Model-based learning and science instruction: Establishing science instructional approaches using scientific, pre-scientific and students' alternative models

Research interests:

Students' alternative conceptions in various scientific topics
Historical development of scientific ideas
History and philosophy of science in school science teaching
Model-based teaching and learning
The intercultural perspective of conceptual research

Books/theses

Liu, S.-C. (2005). The alternative models of the universe: A cross-cultural study on students' and historical ideas about the heavens and the earth with a view towards reshaping science instruction. Beitraege zur Didaktischen Rekonstruktion, vol. 8. Didaktisches Zentrum Oldenburg (Germany). 218 pp. ISSN: 1617-3139. ISBN: 3-8142-0954-0.

Articles in journals/contributions to books

Liu, S.-C. (2005). From geocentric to heliocentric model of the universe, and the alternative perspectives. Asia-Pacific Forum on Science Learning and Teaching, 6(2), Article 1, available from the website: www.ied.edu.hk/apfslt/v6_issue2/liusc/

Liu, S.-C. (2005). Models of "the heavens and the earth": An investigation of German and Taiwanese students' alternative conceptions of the universe. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 3(2), 295-325.

Liu, S.-C. (2004). Alternative models of the universe. Insights, Autumn issue, 24-27.

Liu, S.-C. (2006). Learning from the history: A lesson on the model of the earth. Science Education Review, 5(1), 6-13.

Liu, S.-C. (in review). Historical models and science instruction: A cross-cultural analysis based on students' view. Research in Science Education.

Conference Papers

Liu, S.-C. (2003). In thinking of Heaven and Earth- A cross-cultural study on students' and early scientists' ideas. In A. Pitton (ed.): Extracurricular learning in physics and chemistry. Annual Conference of the GDCP in Flensburg 2002. Lit Verlag, 287-289.