From the Didactic to the Heuristic Use of Analogies in Science Teaching
Schedule
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
20:45 UTC
Nikolaos Fotou
Dr
University of Lincoln
Host: Analogical Minds
Recording
Open recording
Event Information
Recording
Available
Host
Analogical Minds
Duration
45 minutes
Abstract
Extensive research on science teaching has shown the effectiveness of analogies as a didactic tool which, when appropriately and effectively used, facilitates the learning process of abstract concepts. This seminar does not contradict the efficacy of such a didactic use of analogies in this seminar but switches attention and interest on their heuristic use in approaching and understanding of what previously unknown. Such a use of analogies derives from research with 10 to 17 year-olds, who, when asked to make predictions in novel situations and to then provide explanations about these predictions, they self-generated analogies and used them by reasoning on their basis. This heuristic use of analogies can be used in science teaching in revealing how students approach situations they have not considered before as well as the sources they draw upon in doing so.
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