scholarly journals LIFE SCIENCES TEACHERS’ CONCEPTIONS ABOUT SOCIOSCIENTIFIC ISSUES IN THE TOPIC EVOLUTION

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mokgadi Relela ◽  
◽  
Lydia Mavuru ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Life Sciences ◽  
Socioscientific Issues ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
Theory Of Evolution ◽  
Topic Evolution

The goal of science education is emphatically positioned on promoting science literacy. The rationale is learners should not only learn about scientific knowledge and processes but also on how to apply the knowledge when making decisions about heterogenous societal and personal issues. Previous research has indicated that by addressing socioscientific issues (SSIs) when teaching controversial science topics, it provides a suitable context for developing scientific literacy in learners. Scientifically literate learners are well-informed citizens with regards to the social, ethical, economic, and political issues impacting on contemporary society. The theory of evolution is one such Life Sciences topic deeply embedded with SSIs. Teachers are conflicted when teaching this topic due to the controversy surrounding the theory as they view the teaching of evolution as a way of negating the legitimacy of their religious and cultural convictions. It is against this background that the study sought to answer the research question: How do Life Sciences teachers conceptualise socioscientific issues embedded in the topic evolution? In an explanatory mixed method approach, a questionnaire with both quantitative and qualitative questions was administered to 28 randomly selected grade 12 Life Sciences teachers. Data was analysed and descriptive statistics were obtained, and themes generated. The findings showed that all the participants were knowledgeable about the SSIs embedded in the topic evolution. In justifying their conceptions 61% of the teachers perceived SSIs as important in improving learners’ reasoning and argumentative skills; developing learners’ critical thinking skills; and in informing learners in decision making. There were however 11% of the teachers who pointed out that SSIs as too sensitive to deal with hence not suitable to teach young learners. Though the teachers were knowledgeable about the SSIs embedded in the theory of evolution, it does not mean that they could address them when teaching the various concepts of evolution. The main source of the controversy rose from the evolution of humankind versus the Christian belief in the six-day special creation. The participants (25%) indicated that evolution challenges peoples’ religious and cultural convictions, which conflicts both the teachers and learners to question or go against their religious beliefs. Several teachers pointed out that some of the concepts on evolution such as ‘living organisms share common ancestry (18%) and ‘the formation of new species from existing species’ (11%), undermine the superiority of human beings over other organisms. The findings have implications for both pre-and in-service teacher professional development.

scholarly journals Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills through Political Cartoons: A Pedagogical Implementation

2018 ◽  
pp. 141-163
Author(s):  
Maria Teresa Esteban Nuñez ◽  
Adriana Marquez Medina ◽  
Jhon Everth Ortiz Cubides
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Political Cartoons ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
English Students

This article reports a pedagogical implementation carried out with pre-intermediate English students, in an English teacher preparation program at a public university in Colombia. This pedagogical implementation aimed to provide this population with a space to enhance their critical thinking skills through the implementation of a variety of task-based workshops where they were asked to observe, analyze, reflect and discuss about some political cartoons. The data to answer the research question was collected using class video-recordings, students’ artifacts and a focus group. As a result of the pedagogical implementation, it was possible to identify how these students became aware of some social and political issues affecting them and their close context, and the importance of stating a position in front of them. Furthermore, students suggested that the workshops developed had shown them a possible pedagogical path they could follow in their future as language teachers.

scholarly journals Assessing the Critical Thinking Skills of Students at Higher Secondary Level

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 451-462
Author(s):  
Uzma Shahzadi ◽  
Syed Nasir Hussain ◽  
Mubashrah Jamil
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Secondary Level ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Thinking Skill ◽  
Critical Thinking Skill ◽  
Teaching Methodologies ◽  
Multistage Sampling

