The The perceptions of Senior High School students and teachers about organic chemistry: A Ghanaian perspective

The purpose of the study was to determine the perceptions that senior high school (SHS) chemistry students and teachers have about organic chemistry as well as to compare organic chemistry topics that are difficult for students and teachers. Simple random sampling (lottery) and purposive sampling methods were used to select a sample of one hundred (100) SHS students who studied elective chemistry and ten (10) chemistry teachers. The research instruments used to collect data for this study were the ‘organic chemistry perceptions questionnaire for students’ (OCPQS) and ‘organic chemistry perceptions questionnaire for teachers’ (OCPQT). Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) were used to analyze the data collected. The findings revealed that these SHS students have a fairly positive perception of organic chemistry while their teachers had a highly positive perception of organic chemistry. Preparation and chemical reactions of alkenes, preparation and chemical reactions of alkynes, structure and stability of benzene, reactions of benzene, comparison of reactions of benzene and alkenes, petroleum, polymers and naming of alkanes and structural isomerism were perceived by students as difficult to understand. The rest of the Ghanaian SHS organic chemistry topics (26 out of 34 topics) were perceived as easy to understand by students. Also, the teachers perceived all the SHS organic chemistry topics as easy to teach with the exception of reactions of benzene. The insights gained about teachers’ and students’ perceived difficult organic chemistry topics in this study imply that teachers’ perceptions and how these are communicated to students can have significant effects on learning. The authors believe that both teachers and learners could benefit from this increased awareness of perceptions about difficulties in teaching and learning organic chemistry. They therefore suggest that further studies into how teachers’ perceptions influence their teaching and consequently their students’ experiences be carried out. In addition, in future research, a diagnostic test based on the topics in the SHS organic chemistry syllabus could be added to ascertain whether the perceived difficult topics are actually difficult for students to answer questions on. This would help teachers to separate perceived difficulties from the actual difficulties (realities) and be able to address them in their lessons.

Teachers’ misconception concerning valence and valency in chemistry

A study on the misconceptions developed or held by teachers related to the two terms valence and valency was undertaken. A total of 48 teachers (26 males and 22 females) teaching the chemistry component of science subject to 14- to 16-year-old students, in 48 schools affiliated to one district, were randomly selected for the study by taking one teacher from each school. One session was devoted for administering the questionnaire among the teachers and second session (with a gap of one day) was for addressing the teacher’s misconceptions. From the analysis of the responses, it was found that the two terms although they have the same meaning were misconceived as having different meanings. Due to this a misleading relationship between the two terms was discovered. Even the highest numerical value of valence was misconceived. The possible reasons for these misconceptions were identified. A simple, brief, and precise description of the concepts was presented to remove the misconceptions of the teachers.

Assessing secondary students’ scientific literacy: A comparative study of suburban schools in England and Malaysia

This study sought to assess the level of secondary students’ scientific literacy in suburban schools in Malaysia and England, a research area which to date has not been fully explored in the literature. The study analysed the data using the OECD’s three domain-specific competencies of scientific literacy, namely: i) explain phenomena scientifically, ii) evaluate and design scientific enquiry, and iii) interpret data and evidence scientifically. To assess the level of secondary students’ scientific literacy in these contexts, the study applied the scientific literacy assessment instrument called the ‘Nature of Scientific Literacy Test’ (NOSLiT), first developed by Wenning (2006). The results indicated that the level of scientific literacy of English students was higher than that of Malaysian students across all three domain-specific competencies. Despite the fact that NOSLiT is a systematic and reliable instrument for assessing the level of students’ scientific literacy, the study found that OECD’s three domain-specific competencies of scientific literacy provided better insights into the level of secondary students’ scientific literacy in Malaysian and English suburban schools. It is suggested that future studies should use a qualitative approach to both data collection and analysis to understand the level of students’ scientific literacy in more detail.

