Abstract
This thesis considers the fact that, in spite of the considerable developments in educational technology in recent years, very little of the teaching of science in secondary schools in this country caters for the wide differences in ability and learning style of individual students. Even in the sixth form where more individualization could reasonably be expected, A-level syllabuses are usually covered by groups of students moving in lockstep' with 'chalk and talk' the predominant method of instruction. The research described herein was an attempt to investigate how a limited amount of individualized learning might be introduced into the teaching of sixth form science. The learning system which was devised was a comparatively simple one; this was partly due to lack of available resources during a time of financial restraint, but was also a matter of choice by the researcher since it was felt to be valuable to see what could be done by a practising teacher without secondment or any special assistance. The distinction between independent and individualized learning is first emphasised and the literature of the rationale for each of them discussed. A review of independent learning in practice then follows; evaluation methods are reviewed and reasons for adopting 'illuminative' evaluation considered. The learning system used is explained and the two trials described. The first was largely exploratory - a feasibility trial - but the second was full-scale including analysis of data and the use of a questionnaire to explore the subjective opinions of the students. The main results to emerge were: (a) not only is it possible to cover part of an A-level syllabus in this way but there are also several 'spin-off' advantages, e.g. development of students' ability to learn independently; b) the students almost unanimously approved of the use of such a system for part of their A-level course; (c) the changes in the teacher's role were considerable but quite acceptable.