A brief review

This article describes how fourth-grade students model the external structure and function of bottom-dwelling fish, which help students understand, explain, and justify about science. Firs... See More

This article describes how fourth-grade students model the external structure and function of bottom-dwelling fish, which help students understand, explain, and justify about science. Firstly, the article states that many young students mistakenly think that the better scientific models are almost as same as the real stuff. However, based on the two measures of quality for a scientific model (Penner, Lehrer, and Schauble, 1998). When students create their own models, although they are not completely accurate, or are totally unmatched with the real one, they can consider about the attributes of phenomena based on scientific theory. Therefore, student-developed models encourage discussion and a more in-depth learning of science content (Louca & Zacharia, 2012) According to the description from the article, students design their own model by themselves. Students make connection with prior knowledge when they make their plan. In the teaching process, teachers provide a a lot of times to students to discuss and prove their views. Their 3-D printed models inspired their interests, and unprompted and meaningful scientific discussion. In addition, 3-D printing technologies are useful to teachers. It can instead of many other supplies. 3-D printing technologies can allow students to create their models with more details. And teachers can assess students’ understandings from models directly. In conclusion, 3-D printing technologies are beneficial to teachers and students, but 3-D printing technologies have yet to be vigorously strengthened and universal.