• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.267-276
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of problem-solving inquiry teaching using concept sketches on conceptual changes about plate tectonics and science-related attitudes. The subjects of this study were two classes of second-year students of K high school located at Anseong in Gyeonggi Province. Before instruction, a conceptual test was conducted to survey student's preconceptions about plate tectonics. The control group took a traditional lesson, while the experimental group was applied to problem-solving inquiry teaching using concept sketches. After the inquiry instruction, TOSRA (Test of Science-Related Attitudes) was administered to find out changes in science-related attitudes of the two groups. The results of this study are as follows. The experimental group understood concepts of plate tectonics better than the control group, which means that problem-solving inquiry teaching using concept sketches was more effective in students' conceptual understanding. Science-related attitudes of the experimental group showed a significant change in the categories of 'normality of scientists', 'pleasure of science lessons', and 'interests on science as a hobby'. In conclusion, the instruction of problem-solving inquiry using concept sketches produced students' positive changes in conceptual understanding about plate tectonics and science-related attitudes.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.205-213
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of elementary school students' knowledge and information processing competence and collaborative problem-solving ability in scientific inquiry class using data measured with digital inquiry tools. To this end, three classes of 5th grade elementary schools in S-city, Gyeongnam were selected as experimental groups and three classes as control groups. The control group conducted traditional lecture-style classes, and the experimental group conducted scientific inquiry classes using scientific data. The following results were obtained through questionnaires after class. First, science inquiry classes using scientific data helped elementary school students improve their knowledge and information processing competence. Second, scientific inquiry classes using scientific data improved elementary school students' cooperative problem-solving ability. From the above results, it was found that scientific inquiry classes using scientific data are needed to improve the knowledge information processing competence and cooperative problem solving ability of elementary school students. Based on this research, it is necessary to study a specific teaching and learning environment that can activate scientific inquiry class using data measured with digital inquiry tools in the future.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.227-238
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• 2019

In this study, we investigated the perception of elementary school students on inquiry activities and collaborative problem-solving ability in data-based scientific inquiry. For this purpose, 20 data-based scientific inquiry classes were conducted in 26 elementary school students in Gyeongnam City. After selecting the inquiry problem, students conducted an inquiry process to collect data using digital inquiry instruments. The following results were obtained through questionnaires and interviews after the classes: First, students perceived the step on 'inquiry design and execution' as the most useful in the data-based scientific inquiry. Second, students perceived that their scientific ability and cooperation improved through data-based scientific inquiry, with the selection of inquiry problems being the most difficult. Third, students perceived positively the improvement of cooperative problem-solving ability. From the above results, it was found that data-based scientific inquiry is necessary to improve the elementary school students' scientific inquiry ability and cooperative problem-solving ability. Based on this research, we hope that the development and research of various inquiry activities will provide opportunities for inquiry that can cultivate various abilities needed for students living in the future.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.720-733
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• 2011

Problem-based learning (PBL) is an effective teaching-learning strategy for enhancing students' motivation, problem solving ability, and creativity. Its educational values coincide with the aim of open-inquiry activity introduced in 2007 revised national curriculum. From this aspect we designed the PBL open-inquiry program and implemented to 202 first year middle school students in Gyeonggi provincial office of education for one semester. We developed an energy related PBL problem. The program was designed in four steps: 'understand the problem,' 'investigate information,' 'solve the problem,' and 'present and evaluate the result.' Through the program, students did such activities as 'make Know/need to know chart,' 'group discussion,' 'search information,' and 'preparation of group report.' After completing the program, a survey was conducted to understand the students' perception of the program. The results are as follows: First, 40.6% of students showed positive attitude toward the program. Especially, students responded that 'make Know/need to know chart' was very useful. However, some students responded that 'search information' and 'preparation of group report' were difficult to perform. Second, male students showed positive attitude toward the PBL program compared to female students. Also students had higher scores in attitude toward science, showed more positive attitude toward the PBL program. Third, there was a significant correlation between attitude toward science and perception of PBL steps. Based on survey results, some suggestions were made for teachers who were planning to implement PBL in open-inquiry program.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2021

In this study, a science writing heuristic class with emphasis on social interaction and tool improvement for 10 middle school students at the National University Science-Gifted Education Center in Jeollanamdo was conducted to investigate the perception of STS (science technology society) relationship and students' perception of the effects of class. After science writing heuristic class emphasizing social interaction and tool improvement, the students became aware of the STS relationships as follows: Science-gifted students have come to perceive that experimental tools and technology contribute to the development of scientific theory, that it is difficult to solve all social problems with only science and technology, and that science is a social interaction activity. In addition, science-gifted students responded that they became aware of the relevance of STS through intensive inquiry conducted on the same subject for several hours, communications with colleagues in another group through peer reviews, communication to solve problems with colleagues in the same group, activities to improve tools in the process of inquiry, inquiry using familiar materials and phenomena. In order for students to effectively recognize the relationship of STS in science-gifted class for middle school students, it is necessary to provide experience to solve problems using various experimental tools, experience to have trial and error in the process of solving inquiry problem under the same subject, experience to improve tools in the process of solving inquiry problem, experience to communicate with colleagues who conduct inquiry activities under the same subject, experience to share the results with other groups, and inquiry activities using familiar materials and phenomena.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.290-303
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to introduce the practical model on the enhancement of the divergent and convergent thinking skills through inquiry instruction in science class. In this study, the creative thinking skill has been defined by divergent thinking skill as the narrow sense. In the science field, the problem solving thinking skill is just same as the inquiry thinking skill. Also, the problem solving thinking skill has been defined by convergent thinking skill as the critical thinking skill. This new instruction had been used for the college student in the class of general chemistry laboratory for the one semester. The first results had been founded that the students' divergent thinking skill had been increased significantly. Especially, the skills of recognition of problems, the skills of making hypothesis, and the skills of transformation and interpretation of data had been increased significantly. The second results had been founded that the students' convergent thinking skill had been increased significantly. Especially, the skills of making hypothesis, the skills of transformation and interpretation of data, and the skills of making conclusion and generalization had been increased significantly. The third results had been founded that the students' the creative and problem solving thinking skill had been increased significantly. Especially, the rest of all skills exception the skill of control variables had been increased significantly.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.425-443
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• 2013

