GED4836

Research on teaching and learning science and mathematics

Not offered in 1999

Professor R F Gunstone and Professor A J Bishop

12 points - 3 hours per week - First semester - Clayton

Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students should understand research methods currently used in studies of science and mathematics learning; be familiar with ways these research methods have changed and the links between these changes and the nature of the questions asked by researchers, understand ways in which research on science and mathematics learning has informed the practices of teaching; and appropriate links between recently-created pedagogies and the nature of learning.

Synopsis The focus of this subject is on research approaches used to investigate learning and teaching in school science and mathematics classes, the outcomes of this research, and the implications of these outcomes for the practices of science and mathematics education. Changes in research approaches over the last thirty years will be considered in terms of underpinning theories, motivating questions, and methodologies. Attention will be given to developmental and information processing theories, with the work of Piaget, Ausubel, and a range of constructivists being of particular concern. Both individual and social constructivist perspectives will be considered, with a focus on the research approaches used by these groups and relevant findings from this research. These perspectives will then be used to consider approaches to researching the practice of science and mathematics teaching, and the important classroom issues of laboratories, information technology, gender and participation, language, assessment, and fostering metacognition.

Assessment Library research paper (1500 words): 30% - Short research paper (1500 words): 30% - Report (2000 words): 40%

Recommended texts

Atweh B and others (eds) Research in mathematics education in Australasia, 1992-5 MERGA, 1996
Bishop A J and others (eds) International handbook of mathematics education Kluwer, 1996
Fensham P J, Gunstone R F and White R T (eds) The content of science Falmer, 1994
Gable D L (ed.) Handbook of research on science teaching and learning Macmillan, 1994
White R T and Gunstone R F Probing understanding Falmer, 1992

Back to the 1999 Education Handbook