Innovative Learning in Science at MTsN Kota Bogor

MTsN Kota Bogor is taking advantage of DBE3 programs in Kota Bogor. Abdurrahman, the schoolprincipal, is doing his best to make changes in his school by using two DBE3 district facilitators who happen to be teachers at his school. He gives them plenty of opportunities and his full support in implementing innovations and changes. Below is an example of how Science is taught in this DBE3 partner school.

First,IPA teacher, Nurhayati, explained to students basic competencies which they have to achieve in the lesson. She writes them down on the whiteboard (1).

Secondly, after a short introduction, Nurhayati asked her students to work in groups. Each group had to write down the names of elements and their symbols. Each group had a discussion on it. Everyone in the group gave his/her opinion. They appreciated everything their friends said. After that, one student wrote down the results of the discussion (2).

Thirdly, the teacher asked one representative from each group to write down the elements and formulae on the whiteboard The students themselves decided who should come forward rather than the teacher. This is important for developing the initiative, independence and self confidence of the students (3).

Fourthly, the teacher invited the students to give feedback or comments on what their friends had written on the whiteboard. Students were eager to give feedback, comments and corrections of the elements or symbols. One student noticed that one element, Sodium had been omitted. Nurhayati thanked the student who had noticed this omission (4).

Finally, Nurhayati expressed her appreciation of her students’ work in identifying the chemical elements and symbols. She then gave a tip to her students, an easy way to memorize some of the elements. Jokingly, she said a funny Indonesian sentence, ‘HAJI LINA KAWIN RUBI CS FRUSTRASI’. The sentence is a way to remember the elements. The sentence is an acronym from Hydrogen (H), Lithium (Li), Natrium (Sodium -Na), KAlsium (Calcium - K), RUBIdium (Rb), CeSsium (Caesium - Cs), dan Fransium (Fransium - Fr). This is one creative way to memorize the chemical elements. Her students found it very useful (5).