scholarly journals Teacher traits associated to the use of different methodological strategies in Science classes

Author(s):  
Javier Gil-Flores
2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrid Wichmann ◽  
Detlev Leutner

Seventy-nine students from three science classes conducted simulation-based scientific experiments. They received one of three kinds of instructional support in order to encourage scientific reasoning during inquiry learning: (1) basic inquiry support, (2) advanced inquiry support including explanation prompts, or (3) advanced inquiry support including explanation prompts and regulation prompts. Knowledge test as well as application test results show that students with regulation prompts significantly outperformed students with explanation prompts (knowledge: d = 0.65; application: d = 0.80) and students with basic inquiry support only (knowledge: d = 0.57; application: d = 0.83). The results are in line with a theoretical focus on inquiry learning according to which students need specific support with respect to the regulation of scientific reasoning when developing explanations during experimentation activities.


2021 ◽  
pp. 073563312110015
Author(s):  
Ting-Ling Lai ◽  
You-Sheng Lin ◽  
Chi-Yin Chou ◽  
Hsiu-Ping Yueh

The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an inquiry-based virtual reality (VR) science lab used in junior high school science classes. The Scientific Investigation VR Lab (SIVRLAB) is designed for 9th-grade students to learn about electrochemical cells. It is situated in a guided problem-solving context, where learners need to review the concept of oxidation-reduction reactions and assemble a voltaic cell to save a robot. The SIVRLAB features several cognitive supports and guides for students to plan and record experiments and resolve the problem. It has both a head-mounted display (HMD) version and a desktop VR version. The study recruited 66 9th graders from three classes to evaluate the two versions of the SIVRLAB. The students were assigned to one of three conditions, namely, (1) using immersive HMD SIVRLAB individually, (2) using desktop SIVRLAB individually, and (3) observing one student use immersive HMD SIVRLAB. The students were briefly introduced to the concept of electrochemical cells in the first class and were instructed to use the SIVRLAB sessions in the next class. The results from knowledge pre- and post-tests, a user experience survey, and students’ reflections were collected and analyzed qualitatively. The findings revealed that students who used the desktop VR obtained the highest test scores among the three groups. However, in the follow-up physical laboratory test, the performance of the students in the original HMD VR experimental group was better than those in the desktop VR experimental group. The paper also discusses student feedback and teacher observations regarding the design and interaction with immersive VR. Lastly, the implications of the study and recommendations for future studies are presented.


1932 ◽  
Vol 25 (3b) ◽  
pp. 48-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily A. Burke

Many schools, for various reasons, find it necessary to go to considerable expense to accumulate and maintain nature and museum exhibits for the use of their pupils in science and art classes. The Western Pennsylvania School for the Blind, being located only two blacks from the Carnegie Library and Museum in Pittsburgh, is availing itself of the many opportunities offered by this proximity, rather than attempting the accumulation of a collection of its own. The teachers are urged to co-ordinate and supplement their work by actual and consistent use of the Museum exhibits. This has been facilitated by the whole-hearted cooperation of Miss Jane White, Assistant Curator of Education, and Mrs. Emily A. Burke, Docent in the Department of Education at the Museum. We feel that the establishment of library and museum habits in our pupils is also important, and so encourage them to seek these sources of information on their own initiative as well as in assigned classes. The use of Carnegie Museum exhibits by the science classes, under the direction of Mr. Fred A. Hunt, has inspired Mrs. Burke to set forth in the following article the ways and means by which she is rendering to us this valuable but gratuitous service. B. S. Joice, Superintendent, Western Pennsylvania School for the Blind.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1584
Author(s):  
Roberto Araya ◽  
Pedro Collanqui

Education is critical for improving energy efficiency and reducing CO2 concentration, but collaboration between countries is also critical. It is a global problem in which we cannot isolate ourselves. Our students must learn to collaborate in seeking solutions together with others from other countries. Thus, the research question of this study is whether interactive cross-border science classes with energy experiments are feasible and can increase awareness of energy efficiency among middle school students. We designed and tested an interactive cross-border class between Chilean and Peruvian eighth-grade classes. The classes were synchronously connected and all students did experiments and answered open-ended questions on an online platform. Some of the questions were designed to check conceptual understanding whereas others asked for suggestions of how to develop their economies while keeping CO2 air concentration at acceptable levels. In real time, the teacher reviewed the students’ written answers and the concept maps that were automatically generated based on their responses. Students peer-reviewed their classmates’ suggestions. This is part of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) education project on energy efficiency using APEC databases. We found high levels of student engagement, where students discussed not only the cross-cutting nature of energy, but also its relation to socioeconomic development and CO2 emissions, and the need to work together to improve energy efficiency. In conclusion, interactive cross-border science classes are a feasible educational alternative, with potential as a scalable public policy strategy for improving awareness of energy efficiency among the population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 164
Author(s):  
Marvin Roski ◽  
Malte Walkowiak ◽  
Andreas Nehring

An experimental study investigated the effects of applying principles of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Focusing on epistemic beliefs (EBs) in inclusive science classes, we compared four groups who worked with learning environments based more or less on UDL principles and filled out an original version of a widely used EBs questionnaire or an adapted version using the Universal Design for Assessment (UDA). Based on measurement invariance analyses, a multiple indicator, and multiple cause (MIMIC) approach as well as multi-group panel models, the results do not support an outperformance of the extensive UDL environment. Moreover, the UDA-based questionnaire appears to be more adequately suited for detecting learning gains in an inclusive setting. The results emphasize how important it is to carefully adopt and introduce the UDL principles for learning and to care about test accessibility when conducting quantitative research in inclusive settings.


1987 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 15-15
Author(s):  
John L. Seitz

Why don't political science teachers teach their students about many of the important policy issues that political systems face today? Why is it uncommon in undergraduate political science classes to find discussions of the population explosion and famine in the Third World, and of acid rain and toxic wastes in the First and Second worlds? Why aren't our students knowledgeable about the arguments for and against nuclear power and acquainted with the problems the world faces as it moves from a reliance on oil to a reliance on renewable fuels? And why do we often ignore such awesome issues as those connected with the greenhouse effect and nuclear war? I believe that the answer to these questions is that political science teachers often don't know how to deal with these subjects in a respected, scholarly way — in a manner that will prevent the class from just becoming a forum for the discussion of current events. I believe also that we have a concept — development — which can serve as the necessary tool we need to allow us to approach these issues in a responsible manner.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document