The Use of Models in Science and Science Teaching

The word ‘model’ is used in many different ways in everyday life. Thus ‘a model’ is a person of striking appearance, while a ‘model home’ is represented as an ideal to be sought after, and a ‘model car’ is a toy given to children. Equally varied are the meanings in academic life. This paper discusses the types and uses of models found in science and science teaching. It explores the contention that the misuse of models in science teaching can lead to misunderstandings by students of both models and their embodied concepts. Such misunderstandings are particularly important at the school/higher education interface as they can contribute to later academic failure (Gilbert 1977).