ERIC Number: EJ958461
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Nov
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0036-8326
EISSN: N/A
Portraying Real Science in Science Communication
van Dijk, Esther M.
Science Education, v95 n6 p1086-1100 Nov 2011
In both formal and informal settings, not only science but also views on the nature of science are communicated. Although there probably is no singular nature shared by all fields of science, in the field of science education it is commonly assumed that on a certain level of generality there is a consensus on many features of science. In this paper, it will be argued that because of their focus on unifying items and their ignoring of the actual heterogeneity of science, it is questionable whether such consensus views can fruitfully contribute to the aim of science communication, i.e., to enhance the public's functional scientific literacy. The possibilities of an alternative approach to the portrayal of the sciences within science communication are explored. (Contains 5 footnotes.)
Descriptors: Scientific Principles, Science Education, Lifelong Learning, Scientific Literacy, Informal Education, Group Unity, Relevance (Education), Validity, Knowledge Level, Quality of Life, Communication (Thought Transfer), Interpersonal Communication
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Subscription Department, 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774. Tel: 800-825-7550; Tel: 201-748-6645; Fax: 201-748-6021; e-mail: subinfo@wiley.com; Web site: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/browse/?type=JOURNAL
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A