scholarly journals Paradigm and Objectivity in the Sciences: Pedagogical Repercussions from a Wittgensteinian Perspective

Author(s):  
Cristiane Gottschalk

The concept of paradigm became, in the middle of the last century, a central concept in the philosophical discussion about the nature of scientific knowledge. However, little attention has been paid to the strength of this concept in the constitution of the senses in general and, in particular, about its role in the transmission and acquisition of new scientific concepts, not only in the community of scientists, but also among basic-science teachers and students. I argue that a Wittgensteinian-inspired reflection on the transcendental use of this concept, as part of the grammar of scientific concepts, can clarify not only fundamental questions about the nature of scientific activity (avoiding both dogmatic and relativistic conceptions), but can also provide us with clues to identify sufficient, though not necessary, conditions so that something becomes an object for scientific thinking in the context of school education.

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 139-146
Author(s):  
Simeon Olayinka Olajide ◽  
Thomas Ajibade Adebisi ◽  
Tosin Adebola Tewogbade

Abstract The study assessed the availability of laboratory resources, teachers’ and students’ involvement in practical activities in Basic Science in junior secondary schools in Osun State Nigeria. These were with a view to ascertain the availability of laboratory resources in the teaching of Basic Science in junior secondary schools and the involvement of teachers and students to practical activities in the state. The study employed a descriptive survey research design. The population for the study consisted of all Basic Science teachers, facilities for teaching Basic Science and all junior secondary school II students in Osun State. Ten schools were selected from each senatorial district through simple random sampling technique, from each school, ten students from JSSII were also randomly selected through simple random sampling technique to take part in the study. Basic Science teachers found in the schools were purposively used for the study because of their discipline and numbers. The facilities for the research were also purposively selected based on a must for teacher to use in the course of their teaching. Three instruments were used for data collection. They are: Observation Checklist for Basic Science Laboratory Facilities (OCBSLF), Questionnaire for Teachers on Teachers Involvement in Practical Activities (QTTIPA) and Students’ Questionnaire on Basic Science Laboratory Facilities (SQBSLF). Data collected were analyzed through simple percentages. The results of the study showed that 14(40.0%) schools indicated that beakers, boiling tubes, conical flask and cylinder are available while 21(60.0%) schools indicated that beakers, boiling tubes, conical flask and cylinder are not available, 10(28.6%) schools indicated that flat bottom flasks are available while 25(71.4%) schools indicated they are not available, 11(31.4%) schools indicated that round bottom flasks are available while 24(68.6%) schools indicated they are not available, 8(22.9%) schools indicated that hand lenses are available while 27(77.1%) schools indicated they are not available, 7(20.0%) schools indicated that Ammeters are available while 28(80.0%) schools indicated they are not available, 9(25.7%) schools indicated that Resistance box are available while 26(74.3%) schools indicated they are not available, 3((8.57%) schools indicated that plastic mammalian models (heart, eye, ear, and skeleton) and First Aid box (fully equipped) 3((8.57%) are available while 32(91.3%) schools indicated that they not available, 1(2.86%) schools indicated that Meter Rule, Rheostats, Connecting wires, Spatula are available while 34(97.4%) schools indicated they are not available. The results of the study showed that on the average teachers did not use laboratory facilities to teach the students and students are rarely involved in practical activities in schools. The study concluded that laboratory resources are not available to teach students Basic Science in junior secondary school level.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-30
Author(s):  
Chee Leong Wong ◽  
Hye-Eun Chu ◽  
Kueh Chin Yap

Abstract Studies have shown that inadequate definitions of scientific concepts could complicate the learning of science and could prevent students from understanding the definitions of scientific concepts. The article provides a framework for defining scientific concepts in primary, secondary, and university education by proposing teachers draw attention to five common features of a definition: object/system, nature/characteristics, cause/effect, mathematical expression/equation, and condition/ reference frame that can help students to consider four dimensions, including, ‘comprehensiveness,’ ‘precision,’ ‘consistency,’ and ‘circularity’ when learning science concepts. This framework can be used by science teachers to guide students to analyze and redefine scientific concepts in the classroom and may be especially beneficial for students in Asian countries where teachers and students often rely on rote memorization as a strategy for learning scientific concepts. We conclude by describing the need for future studies in educational contexts in Asian countries where pedagogical strategies have traditionally emphasized memorization of science concepts.


