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Jonathan Osborne
Kamalachari Professor of Science Education, Emeritus
Graduate School of Education
Bio
My research focus is a mix of work on policy and pedagogy in the teaching and learning of science. In the policy domain, I am interested in exploring students' attitudes to science and how school science can be made more worthwhile and engaging - particularly for those who will not continue with the study of science. In pedagogy, my focus has been on making the case for the role of argumentation in science education both as a means of improving the use of a more dialogic approach to teaching science and improving student understanding of the nature of scientific inquiry. I have worked on four major projects in argumentation. The first from 1999-2002 was on 'Enhancing the Quality of Argument in School Science Education'. From this we developed the IDEAS (Ideas, Evidence and Argument in Science Education) materials to support teacher professional learning funded by the Nuffield Foundation. From 2007-2010 I was co-PI on the project 'Learning to Teach Ideas, Evidence and Argument in School Science' which explored how to build teachers competency with the use of this pedagogy in four schools. Most recently, I have worked with Mark Wilson of UCB on a project to develop and test a learning progression for Argumentation in science. Some of this work can be found on the website:
http://scientificargumentation.stanford.edu/
My other area of interest in pedagogy is the teaching of reading and the facilitation of discussion. I have published a book entitled 'Language and Literacy in Science Education' and we are just completing a five year IES funded project - 'Catalyzing Comprehension through Discussion and Debate' exploring how we can support the teaching of reading in science. We have developed a web site with some of our materials:
http://serpmedia.org/rtl/
And a MOOC called 'Reading to Learn in Science" which is offered by NovoEd and will be run again from Jan 13, 2016 for 12 weeks.
Finally, much science, if not more, is learned outside the classroom and how young people learn in that environment and what it has to offer formal education is another focus of my work and I was one of the partners in the NSF funded Centre for Informal Learning and Schools (2002-7) and have several publications in this field.
Administrative Appointments
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Professor, Stanford Graduate School of Education (2009 - Present)
Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations
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Chair, OECD PISA Science Expert Group (2018 - Present)
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Head of Department of Education and Professional Studies, King's College London (2005 - 2008)
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Chair of Science Education, King's College London (2003 - 2008)
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Professor of Science Education, King's College London (2000 - 2003)
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Senior Lecturer in Science Education, King's College London (1996 - 2000)
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Lecturer in Science Education, King's College London (1985 - 1996)
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Advisory Teacher, Inner London Schools (1982 - 1985)
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Physics and Science Teacher, High schools (1973 - 1981)
Professional Education
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PhD, King's College, University of London, Education (1996)
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Masters, Queen Mary College, University of London, Astrophysics (1976)
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Post Graduate Certificate, Cambridge University, Education (1973)
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B.Sc, Bristol University, Physics (1972)
Research Interests
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Professional Development
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Science Education
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Teachers and Teaching
2023-24 Courses
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Independent Studies (3)
- Directed Reading
EDUC 480 (Sum) - Directed Reading in Education
EDUC 180 (Sum) - Directed Research
EDUC 490 (Sum)
- Directed Reading
All Publications
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Science literacy in the twenty-first century: informed trust and the competent outsider
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE EDUCATION
2024
View details for DOI 10.1080/09500693.2024.2331980
View details for Web of Science ID 001200450900001
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Using automated analysis to assess middle school students' competence with scientific argumentation
JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING
2023
View details for DOI 10.1002/tea.21864
View details for Web of Science ID 000981149800001
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Science education in an age of misinformation
SCIENCE EDUCATION
2023
View details for DOI 10.1002/sce.21790
View details for Web of Science ID 000948533600001
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Science, misinformation, and the role of education.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
2022; 378 (6617): 246-248
Abstract
"Competent outsiders" must be able to evaluate the credibility of science-based arguments.
View details for DOI 10.1126/science.abq8093
View details for PubMedID 36264815
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TEACHER FACILITATION OF ELEMENTARY SCIENCE DISCOURSE AFTER A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL JOURNAL
2021
View details for DOI 10.1086/714082
View details for Web of Science ID 000645265000001
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How Might the Next Generation Science Standards Support Styles of Scientific Reasoning in Biology?
