• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.57-63
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• 1984

An inquiry approach in teaching science has been advocated by many science educators for the past few decades, and most elementary and secondary science curricula have incorporated it in varying degrees. It has been proven in recent studies, however, that there exists considerable discrepancy between the expectation of outcomes of the inquiry approach and the actuality. This in part implies that there is a somewhat urgent need for the systematic evaluation of the approach in teaching science. The purpose of this study is to develop a comprehensive instrument for evaluating inquiry teaching approaches embedded in science curricular materials. To develop a more valid and reliable instrument a set of empirical data was used in the developmental procedure, and most of the previous studies regarding inquiry teaching method and inquiry evaluation were consulted. The inquiry evaluation method developed in this study, called the Scientific Inquiry Evaluation Inventory (SIEI), is composed of three parts: (1) analyzing and coding each science process task of inquiry activity; (2) evaluating each inquiry activity as a whole; and (3) evaluating each science laboratory curriculum as a whole. The first part of the instrument consists of twenty science process categories and thirty subcategories grouped into four sections: (1) gathering and organizing data; (2) interpreting and analyzing data; (3) synthesizing results and evaluation; and (4) hypothesizing and designing an experiment. The science process categories are arranged according to the level of difficulty, psychological level of thinking, degree of creativity demand, and the model of the process of scientific inquiry, which is also developed in the study. The second part of the instrument contains four evaluation scales of inquiry activity: (1) competition/cooperation scale; (2) discussion scale; (3) openness scale; and (4) inquiry scope scale. And the last part consists of three methods for evaluating a science laboratory curriculum as a whole: (1) inquiry pyramid; (2) inquiry index; and (3) difficulty index. The instrument is designed to be used by teachers, science curriculum developers and science education evaluators for the purpose of diagnosing the nature and appropriateness of scientific inquiry introduced in secondary science curricular materials, especailly in laboratory work and field work.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.318-330
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to compare the biology contents of elementary schools science textbooks between Korea and Japan. To this end, the organization of subject matter and the type, process and context of inquiry activities were analyzed. The findings of this study were as follows: First, the sheer number of topics presented at each grade level was considerable and the contents of science textbooks were fixed in a set form in Korea. However, the organization and development of contents were made by considering the state of things and seasons in the case of Japan. Second, the amount of inquiry activities in Korea was higher, but the relationship between concepts and inquiry activities was lower than in Japan. Third, actually conducting (or 'doing') inquiry type activities was highest in Korea, on the other hand, 'experimenting' appeared to have a higher priority in Japan. Fourth, inquiry processes of activities in each country were very similar, in that the ratio of performing an inquiry was high, and perceiving a problem or designing an inquiry was low. Fifth, the results of analyzing the inquiry contexts of activities showed that the framework of evaluating inquiry activities based on curriculum objectives should be provided in the earlier stages of science textbook development.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.271-280
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• 2006

In this paper, an Online Scientific Inquiry Learning System was developed with the aim of improving student's scientific literacy and scientific inquiry ability. It was determined that there should be 4 distinct principles applicable to the design of the Learning system. First, it should enrich learner's motivation. Second, it should provide students with the chance for reflecting on the inquiry process. Third, it should emphasize multi-dimensional forms of interaction. Fourth, students should be able to create new information through it. The server system including the database, equation editor, reporting tool, search engine were all utilized for developing the learning system. In addition, the authors produced 24 web-based projects which were guided inquiry activities in which various inquiry abilities (reasoning, prediction, experiment design) could be developed. An Online Scientific Inquiry Learning System is not the only program which could be utilized in improving scientific inquiry abilities, but at the very least, such a system can serve as the prototype for developing an online learning system.

• 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 Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.25 no.spc5
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• pp.465-475
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to develop a spider inquiry program for elementary school students based on the scientific-knowledge generating model. For the purposes of this study, we selected three species of snider (e.g. Pardosa astrigera, Argiope bruennichii, Nephila clavata) which were easily found in a school garden by elementary school students. The spider inquiry program was based on a model of the process of scientific-knowledge generation, and consisted of two sections: for students and teachers. The students' program was designed to generate scientific-knowledge, whilst the teachers' program was designed to guide the inquiry smoothly even in the case of teachers who lack experience in inquiry activities or possess limited subject knowledge on spiders. As a result, this program was found to have an influence on generating the scientific-knowledge of elementary students and the results further suggest that it may be helpful to teachers conducting an inquiry activity. Additionally, this program could be used as a selective activity lesson such as a science inquiry lesson, or as a biology inquiry class, as a weekend life experience study or as an activity on a science camp.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.207-218
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• 2010

The revised curriculum in 2007 adds an open inquiry approach to increase students' creativity and interest in science. Because it is the first time for elementary students to perform the open inquiry due to the national curriculum, it is essential that teachers give students' successful experiences in order to build a positive impression about inquiry activity. The purpose of this research is to develop and apply the open inquiry program. The research findings are as follows: First, we analyzed the students' traits of open inquiry ability during the program. The third and fourth grade students showed weakness in operating and inquiring abilities. They also feared failure and were unable to concentrate in classes which were based on explanation or discussion. When students had unexpected results, however, their inquiring abilities and creativeness increased considerably. Additionally there were some students who were stressed during the science-inquiry activity, due to no interest in science and an inability to think scientifically. Second, we developed an open inquiry program for elementary students. The program was modified, reflected upon the students' traits during open inquiry in class. Through repeated feedback like this, we completed the program. Third, for those who studied in the lessons there was a meaningful change in students' science inquiry abilities and abilities to perform 'formulating a hypothesis' and 'the control of variables'. These students' level of self-inquiry performance improved steadily. Moreover, they obtained a strong attachment to their inquiry and understood the method of quantitative experiments.

