• Journal of the Korean Society of Earth Science Education
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.276-291
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• 2016

This study is to develop a valid and reliable instrument for measuring students' creative engineering problem solving propensity. The creative engineering problem solving is operationally defined in this study as a creative problem solving skill in an engineering context. To develop the instrument, first we define seven common constructs between engineering problem solving skill and creative problem solving skill through an intensive literature review; motivation, context, personal character, engineering design, engienering habits of mind, understandings of engineering and engineers, communication skill, and collaboration skill. Based on the seven constructs and the face validity test conducted by two in-service science teachers and 4 experts in science education research, 40 preliminary items were developed. Then the preliminary instrument was implemented in a science gifted highschool to measure the reliability of the instrument. From the 40 items, 34 items were selected through the initial reliability test by Cronbach's ${\alpha}$(>.75). Finally through the three times of factor analysis process, 28 items in five construct categories were selected; motivation (3 items), engineering design (6 items), engineering habits of mind (9 items), understandings of engineering and engineers (4 items), communication and collaboration skill (6 items). The factor analysis result showed that the reliability of each construct category was between .733 to .892., meaning that the instrument is reliable in terms of the higher structural validity (each item is categorized in an appropriate construct category). We expect that the creative engineering problem solving propensity instrument developed in this study can be used in various contexts for STEAM education research as a reliable and valid instrument.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.85-94
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• 2015

Constructivism gave many implications to science education but at the same time it has brought confusion about its implication to the field of science education. Hermeneutics has possibilities of being able to reduce confusion as well as opening a new horizon. Hermeneutics seeks the meaning of 'real understanding' through the concepts of horizon, hermeneutical circle, and fusion of horizons. Both hermeneutics and constructivism have positive attitude to students' pre-understanding and accept contextualization of knowledge. Thus, they both can criticize traditional teaching method and propose an alternative. Moreover, hermeneutics approaches human understanding holistically with the concept of horizon, and pays attention to the circularity of the process of human understanding. As a result, hermeneutics can open a new horizon and give new discourse to science education and contribute to the development of research and practice of science education.