Understanding Socioscientific Issues in a Low Literate Society for the Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals

This paper highlights the controversial socioscientific issues and their misconceptions in Nigeria as well as in some other low literate societies around the world. It states the relevance of the issues or problems in Nigeria, which might be neutral or absent in other countries. The need to understand the issues and how such an understanding can contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is also being discussed. The paper concludes by suggesting the responsibilities of science teachers to remove the misconceptions surrounding the socioscientific issues.




References:
[1] P. Reis & C. Galvão, "Teaching controversial socioscientific issues in
biology and geography classes: a case study," Electronic Journal of
Science Education, vol. 13 (1), 2009.
[2] T. D. Sadler, "Informal reasoning regarding socioscientific issues: a
critical review of research," Journal of Research in Science Teaching,
vol. 41, pp. 513-536, 2004.
[3] T. D. Sadler & D. L. Zeilder, "Patterns of informal reasoning in the
context of socioscientific decision making," Journal of Research in
Science Teaching, Vol. 42 (1), pp. 112-138, 2005.
[4] UNESCO, "School-based sexuality education programme: a Cost and
cost effectiveness analyses in six countries," Executive summary, 2011,
www.unesco.org/aids
[5] J. E. Rosen, N. J. Murray & S. Moreland, "Sexuality education in
schools: the International experience and implication for Nigeria,"
Policy working Paper, series No 12, 2004.
[6] IRIN, "Philppines: sex education plan sparks furious debate," 2010,
accessed on March 26th, 2012 from: www.irinnews.org/reports
[7] U. Vuttanont, "Smart boys and sweet girls. Sex education needs in Thai
teenagers: a mixed mode study," An unpublished thesis submitted for the
degree of Doctor of Philosophy, University College London, 2010.
[8] G. Smith, S. Kippax, & P. Anggleton, "HIV and sexual health education
in Primary and secondary schools," Findings from selected Asia-Pacific
countries, Sydney: Centre in HIV and social research, Faculty of Arts
and Social Sciences, the University New South Wales, 2000, Retrieved
March 30th, 2012 from:
http://www.arts.unsw.edu.au/nchsr/pdf%20reports/asian
[9] R. A. Shehu, & B. Sheshi, "Need for sex education in Nigerian
secondary schools," Institute Journal of Studies in Education. Ilorin, pp.
141-148, 2000.
[10] M. Joseph, "North in soul search," Economic review, Leadership
Newspaper, Wednesday, June 13th, 2012.
[11] R. Hazen, The joy of science, 2008, Accessed from: www.teach2.com/
[12] L. J. Rennie & D. Goodrum, Australian school science education:
National Action Plan 2008-2012, vol. 2, Background research and
mapping. Canberra: Australian Government Department of Education,
Science and training, 2007.
[13] R. Tyler, "Re-imagining science education: Engaging students in science
for Australia-s future," Australian Council for Educational Research,
2007, www.acer.edu.au/documents/AER51.
[14] M. Klosterman, & T. D. Sadler, "Information literacy for science
education. Evaluating Web-based materials for scientific issues."
Science Scope (in press).
[15] A. A. Sambo, "The challenges of teacher education towards the
achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in Nigeria," A
keynote address at the 1st National conference of the North East Zone of
the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), held in
Potiskum, Yobe State Nigeria, 6-9 May, 2008.