Science Education Research Articles

CONSTRUÇÃO DE UM CIRCUITO DE MEDIÇÃO TRANSISTORIZADO PARA O ENSINO DA FÍSICA DOS SEMICONDUTORES NO ENSINO MÉDIO

Technology has proven to be an inseparable element in modern society, reshaping the way we live, learn and interact, individually and collectively. In this context, Physics teaching prioritizes the substantive training of subjects capable of analyzing, reflecting and using scientific tools to solve everyday or technological problems. As current technologies are based on the semiconductor behavior of silicon and the various digital electronic automation, control, communication and information systems, present in various sectors of society, semiconductor physics represents important content for high school, allowing greater reach in scientific understanding and technological by the subject. Based on current scientific education paradigms, this article aims to highlight the results of a didactic proposal based on the design and construction of a transistorized water level measuring circuit by students in the 2nd year of high school at a state school, belonging to the Alagoas comprehensive education program (pALei), located in the municipality of Arapiraca, during the delivery of the Integrator Project curricular component, belonging to the program's diversified base. Throughout the development of the component, the students, divided into groups, were led to the question of monitoring the water level present in the school's water tank, being able to size the circuit, assemble it and carry out tests, solving the problem initially presented based on the theoretical contribution developed in the project, based on the principles of electrodynamics and the physics of semiconductors.

A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Video-Based Instruction on Students’ Academic Performance in Science and Mathematics

Video-based instruction has been a necessary part of teaching and learning in 21st-century education. However, as video-based instruction continues to evolve, evaluating its effectiveness in improving students’ performance in various disciplines is deemed necessary. This study analyzed empirical research on the effectiveness of video-based instruction in improving students' performance in Science and Mathematics. The study filtered 4,874 research articles gathered using various meta-search engines. Using the inclusion and exclusion criteria set, only 14 research articles conducted from 2019 to 2023 qualified for this meta-analysis with a classic fail-safe N analysis value of 2627, p0.001, obtaining non-susceptible to publication bias. The Jamovi software version 2.4 was used in determining the effect size (Hedge’s g), the forest plot, and the funnel plot analysis of the gathered data. The collected studies showed that video-based instructions were utilized in the primary (n=355), secondary (n=611), and tertiary (n=72) level education in various topics of Science and Mathematics subjects. The analysis of the k=14 empirical studies obtained from 2019 to 2023 denotes a large-positive effect of video-based instruction in Science (k=7), g = 2.28, and Mathematics (k=7), g=1.79, subjects with an average effect size of g=2.03 (95% CI: 1.2991 to 2.7657).

Communities of secondary science teachers: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Many parts of the western world are struggling with a teacher shortage, which is particularly severe in some teaching areas including science. Part of a potential solution to this shortage is reducing teacher attrition rates, especially among early career teachers. At the same time, a need has been identified to drive larger numbers of students towards studying science. This creates an environment whereby teachers are required to teach science either out of field, or out of science specialisation. The community in which teachers operate has been identified as critical to both increasing teacher satisfaction and driving effective professional development. At the same time, the emergence of social media provides an avenue for teachers to effectively communicate and collaborate. This systematic review, therefore, aims to summarise the research on communities of in-service secondary science teachers since 2010, corresponding to the significant adoption of social media. It shows that whilst significant research has been done across a range of different community structures, there exists a lack of rigorous distinction between these different styles. There is also a research gap surrounding the use of social media, as well as the use of communities to support out of specialisation science teachers.

The effect of guided inquiry-based virtual and physical laboratories on science learning outcomes

ABSTRACT Background Developments in technology have rapidly advanced the variety, features, and applications of virtual labs (VL) in teaching. However, it is debated whether VL can be used instead of physical labs (PL) because more is needed to address the tactile and sensory senses and to gain motor skills that PL has. While many studies have compared VL and PL, few have examined the impact of these laboratories using contemporary learning methods. Purpose This study aims to comparatively examine the effects of guided inquiry-based learning of electrical circuits and Ohm’s law in VL and PL on the conceptual understanding, science process skills, problem-solving, and views of pre-service science teachers (PST). Sample The study was carried out with 26 PSTs studying in the first year of a science teaching program at a state university in Türkiye. Design and Methods The study is in a true experimental design with the pretest-posttest control group. The matched pairs of PSTs were randomly assigned to the VL (n = 13) and PL (n = 13). Three-tier simple electrical circuits concept test, science process skill test in multiple formats, problem-solving inventory, and open-ended questionnaire were used for completing the data collection process. Results Results revealed that guided inquiry-based VL and PL were equally effective in increasing PSTs’ conceptual understanding. While VL is more effective in completing knowledge gaps, PL is more effective in developing science process skills. Neither has a significant effect on problem-solving. Conclusions Both VL and PL have advantages and disadvantages in terms of the types of learning outcomes. Consequently, guided inquiry-based VL and PL are recommended to use in science teaching as complements to each other.

