The Development of an Instrument for the Measuring Cognitive Conflict Levels of Elementary Students Confronted with an Anomalous Situation in Science Learning

과학학습에서 불일치 상황에 대면한 초등학생의 인지갈등 측정 도구 개발

The purpose of this study was to develop an Instrument for the Measurement of Cognitive Conflict Levels of students who confronted with an anomalous situation in science teaming. Anomalous situation is generated when students' prediction is disconsistent with the observed fact. In this study, the researchers identified 4 components of cognitive conflict and developed three items for each component. The items were developed and revised by four pilot tests. In the first pilot test, 55 elementary school students participated in the test In the second pilot test, 88 students of the 5th and 6th grader participated in the test. The instrument of measuring cognitive conflict levels was given to the subjects right after demonstrating anomalous situation. For the demonstration, two different problem situations were developed: one was a pulley problem and the other was electric bulbs in parallel. Answered reasons for each items were analyzed to assess students' understanding on each items. In third pilot test, 125 elementary school students participated in the test. A factor analysis of the responses was carried out and reliability of the test was assessed by calculating internal consistency values. The items were finalized by three pilot tests. After 1 month after the third pilot test, researchers conducted the finalized test items to 323 students of the 5th and 6th grader. The final instrument showed moderate reliability (Cronbach-α 0.82∼0.87) and good content validity(0.93). A factor analysis of the response was carried out. 4 main factors completely coincided with 4 components that we supposed to be the conducts of cognitive conflict. The instrument can provide a means for both teachers and researchers to assess the cognitive conflict of a large number of students within a single class period. The results can be used by teachers to better understand the process of conceptual change of their students and to match instruction and materials accordingly.