Introduction to the NSS Biology Curriculum

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Introduction to the NSS Biology Curriculum

• Second Consultation
• 15 June 2005

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Statistics, Issues and Responses of the 1st
Consultation

• 419 questionnaires collected

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Statistics of 1st Consultation
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Statistics of 1st Consultation
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Statistics of 1st Consultation
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Statistics of 1st Consultation
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Statistics of 1st Consultation
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Issues and Responses of 1st Consultation

• Curriculum Framework
• Investigative study
• Time allocation
• Topics to be included in the compulsory part,
  e.g. biotechnology, field ecology
• Similar topics in Liberal Studies

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Issues and Responses related to 1st Consultation

• School-based Assessment
• Weighting around 20
• Class size
• Workload
• Assessment tasks

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Issues and Responses related to 1st Consultation

• Readiness Training of Teachers
• Professional Development Programme
• updating knowledge on new topics
• pedagogy
• Supporting Measures
• Teacher-to-students ratio
• Laboratory equipment

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Biology Curriculum Framework

• Second draft

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Curriculum Framework

• Three interconnected components
• Learning Targets
• Curriculum Emphases
• Compulsory and Elective Parts

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Time Allocation

• Scientific Investigations 20 hrs
• Compulsory Part 200 hrs
• Elective Part 50 hrs
• Total
  270 hrs

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Compulsory Part (200 hrs)

• Cells and Molecules of Life (46 hrs)
• Genetics and Evolution (42 hrs)
• Organisms and Environment (86 hrs)
• A. Essential Life Processes
• B. Interacting with the Environment
• Health, Defence and Diseases (26 hrs)

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Cells and Molecules of Life(46 hrs)

• Molecules of life
• Cellular organisation
• Movement of substances across membrane
• Cell cycle and division
• Cellular energetics

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II. Genetics and Evolution (42 hrs)

• Basic genetics
• Molecular genetics
• Biodiversity and evolution

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III. Organisms and Environment (86 hrs)

• IIIA. Essential Life Processes
• Essential life processes in plants
• Essential life processes in humans
• Reproduction, growth and development

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III. Organisms and Environment (86 hrs)

• IIIB. Interacting with the Environment
• Coordination and Response
• Homeostasis
• Ecology

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IV. Health, Defence and Diseases (26 hrs)

• Personal health
• Body defence mechanisms
• Diseases

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Elective Part (25 hours each, any 2 out of 4)

• Human Physiology Regulation and Control
• Applied Ecology
• Microorganisms and Humans
• Biotechnology

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V. Human Physiology Regulation and Control
(25 hrs)

• Regulation of water content
• Regulation of body temperature
• Regulation of gas content in blood
• Hormonal control of female reproductive cycle

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VI. Applied Ecology (25 hrs)

• Human impact on the environment
• Pollution control and conservation

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VII. Microorganisms and Humans (25 hrs)

• Microbiology
• Uses of microorganisms
• Harmful microorganisms

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VIII. Biotechnology (25 hrs)

• Biotechnology in genetic engineering
• Cloning of organisms
• Biotechnology in medicine
• Other applications of biotechnology
• Bioethics

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Curriculum Structure

• Overview
• Curriculum Emphases
• Learning Outcomes
• Suggested Learning and Teaching Activities

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Curriculum Emphases
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Topics

• Knowledge and concepts that students are expected
  to learn
• To provide a basic framework for developing
  learning and teaching activities

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Learning Outcomes

• Different levels of abilities
• Learning outcomes with the higher cognitive
  ability (e.g. evaluate, relate, etc.) are
  applicable, other learning outcomes with lower
  cognitive abilities (e.g. state, describe, etc.)
  will not be listed.
• As the basis for self-evaluation in students
• For teachers to monitor the progress of learning
  and teaching.

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Suggested Learning and Teaching Activities

• The list includes a wide range of activities,
  such as discussions, debates, practical work,
  investigations, information searching and project
  etc.
• Guide for teachers rather than as an exhaustive
  or mandatory list.
• Teachers professional judgement
• To meet the interests and abilities of their
  students.

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Curriculum Planning

• Continuity with the junior secondary science
  curriculum
• Plan and devise appropriate and purposeful
  learning and teaching materials, practical work,
  scientific investigations and projects
• Set and work on clear and manageable curriculum
  goals
• Flexible use of class time

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Progression of Studies

• SS 1

Foundation Topics (Cells Molecules of life,
Essential Life Processes)
SS 2
Other topics of the compulsory part Elective part
SS 3
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Suggested Learning and Teaching Sequences
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Supporting Measures

• Professional development programmes
• Understanding and Interpreting the Biology
  Curriculum (9 hours)
• Assessing Student Learning (15 hours)
• Learning and Teaching Strategies (15 hours)
• Enriching Knowledge (12 hours)

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Supporting Measures

• Teacher Networks and Learning Communities
• Learning and Teaching Resources

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Comments suggestions are most welcome

• E-mail science_at_emb.gov.hk
• THANK YOU