We developed problem-solving type inquiry learning programs reflecting scientists' research process and analyzed the activities of science-gifted high school students, and the understanding and the effects of the programs after implementation in class. For this study, twelve science-gifted students in the 10th grade participated in the program, which consisted of three different modules - making a cycloidal pendulum, surface growth, and synchronization using metronomes. Diet Cola Test (DCT) was used to find out the effect on the improvement of the ability to design experiments by comparing pre/post scores, with a survey and an interview being conducted after the class. Each module consisted of a series of processes such as questioning the phenomenon scientifically, designing experiments to find solutions, and doing activities to solve the problems. These enable students to experience problem-solving type research process through the program class. According to this analysis, most students were likely to understand the characteristics of problem-solving type inquiry learning programs reflecting the scientists' research process. According to the students, there are some differences between this program class and existing school class. The differences are: 'explaining phenomenon scientifically,' 'designing experiments for themselves,' and 'repeating the experiments several times.' During the class students have to think continuously, design several experiments, and carry them out to solve the problems they found at first. Then finally, they were able to solve the problems. While repeating this kind of activities they have been able to experience the scientists' research process. Also, they showed a positive attitude toward the scientists' research by understanding problem-solving type research process. These problem-solving type inquiry learning programs seem to have positive effects on students in designing experiments and offering the opportunity for critical argumentation on the causes of the phenomena. The results of comparing pre/post scores for DCT revealed that almost every student has improved his/her ability to design experiments. Students who were accustomed to following teacher's instructions have had difficulty in designing the experiments for themselves at the beginning of the class, but gradually, they become used to doing it through the class and finally were able to do it systematically.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.273-290
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• 2017

The purposes of this study are to develop a measuring instrument for perception of science classes based on the view of 'Community of Inquiry in Science Classroom' and to investigate elementary school students' perceptions with the instrument developed in the study. A total of 417 6th grade students participated in this study. As a result, first, we developed two set of questionnaire: (a) the questionnaire for the 'process of inquiry' consisted of six factors: 'problem recognition I: recognition of inconsistency,' 'problem recognition II: interests,' 'problem explanation I: hypothesis generation and examination,' 'problem explanation II: cooperative review,' 'problem solving I: reflection on the change of relationship with objects/conceptions,' and 'problem solving II: reflection on the change of relationship with community/ inquirer,' comprising a total of 42 items; (b) the questionnaire for the 'basis of inquiry' consisted of three factors:'will of conducting inquiry,' 'attitudes of conducting inquiry,' and 'structure of communication,' comprising a total of 17 items. Second, we found that elementary school students had positive recognition generally on their science classes in terms of the 'community of inquiry in science classroom,' but they had relatively negative recognition on the factors of problem recognition based on recognition of inconsistency, problem solving accompanied with reflection on the change of relationship with objects/conceptions, and attitudes of conducting inquiry based on severity and fallibilism, Finally, several suggestions for the science education were given.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.478-489
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• 2014

The purposes of this study were to develop teaching strategy enhancing the activity to explore variables and to examine the instructional influences on students' creative thinking skills and critical thinking skills. In this study, a model using listing-excluding-controlling variables (DPAS model) was designed and applied to the existing 'Teaching model for the enhancement of the creative problem solving skills'. And it was implemented to preservice science teachers for the one semester. Results indicated that the experimental group presented statistically meaningful improvement in creative thinking skills, especially in recognizing problems, making hypothesis, controlling of variables and interpreting & transforming of data (p<.05). In addition, the strategy contributed to improve critical thinking skills, especially in making hypothesis and making conclusion & generalization (p<.05).

• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2003

In this paper, we study the methods of improving an ability of a creative solving mathematical problem belonging to an educational system which every province office of education has adopted for the mathematically talented students. Especially, we give an attention on a preferential reaction in teaching styles according to student's LQ., the relationship between student's LQ. and an ability of creative solving mathematical problems, and seeking for an appropriative teaching methods of the improvement ability of a creative solving problem. As results, we have the followings; 1. The group having excellent students who have a higher intelligential ability prefers inquiry learning which is composed of several sub-groups to a teacher-centered instruction. 2. The correlation coefficient between student's LQ. and an ability creative solving of mathematical is not high. 3. Although the contents and the model of thematic inquiry learning don't have a great influence on the divergent thinking (ex. fluency, flexibility, originality), they affect greatly the convergent thinking - a creative mathematical - problem solving ability. Accordingly, our results show that we should use a variety of mathematical teaching materials apart from our regular textbooks used in schools to improve a creative mathematical problem solving ability in the process of thematic inquiry learning. Also we can see that an inquiry learning which stimulates student's participation and discussion can be a desirable model in the thematic mathematical classroom activities.