Tag Archives: science

Module 4 – Post 5 – Towards Cross-cultural Science and Technology Curriculum

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http://www.d.umn.edu/~bmunson/Courses/Educ5560/readings/Aikenhead97-NOS.pdf

Recognizing that Science is a subculture of Western culture, Aikenhead explores the need for First Nations students to cross cultural border in order to participate in scientific learning.  As he puts it in his abstract, the pathway is

  1. Founded on empirical studies in educational anthropology
  2. Directed by the goals of First Nations people themselves.
  3. Illuminated by a reconceptualization of science teaching as cultural transmission
  4. Guided by a cross-cultural STS science and technology curriculum
  5. Grounded in various types of content knowledge 

Module 4. Post 2 – “A Neurologist’s Case for Gaming”

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Dr. Judy Willis has some great material related to gaming and education. Traditionally, gaming has been seen as a “waste of time”. Now, research is showing that the skills employed during gaming can be valuable, and the positioning of the individual within a game environment is conducive to learning in radically different ways from traditional styles of learning. Particularly, I enjoy Dr. Willis’ approach to assessment through a gaming perspective. To learn more about the science of neurology and why gaming supports learning, click here.

This video of Dr. Willis sheds light on her views of how new media supports learning and constitutes “brain-based” strategy for education…

Dr. Willis takes it further on her blog and shows educators how to plan instruction and assessment techniques using a gaming framework. To see examples and learn more about her approach to game-centred assessment and instruction, click here.

Mel Burgess.

Module 3 – Post 5 – Traditional vs Scientific Knowledge

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The question of what is traditional knowledge and how does it interface with scientific knowledge is a very intriguing question. In understanding these issues better it is necessary to try to put aside assumptions that you all harbor and attempt to look at the issues involved with a an unbiased focus. This fascinating lecture/discussion by Elaine Abraham (Tlingit Elder) and Gordon Orians (U. of Washington) go a long way in trying to explain and bring these ideas together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgfH77HvaHQ

This discussion focuses on ecological management in the Pacific Northwest and in doing so shows the similarities and differences between both methods of looking at the natural world.

Module 1 – Post 2 – The Importance of “Place”

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One very interesting subject to consider is that of Indigenous science in education and how it differs from more Western educational perspectives. This paper on the role of ‘Place’ in the treatment of Indigenous science is an effective document that outlines the challenges and effective strategies in developing curriculum on this subject.

http://aerc.usask.ca/downloads/Learning%20Indigenous%20Science%20From%20Place.pdf

This information contained within allows one to consider the variety of issues regarding Indigenous science and how it affects perspective. The article seeks to dispel some of the myths surrounding what Indigenous science is and how it differs from Western scientific practice. A very good primer for anyone who wants to understand the basics of this fascinating area of study.

Although the focus of this article is on Saskatchewan First Nations and Métis Communities, it has tremendous relevance to any comprehensive understanding of the Indigenous perspective.