Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Chapter 1 Reflection
Well, for starters, I realized that this book wasn't going to be some "unrealistic" account of three authors who never spent an hour in a classroom, which I sadly have read in the past. As for the content of Chapter 1, there were several key points that struck me as I was reading. The section on Constructive Learning talked about what teachers REALLY do (or should do in some cases). The phrase I read that I will adopt as part of my creed is "Encourage Wonder." Helping students form questions is crucial in Science because that is essentially what we're trying to do... answer questions. I believe the basis of the leaves lesson is an excellent foundation for lessons for many different grade levels. What surprised me in this chapter the most is how Science has a bearing on the future of the nation's economy. Although I knew Science was, in fact, technology, until reading it I was never really looking to see that. Ultimately, the Science we teach these kids today can form our technology and the way we live tomorrow. "Science is a product of the activity of knowing" and as the book explains, the best way to helping students know, is to invoke wonder and to actually listen to them because with regards to Science Education, the chapter mentions how teachers rely on just telling and reading about Science. This is not enough. And the beauty of Science is that there can never be enough.
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Indeed, the preparation you receive through your textbook reading, in your assignments, and in the work we do in class must be practical. That's one of our major goals.
ReplyDeleteThe sense of wonder you can nurture in students should never be underestimated. I think it is a critical element to teaching and learning.
The relationship between science and technology, and the connection of these to the economy, are also noteworthy. One of the criticisms of the space program was that it was too expensive. But think of all the technological innovations that have arisen because of it, with great benefit to the economic well being of our society.
Finally, I think we can all agree that"telling and reading about science" is not enough. There is a strong consensus around the inquiry approach to teaching science. The purpose of this class will be to help you learn the details of that approach so that you can make them part of your own practice. There will even be a place for reading and telling about science.