Teaching about Science Teaching and Learning--Introduction

Teaching about Science Teaching and Learning:
research should inform practice.

Teaching about Science Teaching and Learning: research should inform practice.

Introduction
School science has long been characterised as teaching that is factually based and learning that is 'appropriate' for passing school science tests but has little impact on students' understanding of everyday events. It is therefore important to better understand what research can tell us about the nature of science teaching and learning in schools and to use this knowledge to shape all levels of education (elementary, secondary, tertiary - teacher education in particular).

The following paper therefore considers some of the pertinent Australian research in science teaching and learning and links these ideas to our hopes and expectations and practice in education. Hopefully, by so doing, the reader might find ways of taking some of these research findings and applying them in their own science teaching in order to enhance students' science learning.