Conceptions of the Nature of Science and Technology: a Study with Children and Youths in a Non-Formal Science and Technology Education Setting

Springer Science and Business Media LLC - Tập 48 - Trang 1071-1106 - 2017
Geraldo W. Rocha Fernandes1, António M. Rodrigues2, Carlos Alberto Ferreira2
1Departamento de Ciências Biológicas-DCBio, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitnhonha e Mucuri–UFVJM, Diamantina, Brazil
2Laboratório de Pedagogia, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa e UIDEF, Unidade de Investigação e Desenvolvimento em Educação e Formação, Instituto de Educação, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal

Tóm tắt

This study investigated some of the aspects that characterise the understanding of the Nature of Science (NOS) and Nature of Technology (NOT) of 20 children and youths from different countries who perform scientific and technological activities in a non-formal teaching and learning setting. Data were collected using a questionnaire and semistructured interviews. A categorical instrument was developed to analyse the participants’ conceptions of the following subjects: (1) the role of the scientist, (2) NOS and (3) NOT. The results suggest that the participants had naïve conceptions of NOS that are marked by empirical and technical-instrumental views. They characterised NOT primarily as an instrumental apparatus, an application of knowledge and something important that is part of their lives. They exhibited a stereotypical understanding of the role of the scientist (development of methods, demonstration of facts, relationship with technological devices, etc.).

Tài liệu tham khảo

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