The Didactics of Science through Polymorphic Self-Made Experimental Apparatus of Quantitative Determinations. An alternative proposal for the teaching of Natural Sciences(*)
Miltiadis Tsigris,
Laboratory for Science Teaching, The University of Crete
E-mail: mtsigris@edc.uoc.gr
(*)This work has been partially funded by the European Commission (project “Hands-on Science” contract number 110157-CP-1-2003-1-PT-COMENIUS-C3). Neither the Commission nor the authors of this work may be held responsible for any use of the information provided here.
Abstract. The undertaking of teachers’ training in Natural Sciences is very difficult. This difficulty is related with the implementation of the two classic models "learn how you learn" and "active exploratory approach of knowledge" during the teacher training. That’s because we have to use the same teaching style as we propose them to teach in their classrooms. During their basic and probably during the Academic studies, they have had the theoretical model of knowledge, as a unique model of learning Science. The disengagement from that requires a suitable model of teaching, through which the knowledge is approached experientially, within scientific – inquiring way. This model has the following advantages: a) it triggers their interest and the spontaneous attendance, b) they control the acquisition of knowledge, c) they acquire training and psychomotor skills and d) they collaborate. More generally, they are expected to behave as students with the same way as they are proposed to use as teachers in their classroom.
Our laboratory has already a five-year experience in the application of self-made experimental apparatuses, for quantitative and semi-quantitative measurements. These two limits of precision, quantitative and semi-quantitative, coexist in most of the developed apparatuses. This co-existence constitutes an additional instructive approach through the concept of the Polymorphic Exercises in Science teaching [1].
Keywords. Polymorphic practice, Science teaching, Self/made apparatus.
Paper presented at the HSci 2005 – 2nd International Conference on Hands-on Science, Hsci2005 – Science in a Changing Education, July 13-16, 2005 – Greece, The University of Crete campus at Rethimno (http://www.clab.edc.uoc.gr/2nd/).