Author(s):  
Jorge Daher Nader ◽  
Amelia Patricia Panunzio ◽  
Marlene Hernández Navarro

Research is considered a function aimed at obtaining new knowledge and its application for the solution to problems or questions of a scientific nature, The universities framed in the fulfillment of their social function have a complex task given by training a competent professional who assumes research as part of their training and who learns to ask questions that they are able to solve through scientific research.  Scientific research is an indicator of the quality of processes in the university environment, so it must be increased by virtue of the results of the work carried out by research teachers and students the objective of this work is to know the perception of the teachers of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Guayaquil about the scientific activity. Objective: to know the perception of the teachers of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Guayaquil about the scientific activity. Methods: theoretical and empirical level were used, a questionnaire with closed questions aimed at knowing the opinions on the research activity in this institution was applied. Result: that of the sample analyzed 309 (39.3%) said they agreed with the training for the writing of scientific articles. 38.6% said they agree with the training on research projects. Conclusion: that teacher’s research should be enhanced to ensure the formation and development of research skills in students.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 1006-1018
Author(s):  
Ana Alexandre Santos Rodrigues ◽  
Francisco Asis Aquino Bezerra Filho ◽  
Jáder Onofre de Morais ◽  
Lidrana De Souza Pinheiro

As práticas de campo proporcionam aos discentes uma proximidade com o cotidiano. A metodologia proposta no estudo sugere uma divulgação simplificada do conhecimento cientifico da Planície Litorânea de Almofala, propondo rotas de acesso didáticas para práticas de campo que auxiliem os professores das escolas de Itarema. Para a complementação teórica foram considerados como base os inventários da Geodiversidade cientifica do litoral oeste do estado do Ceará, realizados no âmbito do projeto PRONEX. Isso foi feito por pesquisadores de várias Instituições de Ensino Superior do Ceará, e a literatura clássica local. Enquanto resultados discutidos, considerou-se que estes roteiros de práticas de campo podem ser estabelecidos e decididos em conjunto, entre professores e alunos. Tendo como base o mapa interpretativo dos roteiros, com intuito de realizar o reconhecimento e entendimento da dinâmica costeira.Palavras-chave: Educação; Geodiversidade; Planície Litorânea. ABSTRACTField practices provide students with a closeness to daily life. The methodology proposed in the study suggests a simplified dissemination of scientific knowledge of the Almofala Coastal Plain, proposing didactic access routes for field practices that help teachers of Itarema schools. For theoretical complementation, the inventories of the scientific geodiversity of the west coast of the state of Ceará, carried out under the PRONEX project were considered. It was done by researchers from various Higher Education Institutions in Ceará, and its local classical literature. As results discussed, it was considered that these field practice roadmaps can be jointly established and decided between teachers and students. Based on the interpretative map of the roadmaps, in order to recognize and understand the coastal dynamics.Keywords: Education; Geodiversity; Coastal plain. RESUMENLas prácticas de campo ofrecen a los estudiantes una cercanía a la vida diaria. La metodología propuesta en el estudio sugiere una divulgación simplificada del conocimiento científico sobre la llanura costera de Almofala, proponiendo rutas de acceso didáctico para prácticas de campo que ayudan a los docentes de las escuelas de Itarema. Para la complementación teórica fueron considerados como información base los inventarios de la geodiversidad científica de la costa oeste del estado de Ceará, realizados en el ámbito del proyecto PRONEX. Fue realizado por investigadores de varias instituciones de educación superior en Ceará, y la literatura clásica local. En cuanto a los resultados discutidos, se consideró que estas hojas de ruta de prácticas de campo pueden ser establecidas y escogidas conjuntamente entre docentes y estudiantes, con base en el mapa interpretativo de ruta, con el fin de reconocer y comprender la dinámica costera de esta región.Palabras clave: Educación; Geodiversidad; Llanura costera.


2004 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 313-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Valle

The article deals with correspondence in natural history in the eighteenth century between England and North America. The corpus discussed consists of correspondence between John Bartram and Peter Collinson, and between Alexander Garden and John Ellis. The approach used in the study is qualitative and rhetorical; the main point considered is how the letters construct scientific centre and periphery in the eighteenth-century Atlantic world. A central concept is the “colonial exchange”, whereby “raw materials” from the colonies — in this case plant and animal specimens, along with proposed identifications and names — are exchanged for “finished products”, in this case codified scientific knowledge contained in publications.


2008 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klara B Laksov ◽  
Matti Nikkola ◽  
Kirsti Lonka

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-88
Author(s):  
Vincentas Lamanauskas ◽  
Violeta Slekiene ◽  
Gabriel Gorghiu ◽  
Costin Pribeanu

Mobile technology is now part of the everyday life of teachers and students and thus tends to become an inseparable part of the educational activities. Teachers and students are increasingly using mobile technologies in teaching and learning. Therefore, it is purposeful to responsibly integrate technologies into the educational process. However, technical and pedagogical support is necessary in order to facilitate both teacher and students’ understanding of this educational potential. Besides, it is still very little known and there is very little evidence about the effectiveness of the application of these technologies in the teaching/learning process. This research aims to explore the perceptions of Romanian and Lithuanian teachers regarding the use of mobile technologies in education. Keywords: motivation to learn, mobile technology, preliminary study, science education, science teachers.


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