Scientific Inquiry Learning Research Articles

Advancing scientific literacy: Integrating nature of science and nature of scientific inquiry in teaching Griffith’s and Avery-MacLeod-McCarty experiments

The present study aims to design an instruction that engages nature of science (NOS) and nature of scientific inquiry (NOSI) learning objectives with the teaching and learning of important historical experiments taught around the world and presented in most biology textbooks such as those by Griffith and by Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty. The design process involves decisions about which NOS and NOSI aspects to teach and decisions about how to teach. With respect to the latter decisions, our preference is an explicit/reflective perspective used in an overarching inquiry-based science teaching and history of science instructional context. The proposed course is going to provide high school students meaningful and practical inquiry-based experiences through the use of simulated experiments and would help their teachers (a) illuminate several procedural aspects of the taught experiments (b) internalize the importance of teaching NOS and NOSI aspects (c) acquire an integrative understanding of the process of scientific inquiry and the product of that inquiry, namely scientific knowledge, and (d) portray science less as a body of knowledge and more as a creative process involving human and non-human actors. The potential benefits of our proposed instruction for learners’ scientific literacy are also discussed.

Merevolusi Pendidikan dengan Kecerdasan Buatan Chatbots: Meningkatkan Pembelajaran dan Penilaian

This study explores the integration of AI chatbots in education to enhance learning and assessment. Focusing on their implementation in classroom teaching and small-scale scientific inquiry activities, the research aims to improve interactions between teachers and students by introducing new learning topics, methods, and providing feedback. The study involved 18 participants 11 fifth-grade and 7 sixth-grade students from a university-run science talent program. Findings highlight benefits such as increased engagement, personalized learning experiences, and automated assessment capabilities. Examples from language learning, mental health support, and academic advising illustrate chatbots' versatility in education. Overall, AI chatbots have the potential to transform education by offering tailored learning experiences, enhancing student engagement, and facilitating efficient assessment. The study suggests further exploration of chatbots' role in promoting student initiative within scientific inquiry learning.

An effect of technology-infused active inquiry learning in primary school science on students’ conceptions of learning science

An effect of technology-infused active inquiry learning in primary school science on students’ conceptions of learning science

Game-based collaborative scientific inquiry learning using realistic context and inquiry process-based multidimensional scaffolding

ABSTRACT Integrating multidimensional scaffolding into digital game-based learning is expected to address scientific inquiry teaching challenges, simulating real-world complexities to ignite learner interest. This study stands out by using realistic scenarios and multidimensional scaffolding to develop an online collaborative scientific inquiry game, designed based on the scientific inquiry process to create corresponding game mechanics and processes. It leverages cloud technology integration as scaffolding, accompanied by a train maintenance scenario with non-player characters (NPC) to enhance electromagnetism learning for learners. This study involved 90 college students divided into three groups: game scaffolding group (remote gaming teaching activities with NPC-based scaffolding), document scaffolding group (remote case study activities with document-based scaffolding), and no scaffolding group (remote case study activities without scaffolding). The results indicate that providing scaffolding in remote scientific inquiry teaching enhances learning outcomes compared to activities without scaffolding. Learners in the game scaffolding group reported a high level of flow experience, perceived that remote gaming teaching was helpful for scientific inquiry learning, and experienced lower anxiety. Furthermore, learners provided highly positive feedback on the usefulness of multidimensional scaffolding in the game. There were no significant differences among the three instructional activities in terms of flow state, activity anxiety, and the usefulness of scientific inquiry.

