2021年3月17日晚7:00-9:30,SSI-L项目初中组在腾讯会议室举行新学期第一次在线研讨活动。本次研讨的主要内容为四所基地校教师汇报本校项目的基本方案。会议由初中学段负责人,山东省威海市教育教学研究中心初中教研室张涛主任主持,初中学段10所基地校的骨干教师、学科指导专家等近50人参与了本次研讨。
山东省威海市望海园中学
威海市望海园中学乔然洁老师首先对该校上学期的议题“草木染是否应该大力推广”的实施情况进行了反思总结。乔老师指出,上学期的议题内容充实,活动形式丰富,培养了学生的实践能力,但是议题的科学性和社会性有所欠缺,之后会进一步将该项目做实、做深。本学期,基于新冠疫苗的广泛投入使用的社会热点,该校SSI-L项目组提出了新议题“流感疫苗真的能预防流感吗?”该议题兼具科学性与社会性,并且与课程知识和生活实际联系紧密。目前,该议题尚未开课,计划首先让学生对疫苗进行调查研究,第二节课再进行交流展示。最后,乔老师提出了两点困惑,其一是该议题是否会让学生对疫苗产生怀疑态度,其二是对参与SSI-L的学生是否有好的筛选方式。
彭梦华老师指出,望海园中学上学期的项目内容很好,团队教师对上学期的回顾很有必要,目前的议题方案内容也比较合理。但是目前的设计还比较简略,建议团队骨干教师尽快设计出更详细的课程方案。望海园中学于莲花副校长进一步分享了团队在上学期实践中收获的经验,认为项目不能够仅流于形式和活动,而要确保议题科学性和社会性的深度,从而能够真正提升学生的科学素养。
张涛老师指出,该议题是否能够“议”起来是团队需要思考的主要问题。由于疫苗的上市需要经过对有效性的充分论证,因此,学生平时能够接种到的疫苗应当都是有效的,该议题的争议性可能不足。此外,张老师也肯定了望海园中学上学期的议题开展情况,建议该校可以从不同的角度将该议题做得更加深入透彻。最后,张涛老师指出,是否有参与SSI-L的意愿是选择学生的第一原则,培养学生欠缺的某一方面能力正是SSI-L的目标之一。
北京外国语大学瑞安附属中学
北京外国语大学瑞安附属中学谢娟老师汇报了新议题“制冷方式的选择”。该议题主要从多个方面比较各种制冷方式的优劣,并针对大面积空调使用带来的诸多问题展开讨论。谢老师介绍了该议题设计的星形图,并提出该议题针对于培养学生文化基础、自主发展、社会参与三类核心素养而展开,知识内容主要参考物理课程标准,与电路、物质的三态变化等相联系。学生在该议题中需要基于对知识原理的分析应用,结合相关环保政策选择合适的制冷方式。在课程的后期,学生还会投入到对“空调扇”的设计等实践活动中。
彭梦华老师指出该议题具有很强的科学性,团队教师需要将议题中涉及到的各种制冷方式的原理理解透彻,才能应对学生在学习中遇到的问题。制冷方式的选择非常多,团队可以不必局限于空调和风扇,扩充议题的内容,并且将与制冷相关的其他内容纳入进来。此外,彭老师还指出该项目的具体课程设计需要继续细化,与顶层设计的内容相联系。
贵州师范大学杨珺老师从生物学的角度对该议题展开了评述。杨老师指出,需要关注人体的绝对温度和体感温度等内容,从而使该议题的内部知识结构更加完善。针对项目具体开展的方面,杨老师认为问卷的设计是重难点,决定了课程深度和专业程度。
张涛老师高度肯定了该校团队工作的全面、细致和精要,希望团队教师能够消化专家的专业意见,进一步提升议题的质量。
贵州贵阳市第一实验中学
贵州贵阳市第一实验中学王应薪老师汇报了本校议题“十二背后溶洞的初步实践探究”。王老师首先介绍了贵州多山的地貌特征,指出目前社会发展对生态的开发和对生态环境保护的需要出现矛盾。该议题以当地的十二背后风景区的“双河溶洞”为案例,对喀斯特地貌的成因和保护方式展开探究。在具体的课程设置方面,团队将采用理论知识和社会实践相结合的方式开展。学生将成立社团,进行每周一次的理论学习,在节假日还会来到当地的喀斯特地貌区进行实地考察,并形成考察报告。在今后的课程开展中,该校拟在保证安全的情况下开展部分探险性活动,并开展诗歌文化主体内容,以培养学生保护自己的技能并提升其文化素养。
彭梦华老师对该校后续的开展方向给出了建议。首先,团队的人员配备需要加入本校的地理老师;此外,目前的议题活动过于偏向人文社会方面,需要增强活动的科学性内容,比如让学生自己动手进行实验等多元化的活动。最后,彭老师提出在今后的计划书和汇报中需要加强语言表述的科学性和严谨性,并进一步细化项目的相关设计。
