Synthesizing Frameworks of Evolution Learners: A Promising New Direction

• In Event: 79.050 - MTCC Roundtable Session 36
  In Roundtable Session: 79.050-8 - Content Specific: Science Teaching and Learning SIG Roundtable Session

Abstract

In this theoretical paper, we first analyze how Piagetian and behaviorist theories of learning fail to account for widespread non-scientific understandings about evolution. Next, we present a promising theoretical framework – Aikenhead and Jegede’s (1999) “cultural border crossing” perspective – that has not previously been applied to Western evolution learning. We then analyze four extant typologies of evolution learners and examine how these relate to the border crossing perspective, synthesizing a new framework. In addition, we discuss how our synthesis framework differs from classical learning theories. Finally, we outline how our synthesis framework sheds light on the persistently poor results of both behaviorist and constructivist models of curriculum and instruction for evolution and suggest new and promising directions for evolution education.

Authors

• Kathryn Green, North Carolina State University

• Cesar Delgado, North Carolina State University