Conceptual Change: How New Ideas Take Root from edX

This online workshop: Conceptual Change: How New Ideas Take Root? is based on ideas presented in Good Thinking! an original animated series developed by the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) and FableVision Studios as a professional development resource for K-12 science educators.

Research over the past 30 years has documented what teachers have known from experience that students do not come to class as “blank slates”, but most often with a diverse set of ideas, concepts, and mental models that they have already developed from their life experiences. These ideas are called preconceptions, which are student ideas constructed before having formal instruction. Students use their own rules and mental models to make sense of their observations, and to explain phenomena that they encounter every day. One of the critical and ongoing challenges for educators across all grades is to discover students’ understandings and their mental models about phenomena, and when these models are based on misconceptions to provide opportunities for students to develop new understanding based on scientifically accepted concepts.

The activities in this workshop are designed to help teachers identify student misconceptions and understand their thought process, and to provide strategies that can lead students to develop sound reasoning and to experience conceptual change.

The format and organization of the workshop are designed to allow individuals to successfully complete the online learning activities independently as a self-paced class, without the need for outside input or feedback. At the same time, this format was designed to flexibly fit into PLC meetings, PD workshops, or any time that you and your colleagues can meet to absorb some new ideas and discuss your experiences as educators. While the students in the Good Thinking! classroom are identified as being in the 5th grade, the pedagogical strategies are relevant to all levels of instruction.

Common Abbreviations in the Text

§ Science and Engineering Practices (SEP)

§ Crosscutting Concepts (CCC)

§ Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

§ Framework for K-12 Science Education (Framework)

§ Nature of Science (NOS)

§ Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC)

What's inside

Learning objectives

Workshop objectives:
Identifying student misconceptions and mental models in science.
Developing plans for using the identified student misconceptions and mental models to teach new ideas.

Identify instructional strategies presented in the video to support conceptual change in science.
Apply the strategies to planning new instruction

Workshop objectives:
Identifying student misconceptions and mental models in science.
Developing plans for using the identified student misconceptions and mental models to teach new ideas.
Identify instructional strategies presented in the video to support conceptual change in science.
Apply the strategies to planning new instruction

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores preconceptions and mental models in science instruction, providing strategies for conceptual change

Draws on research in science education, supporting evidence-based teaching practices

Designed for K-12 science educators, enabling them to improve student understanding of scientific concepts

Leverages the Smithsonian Science Education Center's animated series "Good Thinking!" to illustrate instructional strategies

Reviews summary

Effective strategies for conceptual change

According to learners, this course provides effective and practical strategies for educators aiming to address student misconceptions. Many highlight the clear and actionable framework it offers, particularly praising the 'Good Thinking!' videos for illustrating concepts. Students find the course highly relevant to current pedagogical practices and educational standards like the NGSS. While the self-paced format is appreciated for its flexibility, some experienced educators note that the content can feel basic or repetitive if one is already familiar with conceptual change theory, suggesting it's particularly beneficial for new teachers or as a solid refresher.

Strong connection to K-12 science education frameworks.

"I loved how it focused on NGSS and how to effectively integrate conceptual change into daily lessons."

"The connection to the Framework for K-12 Science Education was a big plus for my professional development."

"I gained a solid conceptual foundation, especially valuing its connection to K-12 science standards."

Uses effective 'Good Thinking!' videos and flexible self-paced learning.

"The 'Good Thinking!' videos were very helpful in illustrating the strategies."

"The self-paced format allowed me to fit it into my busy schedule."

"I found the videos engaging, and the concepts were well-explained."

"I appreciate the bite-sized modules that make it easy to digest the material."

Offers actionable techniques for addressing student misconceptions.

"This course provided an incredibly clear and actionable framework for addressing student misconceptions in science."

"I immediately applied the techniques in my 7th-grade classroom, and it made a noticeable difference."

"I now have concrete strategies to help my students truly understand scientific concepts."

"I find the course content highly relevant for current pedagogical practices and crucial for student learning."

Content is strong, but some find video production slightly dated.

"The course is good, but some of the videos felt a bit dated, though the principles remain timeless."

Self-paced format means less collaborative discussion opportunities.

"While the material is strong, I felt a slight lack of interactive elements or a community forum, which could have enriched discussions."

