Adapting primary literature

We claim that various text genres that are commonly used in science classrooms (e.g., textbook or popular scientific texts) misrepresent science to the students. Since in contrast to the Primary Scientific Literature (PSL) genre, these texts are usually expository and not argumentative. In addition, they present scientific facts without the evidence and reasons to support the derived conclusions and lack the uncertainty that characterizes the presentation of science among the scientific community.

A schematic representation of the distribution of new scientific information. As new scientific information is distributed from the center of the esoteric circle of specialized experts (Red) to more general experts (Orange) and to the exoteric circle of the general public (Yellow) it is modified to adjust to the target discourse community (taken from Yarden, Norris, & Phillips, 2015, prepared following Fleck, 1979/1935).

A schematic representation of the overall organization of research articles, including APL (taken from Yarden, Norris, & Phillips, 2015, prepared following Hill et al., 1982). 

Examples of APL-based learning materials (in Hebrew):

Zer-Kavod, G., & Yarden, A. (2013). Engineered bacteria produce biofuel from switchgrass (an adapted primary literature article). In: Gene Tamers – Studying Biotechnology Through Research (in Hebrew, 1st ed.). Rebovot: Department of Science Teaching, Weizmann Institute of Science.

Zer-Kavod, G., & Yarden, A. (2013). Immunization – the next generation: Developing genetically engineered eatable plants that can confer immunity against cholera and malaria (an adapted primary literature article). In: Gene Tamers – Studying Biotechnology Through Research (in Hebrew, 1st ed.). Rehovot: Department of Science Teaching, Weizmann Institute of Science.

Falk, H., Piontkevitz, Y., Brill, G., Baram, A., and Yarden, A. (2003). Gene Tamers: Studying Biotechnology Through Research. (in Hebrew, 1st ed., The Amos de-Shalit Israeli Center for Science Teaching, grades 10-12, 2nd edition 2005, 3rd edition 2013).

Yarden, A., and Brill, G. (1999). The Secrets of Embryonic Development: Study Through Research. (in Hebrew, 1st ed., The Amos de-Shalit Israeli Center for Science Teaching, grades 10-12, 2nd edition 2000, 3rd edition 2001, 4th edition 2004).