Applied Research On Contracting Learning In Science Curriculum

The learning contract process suggested by Knowles provides the basic platforms for adult’s self-direct learning. The use of learning contracts also has been found to be highly effective in elementary education that promote an individualistic approach to the learning experience. These researches make a framework for this paper. And in this study, we try to explore three questions below:(1)Why can learning contract be used in science curriculum? What is the means of using contracting learning in science curriculum?(2) The principle of using the learning contract in science curriculum.(3)Try to contract a pattern of science learning with learning contract.Through extensive literature research of humanistic psychology and self-direct learning appears that learning contract can be used to transitional from the passive study to freedom learning and self-direct learning. Otherwise, by learning contract, it is shifting between the teacher and students or their role-relationship in classes. According to Abraham Maslow’s theory, everyone can strive to attain self actualization after one successfully fulfills each of these lower four levels, just like animal’s "instinct". And raise self concept can promote the students’ learning progress and self development. Based on the idea of "man exists according to its nature" and man can be responsible for their own learning. Rogers put forward nondirective teaching thought. Rogers took non-directive teaching in classroom, highlight the relations between the teachers and students, and teachers take part in the teaching activities as a mentor and promoter. The theory of self regulated learning model proposed by Zimmerman analyzed four developmental level and sure that teachers always make positive role of self regulated learning. After those literature research, we think that the use of learning contract shifting the focus from "teaching" to "learning", and provides a carrier of students-selves learning design.Based on humanistic psychology, self-direct learning and self regulated learning theory,and many practical application which used in andragogy and pedagogies, we analyzes the using principles of learning contract in science teaching design:(1) Personalization. The independent principle means that teachers should respect the differences of every student, and allow the learning objectives differences.(2) Consultation. The learning contracts has many corpuses, multiplex interactive and more selectively.(3) Contractual. It reflected free spirit, equal spirit, faithful spirit and relieve spirit. The spirits of contract contain.(4) The teachers’ participation. Teacher as a promoter or demonstrational model participate in classroom played a positive role.Based on the basic principles of contracting learning,this paper contract a pattern of science teaching design with learning contract. There are four steps to the learning contract process in science teaching and learning design.(1) Diagnose learning needs. It is the beginning of learning design by student self.(2)Design the learning contract. This is a key step. And in this step, student should specify learning objectives, specify learning objectives and resources, specify the evidence of accomplishment and specify how the evidence will be validated. All of these can consulate with teacher.(3) Carry out the contract. In this way, student put himself in learning while teacher paying attention to the students’ learning behavior rather than learning results.(4) Evaluation of overall learning.At last, this paper taking "Buoyant","Using the microscopic to study organism","moon phase ", which stand for the science concept learning, scientific experiment technical skill learning and scientific rule learning, as three cases for study, referred to teaching application...