• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.155-166
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• 2024

This study investigated and compared orientations toward scientific inquiry learning among general and science-gifted elementary students. It also investigated and compared the relationship between their orientations toward scientific inquiry learning and their coping strategies for anomalous situations. To realize this, 61 general elementary students and 53 science-gifted elementary students in Seoul were selected, and questionnaires were administered to investigate their orientations toward scientific inquiry learning and coping strategies for anomalous situations. In addition, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted individually with some of the general and science-gifted students. The results showed that among orientations toward scientific inquiry learning, regardless of grade level, the general students were most likely to possess 'concept understanding' and second most likely to exhibit 'scientific practice'. On the other hand, the science-gifted students demonstrated the highest frequency of 'scientific practice', with 'concept understanding' and 'complexity' also being relatively common. 'Activity driven' was found only among some of the general students and 'engineering practice' was found only among some of the science-gifted students. 'Process skills' were not found. No clear relationships between orientations toward scientific inquiry learning and coping strategies for anomalous situations were found. However, some differences in the choice of coping strategies for anomalous situations between the general and science-gifted students were discovered, even when they had the same orientations toward scientific inquiry learning. The educational implications of these findings were discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.83-95
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• 2005

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.67-71
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• 2003

The present study examined the inquiry type, process, and context of activities presented in the matter field of the 7th grade science textbook based on the 7th curriculum. It was to investigate for educational suggestions in instruction and development of science textbook. Three units of ‘three states of matter', ‘motion of molecule', ‘the state change and energy' were analyzed. The result indicated that the types, processes and skills, and context of inquiry were not balanced, and learners should be educated with complementary inquiry activities. It is proposed that the inquiry activities presented in science textbooks be examined, and the framework to evaluate inquiry activities be reflected on the standard of science textbook authorization for development of the science textbook to accord with aims and objectives of curriculum.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.338-355
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• 2022

This study explored the effects of pre-service elementary teachers' inquiries into science class dilemmas. By closely examining the characteristics of the pre-service teachers' inquiry processes and changes in their educational decisions, the effectiveness of using dilemmas as part of teacher education was determined. Twenty fourth-year university pre-service teachers participated and conducted inquiries into science class dilemmas over seven weeks. Based on pre- and post-questionnaires, KWHL tables, inquiry reports, discussions, and group class presentations, the major factors that influence the pre-service teacher's decision-making changes were extracted. The pre-service teachers found the science inquiry process meaningful when exploring the science topics covered in the dilemmas, and claimed that elementary school students would be able to engage in meaningful science explorations if they learned science through inquiry. Furthermore, the pre-service teachers explored the thinking processes and background knowledge of the students in different ways. Documents such as teacher's guides and the curriculum were examined and the students' thought processes were identified through interviews with the teachers and students, which were found to reflect their educational decision-making. Moreover, it was recognized by the pre-service teachers that depending on the situation, alternative teaching methods were possible. The focus on the unstructured dilemma problems provided the pre-service teachers with problem-solving situations that triggered scientific inquiry and exploration of student thinking and revealed the complexity of science teaching and learning. Based on these results, the teacher education implications for using dilemma cases are discussed.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.308-321
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• 2018

