Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education (한국과학교육학회지)

The Korean Association for Science Education (한국과학교육학회)
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Exploring How Students Navigate Various Types of Scientific Uncertainties During Small-Group Argumentation

소집단 논변 활동에서 학생들이 제기하는 불확실성의 유형과 불확실성을 다루는 과정 탐색

  • Jeong-Hwa Lee (Seoul National University) ;
  • Heui-Baik Kim (Seoul National University) ;
  • Soo-Yean Shim (Seoul National University)
  • 이정화 (서울대학교) ;
  • 김희백 (서울대학교) ;
  • 심수연 (서울대학교)
  • Received : 2024.07.12
  • Accepted : 2024.08.19
  • Published : 2024.10.31
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Abstract

This study explored the scientific uncertainties raised by students during small-group scientific argumentation and how the uncertainties contributed to the argumentation. A total of 37 seventh-grade middle school students and a teacher participated in the study. They engaged in small-group argumentation on the topic of photosynthesis. We selected three small focal groups, each consisting of 4-5 students, that actively participated in argumentation and raised uncertainties. We conducted small-group interviews with these three focal groups and the teacher. All lesson and interview videos, audio transcripts, student worksheets, and the researcher's field notes were collected and analyzed qualitatively. The findings revealed that there were three major types of uncertainties that contributed to the small-group argumentation. The first type of uncertainties-those about scientific content knowledge-prompted conceptual support from high-achieving peers or the teacher, facilitating the justification of arguments. The second type-uncertainties about data-encouraged students to consider alternative perspectives and arguments. This led students to raise rebuttals and try to reach a consensus, considering the alternatives. Finally, the third type-uncertainties about how to construct scientific arguments-was raised in one small group and prompted epistemic support from the leader, who was more proficient in argumentation. The leader encouraged other students to present their own evidence, rather than just following her opinions. This study provides useful insights for research on scientific uncertainties that students raise in epistemic practices and for developing instructional strategies to support the management of these uncertainties.

본 연구는 소집단 과학 논변 활동에서 학생들이 제기하는 과학적 불확실성을 크게 세 가지로 유형화하고, 각 유형의 불확실성을 다루는 과정이 소집단 논변에 생산적으로 기여한 양상을 구체적으로 탐색하였다. 연구 참여자인 중학교 1학년 세 초점 집단 학생들과 지도 교사는 광합성 단원에서 개발된 논변 수업과 소집단 인터뷰에 참여하였다. 우리는 지도 교사에 의해 진행된 세 초점 집단의 논변 수업 및 인터뷰 영상과 녹음 전사본, 수업 중 학생이 작성한 활동지, 그리고 연구자의 필드 노트를 수집하여 질적으로 분석하였다. 연구 결과, 세 가지 유형의 과학적 불확실성이 소집단 논변에 기여한 양상은 다음의 세 가지로 나타났다. 첫째, 과학 내용 지식에 대한 불확실성은 세 소집단 모두에서 적극적으로 제기되었고, 이는 성취도가 높은 동료나 교사로부터 개념적 지원을 이끌어 논변을 정당화하는 데 활용되었다. 둘째, 데이터에 대한 불확실성은 학생들에게 대안적 관점을 고려해 보도록 하였는데, 구체적으로 데이터 생성 과정에 대한 불확실성은 학생들이 소집단 중심 의견에 대안적 가능성을 제기하는 반박으로 이어졌고, 데이터 패턴에 대한 불확실성은 학생들이 서로 다른 패턴을 함께 고려하여 대안적 논변을 구성해 보고, 반박 및 협력적 추론을 통해 합의된 논변을 구성해 보는 것으로 이어지기도 하였다. 셋째, 과학적 논변을 구성하는 방법에 대한 불확실성은 한 소집단에서 적극적으로 제기되었고, 이는 리더이자 성취도가 높은 학생으로부터 인식적 지원을 이끌어 내 나머지 학생들이 리더의 의견을 무조건 따르지 않고, 각자의 근거를 제시하도록 하였다. 본 연구는 인식적 실행에서 학생들이 드러내는 다양한 유형의 과학적 불확실성을 탐색하고, 학생들이 불확실성을 다루는 과정을 지원하기 위한 교수적 방안을 마련하는 연구에 유용한 시사점을 제공할 수 있다.

Keywords

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