Abstract :
Causal understanding is the goal of much teaching, instruction and communication but it can be difficult to achieve. Here, the understanding of cause-effect situations is described in terms of the construction of a generative mental model and is exemplified with instances drawn from science teaching. The absence of understanding is described in terms of failure in construction, reconstruction, or in allied processes. On this basis, some general and particular ways of supporting understanding are described. These refer to the provision and withholding of conceptual structures and include analogies. Focused and strategic support within this provision is described and the need to consider all the processes involved when designing activities and support materials is emphasised.
