Addressing Alternative Conceptions when Teaching Science
Tim Hartelt
Our guest this week is Tim Hartelt from the Department of Biology Education at the University of Kassel in Germany. With colleagues Helge Martens and Nina Minkley, Tim recently published a study investigating if science teachers were able to diagnose the alternative conceptions they may hold when teaching biology concepts. Tim joins us to discuss the study and its findings, share how teachers might identify their own alternative conceptions, and explain how these ideas might be connected to their professional experiences and content knowledge.
Links:
- Hartelt, T., Martens, H., & Minkley, N. (2022). Teachers’ ability to diagnose and deal with alternative student conceptions of evolution. Science Education, 106, 706–738.
- Evolution: Biology teachers often fail to recognise misconceptions (phys.org)
- Tim’s Website and websites for article co-authors: Prof. Dr. Helge Martens and Dr. Nina Minkley
- Gregory, T.R. Understanding Natural Selection: Essential Concepts and Common Misconceptions. Evo Edu Outreach 2, 156–175 (2009). (a good overview about natural selection and common alternative conceptions)
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Concept Inventory that educators could use in class to test which alternative conceptions their students have (before and/or after instruction), or which could be used for discussions in class
Connect with our Guest:
- Twitter: @HarteltTim
- Researchgate: @Tim-Hartelt
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