Analysing students' concept mapping style and its association with task performance in computer‐based inquiry learning

AbstractBackgroundIn scientific inquiry learning, students often have difficulties conducting hypothetical reasoning with multiple intertwined variables. Concept maps have a potential to facilitate complex thinking and reasoning. However, there is little investigation into the content of student‐constructed concept maps and its association with inquiry task performance.ObjectivesThis study explored students' concept mapping style and its association with task performance in computer‐based inquiry learning.MethodsAn exploratory study was conducted with 80 Grade 11 students, who collaboratively constructed concept maps in a free style to support inquiry learning with a virtual ecosystem. Student‐constructed concept maps was analysed by firstly identifying different types of propositions formed in the maps and then determining the style of each concept map based on the dominant type of propositions in the map. Finally, the association between the concept map style and inquiry task performance was explored.Results and ConclusionsTwo major concept map styles were identified: (1) knowledge‐oriented concept maps (KCMs) mainly representing problem‐related subject knowledge as a set of concepts and their relationships, and (2) problem‐oriented concept maps (PCMs) mainly representing problem situation as a sequence of changes and their causal relationships. Compared with those constructing KCMs, the students constructing PCMs formed higher‐quality propositions in their maps and performed better in hypothesising, reasoning, and drawing conclusions in the inquiry task.ImplicationsBesides KCMs, students in inquiry learning can be encouraged to construct PCMs to foster effective thinking and reasoning; that is, constructing a concept map to represent the problem situation as a sequence of changes and the causal relationships between the changes.

Effectiveness of the Scientific Inquiry Learning Model Based on Local Malay Cultural Wisdom on Student Learning Interests

The aim to be achieved through research is to see the effect of implementing the Malay Culture-based scientific inquiry learning model on increasing student interest in learning. This study employed a quantitative approach and included 55 students in their third semester, divided into two sample groups. The experimental class (Class A) consisted of 27 students, while the control class (Class B) comprised 28 students.. This research was conducted in the context of the Hydrology course. Data was collected through tests and analyzed using IBM SPSS 23. After implementing the scientific inquiry learning model based on Malay culture and conventional learning, the average pretest score for student interest in learning in the experimental class was 59.77 and after being given treatment using the scientific inquiry learning model, The student's posttest score was 80.55. The results of the independent sample-test showed a significant value of 0.000, where the value was <0.05. Thus, it can be deduced that the use of the Malay Culture-based scientific inquiry learning model has a positive impact in increasing students' interest in learning.

Machine Learning and Health Science Research: Tutorial.

Machine learning (ML) has seen impressive growth in health science research due to its capacity for handling complex data to perform a range of tasks, including unsupervised learning, supervised learning, and reinforcement learning. To aid health science researchers in understanding the strengths and limitations of ML and to facilitate its integration into their studies, we present here a guideline for integrating ML into an analysis through a structured framework, covering steps from framing a research question to study design and analysis techniques for specialized data types.

Knowledge Integration in Science Learning: Tracking Students' Knowledge Development and Skill Acquisition with Cognitive Diagnosis Models

AbstractIn scientific literacy, knowledge integration (KI) is a scaffolding‐based theory to assist students' scientific inquiry learning. To drive students to be self‐directed, many courses have been developed based on KI framework. However, few efforts have been made to evaluate the outcome of students' learning under KI instruction. Moreover, finer‐grained information has been pursued to better understand students' learning and how it progresses over time. In this article, a normative procedure of building and choosing cognitive diagnosis models (CDMs) and attribute hierarchies was formulated under KI theory. We examined the utility of CDMs for evaluating students' knowledge status in KI learning. The results of the data analysis confirmed an intuitive assumption of the hierarchical structure of KI components. Furthermore, analysis of pre‐ and posttests using a higher‐order, hidden Markov model tracked students' skill acquisition while integrating knowledge. Results showed that students make significant progress after using the web‐based inquiry science environment (WISE) platform.

