EDU 04.9: Theoretical Base of Physical Science Education PDF

# EDU 04.9: THEORETICAL BASE OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE EDUCATION ## UNIT I - Nature and Development of Science Education ### NATURE OF SCIENCE #### Definitions: - Science is a body of knowledge and process of acquiring it. - Science is what scientists do - Science is the process by which we increase and...

# EDU 04.9: THEORETICAL BASE OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE EDUCATION ## UNIT I - Nature and Development of Science Education ### NATURE OF SCIENCE #### Definitions: - Science is a body of knowledge and process of acquiring it. - Science is what scientists do - Science is the process by which we increase and refine understanding of ourselves and of the universe through continuous observation, experimentation, application and verification. Thus the nature of science has four aspects. - **Product of Science** - a systematized body of knowledge - **Process of science** - the method of inquiry - **Scientific Attitude** - **Science as a social institution** #### Science as a process The ways and means adopted by scientists in their investigation of natural phenomena. The method by which products of science are obtained. ##### Process of Science - three aspects 1. **Processes scientists use in investigating the natural world.** 2. **Cognitive processes involved in learning science.** 3. **Pedagogical process in science classes.** ##### Basic processes: The processes that form the foundation for scientific methods. According to AAAS(American Association for the Advancement of Science), seven basic processes: 1. Observation 2. Communication 3. Classification 4. Measurement 5. Inference 6. Prediction 7. Using Number Relations These basic skills can be put in a logical order of increasing complexities. Even the youngest students will use all these skills. ##### Integrated processes: When these basic process skills are integrated together, then more higher-level skills are formed. They are known as Integrated processes. 1. Making models - mentally or physically 2. Defining operationally 3. Collecting data 4. Interpreting data 5. Identifying and controlling variables 6. Formulating hypothesis 7. Experimenting #### Significance - Process oriented curriculum is more useful than product oriented (content rich) curriculum. - Process approach helps for the development of inquiry skills and higher order thinking skills. - Promotes creativity and learners generate new ideas. - Classrooms change to learning labs and collaborative groups. - Develops skill and abilities that are useful in everyday contexts. #### Science as a product The body of knowledge of science / content of science is known as product. This is also known as functional understanding of science. It includes - 1. **Scientific vocabulary** 2. **Scientific fact** 3. **Scientific concept** 4. **Principles, rules, theories** 5. **Conceptual schemes.** 1. **Scientific vocabulary** - Scientific terms that are frequently used in scientific literature. Eg.: Compound, Valency, Magnetism. 2. **Scientific Fact** - Facts are events that have occurred and being recorded with no disagreement among observers. Thus, facts are established truths. A fact is a reality, a real state of a thing which is usually demonstrable. Eg. Ice melts to water. Iron expands on heating Science is an organized body of facts. Facts initiate theory; modify and clarify existing theory. 3. **Scientific concepts**- Concept is a generalized idea. Concept is the broad generalization to a set by mentally abstracting the common essential characteristics which define set. It is an abstraction that organizes a large number of ideas into a logical relationship. Concept is the product of one's own imagination, insight or reasoned judgment. Facts are available to all who perceive that; facts are public property. Concepts are private possessions. Concepts emerge as a result of experience with more than one object or facts. Eg. Metals expand on heating ., Magnetic Induction; Gravity; 4. **Principle** - A statement that shows interrelationship among concepts is known as a principle. It is a broad generalization which means the same for all the people irrespective of their age and experience. Example: Archimedes' principle 5. **Theory** - Theory is a carefully constructed system of logical reasoning derived from well-founded assumptions regarding the basic nature of the physical world. It consists of facts, concepts and principles. Eg. Wave theory of light, Kinetic theory of gases 6. **Conceptual scheme** - Several major concepts are logically and sequentially joined together to form a big idea. Eg. Matter - Forms of matter; Components of matter; Energy of matter. Sound - Pitch, amplitude, Propagation of sound #### Science as an attitude #### SCIENTIFIC ATTITUDE Scientific thinking helps a person for making right judgements based on purposeful observation, valid hypotheses, analysis, synthesis and experiments. The attitude thus developing as a result of open mindedness, desire for accurate knowledge, confidence in the methods of science and the expectation that solution of the problem will come through use of verified knowledge is known as scientific attitude. #### Components of Scientific Attitude A person having scientific attitude possesses the following qualities: 1. Empiricism: making conclusions based on observations and experiments. 2. Determinism: Belief in cause-effect relationship. 3. Belief that all problems have solutions. 4. Belief that all knowledge has tolerance limits; no absolute certainty. 5. Respect for power of theoretical structure. 6. Respect for mathematics as a language of science. 7. Willingness to change opinion and suspend judgement based on best hypothesis. 8. Aversion to superstitions and acceptance of scientific explanation. 9. Awareness of assumptions that scientific method starts with clear assumptions. 10. Ability to separate fundamental concepts from irrelevant concepts. 11. Environmental - friendly value system.