• The Journal of Korean Association of Computer Education
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.13-23
• /
• 2005

In this study, messages from on-line discussions of 28 preservice teachers were analyzed based on social constructivist learning theory. After preliminary discussion session for a week, small group discussions were conducted every single week with different topics during 4 weeks. One transcript with most frequent messages in each topic was selected, and a total of 72 messages were analyzed. Discussion topics were the issues related to the nature of science. The Interaction Analysis Model for Examing Social Construction of Knowledge in Computer Conferencing was used for the analysis. Analysis of the messages indicated that 'sharing information' was the most frequent, and that 'discovering/exploring dissonance' and 'negotiation of meaning/co-construction of knowledge' were the nex. However, messages of 'testing and modification of proposed synthesis' and 'testing and application of newly constructed meaning' were found to be rare. This result indicated that students' interaction through on-line discussion did not reach to the social construction of knowledge.

• Education of Primary School Mathematics
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.267-283
• /
• 2013

Mathematical justification is the process through which one's claim is validated to be true based on proper and trustworthy data. But it serves as a catalyst to facilitate mathematical discussions and communicative interactions among students in mathematics classrooms. This study is designed to investigate the effects of mathematical justification on students' problem-solving and communicative processes occurred in a mathematics classroom. In order to fulfill the purpose of this study, mathematical problem-solving classes were conducted. Mathematical justification processes and communicative interactions recorded in problem understanding activity, individual student inquiry, small and whole group discussions are analyzed. Based on the analysis outcomes, the students who participated in mathematical justification activities are more likely to find out various problem-solving strategies, to develop efficient communicative skills, and to use effective representations. In addition, mathematical justification can be used as an evaluation method to test a student's mathematical understanding as well as a teaching method to help develop constructive social interactions and positive classroom atmosphere among students. The results of this study would contribute to strengthening a body of research studying the importance of teaching students mathematical justification in mathematics classrooms.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
• /
• v.28 no.8
• /
• pp.937-954
• /
• 2008

Although the development of scientific thinking is one of the significant goals in science education in schools, there is a lack of empirical research on how science teachers conceptualize scientific thinking. This study explored how four pre-service secondary-level science teachers conceptualized scientific thinking and elaborated their conceptions through peer discussions. Results involved each pre-service teacher's conceptual spectrum of scientific thinking and showed the process of elaboration in their conceptions about three crucial issues in small-group or larger discussions. Three issues related to scientific thinking included everyday vs. scientific thinking, the relationship between science knowledge and scientific thinking, and the relationship between logical systems and evidence. Implications for pre-service science teacher education were discussed, and further research was suggested based on the results of this study.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.419-429
• /
• 2015

In this study, we explored students' epistemological framing during scientific argumentation and how interactions among group members influenced group argumentation. Twenty-one gifted science students divided into groups of three or four participated in this study. Students' discussions related to data interpretation concerning the rate of photosynthesis were analyzed. Students' activities were videotaped in groups so the discourse could be transcribed and students' behavioral cues analyzed. Students' epistemological framing has been identified through analysis of their speech and behavioral responses to the anomalous data from the inquiry process. Subsequently, their sources of warrant and group argumentation levels were explored. We found out that group members framed the inquiry in two ways: "understanding phenomena" and "classroom game." Group members whose framing was "understanding phenomena" required other members to justify the anomalous data by examining its validity and reliability, which conclusively demonstrated a high level of argumentation. On the other hand, when group members used "classroom game" to frame their argumentation, they did not recognize the necessity of explaining the anomalous data; rather, these students used simple empirical justification to explain the data, reflecting a low level of argumentation. When students using different epistemological framing disagreed over interpretations of anomalous data throughout the discussion, clashes ensued that resulted in emotional conflict and a lack of discussion. Students' framing shifts were observed during the discussion on which group leaders seemed to have a huge influence. This study lays the foundation for future work on establishing productive framing to prompt scientific argumentation in science classrooms.

• Journal of Engineering Education Research
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.93-108
• /
• 2010

The goal of this study is an analysis on linkage system between in machinery sector. The development of skill framework and national technical qualification items. This paper researched skills and created the skill level through reviewing domestic & foreign documents, interview with experts and in-depth discussions with expert group focusing on terminologies commonly used in the industrial settings. As a result of skill classification, authors were able to classify skills into three categories in medium-scale classification and 11 categories in small-scale classification, and also into total 42 categories through the re-classification of the small-scale classification. The skill level in the area of machine were classified the skill level in the area of machine into 7 level by reflecting the level system of the korean qualification frameworks, qualification and education course, and skill level in the industrial setting. Based on the skill frameworks, we provided definition of skill and skill group, definition of each different skill, and performance standards by skill and level. also, This paper suggests improving measure of national technical qualification items through analysizing linkage situation between skill frameworks & qualification items.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.11-26
• /
• 2018

