19/10/2004 David Keffer UOIT Student #100257682 Scientific Thinking EDUC3750 Learning and Human Development David Keffer, Valentina Jovicic, and Woody

19/10/2004David Keffer

UOIT Student #100257682

Scientific Thinking

EDUC3750Learning and Human DevelopmentDavid Keffer, Valentina Jovicic, and Woody Hamel24th October, 2004



Scientific vs. Non-Scientific Thinking

• Scientific thinking provides• reliable information and knowledge• knowledge that has a strong likelihood of being

true• beliefs that are likely to be true because they

are supported by proven methods

• Non-scientific thinking provides• unreliable knowledge and naïve theories

containing misconceptions• unjustified beliefs, based on faith and hope• the knowledge may be true, but often is not,

and there are no supporting facts as proof



Scientific vs. Non-Scientific Thinking

• Scientific thinking• helps people become better decision-makers,

problem solvers, and critical thinkers• changes naïve theories into more accurate,

elaborate, and metacognitive ones with time• helps people make better decisions later in life

• Non-Scientific thinking• tries to confirm hypotheses rather than disprove• is unwilling to entertain new facts and ideas• believes in things uncritically, often without

support



Thinking Mode Characteristics

• Scientific Thinking

• logical, reasonable• empirical, statistical• pragmatic, realistic• skeptical, reflective• creative• comprehensible• quantitative,

analytical

• Non-Scientific Thinking

• illogical, intuitive• hopeful, wishful• authoritarian, dogmatic• idealistic, mystical• absolutist, closed-

minded• emotional, qualitative• ordinary



Some Opinions

• "It is strange that we expect students to learn,yet seldom teach them anything about learning.“ (Norman)

• "We should be teaching students how to think.Instead, we are teaching them what to think." (Clement and Lochhead)



Developing Scientific Thinking

• To develop scientific thinking skills in students, we must• have them study more sciences at earlier ages• even out differences in thinking skills so that all

are as equally prepared as possible• have them read, particularly non-fiction, current

affairs, essays and articles, and discuss them• have them practice critical thinking, through

exercises, special programs, games and any other

• have them pursue any activities which have them actively use their minds



Developing Scientific Thinking

• To develop scientific thinking skills in students, we must have them avoid as much as possible• frivolous activities and pastimes• gossip• pointless and unsupported arguments• watch, or at least put credence in, movies and

television shows• accept situations without questioning their validity• accepting others opinions without question• taking ‘bird’ courses in school



References

• Critical Thinking And Its RelationTo Science And Humanism, Steven D. Schafersman, 1998, http://www.freeinquiry.com/critical-notes.html (accessed 18/10/2004).

• The Art of Scientific Thinking, http://www.oceansonline.com/sciquest.htm (accessed 18/10/2004).

• “Cognitive engineering and education;” Donald Norman; Problem Solving and Education: Issues in Teaching and Research, edited by D.T. Tuna and F. Reif; Erlbaum Publishers, 1980.

• Cognitive Process Instruction; Clement and Lochhead, 1980.

• “Cognitive Development and Learning, Instructional Contexts,” Second Edition, Chapter 10; James P. Byrnes.

Documents

19/10/2004 David Keffer UOIT Student #100257682 Scientific Thinking EDUC3750 Learning and Human Development David Keffer, Valentina Jovicic, and Woody