scholarly journals Investigated effects of guided inquiry-based learning approach on students’ conceptual change and durability

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 674-685
Author(s):  
Ayberk Bostan Sarioglan ◽  
Ibrahim Gedik
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Middle School Students ◽  
Conceptual Change ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Sixth Grade ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Learning Approach ◽  
Guided Inquiry ◽  
School Students ◽  
Inquiry Based Learning

This study aims to investigate the effect of guided inquiry-based learning approach on conceptual change and durability of sixth-grade middle school students regarding density concept. In this study, qualitative research methods were used. The study group consisted of 26 students studying in the sixth grade of a state middle school in the western part of Turkey. The data collection tool Test of Conceptual Understanding of Density (TCUD), including three open-ended questions, was used. TCUD was administered to the students in the study group before, immediately after, 6 weeks after and 24 weeks after the instruction. The results showed that the rate of giving scientific answers about the density concept of increased, whereas the rate of misconceptions decreased. It was also determined that the students were able to preserve scientific knowledge 6 and 24 weeks after the instruction, even if it was not the same as after the instruction. The effect of the course content which was prepared by following the guided inquiry-based learning approach on students' conceptual change and durability regarding the concept of density was discussed within the scope of the relevant literature and suggestions were made for further studies.    Keywords: Conceptual change, conceptual durability, guided inquiry, middle school students

Polygon Capture: A Geometry Game

1998 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-94
Author(s):  
William M. Carroll
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Middle School Students ◽  
Conceptual Understanding ◽  
Sixth Grade ◽  
Fifth Grade ◽  
School Students ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Evaluation Standards ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
School Curricula

The curriculum and evaluation standards for School Mathematics (NCTM 1989) calls for an increased role for geometry in the primary and middle school curricula. An important mathematical strand in its own right, geometry also provides opportunities to promote and assess mathematical communication, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Unfortunately, many students lack the vocabulary and the conceptual understanding needed to desctibe geometric relationships. This atiicle describes a game, Capture the Polygons, that I have designed to help middle school students think about geometric properties and the relationships among them. A version of the game has been tested in firth- and sixth-grade classes as part of the field test of Fifth Grade Everyday Mathematics (Bell et al. 1995). Observations of classes playing the game, as well as feedback from their teachers, indicate that students find the game challenging but fun. Depending on the background of the students, it can be played at different levels of difficulty.

scholarly journals Development of Science Motivation Scale

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustafa Dogru ◽  
Tuna Gencosman ◽  
Cem Oktay Guzeller ◽  
Kevser Korumaz
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Academic Success ◽  
Middle School Students ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Independent Study ◽  
Study Group ◽  
School Students ◽  
Factor Analysis Model ◽  
Cronbach Alpha ◽  
Confirmatory Factor

Motivation is the most important factor which affects the academic success of the students. Students who have higher motivation engage more to the class activities. One of the reasons for having negative perspective and low academic success of student in science is that students have low motivation for science lessons. The purpose of the study is developing a scale to show motivation of middle school students towards science lessons. Data used in research gained from two independent study groups. The first study group (N=498) is used to determine the structure of factor of the study. The second study group (N=275) is used to test consistence of model and data. Total number of students in the study group is 773. The expression of the motivation of middle school students is shown with 52 items consisting of 2 sub-dimensions which are internal motivation and external motivation. 12 of these items are negative substances for the motivational elements of the science lessons. According to data obtained from the scales, explanatory and confirmatory factor analyzes were carried out during the process of testing the structural validity of the scale. As a result of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, model which consists of 21 items and 1 factor is appropriate for both theoretically and statistically. Reliability of the scale is examined by Cronbach Alpha coefficient calculated based on the internal consistency of the items and testing again. The Cronbach Alpha internal consistency reliability coefficient of the scale is 0.79. Considering the results of reliability, it can be said that the scale has sufficient level of reliability. It can be thought that the scale can show the motivation of the students.

scholarly journals Contributions regarding combating obesity in middle school students (girls) from rural areas through motor activities

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (19) ◽  
pp. 125-129
Author(s):  
Adrian Cojocariu ◽  
Valentin Albu
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Middle School Students ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
The Body ◽  
Study Group ◽  
School Age ◽  
School Students ◽  
Physical Exercises ◽  
Motor Activities ◽  
Physical Program

Abstract The present research aims to identify and justify adequate forms to practice physical exercises, curricular and extracurricular, that lead to effective results in combating obesity in middle school students. The study group consisted of 12 female subjects, pupils of middle school age from rural areas. The experiment was conducted during seven months, including an initial test in October and a final one in May. The final results show a clear improvement in the value of the body mass index (BMI) of subjects involved in the experiment. Therefore, it is proposed to use the physical program from the experiment in order to decrease weight, in overweight or obese pupils in middle schools.

Using Geospatial Technology to Promote Middle School Students' Critical Thinking on Socioscientific Issues

2020 ◽  
pp. 47-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wardell Anthony Powell
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Middle School Students ◽  
Socioscientific Issues ◽  
Sixth Grade ◽  
Geospatial Technologies ◽  
School Students ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Summer Enrichment ◽  
Enrichment Program ◽  
The Impact

This chapter is a demonstration of how to use geospatial technologies to promote middle school students' abilities to think critically and to argue persuasively on socioscientific issues. Forty-three sixth grade students from a summer enrichment program operated by a non-profit organization in the northeastern United States participated in this study. The duration of this curricular unit took place over five consecutive 1-hour period blocks. The researcher utilized qualitative procedures to analyze the students' abilities to think critically and to argue persuasively on socioscientific issues. The results indicate that the students' background knowledge on the impact of human activities on climate change was enhanced with the use of videos, graphics, audio-visuals, and other hands-on activities. Additionally, the knowledge the students gained from the events in this investigation enhanced their abilities to propose convincing arguments in opposition or support for the socioscientific issues investigated.

scholarly journals Opinions of Middle School Students on the Justice Concept within the Framework of Social Studies Education

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 210
Author(s):  
Sibel Oguz Hacat
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Middle School Students ◽  
Social Studies ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
School Students ◽  
Sample Group ◽  
School Year ◽  
Document Review ◽  
The City

The aim of this study is to reveal the opinions of middle school students about the justice concept.  The study was carried out in accordance with the document review technique, which is one of the qualitative research methods. The study group consists of 82 students attend in 7th grade receiving education at a middle school in the city of Kastamonu in the school year 2016-2017. Data was obtained using semi-structured interviews consisting of open-ended questions. This data was interpreted using content analysis and by way of coding. Middle school students’ opinions on justice concept are represented in 8 different categories and they use 7 different sayings relating to the justice concept. Whereas the justice concept is most often explained as “Rightfulness”, it is least often conceived as “Abstinence from Committing Crimes”. It is observed that the saying “Justice can do what swords cannot” is used by middle school students most often, and the saying “No merit can be more noble than justice” least often. In light of this information, middle school students can be provided with environments in which they can internalize the justice concept. Furthermore, results about justice can be drawn when its content is broadened. We can do scientific study about justice in more detail by increasing sample group.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document