Scientific Literacy
What happens to scientific literacy skills after the
introduction of the claim evidence reasoning framework?
Scientific literacy has long been an interest of mine. My awareness of the lack of scientific literacy in the general population grew as I observed the media, politicians, and my own relatives make incomplete or inaccurate scientific claims with little to no acceptable evidence. For example, genetically modified foods cause decreased birthrates, global warming does not exist, and vaccinations cause autism. In fact, the ability to read scientific papers to gain a deeper understanding of real world issues is a skill that is only present in about 5% of Americans (Glynn and Muth, 1994). Zimmerman (2007) found that without explicit instruction children and adults have difficulty separating beliefs from evidence often leading to the assumption that covariation must imply causation (p. 184). A misinformed public creates a pervasive societal distrust of science. Osborne (2007) speaks to this point by emphasizing that public distrust of science can greatly impact future research and technological advancement by placing unnecessary restrictions on science (p. 117). Explicitly developing scientific literacy in students can help them “make informed decisions about the interrelated educational, scientific, and social issues that [they will] confront every day” (Glynn & Muth, 1994, p.1057-1058).
|
Book with floating letters image from http://moodle.wiu.k12.pa.us/pluginfile.php/18887/course/ section/4486/Literacy%20(2).jpg
Literature image from: http://blogs.adobe.com/captivate/files/2013/01/Picture1.jpg
CER image from http://iblog.dearbornschools.org/techcoaches/wp-content/uploads/sites/1261/2015/11/Copy-of-C-E-R-Logo-680x330.png
Methods image from: http://programmedevelopment.com/public/uploads/images/puzzle_pieces_house_teamwork_1600_clr.png
Conclusion image from http://previews.123rf.com/images/carmendorin/carmendorin1506/carmendorin150600092/41727071-Set-of-grunge-rubber-stamps-with-text-Conclusion-vector-illustration-Stock-Vector.jpg
Literature image from: http://blogs.adobe.com/captivate/files/2013/01/Picture1.jpg
CER image from http://iblog.dearbornschools.org/techcoaches/wp-content/uploads/sites/1261/2015/11/Copy-of-C-E-R-Logo-680x330.png
Methods image from: http://programmedevelopment.com/public/uploads/images/puzzle_pieces_house_teamwork_1600_clr.png
Conclusion image from http://previews.123rf.com/images/carmendorin/carmendorin1506/carmendorin150600092/41727071-Set-of-grunge-rubber-stamps-with-text-Conclusion-vector-illustration-Stock-Vector.jpg