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The Promotion of Scientific Inquiry in Irish Post-Primary Schools Through the Use of a Virtual Chemistry Laboratory: Implications for Teacher Education
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, , , University of Limerick, Ireland

Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ISBN 978-1-880094-84-6 Publisher: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE), Waynesville, NC USA

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Abstract

The lack of uptake of science subjects in Post-Primary Schools (High Schools) is a continuous concern, both in Ireland and the international community. In the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation Report, the Irish government stresses the need for a greater focus on investigative approaches, assessing practical work and effectively using Information and Communications Technology. This mirrors the international move towards inquiry and more authentic student experience of the sciences. A review of the Irish Science Syllabi is ongoing to find possible solutions. This paper proposes a Virtual Chemistry Laboratory (VCL) as a practical infrastructure to tackle these issues and facilitate change. This work describes the views of educational stakeholders on the potential integration of a VCL into the Irish Chemistry Syllabus and the use of a VCL by 5 Science teachers, highlighting how a VCL can address and raise awareness of many contemporary issues in science and teacher education.

Citation

Donnelly, D., O'Reilly, J. & McGarr, O. (2011). The Promotion of Scientific Inquiry in Irish Post-Primary Schools Through the Use of a Virtual Chemistry Laboratory: Implications for Teacher Education. In M. Koehler & P. Mishra (Eds.), Proceedings of SITE 2011--Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (pp. 3638-3645). Nashville, Tennessee, USA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved August 5, 2024 from .

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