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 Life Cycle of Butterflies unit:
Preconceptions about Classification:
Butterflies are classified according to a single criteria such as structure (number of legs), movement, and other perceptual cues.
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
Butterflies are classified as an animal and living by many biological criteria, such as, growing, reproducing, feeding, respiring, moving, irritability, and excreting waste.
Preconceptions about Classification:
Butterflies are classified more specifically such as insect, which has narrower grouping criteria.
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
Butterflies are classified as an animal and living by many biological criteria, such as, growing, reproducing, feeding, respiring, moving, irritability, and excreting waste
Preconceptions about Needs of Butterflies:
Butterflies have "human emotions" based on their "inner needs". They have an anthropomorphic perception of life.
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
Organisms have to obtain food, water and other necessities in order to survive.
Preconceptions about Human Involvement with Living Things:
No life could be maintained without human intervention.
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
The life cycle is complex.
Preconceptions about Interdependence/Food Chains and Webs:
Ecosystems are a collection of non-related individual organisms.
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
Organisms are dependent on one another and the ecosystem as an organized whole.
Preconceptions about Interdependence/Food Chains and Webs:
Food web changes only affect the food chain and direct predator/prey relationships and plant and animal relationships are a function of size.
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
Organisms are dependent on one another and the ecosystem as an organized whole.
Preconceptions about Adaptations of Butterflies:
Adaptations occur within the lifetime of the organism, and they are a conscious process driven by the "needs" of the organism.
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
Adaptations occur from random mutations which are best suited to environmental conditions.
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