What is a misconception
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The document discusses the nature of mistakes and misconceptions in learning, highlighting that while mistakes are often simple errors, misconceptions indicate a deeper misunderstanding. It categorizes misconceptions into several types, such as preconceived notions and factual misconceptions, and outlines their sources, including lack of knowledge and cultural influences. The document also offers strategies for addressing misconceptions in education, emphasizing the importance of understanding learners' prior knowledge and focusing on correcting errors.
What is a misconception
- 1. A mistake and a misconception There are all sort of mistakes, and each an everyone of us make them. o not reading the question properly; o Not understanding what is being asked; o Understand the question but make a calculation error; and o Forget the method or formula needed to find the answer. Now what is a misconception? o A misconception occurs when a learner makes a mistake that suggests deeper lack of understanding which can’t be solved by providing the correct answer in its place.
- 2. What is a misconception? A view or opinion that is incorrect Beliefs that contradict the current state of scientific evidence Conceptions in conflict with the accepted meaning incorrectness or error From a child’s perspective, it is a reasonable and viable conception based on their experiences in different contexts or in their daily life activities UNFORTUNATELY, a major source of scientific misconceptions are reinforced during the course of instruction.
- 3. Categories of misconceptions 1. Preconceived notions-when thinking about a concept in only one way. 2. Non-scientific beliefs- they are learned outside of scientific evidence 3. Conceptual misunderstanding-ideas about what one thinks they understand based on their personal experience. 4. Vernacular misconceptions-when one word has two completely different meanings. 5. Factual misconceptions- ideas or beliefs that are learnt at a young age
- 4. Where do misconceptions come from? Based on observations of the world Lack of knowledge Preconceived notions based on religious and/or cultural influences Worldview that supports a given misconception
- 5. How can misconceptions be addressed? Identify learners’ prior knowledge-Prior knowledge can impede learning Build on learners’ prior knowledge Develop your own pretest of misconceptions for your subject Focus on facts (‘Why right is right”) before you address a potential misconception Activate the misconception, i.e. why wrong is wrong. Then refute- focus on why wrong is wrong.
- 6. Natural Science and Mathematics In Natural Science –learners believe that the world is flat Children rely on their observation They are surprised to hear that the world is a sphere In Mathematics- the following misconceptions have been recorded 6² = 12; 7 X 0=7; In fractions: 1 4 > 1 2 ; 6 8 - 1 4 = 5 4