scholarly journals DEVELOPING EXPLANATORY MODELS OF MAGNETIC PHENOMENA THROUGH MODEL-BASED INQUIRY

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-360
Author(s):  
Meng-Fei Cheng ◽  
Jang-Long Lin ◽  
Ying-Chi Chang ◽  
Hsiao-Wen Li ◽  
Tsung-Yu Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computer Simulation ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Explanatory Models ◽  
Microscopic Level ◽  
Explanatory Model ◽  
Scientific Models ◽  
Scientific Modeling ◽  
Scientific Evaluation ◽  
Student Centered ◽  
Magnetic Phenomena

The main purpose of this study was to bridge the gap between how scientists practice and how students learn science. To achieve this, an innovative student-centered curriculum was designed to teach 42 undergraduate students. The program involved scaffolding activities, an interactive computer simulation, and reflection on scientific modeling criteria to address the students’ difficulties in reasoning at the microscopic level and the scientific evaluation of their models during their development of an explanatory model of magnetism. To address the students’ difficulties in reasoning at the microscopic level and the scientific evaluation of their models during their development of an explanatory model of magnetism, the program involved scaffolding activities, an interactive computer simulation, and reflection on scientific modeling criteria. The results of the study indicated that more than half the students developed scientific and coherent microscopic N-S dipole models to explain observed magnetic phenomena, and students’ understanding of the nature of models was significantly enhanced after the instruction. This study contributes to modeling theory and the methods that can help students self-develop scientific models of magnetism as opposed to rote learning. Key words: explanatory models, magnetism, modeling, scientific inquiry, undergraduate students.

Using metavisualization to revise an explanatory model regarding a chemical reaction between ions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solange Wagner Locatelli ◽  
Bette Davidowitz
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Chemical Reaction ◽  
Chemistry Education ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Explanatory Models ◽  
Explanatory Model ◽  
Future Application ◽  
Correct Figure ◽  
Real Life Situation

The objective of this work was to evaluate the implementation of a metavisual strategy for students to revise and self-regulate concepts arising in a study of a chemical reaction between ions. For this purpose, two chemistry education undergraduate students at a Brazilian public university carried out an investigative activity, involving metavisual steps, to revise explanatory models at the submicro level. Students were given a problem, namely a reaction between ions drawn from a real-life situation and were provided with clay to construct an explanatory model of the submicro level for the initial and final stages of the reaction. The students were asked to compare their clay model with an example of a scientifically correct figure of the submicro level of the reaction generated by the researchers. At this stage students were given the option to reconstruct their model. Data were captured via photographs of the clay models and students’ verbal discussions as they proceeded through the activity. The findings reveal evidence of self-regulation of mental models at the submicro level, from the interaction of prior knowledge, chemical diagrams and discussions and reflections by the pair of students. Difficulties regarding chemical formulae were also observed in relation to the symbolic level. Finally, there are implications for teaching chemistry, since teachers in training need to experience metavisual strategies for future application in their classrooms.

scholarly journals SCAFFOLDING MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS’ MODELING PROCESSES

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-217
Author(s):  
Meng-Fei Cheng ◽  
Jang-Long Lin ◽  
Shih-Yin Lin ◽  
Chi-Ho Cheng
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Middle School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Explanatory Models ◽  
Scientific Models ◽  
Scientific Modeling ◽  
Traditional Curriculum ◽  
School Students ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Comparison Groups

This research explores how scaffolding students’ reflections on scientific modeling criteria influence the students’ views on scientific models, development of explanatory models, and understanding of scientific models. This research recruited treatment groups and comparison groups in middle schools and high schools. The treatment groups adopted a modeling curriculum that was intended to help students engage in scientific modeling by developing scientific models of magnetism while considering scientific modeling criteria. The comparison groups used the traditional curriculum, which offers students scientific models of magnetism. The results show that the modeling curriculum enhanced the students’ views on scientific models and the students’ ability to develop explanatory models of magnetism and modeling criteria. Thus, the findings indicate that the modeling curriculum might serve as a promising tool to facilitate teaching scientific modeling to middle school and high school students, and that the curriculum should be promoted as early as middle school. Keywords: scientific modeling, modeling curriculum, nature of models and modeling, model development, model evaluation, magnetism concepts.

Comparison of a computer simulation program and a traditional laboratory practical class for teaching the principles of intestinal absorption.

