Toulmin model of argument analysis Modeling the scientific process of evaluation with students

Inquiry and critical thinking go hand in hand As students progress from concrete to abstract reasoning they develop the skill to critically evaluate not only their own thought processes (metacognition) but external sources of information and theories of scientific phenomenon (critical evaluation).

Argumentation Scientific Literacy Critical Thinking Higher order cognitive processes Enculturation into the scientific culture Supports Supports Public reasoning Theory choice Developing evaluation criteria Involves Enables Involves By Rhetorical action Commitment to evidence Persuasion Argumentation Justification Involves Involves Connected Connected Talking and writing in Science Rationality Reflection about the world and themselves Supports Supports A component of Scientific Literacy Critical Thinking Freedom from preconceptions Enduran and Jimenez-Aleixandre 2008

Characteristics of students of inquiry The learner is able to identify and critically evaluate scientific knowledge claims and the impact of this knowledge on the quality of socio-economic, environmental and human development. It is important for learners to understand the scientific enterprise and, in particular, how scientific knowledge develops….Scientific knowledge is tentative and subject to change as new evidence becomes available and new problems are addressed. (Department of Education, 2003, p. 11 &14)

Inquiry and Argumentation Inquiry requires students to describe objects and events, ask questions and devise answers, collect and interpret data and test the reliability of the knowledge they’ve generated. They also identify assumptions, provide evidence for conclusions and justify their work. (NCGSP, 2006 p. 59)

Implications for the furture “There is an increasing emphasis on resting the science curriculum on a more appropriate balance between science process and citizenship skills, and factual or content knowledge of science. The main rationale for the inclusion of argumentation in the science curriculum has been twofold. First, there is the need to educate for informed citizenship where science is related to its social, economic, cultural and political roots. Second, the reliance of science on evidence has been problematic and linked in the context of scientific processes such as investigations, inquiries and practical work. The advance of such efforts is a signal that the science teaching needs to change to match the needs of citizens as well as scientists.” (Enduran and Jimenez-Aleixandre 2008)