On Teaching Science: Principles and Strategies That Every Educator Should Know

by Jeffrey O. Bennett

Focusing on solutions specific to science and math education both for K–12 and college, this book explores how students learn in general and helps teachers develop successful techniques for the classroom On Teaching Science is a short, practical guide to key principles and strategies that will help students learn in any subject at any level but with special focus on the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects. Though aimed primarily at current and future teachers, the ideas covered will be of interest to anyone involved in education, including parents, school administrators, policymakers, community leaders, and research scientists. The book describes how important it is to instill the notion that learning requires study and effort; presents big picture ideas about teaching; provides general suggestions for successful teaching; and includes pedagogical strategies for success in science teaching. With a combination of personal experience and research-based studies to discuss the current state of education in the United States, the author shows how it can be improved through both individual educators and systemic changes.

Genres: Education, Professional Development, Teaching, Nonfiction

170 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Lisa Reads & Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good summary of the recent trend towards conducting active classrooms instead of the typical lecture model. (The best overall approach to teaching science appears to be coming from physicists instead of education professionals.) It is a short book and could have provided a few more concrete examples, but the case for active classrooms is clearly presented, and the book is well worth the read.

[Julianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a first year teacher who is particularly interested in STEM education for K-8, I was really excited when I won this book through Goodreads Giveaways. It may have distorted my review that I was expecting to read an in depth guide to teaching science that would guide me through strategies that would help my students explore science in the classroom through discussion, engaging activities, and exploration. I was disappointed to learn that this book did not focus much on the particulars of teaching science in the classroom or give any well-researched, specific, strategies for actively engaging students in the sciences. It contained more of a general overview of teaching, including the politics of teaching, methods of pedagogy, and outlines for organizing college courses for science and non-science majors. Perhaps, having recently read quite a lot of pedagogical texts in graduate school, I found this book to be relatively unremarkable and repetitious. I think that this book is best suited for teachers of upper level education who need a refresher on current educational trends.

[Einar Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend the following book for all my colleagues who teach science: On Teaching Science by Jeffrey Bennett. I read this accessible and satisfying book because I’m a science teacher of sorts. I teach fire science, brain anatomy and physiology, wildfire ecology, and human behavior, and I enjoy learning how to improve my teaching skills for all ages. This concise book delivered.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this for a class. A bit too general to be really helpful for teaching K-12. Bennett often makes big leaps based on limited data. The book does not contain day-to-day strategies useful for educators.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

While written mainly for science teachers the information is useful and appropriate across the curriculum. The author discusses teaching and learning as well as giving several practical principles and ideas. This was a free review copy.

[Kathy McC · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a lot of practical ideas and teaching ideas for students enrolled in an elementary education class. Lots of author opinions.

[Ellen Ingamells · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible advice from a man who has never taught unmotivated, disadvantaged, or learning delayed students as their primary educator.