ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

Yes indeed.

I don't see this as being contrarian, so much as realistic.

Cultural problems take generations, and it's a bummer to think that where
the US is now might not the same for everyone globally -- problems can seem
more difficult in that way.




On Mon, Dec 9, 2013 at 8:05 AM, Eric Siegel <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> institutions.
>
> *****************************************************************************
>
> well, just to be a contrarian, this isn't a universal problem.  this whole
> article is based upon a comparison of US achievement in international tests
> with other countries.  If I were to guess, I wouldn't think that teachers
> in singapore  are encouraging children to construct their knowledge for
> themselves.  They live and work in a culture where learning is honored,
> where achievement in math and science is considered a high goal, and
> teachers are paid, respected and supported well.  Also, some of the
> cultures with high achievement are quite authoritarian in their teaching
> approaches, and others, like the scandinavian countries, have less of an
> authoritarian tradition.
>
> It would be lovely to think that there is some tweaking we can do to
> teaching styles, or even some dramatic overhaul of what goes on in the
> classroom, that would have a profound impact on these relative outcomes.  I
> think it is more profoundly cultural.  I am constantly struck with the
> ongoing anti-science thinking even among well educated peers.  I think the
> decades long investments in informal science learning are helping (from
> NOVA to after school science clubs and maker clubs) to change this culture,
> but the segment of society that is hostile to or scared of science still
> seems to hold sway.
>
> It is worth the time and effort to try to change teaching practices, but I
> think the more sustained impact is going to result from changes outside of
> school.
>
> Eric
>
>
>
> On Dec 9, 2013, at 10:55 AM, jbellina <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> > ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> > Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> institutions.
> >
> *****************************************************************************
> >
> > This comment is an example of one of the core problems.  We cannot serve
> knowledge, people do not receive knowledge, they construct for themselves
> based on their experiences, in the world, in the classroom, and in the
> museum and science center.  As long as we think in terms of delivery of
> knowledge, we are doomed to have dumb students.
> >
> > Read Ted Ansbacher.
> >
> > joe
> >
> > Joseph J. Bellina, Jr. Ph.D.
> > Emeritus Professor of Physics
> > Co-Director
> > Northern Indiana Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Collaborative
> > 574-276-8294
> > [log in to unmask]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On Dec 8, 2013, at 2:33 PM, Louis Rawlins wrote:
> >
> >> we already know what needs to be done and it just deserves a little
> >> tweaking in how we serve it.
> >>
> >> I'd argue that we need to look more at how people are receiving this
> >> knowledge and how we can facilitate that best.
> >
> >
> > ***********************************************************************
> > For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and
> the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
> >
> > Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at
> www.exhibitfiles.org.
> >
> > The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft.
> To learn more, visit
> > http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.
> >
> > To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
> > message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
> > [log in to unmask]
>
>
> --
> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
>
> This message is intended solely for the addressee(s) in the first instance
> and may contain confidential information.  Please do not forward this email
> without the consent of the sender.
>
> ***********************************************************************
> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and
> the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
>
> Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at
> www.exhibitfiles.org.
>
> The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft.
> To learn more, visit
> http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.
>
> To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
> message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
> [log in to unmask]
>

***********************************************************************
For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.

To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]