1994 ◽  
Vol 267 (6) ◽  
pp. S95 ◽  
Author(s):  
D G Dewhurst ◽  
J Hardcastle ◽  
P T Hardcastle ◽  
E Stuart
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Epithelial Transport ◽  
Undergraduate Curriculum ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Knowledge Gain ◽  
Student Centered ◽  
Student Centered Learning ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Resource Requirements ◽  
Approach Working

Here we describe an evaluation of the effectiveness, compared with a traditional laboratory, of an interactive computer-assisted learning (CAL) program, which simulates a series of experiments performed using isolated, everted sacs of rat small intestine. The program is aimed at undergraduate students of physiology and is designed to offer an alternative student-centered learning approach to the traditional laboratory-based practical class. The evaluative study compared two groups of second-year undergraduate students studying a module on epithelial transport: one group worked independently using the CAL program and associated learning materials, and the other group followed a conventional practical class approach, working in the laboratory under supervision. Knowledge gain of each group was measured by means of a test consisting of a range of question types (e.g., short-answer factual, calculation, interpretation) given to students before and after the module. Student attitude to both approaches was assessed by questionnaire, and the resource requirements were also compared. It was found that the knowledge gain of both groups of students was the same, that students had a positive attitude toward using CAL programs of this type, and that the cost of the conventional laboratory-based approach was five times greater. The potential for integrating CAL programs into the undergraduate curriculum is discussed.

scholarly journals ‘Centering’ Teaching Excellence in Higher Education

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diarmaid Lane
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Learning Effectiveness ◽  
Corporate University ◽  
Teaching Excellence ◽  
Student Centered ◽  
Teaching Awards ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Significant Weakness

This paper explores the complexity of ‘teaching excellence’ (Kreber, 2002) in contemporary higher education. It describes how a university academic, who has been the recipient of numerous teaching awards, questions if they really are an ‘excellent teacher’ and if their student-centered philosophy is sustainable.  An analysis of data related to teaching and learning effectiveness over a seven year period highlights a significant weakness in how the academic approached the teaching of undergraduate students.  This had a subsequent negative effect on several levels.  The paper concludes by describing the merits of academics ‘centering’ themselves between the corporate university and the needs of students in striving for ‘teaching excellence’.

scholarly journals Portraits of Undergraduate Discipline-Specific Thinking: Guiding Students from Novice to Proficient Learner

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Stovey ◽  
Tiffany Trimmer
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Habits Of Mind ◽  
College Level ◽  
Student Centered ◽  
Cognitive Behaviors ◽  
Second Nature ◽  
Historical Methods ◽  
First Time

This case study presents our experiences, insights, and the pedagogical techniques used to guide undergraduate students toward discipline-specific thinking. It demonstrates the role of student-centered practices in moving students from what we categorize as novice to proficient, a common goal in rite-of-passage courses across the disciplines. Our study follows two semesters of students in undergraduate college-level Historiography and Historical Methods courses to identify common stumbling blocks encountered when learning contextualization (our discipline-specific thinking skill). We analyze students’ habits of mind, cognitive behaviors, and assumptions when learning to think differently. We present a qualitative portrait demonstrating the range of student cognitive behaviors as they attempt to move towards proficiency. As experts immersed in our fields of study and its practices, we can sometimes forget that what comes second-nature to us is far from natural to our students—regardless of their enthusiasm. We may overestimate the background knowledge that our students have, and underestimate the brain bandwidth required when trying—for the first time—to think differently.

scholarly journals The Inherent Limitation of Model Based Approach of Physical Sciences to Understand Universe

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jivesh Adhlakha
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Reasoning ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Physical World ◽  
Explanatory Models ◽  
Scientific Models ◽  
Correct Description ◽  
Physical Sciences ◽  
Inherent Limitation ◽  
Model Based

In this paper, through logical and mathematical reasoning, I have shown that the current ways in Physical Sciences, especially Physics, are not only limited but may also be delusional. Moreover, if not corrected, Physical Sciences will always remain as framework for building explanatory models rather than describing the reality. Through a series of arguments, I propose a conjecture theorem – Dilemma Theorem of Scientific Models- which essentially implies that it is impossible for Physical Sciences to discover and claim the correct description of Physical World using current model based approach, hence, making them just an attempt to discover probable models and their applications, rather than a way to find true picture of Physical World.

