Affect in Learning Science

Synonyms

Affect; Content; Learning; Pedagogy

Introduction

In the current era of education where there is so much emphasis on cognitive educational outcomes and accountability, it can be difficult to recognize the importance of affect in learning science. Today, much of the public debate about and rationale for education sees the very basis of that education being best captured by accounts of instructional efficiencies, curriculum statements, lesson plans, and public records of pupils’ performance. This is at best only a partial picture, and in such an era, we need to be vigilante in reminding ourselves of this. What is abundantly clear from research and practice is that affect has considerable influence over what happens in the classroom. Some emotions (such as joy, happiness, pleasure, delight, thrill, zeal, and gladness) act to potentially enhance learning and optimize student enjoyment and achievement, while other emotions (such as sorrow, boredom, sadness, distress, regret, gloom,...