Creative learning programmes can make studying science fun
Getting creative: The OGDC seminar and workshop participants get on their hands and knees to discuss imaginative solutions to the tasks they had been given. Picture: Jefrisalas
Thursday, June 5, 2008
SCIENCE teachers should be creative in designing learning activities, as interesting activities can entice students to learn more about science and technology.
This was said by Iskandar Hj Alias, the head of the Seria-based Oil and Gas Discovery Centre (OGDC), during a seminar and workshop on innovation and creativity yesterday.
He told The Brunei Times that the seminar served to share OGDC's experience in designing learning programmes based on science and technology.
"For OGDC as a science centre, creativity is part and parcel of our work. When we develop our programmes, exhibitions and when we design new things, we need to have a certain creativity in ourselves... So we want to share (our creativeness) with the teachers (on) how they can develop the creativity within themselves," he said.
The teachers after the workshop can better utilise their creativity and enhance their teaching methods using proper techniques in various ways.
"Students appreciate what is creative and they would be more interested to learn science and technology," said Iskandar.
At the seminar, Iskandar shared ideas on ways to increase creativity.
Creativity can be developed or enhanced through studying books, attending relevant courses, keeping a daily journal, indulging in relaxation, developing an interest in a variety of different things and also limiting oneself from working too hard.
The 77 participating teachers were then divided into four groups and put through exercises to develop and instill creativity in themselves.
In one exercise, they were given a pencil and were asked to "improve" the use of the pencil imaginatively and creatively.
Among the ideas they came up with were using the pencil as a torch light, a translator device, an mp3 player and even as edible substances.
In another exercise, each group had to produce a product out of waste materials that people might want to buy.
The head of OGDC pointed out this exercise capitalises on the 3R principles of Reduce, Recycle and Reuse. "These principles can be part of the teaching process (in class)," he added.
The workshop, themed 'Creativity and Innovation', was the second organised by the OGDC team. A similar workshop was conducted last year but catered to students.
Registered participants were invited from schools throughout Brunei. (JQR1)The Brunei Times
This was said by Iskandar Hj Alias, the head of the Seria-based Oil and Gas Discovery Centre (OGDC), during a seminar and workshop on innovation and creativity yesterday.
He told The Brunei Times that the seminar served to share OGDC's experience in designing learning programmes based on science and technology.
"For OGDC as a science centre, creativity is part and parcel of our work. When we develop our programmes, exhibitions and when we design new things, we need to have a certain creativity in ourselves... So we want to share (our creativeness) with the teachers (on) how they can develop the creativity within themselves," he said.
The teachers after the workshop can better utilise their creativity and enhance their teaching methods using proper techniques in various ways.
"Students appreciate what is creative and they would be more interested to learn science and technology," said Iskandar.
At the seminar, Iskandar shared ideas on ways to increase creativity.
Creativity can be developed or enhanced through studying books, attending relevant courses, keeping a daily journal, indulging in relaxation, developing an interest in a variety of different things and also limiting oneself from working too hard.
The 77 participating teachers were then divided into four groups and put through exercises to develop and instill creativity in themselves.
In one exercise, they were given a pencil and were asked to "improve" the use of the pencil imaginatively and creatively.
Among the ideas they came up with were using the pencil as a torch light, a translator device, an mp3 player and even as edible substances.
In another exercise, each group had to produce a product out of waste materials that people might want to buy.
The head of OGDC pointed out this exercise capitalises on the 3R principles of Reduce, Recycle and Reuse. "These principles can be part of the teaching process (in class)," he added.
The workshop, themed 'Creativity and Innovation', was the second organised by the OGDC team. A similar workshop was conducted last year but catered to students.
Registered participants were invited from schools throughout Brunei. (JQR1)The Brunei Times
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