scholarly journals Developing critical thinking skills towards biology course using two active learning strategies

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 221-237
Author(s):  
Raghad Shaher Alsarayreh

This study aimed to identify the impact of teaching critical thinking skills on the attitude towards biology courses among female students of tenth grade in Jordan using two active learning strategies. To achieve this, the Critical Thinking Scale and the Attitude towards Biology Scale was used, and its validity and consistency were verified. The sample of the study wad (90) female students from the tenth grade in Southern Mazar Directorate in the academic year (2019-2020). The sample of this study was randomly assigned to three groups: the first was experimental group which consisted of (31) students who studied the genetics unit using the directed investigation strategy. The second was the experimental group which consisted of (29) students who studied the genetics unit using the discussion strategy, but the control group consisted of (30) students who studied the genetics unit in the usual way. Data were collected and analyzed after implementing the experiment, which lasted for two months. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences in performance on the Critical Thinking Scale and the Attitude towards Biology Scale in favor of the two experimental groups. The study recommended adopting active learning strategies in teaching science courses in general and biology courses, in addition to conducting more studies on active learning strategies with other variables and classrooms.   Keywords: active learning, investigation, discussion, critical thinking, attitude towards biology

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-10
Author(s):  
Genevieve Pinto Zipp ◽  
Catherine Maher

The results of this study suggests that students have positive perceptions regarding Class Supported Clinical Visitation (CSCV) as a learning technique that may promote active learning and critical thinking. While the data obtained from this limited educational experience cannot be generalized, it does offer some insight into the usefulness of the CSCV learning technique.  Based upon these findings further work can begin to explore student’s perceptions of its usefulness in a larger diverse health science student population. Second, future work must assess if CSCV is truly effective in developing a student’s ability to think critically. Finally, one must ask is CSCV more effective than other active learning strategies currently used to promote critical thinking.


Author(s):  
Abdallah Mohammad Shehab, Iyad Abdallah Al- Shreifeen

The study aimed to investigate the impact of teaching biology using active learning strategies in the acquisition of the tenth- grade students in the Directorate of Education of the of Irbid to the concepts and skills of scientific thinking. The study consisted of (148) male and female students distributed in two groups, each group consisting of (74) male and female students, the first group studied by using active learning strategies, the second group studied in the usual ways. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences at the level of significance (α≤ 0.05), in the performance on the two- post conceptual acquisition tests. Where the experimental group got a total average (29.43 out of 40) while the control group got a total average (22.42 out of 40), and in post- scientific thinking skills the experimental got a total average (27.61 out of 40) while the control got a total average (21.43 out of 40) ), The difference in favor of the experimental group. The results of the study also showed that there was a significant statistical difference in favor of sex for the male students in acquisition of scientific concepts and scientific thinking skills. In addition, there were no significant differences due to the interaction between the teaching process and sex. For both tests. The findings also showed that there was a strong positive direct correlation between the students’ post acquisition of scientific concepts test and post Scientific Thinking test reached (0.994). The study recommended, according to the findings of the study, to include Active Learning Strategies in the teachers’ preparation programs before and during their service.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
Dr. Jehad .Abed Rabbo

This study aims to examine the impact of using some of the skills of the (CoRT) program on the development of critical thinking skills among a sample of talented students in King Abdullah II School of Excellence in Tafila Governorate. The sample consisted of 60 male and female students randomly selected. They were divided into two groups: an experimental group that consisted of 30 students exposed to the acquisition of the skills of the CoRT program and the control group that consisted of 30 students who did not study the program. The Watson Glaser critical thinking test was also applied. The results shows a statistically significant effect, at (α≤ 0.05), in improving the critical thinking skills of the students of the experimental group and shows a statistically significant effect on the test of critical thinking skills due to the variable of educational level and for the favor of the ninth grade. The study also reveals that there were no statistically significant differences in the test of critical thinking skills in relation to the the gender variable. The researcher recommends developing the teacher competencies to teach the skills of thinking in general and critical thinking skills, in particular, through the conducting of courses, seminars, and workshops in the CoRT program.


Author(s):  
Thuraya Taslam Hadi Al Othman

The study was designed to investigate the effect of using the Marzano model in developing the critical thinking skills of the 10th grade students in social education. The study sample consisted of (66) female students of the tenth grade, which included two groups: the experimental group and the number of female students (33) The officer (33) is a student. The study followed the semi-experimental approach to the application of the study to the tenth grade students. The researcher prepared a test to measure the skills of critical thinking. It consists of (10) paragraphs divided into three fields (analysis, evaluation, conclusion) In order to measure the tribal and remote performance in the two study groups.  The results of the study showed that there is a statistically significant difference at the level of (α = 0.05) in the critical thinking skills of the 10th grade students in the social education field in Jordan due to the teaching method according to the Marzano model.  Based on the results, the study came out with several recommendations, the most important of which are: encouraging teachers to use modern methods of education, holding workshops for teachers to teach them the importance of critical thinking, and the importance of modern models in education.


