The Effects of the Externalization of Ideas and Discussion on the Transmission of Knowledge : A Case Study of the Science Lesson on the "Functions of Flowers"

Abstract

This research project examined how quickening the interaction in the class as each student pointed out their ideas to others affected the transmission of knowledge. The procedure was to divide the students into small groups and compare them. The students in some groups discussed their ideas orally. The students in the other groups also presented their ideas orally but also drew pictures to illustrate their ideas. The result was that explaining and making the individual student's idea visible was more effective in the transmission of knowledge. Moreover, it emerged that discussing and externalizing the idea resolved mental conflicts and helped to promote explanatory activities such as protection, agreement, and questioning.