An Analysis of Grade 12 Students' Technological Capability in Learning About Electromagnetics Through Science Technology and Society Approach (STS Approach)

Abstract

This study reported Grade 12 students' technological capabilities in teaching and learning about electromagnetics through science technology and society (STS) approach. The participants were 40 Grade 12 students in Pratay, Nakonratchasima, Thailand. The teaching and learning about electromagnetics through STS approach had carried out over 5 week period. The electromagnetics unit through STS approach was developed based on framework of Yuenyong (2006) that consisted of five stages including (1) identification of social issues, (2) identification of potential solutions, (3) need for knowledge, (4) decision-making, and (5) socialization stage. Students' technological capability was collected during their learning by participant observation, students' task, teacher and students' interview and teacher's reflection writing. Their technological capability was analyzed using students' model for doing their tasks including modeling, planning, skills, and evaluation. The findings revealed that students showed their various model for solutions about electromagnetics application. Students not only applied the concept of electromagnetics into their model but also economics, laws, art and others. The paper will discuss implications of these for science teaching and learning through STS in Thailand.