In this chapter you are going to be introduced to a numbers of theories that are used to explain how students learn science. Before you begin your study of this important topic, you will interview practicing science teachers to find out how they think students learn bests, and under what circumstances.

Material

Tape recorder

Procedures

1. Working with a team of peers, put together a series of interview questions designed to pique the knowledge base of practicing science teachers about the basic question posed in this chapter: How do students learn science? Some questions that you might consider for the interview are listed below. You should also refer to the interview questions from Chapter 1 that were used to interview the teachers for the Science Teacher Talk sections of the Gazette.

• In your experience, what have you found to be successful ways to help students learn?

• Do you believe a particular theory is more effective than others in explaining how your students learn, e.g. behaviorism vs conceptual change theories?

• How do you motivate students to learn? What are some effective strategies?

• What do you think are some of the reasons student have difficulty learning science concepts?

• What do you do to help students that are "at-risk" or have learning disabilities become interested in and understand science?

2. Once you have a set of questions, contact the teacher you wish to interview. Explain the purpose of the interview and how the information will be used. You should keep in the mind human rights issues with regard to interviewing or gathering data on "human subjects." Although this is not a research project, you should maintain the confidentiality of the individual, and respect the integrity of this person. You should explain fully why you are doing the interview, and how you will use the results. You should explain that the person's identify will not be used in any discussions among other members of your class, unless permission is granted by the teacher.

3. Visit the school, and conduct the interview. Make sure the teacher understands the purpose of the interview, and grants you permission to tape record the interview, if you plan to do so.

Minds On Strategies

1. What are the main concepts that teachers believe account for student learning? That is, how do practicing science teachers think students learn science?

2. What do science teachers think motivates students to learn science?

3. What are your opinions about how students learn science?