期刊名称：Electronic Journal of Literacy through Science
电子版ISSN：1934-6670
出版年度：2005
卷号：4
出版社：University of California, Davis
摘要：Urbanization in Malaysia with all its latest Information Communications Technological advances should reflect itself in the teaching of modern science in the urban classroom. Rural science teaching scenarios on the other hand although less influenced by modern technologies should also reflect contextual meaningful teaching and learning episodes. At present science education in Malaysia is in a transition stage where the medium of instruction for science is being changed from the national language to English. Interactive teaching strategies are being advocated to help improve language and scientific literacy. This paper which focuses upon an exploratory qualitative report of the teaching-learning environment of science in primary schools in the State of Selangor (one of the thirteen states of Malaysia), is part of a larger study about the physical and intellectual development of standard four (10 year olds) students. Three rural and three urban standard four teachers were observed. Interviews were also conducted with the teachers. Group interviews were conducted with some selected learners. All interviews were audio taped. The teaching sessions were also videotaped. The data were analyzed from two aspects that is (i) the physical teaching - learning environment of the classrooms and laboratories and (ii) the teaching and learning process in the science classroom found in six selected primary schools. Preliminary results reveal that rural and urban science teachers are only teaching didactically in the confines of their classrooms. The science laboratory also appears to be under utilized and the pace of integration of technology appears slow.