AMERICAN BIOLOGY TEACHER
2020; 82 (9): 579–83
View details for DOI 10.1525/abt.2020.82.9.579
View details for Web of Science ID 000600363900003
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Dialogic approaches to supporting argumentation in the elementary science classroom
ROUTLEDGE HANDBOOK OF LANGUAGE AND SCIENCE
2020: 164–77
View details for Web of Science ID 000527006300014
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What Makes a Good Question? Towards an Epistemic Classification
QUESTIONING CHILD: INSIGHTS FROM PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION
2020: 281-300
View details for Web of Science ID 000648427400014
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Not "hands on" but "minds on": A response to Furtak and Penuel
SCIENCE EDUCATION
2019
View details for DOI 10.1002/sce.21543
View details for Web of Science ID 000479589900001
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A response to Saleh et al.: The wrong call to action
JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING
2019; 56 (4): 529–31
View details for DOI 10.1002/tea.21536
View details for Web of Science ID 000461051000010
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Impacts of a Practice-Based Professional Development Program on Elementary Teachers' Facilitation of and Student Engagement With Scientific Argumentation
AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH JOURNAL
2019
View details for DOI 10.3102/0002831218812059
View details for Web of Science ID 000454887800001
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Using Computer Technology to Support the Teaching and Learning of Argumentation in Chemistry
ARGUMENTATION IN CHEMISTRY EDUCATION: RESEARCH, POLICY AND PRACTICE
2019; 2: 79–105
View details for Web of Science ID 000562970800006
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Toward a more coherent model for science education than the crosscutting concepts of the next generation science standards: The affordances of styles of reasoning
JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING
2018; 55 (7): 962–81
View details for DOI 10.1002/tea.21460
View details for Web of Science ID 000442990400004
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Reading for meaning: The foundational knowledge every teacher of science should have
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE EDUCATION
2018; 40 (3): 291–307
View details for DOI 10.1080/09500693.2017.1416205
View details for Web of Science ID 000425700100003
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A Practice-Based Professional Development Program to Support Scientific Argumentation From Evidence in the Elementary Classroom
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE TEACHER EDUCATION
2017; 28 (3): 222–49
View details for DOI 10.1080/1046560X.2017.1302727
View details for Web of Science ID 000410611700002
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Going Beyond the Consensus View: A Response
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE MATHEMATICS AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
2017; 17 (1): 53-57
View details for DOI 10.1080/14926156.2016.1271920
View details for Web of Science ID 000396023200007
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The PISA Science Assessment for 2015 and the Implications for Science Education: Uses and Abuses
SPRINGER INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHING AG. 2017: 191-203
View details for DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-58685-4_15
View details for Web of Science ID 000455763400015
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Styles of Scientific Reasoning: A Cultural Rationale for Science Education?
SCIENCE EDUCATION
2017; 101 (1): 8-31
View details for DOI 10.1002/sce.21251
View details for Web of Science ID 000390696400002
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The development and validation of a learning progression for argumentation in science
JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING
2016; 53 (6): 821-846
View details for DOI 10.1002/tea.21316
View details for Web of Science ID 000379926300002
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Factual accuracy and the cultural context of science in popular media: Perspectives of media makers, middle school students, and university students on an entertainment television program.
Public understanding of science
2016
Abstract
Popular media influences ideas about science constructed by the public. To sway media productions, public policy organizations have increasingly promoted use of science consultants. This study contributes to understanding the connection from science consultants to popular media to public outcomes. A science-based television series was examined for intended messages of the creator and consulting scientist, and received messages among middle school and non-science university students. The results suggest the consulting scientist missed an opportunity to influence the portrayal of the cultural contexts of science and that middle school students may be reading these aspects uncritically-a deficiency educators could potentially address. In contrast, all groups discussed the science content and practices of the show, indicating that scientific facts were salient to both media makers and audiences. This suggests popular media may influence the public knowledge of science, supporting concerns of scientists about the accuracy of fictional television and film.
