Applying Cognitive Science to Education: Thinking and Learning in Scientific and Other Complex Domains
Many students find it difficult to learn the kind of knowledge and thinking required by college or high school courses in mathematics, science, or other complex domains. Thus they often emerge with significant misconceptions, fragmented knowledge, and inadequate problem-solving skills.\ Most instructors or textbook authors approach their teaching efforts with a good knowledge of their field of expertise but little awareness of the underlying thought processes and kinds of knowledge required...
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An accessible introduction to some of the cognitive issues important for thinking and learning in scientific or other complex domains (such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering, or expository writing), with practical educational applications and implementation methods.
I Basic Issues 11 Performance, Learning, and Teaching 32 Intellectual Performance 11II Good Performance 27II-A Usability 293 Important Kinds of Knowledge 314 Specifying and Interpreting Concepts 435 Interpreting Scientific Concepts 616 Managing Memory 85II-B Effectiveness 1017 Methods and Inferences 1038 Describing Knowledge 1199 Organizing Knowledge 137II-C Flexibility 16310 Making Decisions 16511 Introduction to Problem Solving 18912 Systematic Problem Solving 20113 Dealing with Complex Problems 229II-D Efficiency 25514 Efficiency and Compiled Knowledge 257II-E Reliability 27115 Quality Assurance 273III Prior Knowledge 28716 Unfamiliar Knowledge Domains 28917 Naive Scientific Knowledge 311IV Learning and Teaching 33318 Developing Instruction 33519 Designing the Learning Process: Goals 34320 Designing the Learning Process: Means 35721 Producing Instruction to Foster Learning 377V Implementing Practical Instruction 40122 Traditional Instructional Methods 40323 Innovative Instructional Methods 41724 Some Educational Challenges 439References 451Index 465
\ From the Publisher"Challenging. Illuminating. Rewarding. A masterpiece of organization and clarity… a privilege to read."\ - Joe R. Clopton,American Biology Teacher\ "An excellent example of the contributions that scientists, provided they are willing to cross some disciplinary boundaries, can make to solving important real-life problems.... a veritable gold mine for all those who teach physics or mathematics at high-school or college level.\ They will find introductory questions for activating students' prior knowledge about standard curricular content as well as stimulating ideas for engaging students in meaningful activities,e.g., through reciprocal teaching or written self-explanations. However, the book's merits go far beyond practical advice. A broad range of academics will find Applying Cognitive Science to Education intellectually stimulating." Elsbeth Stern Science\ \ \
