Juegos para enseñar la naturaleza del conocimiento científico y tecnológico

Abstract

The nature of scientific and technological knowledge is an essential component of scientific literacy or science competence and form part of the current science curricula as innovative content. Due to the lack of appropriate educational materials, however, teaching such concepts in the classroom is a major challenge. This paper presents up-to-date materials that are designed using a game format for teaching the nature of scientific knowledge within the classroom. Examples of different types of games are presented (jigsaw puzzles, cubes, card games, black boxes and scenarios) along with guidelines and orientations for their use. The games offer an authentic analogy of scientific practices and through participation, without prerequisites, the students are able to understand some complex aspects about the working of science and technology depending on the type of game at play. Finally, some reflections are made regarding the effectiveness of the materials for teaching the nature of scientific knowledge based on proposals in science education research and the traditional factors opposing educational innovations.