The
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K-12 science standards that can be
incorporated in the curriculum. These new science standards were designed
because of a rising need for research-base, science-inquiry instruction. They
were developed by the states to improve science education for all students. These
standards will help all students, no matter of their career choice, to obtain a
solid K-12 science education by refining their skills in a way to be critical
thinkers and know how to make sense of the world they live in. The world has
change a lot compared to when the education standards were fist designed. The
NGSS is needed now for the purpose of our world being so complex, innovative,
and the advances for technology and health as well as developing an in-depth
understanding of problem solving. Also, to provide a rich content and practice
for living today’s world. The goal is to provide a science education for
students to always remember and practice throughout their lives. It is
important to keep in mind that the Next Generation Science Standards are
objectives that reveal what a student should know and what a student should be
able to do. There is no obligation to adopt these standards however, only that
educators should seriously consider them for the betterment of students’
education and careers. The NGSS are also designed to provide information to
teachers and give teachers the flexibility to provide classroom experiences
that stimulate learning. These learning standards do not take place of teaching
strategies though they can be used alongside district, state standards and
objectives such as Texas essential knowledge and skills (TEKs).
A
unique feature of NGSS that are different from previous standards is the NGSS
outlines a framework that has three dimensions: disciplinary core ideas (DICs),
science and engineering practices (SEPs), and crosscutting concepts (CCs) [NRC,
2012]. Dimension one is designed to engage in scientific investigation, build
models, and theories about the world. Dimension two establishes crosscutting
practices across all science domains. Dimension three makes certain to not
teach but to expand scientific knowledge during the K-12 years; it provides for
all students to gain sufficient core knowledge so they can later acquire
additional information on their own. The previous standards cannot support and
prepare students for high school, college, and careers in the way in which the
NGSS can. For example, NGSS is unique because they deliver science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to provide foundation and skills connecting
through concepts that are meaningful. The NGSS includes core concepts such as
physical science, life science, earth science, space science also including
engineering and technology. The NGSS follow a state led development without
intervention of the federal government. The framework for the NGSS, K-12 grades
follow a path in which state experts of science, engineering, teaching and
learning, curriculum, assessment, and educational science were responsible for
writing. In addition the National Research Council (NRC), the National Science
Teacher Association (NSTA), the American Association for the Advancement of
Science (AAAS) are other partners who paved the way in the development of the
NGSS movement. The Next Generation Science Standards are exclusive for the
reason that the standards were finalized and released in April 2013 (NRC,
2012).
NRC (National Research Council). (2012). A framework
for K–12 science education: Practices, crosscutting
concepts, and core ideas. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
Hi Denise, one of the parts that I also noted in the text is the one you mentioned about the flexibility to use the standards in the classroom. I think having flexibility can bring teachers and students with more opportunities to apply different class experiences in their daily school practices.
ReplyDeleteAs you mentioned one of the differences between the NGSS and other standards are the three dimensions that make the standards a very suitable way to relate concepts with practice and having the opportunity to expand the knowledge in different dimensions.
In your response you could include some of your experiences as science teacher and compare the state standards with NGSS. How do you think NGSS could help your students in their STEM classes?
Thank you!
Diana, thank you for your feedback. NGSS opens up a new world of opportunities for teachers and students by providing a solid foundation and encouraging deep understanding in the STEM fields. Teaching students core ideas instead of giving them a number of countless facts and details will develop increased practices as well as crosscutting concepts. These are ways in which NGSS would help all students.
DeleteGood Evening Denise,
ReplyDeleteI feel that you did an excellent job concisely summarizing and explaining a very large topic in a reasonably brief amount of space. I feel that I understand the NGSS better after reading your post. You spend a lot of time discussing aspects of the NGSS program that appear to be positive, but you use a distant writing style that makes your personal opinions on the topic difficult to deduce. I cannot tell if the apparent positiveness of your reflection is because your feelings on the subject, or because you are summarizing based on a source that was overwhelmingly positive about NGSS (as they are trying to sell it). So I’d like to ask how do you generally feel about the potential implementation of NGSS personally?
-SFM
Greetings Denise, I really appreciated your comment on students being able to refine their skills in a way to be critical thinkers. I believe this concept will be helpful for all students in every subject. I believe critical thinking is one of the most important skills students can acquire. I also agree with the fact that the world continues to change and complexity, innovation and, as you stated, the advance of technology. I was just commenting in another student’s blog about the fact that science is one subject which changes at a far greater rate than any other subject due to adding of new science knowledge and new technologies. What do you think are some of the ways in which a classroom teacher I can adapt to innovations in science and technology?
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Cameron Wilson