Process skills

Science process skills

1. PROCESS SKILLS Dr SAJEENA S

2. PROCESS SKILLS IN SCIENCE Scientists approach problems by variety of ways which have several processes common to them. These commonly used processes to conduct scientific inquiries are termed as Science Process skills. In simple words, Science process skills are the processes which are being used by various scientists while doing science.

3. To perform the scientific process, it requires a certain amount of skill in science which was often called science process skills (SPS). Some common science process skills are Observing, Classifying, Communicating, Measuring, Predicting and Inferring . There are some more advanced process skills sometimes referred as integrated skills like identifying and controlling variables, hypothesizing, interpreting data, defining operationally, experimenting and drawing conclusions . SPS was a bridge to acquire and organize knowledge about environment and to link ideas that belong to students based on previous experience and new experience.

4. Observing Observing is the most basic process of science and creates a base for higher scientific inquiries. Observing means using various senses to obtain information (or data) about objects or events attended. You must train your learners to use all their five senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch) in our science classes to help them become good observer. That means, you should give them more and more observation based activities to help them learn how to use sensory experiences to gather information about their surroundings

5. Properties of different objects like colour , size, shape, hardness, texture, lustre , sonorous and density, etc. are all observable by using more than one sense. Observation has the following characteristics : Observation focuses on "What" and "How" and not on "why". Observation is based on facts not opinions. Observation should have minimal bias i.e. it should be more objective. Observation is a continuous process i.e. it is not completed in one setting only.

6. Classifying Classification of objects (or events) is a process of imposing order on collection of objects (or events) based on similarities, differences, and interrelationships. It is good to organize our observations in ways that carry some special meaning. The more they become acquainted with scientific concepts, the better they become in classifying things/events in appropriate categories. Learners must be able to understand the basis of every classification scheme to classify the objects into correct categories. It is usually a good idea to include classification activities together with observation activities in your day to day science classes.

7. Measuring Measurement is a part of scientific investigation process. It is the process of quantifying observations Measuring skill requires not only the precision and accuracy in handling of measuring devices, but also the ability to carry out calculations with such instruments.

8. Communicating In most generalized form, communication means sending and receiving the message through verbal or nonverbal means. People communicate in various modes such as speaking, writing, drawing, gesturing, acting, singing, modeling, story-telling, etc. Communication in science is a specialized skill through which scientific knowledge is being shared and communicated among scientific community.

9. Scientific communication : It is systematic Scientific languages are different in different areas Scientific communication varies keeping in mind the reader In scientific communication all observations are recorded and communicated with accuracy Scientific communications are more in scientific languages and always avoid fancy and literary words Scientific communications are not biased.

10. Inferring Inferring is using logic to draw conclusions from what we observe and an "inference' is an explanation to our observation about any object or event. In other words, an inference is a person's best guess about the cause of an observation. It is generally based on some evidence also. Most of the time, our inference is strongly conditioned by our past experiences and knowledge. As a science teacher, your first task is to help your learners in differentiating between observation and inferences.

11. Predicting Predicting is to forecast about what a future observation will be. Predictions are based on our observations, measurements and inferences that we make about relationships among various observed variables. They are our best guesses based on the available data or information in hand.

12. Acquiring Skills to Understand the Method and Processes of Science Leaners need to acquire basic science process skills in order to understand the method and processes of science that are used by scientists to do science. Apart from six basic process skills as described above, there are integrated skills as well in science- those are acquired later by learners once they have learnt using basic process skills. Basic process skills are prerequisite for integrated skills. Integrated process skills require higher order thinking and reasoning and hence they are mainly practiced in upper grades.

13. Identifying and controlling variables Identifying variables means stating the changeable factors that can affect an experiment. It is important to change only the variable being tested and keep the remaining constant. The one being manipulated is the independent variable, the one being measured to determine the response is the dependent variable, and all the variables that do not change and may be potential independent variables are constants. Controlling variables means being able to identify variables that can affect an experimental outcome.

14. Defining Operationally : It means stating to measure a variable in an experiment. Hypothesizing: Stating the expected outcome of an experiment. A testable hypothesis should point towards the design of an experiment to test whether that hypothesis is correct or not. Hypothesis is an educated guess. Unlike wild guesses, an educated guess is based on prior knowledge and observation Experimenting : It means the procedure carefully designed to test the hypothesis. It put together all the science process skills

15. Interpreting Data : It means organizing data and drawing conclusions from it. Drawing Conclusions : When drawing conclusions, it is important to remember that words are always written in complete sentences, measurements are always written with units, pictures are drawn carefully.

16. Role of teacher in developing process skills train learners for use of senses to carry out focused and objective observations in science help learners learn to record their observations in both qualitative quantitative manner enable learners to use measuring instruments precisely and using appropriate units to present their data/observations encourage learners for communicating observations honestly without hesitation and feeling no fear while reporting deviated results use appropriate questions to guide learners for making authentic observations and inferences help learners to classify various objects or events and develop ability to explain the underlying criteria provide opportunities to use different means of communicating data/ results of their investigations, such as charts, graphs, models, etc. motivate them to share their observations and inferences with each other encourage them to predict an event and then test it if it's coming out to be true or not. create ample opportunities for learners to use science process skills and integrating them wherever is the scope

17. Assessment Observation : Using the five senses effectively Identifying relevant particulars of an object and its environment Focusing on relevant particulars from massive information. Identifying similarities and differences Identifying strange / unusual features Realizing changes in environment Identifying the correct sequence Using appropriate instrument(s) to enhance senses for the details

18. Classifying Detecting similarities Grouping objects based on certain criterion. Using other criterion in grouping objects. Grouping objects in different ways

19. Communicating Communicating in an understandable language Accuracy Utilisation of scientific language Speaking, listening or writing to express ideas or meanings. Recording information from investigations Using and explaining the meaning of symbols Using charts, graphs and tables to present information Posting questions clearly Using references. Writing experiment report to enable others to repeat the experiment

20. Measuring Identifying the measurement required. Specifying the instrument to be used. Comparing the measurement with the specific instrument. Adding up the total measurement

21. Inferring Using information from observations to make reasonable early conclusions Making various possible interpretations from single observation Able to identify the limitations of inferences. Testing the accuracy of inferences through additional observations Using inferences as a tool to determine the appropriate additional observations

22. Predicting Using previous or present evidence to state incoming events. Able to differentiate between predicting and guessing Able to determine the outcomes from action Using pattern of date explictly to make projections. Confident with the accuracy of the prediction Able to verify a statement of related to future events based on evidence or past experiences Being cautious in making assumption about a certain pattern of data beyond the evidence at hand Extrapolating and inserting data as a tool to predict