Focus on Classrooms. Learning in Science Project. Working Paper No. 10.

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/unstructured interviews (from students, ex-students, teachers, headmasters, science advisers, and inspectors) and observations made by project staff related to classroom environment. The intent in presenting these comments/observations is not primarily to provide a balanced view of the good and 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 and discussed as they relate to three major issues: (1) where science is taught, focusing on classrooms and laboratories; (2) to whom science is taught, focusing on how students are grouped in classes; and (3) how the learning environment is organized, focusing on problems of classroom management and individualized instruction. One conclusion stated in the document is that a good learning environment is not dependent solely on the teachers, learners, classroom, or instructional strategy, but is a result of the milieu created by all of these factors. (JN)