Jon, a seventh-grade student, is interviewed before and after a traditional lesson on photosynthesis. Bob Holden, Jon's teacher, watches the video of Jon's interviews, discovering that Jon's problems in biology concern his confusion about the physics and chemistry of matter and energy. Jon also has no concept of energy and the relationship of energy to chemical changes. He seems to be missing the concept that chemical changes may either require an input of energy or may release energy. Interviews with Jon suggest that teaching can be more effective when the full scope of a student's ideas are considered.
Photosynthesis is among the most widely taught of all concepts in biology.
Among many possibilities to help students reflect on their own thinking, we offer such techniques as concept mapping and journal keeping. Even though this video focuses on a middle school biology student, teachers of all subjects and all grade levels will gain new insights into science learning in the classroom. One of the purposes of this video is to provoke discussion on the topic of building curricula around difficult concepts in science. Often the ideas established prior to and outside the teaching of a subject block learning. For instance, the student in the video has trouble understanding photosynthesis because of his belief that air has no weight.