Spring 2002 Mondays
Allan Feldman
227B Furcolo Hall
545-1570 (office) or 549-1469 (home)
afeldman@educ.umass.edu
http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~afeldman
1) Reading Questions and Class
Participation: A significant part of this course will be class discussions of
readings assigned for each week. Therefore successful completion of this
graduate level course requires attendance of all classes and active participation
in the discussions. Carefully read assigned readings for each class. Reading
questions will be assigned each week and will be due via email before the next
class. Come to class prepared to contribute your critical reflections on both
your own experiences and ideas and those of others as presented in the
readings.
2) Assignment A: Scientists talk
about science
Search the literature to find an article or book by a scientist in which he or
she writes about the nature of science. Summarize and critique the scientist's
viewpoint in a 3-5 page paper. Present your findings to the class. Due February
19th.
3) Assignment B: Stories of
discovery
Write the story of a discovery or a major change in thinking in your
discipline. Prepare a presentation to the class. Be creative in your
presentation. Due March 4th.
4) Assignment C: Evolution
storyboard
In a small group develop a "storyboard" for evolution. Due April 8th.
5) Assignment
D: Unit plan -- Teaching the Nature of Science. Due May 13th.
Your grade in this course will be
determined by your level of completion of all assignments and your
participation in the class. Assignment D will have the greatest weight (50%).
Assignments A, B, and C contribute equally to 30% of your grade. Finally, the
completion of the reading questions and your participation in class, including
preparedness to discuss readings and attendance, is an important component of
your grade (20%). Read the syllabus carefully and see the instructor if you
have any questions about what is required of you. Satisfactory work at the
graduate level for all five course requirements will result in an AB in the
course. Outstanding work will result in an A. Any written work deemed
unsatisfactory by the instructor will be given back to the student with comments
for improvement. The instructor will make adjustments in these requirements for
students with learning disabilities.
All course work must be completed
and handed in to the instructor by May 13, 2002. If for some reason this cannot
happen, the student must make arrangements with the instructor to complete the
work before a mutually agreed upon date. The student and instructor will draw
up a contract specifying the work that needs to be completed and the completion
date. They will both sign the contract and each will receive a copy.
Date |
Topic |
Readings and Assignments |
Feb 4 |
Introduction to the course |
NSTA Position Statement on Nature of Science |
Feb 11 |
Scientific literacy |
Readings: |
Feb 19 (Tuesday) |
Scientists Talk about Science |
Readings: |
Feb 25 |
The Nature of Science and Academic Science |
Readings: |
March 4 |
Stories of Discovery |
Assignment B |
March 11 |
Stories of Science |
Readings: Assignments: Reading questions |
March 18 |
UMass vacation week |
|
March 25 |
The Nature of Science and Teaching and Learning Science |
Readings: |
April 1 |
To be announced |
|
April 8 |
Nature of Science and the teaching of evolution |
Readings: |
April 17 (Wednesday) |
Curriculum planning and assessment |
To be announced |
April 22 |
Teaching about Evolution |
Readings: |
April 29 |
Other paradigms |
Readings: |
May 6 |
Other views |
Readings: |
May 13 |
Presentation of projects |
Assignment D |