• Journal of Science Education
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.106-119
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• 2018

The purposes of this study were to develop a learner activity-centered science class program, apply it to the fourth-grade elementary students, and analyze its effects on their attitude towards science, academic achievement, and concept sustainability. To this end, the content of the fourth-grade elementary subject related to 'volcanoes and earthquakes' was reorganized through 12 periods, and the class was divided into two groups. Then, general science class was applied to the comparative group, and the learner activity-centered science class program including writing, making, and expressing was applied to the experimental group. In order to compare the two groups regarding attitude towards science, academic achievement, and concept sustainability before and after the application, mind map data was collected and analyzed based on mind map grading criteria. As a result of the post-test, the two groups showed statistically significant differences in all the sub-factors of attitude towards science, that is, recognition, ability, value, and interest sustainability, especially in interest sustainability. As for academic achievement, as a result of the post-achievement test, the experimental group had higher average scores than the comparative group, and it also showed improved scores compared to the pre-achievement test results. In addition, as a result of the post-achievement test, both the two groups showed statistically significant results. In the concept sustainability test after the post-achievement test, the experimental group had higher average scores than the comparative group in the areas of center circle, branches, and expression, which were the evaluation criteria for the mind map analysis, and the two groups showed statistically significant differences in the areas of center circle and expression, except for branches. In conclusion, learner activity-centered science class turned out to be effective on students' attitude towards science, academic achievement, and concept sustainability. If the learner activity-centered science class program is actively introduced and used in actual educational sites, it is expected to contribute to improving related classes.

• Journal of Gifted/Talented Education
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.317-346
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in teachers' recognition of science class and children for the gifted, and the process of changes in their practical knowledge after the experience of science class and conversation with colleague teachers. Two elementary teachers, teacher A and B, were selected as subject of investigation, who wanted to improve their science class. They experienced the process of self-examination during their class and from class conversations. Teacher A has 10 years of teaching experience. She has been in contact with gifted children and observed them since undergraduate. She entered the graduate school since she came to be interested in science class and children for the gifted. While teacher B has only three years of teaching experience and had a first contact with the gifted after graduate school. The results of this study are as follows. Teacher A didn't change recognition of gifted children class by class conversation in short term because she had a firm faith in good class teaching and was rich in class teaching knowledge. And, her practical knowledge was applied to the next class by changing teaching method or by supplementing her class contents in concerned part through class observation and class conversation with her colleagues. Teacher B was characterized as being lack of class confidence and concerned more about subject knowledge. She was forming a new practical knowledge along with new class teaching knowledge. Teacher B was in trouble with applying new practical knowledge to next class. From such findings, it was concluded that the process of changing or forming of practical knowledge depends on the beliefs, values, experiences, or knowledges of each teacher. A reflection on one' own class teaching could be a good way to form a practical knowledge and improve teaching speciality, when it was concerned with self-reflection of their own class, class observation, and communication with colleagues. Thus, the reflection practice could be applied to the teaching program of teachers for the gifted to form practical knowledge through trial class, self-reflection of class, and conversation with colleagues.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.89-101
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to develop the elementary school science instructional material for nurturing students' creativity and to analyze the effects of this material on the changes of students' creativity. This material was composed of student's worksheet and a teacher's guidebook, in which are relevant to the elements of creativity and creative activities that can be applied to elementary science curriculum of 5th and 6th grades. Student's worksheets include various creative activities: imagination, guided imagery, experimental activity, mind mapping as wrap-up, and 'let's think' as an extended activity, game, puzzle, making a cartoon, to be, role playing, and so on. These materials were applied to 5th grade science class, 156 students. They were divided into two groups: the treatment group to which developed material was applied and the control group which was a traditional lecture-centered class. After this material had been applied for 3 months, students of both groups took a test of creativity. Interviews and observation were also carried out with three level groups (higher, medium and lower level) which were divided within the treatment group based on their creativity score. The results of this study were as follows: The treatment group showed higher score on creativity than that of control group(p<0.01). In the result of interviews and observation, the students of the higher and the medium level accomplished their tasks by themselves better than those on lower level.All of them took an interest in visual activity. In a wrapping-up step, the higher level students made mind map more systematically and the medium students improved as time goes on, but low level students feel constrained. In totally, they used various expression methods and were interested in making drawings and cartoons creatively.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.29-42
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• 2018