The ultimate aim of education is to develop human beings in such a way that they can act beneficial for themselves as well as for the society and can think well and think critically. Development of critical thinking skills is the fundamental aim of education. The present study intended to assess the critical thinking skills among students at higher secondary level in the province of Punjab, Pakistan. The study is quantitative in nature. Population of the study comprises students enrolled in higher secondary level in Punjab. Multistage sampling technique was used to select the sample. A self-developed multiple choice item test was used to assess the critical thinking skills among students. Expert opinion was taken to validate the test and reliability coefficient was 0.86. It was found that majority of students did not perform satisfactory on the critical thinking skill test and scored low on all dimensions of critical thinking skills. The study concluded that curriculum and teaching methodologies along with assessment practices are not worth inculcating critical thinking skills among students. The study recommended that curriculum at higher secondary level might be redesigned and development of critical thinking skill through teaching methodologies might take into consideration by the institutes.

scholarly journals The Practicality of Teaching Materials on Types of Crab in the Mangrove Forest Area to Improve Critical Thinking Skills for Islamic High School Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Nahri Fauzan ◽  
Mochamad Arief Soendjoto ◽  
Muhammad Zaini
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Mangrove Ecosystem ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Teaching Materials ◽  
School Students ◽  
Roles And Responsibilities ◽  
Good Improvement

The crab is an organism that has pe a major role in the mangrove ecosystem. The preservation of the mangrove ecosystem cannot be separated from the roles and responsibilities of humans. This can be started by creating awareness and practicing thinking skills to provide solutions to various existing environmental problems. According to the results of the TIMSS study, the low scientific ability of Indonesian students, especially its implementation in the form of scientific literacy, has not shown a good improvement so that learning innovations are needed, one of which is the manufacture of environment-based teaching materials. The purpose of this study was to describe the practicality of the teaching materials "Crab Types in the Mangroves Area" in training students' critical thinking skills at MAN Tanah Laut. The type of research used is the Tessmer formative test. The research data were analyzed descriptively, practical data included the feasibility of using teaching material and student responses, indicating that the teaching materials developed were practical for use in learning and could improve the critical thinking skills of MA students.Abstrak Kepiting merupakan organisme yang memiliki peran besar dalam ekosistem mangrof. Kelestarian ekosistem mangrof tidak luput dari peran dan tanggung jawab manusia. Hal ini dapat dimulai dari menciptakan kesadaran dan melatih keterampilan berpikir agar dapat memberikan solusi-solusi dari berbagai permasalahan lingkungan yang ada.  Hasil studi TIMSS menunjukkan rendahnya kemampuan sains siswa Indonesia terutama implementasinya dalam bentuk literasi sains belum menunjukkan adanya peningkatan yang baik sehingga diperlukan inovasi pembelajaran salah satunya dengan pembuatan bahan ajar berbasis lingkungan. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mendeskripsikan kepraktisan Bahan Ajar “Jenis Kepiting di Kawasan Mangrof” dalam melatihkan keterampilan berpikir kritis siswa MAN Tanah Laut. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah uji formatif Tessmer. Data hasil penelitian dianalisis secara deskriptif, data kepraktisan meliputi kepraktisan penggunaan bahan ajar dan respon siswa, menunjukkan bahwa bahan ajar yang dikembangkan praktis untuk digunakan dalam pembelajaran dan dapat meningkatkan kemampuan berpikir kritis siswa MA.

scholarly journals COVID-19 MISINFORMATION: HOW DOES SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION LITERACY PREVENT IT?

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-76
Author(s):  
Muhammad Retsa Rizaldi Mujayapura ◽  
Karim Suryadi ◽  
Sardin Sardin
Keyword(s):  
Information Literacy ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
The Public ◽  
Information Literacy Skills ◽  
News Literacy

This article aims to examine the importance of information literacy and scientific literacy skills to prevent exposure to misinformation in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Believing in misinformation encourages behaviour that is detrimental to individuals and groups due to anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and a lack of critical thinking skills. This study uses a qualitative approach with a systematic literature review (SLR) method. Through the SLR method, this article uses various sources of empirical research by collecting data and information to analyze elements in information literacy and scientific literacy that can identify misinformation. Information literacy is considered to be more useful in preventing belief in misinformation compared to the concepts of digital literacy, media literacy, and news literacy. Information literacy skills with information verification, and supported by scientific literacy with intellectual virtue, can recognize misinformation about COVID-19 so that it can prevent individuals from believing in misinformation that can result in errors of action. Scientific information literacy needs practical intervention to the public, one of which is through the role of educational institutions.

