Springfield College Workshop will Help Local Teachers Uncover Students’ Science Myths
November 17, 2010SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Nov. 16, 2010 -- A free workshop at Springfield College for local teachers will explore how action research can help uncover students’ misconceptions about science topics and correct them this Friday, Nov. 19, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Brennan Center, 45 Island Pond Rd.
Key presenters will be Joyce Tugel, coauthor of two books in the National Science Teachers Association Press series “Uncovering Student Ideas in Science,” and Dick Konicek, UMass professor emeritus. Konicek has published numerous journal articles and coauthored more than 20 science textbooks for elementary, middle and high schools. Among them is the “Everyday Science Mystery” series, to help teachers use inquiry techniques.
Tugel and Konicek will also conduct two workshops. One will focus on tactics for discovering students’ misconceptions, adjusting lessons, and measuring effectiveness of lessons. Another will address theory and practice of action research to uncover misconceptions.
Titled “The World Is (Not) Flat,” the workshop was developed by Springfield College Professor of Biology and Education Robert A. Barkman. It is part of a three-year program supported by a total of $483,000 in grants from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The objective is to equip teachers to better prepare local students to succeed on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS).
Reservations, required to attend, can be made by calling Shelly Gosselin, (413) 748-3295, mgosseli@spfldcol.edu. More information is available from Barkman at (413) 748-3734, rbarkman@spfldcol.edu. Substitute teachers are available to cover participating teachers’ classes. The program includes continental breakfast and light lunch.
Barkman has been named the 2010-2011 Distinguished Springfield Professor of Humanics. During his appointment to the honor, Barkman is applying his passion as an educator to his vast experience as a scientist in researching what makes a good teacher. Distinguished Springfield professors of humanics examine the college’s humanics philosophy relative to their areas of expertise. The philosophy stresses education in spirit, mind and body for leadership in service to others.
