Thought Experiments
Thought experiments are a common methodology to present evidence and to promote reasoning in science classrooms (i.e., to promote evidence-based reasoning). Thought experiments are one of many ways of promoting evidence-based reasoning in the classroom. Other instructional strategies include:
wet labs: having students complete experiments in a laboratory or field-work setting
demonstrations: having teachers (and/or students) complete experiments in front of others
lab exercises: pencil and paper work where some components of a laboratory report are to be completed
field work: where teachers and students leave their classroom to visit the outside world
See the CRYSTAL Alberta website for a more complete list of evidential bases that might be used in the classroom.
For thought experiments:
the understanding comes through reflection on the situation
methodology is based on logic rather more than on empirical evidence
well structured hypothetical questions employ "What if?" reasoning
diagrams and hand-waving are common (to replace actual experimentation)
Consequences of thought experiments include:
challenging (or even refuting/falsifying) an accepted concept
confirming/verifying an accepted concept
establishing/creating a new concept
Examples of thought experiments include:
Newton's cannon
Galileo's leaning tower of Pisa experiment
Van Helmont's experiment
The above summary is presented in more detail in the files that are attached below. Check them out. Also see the teacher-education lesson plan for thought experiments and for evidential bases.