Science Education

• Chris Parker

  TED has launched a new online service that could be very useful to educators of all fields, not just science. The content associated with each video can be customized to suit your needs and resultsTED has launched a new online service that could be very useful to educators of all fields, not just science. The content associated with each video can be customized to suit your needs and results from your modified presentation can be tracked. Definitely worth a look if you are considering using online supplements to you curriculum. The website is still in beta, but it already looks and feels very polished.

  http://ed.ted.com/
• Kelly R. Fisher

  What is wrong with science today? A look at methodological and cultural practices

  A new article entitled "Reforming Science: Methodological and Cultural Reforms" identified 6 major issues with the current culture of science (see http://iai.asm.org/content/80/3/891.full). TheA new article entitled "Reforming Science: Methodological and Cultural Reforms" identified 6 major issues with the current culture of science (see http://iai.asm.org/content/80/3/891.full). The authors outline 6 prominent issues (following items are quotes from the article, see original article for additional information/data): 1. Workforce imbalance: The scientific career structure is in need of reform. “… the current scientific workforce resembles a pyramid scheme with a small number of principal investigators presiding over an army of research scientists, postdocs, students, and technicians who have little autonomy and increasingly uncertain career prospects.” 2. Publish and still perish: Pressure to publish (rather than discover, understand and explain) is leading to inefficiencies. “Much of the recent scientific literature is repetitive, unimportant, poorly conceived or executed, and oversold; perhaps deservingly, much of it is ignored. However, the sheer number of papers generates an enormous burden on the peer review system.” 3. Survival of the fittest: Targets and competition are distorting science. “The entire shape of the research effort is distorted as researchers scramble to conform their work to targeted funding opportunities and steer away from risky lines of inquiry or projects requiring a lengthy time investment.” 4. Winner takes all: Rewards follow success which can lead to ingenuity but also can lead to a “Matthew Effect” (“for whosoever hath, to him shall be given”) and can encourage cheating and fraud. 5. The priority rule: “The effort to get there first and grab the largest share of the credit undoubtedly contributes to such practices as citation bias, secrecy, and the appropriation of others’ ideas and data.” 6. Science as a team sport: “Credit is disproportionately awarded to principal investigators for what is truly the product of teamwork, and nearly all scientific contributions are heavily dependent on knowledge obtained earlier.” They offer 8 "prescriptions" and provide a rationale for each, but I will leave that for you to read in the link: 1. Revising criteria promotion 2. Re-embracing philosophy 3. Enhanced training in probability and statistics 4. Use of checklists to reduce errors in research 5. Decrease the 'masculine' culture in science, one that promotes 'cut-throat' competitive culture 6. Focus on group productivity rather than the research rock stars 7. Reward generosity and cooperation in science 8. Build a motivated research community While this article raises a lot of issues and spurs many additional questions, I am interested in hearing if others agree, and whether such views are more prevalent in some sciences and not others. Another scientist is interested in examining this phenomenon in a quick survey, so if you are interested in participating, see the link below.

  http://thermaltoy.wordpress.com/2012/04/01/hidden-gem-iii-whats-wrong-with-science/

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    Alma Dzib Goodin replied

    Scientist fight for few coins, and fame, and of coyrse everybody wants that, but there are 2 coins and 2 medals to thousands. "Known" researchers don't let you be part of it so "new" researchers willScientist fight for few coins, and fame, and of coyrse everybody wants that, but there are 2 coins and 2 medals to thousands. "Known" researchers don't let you be part of it so "new" researchers will have to wait a moment. Maybe one day, or... we finish discovering that we can do something else, enjoy our work with much more fame and money.

    18 days ago
• Alena Kottova

  What is your opinion about "filmmaking for science"?

  Film and Media have major impact on our students understanding of science. Can science education be improved by actively immersing students into the filmmaking process. May be you tried to useFilm and Media have major impact on our students understanding of science. Can science education be improved by actively immersing students into the filmmaking process. May be you tried to use theatre in your class. Do you know about a science based short story or script to recommend?
• Nina Dudnik

  Looking for samples of old grant proposals.

  Dear all, Seeding Labs is a nonprofit organization supporting scientists in the developing world to do great research. We are looking for a few samples of real grant proposals that were submitted.Dear all, Seeding Labs is a nonprofit organization supporting scientists in the developing world to do great research. We are looking for a few samples of real grant proposals that were submitted. We would love proposals that both were and were not funded to use in a training workshop where we will analyze, compare and contrast. We can send you a nondisclosure agreement if needed. info@seedinglabs.org Thank you to everyone for the helpful comments and suggestions!

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    Muhammad Waseem replied

    Thank you Sandy Justice, it will be so helpful for those who didn't writ any project proposal yet.

    Apr 25, 2012
• Nirzar Lakhia

  Record Nine-Planet Star System Discovered?

  http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/04/120410-star-system-more-planets-sun-hd10180-space-science/
• Shaileshkumar Nagar

  Is it possible to teach Osteology in a Mass tutorial/Demonstration class?

  Mass tutotral/Demonstration - in which ppt presentation on bone is prepared and presented to large group of students on LCD projector,
• Anumeha Bhagat

  Case-based teaching of endocrinology with emphasis on basic sciences

  Does anyone have resources for case-based teaching of endocrine physiology?
• Garkebo Basha

  what is instructional television? Advantages and disadvantages of Instructional TV?

  what is instructional television? Advantages and disadvantages of Instructional TV?

  Recent replies ⋅ Show All (2)

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    Jorge Werthein replied

    some time ago I did my doctoral thesis at Stanford University on the impact of educational television to support educational reform in Cuba and El Salvador, the two cases I took as an example. Maybesome time ago I did my doctoral thesis at Stanford University on the impact of educational television to support educational reform in Cuba and El Salvador, the two cases I took as an example. Maybe you will like to take a look.

    Mar 15, 2012
• Wellington Gil Rodrigues

  How to do a suit relationship between science and religion in science teaching?

  The relationship between science and religion are very important in my context, I would like to know how the teachears deal with this topic.

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• Dr. Elvan Beyhan

  Are High school students really sensitive to (ecology) their environments?

  Are High school students really sensitive to (ecology) their environments?

  Recent replies ⋅ Show All (7)

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    Brian Lamore replied

    Students see/experience no consequence for polluting and wasting resources. In my school students throw away everything and they never see it again and never appreciate the cost. I have tried forStudents see/experience no consequence for polluting and wasting resources. In my school students throw away everything and they never see it again and never appreciate the cost. I have tried for years to change this, but I have not found any way to get students to really experience the potential consequences. Tough one.

    Jan 28, 2012
• Hung Nguyen

  Good Books on Teaching Methods

  I want to review widely used teaching methods, particular in secondary school (16-18 years old students). Could you please recommend several useful books on this issue?

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    Colin Smith replied

    Hi Hung, Sorry, been away. Haven't read or seen the above book, but will look out for it. However, I was browsing a book called Early Professional Development for Teachers (edited by Frank BanksHi Hung, Sorry, been away. Haven't read or seen the above book, but will look out for it. However, I was browsing a book called Early Professional Development for Teachers (edited by Frank Banks and Shelton Mayes, Open University Press, 2001) when I was reminded of two 'Gurus' I came across when teaching - Alastair Smith and Ian Smith- they are/were not related (Ian Smith died recently, apparently). What reminded me was that Alistair Smith had a chapter on how to accelerate learning n that academic book. Both have produced materials on teaching methods. So, not the full catalogue of methods you are looking for, but perhaps some to add to your list. I am a little wary of putting too much faith into these kinds of Gurus, but many teachers who have worked with them, speak highly of them. Their websites are below, so that you can judge for yourself. http://www.alistairsmithlearning.com/ http://www.learningunlimited.co.uk/ From a more academic perspective, something else I thought you might like to look at is 'What expert teachers do: Enhancing professional knowledge for classroom practice' by John Loughran (Allen and Unwin, 2010). Best wishes Colin

    Jan 9, 2012
• Queen Sarma

  Science education through distance mode ,Is it really possible?

  It is really a very challenging task for the distance educators to deliver science education through distance mode.Most oftenly we are talking about e-leraning ,and use of thousands ofIt is really a very challenging task for the distance educators to deliver science education through distance mode.Most oftenly we are talking about e-leraning ,and use of thousands of technologies,but do you think can technology really solve the learners problem.Do they really helps developing proper concepts..Please give your comments....

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    Digna Balanon replied

    There goes the problem distance education precisely could not reach the unreachable but people can. So we can" really go away from formal education .E-learning and formal learning goes hand in handThere goes the problem distance education precisely could not reach the unreachable but people can. So we can" really go away from formal education .E-learning and formal learning goes hand in hand for a better result I think.

    Nov 13, 2011
• Oksana Buranbaeva

  Mike Otieno, Kenya: Scientists Should Pursue Leadership Roles in Decision-Making

  Meet an outstanding young scientist and "Green Talent" from Kenya and find out why he chose to become a scientist and what motivates him to do his research:Meet an outstanding young scientist and "Green Talent" from Kenya and find out why he chose to become a scientist and what motivates him to do his research: http://www.vie.unu.edu/learninghub/2011/sustainability/mike-otieno-kenya-scientists-should-pursue-leadership-roles-in-decision-making-2/

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    Digna Balanon replied

    Lets all come together to be one to save mother earth

    Nov 13, 2011