Title of Initiative / Project
ITEMS (Improving Teacher Education in Mathematics and Science)
Start and ending date of the Initiative
January 2009 - December 2010
Was the initiative carried out in the framework of a funded project?
Yes
Funding Programme
LLP, KA 4
Title of the project
ITEMS (Improving Teacher Education in Mathematics and Science)
Project number
143485-LLP-2008-ES-KA4-KA4MP (2008-3603)
Type of deliverables
Online course, Teaching Methodology, Didactical resource
Thematic area
Chemistry, Maths, Physics, Biology, Science
Language of the deliverable
Other EU, Spanish, English
Description of the initiative
The central objective is the development of a framework aimed at driving up standards of teaching and learning in Science and Mathematics by improving teachers’ competencies and setting up the conditions for a change in teacher practice towards a more inquiry based model in order to enhance students’ achievement and, as a corollary, their interest in, and engagement with, science, in an context where the use of ICT will allow these to be much richer and realistic than heretofore.
Specific objectives:
1. To design and develop online modules (Integrated Teaching Elearning Modules, ITEMs) for secondary school students in Science and Mathematics using a new model of course production.
2. To organise a set of Training Teachers Courses (TTC) aimed at familiarising teachers in the management of the ITEMs in a classroom environment using an on-line/blended approach.
3. To establish a joint infrastructure in order to facilitate sustainable accessibility to the ITEMS approach to schools as well as the exchange of scientific information.
4. To monitor the dissemination, impact measurements and the quality assessment of the project within an Open Access environment.
More Information
ITEMS has produced innovative elearning modules in order to contribute to the repository of good practices in ICT based materials. Six elearning modules have been developed and iteratively refined by an innovative model of course production. This method consists of building a learning thread by embedding interactive simulations in an online learning environment (Moodle). The modules attempt to be student friendly and the simulations attractive and focused on conceptual understanding. From a structural point of view, they present the student with a variety of learning activities and tie the use of the simulations to specific quizzes, discussion forums and assignments. The modules, and all the animations, have been translated to the four languages of the partnership (English, Spanish, German and Slovenian) and they are freely accessible to visit or download under Creative Commons licence.
The protocol to build a ITEMS module could be summarized as following: to pack Learning Objects (mainly multimedia content: animations, simulations, videos) in a VLE-Moodle format by means of collaborative tools (quizzes, forums). An important part of the process has been the construction of highly interactive animations aimed at improving conceptual understanding and motivation. Such animations have been built on demand in order to use a multilingual approach. The ITEMS project Moodle main page is located at
http://itemspro.net/moodle/ The modules and news about project developments are also available on the
http://scientix.eu network (Home›Projects›ITEMS: Improving Teacher Education in Mathematics and Science)
Teachers’ Opinion
Modules tie the use of simulations and animations to specific quizzes and activities for students. Quizzes are mixed with specific assignments, discussion forums, student glossaries and choices to present the student with a variety of learning activities. In addition, modules attempt to be attractive and student friendly.
Students’ Opinion
The idea of presenting science information to learn through quizzes and animations is very good. It is always better and easier to learn when the learning is fun.
Comments on this Relevant initiatives
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Date: 2015.04.06
Posted by Alex Stefanov (Bulgaria)
The comments on this project are positive. Judging by the opinions of teachers and students, the site has a large database of interesting information. Unfortunately all access to this information is missing - registration required. Positive comments themselves are not enough to get me to register.
