Ms Hilary Asoko

Senior Lecturer in Science Education

Photo of Hilary Asoko

Tel: +44 (0)113 3434680
Fax: +44 (0)113 3434683

Room: ECS 10.61

Email: H.M.Asoko@education.leeds.ac.uk

Primary science education; development of children's understanding in science; teacher education.

Member of CSSME.

Interests

After many years teaching, both in the UK and overseas, I joined the University as a lecturer in 1989. I teach and supervise all aspects of work related to science in primary schools. I am involved in both the initial training and professional development of teachers, teach on Master's courses and supervise PhD students. In addition I have undertaken a number of consultancies. Recently, for example, I worked with the BBC on the production of 'Science Clips', available to schools as television programmes and on DVD.

My research interests focus on the teaching and learning of science in the primary school and include:

  • the ways in which children develop an understanding of scientific ideas and the factors which influence this;
  • teacher actions and interactions which support the learning of science in the classroom;
  • teacher education and development.

Currently I am evaluating the Primary Science Enhancement Programme (PSEP) which is being implemented across the UK.

I am interested in work with an international dimension and, during my time in Leeds, I have been fortunate to have had opportunities to work with teachers and teacher educators in several countries, including Slovenia, Finland, Norway, South Africa, Ethiopia and Indonesia. This has included teacher professional development, research capacity-building and, in the case of Indonesia, carrying out a survey of educational provision for the Government of Riau province, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Leeds and educators in Indonesia.

Links

Selected Publications

PAPERS

Asoko, H. (2002). "Developing conceptual understanding in primary science.". Cambridge Journal of Education, 32 (2), 153-164. Read Abstract.

Asoko, H. (2002). "Primary Science Review 2001-2: some themes of interest to secondary teachers.". School Science Review, 84 (306), 111-117.

de Boo, M. and Asoko, H. (2000). "Using models, analogies and illustrations to help children think about science ideas". Primary Science Review, 65, 25-28.

Appleton, K. and Asoko, H. (1996). "A case study of a teacher's progress towards using a constructivist view to inform teaching about elementary science". Science Education, 80 (2), 165-180.

Driver, R., Asoko, H., Leach, J., Mortimer, E. and Scott, P. (1994). "Constructing scientific knowledge in the classroom". Educational Researcher, 23 (7), 5-12.

BOOKS

Asoko, H. and de Boo, M. (2001). "Analogies and Illustrations: representing ideas in primary science". The Association for Science Education. Read Abstract.

CHAPTERS

Scott, P., Asoko, H. and Leach, J. (2007). "Student conceptions and conceptual learning in science." in: S.K. Abell, and N.G. Lederman. (Ed.) The Handbook of Research on Science Education. Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Asoko, H. and Scott, P. (2006). "Talk in Science Classrooms" in: Harlen W. (Ed.) The ASE Guide to Primary Science Education. Hatfield: Association for Science Education.

Asoko, H. and Squires, A. (2002). "Progression and Continuity" in: S.Amos and R. Boohan (Ed.) Aspects of Teaching Secondary Science. London: RoutledgeFalmer.

Asoko, H. (2000). "Learning to teach science in the primary school" in: R. Millar, J. Leach and j. Osborne (Ed.) Improving science education: the contribution of research. Buckingham: Open University Press.

Asoko, H. and Squires, A. (1998). "Progression and continuity" in: R.Sherrington (Ed.) The ASE Guide to Primary Science Education. Hatfield: Association for Science Education.

Asoko, H. (1996). "Developing scientific concepts in the primary classroom: teaching about electric circuits" in: G.Welford, J. Osborne, P.Scott (Ed.) Research in Science Education in Europe. London: The Falmer Press.

Extended list of publications.

This page last updated by Hilary Asoko on 13th March 2007