just up on tki

[Catherine Low]

Hi Andy, and all,
I don't mind the IDEA of investigating the biological effect of biomags
and cellphones - in fact it is a great idea to try to dispel
psuedo-scientific claims in the classroom - we want to create
scientifically literate and sceptical students, not ones that get caught
up with the latest fear mongering. 
However, as a research NCEA assessment for Level 1, I don't see them being
easy topics for the students or teachers, and possibly not the right way
to go about tackling such issues.
I have read on the internet a little about similar topics, and it isn't
easy to separate the rubbish from the science, and I am used to reading
scientific articles! So unless the students are well trained in spotting
claims based on anedoctal evidence, and picking out good scientific
studies from bad,  and/or are provided with a small handful of carefully
vetted resources, I don't like the chances that the students will come up
with the currently accepted scientific viewpoint. And if they conclude
from their research something that is not scientifically correct because
they read it in enough places, they will be far worse off, understanding
wise, than they were when they started the project (even if we do give
them NA for it to mark our lack of approval). A lot of work on the
teachers part, would be needed to make these examples a constructive
learning task. Given that many of these standards will be taught by very
busy non specialist physics teachers, it might be a big ask without a lot
more guidance. 
 
Catherine Low
Rangi Ruru Girls' School
 
 
 
[ mailto:andydyson at actrix.co.nz ]andydyson at actrix.co.nz writes:
Hi all

Just up on tki

[ http://www.tki.org.nz/e/community/ncea/sciences-lvl1.php
]http://www.tki.org.nz/e/community/ncea/sciences-lvl1.php

draft resources for the new internal assessments for Science.

One of the Physics ones will not work.

1.2A looks at current drawn in a parallel circuit with 2, 4 and8 ohm
resistors from a power pack. Have you got these resistors? Think 12V and
2ohms and power! Was this one really trialled?

Two of the Physics ones are about garbage.

1.2B is entitled "Are Biomags Dangerous?" and attempts to look at the
biological effects of magnetic fields. And this is serious Physics in New
Zealand? I do hope the rest of the world doesn't hear about this!

1.3B is entitled "Are Cell Phones Dangerous?" and wonders if the radiation
from cellphones has a biological effect. And this is Physics?


Can we have a Chemistry standard involving fluoride in drinking water?

And what about Biology standards about Intelligent Design or vaccines and
autism?

Why is it only Physics that gets the crank crap stuff?

Andy Dyson,

Kerikeri



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