Effective Learning in Secondary Science ( ELISS ) is a professional development programme in science teaching that utilises powerful in-class coaching techniques for teachers working in pairs in a secure environment.

ELISS is a further development our coaching work in recent years with secondary school science departments in which levels of motivation and achievement have been raised.

ELISS includes the application of thinking skills, active learning and cognitive acceleration techniques.

The ELISS objectives include:

• Raise awareness of research into effective learning
• Improve the planning of science teaching and learning
• Improve the quality and structure of science lessons
• Enable teachers to reflect on the quality of their teaching
• Encourage students to be more active, reflective and successful learners

ELISS provides teacher support materials including manual, lesson plans and CD Rom.

ELISS provides the school and science department with a model for effective, active, well planned science teaching and learning.

Participating teachers may have the opportunity to engage in certificated small scale research study

• 0.5 day whole science department INSET on ELISS theory
• Two 0.25 days coached planning sessions with a pair of teachers
• Four 0.5 days in-class support sessions for a pair of teachers with an ELISS coach
• 0.25 day evaluation with Head and/or science coordinator

Research has found that professional development programmes have the clearest measurable effects on students when theory, information and new techniques are supported by coached opportunities to practice and receive feedback.

We use coaching because it works!

Audience: Pairs of secondary school teachers who wish to make their science teaching and learning more active, engaging and effective