Popularity and Relevance of Science Education Literacy: Using a Context-Based Approach.

Abstract

This article draws attention to the difference between interest and relevance in science education while recognising both can be considered components of intrinsic motivation – motivation for learning coming from students themselves. Research has shown the importance of intrinsic motivation and this study seeks an approach to enhance this through taking examples from everyday life. The approach, citing PARSEL, a project promoting relevance and interest in science education for scientific literacy everyday language and to guide the students to recongise their lack of science conceptual learning for considering the everyday isse or concern being considered. The science learning is consolidated by a further stage which attempts to bring the science gained into the everyday issue being discussed. Key words: interest, relevance, intrinsic motivation, PARSEL module approach