Tooltip Categories: Site glossary

studies that compare at different points in time, for example to explore learning by comparing the same learners' knowledge/understanding/skills over time (cf. cross-sectional studies)

research suggests that when new learning takes the memories 'laid down' (represented in circuits of the brain) usually do not initially have stable links with related material already represented in memory – memory consolidation allow stable long-terms linkages to be established that facilitate later recall

The chemistry triplet refers to the teaching and learning of chemistry operating in terms of macroscopic phenomena, submicroscopic entities, and specialist representations – an idea alse referred to as Johnstone's triangle.

Read about 'Revisiting the chemistry triplet'

refers to the teaching and learning of chemistry operating in terms of macroscopic phenomena, submicroscopic entities, and specialist representations – a.k.a the chemistry triplet or chemist's triplet

 

"Alex Johnstone…noted in a short paper about the nature of a chemistry curriculum suitable for all learners, that chemists "view our subject on at least three levels" and "jump freely from level to level in a series of mental gymnastics". In later publications Johnstone…represented the levels as a triangle" (Taber, 2013, p.156)

An autodidact is someone who teaches themselves – someone who shows scholarly learning without formal education.

Read about learning from experience and teaching by example

ASCEND – Able Scientists Collectively Experiencing New Demands –  a project based at the University of Cambridge working with local schools which "provided a series of after-school enrichment sessions on a voluntary basis, staffed by graduate scientists studying in the Faculty of Education…which 14-15 year old students from local schools could attend." (Taber, 2012, p.102)

Read about the ASCEND project

Comprehensive School is a term used in England for a school that is non-selective, but takes any student (except any with severe specials needs that cannot be supported in the school) living in the catchment area. The term was used especially at the time whn most schools were not comprehensive, and there was a move towards comprehensivisation: "they provide an education for all children in their immediate neighbourhood (or catchment area), and may be considered as schools serving all elements of a local community. This was a major change in the organisation of the maintained secondary sector, which, when established in 1944, originally set out a system of grammar schools for the more able minority and secondary modern schools (and some 'technical' schools) for the majority who did not demonstrate high intellectual attainment at age 11" (Taber, 2012, p.102)

year 8 of the English school system (normally the second year of secondary school) – for 12-13 year old learners

it has been suggested that one possible outcome when a learner is taught a scientific idea which is contrary to an existing alternative conception is they develop a hybrid conception which partially matches the taught account but retains some of its alternative nature.

'Carving nature at its joints' is a phrase that derives from Plato, but is often used with the sense that science seeks to develop categories and discriminations which reflect those which 'really' exist in the world – a good scientific theory correctly carves nature at its joints (i.e., the terms and concepts reflect objective featues of the external world).

the idea of generalisation depending on the gradual testing of an idea in different contexts to explore the range of application of an idea or finding

Read about incremental generalisation

the process of moving from specific findings relating to particular cases and contexts, to general conclusions that can be applied to a class of cases (e.g., from this class of 14-year old biology learners to 14 year old biology learners {in general})

Read about Generalisation

Read about Generalisation from case study