• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.156-163
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• 2015

In Malaysia, the students' poor performance in mathematics and sciences needs immediate attention and remedies. In order to tackle this problem, an active learning environment that encourages students' question-asking capability must be molded. Transformation from traditional teacher-based approach to active-learning classroom is the key to develop question-asking capability. The classroom activity that the authors used in this study is based on the uncritical inference test to promote students' deeper thinking which encouraged students to verify facts that was previously learnt in classroom through group discussion activity. Three sets of uncritical inference test were developed and applied to Malaysian college course of basic organic chemistry. Students' answers to the impact of using uncritical inference test with a group discussion on learning and communication skills were positive.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.361-369
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• 2016

In this study, we investigated the characteristics of group discussion and classroom discussion in the scientific modeling of the particulate model of matter. 7th graders in Seoul participated in this study. We implemented science instructions based on the GEM cycle of scientific modeling. We analyzed the differences between group discussion and classroom discussion in three steps: exploring thoughts, comparing thoughts, and drawing conclusions. We also looked into the level of argumentations of the students in the modeling activities. The analysis of the results indicated that students generated a group model by extracting commonalities from each model of their group members, and then they evaluated and modified the group model by comparing the differences among the models in classroom discussion. The main step involved in group discussion was 'exploring thoughts', whereas in classroom discussion it was 'comparing thoughts'. Although the levels of argumentation among the students were generally low, most students participated with enthusiasm, as they expressed their interest and had positive perception in the modeling activities. As a result, the modeling activities were found to have positive influences on concept development. Some suggestions to implement the modeling activities in science teaching effectively were discussed.

• Educational Technology International
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.19-46
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• 2011

The purpose of the study was to identify the characteristics of classroom inquiry features exhibited on a web-based discussion board, which is called the Message Board. Approximately 4,000 students from 80 schools with 60 on-line scientists were participated in the study. During the study, a total of 639 messages in the selected cluster and several patterns were identified and analyzed. Three main features of the classroom inquiry were analyzed in terms of: 1) learner gives priority to evidence in responding to questions; 2) learner formulates explanations from evidence; 3) learner communicates and justifies explanations. The results are as follow. First, once learners identified and understood the questions posed by the curriculum, they needed to collect evidence or information in responding to the questions. Depending on the question that students were given, types of evidence/data students needed to collect and how to collect the data could vary. Second, students' formulated descriptions, explanations, and predictions after summarizing evidence were observed on the Message Board. However, the extent to which students summarized evidence for descriptions, explanations, and predictions varied. In addition, students were able to make a better use of evidence over time when they formulate descriptions and explanations. Third, the Message Board was designed to allow the great amount of learner self-direction. Classroom teachers and on-line scientists played an important role in providing guidance in developing inquiry. At the same time, development of content understanding also contributed to inquiry development.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.135-145
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• 2018

In this study, we investigated the argumentations of group and classroom discussions in socioscientific issues (SSI) discussion classes. Twenty-seven high school students participated in the SSI discussion classes on nuclear power generation. We observed and recorded the classes and also conducted semi-structured interviews. For the analyses, we revised a previous framework that was developed to analyze dialogic argumentations in the context of SSI. The analyses of the results indicated that there were more discourse schemes in the classroom discussions than the group discussions which are related to awareness and openness to multiple perspectives, evidence based reasoning, and on-going inquiry and skepticism. And there were few discourse schemes related to moral and ethical sensitivity in the group and classroom discussions. Various grounds, data, and information were presented in the classroom discussions. Students concentrated on carrying their claims and were not able to sympathize with and accept other opinions. Therefore, there were few discourse schemes to reach consensus. In addition, they perceived classroom discussions as competitive and actively rebutted other claims or grounds. The levels of argumentation were also high in the classroom discussions. The group discussions were held in relaxed atmosphere, and they asked the opponents more for clarification or additional information and evidences. However, classroom discussions were held in serious atmosphere, and they actively queried the validity of the claims or grounds. Based on the results, some suggestions to implement SSI discussion classes were discussed.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.331-340
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• 2003

