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Pub Date: |
2013-04-00 |
Pub Type(s): |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
Peer Reviewed: |
Yes |
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Descriptors:
Educational Environment; Curriculum Development; High School Students; Student Attitudes; Biology; Science Interests; Science Laboratories; Scientific Attitudes; Science Instruction; Gifted; High Achievement; Age Differences; Introductory Courses; Elective Courses; Correlation; Comparative Analysis; Structural Equation Models
Abstract:
Science laboratory learning has been lauded for decades for its role in fostering positive student attitudes about science and developing students' interest in science and ability to use equipment. An expanding body of research has demonstrated the significant influence of laboratory environment on student learning. Further research has demonstrated differences in student perceptions based on giftedness. To explore the relationship between giftedness and students' perceptions of their learning environment, we examined students' perceptions of their laboratory learning environment in biology courses, including courses designated for high-achieving versus regular-achieving students. In addition, to explore the relationship between students' perceptions and the extent of their experience with laboratory learning in a particular discipline, we examined students' perceptions of their laboratory learning environment in first-year biology courses versus elective biology courses that require first-year biology as a prerequisite. We found that students in high-achieving courses had a more favourable perception of all aspects of their learning environment when compared with students in regular courses. In addition, student perceptions of their laboratory appeared to be influenced by the extent of their experience in learning science. Perceptions were consistent amongst regular- and high-achieving students regardless of grade level. In addition, perceptions of students in first year and beyond were consistent regardless of grade level. These findings have critical applications in curriculum development as well as in the classroom. Teachers can use student perceptions of their learning environment to emphasize critical pedagogical approaches and modify other areas that enable enhancement of the science laboratory learning environment.
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Pub Date: |
2013-00-00 |
Pub Type(s): |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
Peer Reviewed: |
Yes |
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Descriptors:
Foreign Countries; STEM Education; Student Recruitment; Natural Sciences; Secondary School Students; Course Selection (Students); Marketing; Grounded Theory; Access to Education; Employment Opportunities; Success; Competence; Science Interests
Abstract:
In many Western societies, there is a concern about the tendency of young people not choosing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and occupations. In response, different initiatives have been launched. If one believes that science should have a place in more young people's lives, an important question is to what extent recruitment campaigns communicate messages that open up for STEM education to become relevant in young people's identity formation. Here, we analyse a Swedish government-initiated, primarily Internet-based recruitment attempt ("The Broad Line Campaign") aimed at increasing the number of young people choosing the natural science programme in upper secondary school. The campaign is based on marketing principles and deliberately draws on identity issues. The data analysed consists of campaign films and written resources describing the campaign. Data are analysed by use of the constant comparative approach in order to produce categories describing different messages about why to engage in STEM education. These messages are then analysed from an identity perspective using the concept of subjective values. Our results show that the messages communicated in the Broad Line campaign emphasise utility value, attainment value and relative cost rather than interest-enjoyment. The campaign communicates that the natural science programme is to be associated with a high attainment value without establishing relations to the field of science. Finally, potential consequences of the communicated messages in the campaign are discussed in light of previous research. (Contains 3 tables, 3 figures, and 2 notes.)
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Pub Date: |
2012-09-00 |
Pub Type(s): |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
Peer Reviewed: |
Yes |
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Descriptors:
Childhood Interests; Informal Education; Gender Differences; Science Interests; Science Education; Science Instruction; Young Children; Preschool Children; Science Experiments; Path Analysis; Intervals
Abstract:
Relations between parental reports of children's interests related to science and opportunities for science learning were examined longitudinally in 192 children between ages 4 and 7 years. Science interests were tracked during 1-year periods (ages 4-5, 5-6, and 6-7) and were more prevalent among boys, particularly prior to age 6 years. Gender differences did emerge in terms of frequencies of opportunities for science learning during all 3 years. Longitudinal path analyses tested relations between children's science interests and their opportunities for science learning. Our data suggest that early science interests were strong predictors of later opportunities to engage in informal science learning, whereas the opposite pattern (early opportunities predicting later science interests) was not found. Young girls' expressed science interests led parents to subsequently increase opportunities for science learning during the following year. Although boys followed this pattern early in the study, over time boys received similar levels of science opportunities regardless of their interest. Bases for gender differences in early science interests and implications for later science learning in school are considered. (Contains 5 tables, 2 figures and 3 footnotes.)
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Author(s): |
Owens, Trevor |
Source: |
Cultural Studies of Science Education, v7 n4 p857-868 Dec 2012 |
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Pub Date: |
2012-12-00 |
Pub Type(s): |
Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative |
Peer Reviewed: |
Yes |
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Descriptors:
Educational Games; Video Games; Science Interests; Community; Science Education; Science and Society; Creationism; Evolution; Computer Games; Computer Assisted Instruction; Instructional Design; Learner Engagement; News Reporting; Internet; Computer Simulation
Abstract:
The 2008 commercial video game "Spore" allowed more than a million players to design their own life forms. Starting from single-celled organisms players played through a caricature of natural history. Press coverage of the game's release offer two frames for thinking about the implications of the game. Some scientists and educators saw the game as a troubling teacher of intelligent design, while others suggested it might excite public interest in science. This paper explores the extent to which these two ways of thinking about the game are consistent with what players have done with the game in its online community. This analysis suggests that, at least for the players participating in this community, the game has not seduced them into believing in intelligent design. Instead the activities of these players suggest that the game has played a catalytic role in engaging the public with science. These findings indicate that designers of educational games may wish to consider more deeply tensions between prioritizing accuracy of content in educational games over player engagement.
