Advancing a new perspective on decision-making about socio- scientific issues: the study of memes and memetic processes

Authors:
Susan A. Yoon
Affiliations:
Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Venue:
ICLS'08 Proceedings of the 8th international conference on International conference for the learning sciences - Volume 2
Year:
2008

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Abstract

The study seeks to advance the socio-scientific issues knowledge base by addressing the complexity of these issues using methodological and analytical tools that reveal information about individual, collaborative and situational outcomes. In this case study of a grade 7 classroom investigating the topic of genetic engineering, a memes analysis indicated that several memetic mechanisms potentially affected how and why ideas were taken up in the learning system. Mechanisms included processes such as 'do as the smart students do', friendship selection, and meme-coupling influences. Implications for education in terms of student decision-making about socio-scientific issues are discussed.