High-achieving High School Students' Science Activities, Self-concept, and Choice of a Science Major

학업 성취가 뛰어난 고등학생들의 과학 활동, 자아 개념, 과학 전공

  • Received : 2010.11.05
  • Accepted : 2010.12.09
  • Published : 2010.12.31

Abstract

The purpose of this research project is to explain why high-achieving high school students in our country do or do not choose a science major and to explore gender differences. First-year students attending science high schools and international high school participated, responding to open-ended questions on science activities, self-concept of strengths for science learning, and rationales for choosing or not choosing a science major. For high- achieving students, it is shown that intrinsic interest has the greatest correlation with choosing a science major, with the next important influence being self-efficacy. On the other hand, in not choosing a science major, the lack of self-efficacy has a greater correlation than the lack of intrinsic interest. Self-concept in science-learning and science activities occurring outside of school classes are also compared and analyzed, and implications are discussed from educational and policy viewpoints.

본 연구의 목적은 학업 성취가 매우 뛰어난 우리나라 고등학생들이 이공계 진로를 선택하거나 또는 선택하지 않는 이유를 설명하며 성별차를 탐구하는 것이다. 과학고등학교와 국제고등학교에 재학 중인 1학년 학생들이 참여하여 과학 활동, 과학 학습을 위한 자신의 강점, 과학 전공을 선택하거나 선택하지 않는 이유를 묻는 개방형 문항에 응답하였다. 학업성취가 뛰어난 고등학생들의 과학 전공 선택 이유로서는 내적 흥미가 가장 비중이 크며 다음으로 자기효능감의 비중이 큰 것으로 드러났다. 그러나 과학을 전공으로 선택하지 않으려는 것에는 흥미의 부족보다는 자기효능감의 부족이 더 큰 관련이 있는 것으로 드러났다. 이 외에 과학 학습에 대한 자아개념과 정규 수업 외의 과학 활동을 분석하고 비교하였으며 교육적, 정책적 시사점들을 논의하였다.

Keywords

References

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