Yew Jin was trained as a secondary school Biology teacher in Singapore. Currently, his interests are in primary science, curriculum studies, scientific ways of knowing, and informal learning environments. He also brings sociocultural concepts of learning as well as theoretical insights from the social sciences and humanities. Recent research (with his graduate students) include assessing knowledge in classrooms, literacy and inquiry in primary science, flipped teaching, and engineering, design & technology.
Academic Background
- PhD, 2005 (University of Victoria, British Columbia)
- MEd, 1998 (Nanyang Technological University)
- PGDE(S) (Credit), 1991 (Nanyang Technological University)
- BSc (Hons), 1989 (National University of Singapore)
Professional Organisations
- Fulbright Association
- International Society for Cultural and Activity Research
- Society for Social Studies of Science
- International Society of the Learning Sciences
- American Educational Research Association
- Singapore Institute of Biology
Awards
- Highly-cited research article in Web of Science (top 1%) in the field of Social Sciences in Jul/Aug 2015 for Roth and Lee (2007) on cultural-historical activity theory
- Commendation for Excellence in Teaching Award in 2009 & 2014
- Awarded a Fulbright Academic Exchange Scholarship (2008/9) to study urban science education with City University of New York
- Outstanding Dissertation Award 2006 (by European Foundation for Management Development& Journal of Workplace Learning) – Highly Commended category.
- Outstanding Paper of the Year at the Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence 2006 in the Journal of Workplace Learning
- Direct BSc Honours in Zoology recipient in 1987
Courses
Bachelor of Science courses
- ACS201 Curriculum& Pedagogy for Primary Science
- ACS401 Innovations in Design & Practices for Primary Science
- ACB421 Teaching of Biology III
Diploma in Education courses
- DCS100 The Teaching of Science
- DCS202 Current Trends, Issues & Challenges in Primary Science
Post-Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) (Primary)
- QCS501 Curriculum& Pedagogy for Primary Science
- QCS502 Assessment Modes & Resource Management
- QCS503 Innovations in Design and Practices
PGDE (Secondary)
- QCB521 Teaching of Biology II
- QCB522 Teaching of Biology III
- QCB540 The Teaching of JC biology
Graduate courses
- MSC882 Research Methods in Science Education
- MSC883 Issues& Trends in Science & Science Education
- MSC884 Curriculum Planning, Implementation & Evaluation
- MSC885 Research Proposal
- MMM800 Critical Inquiry
- MMM888 Representations in Science Education
- MSC801 Science: Development, Aims and Roles in Society
- SC881 Special Topics in Science Education I
- SC882 Special Topics in Science Education II
- SC883 Interaction& Discourse in Educational Research
Doctorate in Education courses
- DEDD800 Educational Research I
Research Grants
- Core Research Program: Baseline Invesitgation of Science Pedagogy (Apr/2015-Dec/2016) (co-PI)
- Formalizing Disciplinary Literacy Teaching in Primary Science Through a Writing-to-learn Approach (May/2014-Dec/2015) (co-PI)
- Harnessing Popular Media for Science Learning and Critical Literacy (Jul/2012-Dec2013) (co-PI)
- Hands-on and Minds-On Learning of Science using a Microbial Fuel Cell (Jul/2012-Dec2014) (Sole PI)
- The Work that Teachers Do (May/2011-July/2013) (sole PI)
- The Fidelity of Implementation of an Innovative Science Program in a Secondary School (Mar/2009-Mar/2011) (sole PI)
- Making Meaning of Environment Science through Computer-Supported Collaboration Learning (Mar/2008-Mar/2011) (main PI)
- Improving the Effectiveness of an Innovative Inquiry-Based Science Curriculum in a Secondary School (Nov/2007-Jan/2009) (sole PI)
- Teacher Agency for Professional Development (Nov/2007-Nov/2008) (co-PI)
- A Sociomaterial Analysis of Learning in Communities (Aug/2006-Jul/2008) (sole PI)
Professional Activities
- Editorial board member for Asia-Pacific Science Education (Springer) since 2014
- Editorial board member for Studies in Science Education (Taylor & Francis) since 2013
- Editorial board member for Research in Science Education (Springer) since 2011
- Co-editor for Pedagogies: An International Journal (Taylor & Francis) since 2010
- Expert Panel member for Routledge Education Arena in 2012
- Editorial board member for Cultural Studies of Science Education (Springer) from 2007 to 2011
- Review editor for Journal of Science and Mathematics Education in Southeast Asia since 2008
- Member of Primary Science Subject Chapter in the Academy of Singapore Teachers in 2011
- Member & Vice Chair of Eastspring Primary School Advisory Committee since 2008