Textos da Revista Ciência Hoje como recurso didático : análise e possibilidades de uso no ensino médio de química

Abstract

This research investigated the use of popular science texts (PST) related to chemistry published in magazine Ciência Hoje (sections O Leitor Pergunta and Mundo de Ciência) between 2004 and 2008 and analyzed a teaching strategy based on the use of those texts. The objective of this study is to understand how they can be used in high school chemistry classes and discuss features that can assist teachers in using them as a didactic resource based on the studies of Salém and Kawamura (1999), Ribeiro and Kawamura (2005), Amaral et al. (2006) and Ferreira (2009). A significant number of articles in this area were found in the magazine Ciência Hoje: a total of 133 articles in the period investigated (all sections), from which 32 were found in the section the O Leitor Pergunta and 41 in the section Mundo de Ciência. The articles found in the two sections studied include those that address chemistry-related content, those that deal with transverse themes (especially Health and Environment), and those that deal with frontier themes (physics, cosmology, biochemistry, etc.). Thus, teachers who decide to use PST as a didactic resource in chemistry teaching have a large and varied collection of texts to choose from in this magazine. In order to facilitate the selection of texts, a guide was created for teachers including the contents (chemistry, transverse themes, and frontier themes; general chemistry, physical chemistry, and organic chemical) for each PST analyzed. A specific analysis of the content and form of the PST was also thoroughly performed considering the topic under study, the characteristics of scientific activities present in those texts, the language adopted, structure, and visual resources. This magazine addresses a wide range of topics, and most of them mention the construction of scientific knowledge and scientific culture. The language adopted in the majority of the PSCs is accessible to the general public since the authors use tools such as analogy and metaphors in an attempt to facilitate the understanding of the texts. In the O Leitor Pergunta section, all texts are considered medium-size texts (270-600 words), while in Mundo de Ciência section, the texts are small (less than 270 words) and large (more than 600 words). Both sections provide integrated reading since only a very few PST include disconnected parts from the main text. There are similarities between the texts of the two sections with spect to the use of visual resources, which include everything from photos to diagrams. Therefore, it was concluded that the use of PSCs is highly recommended in chemistry teaching since they offer students an opportunity for a stimulating and interesting reading (most texts are medium sized and address a variety of topics in accessible language) with aspects related to the nature of science. Moreover, the articles studied are related to concepts of Science-Technology-Society. The results of the teaching strategy proposed corroborate the points made earlier. This teaching strategy was well received by students and provided them with a better understanding of the nature of science and topics addressed in the classroom through the reading and discussion of the PST.