Misconceptions: How what we know gets in the way of learning

Misconceptions: How what we know gets in the way of learning Dr. Margaret Waterman Biology Department Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, Missouri, USA 63701

What do people bring to school? • Alternative Conceptions: sometimes called “misconceptions” Ideas and mental models that learners already have when they come to science.

Alternative Conception Examples • plants need to be fed chemical food • rain drops are tear drop shaped • the universe has a bottom-most level, which accounts for things falling down • organisms evolve because they see a need and they adapt.

Explorations

Alternative conceptions are difficult to change. • Why? • What methods can we use? • Why simply telling what is correct won’t work • Beware the “calculus box”

Approaches to Try • The Learning Cycle • Engage • Explore • Explain • Extend • Evaluate • The candle activity was a Learning Cycle

Approaches to Try • POE demonstrations • Predict • Observe • Explain • The drops on a penny was a POE lesson

Misconceptions: How what we know gets in the way of learning