Read Write Inc. Phonics Workshop

The 'Read Write Inc. Ruth Miskin Literacy UK Programme Training Workshop' was conducted by Ms Karen Morris, a trainer from the UK working in collaboration with the English Unit, Curriculum Development Department, Ministry of Education. The workshop was held over a period of four days starting from 16 to 19 November 2009 at Level 4 , Civil Service Institute in Kampong Rimba. The 40 participants present in the workshop comprised mainly Brunei primary school teachers from all the 4 districts. Observers from various departments in the Ministry of Education (Human Resources Department, Curriculum Development Department, Department of Schools, Department of Schools Inspectorate, etc.) and teacher educators from UBD were also invited to attend the workshop.

The main aim of the workshop was to train teachers in using phonics to help young children develop better reading and writing skills in English. This is one of the Ministry of Education's efforts in meeting the set goal of SPN21 in developing and enhancing literacy and numeracy skills among young learners in the nation. During the workshop, each participant was given a set of 'Read Write Inc.' training material packages and guidelines to carry out his/her phonics lessons in the classroom. These participants will be the RWI managers and are expected to provide RWI training in the long run.

3rd CoSMEd 2009, SEAMEO RECSAM, Penang

The 3rd International Conference on Science and Mathematics Education (CoSMEd) was held for 3 days starting from 10 to 12 November 2009 in SEAMEO RECSAM Centre in Penang, Malaysia. The theme for this year's CoSMEd is on 'Improving Science and Mathematics Literacy: Theory, Innovation and Practice'. The main aim of the conference is to bring educators and researchers together to discuss and address issues in improving science and mathematics literacy, developing children's ability to think scientifically and apply science and mathematical knowledge for personal as well as for the benefit of the community.

Participants include teachers, teacher educators and post-graduate students from seventeen countries i.e. Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Japan, Jordan, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, USA and Malaysia. The participants from Brunei Darussalam come from various departments in the Ministry of Education namely, Department of Schools, Department of Schools Inspectorate, Curriculum Development Department and STEPS Centre.

The 3rd CoSMEd has given me new insights into the way teachers and educators design their learning programmes and adopt appropriate teaching approaches to enhance science and mathematics literacy. Such information is essential in the planning and development of the science and mathematics curriculum and also in planning orientation workshops for our Brunei teachers in the near future. It was indeed an enriching experience for me.

Visit to Health Promotion Centre

Today afternoon, we went to visit the Health Promotion Centre, Department of Health Services, Ministry of Health. We met some of the Health Education officers there to discuss about the activities they plan to implement for our Brunei primary science teachers. Some of the topics may include obesity prevention, diet/nutrition and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Year 2 Science Orientation Workshop (Grp B)

This is the second day of the science briefing orientation workshop for Group B participants conducted by the Science and Agriculture Unit, Curriculum Development Department. The participants who attended the workshop are mostly primary teachers from (i) government schools of Tutong district and (ii) non-government schools.

Year 2 Science Orientation Workshop (Grp A)

Today is the first day of our science orientation workshop for Group A participants which are mostly teachers from Brunei-Muara (Brunei I, II, III & IV), Tutong, Belait and Temburong district. For this workshop, we are working closely with our Year 2 Science Pilot Teachers in conducting the science sessions which deal with the 4 main topics i.e. grouping non-living things, light, healthy body and pushes & pulls. Throughout the sessions, we encourage teachers to adopt the 'scientific enquiry' approach to teach science and provide hands-on activities in their science lessons wherever possible.

ECO GARDEN

This morning we visited the Eco-Garden at Sekolah Rendah Panchong, Tutong II. What a spectacular sight!

PRIMARY SCIENCE_Download

Resources for Primary Science:

• Year 4 Science Suggested Scheme of Work CDD [pdf]
  

WORKSHOP ON DIAGNOSING SCIENCE UNDERSTANDING CONCEPTS

A workshop on Diagnosing Science Understanding Concepts was held in Sekolah Menengah Berakas on 18th August 2009 at 2.00-5.00 p.m. It was conducted by the 'UBD-SHBIE Research Group on diagnostic assessment of science understanding' together with Professor David Treagust from Curtin University, Australia. Participants involved in the workshop included science secondary teachers from Sekolah Menengah Berakas, Sekolah Menengah PAP Hajah Masna, science officers from the Curriculum Development Department, Department of Schools Inspectorate, Department of Schools, Department of Examinations and Department of Research and Development.

Dr Irene Chong from UBD presented the findings based on the group's research carried out in a few selected secondary schools in Brunei Darussalam. Professor David Treagust emphasised on the importance of finding out students' alternative conceptions and provided some information on diagnostic assessment of science understanding. After the presentation, the participants were placed in 3 groups (Chemistry, Physics & Biology) and given the tests to try out. Participants were then asked to give their views on diagnostic assessment and the Continuous Professional Development Programme (CPDP). The workshop was indeed interesting and very informative.

YEAR 2 SCIENCE MEETING

We had another meeting with the Year 2 Pilot Project teachers (Groups 2 and 4) which was held in CDD on 15 August 2009. Cikgu Ak Azman, Cikgu Henry and Cikgu Hjh Mainon, from Group 2, were present during the meeting to discuss the Year 2 science topic Healthy Body. We also did some video recordings on how to make egg sandwiches, orange juice and vegetable spring rolls. These video clips will be given to Year 2 Science teachers as additional resource materials in the science briefing orientation workshop this coming October.

LA MAIN A LA PATE WORKSHOP

The La Main A La Pate Science by Enquiry Workshop was held on 21st to 30th July 2009 in Room 1.42, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Education, Universiti Brunei Darussalam. The workshop was conducted by a French facilitator from the University of Nice, France. About 30 primary science teachers were involved in the workshop.

BLOG WORKSHOP

A workshop on learning how to create blogs was conducted by the ICT Unit, Curriculum Development Department on the 11th and 12th of August for CDD officers in Group 2. It was held in the Computer room, 1st floor and facilitated by Dyg Nanihasrinah binti Hanafi. The participants involved in the workshop included officers from the Science and Agriculture Unit, Early Childhood Education Unit and Multimedia Unit. The workshop was indeed a fun and enriching experience for everyone, thanks to the facilitator who has been so informative and accomodating. Our most sincere thanks to her :)

YEAR 2 SCIENCE PILOT PROJECT

The Science and Agriculture Unit, Curriculum Development Department started the Year 2 Science Pilot Project in January 2009. About 18 teachers from ten government schools were involved in the project. As part of the Pilot Project, Microteaching sessions were carried out to help teachers plan and develop suitable teaching resources in preparation for Year 2 Science which will be implemented in 2010. There are also plans to conduct a briefing orientation workshop for Year 2 Brunei Primary Science teachers this coming October 2009. The Year 2 teachers who are actively involved in the Science Pilot Project will be elected as facilitators for this workshop.