STUDENT TEACHERS’ REASONING PATTERNS WHILE SOLVING A CONTEXTUALIZED TASK ON THERMAL PHENOMENA

In this study three different patterns of reasoning have been identified: linear, star and combined reasoning. As six student teachers were working on a contextualized task on heat and temperature they showed these different patterns of reasoning during an interview situation. The data was analysed using reasoning maps. The patterns are also discussed in relation to the students' subject matter knowledge in this specific area. There are indications that the reasoning pattern is dependent on what kind of scientific subject matter knowledge the student reveals. Star and combined reasoning make it possible to look at the task from different angles and thereby develop fragmented knowledge into more comprehensive knowledge.