Pädagogische Hochschule Wien - Fachdidaktikzentrum für Naturwissenschaft und Mathematik
Twin centre
Pädagogische Hochschule Wien
Fachdidaktikzentrum für Naturwissenschaft und Mathematik
Grenzackerstraße 18
1100 Wien
Austria
Contact person
Dr. Christian Bertsch
Pädagogische Hochschule Wien
Fachdidaktikzentrum für Naturwissenschaft und Mathematik
Grenzackerstraße 18
1100 Wien, Austria
Phone: +43 650 8001025
E-mail: christian.bertsch@phwien.ac.at
National website containing information about Fibonacci
www.phwien.ac.at/forschung/fachdidaktikzentrum-nawima.html
Pädagogische Hochschule Wien - short overview
The Pädagogische Hochschule Wien offers an extensive program of primary and secondary teacher training, both initial as well as in-service. The newly established "Fachdidaktikzentrum" for science and math education focuses on the dissemination of an inquiry-based and constructivist approach of learning in science and mathematics.
The work of the "Fachdidaktikzentrum" is based on research and uses strong links with schools and science centers, which are in integrated part of the initial teacher training. Our main aim is to broaden the methodological spectrum teachers are able to use in their classrooms and we try to improve teachers' conceptions of the nature of science and their conception of learning in science.
Main research topics are
- science teacher’s competence development
- research-school-collaborations
- successful implementation of kit boxes in schools and
- teachers conception of the nature of science.
Activities with the Fibonacci project
The main activity connected to Fibonacci is organizing continuous professional development trainings for primary school teachers and providing supporting materials. The trainings consist of theoretical and practical sessions, where different materials and the underlying learning theories are offered. In a next step the participating teachers work with the materials in their classrooms and evaluate their pupils’ science process skills. Seen as crucial for teachers’ development we organize joint reflection meetings, where teachers discuss their experiences working with the materials and exchange.
In course of the Fibonacci project we will also establish teacher-scientist-collaborations. In cooperation with the Technical University Vienna we try to support primary school teachers in their science teaching through the involvement of scientists.
Other related projects
Starting in October 2010 the Fachdidaktikzentrum is coordinating a joint national research project on prospective primary school teachers’ development in science. The aim of the project is to introduce and evaluate an educational program focusing on inquiry based learning in science including the underlying constructivist approach of learning.