Poster #32 - Exploring the Effects of Using Historical Stories During Genetics Instruction on Student Understanding of Nature of Science

• In Event: 35.081 - MTCC Poster Session Eight
  In Poster Session: 35.081-3 - Science Teaching and Learning SIG Poster Session

Abstract

Science education researchers have long advocated the importance of the nature of science (NOS) for scientific literacy. Practitioners and researchers acknowledge the difficulty of teaching and learning the NOS. Many teachers are uncomfortable with taking time from traditional science content. One promising method for teaching NOS and science content involves using historical stories. The current study compared a traditionally taught genetics unit in a post-secondary biology course, to the same unit taught using a historical story. Semi-structured interviews were used to determine the influence of historical stories on undergraduates’ understanding of NOS and their experience in the course. Findings of this study show that participants were able to recognize historical stories used during instruction and they positively influenced the NOS.

Authors

• Cody Tyler Williams, Western Michigan University

• David Rudge, Western Michigan University