Facial Expression Recognition for Examining Emotional Regulation in Synchronous Online Collaborative Learning

AbstractArtificial intelligence (AI) has been recognised as a promising technology for methodological progress and theoretical advancement in learning sciences. However, there remains few empirical investigations into how AI could be applied in learning sciences research. This study aims to utilize AI facial recognition to inform the learning regulation behaviors in synchronous online collaborative learning environments. By studying groups of university students (N = 36) who participated in their online classes under the COVID-19 social distancing mandates, we strive to understand the interrelation between individual affective states and their collaborative group members. Theoretically underpinned by the socially shared regulation of learning framework, our research features a cutting-edge insight into how learners socially shared regulation in group-based tasks. Findings accentuate fundamental added values of AI application in education, whilst indicating further interesting patterns about student self-regulation in the collaborative learning environment. Implications drawn from the study hold strong potential to provide theoretical and practical contributions to the exploration of AI supportive roles in designing and personalizing learning needs, as well as fathom the motion and multiplicity of collaborative learning modes in higher education.

A Model of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Remote Research-Based Learning

Opportunities for research-based learning at the high school level are limited, and with the COVID-19 pandemic, these have been further reduced. Such opportunities are particularly scarce for authentic research experiences (AREs), which allow students to identify as scientists by collecting data that contributes to scientists’ research. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we adapted two of our AREs for classroom settings, as remote independent research experiences for students to conduct from home. User guides and protocols from the AREs, Genotype-to-Phenotype Research with Corn and Discover Volvox Development, were adapted to instruct high school students to work on their own with the guidance of scientists and ARE coordinators. These independent authentic research experiences (IAREs) were implemented in the summer of 2020 and have since been available to students. Student responses to reflection questions and the Laboratory Course Assessment Survey indicate that IAREs provide students with significant gains including learning science content and research practices, collaborating with scientists, facing and resolving challenges, and contributing to scientific research.

Canvases of Professional Erudition in STEAM Education

The delivery of instruction in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) requires layers upon layers of professional knowledge concerning STEAM pedagogy, methodologies, technology, and active involvement strategies to support student learning. A professional understanding of these critical areas is relevant for supporting student learning and is germane in actively involving parents in STEAM learning. While educators commonly engage in professional development opportunities, professional development is principally singular and typically ends without continuance or re-examination. Professional learning, on the other hand, is ongoing and revisits professional growth needs for educators. In this article, the researcher utilized targeted professional growth needs for STEAM educators that included qualities of site-based professional development and professional learning referred to as professional erudition. This study employed targeted professional erudition for providing high school science teachers skills related to constructivism, experiential learning, communications and dialogue, reflection and self-evaluation, and active parental involvement. Students and parents participating in the study maintained journals regarding their experiences during science inquiry learning and teachers maintained journals concerning their experiences and perceptions regarding targeted professional erudition. Qualitative data indicated providing professional erudition for STEAM teachers results in authentic professional growth, improved communications, and skills and strategies for supporting participatory science learning.

Kiwari: Inquiry Smart Module (Investigation Fiction Case-Based) as an Approach to Integrative Science for Student's Analytical Thinking Competencies in Senior High School

The ability to think analytically and critically is one of the keys to carrying out education, which can make students understand comprehensive information and associate between components. However, to train the students’ analytical and critical thinking skills, their interest and excitement towards the learning process must be approached. This research was conducted to attract and increase students' interest in learning Biology and Chemistry (Integrative Science), providing an alternative or inspiration for inquiry science learning media to train students’ analytical thinking skills and creating a Learner-Centred class. The method used in this study is Research and Development (4D Model); the module design includes the Define, Design, and Development stages. Furthermore, the Two Group Randomised Experiment Method was used to test and measure the feasibility of the Kiwari Module. In this research, the parameters used to test the effectiveness of the module include the parameters to measure in terms of students' interest or excitement in learning, the use in terms of honing students' analytical thinking skills, and the use in studying Biology and Chemistry material, as well as student participation or contribution actively on learning. This study found that the module was said to be effective in increasing students' interest in learning Biology and Chemistry by up to 92%. The analytical uses of the module were scored 4.5 out of 5 by the material experts and suitable for use as a science inquiry learning media option up to 71%. The module was 70.6%, involving students participating actively in the class (Learner-Centred Class).

