optimum level of simplification

Categories: Site glossary

a treatment honed for students at a particular stage in their learning

"There should be sufficient simplification for students to access and engage with the ideas, whilst avoiding over-simplification that might act as a barrier to further learning." (Taber, 2019)

"Determining what counts as an optimal level of simplification, and so a suitable curricular model, is in part a philosophical question (determining what counts as an authentic simplification that retains the essence of the canonical concept) and in part an empirical one (finding what students of particular ages, having already mastered specific prerequisite learning, can meaningfully engage with, and learn, without distorting the intended meaning)." (Taber, 2019)

Author: Keith

Former school and college science teacher, teacher educator, research supervisor, and research methods lecturer. Emeritus Professor of Science Education at the University of Cambridge.