scholarly journals Learning through modelling in science: Reflections by pre-service teachers

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-224
Author(s):  
Siv Gundrosen Aalbergsjø ◽  
Per Øyvind Sollid
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Teaching Science ◽  
Service Science ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Models And Modelling

This study analyses pre-service science teachers’ (PSTs’) experiences of working with models and modelling and their ideas about their usefulness in science education. Although several studies have investigated pre- and in-service teachers’ views on models and modelling, research is lacking in the Norwegian context. This study addresses this gap by exposing PSTs to a one-day course on modelling in chemistry and exploring their ideas through focus-group interviews. We found that teaching using modelling-related activities promoted PSTs’ understanding of models and modelling, especially relating to the scope and limitations of models. Additionally, the PSTs increased their understanding of why such learning activitiesare important and how to incorporate them while teaching science. Norwegian PSTs responded positively to modelling-based teaching, which seemed to promote metacognition and critical thinking. Therefore, modelling-based teaching could be an effective tool for educating science teachers in how to promote such skills in their classrooms.

scholarly journals The effects of using social biographical texts of scientists on students' attitudes in science courses: A qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Riza Salar ◽  
Ayhan Aksakalli
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Science Courses ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Repertory Grids ◽  
The Social ◽  
Grid Technique ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Group Interviews

Biographies of scientists are often used in the teaching environment, both in textbooks and in course contents - sections from the lives of scientists are often included to encourage students to pursue and enjoy science. This research investigated the effect of social content biographical texts of scientists on students' attitudes towards science courses. The research was a mixed-method study and consisted of 51 science teachers. The participants were determined according to a convenience sampling method. Focus group interviews, repertory grid technique, and individual interviews were used to collect data in the study. Through focus group interviews with teachers, it was discussed what kind of changes biographical texts might make to students' attitudes to science. Later, 51 teachers explained the social biographical texts to their students and observed the changes in the students. Based on their observations, they scored the repertory grids. Finally, an individual interview was held with fifteen teachers. As a result, it has been determined that social biographical texts were able to increase students' interest, motivation and questioning skills, while able to decrease their anxiety.

scholarly journals Investigation of the Prospective Science Teachers' Views on the Problems and Solutions Regarding Science and Technology

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-141
Author(s):  
Fulya ZORLU
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
State University ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Content Analysis Method ◽  
Problems And Solutions ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Prospective Science Teachers

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigation of the prospective science teachers' views on the problems (as are the waste of natural resources, the information pollution, sharing information without confirming their validity of information, communication problems among people, spending extra time and money, the laziness, the obesity, the environmental pollution, the global warming etc.) and solutions regarding science and technology. Research method of this study was case study method. The four second year prospective science teachers attending education faculty of a state university were participated to this study. The data tools of this research were used questions in focus group interviews. The data obtained from the focus group interviews were analyzed using content analysis method. According to the results obtained from this study, prospective science teachers were expressing many problems within the framework of individual, social and environmental on science and technology sourced problems. Considering the results obtained from this study, it can be said that the solutions suggested by the prospective science teachers to solve the science and technology sourced problems are limited and can be improved.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Classes VII and VIII Science towards Enhancing the Learning of Class IX Physics

2020 ◽  
pp. 25-36
Author(s):  
Norbu Wangdi ◽  
Yeshi Dema
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Science Textbook ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Science Textbooks ◽  
Basic Concepts ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Survey Questionnaires

This study aims to find out the effectiveness of classes VII and VIII science towards enhancing the learning of class IX physics. The sample of the study consists of 130 students and 12 science teachers of three secondary schools. The collection of data were administered using survey questionnaires and focus group interviews. The quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS and the interview data was coded based on themes. The study revealed that the basic concepts of class IX physics is already introduced in classes VII and VIII science textbooks. However, students face difficulties in understanding class IX physics. The study suggest that when three separate sciences are combined into a single science textbook, some concepts were not covered in detail. Therefore, the study recommends Ministry of Education, Bhutan to work towards developing bifurcated science: Physics, Chemistry and Biology for classes VII and VIII.