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Pub Date: |
2012-12-00 |
Pub Type(s): |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
Peer Reviewed: |
Yes |
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Descriptors:
Summer Science Programs; Agricultural Education; Program Effectiveness; Student Recruitment; Disproportionate Representation; Minority Group Students; Hispanic American Students; High School Students; Science Interests; Knowledge Level; Graduation; Enrollment
Abstract:
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an increase in Natural Resource Management (NRM) jobs within the next 10 years due to baby-boomer retirements and a 12% increase in demand for these occupations. Despite this trend, college enrollment in NRM disciplines has declined. Even more critical is the fact that the soon-to-be-majority Hispanic population is underrepresented in NRM disciplines. The goal of the present study was to determine if an in-residence, two-week, summer science program for underrepresented minorities would not only increase interest in science, actual science knowledge, and perceived science knowledge, but also have an overall impact on underrepresented minority students' decisions to attend college, major in a scientific discipline and pursue a career in science. During a four-year period, 76 high school students participated in a Science Agricultural Summer Experience (SASE) in Northern New Mexico. A pre/post science-knowledge exam and satisfaction survey were administered to participants. We demonstrate that participants improved significantly (p less than 0.05) in all areas measured. In particular, comfort with science field and lab activities, science knowledge and perceived science knowledge were enhanced after exposure to the program. Students not only found science exciting and approachable after participation, but also exhibited increased interest in pursuing a degree and career in science. Of the 76 SASE participants within graduation age (n = 44), all graduated from high school; and 86% enrolled in college. These findings suggest that the implemented SASE initiative was effective in recruiting and increasing the confidence and abilities of underrepresented minority students in science.
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Pub Date: |
2012-12-00 |
Pub Type(s): |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
Peer Reviewed: |
Yes |
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Descriptors:
Females; Student Attitudes; Questionnaires; Foreign Countries; Males; National Curriculum; Educational Experience; Science Interests; Student Experience; Science Education; Research Projects; Secondary School Students; Secondary School Science; Outcomes of Education
Abstract:
This research project aims to investigate how students in lower secondary school experience work with socioscientific issues (SSI). The six socioscientific cases developed and used in this project are relevant according to characteristics of SSI and to the national curriculum. Approximately 1,500 students in Sweden have worked with one SSI case chosen by the teachers. A questionnaire-based instrument was used to measure the affective domain of students' attitudes towards and interest in science before starting to work with the case and a second questionnaire after finishing a case. The second student questionnaire, measured the situational characteristics of the SSI work and perceived cognitive and affective outcomes. According to the students' self-reported experience, all cases were interesting and related to a current issue. Most cases were equally interesting to boys and girls, the only exception was "You are what you eat," which girls found more interesting than boys did. Almost all students claim that they learnt new facts, learnt to argue for their standpoint and to search and evaluate information during the work with the cases. The girls' average scores were higher on several aspects of learning outcomes. Furthermore the students, especially the girls, perceived that the outcome of working with SSI had relevance for their future, with some cases more relevant than others. The more interesting the student found the case, the more they claimed they learnt. The students do not, however, claim that they learnt more science than during ordinary lessons.
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Pub Date: |
2012-10-00 |
Pub Type(s): |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
Peer Reviewed: |
Yes |
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Descriptors:
Learning Activities; Educational Change; Methods Courses; Preservice Teachers; Investigations; Science Interests; Inquiry; Teaching Methods; Elementary School Science; Science Instruction; Hands on Science; Motivation; Student Attitudes
Abstract:
Of great importance for achieving science education reform may be teachers' interest in science and enjoyment of science. This study explores the motivational qualities (rated for "interest," "fun," and "learning" value) of different levels of inquiry of hands-on class activities. The participants, 53 preservice teachers in two sections of a science methods course, rated the activities at the end of each class. At the end of the course, these activities were categorized by level of inquiry (levels 0-3), with 30% rated as level 0 (no inquiry), 40% as level 1, 22% as level 2, and 8% as level 3, according to how much choice was given for posing questions and designing investigations. Ratings of each hands-on activity indicated that participants perceived activities of higher levels of inquiry to be more fun and more interesting. They also perceived that they had learned more. These findings suggest that course instructors should determine level of inquiry when planning course activities, and degree of participant input into course activities may be important in the development of interest in science. A focus on hands-on learning especially at higher levels of inquiry may serve both to capture the interest of teachers and to model how they can make science more authentic and engaging for children. (Contains 3 tables.)
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