Using Analogies in Middle and Secondary Science Classrooms

Analogies are often used in science to engage student interest and explain difficult and abstract ideas. While some analogies effectively clarify difficult concepts, many are inadequte or can cause further confusion. Drawing from an extensive research base on the use of analogies in the classroom, Allan Harrison and Richard Coll have compiled more than 40 interesting and effective science analogies that are teacher-friendly and ready for implementation. Using the FAR approach (Focus, Action, and Reflection), the authors show teachers how and when to select analogies for use in instruction, where certain analogies work and where they break down, and how to gauge the effectiveness of certain strategies in the classroom. Using this guidebook, teachers will be able to recognize conceptual problems within many commonly used analogies and learn how to improve them.

ISBN 1412913322   Pages 288 ISBN13 9781412913324 (What's this?)   Volumes 1 Publisher SAGE Publications Inc   Weight (grammes) 753 Imprint Corwin Press Inc   Published in Thousand Oaks Format Hardback   Height (mm) 254 Publication date 01 Apr 2007   Width (mm) 178 Library of Congress 2007014770   Spine width (mm) 24 DEWEY 371.102   Academic level Professional / Scholarly DEWEY edition DC22

Pt. I		How We Can Use Analogies to Improve Science Teaching
1		Teaching With Analogies: Friends or Foes? by Allan G. Harrison		6
2		The Focus-Action-Reflection (FAR) Guide - Science Teaching Analogies by Grady J. Venville		22
3		Using Analogies to Increase Student Interest in Science by Neil Taylor and Richard K. Coll		32
4		Multiple Analogies Are Better Than One-Size-Fits-All Analogies by Allan G. Harrison		46
5		Inquiry-Based Teacher- and Student-Generated Analogies by Richard K. Coll and David F. Treagust		66
Pt. II		Analogies for Teaching Science
6		Effective Biology Analogies by Grady J. Venville		82
7		Effective Chemistry Analogies by Richard K. Coll		127
8		Effective Physics Analogies by Allan G. Harrison		175
9		Effective Earth and Space Science Analogies by Neil Taylor and Terry Lyons		231

"We need a book to help preservice and novice teachers use analogies and this resource allows teachers to bridge the gap that sometimes occurs when students are learning abstract concepts. The examples cover a wide variety of subjects and are written in a concise, easy-to-understand voice." -- John D. Ophus, Assistant Professor of Science Education 20061214 "This book will make a definite contribution to the teaching of science." -- Sara Lynne Murrell, Instructional Coach 20061214 "Makes a distinct contribution to science instruction. Many teachers attempt to use analogies and metaphors to introduce abstract concepts; however, little is offered on how to do this with specific examples. The authors definitely address a need." -- Douglas Llewellyn, Professor of Science Education 20061214 "The book has great potential for promoting thinking and understanding in science. It should be useful to teachers and students in strengthening conceptual and content background." -- Sandra K. Enger, Associate Professor 20061214 "The authors explain that scientists use analogies regularly in their research and writing. Analogies such as a supermarket for the biological classification system and a school dance for chemical equilibrium are discussed for their individual effectiveness in stimulating learning." -- CHOICE Magazine, June 2008, Vol. 45(10) 20080711

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