Elementary Science Course Research Articles

Using summary tables to introduce principal component analysis in an elementary data science course

AbstractThis article presents a novel approach to introducing principal component analysis (PCA), using summary tables and descriptive statistics. Given its applicability across a variety of academic disciplines, this topic offers abundant opportunity for class discussion and activities. However, teaching PCA in an introductory class can be challenging due to the potential abstraction of multivariate datasets, and especially when students have a minimal background in statistics or data science. This method aims to help teachers bridge the gap between basic descriptive statistics and the more advanced concepts of PCA; this is done by disregarding mathematical optimization, while emphasizing the use of summary tables and the programming language R. The focus is on implementing this method in an introductory tertiary data science course; however, it may potentially be used in higher level courses, and across a variety of disciplines.

A systematic review of the literature on methods and technologies for teaching parallel and distributed computing in universities

There is a growing demand for software developers who have experience writing parallel programs rather than just "parallelizing" sequential systems as computer hardware gets more and more parallel. In order to develop the skills of future software engineers, it is crucial to teach pupils parallelism in elementary computer science courses. We searched the Scopus database for articles on "teaching parallel and distributed computing" and "parallel programming," published in English between 2008 and 2019. 26 papers were included in the study after quality review. As a result, a lab course using the C++ programming language and MPI library serves as the primary teaching tool for parallel and distributed computing.

Digital Practicum Module in Integrated Science for Elementary School Subjects

The low use of practicum modules in the Integrated Elementary Science learning process. This study aims to create a digital practicum module in Integrated Elementary Science courses. This type of research is research and development with the ADDIE stage process. The subject of this research is the validity of the content, design, and media of the practicum module and the practicality of the practicum module. Data collection methods are literature study methods, questionnaires, and interviews. The instrument form is a rating scale with descriptive, qualitative, and quantitative data analysis techniques. The results showed that this study successfully produced a digital practicum module in the Integrated Elementary Science course in Elementary School Teacher Education. The level of achievement of media validity is 94%, content validity is 94%, and design validity is 92.5%. It shows that the validity reaches a very good predicate. The level of achievement of the practitioner's response obtained a value of 94% with a very good predicate; The level of achievement of the media practicality response in the individual test obtained a value of 98.33%; And the level of achievement of the practitioner's response in the small group test obtained a value of 97.5% with a very good predicate. The conclusion shows that the developed product as a digital practicum module in Integrated Elementary Science courses can be declared valid, practical, and feasible for learning. This study implies that there is a digital practicum module that can support the learning process of Integrated Elementary Science.

The Effect of the Conceptual Change Model on Conceptual Understanding of Electrostatics

This research investigated the effectiveness of the conceptual change model (CCM) in addressing pre-service elementary teachers’ misconceptions and promoting their conceptual understanding of electrostatics. The participants were 55 pre-service elementary teachers enrolled in an elementary physical science course, 44 females and 11 males. An embedded mixed-methods approach was employed to help answer the two research questions put forward in this research. The results showed that the CCM moderately correlated with participants’ conceptual understanding of electrostatics. The data from the three open-ended questions showed that the CCM positively affected participants’ conceptions of the topic of electrostatics. The results of this research contribute to the literature on the effect of the conceptual change model in building conceptual understanding and minimizing pre-service teachers’ misconceptions about electrostatics. The results also showed that the phases of the CCM did not have the same effect on participants’ conceptual understanding of electrostatics. This information brings to the fore a discussion about the optimal approach to using the conceptual change instructional model.

Preservice elementary teachers’ explanations of properties of sound using a Web-based Inquiry Science Environment (WISE)

ABSTRACT Background Understanding the properties of sound is difficult for students across all grade levels and even preservice elementary teachers (PSETs). Because of their abstract nature, there are challenges interpreting common features of sound waves. Purpose The goal of this study is to understand pre-service elementary teachers’ (PSETs) understanding of the properties of sound waves, specifically frequency, wavelength, and amplitude. Sample We had 59 PSETs from an elementary methods science course learn about the properties of sound in small groups through a Web-based interface. Design and Methods After they used a simulation model of an oscilloscope, we analyzed PSETs’ responses to three prompts assessing their understanding of the relationships among frequency, wavelength, and amplitude. They were asked to construct explanations for the changing frequency in an oscilloscope, how adding water to a container changes the pitch of sound and how the frequency changes in a water-based xylophone. We used the Knowledge Integration (KI) framework to understand how PSETs reasoned through properties of sound waves. Results Our findings delineated three levels of explainers that PSET groups divided into. After the unit PSETs’ overall understanding of sound waves became more normative, particularly around ideas of frequency and wavelength. Conclusions The merging of science and technology played a crucial role in promoting meaningful learning for PSETs. Implications of using technology-enhanced units in supporting PSETs’ understanding of sound waves are discussed.