scholarly journals Enhancement of Professional Behaviours and Perceptions of Critical Skill Job Preparedness through the Use of a Group Work Contract in Fourth-Year Nutritional Science Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Nadia M Cartwright ◽  
Payal Patil ◽  
Danyelle M Liddle ◽  
Genevieve Newton ◽  
Jennifer M Monk
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Group Work ◽  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Collaborative Group ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Nutritional Science ◽  
Work Contract

Collaborative group assignments in undergraduate education are important for promoting skill development and preparation for the workplace; however, they are subject to the challenges associated with group dynamics. We determined the effectiveness of a Group Work Contract to facilitate professional behaviours and positive experiences amongst fourth year nutritional science students (n=144) while working collaboratively to complete a Group Literature Critique Assignment designed to promote scientific literacy and critical thinking skills. Changes in students’ attitudes and approaches to group work were assessed before and after completion of the contract and the assignment via two online surveys (Pre- and Post-Group Work Surveys). Completion of the Group Work Contract improved group dynamics including i) frequency of communication, ii) distribution of effort between group members, iii) mutual reliability, iv) respectfulness and inclusivity. Students also reported fewer group problems and an improved ability to work collaboratively in problem solving (P<0.05). Importantly, students reported reduced feelings of anxiety related to group learning and perceptions of achieving a better outcome versus working alone and learning more as a result of working in a group (P<0.05). Additionally, students reported an improvement in their job readiness perceptions with respect to the development of their scientific literacy and critical thinking skills as a result of completing the Group Literature Critique Assignment (P<0.05). Collectively, this data demonstrates that structuring the group work process through the implementation of a Group Work Contract can support the development of positive and effective group dynamics resulting in reduced student anxiety about collaborative learning and perception of a better overall outcome.

scholarly journals Trends of science technology engineering mathematics (STEM)-based learning at elementary school in Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 87
Author(s):  
Fitri Nuraeni ◽  
Yopi Malagola ◽  
Suko Pratomo ◽  
Hafiziani Eka Putri
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Creative Thinking ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
The Impact

This research investigates the results of studies related to the implementation of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)-based learning at elementary schools in Indonesia. Using the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) with meta-synthesis model, this research selects research articles related to STEM-based learning at elementary school in Indonesia from google scholar and google site as sources for primary data and secondary data, respectively. After reviewed through inclusion and exclusion criteria evaluated by quality assessments, 15 scientific articles published within 2015 to 2020 are analysed.  Findings show that many studies have great interest in developing STEM-based teaching and learning materials, while others focus on identifying the impact of STEM-based learning on various learning achievements such as creative thinking skills, critical thinking skills, basic questioning skills, and scientific literacy, and learning achievement in general.

scholarly journals The Effect of Inquiry Learning Model And Scientific Literacy Toward Students’ Critical Thinking Skills In Primary School

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nia Devi Anggraini ◽  
I Made Astra ◽  
Erry Utomo
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Inquiry Learning ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Learning Model ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Guided Inquiry ◽  
Tukey Test

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of Inquiry Learning Model and Scientific Literacy toward students’ Critical Thinking Skills in Primary School. This Study was Conducted at SD Islam Al-Ikhwan Tangerang in Fifth Graders. The True Experiment Method with Two Way Anava design (treatment by level 2x2) was implemented in this study. 40 students as the sample was selected by simple random sampling. Students in experimental group were learned through Inkuiri Mandiri model. Meanwhile, in control group, students were learned through Guided Inquiry. Based on data analysis, it was obtained: (1) the student’s critical thinking skills given by Inkuiri Mandiri Model is higher than Guided Inquiry, as evidenced by Fcount (10.93) > Ftable (4.10 ); (2) there is influence of interaction between learning models and scientific literacy toward student’s critical thinking skills, this can be seen from the acquisition price of Fcount (58.926) > Ftable (4.10); (3) student’s critical thinking skills given Inkuiri mandiri Model is higher than Guided Inquiry in group of students with high scientific literacy, with the Tukey-test Qcount Test (10.986) > Qtable (4.33); and (4) student’s critical thinking skills given Inkuiri Mandiri Model is lower than Guided Inquiry in group of students who have low scientific literacy, with the Tukey-test Qcount Test (4.369) > Qtable (4.33).