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. ar39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie L. Styers ◽  
Peter A. Van Zandt ◽  
Katherine L. Hayden

Although development of critical thinking skills has emerged as an important issue in undergraduate education, implementation of pedagogies targeting these skills across different science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines has proved challenging. Our goal was to assess the impact of targeted interventions in 1) an introductory cell and molecular biology course, 2) an intermediate-level evolutionary ecology course, and 3) an upper-level biochemistry course. Each instructor used Web-based videos to flip some aspect of the course in order to implement active-learning exercises during class meetings. Activities included process-oriented guided-inquiry learning, model building, case studies, clicker-based think–pair–share strategies, and targeted critical thinking exercises. The proportion of time spent in active-learning activities relative to lecture varied among the courses, with increased active learning in intermediate/upper-level courses. Critical thinking was assessed via a pre/posttest design using the Critical Thinking Assessment Test. Students also assessed their own learning through a self-reported survey. Students in flipped courses exhibited gains in critical thinking, with the largest objective gains in intermediate and upper-level courses. Results from this study suggest that implementing active-learning strategies in the flipped classroom may benefit critical thinking and provide initial evidence suggesting that underrepresented and first-year students may experience a greater benefit.


sjesr ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 386-394
Author(s):  
Tahseen Akbar ◽  
Dr. Mumtaz Akhtar

The study was conducted to find out the effect of cooperative learning strategies on students’ skill of interpretation and analysis at the higher secondary level. The research was quantitative. A pre-test post-test control group design was adopted for the study. One female public sector higher secondary school of district Sargodha was the population of the study. 60 students of grade XI were selected as a sample by using a simple random sampling technique. Two groups were formed: experimental and control comprising thirty students each. The experimental group was taught by applying cooperative learning strategies; jigsaw and scripted cooperation, while the conventional method was used to teach the control group. The period of intervention was sixteen weeks and English book I for grade XI was selected as content for intervention. A self-made test was used to assess the skills of interpretation and analysis as pretest and posttest. Data of pretest and posttest were analyzed by applying paired sample t-test. Analysis of the data showed a significant difference between pretest and posttest scores of the experimental group. On the other hand, there was no significant improvement seen in the control group. Teachers were recommended to use cooperative learning strategies to develop the critical thinking skills of the students.


SEEU Review ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brikena Xhaferi ◽  
Gezim Xhaferi

Abstract Learning through reflection is one of the most interesting experiences that students might have. It is considered a very good tool for self-assessing learning. It is believed that “teachers who promote reflective classrooms ensure that students are fully engaged in the process of making meaning” (Costa and Kallick, 2008, para.5). Dewey (1991) was among the first researchers who based his work and research on the positive roles that reflection plays in fostering self-reflection and critical thinking. He has defined it as an active, persistent and careful consideration of any belief. Reflections give students opportunities to think and reflect about their learning and note down the obstacles they might face during this process. The present study aims to investigate the impact of journal writing in promoting critical-thinking skills, and its impact on enhancing learning. The study uses two instruments, a student refection journal and an interview. Also, Marzano’s New Taxonomy of Educational Objectives developed in 2000 was used in the third phase of the study. This Taxonomy contains Three Systems: the Self-system, the Metacognitive system and the Cognitive system. The overall study results show that reflection journals help students to become more independent learners, reflect on their learning experiences and identify the most useful learning strategies. Most importantly, all study participants hold positive attitudes towards reflection and they consider it as a valuable tool which can increase learning.


Author(s):  
Wadha H. Al-Otaibi

The study aimed at identifying the effectivness of a suggested model for learning through projects based on shared learning in developing critical thinking skills and self-efficiency in Princess Nourah bint Abdularhman University (PNU). The study included a sample of 76 students from the specialization of primary level teachers in PNU randomly chosen, in which 39 students represented the experimental group. This group was taught the course of learning through projects using a suggested model. The other 37 students formed the control group and were taught the course in the conventional teaching manner. The critical thinking test and the self-efficiency scale were both administered before and after the experiment. The study revealed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the means between the experimental and control groups in the critical thinking skills test and the self-efficiency sclae in favor of the experimental group. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-94
Author(s):  
H. Halimah

This paper presents experimental results about the use of the Critical Literacy Approach (CLA) in literary appreciation using Indonesian short stories. The purpose of the study is to find better teaching strategies to improve students’ critical thinking skills and critical awareness to comprehend the conditions of the world, including social relationships involving disproportionate power relations. This study uses the randomized pretest-posttest control group design (RPPCGD), which is a randomized design by giving pretest and posttest to the experimental group (CLA) and control group (expository). The effect of both teaching strategies is calculated through the difference between the pretest and posttest of both groups. This research involved 170 students in the Department of Indonesian Language and Literature Education of an education university in Indonesia. The results are presented in the form of analytical descriptions of paired samples test and paired samples correlations of each group. The results show that students who did a short story analysis with CLA had significantly increased critical thinking skills and critical awareness compared to students of expository strategy. The average posttest of the experimental group is 80.33, which is considerably higher than the control group, with an average of 76.13. The average increase in skills (posttest-pretest) of the experimental group is 38.71 points, and the control groups have an average increase of 31.19 points. Therefore, it is clear that the teaching of literary appreciation using Indonesian short stories with CLA is effective. The use of CLA strategies in increasing students’ critical thinking skills and critical awareness through literary appreciation of Indonesian short stories shows positive results. The results of this study can contribute to the field of learning design with new ideas to improve critical thinking skills and critical awareness of Indonesian students through effective short story analysis or fictional prose analysis.


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