The Outcomes of Teaching and Learning about Sound based on Science Technology and Society (STS) Approach

Abstract

This study reported Grade 11 students analytical thinking and attitude toward science in teaching and learning about sound through science technology and society (STS) approach. The participants were 46 Grade 11 students in Maung, Kalasin, Thailand. The teaching and learning about sound through STS approach had carried out for 6 weeks. The sound unit through STS approach was developed based on framework of Yuenyong (2006a) 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’ analytical thinking and attitude toward science was collected during their learning by participant observation, analytical thinking protocol, students’ tasks, and journal writing. The findings revealed that students could gain their capability of analytical thinking. They could give ideas or behave the characteristics of analytical thinking such as thinking for classifying, compare and contrast, reasoning, interpreting, collecting data and decision making. Students’ journal writing reflected that the STS class of sound motivated students. The paper will discuss implications of these for science teaching and learning through STS in Thailand.