Evidence-Based Professional Development Program for middle school Science & Technology

Leading team

• Dr. Zahava Scherz
• Prof. Bat Sheva Eylon

Project members

• Liora Bialer
• Ornit Spektor -Levy
• Miri Oren

Summary

This project is a continuation of a bi-national evidence-based Continuous Professional Development (CPD) program, carried out over the course of three years (2004-2007) in collaboration with King’s College in the UK, and supported by the UK Gatsby Foundation. The program, developed as a CPD teachers’ program for LSS (Learning Skills in Science), is based on the teachers’ evidence of their best class practice. We researched the teachers’ progression and development process, employing a unique diagnostic method – developed specifically for this project – based on the teachers’ professional progression and profiles. The results provided grounds for the creation of several CPD models, which have since been implemented on a national scale into our various CPD programs for science teachers.

Links for further reading

• Scherz Z.*, Eylon, B. and Bialer, L., “Professional Development in Learning Skills for Science (LSS): the use of Evidence-Based Framework”, International Journal of Research in Science Education, 30(5), 643-668, 2008.
• Scherz Z.*, Bialer, L., and Eylon, B., “Learning Skills for Science (LSS): the Synergy between Design and Evaluation Methodology in a Reflective CPD Programme”. Research in Science and Technological Education, 26(1), 45-65, 2011.