Musings on Science Education
In schools, the development of
mathematics and its applications may be self-contained and peer review an
immediate possibility. In contrast, in science and technology,
students are provide theories to follow with mathematical portions that
provide repeatable and reproducible calculations/approximations. But lab
experience nominally present to introduce scientific method or work
habits, place almost all students in the difficult position of one-off
hypothesis testing and one-off experiment reproduction.
Experiments and measurements in science or technology
have the goal of producing or duplicating a result or the have the goal
of confirming or refuting a prediction, and thus restricting or
expanding the limits or domain of applicability of a theory. One or both
of the foregoing may be serve as general hypothesis testing, or
technique testing. That being said, lab experiences in schools may
illustrate the use of some tools and methods, and so hint what is
possible in general, and the notion of peer review and confirmation or
refutation of scientific and technological claims. That being said, the
science teacher has to be fairly selective in the assignment of lab work
and in the identification of hypotheses. Lab work should aim for
confirmation that certain methods (equipment and procedures described)
lead to confirmation or duplication of expected results. There-in
lies the hypothesis and hope for or expected conclusion. Lab work should
also aim to familiarize students with lab equipment and procedures.
Casting the mastery of a procedure as a lab experiment
with hypothesis to formulate is not my liking - seems too much,
unwarranted, an unjustified ritual. The development of science and
technology appears to be limited to a plug-and-play approach (with the
exception of students who get involved in research).
| |
LAMP
(first
draft, June 2008) a program for adult
and teen mathematics education
Mathematics education standards implied by calculus should
be a factor, not the only one, yet not a forgotten nor hidden one in course design
Area Intro
Introduction
Arithmetic
Geometry
Algebra
Logic
Calculus
Musings - More Ideas
More About LAMP
Evaluation
Maths Cultural Origins
First Nation Education
Modern Mathematics
Before LAMP
Problem Solving Skills Routine to Non
Instructional Concepts
Student Cooperation
Maths Extrinsic Origins
Science Education
For further musings or thoughts see site books.
[ Back ] [ Area Intro ]
|