Turning Science Lessons Inside Out: Professional Development for Elementary School Teachers' Outdoor Instruction

Despite the growing field of research focusing on the benefits of learning science in the outdoors where students have direct connections with the natural world, teachers report that challenges such as time and test preparation discourage outdoor science instruction. Additionally, many teachers feel ill-equipped and a lack of support from administrators to teach science and enact outdoor instruction. We present research collected during a series of professional development workshops at two elementary schools designed to help teachers recognize the potential for teaching science outdoors and provide strategies for adapting their existing lessons to include schoolyard experiences. Through observation and interview data with teachers and school leaders, we document teachers’ views of and experiences with outdoor teaching and learning. Interview data document four major themes that include teachers’ outdoor experiences, outdoor connections with science and other subjects, benefits and barriers of outdoor teaching and learning, and teachers’ impressions of students and outdoor science. While teachers report that the year-long professional development experience provided a strong introduction to outdoor instruction, they need continued support to enact authentic science instruction situated in the schoolyard.

Interplay among Language and Home Variables in Lebanese Students’ Science TIMSS Performance: A Linguistic and Economic Capital Perspective

AbstractIn Lebanon, science is taught in an international language (French or English) based on a language-in-education policy rooted in Lebanon’s colonial history. Given the intersection among social/socioeconomic class, educational equity, and science performance, learning science in a language other than one’s own raises concerns around economically-marginalized students’ opportunities for quality science education and their development of science understandings and discourse. Bourdieu’s lens of cultural and linguistic capital was utilized to better understand the interplay among socioeconomic status and science performance. Specifically, we examined how different home context variables (including language) influence Lebanese learners’ science performance in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) assessment. Using hierarchical linear modeling (HLM), we looked at how students performed in science based on how often they spoke the language of the test at home and other home variables such as parents’ education level. The findings indicate that language and various economic and home variables were significantly associated with science performance. Language had a differing effect for English and French tracks, whereby parents’ education level and other home variables emerged more significantly for French track students. Our study underscores the importance of preparing and supporting science teachers for equitable, asset-oriented, and linguistically responsive teaching that enhances diverse learners’ equitable participation and opportunities in the science classroom.

Changing the Equation: Faculty Mindsets in Teaching Sciences

Changing the Equation: Faculty Mindsets in Teaching Sciences

Analisis Kebutuhan Guru terhadap Bahan Ajar Interaktif IPAS Berbasis Tri Hita Karana di Sekolah Dasar Negeri 2 Batur

This research aims to develop Natural and Social Sciences (IPAS) learning articles with a Tri Hita Karana orientation to increase teachers' needs for interactive teaching materials at SD Negeri 2 Batur. In the independent curriculum, science and social studies learning is combined into Natural and Social Sciences (IPAS) subjects, with the hope that teachers can fulfill learning needs. The approach used in this research is descriptive qualitative, with the research subjects consisting of science and technology teachers. The techniques used in data collection were carried out through in-depth interviews and observation. The research results show that teachers need teaching materials that are more interactive, relevant to the local context, and able to integrate Tri Hita Karana values ​​in learning. The main challenges faced are limited technological facilities and a lack of teaching materials that link science concepts to students' daily lives. Based on research results, the development of local wisdom-based teaching materials such as Tri Hita Karana has the potential to increase students' active participation and support learning that is more meaningful, effective and relevant to the cultural context and local environment.

Preservice Science Teachers’ Epistemic Cognition during Online Searching

Preservice Science Teachers’ Epistemic Cognition during Online Searching

Development of an Artificial Intelligence-Based Mobile Application Platform: Evaluation of Prospective Science Teachers’ Project on Creating Virtual Plant Collections in terms of Plant Blindness and Knowledge

This research aims to investigate the use of an artificial intelligence-based mobile application with plants and plant identification techniques (AImPLANT) with prospective science teachers in outdoor activities. The goals of the study are: i) to develop an AI-based mobile application from scratch based customized for education ii) to enhance knowledge about common plants iii) to increase awareness of plants, animals, and the natural environment, offering solutions to reduce plant blindness iv) to support outdoor activities to observe, identify and taxonomically determine specific characteristics of plants (endemic, economic, health, aesthetic etc.) v) guide students creating an individual virtual herbarium. The research will achieve the expected goals by coding an original “AI-Based Mobile Application” using ChatGPT and PlantNet APIs through technologies like Flutter, Firebase, Firestore, involving approximately 3200 lines of code. The mobile application includes components such as an “Plant collection (herbarium) project module”, “AI-based chatbot", "AI-based plant identification module", "AI-based student assessment module", and a "Student assistance section". The application provides guidance in creating virtual plant collections (herbariums). Additionally, aids by the “help module” and “chatbot”. Furthermore, an AI-based “self-assessment module” evaluates like a teacher based on the answers. The research question and sub problems were based on prospective science teachers' knowledge about plant identification and taxonomy, plant blindness, and opinions on studying with artificial intelligence outdoors with common plant species. The research, once again showed that artificial intelligence facilitates teaching biology, increases academic success, has positive contributions to eliminating plant blindness, and reduces teacher candidates' concerns about artificial intelligence and affects their opinions positively.

