scholarly journals Understanding the Challenges of Science Education in the 21st Century: New Opportunities for Scientific Literacy

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 35-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donovan A. McFarlane
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Social Activism ◽  
Pedagogical Issues ◽  
Critical Approach ◽  
Cultural Economic ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Social Organizational

This essay examines the challenges of science education in the 21st century with regard to social, cultural, economic, political and pedagogical issues impacting and influencing instructional methodology and understanding of the role of science education as it affects individual, social organizational and societal progress and functions. Drawing upon some strong practical, philosophical, and pedagogical-methodological and theoretical ideas and propositions from Hodson, as espoused in his book Looking to the Future: Building a Curriculum for Social Activism, the author essentially responds to this extremely rich scholarly volume in scientific literacy, philosophy, and history by supporting Hodson’s advocacy of an action-oriented and issues-based curriculum as the key to renewing and activating scientific literacy to increase students’ performance and national competitiveness in the global economy. The author extricates from literature, not only strong rationale for the renewal and transformational of science education in terms of perspective and approach, but also takes a critical approach in examining some of Hodson’s contentions regarding strategies in confronting socioscientifc issues as major pathways to the teaching and learning of science. The author examines problems, challenges, and the new opportunities that have emerged and are emerging in contemporary environmental, social, cultural and political contexts for science education to experience transformation in several ways: as a field of study, as an applied body of knowledge, as a way of living and as a competitive tool and strategy important to national goals and posterity.

scholarly journals Teaching traditions in science education in Switzerland, Sweden and France: A comparative analysis of three curricula

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-70
Author(s):  
Laurence Marty ◽  
Patrice Venturini ◽  
Jonas Almqvist
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Science And Society ◽  
The Core ◽  
Moral Tradition ◽  
Science Curricula ◽  
Expected Outcomes ◽  
Academic Tradition

Classroom actions rely, among other things, on teaching habits and traditions. Previous research has clarified three different teaching traditions in science education: the academic tradition builds on the idea that simply the products and methods of science are worth teaching; the applied tradition focuses on students’ ability to use scientific knowledge and skills in their everyday life; and the moral tradition opens up a relationship between science and society, focusing on students’ decision making concerning socio scientific issues. The aim of this paper is to identify and discuss similarities and differences between the science curricula in Sweden, France and Western Switzerland in terms of teaching traditions. The study considers the following dimensions in the analysis: (1) the goals of science education as presented in the initial recommendations of the curricula; (2) the organization and division of the core contents; and (3) the learning outcomes expected from the students in terms of concepts, skills and/or scientific literacy requirements. Although the three traditions are taken into account within the various initial recommendations, the place they occupy in the content to be taught is different in each case. In the Swedish curriculum, our analyses show that the three traditions are embedded in the initial recommendations and in the expected outcomes. On the other hand, in the Western-Swiss and French curricula, the three traditions are embedded in the initial recommendations but only academic tradition can be found in the expected outcomes. Therefore, the Swedish curriculum seems to be more consistent regarding teaching traditions. This may have some consequences on teaching and learning practices, which will be discussed in the article. Moreover, our analyses enable us to put forward definitions of teaching tradition.

The Role of Technology in Interdisciplinary Language Teaching

2021 ◽  
pp. 197-218
Author(s):  
Azlin Zaiti Zainal
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Science Literacy ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Interdisciplinary Learning ◽  
Interdisciplinary Teaching ◽  
Use Of Technology

In discourses of 21st century learning, there is an increasing emphasis on interdisciplinary learning. In this chapter, the author first looks at previous research on interdisciplinary teaching and learning. Next, the concept of scientific literacy and how this is related to language will be discussed. The intersections between the teaching of science literacy and language teaching and learning will also be explored. This is followed by research on the use of technology in science education and how technology can enhance science literacy.

scholarly journals En språkfundert kompetansemodell for planlegging av undervisning

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 6
Author(s):  
Erik Knain
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
School Science ◽  
General Conception ◽  
School Subjects ◽  
Future Science ◽  
Primary Focus ◽  
Do So

