CER - Claim Evidence Reasoning

Summary

In this educational video, Paul Anderson introduces the CER framework as a vital tool for students to improve their science lab writeups and exam scores. CER, standing for Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning, is a method to structure scientific explanations. Anderson emphasizes framing questions and defining terms before gathering evidence. He illustrates the process with examples, like determining if 'skew dice' are fair or proving air is matter, and encourages students to make logical connections based on scientific principles. The video aims to enhance students' ability to explain their findings effectively.

Takeaways

• 🔍 CER stands for Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning, a framework developed by Dr. Kate McNeil and Dr. Joe Cek to improve scientific explanations in the classroom.
• 🌟 Science is about gathering evidence and forming explanations that are critiqued over time, with CER helping to make the process of explanation explicit.
• 📚 In many science classrooms, students follow 'cookbook labs' without fully engaging in the process of explanation, which CER aims to address.
• 🧩 The 'Claim' is an answer to a question, 'Evidence' is the empirical data collected, and 'Reasoning' is the logical connection between the two.
• 🤔 Students often struggle with the 'Reasoning' part, which should be based on a scientific definition, rule, or principle agreed upon in the scientific community.
• 👨‍🏫 Teachers should provide a good question and a method for answering it, ensuring that students understand and can define the terms within the question.
• 🎲 An example of using CER is determining if 'skew dice' are fair, which involves defining 'fair', gathering evidence through rolling, and reasoning based on the definition of fairness.
• 🌬️ Another example question is whether air is matter, which requires understanding the properties of matter and gathering evidence through experiments like filling a balloon with air.
• 🔬 The 'Reasoning' in CER should connect the evidence to the claim using scientific principles, such as the law of conservation of energy in the context of phase changes.
• 📝 When doing lab write-ups, students should focus on the connection between evidence and explanation, not just detailing the evidence collected.
• 💬 The CER framework can also be used for rebuttals, where students can challenge claims, evidence, and reasoning presented by others.

Q & A

What is the CER framework mentioned in the video?

CER stands for Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning. It is a framework designed to help students in the science classroom make clear and structured explanations. It emphasizes connecting evidence gathered during investigations to a claim and supporting it with logical reasoning.

Why is the CER framework important in science education?

The CER framework is important because it helps students improve their ability to create structured explanations, which is crucial for lab write-ups, essays, and exams. It ensures that students not only gather evidence but also connect it logically to their claims.

Who developed the CER framework?

The CER framework was developed by Dr. Kate McNeill and Dr. Joe Krajcik.

What is the main challenge students face when using the CER framework?

Students often excel at gathering evidence but struggle with making logical connections between the evidence and the claim, which is the reasoning part of the CER framework.

How can teachers support students in using the CER framework effectively?

Teachers can support students by providing a clear question to answer and ensuring that students understand and define all terms in the question before gathering evidence. Teachers should also encourage students to base their reasoning on established scientific principles.

What example does the video provide to illustrate the use of the CER framework?

The video provides an example where students are asked to determine if 'skew dice' are fair. The process involves defining what 'fair' means (equal probability of each side landing on top), gathering evidence by rolling the dice, and then using that evidence to make a claim about the fairness of the dice, supported by reasoning.

How does the video suggest students should begin their investigation using the CER framework?

Students should begin by framing the question and ensuring they understand all terms involved. This includes defining key concepts before gathering evidence to answer the question.

Can you provide an example of reasoning in the CER framework?

An example of reasoning is: 'The mass of the balloon increased when air was added, indicating that the air had mass. The air displaced a volume of water, indicating that the air also has volume. Since matter must have both mass and volume, my evidence suggests that air is matter.'

What is a 'rebuttal' in the context of the CER framework?

A rebuttal is when someone critiques or challenges the claim, evidence, and reasoning provided. It involves looking at alternative explanations or questioning the validity of the evidence or the logical connection made.

How does the CER framework help in creating better scientific explanations?

The CER framework helps by providing a structured approach to explanation. It ensures that students make clear claims, support them with relevant evidence, and connect them with logical reasoning, leading to more thorough and convincing scientific explanations.