Visualizing Science Using the Roundhouse Diagram

by: Robin E. Ward and James Wandersee

At the middle school level, science instruction becomes complicated by difficult vocabulary and complex, often abstract, notions (Jones and McEwin, 1983). To learn science, students must understand key concepts through reasoning, searching out related concepts, and making connections within multiple systems. Teachers need to encourage connection-focused learning, especially in the complex web of science, where each system is linked to many other sub-systems. The Roundhouse diagram is an effective way to use these constructivist principles in the classroom to improve student understanding of integrated science content.

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Type Journal ArticlePub Date 1/1/2001Stock # ss01_024_04_17Volume 024Issue 04

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