachers should also have some activities lined up so that it would make learning easier for the students. Issues are the fourth standard of NSTA standards. Here issues are related to the science and technology related problems. The teachers must be able to understand the issues and problems related to the field of science and technology and they should also know that what are the solutions to these issues. This standard makes sure that the applicant is capable enough to use explicit tools like cost-benefit trade off's for decision making and that the teachers are prepared to use such tools within the boundaries of their classrooms. The application of this standard is being done within the school curriculum. The issues regarding science and technology should be given extra attention and these issues should be discussed in the classrooms. Learning is also done with such discussions students learn new things. General Skills of Teaching is the fifth standard of NSTA standards. This standard is based upon that how the teacher would be able to create a community of diversified learners from their science experiences. The teachers should be able to show that they have the ability to promote the learning of science and make the students participate in learning sessions and that they (teachers) are able to create a safe and a secure and a learning environment for the students. And the teachers should help and motivate students in learning and making sense of the subject. This standard can be used in the school curriculum, as we know that this standard is based on the general teaching skills of the teacher in a classroom. The teachers should cooperate with the students and help them to understand the subject and teach the subject in such a way that the student gains knowledge and can understand the subject easily. Teaching could be done from different methods like through presentations, quizzes, assignments etc. Curriculum is the sixth standard of NSTA standards. The teachers and the professors of science should such a course that it should match with the goals and recommendation of the National Science Education Standard. The teachers should understand that what kind of a curriculum is required and then make one according to it. The curriculum should include different kinds of activities that should be able to interest the students. This standard can be used in the school curriculum. The teachers should plan out their lessons before hand cause they will be held responsible for the planning of the lessons through the semester or program. Science In Community is the seventh standard of NSTA standards. This standard basically suggests that the teachers of science should try to tell their community about science and should involve their students in some science related activities and as well as some stakeholders. And they should help in solving problems related to science within the community. The National Science Education Standard allows the teachers to use their knowledge outside the school parameters to resolve any problems related to the field of science and the teachers are not forced to compromise their ethics or values. This standard can be used in the school curriculum as well. The teachers should know in what kind of community they teach in. The teachers are under no obligation to arrange for any kind of field trips or conduct seminars. But it would help the students if field trips or activities were arranged and seminars are held or have guest speakers from the community to come in and give presentation or speech on the subject of science or just to discuss on the present issues of science and technology. The teachers should make sure that the students are given projects or are asked to collect data, visit site or even attend presentation because it would help the students in understanding the subject of science. Assessment is the eighth standard of NSTA standards. This standard basically tells the teachers of science to make effective assessments or test which help in understanding the backgrounds, learning ability, personal development of the students. This standard can be used in the school curriculum as well. The teacher can make sure that the students are assessed in a fair manner and they can make the student do an on going self assessment of them selves. The assessing of the student can be done in terms of tests, quizzes, exams or presentation etc. Safety and Welfare is the ninth standard of NSTA standards. This standard suggests that the teachers create a safe environment for learning for the students. The teachers should understand the responsibilities that go with the territory that is the welfare of the students, taking care of the animals etc. This standard can be used in the school curriculum too. The students should also be taught safety regulations so that they can avoid any kinds of experimental accidents. The students should also be taught to take care of the animals that are kept in the classrooms. Professional Growth is the last standard of NSTA standards. The teachers of science should have the ability to change, to grow, to develop professionally as well as personally. The teachers can do that by taking feedback from the students or from the colleagues or supervisors etc. This standard can applied in the school curriculum. Those teachers are considered to be best who are goal oriented and who have the passion to teach and make sure that their students learn at the end of the day. And the teacher should the ability o get along with the other facility, students or even parents. And the teacher can teach that quality to their students as well. References 1. National Science Education & Teaching Standards. Accessed on June 24, 2008 from www.nsta.org.com 2. NSTA Standards. Accessed on June 24, 2008 from www.tec.iup.edu Read More