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Applied science

About: Applied science is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1178 publications have been published within this topic receiving 19920 citations. The topic is also known as: applied sciences.


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Dissertation
01 Jan 2003
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that the history of science is an essential precursor to an understanding of the nature of science and ultimately, therefore, to the attainment of Scientific Literacy.
Abstract: Over many decades, much has been written about the use of the history of science in science education, particularly at the secondary school level. Course descriptions published by various education authorities have often included reference to the history of science, although student texts and formal assessment tools have not adequately developed or emphasised that area of study in a way which reflects its significance and potential value. These factors, combined with many teachers’ lack of background in the area, have meant that what happens in many classrooms does not reflect the loftier sentiments expressed in the guiding principles of the course outlines. “Scientific Literacy” has been used as a general theme for science education during the second half of the twentieth century, and particularly since the early 1980s. There has been much debate about the meaning of the concept but some common features have emerged. Among these are the need for students to gain an understanding of the nature of science and to have some appreciation of the history of science. This thesis is based on an acceptance of the Scientific Literacy imperative and on its connection to the development of students as socially responsible members of society. In doing so, the case is made for the history of science to be an essential precursor to an understanding of the nature of science and ultimately, therefore, to the attainment of Scientific Literacy. It is not suggested that a history of science course per se should be taught at secondary school level the history should be used as a vehicle to address and develop the concepts and themes of existing courses. A new approach to curriculum development requires a framework on which it is based. The central aim of this thesis is the production of such a design framework which is entitled the ‘Dimensions of Science’. It is based on a curriculum theory which views education as the transmission of culture and, in particular, the culture of science and its relationship with the wider society. In doing so, it draws on important features of the nature of science. To illustrate how the framework could be applied to a common topic in senior secondary school courses, the history of development of ideas in optics is examined. The ‘Dimensions of Science’ are used as the basis of analysis to show how it is possible to encounter examples of each Dimension in a study of a particular area of science while still attending to the conceptual ideas deemed important in existing course outlines.

11 citations


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Performance
Metrics
No. of papers in the topic in previous years
YearPapers
20231
20222
20212
20202
20194
20183