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| William
W. Cobern, Ph.D.
Professor of Science Education
Western Michigan University
Dr. Cobern received his undergraduate degree in biology
and chemistry from the University of California, San Diego (Revelle
College) in 1971. After teaching high school science for several
years he studied for his doctorate in science education at the University
of Colorado, Boulder receiving his Ph.D. in 1979. Dr. Cobern then
spent five years as a faculty member at the Usmano Dan Fodio University
of Sokoto, Nigeria. There he participated in the development of a
new science teacher education program and the development of education
programs for nomadic groups. His research was on the influence of
traditional culture on learning in formal school settings. Dr. Cobern
came away from that experience having given much thought to the notion
that for many students science is a second cultural experience. From
this basis in experience he developed a worldview theoretical framework
for conceiving of science as an aspect of culture which warrants
the assertion that meaningful science learning only occurs to the
extent that scientific knowledge can find a cognitive niche within
the everyday thinking of ordinary people. This theoretical work has
been developed in several publications which have been studied and
adopted by science education researchers in Africa and Australasia
who are struggling with cultural issues. In the USA, his work has
drawn the attention of science educators working with Native Americans,
African Americans, and religious communities. NSF has funded Dr.
Cobern's empirical studies of culture and science education, and
he has worked with the NSF sponsored Comprehensive Regional Center
for Minority Education in Arizona. Dr. Cobern has served on the editorial
board for the Journal of Research in Science Teaching. He
is the section editor for "Culture and Comparative Studies" for the
journal Science Education and is a charter editorial board
member for the Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics and Technology
Education He has guest lectured in Australia, Brazil, Israel,
Japan, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway and South Africa. He is committed
to the concept of culturally constructed, quality science education
for all.
At Western Michigan University, Dr. Cobern has joint
appointments in the Department of Teaching, Learning & Leadership
and the Department of Science Studies.
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