MESSING WITH THEIR HEADS

Using Discrepant Events to Arouse Interest and Combat Misconceptions

What is a discrepant event?

A discrepant event causes a discrepancy in what is physically observed and what the observer thinks should happen.

How do I do a discrepant event?

1. The Set Up

1. The Event

2. The Explanation

Essential Elements of Discrepant Events

Arouse your students interest -a story, a challenge, etc…

Use simple materials Use multiple gateways

-demonstrate, pick a volunteer, involve students in a related activity

Include examples Show joy and enthusiasm

Why do a discrepant event?

What students know is true is not what they witness, creating cognitive dissonance

Cognitive dissonance makes the student wonder opening their minds to alternative explanations

When do I use discrepant events?

To engage students in learning about a concept, issue, or skill.

To create an opportunity to unlearn a predetermined misconception.

Can you prove that it works?

Positive influence on content achievement because of student motivation.

Suchman, J.R., “Inquiry Training in the Elementary School”, THE SCIENCE TEACHER, Vol. 27, Nov. 1960.Marlins, James G., “A Study of the Effects of Using the Counterintuitive Event in Science Teaching on Subject-matter Achievement and Subject-matter Retention of Upper-elementary School Students”, Doctoral Thesis, The American University, 1973.

Liem, Tik L., “A Study of the Effects of Using Discrepant Events in Science Teaching on Concept Retention of Upper Elementary School Students”, Institute of Education, Halifax, 1980, pp. 287-293.

Liem, Tik L., Effects of Using Discrepant Events in Science Concept Retention of Junior High School Students”, Paper presented to the National Co-Educators Conference, Winnipeg, October 1980.

Best, J.W., RESEARCH I N EDUCATION, Prentice-Hall, New Jersey, 1977.

Good Misconception Books

Invitations to Science Inquiry, Second Edition. Tik L. Liem. ISBN #1-878-106-007

Magic and Showmanship for  Teachers  by Mr.Allen J.McCormack.

Bet You Can. Vickie Cobb. Bet You Can’t. Vickie Cobb.

Internet Resources

Misconceptions Web Sites of Interest   Bad Science PSU Website with some great information on it. http://www.ems.psu.edu/~fraser/BadScience.html   Children’s Misconceptions About Science Long lists containing science misconceptions. http://www.amasci.com/miscon/opphys.html   Earth Science Misconceptions Great list of ES misconceptions http://k12s.phast.umass.edu/~nasa/misconceptions.html   Recurring Science Misconceptions in K-6 Textbooks http://www.eskimo.com/~billb/miscon/miscon4.html   SamCATS Science Misconceptions Research articles dealing with science misconceptions http://www.shsu.edu/~sciteach/misc/misc.html   Science Misconceptions Research and Some Implications for Teaching of Science to Elementary School Children Good article on dealing with science misconceptions in children. http://www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed282776.html   Science Myths in K-6 Textbooks and Popular Culture http://www.eskimo.com/~billb/miscon/miscon.html   Using the Science Misconceptions Research to Address Science Teaching Misconceptions Excellent paper telling the problems experienced trying to change pre-service teachers model of teaching. http://www.ed.psu.edu/CI/Journals/1998AETS/s2_7_weber.rtf      

Your Journal Entry

In what part or parts of the 5E model would you create cognitive dissonance

to battle a misconception?

Explain why you chose this part of the 5E model.