Teaching about Science and InventionsMaryna TsehelskaKryvyi Rih Pedagogical UniversityEducational Centre “Interclass”Kryvyi Rih

Key Points:1) Understanding how inventions are made and how they work.

2) Development of language awareness and general world view while

talking about inventions.

3) Catchy moments to talk about inventions

Why is it so difficult to talk about inventions and science progress?

Maybe, because:- Creativity is a desirable outcome of the learning process for us, but we often forget about it.- Usually it is just a topic, not a part of the whole course.- It’s difficult for a teacher (requires background knowledge, “technical education”, etc.)

However, inventions and science progress may become a fun part of any topic if we:•Develop functional thinking in students since early

years.• Talk about enhancements wherever possible.•Give a topic historic perspective.•Discuss the types of users.•Add somewhat debatable but “catchy” ideas.

Development of functional thinking = developing language

awareness

If we practice word- building

it greatly enlarges students’

vocabulary and develops

language awareness

We can practice word building from early

stages – the benefits of this are

innumerable. Describe a recipe: Instead of talking

about measures, we may get a general idea and make it relevant to young

teens.

Here we teach:• word building;• how to name

tools;• how to name

the processed objects – later it will help to

discuss an invention.

Topics:• Cooking

• House chores• Services

Etc.

Talk about enhancements:

Topic “Music”:Word families: instruments, actions, people

Enhancements + functions

Give your topic some perspective:

affect

Add a timeline

Shift the focus to a human:

Talking about computers – focus on parts and functions:

1. Types:

2. Price:

3. Size – portability:

4. Purpose:

5. Parts + functions:

Talking about computers – focus on users

Using a Computer I want to describe how I use ________________ by such categories as: Type I consider myself a _________________________

Purpose I need the computer to __________________________________ Time I usually spend ___________________ at my computer.

(time) Main Activity I ______________ such as ________________________________

(action + noun)

Actions For this I ________________________________________________

Emotions I think it is __________ because I am ____________________ (Ving) (V3)

Other Activities However, I may also ___________________________________ (action + noun)

Actions For this I ________________________________________________

Emotions I think it is __________ because I am ____________________ (Ving) (V3)

because

Talking about computers at the advanced level

Some topics may contain somewhat debatable terms that are “catchy” for learners:

E.g. the Digital Divide

Digital Natives/ Immigrants

Talking about inventions:

Speaking cards1. It is used to scaffold speaking on

a concept map.

2. Left column is an outline.

3. Right columns give speech patterns.

4. To lean better – review with the left column visible only.

Grammar that

goes with the topic:

• Passive Voice• Used to..• To get/ be used to…

Smartphone Speaking Type of a user

I have owned a _________________ (phone type) since _____________________________ (time), so I have been a smartphone native for ________________________________ (period). As I often use it for ________________________, I consider myself a __________________________ (type of a user).

Peculiarities of the phone My phone is advanced in: Operating system

It operates on ________________ (IOS/ Android) system, so with it I am able to ___________________________________________________________________

Telephony Before I used to make only voice calls, but now _______________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

Internet access Before I could access Internet __________________________________________, but now ______________________________________________________________

Opportunities It allows me to stay tuned about____________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Life changes Since I got the phone, ….. Adjustment I quickly got used to ____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

Social network I have enlarged my social network by using _____________________________ __________________________________________________________________

Motivation It motivates me to __________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________

Favourite Apps

As for me, I prefer _________________________________________________, with which I can __________________________________________________________ Now I am used to such apps as ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

Evaluation: In terms of ………………. I consider my phone ………………

Processing power

quick slow

Design original common

Usage user-friendly, intuitively understandable

user-unfriendly,

complicated

Fun entertaining dull

Creativity a creativity booster, because

_________________________

a creativity dampener, because

____________________________________

In conclusion, inventions and science progress may become a fun part of any topic if we:•Develop functional thinking in students since early

years.• Talk about enhancements wherever possible.•Give a topic historic perspective.•Discuss the types of users.•Add somewhat debatable but “catchy” ideas.