, PLEASE USE THIS DOCUMENT AS A GUIDE ONLY
QUESTION 1
1.1. Supply five reasons teachers might leave practical science out in their teaching to
demonstrate your understanding.
Lack of Teacher Skills and Knowledge: Many teachers lack the necessary skills and knowledge
to conduct practical work effectively because they were never taught these things themselves
during their own education. This makes it difficult for them to plan, organize, and execute
practical activities with confidence (PSC1501, Study Guide. p. 2).
Curriculum Constraints and Lack of Integration: The official science curriculum may not
clearly integrate practical work with theoretical concepts in a way that demonstrates its
importance for learner success. If practical work appears to be an "extra" activity that
contributes little to exam performance, teachers may see it as a low-priority task that they only
need to "get over with as quickly as possible" (PSC1501, Study Guide. p. 2).
Time and Effort: Organizing practical work is time-consuming and requires a significant
amount of effort from the teacher. It involves preparing equipment, setting up experiments,
managing groups of learners, and cleaning up afterward. If a teacher believes this effort does
not directly help learners pass exams, they may consider it "not worth it" (PSC1501, Study
Guide. p. 2).
Lack of Resources and Facilities: A traditional image of practical science involves a fully
equipped laboratory, which is a reality only for a minority of schools. Many teachers conclude
that practical science "cannot be done" in their school if they lack the necessary laboratory,
equipment, chemicals, water, or electricity (PSC1501, Study Guide. p. 1).
Overcrowded Classrooms: Overcrowded classrooms make it difficult to conduct safe and
effective practical work. There is not enough space for learners to move around and work
safely, which turns practical science into a "no-go zone." In these situations, teachers may feel
that only teacher demonstrations are possible, or they may abandon practical work altogether
(PSC1501, Study Guide. p. 11).
QUESTION 1
1.1. Supply five reasons teachers might leave practical science out in their teaching to
demonstrate your understanding.
Lack of Teacher Skills and Knowledge: Many teachers lack the necessary skills and knowledge
to conduct practical work effectively because they were never taught these things themselves
during their own education. This makes it difficult for them to plan, organize, and execute
practical activities with confidence (PSC1501, Study Guide. p. 2).
Curriculum Constraints and Lack of Integration: The official science curriculum may not
clearly integrate practical work with theoretical concepts in a way that demonstrates its
importance for learner success. If practical work appears to be an "extra" activity that
contributes little to exam performance, teachers may see it as a low-priority task that they only
need to "get over with as quickly as possible" (PSC1501, Study Guide. p. 2).
Time and Effort: Organizing practical work is time-consuming and requires a significant
amount of effort from the teacher. It involves preparing equipment, setting up experiments,
managing groups of learners, and cleaning up afterward. If a teacher believes this effort does
not directly help learners pass exams, they may consider it "not worth it" (PSC1501, Study
Guide. p. 2).
Lack of Resources and Facilities: A traditional image of practical science involves a fully
equipped laboratory, which is a reality only for a minority of schools. Many teachers conclude
that practical science "cannot be done" in their school if they lack the necessary laboratory,
equipment, chemicals, water, or electricity (PSC1501, Study Guide. p. 1).
Overcrowded Classrooms: Overcrowded classrooms make it difficult to conduct safe and
effective practical work. There is not enough space for learners to move around and work
safely, which turns practical science into a "no-go zone." In these situations, teachers may feel
that only teacher demonstrations are possible, or they may abandon practical work altogether
(PSC1501, Study Guide. p. 11).