Analysis of the effects of a game-based review system integrated with the hierarchy of learning on learning outcomes in an elementary social science course

ABSTRACT Social science education aims to enable people to acquire the knowledge and abilities necessary to lead a normal social life. However, social science is often neglected in basic education compared with languages and mathematics, thus affecting students’ learning motivation and achievements. In this study, a digital game-based review system was designed for fourth-grade students in Taiwan taking a social science course. The students could review the unit content through the completion of game tasks. The concepts of the forgetting curve, hierarchy of learning, and formative assessment were incorporated into the game design to solidify memory and optimize learning effectiveness. The effects of the game on learning effectiveness, motivation, attitude, and interest were investigated, and learning behavior patterns were assessed through lag sequential analysis. The findings may serve as a reference for improving elementary school social science education.

Effect of Digital Learning Using Augmented Reality with Multidimensional Concept Map in Elementary Science Course

This study explores whether learning approaches combining augmented reality and multidimensional concept maps (ARMCMs) would improve learning effectiveness, learning motivation, learning satisfaction, and cognitive load more than multidimensional concept maps (MCMs) and augmented reality (AR) learning do. The study employed a quasi-experimental design, and the subjects were 93 students from an elementary school in Taiwan. By dividing the students into ARMCMs group, MCMs group, and AR group, the results show that the learning with ARMCMs can provide better promotion on learning motivation and positive influences on learning effectiveness, learning satisfaction, and cognitive load.

Mobile Learning to Improve Student Collaborative Skills: An Alternative to Online Learning in the Era of Covid-19 Pandemic

This research aimed to produce a valid and effective mobile learning model and tools as an alternative to online learning solutions in the era of the Covid-19 pandemic. The tutorial tools are: tutorial activity design, tutorial activity unit, student activity sheet, and collaborative ability test. The trial design used a Pre-Experiment with a one group pre-test and post-test design. The research subject was the Pre-service Primary Teachers (PPTs) programming the elementary concept science course for the registration period of 2020. The data collection instruments included: (1) tutorial tool validity assessment sheet and (2) collaborative ability test. The research data were in the form of pre-test scores and post-test scores after going through a series of prerequisite tests: normality test and homogeneity test which were then analyzed using paired t-test. The mean level of improvement in the pre-test and post-test scores were calculated using the gain score. The results showed that: (1) the development of mobile learning which was included in the content and construct in the valid category, and supported by tutorial tools was included in the valid category and (2) the developed mobile learning was included in the effective category because of the significant increase in student collaborative abilities in limited trials and extensive trials in moderate criteria and students respond positively to the tools and tutorial processes. Based on the above, it can be concluded that the development of mobile learning was valid and effective to improve student collaborative abilities.

Effects of microworld game-based approach on neuromuscular disabled students learning performance in elementary basic science courses

In conventional classroom driven instructor training, disabled student achieved low personality & motivation, more mental load due to lack of practical learning and unsuitable usage of learning material through different simulated contexts. Therefore, intent of proposed study is to integrate microworld game-based learning to different learning styles of special needs students which enhance their learning performance and encourage them to discover and solve problems they faced during classroom teaching. A quasi experimental design was implemented in the proposed SmartLearn system in natural science behavioral course to examine the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The experimental results showed that students who adopted microworld gaming-based system was able to reduce their cognitive load, enhance learning motivation skills to gain understanding on novel concepts, improve personality to foster interpersonal skills, self-efficacy and improvements in learning achievements in comparison to the conventional learning technology driven approach. The findings of this study provide good evidence for special needs children where association of practically applied learning scenarios with gaming contexts improve their performance which encourages development of such systems for learners suffered from Autism, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia. Alzheimer etc.