• Hwankyungkyoyuk
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.114-126
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• 2000

The purpose of this study is to identify the theory of inquiry and to suggest an example of teaching/learning strategy through inquiry for effective environmental education. This study was based on the review of literature in the area of background of inquiry, inquiry in school subjects-social science, science, and environment and activities for inquiry. The teaching/learning strategy which was developed in this study included several inquiry activities focusing on recent social issue. And it can be used in environmental class.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.449-463
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• 2020

This study was to analysis teaching strategies, types of inquiry activities and the relationship between science concepts and inquiry activities presented in science textbooks. As a result of the study, first, the inquiry-based teaching strategies presented in science textbooks were experiment, simulation, demonstration, and field study. Second, there were 53 inquiry activities presented in 8 units related to the earth science area of science textbooks, and the types of inquiry activities were experimental observation (EO) 18, mock activity (SA) 20, investigation discussion and presentation (IP). It was analyzed as 12, data interpretation (ID) 2, and express (EX) 1 piece. Third, the relationship between inquiry activities and science concepts presented in science textbooks was analyzed. As a result of the analysis, out of a total of 42 inquiry activities, 21 inquiry activities corresponded to EA (explicit activities), in which the result of inquiry activities was directly and explicitly linked to science concepts. And IA (implicit activities), which is an implicit inquiry activity in which science concepts must be inferred using the results of inquiry activities, were analyzed as 21. In particular, IA (implicit activities), which is an implicit inquiry activity, can be said to be the result of reflecting the characteristics of earth science areas where many simulated activities (SA) are used. This is considered to be a matter to be considered in the process of developing various elementary science textbooks in the future.

• Hwankyungkyoyuk
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• v.19 no.2 s.30
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• pp.96-107
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• 2006

Inquiry has great value in environmental education(EE). Being able to see the world environmentally through 'inquiry-based environmental education' can be an important value and goal of EE. In this study, we intended to develop an EE program of measuring activity of dissolved oxygen(DO), based on the theory of 'inquiry-based EE'. Especially, we recognized the potential that DO meter can be used in 'inquiry-based EE', and we tried to develop a model of inquiry-based EE using DO meter. As a result of this research, we present specific models of inquiry-based EE about how to perform measuring activity of DO and how to use the DO meter in laboratories and streams from the perspective of inquiry of water environment. In the process of program development, we considered organization of the inquiry process, use of concept and knowledge, scientific inquiry and insightful inquiry, integration, sustain-ability, content components of 'Environmental Studies for EE', developmental level and in-forest of students. The developed EE model is a scientific inquiry model, pursuing 'explanation' based on data collection. Through this model, we tried to make students see water environment more deeply. The developed program can be applied to various water environments, like laboratories, streams, ponds, etc. It can be more effective inquiry activity if we perform measuring activities simultaneously with PH, electrical conductivity, and turbidity meters.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.285-297
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• 2013

The purpose of this research is to find the effect of the lesson using open-inquiry report Lubric on open-inquiry standard and science process skill; to find the change of cognition on open-inquiry for elementary school 5th grade students. Two classes (elementary school 5th grade) were selected which located in a small and medium-sized city for this research and they were separated as an experimental group and a comparative group. Open-inquiry lesson was done by referring teaching method which introduced through the curriculum. The procedure was understanding about open-inquiry, making open-inquiry subject, planning, and performing inquiry, mid-term, performing inquiry, making a report, presentation, and evaluation. Open-inquiry report Lubric which developed by Sook-Kyung Kim et al. (2010) was provided to the experimental group. Comparative group was instructed by using open-inquiry report which introduced to the elementary school 5th grade science text book. Interview paper was developed in order to check out the effect of the research by using a test paper of science process skill. The following could be found out through the research. After open-inquiry lesson, 10 open-inquiry reports(5 reports from experimental group, 5 reports from comparative group) have been drawn at random as samples from the total 62 sets (30 reports from experimental group, 32 reports from comparative group) and evaluated by a researcher and two elementary school teachers who have master degree. The reliability of the 3 scorers was 0.923 of mean correlation coefficient. And then the researcher evaluated all open-inquiry reports. The average score of open-inquiry report was 66.78 for experimental group, 54.27 for comparative group, respectively. And there was a significant difference at p<0.05 level as a result of the t-test. The experimental group rated high at p<0.05 level according to the analysis of post-science process skill test. According to the result of survey, both experimental group and comparative group had understood open-inquiry activity. It was especially rated high for experimental group on understanding scientific inquiry process, interest and satisfaction in open-inquiry and re-participation rate. By interviewing experimental group, it is recognized that the students utilized Lubric very well through the overall process. Finally, self-evaluation was done during open-inquiry activity and it was reported that the students gained more knowledge about science and changed to positive about science. As a result, the lesson using open-inquiry report Lubric was effective for students to improve writing skill of an open-inquiry report and science process skill and finally changed the cognition to positive about open-inquiry lesson.