张涛老师指出,该议题兼具科学性和社会性,值得讨论的内容很多,并且具有地域特色,是一个非常好的选择,但是目前对课程的定位需要进行修改。如果仅设计为一个探究活动,很可能造成该议题社会性讨论缺失的问题。张老师建议将议题改为“十二背后溶洞的保护与开发”,突出生态保护的社会效益与商业开发之间的矛盾,诗词鉴赏、探险也需要进行调整以更好地融入议题。
山西太原尖草坪实验中学
山西太原尖草坪实验中学刘妍老师分享了本校议题“如何搭配饮食更有益于青少年健康成长”。刘老师介绍了议题的星形图设计,并提出团队将从化学、生物、体育、物理、地理融合的跨学科视角对该议题展开研究。在科学概念与知识方面,议题关注人体所需要的营养物质以及其在体内的消化吸收及能量转化;社会文化方面,议题加入了对当地饮食文化习俗、饮食文化与自然环境关系等内容的学习。并设计了“健康饮食宣传员”、“设计营养健康食谱”等体验活动。
彭梦华老师指出该选题具有较强的地域特色,但是目前的叙述还较为笼统,需要进一步思考该议题究竟能够对学生起到怎样的帮助,并开发学生能够实际参与的多样化的活动。饮食是一个大的问题,可以从卫生、原材料污染等全方位角度对议题开展研究,此外,团队老师需要进一步细化课程方案,尽早形成详细的议题方案。
杨珺老师提醒团队老师注意该议题中涉及的健康饮食知识是否会与初中生物的课本知识出现重复的情况,刘妍老师回应团队会以生物课内的知识为基础向外延伸,并开发更多形式的活动。
张涛老师提出以饮食为中心的议题可以开发为一个系列,对后续的议题开展做长期规划。同时,张老师指出该议题可能存在争议性不足,不易融合社会因素等问题,建议可以从当地的饮食习俗方面入手,考虑营养和传统之间可能存在的矛盾,以开发出更加合适的议题。
SSI-L项目负责人林静老师对今晚的会议内容进行了总结。首先,林静老师对各校领导和项目团队教师的项目开发与设计工作表示了高度肯定。此后,林静老师提出了两点建议。其一,需要把握本项目的独特育人功能。SSI-L不仅是“立德树人”的重要实现途径,更能够融合跨学科内容知识,以议题为载体促进学生核心素养的提升与可持续发展。因此,林老师建议各校最好能围绕一个大议题来设计与组织系列活动,不断提升其育人的深度与广度,对学生进行核心素养的连贯性培养。其二,星形图是架构议题跨学科内容与教育目标的有效工具,各校在设计议题时要明确星形图对于整个课程设计的支架作用,逐步细化、可操作化、可评价化地精致星形图。也就是说,在议题活动开展中,需要以星形图为纲领,不断对活动进行细化,以培养学生能够终身受益的思维技能和核心素养。最后,林老师提出SSI需要与当地的特色紧密相连,建议各区域积极进行本区域内的研讨交流,并告知SSI-L项目本学期相关会议与活动计划。
本次研讨对汇报学校项目的进一步修订提供了切实的建议,对与会者也具有一定的参考借鉴价值,促进各校在本学期进一步顺利开展SSI-L项目研究与实践。
图1 线上研讨会议室剪影
From 7:00pm to 9:30 pm on March 17, 2021, the SSI-L project middle school group held the first online meeting via Tencent meeting for the new semester. Teachers from four partner schools presented the preliminary plan of their SSI-L projects. This meeting was hosted by Zhang Tao, who is the leader of SSI-L project middle school group and director of the middle school teaching and research office of Weihai Teaching and Research Center. Nearly 50 people attended this meeting, including program leading teachers from 10 partner schools and subject guidance experts of the SSI-L project.
