Free to access and offered through a closed environment on the OpenLearning platform, courses support professional learning of the Primary Connections approach and its application in primary science.

The courses are:

  • Self-paced and can be undertaken as an individual or with colleagues at a time that is practical. You can dip in and out of the course without losing any progress
  • Designed to easily and seamlessly slot into meeting structures, personal or school planning time
  • Range between 2 and 6 hours in duration
  • Offer a range of readily applicable teaching and learning strategies and useful resources
  • Include videos, varied activities and opportunities for reflection and collaboration.

Testimonials from trial participants

"I have really enjoyed completing this course and feel I have a deeper understanding of Primary Connections and how to implement the 5E model into our planning and teaching of Science. I appreciated the time that was dedicated to getting to know the Primary Connections website and Scootle as well...Completing this online course has already changed the way I think about the teaching of science and I am in the process of sharing this with my colleagues." (Victorian participant)

"This course has definitely made me think and reflect upon my current science teaching methods." (WA participant)

"The course was very supportive in my professional development for Science and a reflective tool." (WA participant)

 

Online Courses

Course

Available

Experience collaborative learning

11 January - 16 February, 2023 Register Now

Unpack the 5E model

11 January - 16 February, 2023 Register Now

Explore assessment

2023

Supporting student investigations

2023

Explore Transdisciplinary STEM

2023

Course registration

To participate in current courses, use the link/s in the table above to register.
To participate in future courses, please email us to submit an expression of interest. We'll put your name on the waiting list.

Include the following information in your email.

  • Subject: EOI - Course Name
  • Your name, your email*, State/Territory, School.
  • Enrolling with a colleague? Tell us their name and email, so that we ensure you are both placed in the same cohort.

Sign up to our newsletter or follow us on Facebook or Instagram and be the first to know when course registrations open.

*Your participation in Primary Connections' online professional learning is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education. Please provide your .edu email address to confirm eligibility to participate in our courses.

 

Course content

Course: Unpack the 5E model with Primary Connections

Focus: 5E model of inquiry, pedagogy

Suitable for: beginning and experienced users of Primary Connections

Short Description of course: Develop knowledge and understanding of the 5E model, its impacts and implementation to support teaching and learning that builds scientific literacy.

Estimated time: 2 hours

AITSL Standards: 1.2, 2.2, 3.2, 6.2

Intended learning objectives
On completion of this course, participants will:

  • Describe the purpose of each phase of the 5E model of inquiry.
  • Explore tools and strategies that align with the purpose of each phase.
  • Share ideas and experiences related to classroom practice.
  • Apply knowledge to identify core features of each phase in learning activities.

 

Course: Experience collaborative learning with Primary Connections

Focus: collaborative learning, general capabilities, pedagogy

Suitable for: beginning and experienced users of Primary Connections

Short description of course: Identify the benefits of collaborative learning, and when to implement it.

Estimated time: 1 hours

AITSL Standards: 1.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2 and 6.2

Intended learning objectives
On completion of this course, participants will:

  • Identify the benefits of collaborative learning and when it is best used.
  • Explore the Primary Connections approach to collaborative learning.
  • Examine current research relating to collaborative learning.
  • Identify opportunities to develop and assess students' personal and social capabilities, in relation to ACARA's General Capabilities.
  • Consider how to apply collaborative learning principles to enhance science learning.

 

Course: Supporting student investigations with Primary Connections

Focus: student investigations, science inquiry skills, pedagogy

Suitable for: beginning and experienced users of Primary Connections.

Short Description of course: Develop knowledge and understanding of different types of primary science investigations, including fair testing, and explore tools and strategies to support students to plan and conduct investigations, and analyse and communicate their evidence.

Estimated time: Up to 5 hours.

AITSL Standards: 2.1, 2.5, 3.3, 6.1 and 7.4.

Intended learning objectives
This course offers participants an opportunity to:

  • Understand the importance of investigating and its place in the curriculum
  • Explore tools and strategies that support the implementation of fair testing and product testing
  • Apply knowledge and understanding to design a fair test investigation
  • Examine other types of student investigations and when they should be implemented
  • Consider tools and strategies that support the development of Science Inquiry Skills
  • Learn within a community of educators

 

Course: Explore assessment with Primary Connections

Focus: assessment, pedagogy

Suitable for: beginning and experienced users of Primary Connections

Short Description of course: This course provides participants an opportunity to deepen knowledge of assessment practices and principles by exploring a range of assessment strategies and tools in the context of primary science.

Estimated time: minimum 4 - 6 hours

AITSL Standards: 3.2.2, 5.1.2, 6.2.2

Intended learning objectives
Using the Primary Connections approach, participants:

  • Describe a range of assessment practices and principles.
  • Explore assessment strategies and tools embedded across the phases of the 5E model.
  • Apply strategies and tools to inform an approach to assessment.
  • Collaborate within a community of practice by engaging with other participants.

Participant testimonials:

When asked to describe the best thing about this course, teachers said

  • "Getting a clear understanding and observation of the practices in motion, together with resources to keep for future reference"
  • "Loved the format and the knowledge I gained"
  • "Access and explanation of new resources."
  • "Getting some great tools for the classroom."

 

     

    Webinars

    Explore maths and science ​resources with the ​Australian Academy of Science

    Introducing the Academy’s education programs (Primary Connections, reSolve: Maths by Inquiry and Science by Doing) for teacher professional association Digital Teaching and Learning Victoria.

    (Length 43:18. Recorded 13 August, 2020)

    View on YouTube

    Creating a Digital Technologies Curriculum Scope and Sequence

    Highlighting how Primary Connections supports teaching and learning of the Digital Technologies, and how to incorporate Primary Connections curriculum units into a Digital Technologies scope and sequence, for teacher professional association Australian Computer Society.

    (Length 122.20, Recorded 10 June, 2020)

    View