Skip to main content

Enhancing Students’ Understanding of the Nature of Science and the Interconnection Between Science, Technology and Society Through Innovative Teaching and Learning Activities

  • Chapter
Science Education in International Contexts

Abstract

Understanding the nature of science (NOS) and the interconnection between science, technology and society (STS) has been a prominent objective of science curricula worldwide (e.g. American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1993; Council of Ministers of Education, 1997; Millar & Osborne, 1998). Research confirms the contention that sound knowledge of the NOS and STS will enhance students’ learning of science content, interest in science, and ability to make informed decisions based on evidence (Driver, Leach, Miller, & Scott, 1996; McComas, Clough, & Almazroa, 1998; Aikenhead, 1994).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 49.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Aikenhead, G. S. (1994). Consequences to learning science through STS: A research perspective. InJ. Solomon & G. Aikenhead (Eds.), STS education: International perspectives on reform (pp. 169–186). New York: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Association for the Advancement of Science. (1993). Benchmarks for scientific literacy. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Angell, C., Guttersrud, O., Henriksen, E., & Isnes, A. (2004). Physics: Frightful, but fun. Pupils’ and teachers’ views of physics and physics teaching. Science Education, 88, 683–706.

    Google Scholar 

  • Black, P., & Atkin, J. M. (Eds.), (1996). Changing the subject: Innovations in science, mathematics and technology education. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Council of Ministers of Education. (1997). Common framework of science learning outcomes. Toronto: CMEC Secretariat.

    Google Scholar 

  • Curriculum Development Council – Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (CDC – HKEAA). (2007). Physics/Chemistry/Biology/Integrated science curriculum guide and assessment guide (Secondary 4–6). Hong Kong: Curriculum Development Council and Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davies, F., & Greene T. (1984). Reading for learning in the sciences. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Millar, R., & Osborne, J. (Eds.). (1998). Beyond 2000: Science education for the future. London: King’s College.

    Google Scholar 

  • Driver, R., Leach, J., Miller, A., & Scott, P. (1996). Young peoples images of science. Buckingham: Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodson, D. (2006). Why we should prioritize learning about science. Canadian Journal of science, Mathematics and Technology Education, 6(3), 293–311.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lederman, N. G. (1992). Students’ and Teachers’ conceptions of the nature of science: A review of the research. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 29(4), 331–359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lumpe, A. T., Haney J. J., & Czerniak, C. M. (1998). Science teacher beliefs and intentions to implement science-technology-society (STS) in the classroom. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 9(1), 1–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McComas, W., Clough, M., & Almazroa, H. (1998). The role and character of the nature of science. In W. F. McComas (Ed.), The nature of science in science education: Rationales and strategies (pp. 3–39). Dordrecht: Kluwer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Putnam, R. T., & Borko, H. (1997). Teacher learning: Implications of new views of cognition. In B. Biddle, T. L. Good, & I. F. Goodson (Eds.), International handbook of teachers and teaching (Vol. II, pp. 1223–1296). Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid, N., & Skryabina (2002). Attitudes towards physics. Research in science and technological education, 20(1), 67–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rubba, P. A., & Harkness, W. L. (1993). Examination of preservice and inservice secondary science teachers’ beliefs about science-technology-society interactions. Science Education, 77, 407–431.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, R. S., & Lederman, N. G. (2002). “It’s the nature of the beast”: The influence of knowledge and intentions on learning and teaching nature of science. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 39, 205–236.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsai, C. C. (2001). A science teacher’s reflections and knowledge growth about STS instruction after actual implementation. Science Education, 86, 23–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wellington, J., & Osborne, J. (2001) Language and literacy in science education. Buckingham; Phildelphia: Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wong, S. C. (2004). Hong Kong science teachers’ understandings about science-technology-society and their beliefs concerning the implementation of STS into the classrooms. Unpublished MEd dissertation, The University of Hong Kong.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Sense Publishers

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Wong, A.S.L., Yung, B.H.W., Day, J.R., Cheng, M.M.W., Yam, E.Y.H., Mak, Sy. (2011). Enhancing Students’ Understanding of the Nature of Science and the Interconnection Between Science, Technology and Society Through Innovative Teaching and Learning Activities. In: Cheng, M.M.H., So, W.W.M. (eds) Science Education in International Contexts. SensePublishers. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6091-427-0_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Societies and partnerships