About Me
I am Vanessa Vinodhen, a science educator working on understanding the evolution of biology education in Singapore.
I am especially interested in how biology teaching is impacted by changes in economy and society.
I completed my Doctorate in Education at the University of Western Australia. My thesis is titled "Biology teaching in Secondary Schools in Singapore: The historical background, recent developments and the current perspectives of teachers." Please visit my Doctoral Thesis page to find out more.
Whilst there has been some research conducted in relation to the teaching and learning of general sciences in the Singaporean context, research undertaken to understand the teaching of biology as a secondary school subject in Singapore remains neglected. This indicates a need to enhance our understanding of how the teaching of this subject has evolved in the Singaporean context and the issues teachers face in teaching it. The issues teachers face have a direct impact on how the subject is taught in the classroom, and consequently how the students learn the subject.
My other research interests include STEM education, rubrics based assessment in science, and student directed learning as well as facilitation and mentoring in the science classroom.
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Current interests
Historical development of Singapore’s education system
Evolution of Singapore’s education system
Evolution of biology education in Singapore
Teachers’ perspectives on educational change
Rubrics based assessment in science
Formative assessment in science
Upcoming Interests / possible projects
Project based learning
Student directed learning
Facilitation and mentoring in the science classroom
STEM education in Singapore