Supporting and resourcing secondary science teachers in rural and regional schools

Abstract

This paper reports on the outcomes of a pilot project to support secondary teachers of science
\nin rural and regional Tasmania. The pilot project involved eight regional schools and was
\nbased on the provision of a kit of materials and an associated learning program that used
\nbrine shrimp or ‘sea-monkeys’ to test for water quality. The unit was developed as one of a
\nnumber of small projects organised by the Tasmanian SiMERR Hub. It involved collaboration
\nbetween staff from two faculties at the University of Tasmania (UTAS): the Faculty of Science
\nand the Faculty of Education. Two local secondary teachers were seconded to develop the
\nteaching materials.
\nThe outcomes of the project were that, while the teachers appreciated the resource materials,
\nthere were some barriers which reduced the effectiveness of this approach to supporting
\nthe professional development (PD) of teachers. The fi ndings are then considered in the
\ncontext of relevant literature concerning teacher PD and the effective use of Information and
\nCommunication Technology (ICT) to support the PD of teachers in rural and regional areas.