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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 Earth Materials unit:
Preconceptions about the Concept of a Rock:
Rocks must be heavy. (This may be related to the terms students use to describe rocks of different sizes. For example, small rocks are not called rocks but pebbles).
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
The weight of a rock is related to the mass and the volume of the specimen.
Preconceptions about the Concept of a Rock:
Rock and mineral are interchangeable words for the same thing. This misconception illustrates the difficulty students have in understanding that rocks and minerals are different things. This misconception is based on the experience and observations of students made by Dr. John Dunkhase, U of I Science Education Center.
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
A rock is composed of minerals.
Preconceptions about the Concept of a Mineral:
Any crystal that can scratch glass is a diamond (Mohs Scale = 10).
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
Hardness is a property of minerals in a general sense. Many minerals are harder than glass (Mohs Scale = 4).
Preconceptions about the Concept of a Mineral:
Minerals must exist as crystals to be defined as minerals.
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
Minerals can exist in both crystal and crystalline forms.
Preconceptions about How Rocks Are Formed:
All rocks shoot out of volcanoes. All rocks fall from the moon. Rocks “grow” from dirt.
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
How rocks are formed depends on the location and materials available, as well as many complicated earth processes.
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