This paper presents a case study of the student's culture as a component of conceptual ecology that affects discussions and discourses in the science classroom. The present study was conducted using a naturalistic approach, mainly through observing a science class of a middle school in Seoul, Korea, and through semistructured interviews. The case showed that the science classroom culture can be identified in four aspects: (1) knowledge; (2) the teacher; (3) classmates; and (4) self. These cultural aspects were strongly related to each other and functioned as constraints in discussions and discourses of the science classroom. For successful discussions and discourses, it is necessary to consider students' cultural aspects: epistemological views on knowledge, the teacher-student and student-student relationships, and the role of self in the discussions and discourses.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.238-251
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• 2015

This study, based on literature review and theoretical discussion, reinterprets the learning environment instruments from cultural perspectives and suggests the applicability of learning environment instruments for understanding science classroom cultures. To do this, the existing learning environment instruments are first investigated and compared in terms of their features and utilizations appeared in previous studies. The learning environment instruments are then reinterpreted in the light of culture. Finally, we suggest the possibilities to use the learning environment instruments to understand science classroom cultures. The results of this study can be summarized as follows. First, the learning environment instruments, by interpreting them culturally, could be interpreted in cultural ways and used as the alternative ways to explore science classroom cultures. Second, the learning environment instruments, such as WIHIC and CLEQ, could be interpreted both along the dimension of phenomena in classrooms and the dimension of students' psychology in order to investigate science classroom cultures. Third, the instrument items could be interpreted culturally in different ways according to the description types of instrument items. Thus, when learning environment instruments are used in culture research, the description types should be sufficiently taken into account. Based on the results of this study, educational implications are discussed in terms of exploring classroom cultures and of culture research.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.415-429
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• 2011

In the elementary science classroom, inquiry-based learning activities are often limited to students' hands-on experiences. As a result, students often overlook core concepts they are supposed to acquire from the inquiry activities and show difficulties in applying those concepts in a real life context. To make a connection between the hands-on activities and the concept leaning, a small-group discussion can be considered. In this study, we designed a team-based learning (TBL) model for the elementary science classroom. We developed teaching and learning materials for the "Comfortable Environments" unit in the 6th grade curriculum based on the TBL model. After appling the model with 32 6th grade students, we compared the TBL participants' level of concept understanding and attitudes toward science before and after the intervention, and also compared them with their counterpart control group who participated in a traditional classroom. The results showed that the level of concept understanding of the TBL participants were higher than that of the control group. However, there was no statistically significant difference found in attitudes toward science between the TBL participants and the control group. In addition, the interviews with the TBL participants showed that they positively perceived the TBL experiences.

• Korean Journal of Mathematics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.45-56
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• 2014

Modern society demands leaders who are trained with competence to not only approach knowledge but also create new knowledge by comprehensively understanding and applying it, and a leader with character and commitment to share one's ideas with others and be able to accept criticisms. In response to these societal changes, universities are increasingly adopting 'small group discussion-based classes with an attempt to develop and strengthen communication skills through reading, writing and speaking. This paper seeks to introduce a case of a math lecture, where discussion-based class was applied to mathematical education, requiring practical problem-solving through an argumentative thought process.

• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.201-215
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• 1998

This study analyzed the contents of "Reading" textbooks for 1st-6th grades. The focus of the analysis was on philosophical thinking methods designed to help children to think for themselves. Following the analysis, methods were designed for the application of effective use of Philosophy in the elementary school curriculum. Analysis of works of children's literature in "reading" textbooks show patterns of logical, ethical and creative thinking. Therefore, "reading" textbooks can be used to help children to think philosophically. Five stages of discussion can be applied in the classroom; these are: establish the issues, outline the process of discussion, discuss the issues, evaluate and summarize the discussion, apply the learning to other subjects. Teachers can use philosophical thinking methods to improve the quality and quantity of instruction with various questions, having children express their opinions, interpreting their thoughts clearly, maintaining logical consistency, and evaluating the procedures and results of discussion. These methods can be used in the teaching-learning process in the elementary school to develop rich findings and meaningful communication.

• School Mathematics
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.435-461
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• 2002

In this paper I attempt to survey on the theories of observation and analysis of mathematics classroom discourse. In order to discuss applicability of the theories I look at preservice teachers' observation of mathe-matics classroom and teachers' conception of mathematics lesson. In examining reports from preservice teachers' I identify how they understand mathematics lesson and how the theories can enhance their understanding. Not surprisingly, there are lots of obstacles for teachers to practice mathe-matics educational theories. 1 find some features of their efforts or attempts to overcome the obstacles in an attempt to gain insights into alternative ways of concep-tualizing the methods of observation and analysis through the interview and the discussion with teachers.