Weihai Wanghaiyuan Middle School in Shandong Province
Teacher Qiao Ranjie from Weihai Wanghaiyuan Middle School firstly made reflection on the implementation of the issue “Whether plant dyeing should be vigorously promoted” in the last semester. Teacher Qiao mentioned that the last semester’s issue had enough information and multiple activities, which developed the students’ practice ability. However, the issue needs deepening in scientific and social aspects in future. According to the current social hot spots “the widespread use of the new COVID 19 vaccine”, they proposed a new issue “Can Flu vaccine really prevent influenza” in this semester. This new issue is more scientific and has boarder social effect. It will reinforce students’ knowledge learned from discipline curriculum and connect with their everyday life. This SSI-L activity has not yet started. Teachers is planning to engage students in investigation and research on vaccines first, and then let students to exchange the ideas and present their study results. Teacher Qiao raised up her two concerns about proceeding with the new issue. One is what if the issue causes the students’ question about vaccines, and the other one is how to plan a good selecting procedure for students who want to participate in SSI-L project.
Teacher Peng Menghua complimented the topic chosen by Wanghaiyuan Middle School SSI-L project team last semester. He thought it’s necessary for the team to discuss and exchange ideas about the implementation of the project. The content of the new issue was relatively reasonable, however, the current project design was rather simple. He recommended the leading teachers of the team to develop a more detailed curriculum plan as soon as possible. Yu Lianhua, the deputy principal of Wanghaiyuan Middle School, shared more about the experience they have gained from last semester’s research and practices of SSI-L. She believed the project should not only scratch the surface, but provide in-depth study on SSI, so as to truly enhance the students’ science literacy.
Teacher Zhang Tao declared that the project team needs to think more about whether the issue can be “discussed”. Because the vaccine’s effectiveness is fully demonstrated before going the market, all vaccines that students can access should all be effective. Hence, this issue may not be controversial. In addition, Teacher Zhang also praised the progress of SSI-L projects in Wanghaiyuan Middle School from last semester, and suggested them to dig deeper into this issue and discuss it from different angles. Finally, Mr. Zhang Tao said the students’ willingness to participate in SSI-L is the first principle in selecting students, and one of the goals of SSI-L project is to develop students’ relatively weak ability.
Rui’an Middle School Affiliated to Beijing Foreign Studies University
Teacher Xie Juan from Rui’an Middle School Affiliated to Beijing Foreign Studies University brought up a new issue “The selection of cooling methods”. This issue is to compare the advantages and disadvantages of various cooling methods from multiple aspects, and to discuss many problems caused by the use of air-conditioning for large areas. Teacher Xie introduced the star map designed for this issue. The diagram shows that this topic is to develop the students’ following three core literacy, which are cultural awareness, independent growth and social commitment. The knowledge used in this issue mainly refers to the physics curriculum standards, e.g., circuits and three-state change of substance. Students need to choose an appropriate cooling method based on their analysis and the application of their knowledge, of course, going along with the relevant environmental protection policies. In the latter stage of the project, students will participate in hands-on activities such as designing “air conditioning fans”.
Teacher Peng Menghua affirmed that the issue has scientificity. The project team needs to thoroughly understand the principles of various cooling methods involved in order to deal with the problems encountered by students during their SSI learning. There are many options for cooling methods. Mr. Peng suggested the project team should not limit to air conditioning or fans in this SSI-L activity. They should include other contents related to cooling. In addition, Mr. Peng added the specific curriculum design of this issue needs to be persistently refined and refer back to the project guideline.
Dr. Yang Jun from Guizhou Normal University commented on this issue from the perspective of biology. Ms. Yang said the concept of absolute temperature and body temperature need to be discussed in this issue to further fulfill the internal knowledge structure. Regarding the project development, Yang believed that designing the questionnaire is the most important and difficult part, which determines the depth and the professional level of the SSI-L course.
Teacher Zhang Tao highly praised the school’s comprehensive and meticulous work. He hoped that the team could digest the professional opinions from the experts and further improve the issue’s design.
Guiyang No.1 Experimental Middle School in Guizhou Province
Teacher Wang Yingxin from Guiyang No.1 Experimental Middle School in Guizhou presented their project issue “Preliminary practical study and research on caves in Behind The Twelve area”. Mr. Wang firstly introduced the mountainous landform features in Guizhou, and the conflicts between ecological destruction induced by social development and ecological importance of environmental protection. They conducted a case study on the “Shuanghe Cave” in the local Behind The Twelve Scenic Area to learn about the causes of karst landforms and discovery the valid protection methods. The project team will combine the theoretical knowledge with practical activities in terms of course design. Students set up a club to study about the theory once a week. During holidays, they go to the local karst geomorphology area for on-site investigation and write an investigation report after. While carrying on the course, the school will take all possible measures to make sure all adventure expeditions run under secure condition. The poetry culture is going to be integrate in the issue as well. As a result, the students will obtain self-protection skills and improve their cultural literacy.