The purposes of this study were to develop and apply teaching-learning plans using ARCS strategies to improve character of middle school students and analyze whether a home economics class helps to give positive effects on youth character change. Nine-period classes were conducted for 110 male students in 4 classes of M middle school in Gwangju metropolitan city for 5 weeks from March 6 through April 7 in 2017. The effectiveness of classes were examined with learners' class assessment and pre- and post- character index test. The research steps and results in this study are as follows. First, the teaching-learning plans for 9 periods were developed for the character education class of the chapter 'Understanding families'. These teaching and learning course plans were designed to enhance learner's interests in learning using ARCS motivational strategy and improve character of middle school students in consideration of character elements. In the chapter 'Understanding families' of Technology Home Economics in middle school, the teaching-learning plans for 9 periods, 14 student activity sheets, and 2 powerpoint materials for teaching and learning were developed. Second, students who had the character education classes using ARCS motivational strategy showed significant differences in all character elements. Therefore, the character education class using ARCS shows positive effects to build up character of middle school students. Third, the character education classes using ARCS motivational strategy increased the class satisfaction of learners. The character education class teaching and learning course plans and learning materials in Technology Home Economics using ARCS motivational strategy will be used as a basic resource to build up students' character in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.299-313
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• 2018

Inquiry-centered education is important in science education, but in the actual education field, scientific research is being done in a uniform manner due to realistic difficulties. In this study, we use RS (Reverse Science) as a secondary chemistry class to provide opportunities for students to engage in inquiry learning and scientific thinking through process-oriented activities. In this study, we developed and applied it to explore the effects on the scientific inquiry abilities of middle school students and checked the students' perception of it. For the application of the program, 128 students were selected from 6 classes of the 2nd grade in D district middle school, 64 from the experimental group and 64 from the comparative group. The experimental group taught RSP-based the chemistry inquiry programs and the comparative group taught instructor-led classes and verification experiments on the same topic over the seventh hour with three themes. In addition, we analyzed the results of the pre- and post-test by using the science inquiry ability test, and discussed the effects of the program based on the students' perceptions through class observation, student activity area, questionnaire and interview. As a result, the class using the program showed statistically significant changes in the science inquiry ability of secondary school students. Specifically, the experimental group was found to be significant in its prediction among the subcomponents of basic exploration ability compared to the comparative group. The differences have also been shown to be significant in terms of data translation, hypothesis setup and variable control, which are subcomponents of integrated exploration capabilities (p <. 05). In addition, students became interested in the process of creating the theory of science, and were highly interested in collaborating with their friends. It also provided students with opportunities to experience scientific thinking through process-oriented inquiry. Finally, based on the positive impact of the RSP-based chemistry inquiry program on students, we were able to identify the potential use of the program.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.299-313
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• 2002

A web-based instruction program for the enriched course under the 7th Revised National Curriculum of Biology in Korea was developed and the application effects to learners were analyzed. For the development of the web-based instruction program, five topics of biology from the enriched courses through 7th to 10th grades in the middle and high school science textbooks were selected and modulated with interrogative sentences. Each topic of programs was divided into four activity sections according to the learners' activity procedures supplemented with explanations and evaluations. Each activity was hyper-linked to multi-layers and animations. Further, a virtual experiment was also developed and an evaluation section designed by Java Script was attached. Among five topics, one topic of 'Reproduction and development' at 9th grade level was selected to examine the effects on students' learning. Among 247 9th grade students in the research subject school, only 67 students were able to accessible to ultra-thin Internet cables with their computers at home and they became an experimental group. A control group was assigned to those who are similar level of school science achievement to the experiment group and did not use the web-based program. It was found that most of 9th grade students are able to use Internet at home, however, they do not prefer to use Internet for homework or task project. Rather, most of students used Internet for e-mail or information navigation. Students used internet to solve problems of science and perceived the benefits of Internet for science learning. However, there are not many students to utilize Internet for science homework or task project. Students expressed that they do not prefer to use a web-based learning program for science learning due to lack of interests in science. The effects on students who studied with this program appeared to be significantly high compared to those who did not study with this program. Students who studied with this program positively evaluated this program, in particular, they enjoyed animation effect and virtual experiments. It was concluded that a web-based program for science learning should be developed and distributed through Internet in an attractive and interesting format for students. It was also concluded that various web-based programs for science learning with animation effect and virtual experiments should be developed to increase students' interests in science as well as to improve students' science achievements.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-38
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• 2009

