{"id":2833,"date":"2020-04-08T23:10:08","date_gmt":"2020-04-09T03:10:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/edt431-531\/?p=2833"},"modified":"2020-04-08T23:10:58","modified_gmt":"2020-04-09T03:10:58","slug":"how-to-address-misconceptions-in-the-science-classroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/2020\/04\/how-to-address-misconceptions-in-the-science-classroom\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Address Misconceptions in the Science Classroom"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let&#8217;s start by watching this video:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"50 Science Misconceptions - mental_floss on YouTube (Ep.18)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LqaDf2fuUH8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How many of these misconceptions have you have held? Were there any that surprised you? These are all only a small part of the misconceptions that your students may hold as they walk into your class. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why does it matter?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thenationalcouncil.org\/capitol-connector\/files\/2019\/07\/medicaid-myths.jpg?resize=361%2C240&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"361\" height=\"240\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Addressing misconceptions is important in the science classroom because reading and observing scientific principles will not address nor change the frameworks about science that students bring to the classroom. If they are not addressed, these misconceptions will coexist with their new knowledge, and cause a mishmash of fact and fiction!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">So&#8230; How do we tackle them?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align:center\"><strong><em>Step 1: Identify students&#8217; misconceptions<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In order to address the misconceptions, you first need to identify what misconceptions the students hold. This can be done easily by asking a question or doing a demonstration that engages the students where they bring up their own misconceptions about the topic. As Duckworth mentioned, we need to &#8220;allow students to realize that their ideas are significant&#8221; so that they will gain confidence in their ideas and be willing to explore them! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One strategy that you can utilize in the classroom are concept cartoons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/usercontent2.hubstatic.com\/7042075_f520.jpg?ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After showing this cartoon to the students, allow students to talk in their groups as they discuss which student they think gave the correct explanation and give their own reasoning as to why they think that. You will be able to determine what type of misconceptions they hold and why it formed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align:center\"><em><strong>Step 2: Allow students to confront their misconceptions<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Confronting misconceptions can be difficult for both the student and the teacher. Students may feel uncomfortable sharing their misconceptions or be told that they are wrong since misconceptions are often deeply held and largely unexplained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One tip is to utilize MTV strategies to visualize their thought process without making them feel offended or embarrassed about their misunderstandings. A good way would be to use a chalk talk where students can anonymously state their ideas and ensure that all voices are heard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/proxy\/1_lN0nw9gloGwIrxKd4hKZ7f8bWwZ-r_zWCyYFUN6w7LHRNVbwgDg6kViboKWpud7r9EJXxiwTHJBlA3yKGuMUkdBvNmIYQYy5noBaj-CLK56kdtNLyzhgHwvKBPa12VKQ\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align:center\"><strong><em>Step 3: Let students test their misconceptions<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is important to allow students to test their misconceptions against the real world through raising challenging questions, making their own predictions and experiments. Let them be active learners instead of passive observers of the learning process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Experiments or Labs<\/li><li>Demonstrations<\/li><li>Student-led investigations<\/li><li>Creating concept maps <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is a video that shows an example of how you can tackle misconceptions about sound through a hands-on activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Sound Wave Misconception\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KJmHGspZrJI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Important Points to Remember:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Students have to be given a chance to explore and test their own model of the universe and understand its limits to form a deeper understanding without the misconceptions from their earlier experiences<\/li><li>Address misconceptions that are specific to other cultures by researching more about its origin and anticipate them to occur in the classroom!<\/li><li>Revisit common misconceptions as it conceptual change does not occur overnight <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are some blogs that provide a listing of some misconceptions about science and some tools to help address them. Feel free to check them out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/newyorkscienceteacher.com\/sci\/pages\/miscon\/index.php\">https:\/\/newyorkscienceteacher.com\/sci\/pages\/miscon\/index.php<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.storyboardthat.com\/blog\/e\/student-misconceptions\">https:\/\/www.storyboardthat.com\/blog\/e\/student-misconceptions<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.learningscientists.org\/blog\/2017\/7\/25-1\">https:\/\/www.learningscientists.org\/blog\/2017\/7\/25-1<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-twitter aligncenter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Like Duckworth said, &quot;everyone needs time for their confusion.&quot; Allow students to confront and overcome their own misconceptions, in order to help them fully internalize new concepts. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Duckworth?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Duckworth<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/EDT431?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#EDT431<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/scienceteaching?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#scienceteaching<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Ms. Lee (@WoooojinLee) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WoooojinLee\/status\/1248083503423483904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 9, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>Let&#8217;s start by watching this video: How many of these misconceptions have you have held? Were there any that surprised you? These are all only <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/2020\/04\/how-to-address-misconceptions-in-the-science-classroom\/\" title=\"How to Address Misconceptions in the Science Classroom\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":2781,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[154],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2833","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-misconceptions-in-science"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2833","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2781"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2833"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2833\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2833"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2833"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2833"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}