Focus on the Learner. Learning in Science Project. Working Paper No. 6.

The first (exploratory) phase of the Learning in Science Project focused on science teaching/learning in the Form 1 to 4 level (ages 10 to 14) and sought to identify problems and difficulties in several areas. Provided in this paper are comments obtained during structured interviews (from students, ex-students, teachers, headmasters, science advisers, and inspectors) and observations made by project staff related to what children bring to their learning of science. The intent in presenting these comments/observations is not primarily to provide a balanced view of the good bad aspects of Form 1 to 4 science, but rather to open up problem issues as project staff and others see them. Comments/observations are presented in three sections, focusing on: (1) differences between what students expect to do and learn in school science programs and what actually occurs; (2) problems students face with abstract ideas and complex experiments, and such difficulties as getting students to think or follow simple instructions, or their lack of reading/practical skills; and (3) motivational factors, the most important relating to differences in expectations between teachers and learners. Major points are summarized in a concluding section, followed by extracts from interviews related to student expectations, capacity, and success. (JN)