Toward inclusive and identity safe learning for supporting racialized student achievement

AbstractStudents racialized as Black often experience forms of marginalization and encounter unique obstacles in their educational paths. As a result, more inclusive and tailored forms of support should be developed. Working to better support Black students should be initiated through two complementary sides—through that of the instructor and the scientist. First, we consider the importance of identity‐safety and detail identity‐based barriers Black students experience in their learning environments. We then define the notion of cognitive universals and discuss how it limits the effectiveness of science and its translation to more inclusive practices. We argue that to strengthen tailored forms of student support, we must move beyond focusing only on cognitive universals and more carefully consider heterogeneity of effects. To support our argument, we present evidence‐based strategies from cognitive and learning science and educational interventions research to combat identity‐based barriers and boost learning gains. Overall, we urge instructors and scientists to consider a variety of techniques to create more identity‐safe and inclusive learning environments for Black students.

Community Citizen Science Inquiry: The Case of nQuire

Community citizen science inquiry is a combination of two ideas: first, citizen science inquiry (mass participation citizen science and learning to be a scientist through scientific inquiry, (Herodotou et al, 2017), and a concern to involve participation by the members of a community for community purposes. We describe the work we have done on this topic developing from our initial experiments in supporting inquiry learning with school children using technology and describing how this work has developed through conducting a number of studies involving students in a university technical college, and distance education students, then widened into investigation of the ideas with members of the public conducting citizen inquiries. These experiences have been supported by the development of the web platform nQuire (http://www.nquire.org.uk) which is now the basis of our work. 
 Our approach to citizen inquiry is driven by a concern for the nature of the participation from which members of the public can benefit and goes beyond involving people solely as volunteer data collectors. We report here on our experiences of the different types of inquiries or missions which have run on the platform since 2018, and the views of some participants on their involvement. We also discuss the issues in developing our vision of community citizen science inquiry and a potential centre for democratising research.

Ideological sensemaking in an elementary science professional development community

ABSTRACT Background Ideologies are socially constructed frameworks for sensemaking that influence teaching and learning. Drawing on Learning Sciences research on ideologies, we explore how an elementary science professional development (PD) community used substrate (shared interactional resources) in sensemaking interactions to reify or rearticulate dominant ideologies. Method We analyzed PD interactions to understand how PD community members used substrate across multiple timescales as part of ideological sensemaking. Findings We first show how participants drew on substrate to rearticulate ideologies about young learners’ capabilities in science. We then show how limited resources available in substrate impeded interactional engagement with deficit narratives of multilingual learners. Contribution Practically, we demonstrate how ideological rearticulation requires establishing intentionally designed substrate as a resource for later PD and facilitation that surfaces and challenges dominant ideologies. Methodologically, we show how substrate—often analyzed at microgenetic scales—can be traced back over longer timescales to understand longitudinal learning.

Types of Feedback in Inquiry Science Learning Classroom in Secondary Education

Types of Feedback in Inquiry Science Learning Classroom in Secondary Education

Video-based mind maps in higher education: A design-based research study of pre-service teachers' co-construction of shared knowledge

In this design-based study first-year pre-service teachers co-constructed video-based mind maps as part of a pedagogy course. The students produced self-made group videos and uploaded them to a joint platform before working with peers' group videos in a mind map structure. The course topic was learning sciences research, and the goal was to create a shared understanding about the course content before an upcoming exam. The study has been grounded in a sociocultural perspective on human activity and learning, employing interaction analysis to investigate how digital tools can support students' collaborative reading and understanding of key concepts in academic literature. By scrutinising video recordings of both in-room and on-screen activities, we analyse how five groups of pre-service teachers collaborated during the co-construction of videos, and how they interacted with fellow students' group videos. Findings demonstrate that the students interacted intently with each other's work and constituted the mind map as a point of convergence and resource for meaning making and collaboration within the student class community. The study shows that video-based mind maps can provide material and social structures for collaboration and that fellow students' group videos formed knowledge objects that generated in-depth conversations among peers about the subject matter.

