The study identified pre-service teachers concepts
about the identification of organisms as insects.
The students harbored a number of misconceptions
about the identification of organisms as insects and
held non-scientific conceptions about what
constitutes the class Insecta. Many of them did not
have an understanding of classification concepts, and
they focused on visual cues rather than scientific
criteria they had memorized in school. The results
suggest that science educators must consider what
misconceptions may be held about the classification
of organisms and use pedagogical techniques to
challenge their students ideas.
about the identification of organisms as insects.
The students harbored a number of misconceptions
about the identification of organisms as insects and
held non-scientific conceptions about what
constitutes the class Insecta. Many of them did not
have an understanding of classification concepts, and
they focused on visual cues rather than scientific
criteria they had memorized in school. The results
suggest that science educators must consider what
misconceptions may be held about the classification
of organisms and use pedagogical techniques to
challenge their students ideas.