The purpose of the study is to develop a questionnaire that examines unskeptical attitudes in scientific inquiry context. The questionnaire items were developed through literature research, expert review, and statistical analyses for validity and the differences in scores were identified by gender and tracks. A total of 363 high school students participated in the study. To explore the validity evidence of items, the Rasch analysis and the reliability of internal consistency were performed, and the two-way ANOVA was performed to compare the scores of the unskeptical attitudes between gender and academic track. Self-reporting and Likert-scaling 23 items were developed to measure unskeptical attitudes in scientific inquiry context. The items were developed in the sub-domain of scientific inquiry: 'questioning and hypothesis generating,' 'experiment designing,' and 'explaining and interpreting.' Second, the validity and reliability of the unskeptical were identified in a rigorous method. The validity of items were identified by multi-dimensional partial score model analysis through the Rasch model, and all 23 items were found to be fit to model. Various reliability evidences were also found to be appropriate. It was found that there were no significant differences of unskeptical attitude score between the gender and academic track except one comparison. The developed questionnaire could be used to check an unskeptical attitude in the course of scientific inquiry and to compare the effects of scientific inquiry classes.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.865-874
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to explore the process of inquiry problem finding in high school students' small group free-inquiry. For this purpose, 91 second grade high school students took part in small group free-inquiry. We conducted interviews with students (48 students in 15 groups) who were relatively successful in the inquiry performed for one semester (about 4 months). Based on the results of the interviews, we analyzed the characteristics of the inquiry problem finding through the steps and strategies in the inquiry problem finding process. The main results are as follows: First, in the inquiry problem finding process, steps such as selecting keyword, presenting an inconvenience, presenting a question, and finding an inquiry problem were found, and in particular, the process of selecting the keyword that correspond to the subject of inquiry, such as the material and situation of inquiry, is very important step in inquiry problem finding. Second, the strategies that students used in the process of finding inquiry problem included searching information, review of prior research, sharing of knowledge and experience, linking and extension of knowledge and experience, environmental awareness, expert consultation, discussion of suitability, elaboration, etc. Third, finding an inquiry problem was relatively easy in the inquiry for finding out problems (i.e. inconvenience) in everyday life and investigating ways to solve them. Fourth, the review of prior researches through the internet was useful in the process of selecting keyword and elaboration. Fifth, the factors that students consider when selecting one of several candidate inquiry problems are feasibility, real-life applicability, and economic condition. Sixth, the current affairs had a positive impact on the inquiry problem finding. Based on the above results, we discussed some ways to increase students' inquiry problem finding ability.

• Journal of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.19-33
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• 2005

In this paper, we analyzed the qualitative data which collected from the inquiry learning situation on small group using TI-92 graphing calculator. From the analysis, we found the followings: First, TI-92 graphing calculator promote the mathematical communication between students or students and teacher on the small group inquiry learning process through it be a role of catalyzer to make opened atmosphere. Second, TI-92 graphing calculator give a chance to students to explore the advanced mathematical relations through it provide the new learning environment relate to the visual imagery.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.274-287
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• 2000

This study was performed the analysis of four kinds of common science textbooks based on the 6th curriculum. Particularly, inquiry activity part was analyzed by the three dimension framework which consists of inquiry content dimension, inquiry process dimension and inquiry context dimension. In the analysis of the inquiry content dimension of inquiry activities, the contents revised by 6th curriculum of common science textbook was accomplished through various inquiry activities. The number of inquiry activity in four textbooks was similar as about 16. The For the analysis of inquiry process dimension, 'interpreting data and formulating generalizations' category (39.1%) was most emphasized and the categories of 'observation and measuring'(30.8%), and 'building, testing and revising the theoretical model' (16.5 %), 'seeing a problem and seeking ways to solve it' (13.5%) follow in order. As for the analysis of the inquiry context dimension, the proportion of STS related contents in inquiry activities was only 18%. So, we propose that STS related contents would increase the proportion for the following textbook.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.205-225
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• 2014

This study analyzed how two sixth graders recognized, generalized, and represented functional relationships in exploring geometric growing patterns. The results showed that at first the students had a tendency to solve the given problem using the picture in it, but later attempted to generalize the functional relationships in exploring subsequent items. The students also represented the patterns with their own methods, which in turn had an impact on the process of generalizing and applying the patterns to a related context. Given these results, this paper includes issues and implications on how to foster functional thinking ability at the elementary school.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.576-585
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• 2004

This study was conducted to analyze the relationships between terms, learning concepts and inquiries in ocean unit, the National Common Basic Curriculum. The several science textbooks were selected to use for study, written in accordance with the 7 current national curriculum for the fourth grade of elementary school, the seventh of middle school and the tenth of high school. The higher the school level becomes, the frequencies of using terms related with ocean region get. The explanation of terms, however, has a tendency to be less frequent in the high school level. In the perspective of learning concept, there are more concrete concepts than formal concepts regardless of school level. Pure scientific context appears most often in inquiry contest through the whole course of every school level. In respect to inquiry process, the frequency of integrative inquiry process is on the increase as the school level gets higher. From the viewpoint of inquiry activity, there have been a lot of discussions, experiments and investigations in every school level, while high school does not the present any field study and project. Through these result, it is considered that the explanation of main terms is inevitable in the textbooks as basic educational material without regard to school level. In learning concept and inquiry context, a well-rounded learning is needed in relation to students' cognitive development and science-technology-society. Especially for the inquiry activity of earth science education, the educational effect is remarkable through field study; its appropriate application is required, accordingly.