Student Acceptance of Evolution: Factors That Lead to Change

Autor/inn/en	Ferguson, Daniel G.; Jensen, Jamie L.; Arok, Adhieu; Bybee, Seth M.; Ogden, T. Heath
Titel	Student Acceptance of Evolution: Factors That Lead to Change
Quelle	In: Journal of College Science Teaching, 52 (2022) 2, S.23-30 (8 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0047-231X
Schlagwörter	Evolution; Science Instruction; Student Attitudes; Role Models; Religious Factors; Beliefs; State Universities; Undergraduate Students; Misconceptions; Christianity; Scientists; Introductory Courses; Biology; Attitude Change; Evidence; Teaching Methods; Utah + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Teaching of science; Science education; Natural sciences Lessons; Naturwissenschaftlicher Unterricht; Schülerverhalten; Identifikationsfigur; Belief; Glaube; Staatliche Universität; Missverständnis; Christentum; Scientist; Wissenschaftler; Einführungskurs; Biologie; Attitudinal change; Einstellungsänderung; Evidenz; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode
Abstract	Acceptance of human evolution seems to be the majority position for the U.S. population; however, acceptance of evolution among conservative Christian groups is low, sometimes below 50%. There are many different reasons for this low acceptance, leading to a significant disconnect between scientific specialists and the general population. This study examined students in an introductory biology class at a large public university. Semistructured in-person interviews were conducted to better understand students' belief in evolution, or their lack thereof. At the beginning of the semester, 19 of the participants accepted evolution, a number that increased to 29 students by the end of the semester. In contrast, only eight students accepted human evolution at the beginning of the semester, but the number increased to 21 students by the semester's end. The interviews elucidated three essential factors that can change students' minds: teaching the evidence of evolution, providing the influence of a role model to reconcile religion and science, and assisting students with overcoming misconceptions about evolution. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	National Science Teaching Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: membership@nsta.org; Web site: https://www.nsta.org/
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01