NSS Understanding and Interpreting the Chemistry Curriculum

Sophia Cheng

3 November 2008

Curriculum framework of the compulsory part

2

2003

2005

2009

3

1st consultation exercise (Oct 04 – May 05)

• Implementation schedule

• Core and elective subjects

• Career orientated courses

4

2nd consultation exercise (Jun 05 – Jan 06)

• Benchmarking (UCLES, IBO, WMIER)

• Meetings with chemistry/science department of various universities and colleges

• Focus group meeting

• Questionnaires from secondary schools

5

Comments and Concerns from questionnaires

– Public examination: weighting, SRA, duration and question types of written papers

– SBA and investigative study: teachers’ and students’ workload, weighting, class size, fairness, requirements and assessment

– Curriculum content: cater for learner differences, teaching hours, resources

6

Response to comments

• Re-examining teaching time, learning objectives and outcomes

• Proposing suggestions to facilitate teachers to plan a flexible curriculum

• Proposing suggestions on how to cater learners diversity

7

Response to comments

• Delivering professional development programmes of NSS Chemistry for teachers

• Developing exemplars for learning, teaching and assessment in task groups

8

3rd consultation exercise (Sep – Nov 06)

• Focus on public assessment for NSS

• Public examination: Paper structure, weighting, duration

• SBA: Weighting, design, timeline, teachers’ effort, students’ effort, authentication

9

“334” Web Bulletin

www.edb.gov.hk/334

10

Organization of NSS Curriculum

Four core subjects:Chi, Eng, Math, LS

~45-55%

+ +

Two to three elective subjects(2-3X)

~20-30%

Other Learning Experience(OLE)

15-35%

11

Elective subjects in Science Education KLA Biology Chemistry Physics Science

Integrated Science Combined Science

12

LearningTargets

Knowledge andUnderstanding Values and Attitudes

Skills and Processes

13

Learning targets

Knowledge and understanding Phenomena, facts, principles, concepts, laws and

theories Vocabulary, terminology and conventions Applications of chemistry Scientific investigations

14

Learning targets

Skills and processes Scientific thinking, scientific method and

problem solving Scientific investigation, practical Decision making, information handling Communication, collaboration Learning and self-learning

15

Learning targets

Values and attitudes Curiosity and interest in science Awareness of limitations of science Awareness of the impact of chemistry Commitment to safe practices Appreciation of interrelationship of science

and other disciplines Appreciation of importance of life-long learning

16

Structure of the curriculum

Compulsory part (198 hours) 12 topics, compiled with fundamental chemistry

knowledge, principles, concepts and scientific process skills

I. Planet earth 8 hours

II. Microscopic world I 24 hours

III. Metals 22 hours

IV. Acids and bases 27 hours

V. Fossil fuels and carbon compounds

20 hours

VI. Microscopic world II 8 hours

VII. Redox reactions, chemical cells and electrolysis

26 hours

Compulsory Part (Total 198 hours)

VIII. Chemical reactions and energy

9 hours

IX. Rate of reaction 9 hours

X. Chemical equilibrium

10 hours

XI Chemistry of carbon compounds

27 hours

XII Patterns in the chemical world

8 hours

18

Structure of the curriculum

Elective part (26 hours x 2) Select any 2 out of 3 topics In-depth treatment or extension of certain areas

of the compulsory part

Investigative study (20 hours) Design and conduct a first-hand investigation

19

Elective Part (Total 52 hours)

XIII. Industrial chemistry 26 hours

XIV. Material chemistry 26 hours

XV. Analytical chemistry 26 hours

20

Activity 1

Group Topic Page

1, 2 III MetalsIV Acids and bases

2530

3, 4 II Microscopic world IVI Microscopic world II

1940

5, 6 V Fossil fuels and carbon compounds 35

7, 8 XI Chemistry of carbon compounds 58

9, 10, 13 VII Redox reactions, chemical cells and electrolysis

VIII Chemical reactions and energy

4349

11, 12, 14 IX Rate of reactionX Chemical equilibriumXII Patterns in the chemical world

525564

21

The Combined Science Curriculum

22

I. Planet earth 8 hrs

II. Microscopic world 21 hrs

III. Metals 22 hrs

IV. Acids and bases 28 hrs

V. Fossil fuels and carbon compounds

23 hrs

Chemistry Part (Total 135 hours)

VI. Redox reactions, chemical cells and electrolysis

26 hrs

VII. Chemical reactions and energy

7 hrs

Simple investigations are subsumed in the lesson time suggested for each topic.

23

In each topic:

Overview - Main theme and major concepts of the topic

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

- “Students should learn…” & “Students should be able to…”

Suggested Learning and Teaching Activities

- Activities for developing some of the skills to be acquired in the topic

Values and Attitudes - Intrinsically worthwhile values and positive attitudes related to the topic

STSE (Science-Technology-Society-

Environment) connections- Some issue-based learning activities or subjects related to the topic

24

Activity 2Group Topic Page

1, 2 III MetalsIV Acids and bases

2530

3, 4 II Microscopic world IVI Microscopic world II

1940

5, 6 V Fossil fuels and carbon compounds 35

7, 8 XI Chemistry of carbon compounds 58

9, 10, 13 VII Redox reactions, chemical cells and electrolysis

VIII Chemical reactions and energy

4349

11, 12, 14 IX Rate of reactionX Chemical equilibriumXII Patterns in the chemical world

525564

1. Do you think your students can accomplish the learning outcomes of the topics? If not, how will you deliver the topics?

2. Which of the suggested learning and teaching activities you particularly prefer in teaching the topics?

Discussion

26

Appendix 2Experimental techniques for the Chemistry Curriculum(English version p.145-147; Chinese version p.137-138)

Collection of gases, crystallisation, determination of melting and boiling points, distillation and reflux, filtration, etc……

27

p.58

28

p.68

29

p.41

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Organic synthesis in Topic XI

Alkane

Alkene

ROH

RBr

R-C-H

O

R-C-R'

O

RCOOH

RCOOR

R-C-NH2

O