Arguing that all too often the model of science held in school science education, the way science is taught and the content matter learned are too narrow in outlook, this work explores how a school education should be provided that is appropriate for the entire school population.

A companion to Aspects of Teaching Secondary Science, the first section of this reader provides an overview of the key issues, discussing the nature of science and its role in the school curriculum. The second section goes on to examine critically the ways in which science is reflected in the school curriculum, while the third section discusses recent curriculum initiatives and developments. Turning the focus from what is taught on to who is taught, section four shows that students are very much active learners in the classroom, making sense of their experiences and constructing their own meanings. The final section covers the role of research in science education, giving examples of research papers and considering how productive collaboration between teachers and researchers can impact upon the effectiveness of classroom practice.

Examines ways in which beliefs and values interact with science and science teaching

This informative book looks at science learning in a wide range of contexts. It is divided into three parts. Part one deals with the arguments put forward for studying science, and includes a discussion on what science learners need to know about the nature of science and how decisions about what forms science curricula are made. Part two includes articles on the processes by which science is learned and part three deals with inclusivity and diversity in science learning and what widening participation means for science education. This is a companion book to Mediating Science Learning through ICT also published by RoutledgeFalmer. Reconsidering Science Learning will be of particular interest to teachers on masters courses in science education and academics with an interest in science education.

Educational researchers are bound to see this as a timely work. It brings together the work of leading experts in argumentation in science education. It presents research combining theoretical and empirical perspectives relevant for secondary science classrooms. Since the 1990s, argumentation studies have increased at a rapid pace, from stray papers to a wealth of research exploring ever more sophisticated issues. It is this fact that makes this volume so crucial.

This volume is a state-of-the-art compilation of diverse and innovative perspectives, principles, and a number of practiced approaches of fields, courses, and methods of pluralist economics teaching. It fosters constructive controversy aiming to incite authors and commentators to engage in fruitful debate. The complex economic problems of the 21st century require a pluralist, real-world oriented, and innovative discipline of economics, capable of addressing and teaching those complex issues to students from diverse perspectives. This volume addresses a number of key questions: Which models could be taught outside the equilibrium and optimality paradigm? Which methods could help to improve our understanding of the complex globalized economy? How can qualitative and quantitative methods be combined in a fruitful way to analyze complex economic problems? How can the academic isolation of mainstream economics that has developed over many decades be overcome, despite its attempted transdisciplinary imperialism? What role should knowledge from other disciplines play in teaching economics, and what is the relevance of transdisciplinarity? Through examining these issues, the editors and authors have created a pluralist but cohesive book on teaching economics in the contemporary classroom, drawing from ideas and examples from around the world. Principles and Pluralist Approaches in Teaching Economics is a unique collection of diverse perspectives on the methodology and applications of pluralist economics teaching. It will be a great resource for those teaching economics at various levels as well as researchers and intermediate and advanced students searching for pluralism in economics.

Which factors have been influential in developing science teaching and learning for the three to thirteen age group in the last twenty years? How might these factors have an impact on the future direction of science teaching and learning for this age range into the 21st century? How can teachers cope with the changes? Science 3-13 explores some of the historical antecedents of the current position of science in the lives of younger children. It covers the various influences, both from within and outside the teaching profession, that have shaped the current science curriculum. Current practice is examined and, on this basis, speculations are made about the future position and direction of this important subject. The contributors each cover a particular aspect of science for the 3-13 age range but common themes emerge such as the influence of government intentions, particularly through the development of the National Curriculum. The role of research groups and the impact of ICT on the teaching profession as to what is important to teach and how science and science teaching should be viewed within society are shown to be important factors in the mix that contributes to change. This book forms part of a series of key texts which focus on a range of topics related to primary education and schooling. Each book in the Primary Directions Series will review the past, analyse current issues, suggest coping strategies for practitioners and speculate on the future.