Research on the Integration of STEM Education into the Rural Elementary School Science Curriculum: An Example from Rural Elementary Schools in Western China

Due to the limitation of social economic conditions, the teaching effect of science in rural elementary schools remains unsatisfactory and poorly studied. This research integrates STEM education into rural elementary school science courses to explore whether STEM courses are effective in improving students' knowledge and ability, asking: Are STEM courses better than traditional science courses in improving students' knowledge and abilities? An experimental study of STEM curriculum teaching was conducted in science education at Jiujiang elementary School in Shuangliu County, Chengdu, China. The experimental group receiving STEM classes had increased total score, basic knowledge, and ability expansion compared to the control group receiving traditional classes. This shows that the integration of STEM education into rural elementary school science courses is feasible and effective.

A Digital Game-Based Learning Method to Improve Students’ Critical Thinking Skills in Elementary Science

For this paper, an educational computer game called Ecoship Endeavour was designed based on the guidelines of the inquiry, communication, mystery, decision making, challenge, and rewards (ICMDCR) framework to help facilitate critical thinking skills in students. To examine the effectiveness of the proposed digital game-based learning (DGBL) approach, a quasi-experiment was conducted in the units of “food relationship among living things”, “life processes in plants”, and “energy” of an elementary science course. A total of 127 fifth grade students (females only) from four classes consented to participate in this learning activity. Two classes ( $N = 62$ ) were assigned to the experimental group and guided by the developed game, and the other two classes ( $N = 65$ ) were allocated to the control group and taught by the conventional method of science teaching. The experimental results revealed that Ecoship Endeavour significantly improved the critical thinking skills of students; however, it was also revealed that the DGBL activity had no significant effects on students’ learning motivation and self-efficacy for science learning. Finally, more research is needed to examine the instructional benefits of the proposed method with more inclusive research samples consisting of both male and female learners. The outcome of this research may help researchers, teachers, and practitioners in the educational sector to evaluate the effectiveness of serious games in facilitating students’ critical thinking.

Teacher views on the curriculum of elementary school third grade science course

This study has been carried out with the aim of evaluating the Curriculum of Elementary School Third Grade Science Course, which has been implemented for the first time in the academic year of 2014-2015, based on the views of teachers. The general screening model has been employed in the study. This research has been conducted with the participation of 36 classroom teachers, who have been determined via maximum variety sampling method from schools that are classified as high level, medium level, and low level in terms of their success. These semi-structured interviews have been audio-recorded with the permission of the teachers. Content analysis has been used in order to analyze the data, The results of the study suggest that the teachers in all three school levels have positive views on the curriculum. According to the teachers, the fact that the curriculum does not offer any activity examples on the teaching-learning process and students' workbook are what the curriculum lacks.

Applying interactive devices to an elementary nature science course

AbstractThe goal of this paper is to design and develop an interactive learning system (ILS) by integrating interactive devices into a real‐world classroom. ILS is primarily designed for elementary school students where they can have some hands‐on experiences to learn nature science such as airflow and wind. The purpose of adopting interactive devices is to increase students’ motivations and pleasures during the learning process. In order to demonstrate the learning effects of using ILS, an empirical study was conducted by comparing traditional and interactive instructional strategies. During the study, three types of measurements were used to assess the different aspects of ILS: learning achievement tests, a questionnaire about students’ experiences, and teacher interview. The results showed that ILS does have positive effects on students’ learning and we can conclude that ILS can effectively and efficiently assist in learning nature science in a real‐world classroom environment.

Using a Review Book to Improve Knowledge Retention

This study has two primary objectives. The first one is preparation of an efficient review book including a series of activities, which will help fourth grade students exercise what they learned in the elementary science course in a year. The second objective is examination of the prepared book in the framework of student and teacher opinions. In this study, 10 classroom teachers are interviewed at the initial stage. As a result of these interviews, a significant need is determined for a review book for elementary science course, particularly. In the study, qualitative research methods, such as observation, interviews, document analysis and focus group discussion, are used. Data collection tools compose of review book for elementary science course, teacher interview forms, student focus group discussion form and forms, in which students evaluate all activities in the book. The review book prepared by the researchers consists of 38 activities. This book was applied to 25 fifth grade students. These interviews are supported with data of observation and document analysis. The obtained data are analyzed with the content analysis. The review book is considered efficient by teacher and students. This is because it can be applied within a short time and contains whole elementary science topics of fourth grade. Furthermore, teacher can specify students' prior knowledge at the beginning of the academic year and adjust the level and teaching methods in the course accordingly. It can also be used effectively throughout the term.

