• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.509-518
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• 2011

In this study, we investigated the effects of analogy-generating in small group in elementary science-gifted education upon the types and the mapping errors of student-generated analogies, and the perceptions of the instruction. Fifth graders (N=37) at two science-gifted classes in two elementary schools were selected and assigned to individualistic analogygenerating (IA, n=19) and pair analogy-generating (PA, n=18) groups. After the students of each group performed the experiment and were taught about 'saturated solution' concept in the first class, they administered the test on the self-generating analogies on the concept in the second class. The students in the PA group also administered the test on perceptions of analogy-generating in small group and some of them were interviewed deeply. The results revealed that the students in the PA group made more verbal/pictorial, structural/functional, enriched, and higher systematic analogies than those in the IA group. However, there were little difference between the two groups in the subcategories of artificiality (artificial and everyday) and abstraction (abstract and concrete). The students in the PA group fewer mapping errors than those in the IA group. Many students in PA group perceived the analogy-generating in small group positively upon various cognitive and motivational aspects. However, they also pointed a few disadvantages of the activity. Educational implications of these findings are discussed.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.1063-1074
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• 2015

In this study, we developed an analogy-generating strategy and applied this to a 7th grade science-gifted class. The types of analogies they generated, verbal interactions and analogy-generating patterns, and perceptions of five groups on the analogy-generating strategy were examined. The analyses of the results revealed that there was a higher proportion of the elaborated analogies in terms of quality generated by science-gifted students individually in the analogy-generating strategy than in general analogy-generating activity. After having small group activities, most small groups generated the elaborated analogies. The frequencies and percentages of verbal interactions of each sub-stage were found to be slightly different. Analogy-generating patterns in small groups were categorized into three types; selecting in-depth source, selecting inclusive source, and selecting surficial source. The elaborating patterns of mapping between a target concept and analogies were different among the types. Science-gifted students positively perceived in terms of its values and attitudes toward the analogy-generating strategy, and they responded that the analogy-generating strategy was helpful in generating more elaborated analogies and fostering creative thinking. Therefore the analogy-generating strategy is expected to generate positive impact on the creativity of science-gifted students.