Schematisation in biological diagrams: A historical analysis

Mathai, Sindhu (2013) Schematisation in biological diagrams: A historical analysis. In: Proceedings of the Conference epiSTEME-5. Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, TIFR., Mumbai, pp. 55-61.

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Abstract

There has been a long tradition of producing depictive diagrams which closely resemble the objects they represent in the teaching and learning of concepts in biology. There is also a perceived need to make diagrams accessible and meaningful to students, quite contrary to the mechanical manner in which it is perceived and used. While this is an important pedagogical stance, the history of documentation of concepts such as: Linnean taxonomy, Darwinian evolution and Mendelian genetics suggest that there was no privileging of one form of diagrams over the other. There has been a range even in the history of taxonomic diagrams. A seemingly complex concept such as the cell was first documented through a detailed depictive representation. There is a tendency however, for concepts which are more abstract, such as evolution by natural selection and Mendelian genetics to rely on schematic representations. There also does not seem to be a clear trajectory from one form to the other within the development of understanding of the concept, as this is dependent on the nature of the concept itself and the academic inclination of researchers. Through a historical analysis, this paper argues for using both depictive and schematic diagrams in the teaching and learning of any concept since they have different purposes, and both are required for understanding and communication.

Item Type:	Book Section
Authors:	Mathai, Sindhu
Editors:	Editors Email ORCID Nagarjuna, G. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Jamakhandi, A. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Sam, E. M. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
Document Language:	Language English
Subjects:	Social sciences > Education
Divisions:	Azim Premji University - Bengaluru > School of Education
Full Text Status:	Restricted
URI:	http://publications.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/id/eprint/5849
Publisher URL:

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