Towards Scientific Literacy

A Teachers' Guide to the History, Philosophy and Sociology of Science

Author:
This book is a guide for teachers, student teachers, teacher educators, science education researchers and curriculum developers who wish to get to grips with the vast and complex literature encompassing the history of science, philosophy of science and sociology of science (HPS). A number of books cover essentially the same ground, but what makes this book unique is that it is written from the perspective of science education. The author’s purpose is twofold. First, to identify, clarify and critique elements in the HPS literature that are of key importance in developing students’scientific and technological literacy, as defined in the opening chapter of the book. Second, to enhance teachers’ capacity to build and present curricula that afford a much higher profile to HPS than has been traditional. The significance of the book can be judged from the prominence given to nature of science understanding in much recent international debate and writing in science education and in the plethora of influential reports on science and technology education published around the world that identify HPS knowledge and understanding as central components of 21st century science education.

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Preliminary Material
Pages: i–xii
In Pursuit of Scientific Literacy
The Case for History, Philosophy and Sociology of Science
Pages: 1–22
Exploring Nature of Science Issues
Students’ Views and Curriculum Images
Pages: 23–40
The Traditional View of Science
Recognizing the Myths
Pages: 41–65
Exploring Alternative Views of Science
The Ideas of Popper, Lakatos and Kuhn
Pages: 67–83
Scientific Inquiry, Experiment and Theory
What Should We Tell Our Students?
Pages: 85–102
Realism or Instrumentalism
What Position for School Science?
Pages: 103–121
Insight from the Sociology of Science
Science is What Scientists Do
Pages: 123–147
Making a case for History of Science
Going Beyond Dates and Anecdotes
Pages: 149–172
Looking for Balance in the Curriculum
Essential Elements in a Curriculum for Critical Scientific Literacy
Pages: 173–198
Further Thoughts on Social Construction and Scientific Rationality
A View for School Science
Pages: 199–210
References
Pages: 211–237
Index
Pages: 239–241
Educational Researchers and their students
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