Investigating ways to enhance teachers' science explanations and students' concept learning using cycles of reflective explanations. Explanation is central to learning because teachers explain phenomena to students and students are assessed on their explanations to other students and the teacher. Teacher explanations are not always effective and many lower secondary students provide descriptions when an explanation is needed. This projects aims for three outcomes: first, it researches teacher ....Investigating ways to enhance teachers' science explanations and students' concept learning using cycles of reflective explanations. Explanation is central to learning because teachers explain phenomena to students and students are assessed on their explanations to other students and the teacher. Teacher explanations are not always effective and many lower secondary students provide descriptions when an explanation is needed. This projects aims for three outcomes: first, it researches teacher explanations for teachers. Second, it researches student-student and student-teacher explanations to find which explanatory types maximise concept learning; and third, it evaluates a cycle of reflective explanations model for enhancing science teacher explanations.Read moreRead less
Primary classroom teacher-student interactions, cultural learning environments and their relationships with students' attitudes and understanding of science concepts. This project examines associations between teacher-student interactions and primary students' perceptions of cultural factors of learning environments with students' attitudes towards science and their understanding of science concepts. In the tradition of classroom environment research, the study will use interviews and questionna ....Primary classroom teacher-student interactions, cultural learning environments and their relationships with students' attitudes and understanding of science concepts. This project examines associations between teacher-student interactions and primary students' perceptions of cultural factors of learning environments with students' attitudes towards science and their understanding of science concepts. In the tradition of classroom environment research, the study will use interviews and questionnaires to obtain students' perceptions of their primary classrooms. In-depth studies will then be made of particular classrooms with the aim of enhancing the description of primary school science teaching. The project will lead to a systematic understanding of what is happening in primary school science and a direction for teachers to implement desirable changes in their teaching.Read moreRead less
Evaluating the effectiveness of scientific visualisations in physics and chemistry education. Scientific visualisations are believed to have significant potential to improve students' learning of science concepts, potentially improving students' access to and outcomes in university science programs. This project will evaluate that potential to see whether it is realised in students' understanding of scientific concepts. The software, hardware, development and teaching skills required to use scie ....Evaluating the effectiveness of scientific visualisations in physics and chemistry education. Scientific visualisations are believed to have significant potential to improve students' learning of science concepts, potentially improving students' access to and outcomes in university science programs. This project will evaluate that potential to see whether it is realised in students' understanding of scientific concepts. The software, hardware, development and teaching skills required to use scientific visualisations in science teaching represent a significant investment of money and time on the part of the community. The results from this project will help in analysing the educational benefits of visualisations, providing important information for cost-benefit analyses.Read moreRead less
ENHANCING SCIENCE LEARNING THROUGH A FOCUS ON MULTIPLE AND MULTI-MODAL REPRESENTATIONS OF CONCEPTS. This project draws on recent theoretical accounts of multiple and multi-modal representations of science understandings to devise, trial and evaluate new approaches to teaching and learning science concepts. These approaches, catering for diverse learning pathways, focus on student understanding that representations of scientific knowledge are multi-modal and interconnected. The project is signifi ....ENHANCING SCIENCE LEARNING THROUGH A FOCUS ON MULTIPLE AND MULTI-MODAL REPRESENTATIONS OF CONCEPTS. This project draws on recent theoretical accounts of multiple and multi-modal representations of science understandings to devise, trial and evaluate new approaches to teaching and learning science concepts. These approaches, catering for diverse learning pathways, focus on student understanding that representations of scientific knowledge are multi-modal and interconnected. The project is significant in providing an innovative way to engage upper primary and junior secondary students in regional and rural Australian contexts in learning science, and is expected to promote more effective learning and more positive student attitudes to the subject.Read moreRead less
Crisis in chemistry: How do we best teach particle concepts for understanding? Fundamental chemistry knowledge is essential in the information age because citizens and professionals need to make informed decisions about GM technology, pollution and how to teach science. Chemistry learning is compromised by recurring intuitive and taught misconceptions about atoms and molecules. The widely documented misconceptions emphasise what students cannot do. This unique project studies students, teachers ....Crisis in chemistry: How do we best teach particle concepts for understanding? Fundamental chemistry knowledge is essential in the information age because citizens and professionals need to make informed decisions about GM technology, pollution and how to teach science. Chemistry learning is compromised by recurring intuitive and taught misconceptions about atoms and molecules. The widely documented misconceptions emphasise what students cannot do. This unique project studies students, teachers and international chemistry educators to develop a theoretical and practical model of what students can understand and do in primary, secondary and university chemistry with respect to atoms and molecules. The research will significantly improve chemistry teaching at the macroscopic, microscopic and symbolic levels.Read moreRead less
