Applying Cognitive Science in Primary Science Lessons RM198 / D105

About Dr Deb Wilkinson 

BSc (Hons), PGCE, Ma (Ed), PCert in Teaching and learning in Higher Education, EdD 

Deborah is currently a senior lecturer in primary science education at the University of Chichester. 

She teaches Core Science to undergraduate students on the BA (Hons) Primary Education and Teaching degree as well as to students on the PGCE Schools Direct, Education and Foundation courses. As well as teaching science, Deborah also teaches Outdoor Learning and science specialist modules. 

She has previously worked as a Primary School Teacher and was a Leader of Learning for a period of time. 

She is keen on how the outdoor learning environment is used as a teaching and learning tool and has an OCN (Level 3) qualification in Beach Schools. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and is Programme Coordinator of the Primary PGCE course. 

Teaching 

Deborah has designed and delivered a range of undergraduate courses in Science, Leading Science and Research Methodology. 

She is currently Module Leader for a number of courses including Year 1, 3 and PGCE Core Science, Outdoor Learning and Leading Science. She has delivered a number of Professional Development Meetings in a school on assessment in science and Enquiry Based Learning approaches. 

She has also run science conferences. 

Research 

Deborah completed an EdD at Southampton University. 

The research was a collaborative action research project aimed at investigating how questions were used in primary science lessons. 

She has written a number of chapters for teachers on planning and the importance of enquiry.