Seven place-conscious methods to stimulate situational interest in science teaching in urban environments

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Mads Bølling
  • Rikke Hartmeyer
  • Peter Bentsen
In this study, we explored how teachers can take advantage of a ‘place’ in urban environments outside the school and thereby stimulate pupils’ situational interest in science teaching. Drawing on the Sophos research method, we conducted a single case study including film-elicited interviews. The data consisted of transcribed interviews with 4 experienced teachers and 11 pupils. The interviews were elicited by films showing group work in science teaching in urban environments: a parking lot, a green public park and a zoo. We conducted individual interviews with science teachers, while the interviews with pupils were carried out in small groups. To analyse our data, we applied a hermeneutic content analysis. We identified seven place-conscious teaching methods that have the potential to stimulate pupils’ situational interest. These methods included: (1) handling objects; (2) integrating new places; (3) alignment between the environment and task; (4) integrating minimal cultivated places; (5) providing a science perspective on everyday places; (6) disseminating historical or cultural knowledge of places; and (7) surprises. Starting from a discussion drawing on studies that explored triggers of pupils’ situational interest, we argue that science teachers can draw on these seven place-conscious methods to stimulate interest in science teaching in urban environments.
Original languageEnglish
JournalEducation 3-13
Volume47
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)162-175
Number of pages14
ISSN0300-4279
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

    Research areas

  • Education outside the classroom, Interest, Place-conscious education, Qualitative case study, Science education

ID: 187546968