Chapter 2: Researching children's understanding and ways of learning

Introduction

Chapter 2 looks at various ways to research children's thinking and ideas about a range of concepts in science.

Chapter 2 PowerPoint Presentation

Connecting to the book

The interview cards shown in Figure 2.4 can be downloaded and used to undertake your own research with children.

Figure 2.4 Interview cards

 One way to analyse observations of children learning science in everyday life, or in the classroom/early childhood setting is to use Barbara Rogoff's three lenses. An example is shown on page 46 of the textbook, and is available for download in this folder.

- Table 2.2 Using three lenses for making judgements about children's thinking and acting in Science
- Figure 2.5
- Figure 2.6
- Figure 2.7 

Online exercise

Barbara Rogoff's most recent work can be found on YouTube at the following link:

Developing Destinies [YouTube video]

Rogoff asks the question, 'How do people learn if they are not taught?' In this YouTube video, Barbara briefly shares the historical and recent life stories of a woman learning to be a midwife in a Mayan community in the context of Western science. As you listen to Barbara sharing her work, consider the question she poses. Also think about the historical and recent changes in beliefs about important cultural practices in the context of science. How would you work with and build upon traditional forms of knowledge when teaching science to young children?

Additional content

The appendix from page 55 of the book is available to download for your personal use.

Chapter 2 Appendix