Chinese Journal of Science Education


Vol. 14 No. 2 , Pages 163 - 187 , 2006

An Exploration of Effect of Integrated Teaching about the History of Science upon Elementary School Children’s Viewpoints of the Nature of Science (Article written in Chinese)

Ming-Fu CHIU & Huey-Lien KAO

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of instruction about the history of science on 4th grade elementary students’ understanding of the nature of science. The instruction was integrated through the domain of “Science & Life-Technology”. The nature of science research group consisting of the researchers and three elementary teachers developed the “Content of the Nature of Science” for elementary students, according to the “Capability Indicators of the Nature of Science in the Nine-Year Curriculum” and related literature. In the “Force”, “Photosynthesis” and “Shape and Revolution of the Earth” teaching units, the researchers chose materials on the history of science, designed teaching materials, set teaching goals and asked questions to guide students to discuss the nature of science. Through continuously revising the teaching materials, the researchers hope to propose a possible model for the integrated teaching of the history of science. Data collection in this study was based on classroom observation, students’ workbooks, and a research group developed quantitative evaluative and interview instrument measuring the students’ viewpoints of the nature of science. According these data, a PT-DA model of the history of science integrated into science teaching was proposed which included four stages: preparation, teaching, discussion and assessment. The results showed that the teaching model integrating the history of science into the elementary school teaching could enhance the participants’ understanding of the nature of science. The researchers also provide suggestions for teaching and research in the future.

Keywords: the history of science; the nature of science

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