The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance Chapter 1 The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance 3

The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance How to Read This Chapter This chapter is a reconnaissance of the profession of science teaching, and also a place to begin the learning-to- teach process. There are some activities that are designed to help you explore some of your prior conceptions about science teaching (Inquiry Activity 1.1), and other activities designed to have you investigate the ideas that experienced teachers hold about teaching, and students about science. All of these are here to help you build upon your prior knowledge and to help you in the construction of your ideas about teaching. You might get the most out of this chapter by skimming the main sections, and then coming back to deliberately move though the chapter. 4

The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance Introduction Select one of the four parts of the Art of Teaching Science, and select one of the chapters from that part of the book. Note that the chapter has two parts; 1. The content of the chapter--Part I; 2. Science Teaching Gazette--the second part. Preview the content by looking over the main headings, and identify the two or more Science Inquiries in the chapter and examine one of them in depth. What is the essence of the the Inquiry. Focus on the Gazette for the chapter, and note the elements contained in this section. Which of the following elements did you find? Think pieces; Case studies; Science education literature; Research matters; Science teacher talk; Problems and extension; Notes; Readings; On the web What is the point of the chapter?

The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance

Invitations to Inquiry  What are your current views about science teaching? How do these compare with the views of professional science teachers?  In what ways might science teaching be an art? Do you think that there is artistry to teaching?  What are some major conceptual ideas about science teaching?  Why do you want to be a science teacher?  What do science teachers like most about teaching?  What are some of the important characteristics of science?  Is inquiry teaching a valid method in secondary science classroom? What fosters inquiry? Are there other valid approaches?  Do scientists and students represent two cultures? If so, how can these cultures be bridged? Text page-->4

The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance Chapter 1 Map

The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance Case Study: Kids are Just Like Scientists Read the Case on p.3 In the case, a teacher, Ms. Jamison, disagrees with the department chair’s position that “kids are like scientists.” What are the pros and cons of this position? What do you think? Who do you agree with? Are kids just like scientists? 3

The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance The Artistry of Teaching Teaching is professional artistry Professional artistry is inherently related to human imagination and creativity and one’s willingness to experiment and play Developing professional artistry suggests that teachers need to develop their own knowledge claims about teaching and learning rather than simply adopting the knowledge claims of others 3-4

The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance The Artistry of Teaching: Questions Is teaching professional artistry? How is teaching related to human imagination and creativity? How might professional artistry be developed? 3-4

The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance Inquiry 1.1: Initial Ideas about Teaching Select randomly one of the themes in Table 1.1, e.g. The Nature of Science, Inclusion, Goals, etc. Print the next slide, cut it into the twelve themes, & use select themes randomly. Read the associated “Problem Situation” for the theme. Use the the leading questions to assess your initial ideas. How do your initial ideas compare with other students in your class? What is a framework? How do frameworks develop? How can they change? 6-7

The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance Conceptual Themes Nature of Science InclusionGoals CurriculumLearningModels PlanningAssessingStrategies Management & Facilitation Science, Technology, Society Technology 6-7

The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance Wisdom of Practice: Science Teachers Talk Select one of the teachers listed on page 9. Use the index to find one or more “craft-like” statements made by the teacher. What can you discern about this teacher’s beliefs about science teaching? How does the teacher’s view compare with yours? 9

The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance Nature of Science Teaching Try and recall one or more of your “favorite” teachers. What was it about them that made you recall them? With your team, use your ideas to make a list of the characteristics of these favorite teachers. Uses examples-live and otherwise Brilliant- knowledge of teaching Knowledge of history of science Multiple ways to communicate Stories- real life connections Open inquiry-student exploration Hands on Long term projects Project based Respect for students- disposition Enthusiasm Sample list:* * List generated by students at Georgia State University 10

The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance Science Teaching Inquiry 1.2 Read through the two modes of teaching described in Table 1.2 which is part of Inquiry Activity 1.2. Compare these two approaches to teaching to the research on science teaching discussed on pp

The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance Science is Not Words* Read Dr. George Feynman’s article (pp ), “Science is not words.” How does Feynman’s view of science stack up with your views? Is this a practical view that might be applied to teaching? Follow-up with a visit to a Feynman Site: n.html n.html 30

The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance Aspects of Science Courage--p. 13 Problem Solving & the Human Mind-- p.14 Human Values--p.15 Democracy--p.17 Read any one of the above sections and discuss how the aspect (courage) was exhibited by a scientist

The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance Inquiry Activity 1.3 Surveying Students’ Views of Science Method 1: Analyzing students’ essays Method 2: Analyzing students’ drawings of scientists Method 3: Analyzing the results of a questionnaire 18

The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance Draw-a-Scientist How can you investigate students’ views of the nature of science using drawings as your data? Plan a brief investigation and carry it out. Summarize and report your results in the form of a poster report

The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance Inquiry Outcomes Understanding of scientific concepts Appreciation of “how we know” what we know in science Understanding the nature of science Skills to become independent inquirers Disposition to use skills, abilities & attitudes associated with science Based on the NSES Standards 20

The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance Inquiry Abilities Identify questions & concepts that guide science investigations Design & conduct scientific investigations Use technology & mathematics Formulate & revise scientific explanations and models using logic and evidence Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and models Communicate and defend a scientific argument Based on the NSES Standards 21

The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance Variations on Inquiry DefinitionRole of TeacherRole of StudentClassroom Example Guided inductive inquiry Unguided inductive inquiry Deductive inquiry Problem solving Work with a team & complete the chart 21-22

The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance Scientists & Students: Two Cultures? 24 Make lists of characteristics of scientists and students; Are there two cultures? What are the implications for teaching?

The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance Inquiry 1.4: The Student is First Student CharacteristicsActivities student might enjoy Potential learning problems Chris Mary Joseph Alice Are there any at-risk students here? How might science help this student? 26

The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance Think Piece Write an essay on the topic “artistry of teaching.” Make use of your experiences as a student and teacher. 29

The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance Interview a Teacher Using one or more of the questions used to interview the teachers for this book’s section: Science Teacher Talk, interview a classmate or a teacher. Report your results on the net, or in class. If you were to describe to prospective science teachers what you like most about science teaching, what would you say. Refer to p.32 for the rest of the interview questions. 32

The Art of Teaching Science: A Reconnaissance Problems and Extensions What has your experience with science been like? Do you see science in the ways Bronowski, Feynman, Polyani, or Sagan see it? What is your notion of science? 33