I utdanningsvitenskapelig litteratur er ulike former for ”literacy” et vedvarende fokus både teoretisk og empirisk. I engelskspråklig naturfagdidaktisk litteratur brukes betegnelsen ”scientific literacy”. Jeg skisserer i denne artikkelen et planleggingsverktøy for undervisning som bygger på en eksplisitt teoretisk modell for deltakelse gjennom språk. Modellen er bindeledd mellom et generalisert kompetansebegrep og planlegging av undervisning ved at den knytter sammen de didaktiske spørsmålene hva, hvem, hvordan og hvorfor med en modell for funksjonell deltakelse. Modellen er spesielt relevant for et allmenndannende ”naturfag for alle”, men favner også et naturfag som fokuserer på utdanning av framtidas naturvitere. Artikkelen retter seg mot naturfag i skolen, men modellen bør kunne anvendes også i andre skolefag. Modellen peker mot et situert og transformativt kompetansebegrep.Nøkkelord: naturfag , kompetanse , diskurs , deltakelse, undervisning og læringAbstractVarious forms of literacy have long been the focus of educational discourses, not the least in science education where the term “scientific literacy” has been an enduring concern for decades. In this article I describe a tool for designing teaching based on a theoretical perspective on participation through language. The model connects a general conception of competence with the planning of teaching. To do so it drowe on the didactical questions of “what, who, how and why”. The model is particularly relevant in a “science for all” perspective but also for the educating of future science specialists. Although school science is the primary focus in this article, the model should be applicable to other school subjects as well. The model opens for a situated and transformative notion of competence.Keywords: scientific literacy, discourse, participation, teaching and learning

scholarly journals Conceptualization of Socioscientific Issues in Educational Practice from a Review of Research in Science Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 297-302
Author(s):  
S. Alcaraz-Dominguez ◽  
◽  
M. Barajas
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Educational Practice ◽  
Socioscientific Issues ◽  
Educational Systems ◽  
Pedagogical Strategies ◽  
Practical Applications

The pedagogical use of Socioscientific Issues (SSI) in formal education has increased in the last decade, specifically as a way to improve STEM teaching processes and results. However, several theoretical interpretations coexist about SSI in formal education, thus posing a challenge to developing knowledge from practice. An examination of recent papers was conducted to elicit the conceptualizations of SSI in science education research according to three theoretical dimensions of the curriculum: purpose, contents, and teaching and learning strategies. Results show that as for purpose, SSI is currently conceptualized as citizenship education, and scientific literacy or competence. As for contents, SSI is related both to knowledge of science and knowledge about science, as well as some skills such as argumentation. Finally, SSI is associated to pedagogical strategies, mainly Inquiry-Based Learning; and to pedagogical techniques such as dilemmas and group discussions. This conceptualization sets up foundations for the design and evaluation of innovative SSI educational practices. It shall also help to promote new lines of research that establish connections among practical applications of SSI in different subjects, cultural contexts, and educational systems.

scholarly journals SCIENCE EDUCATION IN ITALY: CRITICAL AND DESIRABLE ASPECTS OF LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 685-696
Author(s):  
Virginia Brianzoni ◽  
Liberato Cardellini
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
School Science ◽  
School Students ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Intellectual Skills ◽  
Current Science

Science teaching plays an important role in the contemporary society, but nowadays, many high school students are often not interested in school science. The purpose of the study was to enhance the quality of teaching and to encourage learners to study science, making student learning more effective and meaningful. The opinions of different stakeholders was taken into account. In Italy, almost 200 participants, counting both teachers and students, answered a questionnaire concerning the following aspects of teaching and learning: situations, contexts, motives; basic concepts and topics; scientific fields and perspectives; qualification; methodical aspects. The results obtained showed the priorities and main gaps in current science education. In particular, scientific literacy should be essentially based on three concepts: the development of communication skills, the improvement of intellectual skills and the development of personality. Unfortunately the study has also highlighted that the approaches judged more effective are not really common in the current educational panorama. Key words: inquiry-based science, learning environment, PROFILES project, science education.

scholarly journals Analysis of Government-Funded Research in Indonesia from 2014-2018: Implications for Research Trends in Science Education

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-158
Author(s):  
F. Faisal ◽  
G. M. Gi ◽  
S. N. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Government Funding ◽  
Educational Context ◽  
Research Subject ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Science Teaching And Learning ◽  
Funding Agencies ◽  
The Government