Analysis of Problem-solving Ability of SDN Dinoyo 3 Malang Students in Inquiry Learning

This study aims to find out about the role of the scientific inquiry learning model in students’ problem-solving ability in science material for elementary school students. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative research method. The place for this research is SDN Dinoyo 3 , Malang. The study was carried out on a total of 27e fourth grade students. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation. The data analysis were done using data reduction, data presentation, and data verification. The results of this study indicated that the learning process that applies the scientific inquiry learning model is more efficient for problem-solving ability. Students in the scientific inquiry learning model will play an active role in the process of learning activities, where they are required to be able to solve the given problems. Based on the results of student tests and discussions, it can be concluded that the level of problem-solving ability of students of SDN Dinoyo 3 Malang needs to be improved. Factors that affect students’ problem-solving ability are, students’ lack of accuracy in doing questions, students rarely do questions that are oriented toward problem-solving ability, and lack of mastery of the concept of the topic of hydrology cycle from students. The implications of this study can provide information about the level of students’ problem-solving ability on the indicators displayed. This research is only limited to analysis to determine students’ problem-solving ability, so it is hoped that further research can be carried out which includes the development of learning instruments that can support students’ problem-solving ability.
 Keywords: problem solving, inquiry, learning, hydrology cycle

Exploring Changes in Teacher Self-Efficacy Through Neuroeducation Professional Development

This study explored the effects of a professional development (PD) on neuroeducation general pedagogical knowledge and instructional strategies for three cohorts of in-service teachers on their teaching self-efficacy beliefs. Teacher self-efficacy is one of the most influential factors for teaching practices, student outcomes, and teacher persistence in the profession. We utilized a neuroeducation instructional framework in the PD to provide knowledge of learning sciences research to inform practices across all curricula. The PD was designed to help teachers translate research into general pedagogical practices to address topics such as classroom emotional climate, student attention and memory, meaningful application of knowledge, and creative problem solving. Two cohorts of teachers engaged in the PD for five months during two consecutive spring semesters, and one cohort participated in a two-week session of the PD. We used a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design and findings revealed increases in teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs in all cohorts. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

Human and artificial intelligence collaboration for socially shared regulation in learning

AbstractArtificial intelligence (AI) has generated a plethora of new opportunities, potential and challenges for understanding and supporting learning. In this paper, we position human and AI collaboration for socially shared regulation (SSRL) in learning. Particularly, this paper reflects on the intersection of human and AI collaboration in SSRL research, which presents an exciting prospect for advancing our understanding and support of learning regulation. Our aim is to operationalize this human‐AI collaboration by introducing a novel trigger concept and a hybrid human‐AI shared regulation in learning (HASRL) model. Through empirical examples that present AI affordances for SSRL research, we demonstrate how humans and AI can synergistically work together to improve learning regulation. We argue that the integration of human and AI strengths via hybrid intelligence is critical to unlocking a new era in learning sciences research. Our proposed frameworks present an opportunity for empirical evidence and innovative designs that articulate the potential for human‐AI collaboration in facilitating effective SSRL in teaching and learning.Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topicFor collaborative learning to succeed, socially shared regulation has been acknowledged as a key factor.Artificial intelligence (AI) is a powerful and potentially disruptive technology that can reveal new insights to support learning.It is questionable whether traditional theories of how people learn are useful in the age of AI.What this paper addsIntroduces a trigger concept and a hybrid Human‐AI Shared Regulation in Learning (HASRL) model to offer insights into how the human‐AI collaboration could occur to operationalize SSRL research.Demonstrates the potential use of AI to advance research and practice on socially shared regulation of learning.Provides clear suggestions for future human‐AI collaboration in learning and teaching aiming at enhancing human learning and regulatory skills.Implications for practice and/or policyEducational technology developers could utilize our proposed framework to better align technological and theoretical aspects for their design of adaptive support that can facilitate students' socially shared regulation of learning.Researchers and practitioners could benefit from methodological development incorporating human‐AI collaboration for capturing, processing and analysing multimodal data to examine and support learning regulation.