scholarly journals Inquiry-based Science Education and e-Learning

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 24-27
Author(s):  
Sofoklis A. Sotiriou
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Science Learning ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Scientific Practices ◽  
Learning Tools ◽  
Science Classrooms ◽  
Scientific Databases ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Higher Order Learning

Science classrooms (even in the time of the pandemic) should provide more challenging, inquiry-based, authentic and higher-order learning experiences allowing students to participate in scientific practices and tasks. Rich scientific databases, e-Learning tools and digital educational resources can serve as a catalyst for science learning. They can offer a better understanding of complex scientific research, making science understandable and interesting to the students.

scholarly journals EduSciFIT: A Computer-Based Blended and Scaffolding Toolbox to Support Numerical Concepts for Flipped Science Education

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 116 ◽  
Author(s):  
David González-Gómez ◽  
Jin Su Jeong
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Science Learning ◽  
Science Classroom ◽  
Science Laboratory ◽  
Positive Perception ◽  
Science Classrooms ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Positive Results ◽  
Scaffolding Learning

In education, the use of information, computers, and the Internet as a form of blended technology has been receiving increased attention and consideration. Additionally, increasing attention is being paid toward a scaffolding mechanism that can be integrated into science classrooms in order to solve technological challenges. This work describes a computer-based blended and scaffolding learning toolbox to support numerical concepts for flipped science education, particularly one which is developed and implemented in a MATLAB environment and framed in Adobe Captivate 6 as a HTML5-based e-Learning application, which can be used for science laboratory exercises. This toolbox, named SciEduFIT, is one of the blended and scaffolding learning systems available for use in science education. Through this toolbox, students can acquire the skills to establish the numerical concepts in a flipped science classroom. A survey was conducted to measure the suitability of the proposed toolbox, specifically A to E screens of SciEduFIT. The positive results of the survey indicate that this novel toolbox should be introduced into science classrooms in order to supplement other existing tools currently in use in the area of flipped science education. Therefore, the research shows a general positive perception of the toolbox and highlights the feasibility of the toolbox to achieve significant science learning.

scholarly journals Confronting repressive ideologies with critical pedagogy in science classrooms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilton Lodge
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Science Education ◽  
Critical Pedagogy ◽  
Science Teaching ◽  
Classroom Discourse ◽  
Science Learning ◽  
Educational Practice ◽  
Political Activity ◽  
Science Classrooms ◽  
Free Process

AbstractThe focus of this response to Arthur Galamba and Brian Matthews’s ‘Science education against the rise of fascist and authoritarian movements: towards the development of a Pedagogy for Democracy’ is to underpin a critical pedagogy that can be used as a counterbalancing force against repressive ideologies within science classrooms. Locating science education within the traditions of critical pedagogy allows us to interrogate some of the historical, theoretical, and practical contradictions that have challenged the field, and to consider science learning as part of a wider struggle for social justice in education. My analysis draws specifically on the intellectual ideas of Paulo Freire, whose work continues to influence issues of theoretical, political, and pedagogical importance. A leading social thinker in educational practice, Freire rejected the dominant hegemonic view that classroom discourse is a neutral and value-free process removed from the juncture of cultural, historical, social, and political contexts. Freire’s ideas offer several themes of relevance to this discussion, including his banking conception of education, dialog and conscientization, and teaching as a political activity. I attempt to show how these themes can be used to advance a more socially critical and democratic approach to science teaching.

scholarly journals Beyond model answers: learners’ perceptions of self-assessment materials in e-learning applications

2007 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Handley ◽  
Benita Cox
Keyword(s):  
Business Students ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Higher Order Learning ◽  
Idealised Model ◽  
Alternative Designs

