• Journal of the Korean Society of Earth Science Education
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.172-181
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact on self-directed learning ability and science process skills by utilizing 'Thinking Maps' in a science class. This particular study was proceeded to 5th grader at B elementary school, there was a mutual agreement with a teacher about assigning a research group and a comparison group and it was agreed by students and explaining the reason and purpose of the study. The researchers visited the school and selected 24 students in the research class and 24 students in the comparative class. For a research group, an experimental group, homeroom teacher, proceeded a science class with the application of 'Thinking Maps'. The experimental period was set up as a 40 minutes class unit for 12 weeks. After an experimental group, self-directed learning ability and science process skills were examined, data collection and data analysis were proceeded by order. The following experimental results are as below. First, the application of 'Thinking Maps' method in the class was effective in self-directed learning ability. Second, the application of 'Thinking Maps' method in the class was effective in scientific process skills. Third, the application of 'Thinking Maps' method in the class had a positive cognition from the learners in the experimental group. Based on the discussions and implications of the results of this study, some suggestions in the follow - up study are as follows. First, applying Thinking Maps technique to various science classes to see the effects can also be suggested as one of the new teaching methods. Second, testing the effects of applying different grades of elementary school students using the Thinking Maps technique could also be highlighted as another way of teaching science classes.