This refreshing Second Edition offers a helpful overview of educational research for those training to be teachers, or setting out on classroom-based research projects.The book illustrates the nature and logic of the research process, and supports readers in critically evaluating the strengths and limitations of published studies.Drawing on a variety of relevant examples, the book demonstrates each stage of the research process - including formulating resea...

How should chemistry be taught in schools, colleges, and universities? Chemical Pedagogy discusses teaching approaches and techniques, the reasoning behind them, and the evidence for their effectiveness.The book surveys a wide range of different pedagogic strategies and tactics that have been recommended to better engage learners and provide more effective chemistry teaching. These accounts are supported by an initial introduction to some key ideas and debates abou...

This book sets out the necessary processes and challenges involved in modeling student thinking, understanding and learning. The chapters look at the centrality of models for knowledge claims in science education and explore the modeling of mental processes, knowledge, cognitive development and conceptual learning. The conclusion outlines significant implications for science teachers and those researching in this field.This highly useful work provides models of scientific thinking ...

The features of chemistry that make it such a fascinating and engaging subject to teach also contribute to it being a challenging subject for many learners. Chemistry draws upon a wide range of abstract concepts, which are embedded in a large body of theoretical knowledge. As a science, chemistry offers ideas that are the products of scientists’ creative imaginations, and yet which are motivated and constrained by observations of natural phenomena. Chemistry is often discussed and taught l...

Chemistry is a subject that has the power to engage and enthuse students but also to mystify and confound them. Effective chemistry teaching requires a strong foundation of subject knowledge and the ability to transform this into teachable content which is meaningful for students. Drawing on pedagogical principles and research into the difficulties that many students have when studying chemical concepts, this essential text presents the core ideas of chemistry to support new and trainee ch...

This readable and informative survey of key ideas about students’ thinking in science builds a bridge between theory and practice by offering clear accounts from research, and showing how they relate to actual examples of students talking about widely taught science topics.Focused on secondary students and drawing on perspectives found in the international research literature, the goal is not to offer a comprehensive account of the vast literature, but rather to provide an overview...

Worried about teaching natural selection, submicroscopic particle models or circuits? Keith S. Taber explores a range of issues faced in secondary science teaching and discusses strategies for teaching the nature of scientific knowledge, making practical work effective and challenging gifted young scientists.MasterClass in Science Education shows how to become a master science teacher by developing and adopting the habits and mind-set of a teacher-as-scientist. The author ...

Science is central to our modern technological society, yet many of the most able pupils who could become the scientists of tomorrow turn away from science as soon as they have a choice in their studies. Science is often seen to be difficult or boring, and fails to engage or challenge those who are most suited to excel in scientific studies.This book asks what classroom teachers can do to make sure that their science teaching is stimulating and challenging for their students. Topic...

Gifted education has come to be regarded as a key national programme in many coutnries, and gifted education in science disciplines is now being recognised to be of major importance for economic and technological development. Despite these initiatives and developments internationally, there are very few discussions on gifted education in science drawing upon practices and experiences in different national contexts. In support of an international dialogue between researchers and practitione...

In the spirit of encouraging international dialogue between researchers and practitioners, often working within isolated traditions, this book discusses perspectives on science education for the gifted informed by up-to-date research findings from a number of related fields. The book reviews philosophy, culture and programmes in science education for the gifted in diverse national contexts, and includes scholarly reviews of significant perspectives and up-to-date research methods and findi...

This book offers an overview of programmes designed to support the learning of gifted and talented students in STEM subjects, both to allow them to meet their potential and to encourage them to proceed towards careers in STEM areas. The chapters from a range of national contexts report on perspectives, approaches and projects in gifted education in STEM subjects. These contributions provide a picture of the state of research and practice in this area, both to inform further research and de...

Presenting the work of a highly innovative partnership between the University of Cambridge Faculty of Education and eight secondary schools, this book explores this networked learning community which has helped to define the use and production of educational knowledge and research within and between various partners.This book examines the central questions and gives examples of the outcomes of the development that will assist any researchers, especially teachers undertaking researc...