EVALUATION OF INNOVATIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING STRATEGIES IN SCIENCE EDUCATION: COLLABORATIVE WORK AND PEER ASSESSMENT

Abstract

This paper presents the design of the curricular unit "Nature Integrated Sciences I” for the Course of Primary School Teachers of the 1st cycle of Higher Education at the University of Aveiro (Portugal). This curricular unit integrates a holistic approach to science based on the STS movement, where the activities promote collaborative work, such as study visits, field trips, laboratory classes, public presentations of works, discussion activities and self-and peer-assessment. It is intended to evaluate innovative teaching and learning strategies by hearing the students’ opinions about the proposed activities, their attitudes towards collaborative work and peer assessment. A questionnaire was applied online during the currilucar unit and the results show that most students felt that the teaching methodology was appropriate, group activities were relevant and assessment strategies contributed to the development of the targeted skills and building of knowledge. Key words: collaborative work, peer assessment, science education.