The use of scientific concepts to arguments in Biology classes

Abstract

Argumentation in science classes has been investigated in different perspectives, within scientific and socio-scientific subjects, developed through a multitude of classroom strategies and activities. In this paper we discuss the argumentation of 35 students (16-18 years) in an individual written exercise that followed a s sequence of lessons in Genetics. We used Toulmin’s Argument Pattern to verify the presence of students’ arguments and we analysed the concepts that students succeeded to explicit in their arguments. Students were able to address the expected conclusion of the argument (N = 32) and to use arguments in their answers (N = 24). However, only some students used all the information necessary to justify the arguments (N = 7), and most students used incorrect or incomplete information as justification for the expected conclusion (N = 17). It is clear from our results that it is possible to foster students’ argumentation in activities that have an expected answer. We discuss how to raise the argumentative potential of those questions by separating a big argumentative question in smaller ones that address particular parts of the argumentation process so that students learn it gradually.