View details for PubMedID 27340172
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'Not girly, not sexy, not glamorous': primary school girls' and parents' constructions of science aspirations
PEDAGOGICAL RESPONSES TO THE CHANGING POSITION OF GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN
2016: 171-194
View details for Web of Science ID 000468830100011
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Science-Related Outcomes: Attitudes, Motivation, Value Beliefs, Strategies
ASSESSING CONTEXTS OF LEARNING: AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
2016: 301–29
View details for DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-45357-6_12
View details for Web of Science ID 000415640000014
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Beyond Construction: Five arguments for the role and value of critique in learning science
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE EDUCATION
2015; 37 (10): 1668-1697
View details for DOI 10.1080/09500693.2015.1043598
View details for Web of Science ID 000356296000007
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Is Science for Us? Black Students' and Parents' Views of Science and Science Careers
SCIENCE EDUCATION
2015; 99 (2): 199-237
Abstract
There are widespread policy concerns to improve (widen and increase) science, technology, engineering, and mathematics participation, which remains stratified by ethnicity, gender, and social class. Despite being interested in and highly valuing science, Black students tend to express limited aspirations to careers in science and remain underrepresented in post-16 science courses and careers, a pattern which is not solely explained by attainment. This paper draws on survey data from nationally representative student cohorts and longitudinal interview data collected over 4 years from 10 Black African/Caribbean students and their parents, who were tracked from age 10-14 (Y6-Y9), as part of a larger study on children's science and career aspirations. The paper uses an intersectional analysis of the qualitative data to examine why science careers are less "thinkable" for Black students. A case study is also presented of two young Black women who "bucked the trend" and aspired to science careers. The paper concludes with implications for science education policy and practice.
View details for DOI 10.1002/sce.21146
View details for Web of Science ID 000349976900001
View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5434900
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Bridging Science Education and Science Communication Research
JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING
2015; 52 (2): 135-144
View details for DOI 10.1002/tea.21202
View details for Web of Science ID 000348656600001
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Analyzing Science Education in the United Kingdom: Taking a System-Wide Approach
SCIENCE EDUCATION
2015; 99 (1): 145-173
View details for DOI 10.1002/sce.21140
View details for Web of Science ID 000346585500006
- Analyzing Science Education in the United Kingdom: Taking a System‐Wide Approach Science Education 2015; 99 (1): 145-173
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The Science Classroom as a Site of Epistemic Talk: A Case Study of a Teacher's Attempts to Teach Science Based on Argument
JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING
2014; 51 (10): 1275-1300
View details for DOI 10.1002/tea.21166
View details for Web of Science ID 000346867400003
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Revising the economic imperative for US STEM education.
PLoS biology
2014; 12 (1)
Abstract
An essential economic imperative for US STEM education is empowering students to reduce ecological degradation to improve economic welfare.
View details for DOI 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001760
View details for PubMedID 24453938
View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3891559
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Scientific Practices and Inquiry in the Science Classroom
HANDBOOK OF RESEARCH ON SCIENCE EDUCATION, VOL II
2014: 579-599
View details for Web of Science ID 000341402300030
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Teaching Scientific Practices: Meeting the Challenge of Change
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE TEACHER EDUCATION
2014; 25 (2): 177-196
View details for DOI 10.1007/s10972-014-9384-1
View details for Web of Science ID 000415574800004
- Scientific practices and inquiry in the science classroom Handbook of Research on Science Education, Volume II Routledge. 2014: 593–613
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Revising the Economic Imperative for US STEM Education.
PLoS biology
2014; 12 (1): e1001760
Abstract
An essential economic imperative for US STEM education is empowering students to reduce ecological degradation to improve economic welfare.