Impact of prior experience and gender on cognitive load during initial drone use

The purpose of this demonstration study was to determine the effect of prior experiences and gender on cognitive demands at the initial educational technology experience. The task of drone operation was selected as a novel educational technological tool and videogame use was determined to be a tangential prior experience. Through the framework of embodied cognition, the NASA Task Load Index was used to measure cognitive demand. Practicing middle- and high-school science teachers were recruited to participate in this study. Participants operated drones at three instances over two weeks. An additional challenging task was also presented. A mixed ANOVA suggested a significant interaction between videogame use and time: F(2, 28) = 3.77, p<\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$p<$$\\end{document} 0.05. A significant interaction between gender and time was also observed: F(2, 29) = 3.72, p<\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$p<$$\\end{document} 0.05. For both prior experience and gender, the differences were observed at the first instance of drone operation and not at subsequent trials. Results suggest prior experience and gender may only affect cognitive load at the initial experience and leveling of cognitive load occurs with continued practice. These findings can support an educator’s planning for drone-based activities and help to mitigate the stigma of gender differences regarding technology use. Additionally, these findings support the need to examine and enhance related and transferable skills, such as hand–eye coordination and spatial thinking, to lessen cognitive load at the initial educational experience.

Mapping TPACK Competency among Life Sciences Teachers in Rural and Marginalised Secondary Schools: A Descriptive Analysis

This descriptive study assessed technological, pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK) competency among life sciences teachers in rural and marginalized schools. The study was guided by Koehler and Mishra’s (2006) TPACK framework as its theoretical lens. Data gathered through questionnaires from 235 teachers in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa, was analysed using descriptive statistical analysis. The results unveiled a prevalent low level of TPACK competency among respondents. Moreover, an examination of individual TPACK domains, a significant mastery in non-technology-related areas such as content knowledge (CK), pedagogical knowledge (PK), and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) surfaces, underscoring the pivotal role of teaching experience in fostering foundational knowledge. Despite competency in these traditional domains, a distinct gap emerges in technology-related TPACK domains, including technological knowledge (TK), technological pedagogical knowledge (TPK), and overall TPACK competency. This research addresses a critical gap in educational literature by spotlighting the often-overlooked population of rural school teachers. It recommends tailored professional development initiatives to enhance teachers’ overall TPACK competency and enable them to effectively utilise technology in their teaching, thereby facilitating enhanced learning experiences.

The effect of calculus and kinematics contexts on students’ understanding of graphs

In this study, we compare students’ understanding of the derivative as slope and the antiderivative as the area under the curve using isomorphic graph-based problems in both calculus and kinematics contexts. Drawing from previous research, we designed two isomorphic tests, each with 12 items, and administered them to 543 university students. Our findings show that students performed significantly better on the kinematics test, with a higher rate of correct answers in some items. We also identified the most frequent errors and general trends in students’ selection of incorrect answers across both contexts. Based on these results, we provide specific recommendations for improving the instruction of these concepts. The analyses, recommendations, and tests included in the study can serve as valuable resources for mathematics and science education researchers and instructors teaching these topics. This study offers insights into how context influences students’ conceptual understanding, with implications for enhancing calculus and physics education.

Enhancing Students’ Abilities and Skills through Science Leaning Integrated STEM: A Systematic Literature Review

Integrated STEM learning is an appropriate approach to improve students' abilities and skills needed in the 21st century. Therefore, this literature study aims to discuss the effectiveness of integrated STEM implementation in science learning. The focus of this research includes integrated STEM implementation, effectiveness, and analysis of abilities and skills that can be improved through STEM integration. The method used in this literature study is a Systematic Literature Review, which includes several stages, namely Identification, Screening, and Included. The databases used include Springer, Taylor Francis, ERIC, and Google Scholar. This literature review article is limited to the last 8 years, from 2016 to 2023. After screening, 35 articles were obtained, which were used as literature material regarding the effectiveness of integrated STEM learning in science. The results of the study show that STEM implementation can be integrated with various learning models such as PjBL, PBL, Jigsaw, 5E-EDP, and 6E-Cycle. In addition, it can also be integrated with media, including interactive video, virtual labs, and mobile augmented reality. Integrated STEM has proven to be effective in improving students' abilities and skills. The student's abilities and skills include 4C skills, concept understanding and cognitive abilities, motivation, ICT and computational literacy, spatial and geographic thinking skills, and mathematical thinking skills.

