It's Just Research, Ep. 6: Exploring the seductive details of science education, with Richard Brock

This episode delves into the practical and theoretical challenges in education, like the concept of 'seductive details'—those intriguing but potentially distracting elements in teaching that can either enrich or hinder learning. Dr. Brock and our team explored how these details impact student retention of knowledge and whether they enhance or detract from educational outcomes. 

Dr. Brock discusses his transition from a physics enthusiast to an educational researcher. He recounts his experiences teaching English in Japan and South Africa, and his eventual return to the UK, where he shifted his focus towards the intricacies of learning and teaching science.

Join us, as Dr. Brock also shares his thoughts on the broader implications of these findings for educational practices and policy. His insights are especially timely, considering the increasing reliance on digital media for education, which has been accelerated by the global pandemic. The conversation covers a wide range of topics from the role of anecdotes in science teaching to the importance of teaching the nature of scientific inquiry, providing a rich, detailed exploration of what it means to teach and learn science today.

Go further:

Assembly required: a microgenetic multiple case study of four students’ assemblages when learning about force [Richard Brock, Keith S. Taber & D. M. Watts] 

Using Text Mining to Identify Teleological Explanations in Physics and Biology Textbooks: An Exploratory Study  Brock, R., Tsourakis, N. & Kampourakis, K., 16 Mar 2024, In: Science & Education.