"It’s a self-contained learning experience, which is great for flexibility, but less for collaborative learning."

Ideal for new educators, potentially basic for veterans.

"As an experienced educator, some parts felt like a review, though it's still a good refresher for newer teachers."

"I was looking for something more in-depth. This course felt like a broad overview rather than a deep dive."

"It's perfect for new teachers! I struggled with misconceptions, and this course broke it down clearly."

"I found the content somewhat basic for my needs as a veteran teacher, hoping for more advanced techniques."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Conceptual Change: How New Ideas Take Root with these activities:

Organize your notes and resources

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Keep your materials organized for easy reference and effective learning.

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Create a system for organizing your notes and resources.
File your materials in a logical manner.
Review your materials regularly to reinforce your learning.

Read 'Teaching Science for Understanding' by James Trefil and Robert Hazen

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Gain insights from experts in science education on effective strategies for promoting conceptual change in students.

View The Sciences: An Integrated Approach, 7th... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Teaching Science for Understanding'.
Read the book and take notes.
Reflect on the implications for your own teaching practice.

Explore the Smithsonian Science Education Center website

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Access a wealth of resources on science education, including videos, lesson plans, and interactive simulations.

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Visit the Smithsonian Science Education Center website.
Review the available resources.
Select a few resources that align with your interests or learning goals.

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Review scientific reasoning skills

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Review the basics of scientific reasoning to strengthen your foundation for understanding how new ideas take root.

Browse courses on Scientific Reasoning

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Read articles or books on scientific reasoning.
Practice applying scientific reasoning to real-world scenarios.
Take an online course or workshop on scientific reasoning.

Engage in discussions with fellow educators

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Connect with other educators to share ideas and best practices for supporting conceptual change in the classroom.

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Join an online forum or discussion group for science educators.
Participate in discussions and ask questions.
Share your own experiences and ideas.

Design a lesson plan on conceptual change

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Develop a lesson plan that incorporates the strategies you learn in this workshop to support conceptual change in your students.

Browse courses on Lesson Planning

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Identify the learning objectives for your lesson.
Research the topic and identify common student misconceptions.
Design activities that will help students challenge their misconceptions and develop new understandings.
Create a lesson plan that includes these activities.

Create a presentation on the Good Thinking! series

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Share your knowledge and understanding of the Good Thinking! series with your colleagues or students.

Browse courses on Science Education

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Gather information about the Good Thinking! series.
Organize your information into a logical flow.
Create visual aids to support your presentation.
Practice your presentation.

Participate in a science education competition

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Challenge yourself and showcase your understanding of science education principles and practices.

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Research science education competitions.
Select a competition that aligns with your interests and goals.
Prepare your entry.
Submit your entry.

Career center

Learners who complete Conceptual Change: How New Ideas Take Root will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

High School Science Teacher

As a **High School Science Teacher**, you will be responsible for developing engaging and effective lessons that align with state and national science standards. This course, *Conceptual Change: How New Ideas Take Root,* will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to help your students develop a deep understanding of scientific concepts. The course will help you to identify and address student misconceptions about science, and will provide you with strategies for promoting conceptual change in your classroom. Additionally, the course will help you learn how to use inquiry-based learning and other evidence-based teaching practices to engage your students and help them develop the skills they need to succeed in science.

See salaries and explore the career path for High School Science Teacher

Museum Educator

As a **Museum Educator**, you will play an important role in creating and delivering educational programs that help museum visitors of all ages learn about science and the natural world. This course, *Conceptual Change: How New Ideas Take Root,* will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to develop and lead engaging and effective science programs. The course will help you to learn how to use informal learning environments to promote conceptual change, and will provide you with strategies for addressing the diverse learning needs of museum visitors. Additionally, the course will help you learn how to develop and implement assessment strategies to evaluate the effectiveness of your programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum Educator

Science Writer

As a **Science Writer**, you will communicate complex scientific information to a wide range of audiences. This course, *Conceptual Change: How New Ideas Take Root,* will help you to develop the skills you need to write clear, concise, and engaging science articles, reports, and other materials. The course will help you to learn how to identify and address misconceptions about science in your writing, and will provide you with strategies for promoting conceptual change in your audience. Additionally, the course will help you learn how to use writing to promote science education and outreach.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Writer

