Confusing Science Vocabulary: When Negative Is Positive

I have applied lessons to my teaching of college students that I learned outside the academy. An important lesson is that traditional vocabulary affects the efficiency and effectiveness of our science teaching. Too often, the words used actually get in the way of a beginner's understanding of s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of college science teaching 2020-01, Vol.49 (3), p.6-7
Main Author: Milanick, Mark
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Blood pressure
College Students
Construction materials
Feedback (Response)
Hypertension
Jargon
Middle School Mathematics
Middle Schools
Physiology
POINT OF VIEW
Science education
Science Instruction
Students
Water
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Summary:I have applied lessons to my teaching of college students that I learned outside the academy. An important lesson is that traditional vocabulary affects the efficiency and effectiveness of our science teaching. Too often, the words used actually get in the way of a beginner's understanding of science. One lesson I learned while watching the confusion of 5-year-olds playing baseball. Hit has two distinct meanings; in the first meaning, the bat hits the ball when the two touch. Not every hit in this sense is a hit because the second meaning also requires that the batter gets to first base safely. I learned yet another lesson while working in a brick factory during college. A brick kiln loader was used to transport bricks into the oven. The driver stood at the back.
ISSN:0047-231X
1943-4898