U.S. Department of Education: Promoting Educational Excellence for all Americans

A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

How can laboratory research in cognitive and developmental psychology contribute to science education.(and vice versa)?

 
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Slide 40

Approach Avoidance

  • Not useful: Educational practice derived from"approaches"
    • Piaget, Vygotsky, Constructivist, Situated, Information Processing, Hands on vs hands-off, etc.
    • Specifying a "Newtonian Approach" doesn’t get you to Mars.
    • A prescription that says “use germ theory” doesn't help a pharmacist much.
  • Definitions matter!
    • "Discovery", "Direct", "Socratic": labels are just packaging.
    • Key to science is Operational definition: what was done?
  • Details matter!
    • Space shuttle launches:
      • O-rings: How cold is too cold?
      • Foam chunks: How big too big?
    • Teacher training:
      • What knowledge; which skills; what kind of experience?