PRACTICAL WORK - ITS ROLE IN THE UNDERSTANDING OF EVIDENCE IN SCIENCE

The role of practical work in science education is ill-defined. The au thors suggest that one of the familiar aims of practical work, teachin g for the development of 'experimental skills', is best regarded as ha ving a distinct knowledge base linked to the understanding of scientif ic evidence. The significance and value of an understanding of evidenc e for employment in science, engineering and in regard to scientific l iteracy in the community is discussed. A content for the knowledge bas e linked to evidence is proposed and methods of teaching it considered . The authors conclude that while various teaching methods can be used , practical work has a key role in the teaching of evidence provided t hat the type of practical work is selected carefully with a clear purp ose in mind.