Enhancing Science Process Skills Acquisition in Chemistry among Secondary School Students through Context-Based Learning

The study examined the effect of Context Based Learning (CBL) and gender influence on chemistry students’ acquisition of Integrated Science Process Skills (ISPS). Two research questions guided the study. This study used a quasi-experimental research design with a sample of 192 participants who had an average age of 15. Three instruments were used in data collection. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The results showed that Context Based Learning (CBL) had more effect on students’ Integrated Science Process Skills (ISPS) in chemistry. Students exposed to CBL pedagogy acquired more Experimental Skill (EXPS) than Analyzing and Interpreting Data Skill (ANIDS) with Identifying and Controlling Variables Skill (ICVS) the least. Also, students exposed to Conventional Strategy (COS) excelled in ANIDS, more so than Identifying and Controlling Variables Skill (ICVS) with Experimental Skill (EXPS) the least acquired. The influence of gender on ISPS was observed in favour of females. The study concluded that gender imbalance exists in all spheres of life, therefore, chemistry teachers should help students in acquiring integrated science skills using the two approaches to enhance male and female students’ knowledge, values, and skills creatively in secondary school chemistry. The study recommends the teaching of students on everyday activities that foster gender balance in Lagos State secondary schools.

Editorial

Editorial Volume 32, Issue 4

An Active Learning Framework for Ecological Intelligence: Using Activities of Multiple Intelligences to Achieve Ecological Awareness

The current paper aimed to identify the relation between ecological intelligence (EI) and the types of multiple intelligences (MI); and pointed out how ecological awareness could be raised through activities of MI. Data was gathered from the freshman students (N = 68) who studied at the Department of Primary Education. Four measures were used in this case study: interviews, multiple intelligence inventory (MII), ecological intelligence scale (EIS), and students' 5-min notes. Correlation analysis was used to find the relationship between the students’ ecological intelligence and the types of MI. The responses to interview questions were coded into discrete themes. Findings indicated that the intelligence type which had the most correlation with the sub-dimensions of EIS was InterP. Moreover, moderate relations were determined between the sub-dimensions of EIS and the types of MI which were Bodily/Kinesthetic (BK) and Visual/Spatial (VS). Although the students had difficulties in activities such as drama and role-playing for BK intelligence, they enjoyed, and had better motivation to learn collaboratively during the activities through visual tools. Ecological intelligence relates to various types of MI. Based on this assertion the activities of MI should be integrated in-class environmental activities for students to acquire ecological awareness and sensitivity.

The Effectiveness of Concept Teaching Using Concept Maps on Academic Achievement and Elimination of Misconceptions: Protein Synthesis Case

This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of concept maps on the academic achievements of Biology teacher candidates and the elimination of misconceptions comparing the method with the traditional rote learning method. The quasi-experimental design, specifically, the pre-test post-test control group type was used in this research to address the research questions. The research was carried out with 60 Biology teacher candidates. Achievement test and diagnostic test were used as data collection tools throughout the research. SPSS version 20 software was used to analyze the obtained quantitative data. Independent samples t-test was used to determine whether there was a significant difference between the control and experimental group students’ level of prior knowledge regarding the subject of protein synthesis. The findings revealed no statistically significant difference between the groups in pre-test (ρ > .05). However, the findings revealed a statistically significant difference between the groups, in the post-test, in favor of the concept map method used for the experiment group (ρ < .05). The increase in the post-test scores of the experiment group students indicated that the teaching method based on concept maps positively affected the students' academic achievement and elimination of misconceptions. Research indicated that students could not establish a correct relationship between the concepts of DNA, RNA, mRNA, tRNA, rRNA, nucleus, chromosome, gene, genetic code, codon, anti-codon, translation, transcription, ribosome, protein, and amino acid terms taught in protein synthesis subject. It was concluded that the areas of use for concept maps should not be limited as a teaching tool, but should be further extended to for determining misconceptions, eliminating misconceptions, and evaluating the instruction.

