Teaching Science for Understanding: A Human Constructivist View

Science education has undergone a revolution in recent years, shifting its emphasis from breadth and memorization to depth and understanding. Teaching Science for Understanding begins with an overview of the changes in science education. It then presents a review of each major instructional strategy, information about how it is best used, and the effectiveness of the strategies for understanding and retention of information. The book presents the main strategies used to achieve this depth of understanding, including the use of computer simulations, small laboratories, and journal writing, and it discusses how to use each strategy at the elementary, secondary, and college level. * Presents an overview of changes in science education * Discusses both teaching and learning strategies for better understanding * Covers strategies for use at elementary, secondary, and college levels of teaching * Reviews specialized teaching methods including computer simulations, small labs, and journal writing