Instructional Designer

As an **Instructional Designer**, you will develop and implement educational programs that meet the needs of learners. This course, *Conceptual Change: How New Ideas Take Root,* will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to design and develop effective science instruction. The course will help you to learn how to identify and address student misconceptions about science, and will provide you with strategies for promoting conceptual change in your instruction. Additionally, the course will help you learn how to use technology to enhance science learning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Curriculum Developer

As a **Curriculum Developer**, you will create and evaluate educational materials for use in schools and other educational settings. This course, *Conceptual Change: How New Ideas Take Root,* will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to develop science curricula that promote conceptual change. The course will help you to learn how to identify and address student misconceptions about science, and will provide you with strategies for incorporating evidence-based teaching practices into your curricula. Additionally, the course will help you learn how to evaluate the effectiveness of your curricula and make revisions as needed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Curriculum Developer

Science Education Researcher

As a **Science Education Researcher**, you will investigate how people learn science and develop effective science teaching methods. This course, *Conceptual Change: How New Ideas Take Root,* will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to conduct research on conceptual change in science education. The course will help you to learn how to design and implement research studies, and will provide you with strategies for analyzing and interpreting data. Additionally, the course will help you learn how to disseminate your research findings to the scientific community and to educators.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Education Researcher

Educational Psychologist

As an **Educational Psychologist**, you will study the psychological processes involved in learning and teaching. This course, *Conceptual Change: How New Ideas Take Root,* will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand how students learn science and how to teach science effectively. The course will help you to learn how to identify and address student misconceptions about science, and will provide you with strategies for promoting conceptual change in your teaching. Additionally, the course will help you learn how to use research to improve your teaching practice.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Psychologist

School Administrator

As a **School Administrator**, you will be responsible for the overall operation of a school, including the development and implementation of educational programs. This course, *Conceptual Change: How New Ideas Take Root,* will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to lead and manage a school that promotes conceptual change in science education. The course will help you to understand the research on conceptual change, and will provide you with strategies for creating a school culture that supports conceptual change. Additionally, the course will help you learn how to evaluate the effectiveness of your school's science education programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for School Administrator

Science Policy Analyst

As a **Science Policy Analyst**, you will analyze and evaluate science policy and provide recommendations to policymakers. This course, *Conceptual Change: How New Ideas Take Root,* will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand the science policymaking process and to make informed recommendations about science policy. The course will help you to learn how to identify and address misconceptions about science in policymaking, and will provide you with strategies for promoting conceptual change in science policy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Policy Analyst

Science Journalist

As a **Science Journalist**, you will report on science and technology for a variety of audiences. This course, *Conceptual Change: How New Ideas Take Root,* will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to write clear, concise, and engaging articles about science. The course will help you to learn how to identify and address misconceptions about science in your writing, and will provide you with strategies for promoting conceptual change in your audience. Additionally, the course will help you learn how to use social media and other online platforms to share your science writing with a wide audience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Journalist

Science Communicator

As a **Science Communicator**, you will communicate complex scientific information to a wide range of audiences. This course, *Conceptual Change: How New Ideas Take Root,* will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to develop and deliver effective science communication programs. The course will help you to learn how to identify and address misconceptions about science in your communication, and will provide you with strategies for promoting conceptual change in your audience. Additionally, the course will help you learn how to use a variety of communication channels to reach your target audience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Communicator

Education Consultant

As an **Education Consultant**, you will provide advice and support to schools and other educational organizations. This course, *Conceptual Change: How New Ideas Take Root,* will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to help schools improve their science education programs. The course will help you to learn how to identify and address misconceptions about science in science education, and will provide you with strategies for promoting conceptual change in schools. Additionally, the course will help you learn how to develop and implement professional development programs for teachers.

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Teacher Educator

As a **Teacher Educator**, you will prepare future teachers to teach science. This course, *Conceptual Change: How New Ideas Take Root,* will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to help your students learn how to teach science effectively. The course will help you to learn how to identify and address misconceptions about science in science education, and will provide you with strategies for promoting conceptual change in your students. Additionally, the course will help you learn how to develop and implement effective science teacher education programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher Educator