Government funding has the potential to increase research on particular topics that represent an integral focus of governmental policy. The reason is that researchers who seek funding from government sources need to target specific calls for research on topics that the government has identified as necessary for society. Analysis of funding trends can raise awareness about what topics are receiving adequate attention and can demonstrate how funding schemes may serve to limit (intentionally and unintentionally) researchers’ authority to design and manage projects and disseminate findings that are not financially supported by government funding agencies. In this study, we used a content analysis approach to analyze all projects awarded to the top five public teacher education institutions (TEIs) in Indonesia from 2014-2018. From the research project list from the five TEIs, we identified 225 science education projects for the sample of analysis. We extracted all keywords (nouns and adjectives) from the research project titles and grouped all extracted keywords into four categories: research topic, research subject or context, research product and outcomes, and content target. From the analysis, we offer some educational context for why scientific literacy and character and values education have emerged as such prominent topics in Indonesia, and we highlight the importance of greater involvement of teachers in research projects, the significance of research outcomes for improving science teaching and learning in schools, and the need to promote research on pedagogical coursework.

Reviewing Science Education in Trinidad and Tobago through the Lens of the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-171
Author(s):  
Joanne Nazir
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Trinidad And Tobago ◽  
Nature Of Science ◽  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Teaching Science ◽  
Border Crossing ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Small Island ◽  
Island States

This paper explores how the COVID-19 pandemic can act as a lens for educators and scholars to more clearly define some of the issues hampering effective science education in one Caribbean territory. The pandemic clearly revealed certain phenomena in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) including: the poor state of public scientific literacy; limited public understanding of the nature of science; an antagonistic dynamic with respect to public trust in science; and the lack of comprehensive remote/online pedagogical options for science. These issues have implications for the teaching and learning of science in T&T. In particular, science educators are encouraged to consider: a border crossing approach to teaching science; explicitly teaching the nature of science; adopting a science in context approach to science education; and working on developing digital pedagogies for teaching science that honour inquiry and concrete hands-on experience with phenomena. While the article is primarily about Trinidad and Tobago, it may be relevant to those interested in the development of small island states, including other Caribbean territories.

scholarly journals A Disarray Around the Theme of Lesson Planning: Definition and Characterization of its Constituent Elements

2020 ◽  
pp. 97-119
Author(s):  
Milena Alves ◽  
Amadeu Moura Bego
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Lesson Planning ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
Instructional Materials ◽  
Critical Approach ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Teaching Resources ◽  
Constituent Elements

This paper aims to investigate the different meanings that the constituent elements of lesson planning have assumed in the works of Science Education and proposes, from a critical approach, the delimitation of its essential constituent elements, as well as their definitions. To this end, a systematic literature review was performed, involving the analysis of 403 papers from: Science Education journals in strata A1 and A2; Proceedings of Teaching and Education meetings; and theses and dissertations from the CAPES catalog. Studies were selected from 2012 to 2016. An absence of terminological equivalence was found for the terms strategy, methodology, method, technique, and resource. In addition, most of the papers use these terms unlinked from their definitions and any theoretical frameworks. Subsequently, theoretically grounded definitions were proposed for each of the terms in the context of lesson planning. It is argued that the methodological approach guides the teaching and learning process and consists of an essential element of lesson planning, which involves explaining the background conceptions about teaching and learning, the nature of science, and the social role of school education. Therefore, planning a lesson needs to be an explicit and conscious act of the teacher, in which he becomes aware of the methodological approach to be adopted. This approach will guide the requirement for the delimitation of learning objectives, the selection and arrangement of instructional and assessment strategies, as well as the teaching resources and instructional materials.

A Glance Portrayal of Science Education in Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adib Rifqi Setiawan
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
General Education ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Science Teacher Education ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Professional Organizations ◽  
Curriculum Innovation ◽  
Global Science ◽  
Historical Developments

The goal of this work is to describe pre- and in-service science teacher education and science education research in Indonesia in an effort to better inform the global science education community about historical developments and present challenges. We begin by providing an historical overview of the general education system to provide readers with context needed to understand current reform initiatives. Next we describe the current-day process for preparing and certifying science teachers and we describe some of the challenges facing teachers, students, and researchers in Indonesia’s science education context today. We follow this discussion with an introduction to some existing professional organizations for teachers and researchers in Indonesia that are working to develop important channels for disseminating current research on teacher practice, curriculum innovation, and student learning that have the potential to positively influence on teaching and learning in the future. We conclude by highlighting some areas that would benefit from additional research and by inviting more international collaborative research initiatives with colleagues in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

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