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Unit: Background
for Teaching Science
Class activity:
Online
science questionaire
The topics covered
in this unit are: Nature of Science; History
of Science & Science Education; Scientific
Literacy; Constructivism & Misconceptions;
Other Science topics
The
Nature of Science - What is Science?
Lawson, A. E.
(1988). A better way to teach biology. The American Biology Teacher,
50(5), 266-278).
McComas, W.
(1996). Ten myths of science: Reexamining what we think we know
about the nature of science. School Science and Mathematics,
96, 10-16.
Singerman, J.
(2000). Science for society: Teaching open-mindedness and tolerance.
The Science Teacher, 67(1), 22.
Online Resources:
Philosophy
of Science
This article comments on science versus religion, but most of the
article traces the development of scientific "methods"
and, in particular, Popper and Kuhn.
Kuhn
in a Nutshell This article discusses the structure of scientific
revolutions.
Pathological
Science This article by Nicholas Turro discusses the certainty
of knowledge in science, especially related to extraordinary claims.
When an extraordinary claim is made (e.g., cold fusion) how do scientists
know if this is revolutionary (a major shift in scientific understanding
a la Kuhn) or ultimately wrong (e.g., pseudoscience, junk science
or a fraud)?
History
of Science & Science Education
Warrick,
J. (2000). Bringing Science History to Life. Science Scope, 23(8),
23-25.
Online Resources:
Internet
History of Science Sourcebook
This site, maintained by Paul Halsall of the Fordham University,
New York, provides detailed information on the history of science
over a variety of cultures (Ancient Near East, Greco-Roman Culture,
and Islam as well as Latin Christendom).
Sputnik's
Legacy
A story about how this little satellite changed the world, including
causing science education to blast-off.
People of
Science
The
Great Idea Finder A database of inventions that were simple,
complex, silly, or even deadly. Learn the history of chewing gum,
Etch-a-Sketch, Coca cola, and more!
Scientists
and Inventors
A list of sites and articles maintained by Eisenhower National Clearinghouse.
4000
Years of Women in Science Includes many short biographies and
photographs on more than 125 women.
Women
in Science and Medicine To celebrate the achievements of women,
World Book editors have compiled a series of articles about some
of the most influential women in science and medicine and how their
efforts have helped explain how the world works.
Eric's
Treasure Trove of Scientific Biography Brief biographical sketches
for hundreds of scientists and mathematicians, including some portraits.
Inventor
of the Week Archives Organized alphabetically by the inventors'
last names. A resource from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Great
Canadian Scientists Brief descriptions of the lives and work
of more than a hundred and fifty Canadian scientists. Organized
alphabetically by last name.
People
Page This is a resources for scientists in genetics, including
Darwin, Lamarck, Mendel, and Cuvier. Copies of their original papers
are included (including Darwin's The Origin of Species).
Great
Science Discoveries of the 1990's Information on things that
are happening today. From Frank Potter's Science Gems.
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Scientific
Literacy
Cobern, W. W.,
Gibson, A. T., & Underwood, S. A. (1995). Valuing scientific
literacy. The Science Teacher, 62(9), 28-31.
Cohen, I. B.
(2000). The impact of science on society. The Science Teacher, 67(1),
22.
Online Resources:
Scientific
Literacy: A Conceptual Overview
This is an article by Rüdiger C. Laugksch published in Science
Education magazine. Click on 'PDF Full Text' to access the article.
Achieving
scientific literacy: From purposes to practices This is an article
by Douglas A. Roberts published in Science Education magazine. Click
on 'PDF Full Text' to access the article.
Why
Teach Science? This article stresses that
science education should produce a population with the skills to
critically analyze and change society. Click on 'PDF Full Text'
to access the article.
STS
from Frank Potter's Science Gems This is alist of links that
lead to examples of how science, technology and society interact,
such as: forensics and DNA computers.
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Constructivism
and Misconceptions
Appleton, K.
(1997). Can knowing about constructivism really help my teaching?
SASTA Journal, 97(2).
Arnaudin, M.
W., & Mintzes, J. J. (1986). The cardiovascular system: Children's
conceptions and misconceptions. Science and Children, 23(5),
48-51.
Aron, R. H.,
Francek, M. A., Nelson, B. D., & Bisard, W. J. (1994). Atmospheric
misconceptions: How they cloud our judgement. The Science Teacher,
31-33.
Mascazine, J.
R., & Sherman McCann, W. (1999). Conceptual change in the classroom.
Science Scope, 23(3), 23-25.
Storey, R. D.
(1989). Textbook errors & misconceptions in biology: Photosynthesis.
The American Biology Teacher, 51(5), 271-273.
Yager, R. E.
(2000). The constructivist learning model. The Science Teacher,
67(1), 44-45.
Online Resources:
Misconceptions
as Barriers to Understanding Science (For PDF version, click
on Chapter 4: Misconceptions as Barriers to Understanding Science)
An
Analysis of Instructional Technology Use and Constructivist Behaviors
in K-12 Teachers If constructivism and technology are to play
a role in current school reform efforts, it is important to determine
if the availability and use of technology in classrooms can encourage
teachers' demonstration of constructivist behaviors in their classrooms.
Concept
to Classroom: Constructivism as a Paradigm for Teaching and Learning.
In the constructivist classroom, the focus tends to shift from the
teacher to the students. This is an online workshop from the Disney
Learning Partnership and wNetschool.
Constructivism
from the University of Colorado at Denver. A gateway to many readings
on constructivism, teaching and learning.
Other
Linn, M. C.,
Lewis, C., Tsuchida, I., & Bultler Songer, N. (2000). Beyond
Forth-Grade Science: Why Do U.S. and Japanese Students Diverge?
Educational Researcher, 29(3), 4-14.
Online Resources:
Longbottom,
J. E., & Butler, P. H. (1999). Why teach science? Setting rational
goals for science education. Science Education, 83(4), 473-492.
(Select 'PDF full text'.)
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