View details for DOI 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001760
View details for PubMedID 24453938
View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3891559
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Science-related Aspirations Across the Primary-Secondary Divide: Evidence from two surveys in England
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE EDUCATION
2014; 36 (10): 1609-1629
View details for DOI 10.1080/09500693.2013.871659
View details for Web of Science ID 000337355900005
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Nerdy, Brainy and Normal: Children's and Parents' Constructions of Those Who Are Highly Engaged with Science
RESEARCH IN SCIENCE EDUCATION
2013; 43 (4): 1455-1476
View details for DOI 10.1007/s11165-012-9315-0
View details for Web of Science ID 000321773000007
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Young Children's Aspirations in Science: The unequivocal, the uncertain and the unthinkable
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE EDUCATION
2013; 35 (6): 1037-1063
View details for DOI 10.1080/09500693.2011.608197
View details for Web of Science ID 000320358700007
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Learning to argue: A study of four schools and their attempt to develop the use of argumentation as a common instructional practice and its impact on students
JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING
2013; 50 (3): 315-347
View details for DOI 10.1002/tea.21073
View details for Web of Science ID 000314984000003
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Exploring young students' collaborative argumentation within a socioscientific issue
JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING
2013; 50 (2): 209-237
View details for DOI 10.1002/tea.21076
View details for Web of Science ID 000313729900004
- Learning to argue: A study of four schools and their attempt to develop the use of argumentation as a common instructional practice and its impact on students Journal of Research in Science Teaching 2013; 50 (3): 315-347
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'Not girly, not sexy, not glamorous': primary school girls' and parents' constructions of science aspirations
PEDAGOGY CULTURE AND SOCIETY
2013; 21 (1): 171-194
View details for DOI 10.1080/14681366.2012.748676
View details for Web of Science ID 000211199300011
- Bourdieu's notion of cultural capital and its implications for the science curriculum Science Education 2013; 97 (1): 58-79
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The 21st century challenge for science education: Assessing scientific reasoning
THINKING SKILLS AND CREATIVITY
2013; 10: 265-279
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.tsc.2013.07.006
View details for Web of Science ID 000326906800026
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Bourdieu's notion of cultural capital and its implications for the science curriculum
SCIENCE EDUCATION
2013; 97 (1): 58-79
View details for DOI 10.1002/sce.21040
View details for Web of Science ID 000312731400003
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"Balancing acts": Elementary school girls' negotiations of femininity, achievement, and science
SCIENCE EDUCATION
2012; 96 (6): 967-989
View details for DOI 10.1002/sce.21031
View details for Web of Science ID 000309745000001
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Science Aspirations, Capital, and Family Habitus: How Families Shape Children's Engagement and Identification With Science
AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH JOURNAL
2012; 49 (5): 881-908
View details for DOI 10.3102/0002831211433290
View details for Web of Science ID 000308880200003
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Authors' response to "For whom is argument and explanation a necessary distinction? A response to Osborne and Patterson" by Berland and McNeill
SCIENCE EDUCATION
2012; 96 (5): 814-817
View details for DOI 10.1002/sce.21034
View details for Web of Science ID 000307392600004
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'Should We Kill the Grey Squirrels?' A Study Exploring Students' Justifications and Decision-Making
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE EDUCATION
2012; 34 (3): 401-428
View details for DOI 10.1080/09500693.2011.619211
View details for Web of Science ID 000300302400004
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Scientific Reasoning and Argumentation from a Bayesian Perspective
PERSPECTIVES ON SCIENTIFIC ARGUMENTATION: THEORY, PRACTICE AND RESEARCH
2012: 55-71
View details for DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-2470-9_4
View details for Web of Science ID 000321528000005
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Perspectives on Scientific Argumentation Theory, Practice and Research Introduction
PERSPECTIVES ON SCIENTIFIC ARGUMENTATION: THEORY, PRACTICE AND RESEARCH
2012: 3-15
View details for DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-2470-9_1
View details for Web of Science ID 000321528000002
- Science aspirations, capital, and family habitus: How families shape children’s engagement and identification with science American Educational Research Journal 2012; 49 (5): 881-908
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Scientific Argument and Explanation: A Necessary Distinction?
