THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A CONSTRUCTIVIST TEACHING MODEL ON STUDENTS’ UNDERSTANDING OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Journal Title: Journal of Baltic Science Education - Year 2016, Vol 15, Issue 5
Abstract
Photosynthesis is one of the fundamental processes on Earth and it ranks among the most demanding science concepts for students, associated with a number of misconceptions. For improving students’ understanding and learning outcomes the constructivist approach has proven to be one of the most effective. In this research the constructivist teaching model of photosynthesis (CTMP) was designed and its effectiveness on students’ understanding was tested. Students (N=201) from Slovenian primary schools (aged 11–12 years) participated in the research. CTMP was used in the experimental group (EG), while the traditional teaching approach was used in the control group (CG). Students’ learning achievements were evaluated using the paper-and-pencil tests. The test items were classified into three groups based on Bloom’s taxonomy: (1) knowledge, (2) comprehension and application, and (3) analysis, synthesis, evaluation. Mann-Whitney U-test showed that the EG had better learning outcomes than the CG. Statistically significant differences were found at the highest cognitive level. The CTMP contributes to the improvement of teaching and learning of photosynthesis, fosters the development of higher-order thinking and offers opportunity for integration of the constructivist approach in science classes, which will help to increase the quality of acquired knowledge and to raise the level of scientific literacy of the population.
Authors and Affiliations
Nataša Dolenc Orbanić, Darja Skribe Dimec, Majda Cencič
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP436839
- DOI -
- Views 105
- Downloads 0
PRE-SERVICE SCIENCE TEACHERS’ CONCEPTIONS OF THE "CONDUCTION OF HEAT IN SOLIDS"
There has been various researchers focus on “heat transfer". "Convection, radiation and conduction" discussed as mere elements of the wider object of analysis in these research. Given the lack of sufficient emphasis on c...
AN EXAMINATION OF THE CORRELATION BETWEEN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ATTITUDES SCALE, FREQUENCY OF SMARTPHONE USAGE SCALE AND LIFELONG LEARNING SCALE SCORES USING THE STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODEL
Lifelong learning can be defined as all of the activities which aim to develop an individual’s skills, knowledge and abilities, socially, individually and professionally. Previous research on lifelong learning has been a...
PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS´ BELIEFS ABOUT THE BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF STSE BASED SCHOOL-INDUSTRY COLLABORATION AND PRACTICES IN SCIENCE EDUCATION
School-industry collaboration can be an effective way to implement STSE issues to teaching. However, teachers´ negative beliefs, lack of knowledge, resources, support and opportunities to collaborate with companies can i...
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, STUDENTS’ BELIEFS, AND SELF-REGULATION IN LEARNING PHYSICS: STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING
Studies of correlations between students’ beliefs and various aspects of student learning become one of the fastest growing research areas in the field of education and psychology. The aim of the current research was to...
ALTERNATIVE CONCEPTIONS OF COMMON SALT HYDROLYSIS AMONG UPPER-SECONDARY-SCHOOL STUDENTS
Reactions in aqueous solutions are an important part of chemistry education. As experience shows, they are particularly difficult for students to understand. Hydrolysis is one such reaction. It occurs in organic and inor...