The Education of Nature of Science in the Internet Era

Abstract

Modern science and technology can not only promote social development for the benefit of mankind but may also cause catastrophic consequences if improperly employed. They are the two sides of the same coin. Science education plays an increasingly important role in the rapidly developing human society. With the rise of new educational strategies in the “internet plus education” era, the education of nature of science (NOS) exhibits its significant value in contemporary primary science curricula (Zhu & Yu, 2008). Science is not about conclusive truth. The history of science has witnessed numerous controversial issues which often sparked intense debate. The introduction of socio-scientific issues (SSI) to science education allows students to experience the process of scientific development. NOS education concerning scientific questioning, experimentation, and investigation and the establishment of scientific laws and theories as well as their application is of great significance to the development of teaching philosophy and methods in pre-service primary school teachers (Liu, 2003). It also poses new requirements and challenges in the reform of basic education in the internet era.