ERIC Number: EJ1156798
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015-May
Pages: 3
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0269-2465
EISSN: N/A
Using Puppets to Provide Opportunities for Dialogue and Scientific Inquiry
Liston, Maeve
Primary Science, n138 p11-13 May 2015
Talk, peer collaboration and exchanging ideas significantly contribute to a child's conceptual understanding in science (Howe, McWilliam and Cross, 2005). Dialogue helps children to clarify their thinking and to develop their capacity to reason, which are crucial scientific process skills (Mercer et al., 2004). One very effective way of supporting such interaction is by using puppets (Simon et al., 2008). Studies have also shown that using puppets in primary science increases pupils' engagement and motivation (Naylor et al., 2007). To take advantage of this, this innovative teaching methodology was introduced into primary science teaching in Ireland, investigating the use of puppets and their impact on children's learning. We worked with 46 pre-service primary teachers (PPTs) and 11 class teachers (CTs) in primary schools around Ireland.
Descriptors: Puppetry, Teaching Methods, Instructional Innovation, Science Instruction, Elementary School Science, Elementary School Students, Science Process Skills, Foreign Countries, Preservice Teachers, Elementary School Teachers, Student Teacher Attitudes, Teacher Attitudes
Association for Science Education. College Lane Hatfield, Herts, AL10 9AA, UK. Tel: +44-1-707-283000; Fax: +44-1-707-266532; e-mail: info@ase.org.uk; Web site: http://www.ase.org.uk
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Ireland
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A