Posted by Melodean Montaque on Aug 17, 2024; 3:31am
URL: https://nabble.aealearningonline.org/The-difference-between-learning-about-science-and-figuring-out-how-and-why-something-works-tp22143.html

What do you see as the difference between “learning about” a science idea and “figuring out how and/or why” something works (in science)?
Learning about a science idea has to do with examining knowledge that was already established by others which may or may not have meaning to the students and sometimes not applicable to them. Whereas figuring out how and why allows students to be active in the discovery of knowledge as it makes sense to them and as such facilitate application in the real world.

Which of these two ideas (learning about or figuring things out) best represents the most recent research on how students learn science today?  
I believe 'figuring things out' best represents the most recent research of how students learn science.

Why might the idea of "figuring things out" be included in a section on "How Students Learn Science"?  Support your answer/argument with examples and/or evidence.

Reconsiderations on how students learn science posits that new concepts cannot be learned if students already have misconception in their minds therefore, they should be guided to confront such misconceptions with an attempt to "reconstruct the knowledge necessary to understand the scientific model being presented" (Science Teaching Reconsidered 29). This examination requires them trying to "figure out", in discussions with other, how their conceptual framework makes sense and can be applicable in the real world. After "figuring out things" through demonstrations and lab works then they be able to accept new understandings that has meaning for them. For example, if students believes that rain falls from holes in the clouds, they will not be able to understand the idea of condensation in the water cycle. So, the teacher would have to guide them through questions and reasoning about where examples of condensation happen in their environment and provide opportunities for them to test their understanding before they can arrive at the right conclusion. Also, "figuring out how and why" gives the idea that students are actively engaged in the inquiry process which is consistent with the new understanding of how students learn science