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

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.159-219
• /
• 2016

Mathematical ability is important for academic achievement and technological renovations in the STEM disciplines. This study concentrated on the relationship between neural basis of mathematical cognition and its mechanisms. These cognitive functions include domain specific abilities such as numerical skills and visuospatial abilities, as well as domain general abilities which include language, long term memory, and working memory capacity. Individuals can perform higher cognitive functions such as abstract thinking and reasoning based on these basic cognitive functions. The next topic covered in this study is about individual differences in mathematical abilities. Neural efficiency theory was incorporated in this study to view mathematical talent. According to the theory, a person with mathematical talent uses his or her brain more efficiently than the effortful endeavour of the average human being. Mathematically gifted students show different brain activities when compared to average students. Interhemispheric and intrahemispheric connectivities are enhanced in those students, particularly in the right brain along fronto-parietal longitudinal fasciculus. The third topic deals with growth and development in mathematical capacity. As individuals mature, practice mathematical skills, and gain knowledge, such changes are reflected in cortical activation, which include changes in the activation level, redistribution, and reorganization in the supporting cortex. Among these, reorganization can be related to neural plasticity. Neural plasticity was observed in professional mathematicians and children with mathematical learning disabilities. Last topic is about mathematical creativity viewed from Neural Darwinism. When the brain is faced with a novel problem, it needs to collect all of the necessary concepts(knowledge) from long term memory, make multitudes of connections, and test which ones have the highest probability in helping solve the unusual problem. Having followed the above brain modifying steps, once the brain finally finds the correct response to the novel problem, the final response comes as a form of inspiration. For a novice, the first step of acquisition of knowledge structure is the most important. However, as expertise increases, the latter two stages of making connections and selection become more important.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.403-417
• /
• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of integrated education research conducted in Korea and to propose a meaningful discussion for further research. Among the studies conducted for last three years, the relevant 161 research articles were selected, and 236 effect sizes were calculated. Effect sizes were analyzed with different dependant variables including creativity, problem solving ability, academic achievement, inquiry skills, creative personality, scientific attitude, and interests. In addition, effect sizes with different moderating variables, such as characteristics of subjects, sample sizes, class types, core disciplines and publication types, were compared. The results are as follows: The overall effect size of integrated education program produced a huge effect (effect size=0.88, U3=81.06%). Integrated education program showed the highest effect size on scientific attitude among other dependant variables. However, all of the other dependant variables represented more than medium size effect size. Integrated program proved to be more effective on kindergarten pupils and gifted students compared to other school levels and regular students. The effect size for group of less then thirty students were larger than other groups. Programs implemented in after school hours were more effective than in regular school hours. Considering the core subject of program, arts-centered integrated programs showed the largest effect size, while all the others showed above medium effect sizes. Finally, doctoral dissertation showed the highest effect size compared to master's thesis and academic journal articles. Conclusions and recommendations for further research were provided.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.64 no.1
• /
• pp.19-29
• /
• 2020

We analyzed the representations of acid-base models in 4 kinds of Chemistry I and 4 kinds of Chemistry II textbooks of the 2009 revised curriculum, and 9 kinds of Chemistry I textbooks and 6 kinds of chemistry II textbooks of the 2015 revised curriculum in this study. The problems of the textbook were divided into the problems of definitions and the representations of the logical thinking. As a result of the study, the lack of the concept of chemical equilibrium had a problem with the representation of reversible reactions in the definition of the Brønsted-Lowry model in the Chemistry I textbooks of 2009 revised curriculum, it also appeared to persist in Chemistry I textbooks of 2015 revised curriculum which contains the concept of chemical equilibrium. The representations of logical thinking were related to particle kinds of conservation logic, combinational logic, particle number conservation logic, and proportion logic. There were few problems related to representation of logical thinking in Chemistry I textbook in 2009 revision curriculum, but more problems of representations related to logics are presented in Chemistry I textbooks in 2015 revision curriculum. Therefore, as the curriculum is revised, the representations of chemistry textbooks related to acid and base models need to be changed in a way that can help students' understanding.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.499-514
• /
• 2016

As people get to aware that the traditional teacher-centered education can not develop individual students' diversity and creativity and cope with the rapidly changing future society, Korean government has emphasized the learner-centered education since the 7th curriculum. Under this background, we have analyzed the problems of mathematics education that teachers recognized and the features of mathematics textbooks that they developed within the framework of leaner-centered education on the basis of the resources developed from 'Student-centered mathematics textbook improvement teacher research group in 2015.' As a result of using the framework of 'Learner-centered psychological principles (APA, 1997)' for analysis, teachers pointed out the problems related to the principles of Motivational and emotional influences on learning, Individual differences in learning, Developmental influences on learning, Nature of the learning process, and Construction of knowledge, in order. The features of textbook teachers developed reflected the principles of Nature of the learning process, Construction of knowledge, and Motivational and emotional influences on learning, in order. Finally, as we have compared teachers' recognition of the problems with the features of the textbooks developed, most of the problems teachers recognized are reflected in the textbooks; however, the Cognitive and metacognitive factor takes higher possession on the textbooks compared with the problems being recognized, and the Motivational and affective factor takes lower possession on the textbooks compared with the problems being recognized. Accordingly, we have been able to search for the solution to realize the learner-centered education through math textbooks.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.62 no.4
• /
• pp.279-287
• /
• 2018

In this study, we analyzed the explanations and examples of Brønsted-Lowry model in Chemistry I and Chemistry II textbooks of the 2009 revised curriculum. In particular, the definition of the Brønsted-Lowry model, the examples, and the content of experiments were analyzed by the process perspective of chemical equilibrium, emergent process. The analyzed textbooks were 4 kinds of Chemistry I textbooks and 4 kinds of Chemistry II textbooks in 2009 revision curriculum. As a result, Chemical I textbooks did not adequately show the chemical equilibrium viewpoint when explaining the Brønsted-Lowry model. In the Chemistry II textbooks, the examples of Brønsted-Lowry model were not present emergent process viewpoint, and those were described as sequential viewpoint of Arrhenius model. In addition, examples of experiments to demonstrate the Brønsted-Lowry model of Chemistry II textbooks were insufficient. The experimental examples related to the definition of acid bases were at the level of classification by the color change of indicators. The experimental examples for explaining the strength of acid and base were to compare current intensity or amount of hydrogen gas generated from the reaction with metal. In addition, all textbooks presented the state of aqueous solution when describing the Brønsted-Lowry model, causing problems with differentiation from the Arrhenius model. Therefore, it is necessary to develop examples of experiments to help students understand Brønsted-Lowry model by presenting acid and base reaction in the non-aqueous solution state.