This study investigates the relationships of perfectionism and the affective traits(academic self-concept, learning attitude, interest, mathematical anxiety, learning habits) in mathematics between the gifted students and the regular students in Korean Middle Schools. The findings of this study can be used for the understanding of the gifted students, and as data or resources for counsellors when they advise the gifted students on enhancing study strategies and developing future courses. This study was investigated by measuring the relationships between perfectionism and the affective traits on mathematics between two groups. Here, the correlation analysis, t-test, and regression analysis of the SPSS for Window 12.0 Program were applied to measure the differences of both groups. Therefore, there were no differences in perfectionism between the gifted students and the regular students. But the self-oriented perfectionism of the gifted students appeared higher compare with regular students. The affective traits in mathematics of the gifted students appeared more positive compare with regular students. There were a few correlations between the perfectionism and the affective traits in mathematics at two group all. however the self-oriented perfectionism and the affective traits in mathematics showed to correlation. There were several suggestions based on the results of this study. First, the results showed that professional assistance is needed for the gifted students so that their perfectionism flows positively into developing their gifts. Secondly, the results suggested that specialized mathematical program reflecting on the affective traits of the gifted students in mathematics should be offered.Lastly, tthe results of this study suggested a researcher regarding relevance with perfectionism and affective traits regarding subject shall be performed more. The result of research shall be included to contents of training for the gifted students and their parents.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.15-34
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to examine the secondary school technology and home economics teachers' perception of the school curriculum organization and high school credit system. For this purpose, the questionnaire data of 345 secondary technology and home economics teachers nationwide were analyzed through descriptive statistics, t-test, and F-test with SPSS 24. The research results were as follows. First, technology and home economics teachers recognized that current schools lacked the time to organize technology and home economics curriculum (61.1%) and the number of teachers (53%). Most of them have participated (62.0%) and were very willing to participate in the school curriculum organization (4.47, 89.9%). Second, technology and home economics teachers were aware of the high school credit system more than the average (3.34), and more negative (52.8%) than positive (37.7%). As a positive influence, students recognized career choices (3.88) and deepened professional content in their major fields (3.81). On the other hand, the negative impact was the decrease in choice due to non-entry subjects (3.90) and the difficulty in moving teachers to school (3.57). Third, in order to stably respond to the introduction of high school credit system, technology and home economics teachers recognized the importance of coordinating career elective courses (4.51), developing and disseminating teaching and learning materials for elective courses (4.46), separating technology and home economics (4.45), and providing training on evaluation methods and applications (4.44). This study would be useful to provide the basic information and data for the future development of technology and home economics curriculum at the national level based on high school credit system.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.80-90
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to investigate manual skills of experimental apparatuses of pre-service elementary school teachers by examining and analyzing the process of experiments conducted by pre-teachers. For this study, 24 pre-service elementary school teachers were selected as the subjects and 4 experimental apparatuses were chosen through analyzing science textbooks from 3rd grade to 6th grade in elementary school. The selected experimental apparatuses were alcohol burner, dropper, microscope, instruments for making a prepared specimen. In addition, a task was carefully chosen to conduct an investigation in real settings and a series of evaluation standards was developed. While 3 subjects conducted experiments in separated and independent space at the same time, 3 collaborators observed the experiment process and recorded whether the subject met the evaluation standards or not, using O, X. The study suggests that pre-service elementary school teachers' manual skills of experimental apparatuses were under far below our projections. Particularly, in case of alcohol burner, the subjects showed lower ability to properly light the burners - which is to brush through the lampwick with fire - and to adjust the height of tripods according to the flame. Also, when it comes to dropper, they were not held the way they were supposed to be. In addition, when designing prepared specimen, the subjects used their hands instead of tweezers and often skipped the process of dripping water drop and wiping water with an oilpaper. Moreover, they did not know how to use a microscope properly so there were many times that they could not focus a microscope, failing to observe the objects. Educational implications are discussed.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of science class using the multimedia materials on high school students' attitude toward science. The subjects were 222 high school students. For this study, 11th graders at a high school were assigned to a comparison group and an experimental group. The experimental group was received science class using multimedia materials for 3 months. The research design was pretest-posttest control group design, the data were analyzed using PASW statistics 18.0 program. The types of multimedia materials used in experimental group were science fiction movies, science documentaries, TV programs, and Power Point presentations created by students. Before and after treatment, the attitude toward science tests were administered. Pre-tests and post-test score differences between 2 groups were analyzed by ANCOVA. The differences of attitude toward science based on gender were compared by analysis of covariance. And the perception on science class with multimedia materials were also investigated. The results of this study were as follows: First, the attitude toward science was improved significantly after applying science classes using multimedia materials. Especially, there were significant difference between pre-test and post-test in the score of attitude toward science class and attitude toward science content which were sub-area of attitude toward science. Second, there was no significant difference between female and male students in total score of attitude toward science. However, the attitude toward science, scientists and society, which was a sub-area of attitude toward science, female students scored significantly higher than male students. Third, 84% student showed a positive perception that the science class enhanced their interest in science. 69% the students responded that we had thought about Science-Technology-Society. Multimedia material types which the students prefered were science fiction movie, science documentaries, science TV programs, respectively.