Nature of Science FPLC Avilez 2005-6
From CTLpedia
Reflections on my Experience in the Nature of Science Faculty and Professional Learning Community, Adam Avilez, Mathematics Department, Mesa Community College, Contact me
Sumary: My project summary.
Nature of Science FPLC Background
See Nature of Science FPLC group page...
My Initial Views on Nature of Science
I can honestly say that I really didn't have any initial views on the nature of science. I believed that science was bound by logic and experiment but that was it. I joined the group because when I first heard about the topic I wasn't sure what it meant or how someone could teach it. So really I joined to be a learner and see what I could incorporate into my math classes.
Nature of Science FPLC Activities Experienced
The primary experience was our meetings. They formed the environment in which we learned and discussed our ideas. The first part of the year was a lot of reading. That was really good for me because I considered myself a novice on the topic. The second half of the year was spent trying to find a consensus on the nature of science. We also traveled to a PKAL conference. That gave us time to grow together as a group and to continue discussing our ideas without local 'distractions'.
Reflection on my Experience in Nature of Science FPLC
My experiences impacted me in three ways. I participated during my fourth year at MCC. Although I am active in student life I had very little sense of community among faculty outside of my department. So the first impact was personal and professional. I was able to connect with faculty in a meaningful way that doesn't happen in committee work. Secondly in mathematics we teach science applications all the time. I never considered how I taught the material impacted my students perception of the nature of science. Finally I also developed more of an interest in the scholarship of teaching and learning.
Final Reflection on Nature of Science in Teaching and Learning
In the end I finally have a more sophisticated perception of the Nature of Science. I feel that I could learn more about how to teach it. Now when I teach applications I think about how I can present it and give a better sense of science to my students. I know I have much more to learn but this FPLC was a good starting point for me.
Annotated Resources and References on Nature of Science
- The Nature of Science in Science Education: Rationales and Strategies. McComas, W.F. (ed)., 1998, Kluwer Academic Publishers, vol. 5, 365 p.Key Chapters: Chapters 1, 3, & 4.
- Benchmarks in Science Education & Atlas of Science Literacy, Project 2061, American Association for the Advancement of Science. Now available online at: http://www.project2061.org/publications/bsl/online/bolintro.htm
