Developing Students' Scientific Thinking Power : Problem Solving Using "The Eyes of a Scientist"

Abstract

The principal focus of previous practical research on "Scientific Thinking Power" has been mostly on how to use "Process Skills" in science teaching. In this study, "Scientific Thinking" is considered from the perspective of "Scientific Viewpoints" rather than that of "Process Skills." To develop scientific thinking power, we propose a teaching method including "Scientific Viewpoints," which means ways of looking at natural things themselves. And we tried to evaluate the educational effect of our method in practical lessons. "Scientific Viewpoints" are shown as the following eight items, "The Eyes of Scientist," which can be utilized by pupils : (1) What did we do with that? (2) How did we do that?(3) What has changed? (4) What happened to it as a result? (5) What is the difference between these two? (6) What is the cause? What is the effect? (7) What is the relation between the two? (What influence does it have on that?) (8) What are the key points? "The Eyes of a Scientist" method was found to be effective in the problem solving process of science teaching and thereby help develop "Scientific Thinking."