Learning essential knowledge by design: Promoting and connecting mathematics and science in the middle years of schooling. In the international setting, Australia's scientific and technical competitiveness is under threat. In the US this similar threat has elicited responses that focus on new mathematics and science teachers and teacher professional learning. This project aligns with major national and state initiatives to develop curricula that promote essential learnings and standards without ....Learning essential knowledge by design: Promoting and connecting mathematics and science in the middle years of schooling. In the international setting, Australia's scientific and technical competitiveness is under threat. In the US this similar threat has elicited responses that focus on new mathematics and science teachers and teacher professional learning. This project aligns with major national and state initiatives to develop curricula that promote essential learnings and standards without losing sight of current educational approaches such as middle years of schooling. The project will explore research-based, integrated pedagogies, content and assessment to provide Australian teachers with new ways of engaging students with the mathematics and science curricula.Read moreRead less
Restructuring Statistical Reasoning in the Early School Years: A Longitudinal Study of Data Modelling. Research Priority 2 (the goal, Strengthening Australia's Social and Economic Fabric) is targeted. By providing young learners with the foundations of data modelling, which has been ignored in early curricula, the study will sow the seeds for productive participation in a data-driven society and effective use of its increasingly complex economic and social systems. The foundational statistical i ....Restructuring Statistical Reasoning in the Early School Years: A Longitudinal Study of Data Modelling. Research Priority 2 (the goal, Strengthening Australia's Social and Economic Fabric) is targeted. By providing young learners with the foundations of data modelling, which has been ignored in early curricula, the study will sow the seeds for productive participation in a data-driven society and effective use of its increasingly complex economic and social systems. The foundational statistical ideas and processes to be developed will lay the groundwork for further studies in the key curriculum areas, 'chance and data,' 'probability and statistics,' 'science and society,' and 'life and living.' Professional gains include knowledge of ways to implement mathematical and scientific experiences that capitalise on young children's potential.Read moreRead less
Researching Collective Argumentation in Mathematics and Science Classrooms. The project will provide evidence-based pedagogical strategies for the reform of classroom teaching and learning in the crucial areas of mathematics and science. We will develop a form of pedagogy (Collective Argumentation) that enables students to be confident in deploying mathematical and scientific knowledge and skills in relation to the economic and social choices that they make in everyday contexts. Collective Argum ....Researching Collective Argumentation in Mathematics and Science Classrooms. The project will provide evidence-based pedagogical strategies for the reform of classroom teaching and learning in the crucial areas of mathematics and science. We will develop a form of pedagogy (Collective Argumentation) that enables students to be confident in deploying mathematical and scientific knowledge and skills in relation to the economic and social choices that they make in everyday contexts. Collective Argumentation can induct students into 'habits of mind and social practices' necessary for building an innovative learning community. This project will enable us to extend this innovative approach and to further develop its effectiveness.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354538
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$30,000.00
Summary
Enabling Sciences Education (EnSE) Research Network. The Network aims to ensure the long-term ability of Australians to excel in scientific and technological innovation at all levels of community activity. This will be achieved by establishing significant and ambitious research agendas for improving the teaching and learning of Mathematics, Science and Technology in primary, secondary and tertiary education sectors. Of significance will be the productive synergies flowing from uniting, across ....Enabling Sciences Education (EnSE) Research Network. The Network aims to ensure the long-term ability of Australians to excel in scientific and technological innovation at all levels of community activity. This will be achieved by establishing significant and ambitious research agendas for improving the teaching and learning of Mathematics, Science and Technology in primary, secondary and tertiary education sectors. Of significance will be the productive synergies flowing from uniting, across the three disciplines, Australia's most outstanding, experienced and dedicated researchers with new and mid-career colleagues. Expected outcomes include a diverse but cohesive and collaborative research community that provides international leadership in helping students achieve their full potential. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160101053
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$369,000.00
Summary
Engaging Science Students Emotionally by Fostering Positive Social Bonds. To address the problem of student disaffection with junior school science, this project aims to identify characteristics of interpersonal relationships or social bonds between teachers and students, and students and peers, that influence classroom learning and emotional engagement with science. Increasing engagement in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics is important for supporting Australia ....Engaging Science Students Emotionally by Fostering Positive Social Bonds. To address the problem of student disaffection with junior school science, this project aims to identify characteristics of interpersonal relationships or social bonds between teachers and students, and students and peers, that influence classroom learning and emotional engagement with science. Increasing engagement in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics is important for supporting Australia’s economic future. Facilitating positive social bonds in science classrooms is likely to improve student engagement. Outcomes from the study are expected to benefit educators, researchers, and policy-makers by identifying ways of fostering positive social bonds and facilitating engagement and learning in science.Read moreRead less