scholarly journals Critical thinking development by using the implicit content of songs

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-32
Author(s):  
Daniel Antonio Arias Casas
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Public University ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Thinking Process ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Set Up

This study aimed to reveal the critical thinking development process of third English level students at a Languages Institute in a public University in Colombia when using the implicit content of songs through problem-based activities. A set of problem-based activities became the mechanism to achieve the prime goal of this study. The instruments from which the data was collected were video-recordings, focus group interviews and students’ artifacts. The findings revealed three main aspects according to the purpose of the research: the teacher must set up appropriate conditions to engage students in a critical thinking process, the participants’ critical thinking process can vary according to the different perspectives and activities implemented in the classroom and songs in university contexts can be used purposefully to activate thinking in the learning process.

scholarly journals Critical thinking by nurses on ethical issues like the termination of pregnancies

Curationis ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Botes
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Registered Nurses ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Ethical Decisions ◽  
Group Interviews

This research forms part of a larger interdisciplinary research project on the termination of pregnancies. The focus of this part of the project is on the ethical issues related to termination of pregnancies. The practice of the professional nurse is confronted with ethical dilemmas and disputes. Whether the nurse chooses to participate in the termination of pregnancies or not, the core function of the nurse is that of counseling and ethical decisionmaking. Effective counseling requires empathy, respect for human rights and unconditional acceptance of a person. Making ethical decisions implies making critical decisions. It is self-evident, therefore, that such decisions should be based on sound arguments and logical reasoning. It is of vital importance that ethical decisions can be justified on rational ground. Decision-making is a critical thinking approach process for choosing the best action to meet a desired goal. The research question that is relevant for this paper is: Are nurses thinking critically about ethical issues like the termination of pregnancies? To answer the research question a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive design was used (Mouton, 1996:103-169). Registered nurses were selected purposively (Creswell, 1994:15). 1200 registered nurses completed the open-ended questionnaires. Focus group interviews were conducted with 22 registered nurses from a public hospital for women and child health services. Data analysis, using secondary data from open-ended questionnaires and transcribed focus group interviews, were based on the approach of Morse and Field (1994:25-34) and Strauss and Corbin (1990). The themes and categories from open coding were compared, conceptualized and linked with theories on critical thinking (Paul, 1994; Watson & Glaser, 1991 and the American Philosophical Association, 1990). The measures of Lincoln and Guba (1985) and Morse (1994) related to secondary data analysis were employed to ensure trustworthiness. Based on these findings the researcher concluded that nurses are not thinking critically when making ethical decisions concerning the termination of pregnancies. Recommendations are made as a possible solution for this problem.

Management Strategy for Distributing Questionnaires and Interview Guidelines in the Research Data Collection Process

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-111
Author(s):  
Po. Abas Sunarya ◽  
George Iwan Marantika ◽  
Adam Faturahman
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Management Strategy ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Good Management ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Data Collection Process ◽  
Group Interviews

Writing can mean lowering or describing graphic symbols that describe a languageunderstood by someone. For a researcher, management of research preparation is a veryimportant step because this step greatly determines the success or failure of all researchactivities. Before a person starts with research activities, he must make a written plan commonlyreferred to as the management of research data collection. In the process of collecting researchdata, of course we can do the management of questionnaires as well as the preparation ofinterview guidelines to disseminate and obtain accurate information. With the arrangement ofplanning and conducting interviews: the ethics of conducting interviews, the advantages anddisadvantages of interviews, the formulation of interview questions, the schedule of interviews,group and focus group interviews, interviews using recording devices, and interview bias.making a questionnaire must be designed with very good management by giving to theinformation needed, in accordance with the problem and all that does not cause problems at thestage of analysis and interpretation.

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