Measuring the tilt of the Earth’s axis with the help of a plastic pipe and a piece of wood

In this project, a method that had been developed using a single setup was employed to correctly measure the tilt of the Earth’s axis on 21 June 2015. The method is an easily comprehensible and applicable technique that can be used in elementary science and astronomy courses and understood by students of every age group.

Science and Mathematics Course Success of Elementary Students in Low Socio-Economic Status among 4th-8th Grades: Gender Perspective

This study has investigated the change of the 4th-8th grades science and mathematics course success of 2142 elementary students in low socio-economic status by their grade level and gender via cross-sectional and longitudinal research approaches. Based on the findings of the study, consistent with the recent national and international studies, girls were found to have higher academic success than boys both in science and mathematics. When the changes in the annual science and mathematics course scores are investigated by the grade level, the mean scores of boys were found to decrease with the increasing grade level, whereas no significant change in any direction was observed for the mean scores of girls. Due to this difference, it has been observed that the achievement gap between girls and boys increases as the grade level increases, in favor of girls. Based on the related literature and the results of this study, it has been concluded that the traditional expectations about the gender gap, suggesting the male superiority in elementary science and mathematics courses, are no longer valid in today’s classrooms, even in a sample of students in low socioeconomic level.

Effects of the Digital Game-Development Approach on Elementary School Students' Learning Motivation, Problem Solving, and Learning Achievement

In this study, the game-based development approach is proposed for improving the learning motivation, problem solving skills, and learning achievement of students. An experiment was conducted on a learning activity of an elementary school science course to evaluate the performance of the proposed approach. A total of 59 sixth graders from two classes of the elementary school participated in the experiment. One class of 30 students was selected as the experimental group, and the other class of 29 students was the control group. From the experimental results, it was found that the proposed game development-based learning approach could effectively promote the students' problem-solving skills. However, the students' learning achievement and motivations were quite different from our expectations. A discussion of the experimental group interview data is provided and suggestions made.

A Sample of Active Learning Application in Science Education: The Thema “Cell” with Educational Games

Abstract In the present study, the purpose is to develop an application within the context of active learning methods and techniques by using educational games to teach the topic “cell” in elementary school science and technology course and evaluate its impacts on academic achievement. In the study, “Achievement Test” was used in line with pretest-posttest design to collect data. The control group consists of 72 sixth grade students and the experimental group consists of 121 sixth grade students, totally 193 students make up the study group. In the analysis of the data, Two-Way ANOVA for Mixed Measures test was employed. The analysis revealed a significant difference between the mean achievement score of the experimental group and that of the control group favoring the experimental group.

Constructing Elementary Teachers' Beliefs, Attitudes, and Practical Knowledge Through an Inquiry‐Based Elementary Science Course

This study examines inservice elementary school teachers' beliefs, attitudes, and practical knowledge toward inquiry‐based science instruction and the influence of an inquiry‐based elementary science course on teachers' beliefs, attitudes, and practical knowledge regarding inquiry. Both surveys and a case study were administered to the 14 elementary school teachers before and after completing a three‐credit elementary science methods course that was inquiry‐based. The findings showed that the teachers' beliefs, attitudes, and practical knowledge about inquiry were clearly influenced by the course. Through this course, the teachers developed fairly positive beliefs and attitudes that promoted inquiry instruction. The majority of participants also improved their knowledge and skills of conducting inquiry as they successfully practiced inquiry‐instruction in their science teachings.

The impact of a standards-based science course for preservice elementary teachers on teacher attitudes toward science teaching

This study reports on the measured change in the attitude of students toward teaching science as a result of their experiences in an elementary activity-based science course for preservice elementary teachers. Overall, the students in this study showed a positive shift in attitude as measured by the Revised Science Attitude Scale instrument that was administered at the beginning and the end of the semester. When the researchers looked at specific subscales within the instrument, one of the four subscales did not show a statistically significant change in attitude. The course is required for all elementary preservice teachers.