SCIENCE EDUCATION
2011; 95 (4): 627-638
View details for DOI 10.1002/sce.20438
View details for Web of Science ID 000291860200003
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HIGH ASPIRATIONS BUT LOW PROGRESSION: THE SCIENCE ASPIRATIONS-CAREERS PARADOX AMONGST MINORITY ETHNIC STUDENTS
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
2011; 9 (2): 243-271
View details for Web of Science ID 000292150600002
- Scientific argument and explanation: A necessary distinction? Science Education 2011; 95 (4): 627-638
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SCIENCE EDUCATION POLICY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH RESEARCH AND PRACTICE Lessons From Europe and the United Kingdom
ROLE OF PUBLIC POLICY IN K-12 SCIENCE EDUCATION
2011: 13-46
View details for Web of Science ID 000287217900002
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Students' Questions and Discursive Interaction: Their Impact on Argumentation During Collaborative Group Discussions in Science
JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING
2010; 47 (7): 883-908
View details for DOI 10.1002/tea.20385
View details for Web of Science ID 000281293900008
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"Doing" Science Versus "Being" a Scientist: Examining 10/11-Year-Old Schoolchildren's Constructions of Science Through the Lens of Identity
SCIENCE EDUCATION
2010; 94 (4): 617-639
View details for DOI 10.1002/sce.20399
View details for Web of Science ID 000278957200002
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Arguing to Learn in Science: The Role of Collaborative, Critical Discourse
SCIENCE
2010; 328 (5977): 463-466
Abstract
Argument and debate are common in science, yet they are virtually absent from science education. Recent research shows, however, that opportunities for students to engage in collaborative discourse and argumentation offer a means of enhancing student conceptual understanding and students' skills and capabilities with scientific reasoning. As one of the hallmarks of the scientist is critical, rational skepticism, the lack of opportunities to develop the ability to reason and argue scientifically would appear to be a significant weakness in contemporary educational practice. In short, knowing what is wrong matters as much as knowing what is right. This paper presents a summary of the main features of this body of research and discusses its implications for the teaching and learning of science.
View details for DOI 10.1126/science.1183944
View details for Web of Science ID 000276952400032
View details for PubMedID 20413492
- Arguing to learn in science: The role of collaborative, critical discourse Science 2010; 328 (5977): 463-466
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Supporting Argumentation Through Students' Questions: Case Studies in Science Classrooms
JOURNAL OF THE LEARNING SCIENCES
2010; 19 (2): 230-284
View details for DOI 10.1080/10508400903530036
View details for Web of Science ID 000280769100003
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Recollections of Exhibits: Stimulated-recall interviews with primary school children about science centre visits
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE EDUCATION
2010; 32 (10): 1365-1388
View details for DOI 10.1080/09500690903085664
View details for Web of Science ID 000278681400005
- Supporting argumentation through students' questions: Case studies in science classrooms The Journal of the Learning Sciences 2010; 19 (2): 230-284
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R&D An Argument for Arguments in Science Classes
PHI DELTA KAPPAN
2009; 91 (4): 62-65
View details for Web of Science ID 000272686300013
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The Potential of Adapted Primary Literature (APL) for Learning: A Response
RESEARCH IN SCIENCE EDUCATION
2009; 39 (3): 397-403
View details for DOI 10.1007/s11165-008-9117-6
View details for Web of Science ID 000265386100008
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Research and Practice: A Complex Relationship?
QUALITY RESEARCH IN LITERACY AND SCIENCE EDUCATION: INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES AND GOLD STANDARDS
2009: 41-61
View details for DOI 10.1007/978-1-4020-8427-0_3
View details for Web of Science ID 000269234000003
- Students' questions: a potential resource for teaching and learning science Studies in science education 2008; 44 (1): 1-39
- Science education in Europe: Critical reflections London: The Nuffield Foundation. 2008