Skip to main content
Log in

Ideology in science education: The Australian example

  • Articles
  • Published:
International Review of Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In June 1993 Australia produced the final draft of its national science curriculum. The author argues that this document is fatally flawed, as it attempts to treat science education as a vehicle for dealing with a myriad social and moral concerns that are unrelated to science. This ideological approach presents a serious obstacle to good science teaching and creates a confused and distorted image of science. The pitfalls of the Australian science curriculum should be avoided by other nations that are attempting to improve science teaching.

Zusammenfassung

Im Juni 1993 legte Australien die Endversion seinen nationalen wissenschaftlichen Curriculums vor. Der Autor argumentiert, daß dieses Dokument eklatante Lücken aufweise, da versucht werde, nicht mit Wissenschaft zusammenhängende soziale und moralische Belange mit wissenschaftlicher Erziehung zu begegnen. Dieser ideologische Ansatz stellt ein ernsthaftes Hindernis für einen qualifizierten wissenschaftlichen Unterricht dar und erstellt ein konfuses und verdrehtes Bild der Wissenschaft. Die Unzulänglichkeiten des australischen wissenschaftlichen Curriculums sollten von anderen Nationen, die eine Verbesserung des wissenschaftlichen Curriculums anstreben, vermieden werden.

Résumé

En juin 1993, l'Australie a achevé la version finale de son programme national pour l'enseignement des sciences. L'auteur soutient que ce projet est voué à l'échec, étant donné qu'il se sert de l'enseignment scientifique comme support à une myriade de questions sociales et morales sans relation avec la science. Cette approche idéologique fait sérieusement obstacle à un enseignement des sciences convenable et reflète une image confuse et déformée de cette discipline. Les autres pays qui s'emploient actuellement à améliorer leur enseignement scientifique doivent éviter les pièges du programme australien.

Sumario

En junio de 1993, Australia finalizó el delineamiento de su currículo nacional de la ciencia. El autor indica que el documento presenta grandes defectos, ya que intenta hacer de los estudios científicos un vehículo que se ocupe de una infinidad de asuntos sociales y morales no relacionados con la ciencia. Este enfoque ideológico presenta un serio obstáculo para la eficaz formación científica, creando una imagen confusa y distorsionada de la misma. Los defectos del currículo australiano de la ciencia deberían ser evitados por otras naciones que intentan mejorar la enseñanza científica.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • The Australian. 1993. 10–11 July, Weekend Edition: 6.

  • The Australian. 1993. 14 July, Higher Education Supplement: 14.

  • Australian Education Council (AEC) and Curriculum Corporation. 1992.A National Statement on Science for Australian Schools (Interim, October).

  • Australian Education Council (AEC) and Curriculum Corporation. 1993.A National Statement on Science for Australian Schools (Final Manuscript, June).

  • Australian Education Council (AEC) and Curriculum Corporation. 1992.National Science Profile (Trial Draft, September).

  • Australian Education Council (AEC) and Curriculum Corporation. 1993.National Science Profile (Final Draft, June).

  • AEC Curriculum Assessment Committee (CURASS). 1993.Supplementary Science Report (April).

  • Barzun, J. 1959.The House of Intellect. New York: Harper Brothers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloom, A. 1990. The Democratization of the University. InGiants and Dwarfs: Essays 1960–1990 (356–387). New York: Simon and Schuster.

    Google Scholar 

  • Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Trade. 1987.Australia Reconstructed: ACTU/TDC Mission to Western Europe (124-5). Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crewther, R. J. 1993.A National Statement on Science for Australian Schools: Response. Head, Department of Physics and Mathematical Physics in the University of Adelaide (15 March, Unpublished).

  • Jenkin, R. G. 1991. The Development of National Subject Profiles.The Australian Science Teachers Journal, December 37(4): 8–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krugly-Smolska, E. 1994. An Examination of Some Difficulties in Integrating Western Science into Societies with an Indigenous Scientific Tradition.Interchange 25(4): 325–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuhn, T. S. 1977. Objectivity, Value Judgment, and Theory Change. InThe Essential Tension: Selected Studies in Scientific Tradition and Change (320–339). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maratos, J. 1994. The Politicisation of Australian Schools.Quadrant, May: 63–5.

  • Orpwood, G. 1987. Reflection and Questions for Deliberation. In: G. Orpwood and I. Werdelin, eds.,Science and Technology in the Primary School of Tomorrow: Studies and Surveys in Comparative Education (177–198). Stockholm: UNESCO, Statens Psykologisk-Pedagogiska Biblioteck.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruby, A., McDermott, P. M. and Lond, M. 1992. Science Competencies and the Capable Country.The Australian Science Teachers Journal, September 38(3): 11–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlesinger, A. M. Jr. 1992.The Disuniting of America. New York: W.W. Norton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stove, D. C. 1986.The Rationality of Induction. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stove, D. C. 1991.The Plato Cult and Other Philosophical Follies. Oxford: Basil Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strehlow, T. G. H. 1978.Central Australian Religion: Personal Monototemism in a Polytotemic Community. South Australia: Flinders Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Australian Teachers' Federation. 1988. Curriculum Policy.68th Annual Conference, 6–9 January. Attachment 6.

  • The Australian Teachers' Federation. 1990. Presidential address.70th Annual Conference, 10–12 January: Attachment 3.

  • Toulmin, S. 1961.Foresight and Understanding. Indiana: Indiana University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolpert, L. 1992.The Unnatural Nature of Science. London: Faber and Faber.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Maratos, J. Ideology in science education: The Australian example. Int Rev Educ 41, 357–369 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01103034

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01103034

Keywords

Navigation