Relational Scaffolding Enhances Children's Understanding of Scientific Models

Autor/inn/en	Jee, Benjamin D.; Anggoro, Florencia K.
Titel	Relational Scaffolding Enhances Children's Understanding of Scientific Models
Quelle	(2019), (37 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	Weitere Informationen
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Monographie
Schlagwörter	Scaffolding (Teaching Technique); Children; Comprehension; Models; Science Instruction; Instructional Effectiveness; Observation; Earth Science; Space Sciences; Elementary School Students; Scientific Concepts; Spatial Ability; Direct Instruction; Intelligence Tests; Verbal Ability; Vocabulary; Prior Learning; Massachusetts; Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Child; Kind; Kinder; Verstehen; Verständnis; Analogiemodell; Teaching of science; Science education; Natural sciences Lessons; Naturwissenschaftlicher Unterricht; Unterrichtserfolg; Beobachtung; Earth sciences; Geowissenschaften; Räumliches Vorstellungsvermögen; Direct instructional procedues; Direct instructional approach; Unterrichtsverfahren; Intelligence test; Intelligenztest; Mündliche Leistung; Wortschatz; Vorkenntnisse; Master-Studiengang
Abstract	Models are central to the practice and teaching of science. Yet people often fail to grasp how scientific models explain their observations of the world. Realizing the explanatory power of a model may require aligning its relational structure to that of the observable phenomena. The present research tested whether "relational scaffolding"--guided comparisons between observable and modeled events--enhances children's understanding of scientific models. We tested relational scaffolding during instruction about the day-night cycle, a topic that involves relating "Earth-based" observations to a "space-based" model of Earth rotation. Experiment 1 found that 3rd graders (N = 108) learned more from instruction that incorporated relational scaffolding. Experiment 2 (N = 99) found that guided comparison--not merely viewing observable and modeled events--is a critical component of relational scaffolding, especially for children with low initial knowledge. Relational scaffolding could be applied broadly to assist the many students who struggle with science. [This is the in press version of an article to be published in "Psychological Science."] (As Provided).
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2022/4/11