Transcript Depth is more important than Breadth in the Teaching of Secondary Science-

Depth is more important
than Breadth in the
Teaching of Secondary
ScienceCon Position Paper
Introduction
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Problem: Finite Time
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Problem: Finite Resources
Why Breadth?
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Scientific Literacy
Interest and Intrinsic Motivation
Build General Knowledge
Expose Students to Areas of science
Scientific Literacy
Scientific Literacy
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Breadth of topics more likely to reach interest
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Higher interest results in intrinsic motivation
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Breadth results in more general knowledge
Scientific Literacy
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Excessive depth locks teachers into teaching
incorrect concepts
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Current fashion produces scientifically illiterate
students
Social Awareness and Responsibility
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Current science courses create confusion
between breadth and depth
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Choosing breadth as philosophical imperative
avoids that confusion
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Broad focus should be on social awareness