Abstract
This chapter focuses on learners’ alternative conceptions. Since prospective teachers in general, and prospective computer science teachers in particular, face difficulties in gaining the notion of alternative conceptions, it is important to address this issue in the MTCS course and to deliver the message that a learning opportunity exists in each pupils’ mistake (or misunderstanding). Several pedagogical tools for exposing learners’ alternative conceptions are presented as well as three activities to be facilitated in the MTCS course.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
An illustrative metaphor compares the repetition of the question to bouncing a ball back to the pupil, letting the pupil be “in charge” of the ball (in our case, question).
References
Bents M, Bents R (1990) Perceptions of good teaching among novice, advanced beginner and expert teachers. American Educ. Res. Assoc., Boston, MA
Fuller F F (1973) Teacher education and the psychology of behavior change: A conceptualization of the process of affective change of preservice teachers. Annu. Meet. American Psychol. Assoc., Montreal, Canada
Haberman B, Ben-David Kollikant Y (2001) Activating “black boxes” instead of opening “zippers” – A method of teaching novices basic CS concepts. SIGCSE Bull. 33(3): 41–44
Lapidot T, Hazzan O (2003) Methods of Teaching Computer Science course for prospective teachers. Inroads - SIGCSE Bull. 35(4): 29-34
Shulman L S (1986) Those who understand: Knowledge growth in teaching. Educ. Res. 15(2): 4–14
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer-Verlag London Limited
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Hazzan, O., Lapidot, T., Ragonis, N. (2011). Learners’ Alternative Conceptions. In: Guide to Teaching Computer Science. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-443-2_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-443-2_6
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-85729-442-5
Online ISBN: 978-0-85729-443-2
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)