Investigating the Effect of Internet-Based Applications on Secondary School Students' Academic Achievement in Science, Motivation and Awareness of Web 2.0 Tools

In this study, the effect of internet-based applications on the academic achievement, motivation, and awareness of Web 2.0 tools of 6th grade middle school students on "Matter and Heat" was examined. The study group consisted of 73 (experimental: 50, control: 23) 6th grade students from a public school in Istanbul, Turkey. The study was conducted with an experimental design with pretest-posttest control group among quantitative research models. In the experimental group, science lessons were taught with the support of web 2.0 tools such as Nearpod, Canva and Quizizz, while in the control group, no additional application was made and the lessons were taught as specified in the curriculum. The data of the study were collected with the “Motivation Scale in Science Education”, “Matter and Heat Achievement Test” and “Awareness Scale for Web 2.0 Tools”. T-test and one-way factor analysis (ANCOVA) test were used to analyze the data. The results of this study showed that the academic achievement test scores of the experimental group students were higher than the control group and there was a significant difference between the academic achievement test scores of the experimental and control groups. The results showed that the science motivation scores showed a significant difference in favor of the experimental group and the science motivation scores of the experimental group students who were supported with web-based applications were higher than the control group. In addition, according to the results of the one-way analysis of covariance regarding the awareness of web 2.0 tools, there was a significant difference between the experimental group and the control group in favor of the experimental group in the post-test scores. In this study, the importance of planning and implementing science lessons supported by internet-based applications at the secondary school level was revealed.

Research as a Pillar in STEAM Education - Prospects to Formalise Research in Science Education

Research as a Pillar in STEAM Education - Prospects to Formalise Research in Science Education

Teaching Science Outdoors: Supporting Pre-Service Teachers’ Skill Development with the Help of Available Mobile Applications

Outdoor environments provide excellent teaching and learning experiences in science education. However, many teachers find outdoor teaching challenging. In this study, we investigated factors supporting skill development and learning among pre-service teacher during a blended science didactics course that includes mobile interaction in outdoor environments. Available WhatsApp mobile application was used as an interaction platform between the pre-service teachers’ and the teacher educator. Based on the findings, the pre-service teachers learned easy ways of using outdoor environments with pupils. They also identified challenges that may arise in outdoor teaching and upskilled on how to overcome them. From the perspective of interaction, submitting learning tasks, especially visual observations, through mobile messaging and reviewing tasks of other students in the application were perceived as important. However, the most crucial benefit of mobile interaction was considered to be the teacher’s real-time feedback.

Evaluating the Development of Pre-Service Primary School Teachers’ Competences in the Context of a Student-Centred Science Visits Course

The student-centred approach emphasises active learning, where students take responsibility for their own learning process, in which they are actively involved and integrate new information into their existing knowledge framework. Combining this approach with outdoor learning provides an even more effective teaching strategy. When combining these approaches, the individual needs and interests of the students must be taken into account. The research was conducted as part of The Science Visits Course among 30 prospective primary school teachers in their final years of study. The focus of the study was on the students’ self-assessment of their competences in science education and on the implementation of a student-centred teaching process, including outdoor teaching. Data were collected using online questionnaires and a structured evaluation form to assess students’ plans for a science visit. The research findings suggest that students find this type of work engaging and that it encourages their self-engagement, taking responsibility and working together in a group through sharing ideas and opinions. On the other hand, the student competences important for outdoor education have come to the fore to some extent, but there are still areas that can be improved, especially in the area of science content knowledge.

Scientific Competencies and Research Skills as Common Threads in Science Learning

The research focused on determining the results of a research skills program in the strengthening of cognitive-conceptual scientific competence in high school students of an educational unit in Quito, Ecuador. The methodology of quantitative approach, and quasi-experimental design, a questionnaire of scientific competencies was used as an instrument and had a non-probabilistic sample, for convenience of 85 students, distributed equally between the experimental group (43 students) and the control group (42 students) belonging to the third year of high school. With the implementation of the learning sessions, a significant improvement was observed in the experimental group, evidenced by an increase in the "Achieved" category and a reduction to zero in the "Start" category. Inferential analysis showed that the program had a significant impact compared to the control group, with a significance level of 0.001. In conclusion, the program has proven to be an effective tool to strengthen the cognitive and conceptual dimension in high school students, thus contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal number 4, focused on quality education.

The Need Has Never Been Greater for Adult Science and Climate Education

The Need Has Never Been Greater for Adult Science and Climate Education