Explaining Science in the Classroom
Publisher: Open University | ISBN: 0335197191 | edition 1996 | PDF | 152 pages | 2 mb
Publisher: Open University | ISBN: 0335197191 | edition 1996 | PDF | 152 pages | 2 mb
Is explaining science just an art, or can it be described, taught and learned? That is the question posed by this book. From extensive classroom observations, the authors give vivid descriptions of how teachers explain science to students, and pre their account with a sound theoretical basis.This is an imive book. It is an example of that rare item - a book about complex scientific ideas, exed in clear, simple language - built on real teacher - learner conversations. Starting intheclassroom, orthelaboratory, withthemost common occurrence - a teacher offering an explanation, it proceeds by analysingthenature of specific explanations so that teachers can gain fuller insights into what is happening. Having teased outtheprocesses of explanation,theauthors then reconstruct them showing how elaboration, transformation and demonstration can enhancethe understanding ofthelearner." - Professor Peter Mortimore. How doscienceteachers explainscienceto students? What makes explanations work? Isexplainingsciencejust an art, or can it be described, taught and learned? That isthequestion posed by this book. From extensiveclassroomobservations,theauthors give vivid descriptions of how teachers explainscienceto students, and pre their account with a sound theoretical basis. Attention is given totheways in which needs for explanation are generated, howthestrange new entities ofscience- from genes to electrons - are created through talk and action, how knowledge is transformed to become explainable, and how demonstrations link explanation and reality. Different styles of explanation are illustrated, fromthe'teller of tales' to those who ask students to 'say it my way'. "ExplainingScienceintheClassroom" is a new and exciting departure inscienceeducation. It brings togetherscienceeducators and specialists in discourse and communication, to reach a new synthesis of ideas.Thebook offersscienceteachers very practical help and insight.
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