2002 Summer Conference Announcement Registration Schedule Call for Papers

2002 Summer Conference "Integrating Science and Mathematics Education Research into Teaching" June 23 to 25, 2002 · The University of Maine · Orono, Maine Sponsored by: The University of Maine - Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research Maine Mathematics and Science Teaching Excellence Collaborative (MMSTEC)

ABSTRACT A Model of the Science Learner William R. Robinson, Dept. of Chemistry, Purdue University According to a model derived from cognitive science, the knowledge frameworks that act as our explanatory and predictive devices are composed of three components. (1) What can we know about entities? How can we know it? (epistemological commitments) (2) How can we classify entities? How do we expect them to behave? (ontological commitments) (3) What do we know about entities? How can we predict and explain their behavior? (domain-specific explanatory principles). The importance of this model lies in its implication that learners need to change their beliefs about the behavior of matter in addition to changing their content knowledge. Thus, meaningful science learning usually involves changes not only in the domain-specific principles but also in the epistemological and ontological commitments of a learnerís frameworks. The model will be described and examples from chemical education research that show how the various components of a knowledge framework interact with teaching and learning will be presented. Back to Announcement Page

Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research Maine Mathematics and Science Teaching Excellence Collaborative (MMSTEC)

This conference is supported by the U.S. Department of Education Fund for the Improvement of Education (U.S. Department of Education Award Number R125K010106) and the National Science Foundation (NSF DUE #998-7444).