Comments on: Introducing The Scientific Method – A New Idea http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/2009/05/19/introducing-the-scientific-method-a-new-idea/ Especially for those "Department of One" Warriors Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:45:29 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Mike http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/2009/05/19/introducing-the-scientific-method-a-new-idea/#comment-304 Mike Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:36:04 +0000 http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/?p=392#comment-304 One of my favorite books...good idea...you got my mind rolling on some ideas for introducing the scientific method. Thanks! What does Carl always say...a "harmonious marriage of skepticism and wonder"....love it. One of my favorite books…good idea…you got my mind rolling on some ideas for introducing the scientific method. Thanks! What does Carl always say…a “harmonious marriage of skepticism and wonder”….love it.

]]> By: Erich http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/2009/05/19/introducing-the-scientific-method-a-new-idea/#comment-299 Erich Wed, 29 Jul 2009 01:50:20 +0000 http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/?p=392#comment-299 Ah, I see. Sounds like a great idea. I guess I was confused by the fact that you put "skeptical" as an apparent opposite of "gullible". I guess I would have chosen a different word such as "discerning". Don't forget about the Skeptic's guide 5x5 podcast, those are formatted for teachers to use and may have something you can use. I look forward to hearing about any progress reports you choose to post about lessons or lesson plans! Ah, I see. Sounds like a great idea. I guess I was confused by the fact that you put “skeptical” as an apparent opposite of “gullible”. I guess I would have chosen a different word such as “discerning”.

Don’t forget about the Skeptic’s guide 5×5 podcast, those are formatted for teachers to use and may have something you can use. I look forward to hearing about any progress reports you choose to post about lessons or lesson plans!

]]> By: Scott http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/2009/05/19/introducing-the-scientific-method-a-new-idea/#comment-298 Scott Wed, 29 Jul 2009 01:21:40 +0000 http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/?p=392#comment-298 I don't misunderstand the concept. I've been a fan of the show for years, I've listened to every show as well as my favorite; Skepticality. As much as I like these shows, they are not for kids and not formatted to bring into the classroom. Yes, they do have kids in their audience, but those are the exception. I'm not trying to turn the students in skeptics. I'm trying to teach high school students to think about how they perceive and process ideas and information. How do you decide what is an extraordinary claim? I can tell you that a large percentage of high school students believe in ghosts, ET, UFO's, astrology, magic potions sold on TV, and vampires. They are not equipped to identify an extraordinary claim. They first have to learn to ask questions and look at the source of the claims. When confronted with data, especially data they generated, high school students will challenge their previous notions and come up with new conclusions. My goal is to get them to take an active role in their learning, to test ideas, and to think for themselves. I don’t misunderstand the concept. I’ve been a fan of the show for years, I’ve listened to every show as well as my favorite; Skepticality. As much as I like these shows, they are not for kids and not formatted to bring into the classroom. Yes, they do have kids in their audience, but those are the exception.

I’m not trying to turn the students in skeptics. I’m trying to teach high school students to think about how they perceive and process ideas and information. How do you decide what is an extraordinary claim? I can tell you that a large percentage of high school students believe in ghosts, ET, UFO’s, astrology, magic potions sold on TV, and vampires. They are not equipped to identify an extraordinary claim. They first have to learn to ask questions and look at the source of the claims.

When confronted with data, especially data they generated, high school students will challenge their previous notions and come up with new conclusions. My goal is to get them to take an active role in their learning, to test ideas, and to think for themselves.

]]> By: Erich http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/2009/05/19/introducing-the-scientific-method-a-new-idea/#comment-297 Erich Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:08:34 +0000 http://teachingphysics.wordpress.com/?p=392#comment-297 From this brief blog entry, I think you misunderstand the concept of skepticism. To be skeptical does not mean that you doubt everything, only that you dismiss extraordinary claims if they don't have extraordinary evidence to back them up. A great resource for skepticism in practice is: http://www.theskepticsguide.org/ Listen to their podcast to help you plan for september, they have over 200 episodes now so there is a lot to pull from! Good luck! sounds like a good theme to teach around... From this brief blog entry, I think you misunderstand the concept of skepticism. To be skeptical does not mean that you doubt everything, only that you dismiss extraordinary claims if they don’t have extraordinary evidence to back them up. A great resource for skepticism in practice is:
http://www.theskepticsguide.org/
Listen to their podcast to help you plan for september, they have over 200 episodes now so there is a lot to pull from!
Good luck! sounds like a good theme to teach around…

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