Teacher Peng Menghua gave suggestions on the development direction of school’s SSI-L project. First of all, he suggested geography teachers should become part of the school’s project team. In addition, the current activities involve too much of the humanities and social science contents but not enough in science content. Peng recommended to diversify and include more scientific activities, such as hands-on examinations and experiments by the students. Finally, Mr. Peng mentioned that the rigor of language expression needs to be strengthened in their future plans and reports. And the project details should be further refined.
Teacher Zhang Tao said this issue contains both scientific and social issues, which is worth to be discussed. Incorporating the regional characteristics of Guizhou also makes the issue a very good choice. However, the course’s vaule needs to be modified. If it is only designed as a practical study and research activity, it is likely that the discussion on related social issues will be overlooked. Teacher Zhang recommended that the title can be changed to “Protection and Development of Karst Caves in Behind the Twelve area” to highlight the contradiction between the social benefits of environmental protection and economic development. Poetry appreciation and expeditions also need to be tailored to better integrate into the issue.
Taiyuan Jiancaoping Experimental Middle School in Shanxi Province
Teacher Liu Yan from Taiyuan Jiancaoping Experimental Middle School in Shanxi shared the issue “How to create a healthy balanced diet plan to support teenagers’ growth”. Teacher Liu introduced the star map designed for this issue and proposed that the team will conduct research from an interdisciplinary perspective, combining methods and theories from chemistry, biology, sports, physics, and geography. In terms of scientific concepts, this issue focuses on the nutrients needed by the human body, as well as their digestion, absorption and energy production in the body; in terms of sociocultural study, this issue covers local food culture and the relationship between food culture and the natural environment. Several experimental activities have been designed as well, such as “Healthy Eating Promoter” and “Creating Healthy and Nutritional Meal Plan”. Teacher Peng Menghua declared that this issue has strong regional characteristics, but it is still relatively too general. It is necessary to think further about how this issue can help students, and what activities the students can actually participate in. In addition, diet is a big issue, the research on which can be carried out from a full range of perspectives such as hygiene and raw material pollution. The project team needs to further refine the course plan and form a complete course with details soon.
Dr. Yang Jun reminded the team to double confirm that whether the concepts of healthy diet involved in this issue overlap with the one in the middle school biology textbook. Teacher Liu Yan responded that the team will expand the knowledge based on what the students learned from the biology textbook and work on developing many forms of meaningful activities.
Teacher Zhang Tao proposed that food issue can be developed into a series to make it a long-term project plan. Meanwhile, Mr. Zhang pointed out this issue is hardly arguable and difficult to related with social issues. He suggested that the team can start from the research on local dietary customs and discuss the possible contradictions between nutrition and traditional food to develop more suitable issues.
Dr. Lin Jing, the head of the SSI-L project, summarized the meeting tonight. Lin Jing recognized the partner schools’ leaders and teachers’ effort on project development and practices. Lin Jing also made two suggestions. First, it is important to carry out the SSI-L’s unique value on students. SSI-L is a feasible way for Lideshuren, and also an integrated way for students’ core literacy development in the context of interdisciplinary integration. Therefore, Ms. Lin suggested that schools should design and organize a series of activities over one major issue, and continues to dig deeper and explore further its functions in improving students’ core literacy. Second, the star map is an effective tool to organize the interdisciplinary content and educational goals for SSI-L. Schools should be clear about the role of star map in their issue development process, and gradually refine it in a more practical and assessable manner. In the other words, schools should take the star map as their guideline and continuously refine the project activities to develop students’ critical thinking skills and core literacy for their lifelong benefit. Third, Mr. Lin proposed that SSI-L project needs to be closely connected with local characteristics. She also suggested all regions actively conduct internal discussions and exchange ideas, and then update the SSI-L national project team with feedbacks from the relevant meetings as well as their project plans for this semester.
This seminar provided practical recommendations for the further revision of the schools’ reported project. The meeting participants received valuable suggestions, which would help with the implementation of the research and practice on SSI-L project in this semester.