Models in geoscience classes: How can teachers use them?

• Type: Chapter or Part of a Book
• Date: 2016

Authors

Clara Vasconcelos (Author) FCUP; Joana Torres (Author) Other

Book

Title: Geoscience Education: indoor and outdoor

Pages: 25-41

Publisher: Springer

Indexing

Scopus - 5 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-CTP

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-43319-6_2

Abstract (EN): Scientific models are indispensable tools in scientific enterprise, having an essential role in scientific knowledge construction. Giving their relevance in science, it is currently advocated that models should be used in science classes. There are many studies which uncover the contributions models make to science education, highlighting different advantages of these tools. However, many studies also exhibit that students and even teachers do not reveal adequate views concerning models in science and for teaching. As a consequence, modelling activities are scarcely used in science classes, and when they happen to be, their use is limited, as the full potential of models is not taken into account. This chapter intends to analyse the relevance of models in science and for teaching and to provide some examples of activities which may be used to improve science teachers¿ and students¿ views about models. Some general results are also given towards the improvement of the views about models held by prospective science teachers in Portugal. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific