So you want to be a teacher?

Workshop – Intro to Social Science Oct. 2, 2005

Objectives: To discuss the Scientific Method, as it is applied in the social sciences

To convince you that the scientific method is a powerful way to find the truth about social phenomena.

To undermine your confidence in the scientific method as a way to find the truth about social phenomena.

The scientific method – process that leads to understanding natural or social phenomena. Logical and empirical/reasoning and observations

In general,

Observation leads to question

Question and reasoning lead to hypothesis

Hypothesis allows prediction

Predictions can be tested using observations/experiments

If predictions true, tends to confirm the hypothesis

If predictions not true, must adjust hypothesis

If hypothesis confirmed repeatedly in additional experiments, it becomes theory.

Rock example…

Deduction/induction

Other Ways of Finding Truth? Important to see scientific method as being embedded in a particular view of reality and of how we come to know that reality.

Philosophy??

Ontology – study of the nature of reality

Epistemology – study of the nature of knowledge and truth

Scientific method assumes:

that there is a reality that is external to us, that is tangible and durable and that we can experience directly.

That we can use our senses to get to know that reality.

But these are assumptions. Suppose they are not true:

We experience a mirror reflection of reality?

-limits the dimensions we can experience

-limits the colors we can see

-limits the sounds we can hear

What we experience as reality is created in our heads? There is no external reality. Crazy people aren’t so crazy. We are the ones who are deluded.

Scientific method is a creation of western culture. No reason to think that other cultures would make the same assumptions about reality and truth.

Even within our own culture we have other ways of knowing. Don’t all directly experience everything we know. Don’t always apply logic to learning. Also learn through:

Authority

Tradition

Intuition

Divine inspiration

Social scientists use scientific method, too. Situation is much more messy.

Pool ball example – “Fire” in crowded room example

Tend to predict averages, tendencies. Group behavior, not individual behavior.

Exercise: To practice being a social scientist, - specifically, to develop theories of learning and apply those theories to teaching.

Construct a theory (hypothesis or model) of how children learn.

· Start with an analogy: When it comes to learning, children are like…

· Develop and refine the analogy, construct the theory or hypothesis or model

· Use the model to make some predictions about teaching

· Think of how you might test these predictions.

· Evaluate the theory/hypothesis/model. Is it useful? What are its limitations?

· Make a drawing or diagram that illustrates key features of your model.

An example:

When it comes to learning, children are like wine decanters. Learning consists of filling them up with facts. DRAWING

Elaboration:

· Limited size of opening – can only absorb so many facts at a time.

· Facts must be relatively small or they can’t fit through the opening.

· Can’t retain all of the facts, must be a small hole in the bottom of the decanter.

Predictions:

· Good teaching consists of providing a steady, controlled stream of facts for students.

· Providing too much, too fast is wasted effort.

· Material, especially complex material, must be broken up into small pieces

· Unless material is repeated it will slip away.

Testing:

· Devise test for measuring how many facts students know – multiple choice?

· Vary the rate of the “teaching stream” in various classrooms.

· See if variations in the rate of pouring facts affects amount of facts students know.

· Experiment with different ways of breaking complex material up into smaller pieces and see if they affect factual knowledge.

Evaluation????

Notice: Don’t worry too much about being realistic. Try to make it internally consistent, logical. Have fun with it.

Debrief:

· No magic, just informed speculation and logic

·