Using Internet on the Way of Scientific Literacy

In recent education reform policies of different countries, scientific literacy was set as the national goal for science education. Understanding how science itself and scientists really work, in other words, understanding the nature of science is necessary to reach the desired scientific literacy level. Students also need to understand the components of nature of science such as scientific inquiry to reach that literacy level. Importance of understanding the nature of science with all components was explained by the prior research studies as follows.

Understanding the nature of science enhances.

·                    the learning of science content 

·                    the understanding of science

·                    interest in science

·                    instructional delivery (Mc Comas et al., 1998) 

The nature of science is also a useful tool to change teachers’ views of learning and teaching.  Brickhouse (1989) argues that how teachers perceive teaching and learning and how they really teach are influenced with their understanding of the nature of science. Specific instructional behaviors, activities, and decisions implemented within the context of a lesson are the most important variables that influence students’ understanding of the nature of science. Therefore, teachers themselves need to have adequate understanding of the nature of science.

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