The importance of feedback as an aid to self-assessment is widely acknowledged. A common form of feedback that is used widely in e-learning is the use of model answers. However, model answers are deficient in many respects. In particular, the notion of a ‘model’ answer implies the existence of a single correct answer applicable across multiple contexts with no scope for permissible variation. This reductive assumption is rarely the case with complex problems that are supposed to test students’ higher-order learning. Nevertheless, the challenge remains of how to support students as they assess their own performance using model answers and other forms of non-verificational ‘feedback’. To explore this challenge, the research investigated a management development e-learning application and investigated the effectiveness of model answers that followed problem-based questions. The research was exploratory, using semi-structured interviews with 29 adult learners employed in a global organisation. Given interviewees’ generally negative perceptions of the model-answers, they were asked to describe their ideal form of self-assessment materials, and to evaluate nine alternative designs. The results suggest that, as support for higher-order learning, self-assessment materials that merely present an idealised model answer are inadequate. As alternatives, learners preferred materials that helped them understand what behaviours to avoid (and not just ‘do’), how to think through the problem (i.e. critical thinking skills), and the key issues that provide a framework for thinking. These findings have broader relevance within higher education, particularly in postgraduate programmes for business students where the importance of prior business experience is emphasised and the profile of students is similar to that of the participants in this research.DOI: 10.1080/09687760601129539

scholarly journals Authentic STEM research, practices of science, and interest development in an informal science education program

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bobby Habig ◽  
Preeti Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Informal Science Education ◽  
Informal Science ◽  
Scientific Practices ◽  
Interest In Science ◽  
Interest Development ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Research Questions

Abstract Background Two critical challenges in science education are how to engage students in the practices of science and how to develop and sustain interest. The goal of this study was to examine the extent to which high school youth, the majority of whom are members of racial and ethnic groups historically underrepresented in STEM, learn the skills and practices of science and in turn develop interest in conducting scientific research as part of their career pursuits. To accomplish this goal, we applied Hidi and Renninger’s well-tested theoretical framework for studying interest development in the context of a museum-based, informal science education (ISE) program. We used a mixed methods approach, incorporating both survey and interview data, to address three research questions: (1) As youth engage in authentic science research, do they develop perceived competence in mastering the skills and practices of science? (2) Do participants increase, maintain, or decrease interest in science research as a result of this experience? (3) How does participation in scientific practices manifest in non-program contexts? Results Our study yielded three main results. First, we found that participants developed competence in mastering several of the skills and practices of science. Strikingly, there was significant improvement in self-reported level of competency for 15 specific research skills. Second, we found that participants maintained their interest in scientific research over time. Our post-survey results revealed that one hundred percent of students were either excited about or expressed deep interest in scientific research. Based on a Phases of Interest Development Rubric developed for this study, most participants exhibited emerging individual interest. Finally, participants exhibited significant increases in the frequency in which they engaged in scientific practices outside of the program. Conclusions Our findings suggest that participation in authentic research in an ISE context affords youth critical opportunities for gaining mastery of several of the skills and practices of science, which in turn reinforces, and in some cases increases participants’ interest in scientific research beyond the span of the program.

scholarly journals The important elements of LMS design that affect user engagement with e-learning tools within LMSs in the higher education sector

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nastaran Zanjani
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
Learning Tools ◽  
Central Platform ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Higher Order Learning ◽  
Data Continuity ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
Design Factors

<p class="abstract"><span lang="EN-US">In recent years, universities have been under increased pressure to adopt e-learning practices for teaching and learning. In particular, the emphasis has been on learning management systems (LMSs) and associated collaboration tools to provide opportunities for sharing knowledge, building a community of learners, and supporting higher order learning and critical thinking through conversation and collaboration. Due to the greater level of</span><span lang="EN-GB"> data continuity, reliability, and privacy that LMSs can provide compared to the available free applications, LMSs are still the central platform for many universities to deliver e-learning. Therefore, it is vital to investigate the LMS structure requisites that affect user engagement. This paper focuses on the important LMS design factors that influence user engagement with e-learning tools within LMSs. Results were extracted from 74 interviews about Blackboard with students and lecturers within a major Australian university. </span>A user-friendly structure, avoidance of too many tools and links, support for privacy and anonymous posting, and more customisable student-centred tools were identified as LMS design factors that affect user engagement<span lang="EN-US">.</span></p>

scholarly journals The opportunities and challenges for ICT in science education

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-22
Author(s):  
Vesna Ferk Savec
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Content Knowledge ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Science Classrooms ◽  
Pedagogical Content ◽  
Service Training ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Learning Platforms

