In search of explanatory frameworks: an analysis of Richard Feynman's lecture 'Atoms in motion'

Science is devoted to understanding and explaining the natural world and a goal of science education is to communicate science knowledge to novice sci ence learners and non-scientists. Learners are often provided with descript ions of science phenomena rather than explanations and many students offer a description when an explanation is needed. In this study, firstly the var ious aspects of explanations that make up an explanatory framework and the notion of pedagogical content knowledge are discussed. Secondly, an exempla ry set of physics explanations are analysed, namely from Richard Feynman's Six Easy Pieces, to identify the individual and holistic characteristics of an effective explanation. To date, this research indicates that a variable mix of science content, educational context, student factors and teacher f actors contribute to effective explanations in educational settings. It is likely that teacher attention to the explanatory framework exhibited by Ric hard Feynman will enhance science classroom explanations.