The Prototype of the Cognition of Nature by Holistic Processing : A Case Study of "How to get metal warm" in the Fourth Grader in an Elementary School

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to suggest the method of the instructional analysis evaluating the construction of the scientific prototype of the cognition of nature by holistic processing. The outlines of the research carried out through the following example. In the experiment, the lower left corner of the metal plate was heated in the class. The investigation to judge the right or wrong of the figures represented the images of the conduction and confidence to answer immediately was executed to the fourth grade elementary school student. As a result of the analysis, the following things were shown: there were no students to whom the scientific prototype was constructed before the class. After the class, 52.8% of the students constructed the scientific prototype (Level 1). In addition, the scientific prototype (Level 1) is a prototype of the part of the metal plate observed by the experiment. Moreover, after the class, 16.7% of the students constructed the scientific prototype (Level 2). In addition, the scientific prototype (Level 2) was a prototype including the part of the metal plate not observed by the experiment. The effectiveness of the strategy for which it repeatedly appealed to senses (the sense of sight) of students was guessed. However, it is necessary to inquire into the implementation method of that strategy. It is thought that the instructional analysis to evaluate by the construction of the scientific prototype of the cognition of nature by holistic processing is enabled by utilizing the investigation method carried out in this study.