The article examines the opportunities and challenges for the use of ICT in science education in the light of science teachers’ Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK). Some of the variables that have been studied with regard to TPACK framework in science classrooms (such as teachers' self-efficacy, gender, teaching experience, teachers’ believes, etc.) are reviewed, also variations of TPACK framework specific for science education are elaborated. In conclusion some of the aspects of TPACK in science education that need to be addressed in future are indicated, e.g. the development of subject specific ICT-based resources and e-learning platforms; training to develop science teachers’ integrated skills for the implementation of ICT in their subject teaching; the importance of continuous encouraging of science teachers’ for their participation in in-service training related to the use of ICT; and the examination of the role of science teachers’ TPACK in developing of students’ 21st century trans-disciplinary skills.

PERSONIFICATION OF STUDENTS INDEPENDENT WORK ON THE FORMATION OF THE ABILITY TO SOLVE COMPUTATIONAL PROBLEMS ON THE BASIS OF AUTOMATED TRAINING AND DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM

2018 ◽  
pp. 26-32
Author(s):  
N. I. Pak ◽  
E. V. Asaulenko
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic System ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Box Model ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Learning Tools ◽  
Theoretical Rationale ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Independent Work ◽  
Selection Of

The relevance of the study under consideration is due to the need to increase the efficiency of students independent work in solving computational problems. A theoretical rationale is proposed and the practical implementation of an automated training and diagnostic system for the formation of skills to solve problems according to the “white box” model is described. The leading idea of the study is the construction of mental schemes for a given topic, which allow to visualize the dynamics of changes in the learner’s level of ability to solve computational problems. The methods of accounting for forgetting educational information and methods of personalized selection of tasks are substantiated. The site for self-management of user independent work is available at the link: http://msbx.ru. The materials of the article are of practical value for teachers who use e-learning tools in the educational process.

ANALYSIS OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES ON COMPUTER - A STUDY ON PUNJAB UNIVERSITY, INDIA

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 354-358
Author(s):  
Dr Gunmala Suri ◽  
Sneha Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Learning Activities ◽  
Information Collection ◽  
Learning Tools ◽  
Student Activities ◽  
Group Activities ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Faculty Department ◽  
Self Learning

The purpose of this research is to investigate and understand how students are using computer. The activities that a student undertakes with the help of computers which might be fulfilling some academic or non academic purpose, is of great interest. It will help in understanding the limitations and potentials offered by the technology for use of computer in classroom. This paper brings out the three major kinds of activities that students undertake with computer; self learning activities, Information collection tasks and communication and group activities. The study further analyses the effect of demographics i.e. gender, age and faculty (department) of students on the activities with computer. The results show that gender has no impact on the activities of students with computer. The age impacts only the activities related to Information collection by using computer where as the faculty of student significantly impacts all the activities viz. self learning activities, Information collection tasks and communication and group activities. The findings from this research can be used in designing future e-learning initiatives and development e-learning tools

Investigating the Availability, Accessibility and use of E-Learning Resources by Undergraduate Students in University of Ilorin, Kwara State

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oluyinka Titilope Afolayan
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Virtual Classroom ◽  
Learning Resources ◽  
Learning Tools ◽  
Transfer Of Knowledge ◽  
Educational Benefits ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Main Instrument ◽  
Effective Use

The availability and use of e-learning resources in the acquisition and transfer of knowledge have been observed as a steering agent that facilitates the realization of major educational benefits in a developing economy. This study investigated the availability, accessibility, and use of e-learning tools by undergraduate students in the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, including the challenges limiting the full exploitation of e-learning resources for optimal usage and efficient e-service delivery. The methodology adopted for this research was purely survey design using the questionnaire approach as the main instrument for data collection. From the findings, limited availability, accessibility and usage of e-learning resources by the undergraduate students were revealed. The findings further showed that the major challenges hindering the effective use of e-learning resources amongst University of Ilorin students include lack of sophisticated e-learning resources such as teleconferencing, video conferencing, virtual classroom among others and high cost in the procurement of facilities that support e-learning. Based on these findings, recommendations are made towards addressing the challenges encountered by students in the utilization of e-learning resources in higher institutions of learning.

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