Effect of Online Science Course Supported with Web 2.0 Tools on the Academic Achievement of Fifth Grade Students and Student Opinions

This study aimed to investigate the effect of an online science course on the academic achievement of a fifth grade ‘World of Living’ unit, which was carried out by using the materials created with web 2.0 tools, as well as to determine the students' opinions about the application. This study consisted of a total of 120 fifth grade students studying in state schools in Istanbul during the academic year of 2020-2021. In determining the study group, purposeful sampling methods were used. In the experimental group (n = 60), the course was taught with web 2.0 supported materials; in the control group (n = 60), instruction was made by adhering to the activities in the textbook. The research was carried out by making use of mixed method research. A quantitative quasi-experimental model with pretest and posttest control groups was used. In the qualitative dimension, opinions were obtained from the students after the application. In the study, semi-structured interview form and academic achievement test prepared for the unit of the world of living things were used as data collection tools. While the data obtained from the students to the achievement test before and after the application was transferred to a statistical package program and analyzed; the data obtained from the interview form were analyzed using content analysis. When the posttest academic achievement score data obtained from the students were compared as a result of the study, it was found that there was a significant difference in favor of the experimental group. In addition, results from the interviews, revealed that students found science teaching with web-supported materials fun and enjoyable and that they wanted these to be used in science lessons. As a result of this study, it is recommended that web 2.0 tools be used by educators in science education.

Ecological Knowledge of Pre-Service Science Teachers: Conceptual Interrelationships and Association with Senior High School Strand

Ecological knowledge is one of the components of environmental literacy that refers to the ability of people to understand and apply acquired knowledge about ecology to achieve a grasp of how nature works and their interactions with the social system. This study aimed to determine pre-service science teachers’ level of ecological knowledge in Cebu City, Central Visayas, Philippines, and their relationship to their senior high school (SHS) strand. A validated 40-item multiple-choice Ecological Knowledge Test (Cronbach's α = 0.759) was administered to 66 pre-service science teachers selected through convenience sampling. The results were analyzed through descriptive statistics, one-sample t-test, analysis of variance, path analysis, and non-parametric correlation tested at a 95% confidence level. The study results revealed that the pre-service teachers had ‘Above Average’ knowledge of ecology and its major, related, and other concepts. These concepts did not have significant differences among them but showed a significant effect on ecological knowledge. SHS strand did not show significant association with the said knowledge. Therefore, the pre-service science teachers were ecologically and environmentally literate. To increase ecological knowledge continually, they should be exposed to ecological and environmental immersion to gain awareness and knowledge and develop an in-depth appreciation for the ecosystems.

Senior high school students’ self-efficacy and its relation to engagement in online class setting in a private university in the south of Metro Manila

This study explored the self-efficacy of senior high school Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students (N = 134) in an online physics class in terms of gender and its relationship to engagement. The study employed a descriptive correlation research design. Adapted instruments namely ‘Sources of Self-Efficacy in Science Course – Physics’ (SSSCP) and ‘Engagement in Physics Scale’ (EPS) were used to collect the data from the students. SSSCP was correlated with the scores of ‘Self-Efficacy for Academic Milestone-Strength’ scale for its validity. Reliability and validity of EPS was examined through Cronbach alpha and confirmatory factor analysis with acceptable results. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while independent samples t-test, Cohen’s d, and Pearson r correlation were used to test the hypotheses. It was revealed that both male and female students have a high level of self-efficacy in the following: overall, vicarious experience, verbal persuasion, and performance accomplishment with an average level for the emotional arousal. Furthermore, a significant difference across gender was found only on the emotional arousal sub-level with a small effect size of 0.32. Moreover, positive correlation was found between overall self-efficacy and overall engagement as well as on cognitive engagement. On the other hand, a negative correlation was revealed between overall self-efficacy and emotional engagement. Focusing on increasing the self-efficacy of students in an online physics class should be practiced by teachers in order to increase engagement.