Report from Richmond-upon-Thames College
What teachers like about SNAB...
Here are notes from Jean Douglas and Staff at Richmond-upon-Thames College
"The contextual approach to topics which for the most part start at topics of interest and relevance to 16/17-year-olds. They all feel included, and competent to comment and discuss, rather than being disadvantaged through different GCSE science backgrounds. The approach stirs and holds students interest as depth of content increases and before they know it they are discussing the November 2007 stem cell developments with some understanding. Easy to resurface to simpler strata if people get lost en route." Monica - AS Course Coordinator / AS & A2 Teacher
"As the SNAB course develops, there is an increasing facility for students to develop independent thought and the ability to think scientifically and present arguments." Barbara - AS Teacher
"There are ready-made activities to demonstrate principles of the subject. Student website: students relate quickly to accessing information online and can use it at home (www.snabonline.com). It brings students facetoface with really modern Biology." Mawgan - AS Teacher
"The variety of resources available text book, website, activities. Some include interactive tutorials. At AS, GCSE review tutorials and tests which are set online. Students find these helpful as a common base on which to build topics." Andrew - A/AS and A2 Teacher
"I like the way SNAB has inbuilt ideas in each topic, and develops the concepts more as they come up again and again." Andrew R - AS & A2 Teacher.
"Teaching SNAB biology allows me to put many challenging principles in context. Students particularly enjoy most of the practical activities in AS and most seem able to relate their aim to underlying biological principles. The A2 coursework challenges students their practical skills and gives them confidence in expressing their theoretical knowledge. SNAB provides up to date advances in biological research and helps awareness of related ethical concerns." Susan - AS & A2 teacher
"SNAB is a wonderful course. I really like the technical information on the SNAB website. SNAB communication forum is excellent for technicians trying out new things and getting ideas from other technicians. I like going out on visits with the AS students." Dipti - Biology Technician.
Notes from Jean Douglas:
"I was really scared about 150 A2 students completing individual research projects! Its not easy, but Im so impressed with the inventiveness, diligence and high quality scientific skills employed by the students. We are all energised by the process!
The assessment scheme credits so many different student abilities, students find new ways of shining!
How easy it is to communicate with other teachers (snabonline forum), SNAB course developers, and Edexcel subject officer (email). Responses are immediate and always helpful.
The course has given us strength of argument in acquisition of new resources (data projectors, laptops, data loggers, electrophoresis kits etc), we've moved into the 21st century.
Local teacher networks have been great to afford mutual support, and to make inviting external trainers financially viable." Jean - Programme Manager/ A2 Coordinator / A2 Teacher
See also what the students have to say.
