INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES OF TEACHING SCIENCE

Objective – it is immediate, specific, operationally defined and easily achievable in a limited time.

Educational objective – it is a statement of what the students should be able to do at the end of learning as compared to what they could not do before hand.

There are three different levels of objectives

Institutional objectives for schools and colleges

Instructional objectives for each separate course of instruction

Specifications or specific outcomes of learning

BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVES (SPECIFICATIONS)

Specifications are expressed in terms of pupil behaviour that are observable, measurable and easily attainable.

The statement of a specification requires three components ,

1) Performer – the person who is to perform the required action. Eg: the pupil

2) Desired action – an action verb that indicates the specific observable action. Eg: recalls, compares, classification..

3) Content – the learning material. Eg: compares endosmosis and exosmosis, identifies aorta.

The basic steps for writing IO

Ø  Define your instructional goals

Ø  Select suitable content to achieve these goals

Ø  Write a specific objective with an action verb indicating the task

Ø  Modify or rewrite specific objective in clear, precise term.

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES FOR SCIENCE TEACHING (NCERT)

ü  KNOWLEDGE

ü  UNDERSTANDING

ü  APPLICATION

ü  INTEREST

ü  ATTITUDE

ü  APPRECIATION

ü  SKILLS

KNOWLEDGE

The pupil acquires knowledge of terms, facts, symbols in the field of natural science.

Specifications: The pupil

1.    Recalls terms, facts, etc

2.    Recognises facts, concepts, etc.

UNDERSTANDING

The pupil understands facts, concepts, principles, definitions in natural science.

Specifications: The pupil

1.    Illustrates a phenomenon or principle

2.    Gives experimental proof

3.    Identifies relationship between concepts, principles, etc

4.    Discriminates between closely related concepts

5.    Compares and contrasts related concepts or find out similarities and dissimilarities

6.    Interprets charts, graphs, etc

7.    Detects errors in statements

8.    Expresses scientific ideas in different ways

9.    Judges adequacy of given data for the solution of a problem

10.  Sees relationship between cause and effect

11.  Cites examples

12.  Classifies items as per criteria

13.  Explains a happening or phenomena

14.  Defines

APPLICATION

The pupil applies scientific knowledge in a new or unfamiliar situation

Specifications: The pupil

1.    Formulates definitions

2.    Substantiates arguments

3.    Analyses a situation

4.    Suggests hypothesis

5.    Verifies hypothesis

6.    Gives new illustrations to a principle

7.    Develops an experimental procedure to test a hypothesis

8.    Selects apparatus, procedure, etc

9.    Finds reasons for a phenomenon

10.  Predicts a happening

11.  Draws inference from relevant data

12.  Locates a problem

13.  Establishes relationship between cause and effect

14.  Arrives at generalizations

15.  Describes scientific phenomenon

SKILL

A) Drawing skills

Draws, Labels, Uses, appropriate scales, Prepares, Reads

B) Experimental skills

Arranges the apparatus, Check the instruments, Carries out simple repairs, Handle apparatus carefully, Makes observations, Records relevant data, Improvises apparatus, Collects, mount and preserves specimens.

INTEREST

ü  Reads extra books and journals in science

ü  Participates in the activities of science club

ü  Visits places of scientific interest

ü  Takes part in scientific debates, discussions

ü  Collects, preserves materials and specimens of his own

ü  Improvises models and apparatus

ü  Enjoys observing nature

APPRECIATE

ü  Uses scientific methods in solving problems

ü  Admires life and work of the scientists

ü  Shows thrill and excitement while performing experiments

ü  Derives pleasure while experiencing the surprising achievements of science

ü  Signifies the impact of science in daily life

SCIENTIFIC ATTITUDE

ü  Respects the science teachers

ü  Wants to know why’s and how's of events

ü  Records, reports and interprets observations honestly

ü  Admits mistakes unhesitatingly

ü  Suspends judgement till it is repeatedly confirmed

ü  Considers new ideas and discoveries

ü  Accepts or rejects things only on the basis of valid reasons

ü  Shows spirit of team work, self help and self reliance

ü  Reconsiders one’s own judgement

ü  Faces hazards in investigation 

ü  Develops independent thinking