Teaching science: we're doing it wrong | Danny Doucette | TEDxRiga

Summary

In this compelling talk, Ilze Garda highlights the flaws in current science education, particularly the over-reliance on demonstrations and standardized testing. She emphasizes the importance of teaching students how to think critically and engage with science meaningfully. Through the story of Zaya, a student who overcame conspiracy theories by applying scientific thinking, Garda advocates for active, hands-on learning and the need for alternative assessments like projects and portfolios. Her call to action urges educators and students to demand a shift towards fostering curiosity and scientific literacy, rather than focusing on rote memorization and exams.

Takeaways

• 😀 Teachers need to focus on helping students think critically and use scientific thinking in their everyday lives, not just memorize facts.
• 😀 Science education is often failing because we focus too much on demonstrations and tests that don't foster curiosity or critical thinking.
• 😀 Science demonstrations, while engaging, must be linked to real-world questions to inspire curiosity and not just for show.
• 😀 Standardized tests in science fail to assess critical thinking, problem-solving, or the ability to apply scientific knowledge meaningfully.
• 😀 Teachers should prioritize active learning methods, such as modeling instruction, that simulate how scientists actually acquire knowledge.
• 😀 Zaya's story shows that applying scientific thinking to personal beliefs (like UFOs) can help students critically evaluate and refine their ideas.
• 😀 Active, hands-on science education is far more effective than passive learning or exams that focus on memorizing facts.
• 😀 Alternative assessment methods, like projects, lab work, and portfolios, are more effective at evaluating students' scientific thinking than standardized exams.
• 😀 We need to scale back our reliance on high-stakes standardized testing and consider more diverse and meaningful forms of assessment in science education.
• 😀 Science education should aim to make students smarter and more capable of thinking critically, not just preparing for exams.
• 😀 Learning science is challenging but important; the focus should be on developing skills for critical thinking rather than just preparing for tests.

Q & A

What is the main issue the speaker identifies with current science education?

The speaker argues that current science education fails to teach critical thinking and does not help students use scientific knowledge to understand the world. Instead, it focuses too much on memorization and standardized testing.

How does the story of Zaya illustrate the importance of teaching critical thinking?

Zaya’s story demonstrates the dangers of not teaching students to think critically. Initially, Zaya became convinced of conspiracy theories after researching online. The speaker used this example to highlight how a lack of critical thinking can lead to misguided beliefs.

What does the speaker think about flashy science demonstrations in the classroom?

The speaker believes that while flashy demonstrations may appear exciting, they do not encourage students to think critically or foster curiosity. They argue that without promoting critical thinking, these demonstrations are ineffective.

What does the speaker criticize about multiple-choice questions in science education?

The speaker criticizes multiple-choice questions for focusing only on knowledge recall, rather than assessing a student’s ability to think critically, ask questions, or apply scientific concepts to real-world problems.

How does the speaker view science problems that pretend to simulate real-life situations?

The speaker believes that these problems do not genuinely assess a student's ability to apply scientific knowledge. Instead, they often become exercises in solving predetermined problems without fostering deeper understanding or critical thinking.

What alternative forms of assessment does the speaker propose?

The speaker suggests alternatives such as projects, open-ended tasks, group work, lab work, portfolios, and virtual labs. These forms of assessment, the speaker argues, allow students to engage more meaningfully with science and demonstrate their understanding in more authentic ways.

What is 'modeling instruction,' and how does it improve science education?

Modeling instruction is an active learning approach where students first conduct experiments to explore relationships between variables, then collaborate to create a model. The process helps students develop ownership of the model and apply it to real-world scenarios, leading to a deeper understanding of scientific concepts.

Why does the speaker believe that current science assessments hinder learning?

The speaker believes that high-stakes standardized exams force students and educators to focus too much on test preparation, rather than fostering skills like critical thinking and scientific inquiry. This shift undermines students' ability to engage meaningfully with science.

What does the speaker suggest to improve the effectiveness of science education?

The speaker advocates for moving away from traditional testing methods and incorporating hands-on, inquiry-based learning, where students engage in experiments, model creation, and real-world applications of scientific principles.

How does the speaker view the role of science in students' lives?

The speaker believes that learning science should be about empowering students to understand and critically analyze the world around them. It's not just about memorizing facts, but about learning to think scientifically, which can make students smarter and more well-rounded individuals.