Description:
The role of aesthetic experiences in learning science, on universityundergraduate courses and in primary schools, was examined in avein inspired by Dewey and the later Wittgenstein. The study showshow aesthetic and normative aspects of learning science are intima-tely related, and that aesthetic experiences are moments of antici-pation and consummation. In such instances, aesthetics is not onlyan expression of joy, but also something that is integrated withcommunicating desirable ways of proceeding, and learning whatenables us to progress, both from the individual’s point of viewand in terms of communicating science. Aesthetic language is usedby teachers and students in establishing norms of action, and intalking about what objects, events and actions are to be includedand excluded. Aesthetic experiences are also intimately linked tothe ability of students to participate.