Abstract
The extant research on linguistic interactions in scientific inquiry has focused solely on the quantitative analysis of the verbal interactions among the students and poses limitations to investigating the internal characteristics of such interactions. This paper presents connections among the members of a student group based on its interaction patterns and size to find out the ideal size of a student group in order to allow the student to have optimum participate in the group interactions. In this regard, this study sought to analyze the patterns of verbal interaction that occur during inquiry activities using social network analysis (SNA). 144 first-grade middle school students in science class in South Korea were participated and organized into small groups with three to six members each, and the language network of the 32 small groups that were thus formed was analyzed. The conclusions of this study are as follows: (1) the groups of students formed in school for learning activities should consist of only three members each to avoid alienation among the members, and (2) in student groups with four or more members each, there are many participation-type interaction structures that can be used if there is a group leader. The interactions among students within small learning groups can allow them to fully understand other students’ opinions which may otherwise not be very clear, and to solve a problem after considering all the opinions students have expressed, and support the effective learning by positive interactions among the members.
Highlights
Interaction is a necessary activity for human beings to connect ideas and knowledge building
This study sought to analyze the patterns of verbal interaction that occur during inquiry activities using social network analysis (SNA). 144 first-grade middle school students in science class in South Korea were participated and organized into small groups with three to six members each, and the language network of the 32 small groups that were formed was analyzed
A look at the interactions in the small groups that showed the type-3A linear structure will indicate that student A alternately interacted with students B and C, and led the inquiry activity (Case 1)
Summary
Interaction is a necessary activity for human beings to connect ideas and knowledge building. Students form knowledge and construct new ways of understanding in the process of exchanging opinions and negotiating with others (Howe, Rodgers, & Tolmie, 1990; Palincsar, 1998). Interaction helps reduce students’ fear of expressing their opinions to induce active participation and helps develop their logical reasoning abilities and contributes to knowledge formation and problem-solving (Lumpe & Staver, 1995). The interaction among the students constituting small groups formed for learning activities has advantages in that it allows the students to understand the otherwise unclear opinions of other students fully and to solve a problem after considering all the opinions expressed (Alexopoulou & Driver, 1996; Johnson & Johnson, 1985; Palinscar, 1998). To learn effectively, it is essential to encourage active and positive interactions among the members of small student groups formed for learning activities
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: EURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