Blended Learning & the Redesign of Psyc 100

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bawks Jordan ◽  
Sammy Boggs
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Conceptual Understanding ◽  
Group Learning ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Small Group Learning ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Student Centered ◽  
Traditional Lecture ◽  
Learning Labs ◽  
Course Material

A great deal of research has shown that lectures with large class sizes struggle to promote active learning resulting in poor knowledge acquisition and retention as well as limited conceptual understanding. Based on the benefits observed for blending learning models and small group learning in the literature, Introductory Psychology (Psyc 100) at Queen’s has recently undergone a massive redesign with the goal of improving the student experience.The structure of Psyc 100 has been changed from 3 hours of traditional lecture a week to 1 hour of lecture, 1 hour of online learning, and 1 hour of learning lab per week. The goal of this redesign is to increase student engagement through learning labs, grant more freedom to pursue the course material via interactive online tasks, and delve deeper into exciting and relevant topics with more in-depth lectures.The labs are specially designed with a student-centered approach that helps learners to engage with fellow students and the material through group discussions, quizzes, games, and debates. Upper year students majoring in Psychology comprise approximately 2/3 of the tutorial facilitators for these labs, which provide undergraduate students with an important opportunity to take a more active role in the Psychology department and develop a love for teaching.We will present the research behind this redesign, demonstrate how it has been incorporated into the new Psyc 100 curriculum, and share our experiences as student facilitators through the ongoing refinement of the course.

scholarly journals Exploring the Perception of Students using Student-Centered Learning Approach in a Malaysian Public University

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 204
Author(s):  
Abderrahim Benlahcene Benlahcene ◽  
Sana Anwar Lashari ◽  
Tahira Anwar Lashari ◽  
Muhammad Waleed Shehzad ◽  
Wu Deli
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Public University ◽  
Learning Approach ◽  
Student Centered ◽  
Student Centered Learning ◽  
Cognitive Mediation ◽  
Classroom Activities ◽  
Learning Technique ◽  
Language Courses

This study investigated students’ perception towards language courses using student-centered learning approach at University Utara Malaysia (UUM). Students’ perception was measured through a model termed as environmental, cognitive, affective, and metacognitive mediation (ECAM) which is a common teaching and learning technique used in classroom activities. To assess the implementation of ECAM; qualitative analysis was conducted based on observations of students’ activities in two language courses. The findings of the study indicated that the students employed the techniques of ECAM model. However, cognitive mediation learning technique was extensively used by the students. Moreover, audio-taped interviews were also conducted with four voluntary undergraduate students. The findings from the interviews’ interpretation revealed that students also explicit positive viewpoints about student-centered learning approach.       

scholarly journals Digital school: Searching for Explanatory Models. Part 2

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 80-95
Author(s):  
Sergei Alevtinovich Smirnov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Human Development ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Behavioral Model ◽  
Explanatory Models ◽  
Cultural Development ◽  
Explanatory Model ◽  
Semantic Field ◽  
The Impact

Introduction. The purpose of the article is to consider the consequences of the virtual shift or virtual inversion, which has led to blurring the structure of the act of development proposed within the framework of cultural-historical psychology. In this regard, the problem is the need to develop an alternative to this phenomenon of inversion, and returning a person (both a school student and an adult mediator) their basic roles as subjects of development. Materials and Methods. The conceptual ideas of cultural-historical psychology including the idea of mediation, objective action, the semantic field, the role of an adult as a mediator in an act of development, were used as a methodological background of the research. Results. The article is the second part of the author’s previous publication. The paper considers the concept derived from L. S. Vygotsky’s cultural-historical psychology, which is proposed to be adopted as a basic one in order to build an explanatory model used by the author to describe and comprehend the phenomenon of transformation of the human development process in the new reality of the digital environment. The article introduces the basic principles and provisions, the explanatory model is built on, concerning the role of symbolic-instrumental mediation in human development, the role of an adult as a mediator, the structure of the act of thinking and the act of development, the basic mechanism of mastering a person's behavior, which permeates the formation of higher mental functions. The author compares this explanatory model and the behavioral model used in most modern research investigations that examine the impact of digital technologies on schoolchildren and students. The language of the model of cultural-historical psychology is used to clarify the reality of the current virtual shift (virtual inversion), according to which the main provisions that play the role of supports in the cultural-historical model are subjected to radical revision and transformation, due to which the process of human cultural development is called into question. In this regard, the author proposes to use the resource and project potential of cultural-historical psychology in order to develop new models on its basis, build a new research and project agenda that returns the main ideas of cultural-historical psychology within the framework of a new mixed hybrid reality, where digital technologies are becoming the tools of personal development. Conclusions. In conclusion, the work offers a cultural task for the further development of cultural-historical psychology. It is proposed to restore the adult-student relationship, restore the idea and the role of the semantic field for teaching a subject action, restore children's communities within the new social-digital hybrid reality, where digital technologies do not act as means enslaving students, but as smart mediators-assistants.

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