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This article presents an innovative instructional approach that assists teachers in designing and implementing their science unit: The SUPeR (Student Uncertainty as Pedagogical Resources) approach. The SUPeR approach suggests four phases of student learning in scientific practices and posits that student uncertainties drive the trajectory of learning. By applying the SUPeR approach, teachers can foster student curiosity and ensure a student-centered science learning environment. A sixth-grade solar energy unit is described to show how a science unit can be designed and implemented using the SUPeR approach. The article elaborates on teacher guidance for applying the SUPeR approach, how student uncertainty is used to foster student curiosity and drive the learning trajectory, how student learning can be assessed from the SUPeR perspective, and how the SUPeR science unit aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards.
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Desirable uncertainty in science teaching: Exploring teachers’ perceptions and practice of using student scientific uncertainty as a pedagogical resource
Science practice introduces inevitable uncertainties that are desirable for learning. Yet, navigating student scientific uncertainties can be a challenge for teachers. This qualitative study explored how teachers perceive and utilize uncertainty during science instruction. Analysis of interviews and classroom observations collected from 14 middle school teachers in the United States indicated limited awareness of uncertainty’s use as a resource in science. Teachers perceived uncertainty as a way to induce curiosity and persist through struggle; however, they were quick to reduce students’ scientific uncertainty throughout lessons. Findings suggest that teachers need support to understand how uncertainty navigation can benefit student learning.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2100879
- PAR ID:
- 10638592
- Publisher / Repository:
- Elsevier
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Teaching and teacher education
- ISSN:
- 0742-051X
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 104456
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- Science instruction Science storyline Teacher development Teacher perceptions Uncertainty navigation
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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