scholarly journals The Effects of Problem-Based Learning on Critical Thinking Skills and Student Science Literacy

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Suhirman Suhirman ◽  
Husnul Khotimah
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Science Literacy ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Learning Model ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Group Design

This study aimed to describe the effect of problem-based learning on students' critical thinking skills and scientific literacy. This research is a quasi-experimental study with pre-test-post test control group design. Sampling was done by saturated sampling technique in which the experimental class consisted of 35 students and the control class was 34 students. Data on critical thinking skills and student scientific literacy were collected using test instruments which were then analyzed descriptively and statistically. The results showed that the Problem-based Learning model had more effect on students’ critical thinking and scientific literacy (p <0.05) than conventional learning models applied to the control class. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that the Problem-based Learning model significantly effect on students’ critical thinking and science literacy in class XI MAN 1 Mataram.

Models and Strategies for Teaching Evolution to Non-Science Majors in a Seminar Format

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 93-108
Author(s):  
Katherine V. Bulinski
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Science Majors ◽  
Teaching Evolution ◽  
Teaching Resources ◽  
Pedagogical Strategies ◽  
Knowledge Of Evolution ◽  
K 12

A cornerstone of paleontological education is the topic of evolution. While formal evolutionary biology classes made up of lectures and labs are essential for students of biology and paleontology, these classes are closed to most non-science majors because they often require multiple prerequisites. Because of a combination of anti-evolution cultural forces and shortcomings in evolution-based education at the K-12 level, many American college students have not received accurate or effective evolution instruction before entering college. Because a working knowledge of evolution is essential for developing biological scientific literacy, some colleges and universities now offer seminar-style evolution courses designed for non-science majors that can help reverse this trend. Seminars such as these offer students the added opportunity to develop more sophisticated writing, speaking, and critical-thinking skills in the context of evolutionary biology. This chapter highlights two successful course models and two shorter course modules, provides lists of teaching resources, and details a number of different writing and discussion-based pedagogical strategies as they apply to teaching evolution in a seminar setting.

scholarly journals Redesigning a General Education Science Course to Promote Critical Thinking

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. ar30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew P. Rowe ◽  
B. Marcus Gillespie ◽  
Kevin R. Harris ◽  
Steven D. Koether ◽  
Li-Jen Y. Shannon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
General Education ◽  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
University Curriculum ◽  
Logical Fallacies ◽  
Scientific Facts ◽  
Education Science ◽  
Scientific Ideas

Recent studies question the effectiveness of a traditional university curriculum in helping students improve their critical thinking and scientific literacy. We developed an introductory, general education (gen ed) science course to overcome both deficiencies. The course, titled Foundations of Science, differs from most gen ed science offerings in that it is interdisciplinary; emphasizes the nature of science along with, rather than primarily, the findings of science; incorporates case studies, such as the vaccine-autism controversy; teaches the basics of argumentation and logical fallacies; contrasts science with pseudoscience; and addresses psychological factors that might otherwise lead students to reject scientific ideas they find uncomfortable. Using a pretest versus posttest design, we show that students who completed the experimental course significantly improved their critical-thinking skills and were more willing to engage scientific theories the general public finds controversial (e.g., evolution), while students who completed a traditional gen ed science course did not. Our results demonstrate that a gen ed science course emphasizing the process and application of science rather than just scientific facts can lead to improved critical thinking and scientific literacy.

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