Preconceptions Summary
Student preconceptions (misconceptions, naïve understandings) are important for teachers to uncover, address, challenge and extend. These are commonly held (but not always scientifically accurate) ideas that children bring to the classroom. Students come to school with ideas about the world and science principles because of experiences and observations that have helped to shape those beliefs. Learners hang onto those ideas until multiple experiences cause them to question previously-held beliefs and to form new explanations.
Educators need to discover student preconceptions and be aware of the related scientifically accurate ideas. It is the teacher’s role to facilitate learning experiences that challenge inaccurate ideas, solidify developing ideas, and reinforce and extend scientifically accepted ideas. Knowing student preconceptions helps educators to ask probing questions and craft experiences to move students along to greater science understanding.
Below is a summary of the preconceptions and scientifically accurate ideas related to the Balls and Ramps unit:
Preconceptions about Motion:
Downward motion is somehow more “natural” and does not require force.
The angle of the ramp does not affect the way a ball moves down that ramp.
An object keeps moving along because it has an internal force.
Objects slow and stop due to dissipation of force; it “leaks out” over time as an object slows down.
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
Change in motion requires a force.
The motion of the ball at the bottom of the ramp depends on the angle of the ramp.
A moving object slows down because other forces, such as friction, are acting upon it.
Preconceptions about Gravity:
The heavier the object, the more pull gravity will have.
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
Gravity affects all objects on earth in the same way.
Preconceptions about Force:
Force can only be exerted by living things.
Force is a property of an object.
Force is something stored in an object that “leaks out” over time, as an object slows down.
Every object naturally tends to fall toward the ground without any forces acting on it.
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
Force can be exerted by animate and inanimate objects.
Forces deal with interaction between objects.
Friction is a force that counteracts motion, slowing a rolling ball down.
Gravity is a force acting on all objects.
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