Aspects of Inquiry based learning (IBL) can be traced back many years in some countries. However, despite considerable support for IBL approaches in some jurisdictions, uptake of IBL has been slow. In Europe, following the Ricard Report (2008), there has been a renewed emphasis on IBL and considerable funding for a range of projects aimed at promoting the use of IBL. The Maths and Science for Life (Mascil) Project is one of these projects. At the core of the project is a Professional Development (PD) 'Toolkit' aimed at supporting teachers in developing their use of IBL approaches in authentic contexts linked to the 'World of Work'.
This session will draw on research linked to the Mascil project concerning the attitudes, beliefs and practices of science teachers in examining some of the contestations in the field of IBL and the barriers to progress. It will also examine the different ways in which the Mascil model of PD has been utilised, reflecting its emphasis on participants taking ownership and the development of professional learning communities . The materials developed through the project will be drawn on in the session and are freely available to use. They can be accessed at:
http://www.mascil-project.eu.
