ERIC Number: EJ989861
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Sep
Pages: 23
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0036-8326
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Teaching the Nature of Science through Scientific Errors
Allchin, Douglas
Science Education, v96 n5 p904-926 Sep 2012
Error in science is a prime occasion to teach the nature of science, especially the central feature of tentativeness. Error types also reflect corresponding methodologies of science, critical for practicing science and (in a context of scientific literacy) analyzing its claims. Effective efforts in teaching about error will ideally be informed by earlier educational perspectives and a schema for inventorying and organizing error types. Approaches using student-directed inquiry have limits, whereas guided-inquiry historical case studies seem appropriate vehicles. On a larger scale, one may also envision a prospective learning progression on successively deeper understandings of error in science. Sample case studies and opportunities for further reading are identified. (Contains 3 tables and 6 footnotes.)
Descriptors: Science Instruction, Case Studies, Scientific Literacy, Scientific Principles, Scientific Methodology, Error Patterns, Error Correction, Teaching Methods, Intermode Differences, Taxonomy, Concept Mapping, Educational Strategies, Educational Resources
Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148. Tel: 800-835-6770; Tel: 781-388-8598; Fax: 781-388-8232; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: http://www.wiley.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/WileyCDA
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A