The purpose of this study is to investigate teachers' responsive practices in whole class discussion after small group argumentation and the underlying epistemological framing. Three teachers and 84 students participated in this study by engaging in argumentation activities about the sensory system. We recorded both their discussions in the classes and our interviews with the teachers, which were transcribed for analysis. The results of the analysis showed that the teachers' responsive practices and the epistemological framing were categorized into four types. By framing the discussion as 'reaching the correct answer through discussion,' the teacher focused on whether students' ideas corresponded to scientific concepts and transferred scientific ideas to the students. By framing the discussion as 'eliciting appropriate conceptual resources and developing them into a scientific idea through critical evaluation,' the teacher engaged in the students' discussion as another participant, and considered the small groups' arguments as resources that could develop into scientific concepts. By framing the discussion as 'sharing small groups' arguments,' the teacher responded by asking for clarification of each group's argument, considering it as a valid argument in its own way. By framing the discussion as 'reaching a consented argument through critical evaluation,' the teacher negotiated students' critical evaluation and revision of the arguments. We explored the implications and limitations of each type of responsive practice and considered that the results of this study will contribute to developing teachers' responsive teaching strategies in argumentation activities.

• Nutritional Sciences
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.256-261
• /
• 2005

Although nutrition education for pregnant women is important, few such programs have been carefully examined from the participants' perspective in Korea. Focus groups were used to identify 1) perceived eating behaviors during pregnancy and lactation, 2) factors associated with healthy eating behaviors, and 3) needs for nutrition education programs. Using a trained moderator, we conducted 7 focus group interviews with 44 pregnant women over a four-month period. Focus group discussions were video - and audio - taped, transcribed and categorized by major themes. Participants expressed interest in receiving nutrition education regarding healthy eating, weight control after delivery, weaning foods and health management, yet they showed little interest in breastfeeding. The majority of them said that meal balance and meal regularity were the most important components of good health during pregnancy. They were less likely to be confident about taking dietary supplements, including Oriental medicines. life stress and poor appetite associated with pregnancy were major barriers to healthy eating habits during pregnancy. The most important sources of nutrition and health information were friends and family members, especially those who had become pregnant recently. Qualified educators and reliable information appeared to be the most important aspects of program development. Regarding types of nutrition education, participants tended to prefer a combination of individual counseling and small group education with hands-on materials and interactive formats. The use of Web-based nutrition education was well received Major concerns about Web-based nutrition education were authenticity, tailored messages and interactive formats for sharing information. These results offer useful information for designing nutrition education programs for pregnant and lactating women in Korea for health promotion.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.120-127
• /
• 2011

To identify "Gongsik", defined as food-sharing by picking food from a common plate using personal utensils, we conducted 7 focus group interviews including 47 university students during a 6 month period. Focus group discussions were audio taped, transcribed, and categorized into major themes. We divided Gongsik into the following categories: practical reasons, socio-psychological reasons, boundaries, suppressive situations, emotional characteristics, attitudes towards using different utensils, and future prospects. Gongsik appeared to be useful for fostering quick food sharing, intimacy and solidarity, and a fixed behavior learned at home. If the amount of food was too small to provide individual servings, as in Jjigae, Gongsik was likely to occur spontaneously. Family, close relatives, friends, and lovers sharing common activities and/ or blood ties were composed the boundaries of Gongsik. However, Gongsik was avoided in elegant restaurants or in view of foreigners. Participants showed mixed feelings towards Gongsik. Gongsik conducted with a spoon was considered to increase the degree of suggested intimacy in a food sharing context. Half of the students believed that the practice of Gongsik would be maintained into the future. Gongsik is a culturally-specific behavior that includes both positive and negative meanings. Aside from improving understanding of the cultural aspects of food-sharing, we suggest that the negative aspects of Gongsik related to the issue of hygiene be considered in food and nutrition education.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
• /
• v.14 no.5
• /
• pp.213-217
• /
• 2015

Recently, household electronic industries require environmentally-friendly and highly functional steels in order to enhance the quality of human life. Customers especially require both excellent corrosion and abrasion resistant anti-fingerprint steels for digital TV panels. Thus POSCO has developed new functional electro-galvanized steels, which have double coated layers with organic-inorganic composites on the zinc surface of the steel for usage as the bottom chassis panel of TVs. The inorganic solution for the bottom layer consists of inorganic phosphate, magnesium, and zirconium compounds with a small amount of epoxy binder, and affords both improved adhesion properties by chemical conversion reactions and corrosion resistance due to a self-healing effect. The composite solution for the top layer was prepared by fine dispersion of organic-inorganic ingredients that consist of a urethane modified polyacrylate polymer, hardener, silica sol and a titanium complex inhibitor in aqueous media. Both composite solutions were coated on the steel surface by using a roll coater and then cured through an induction furnace in the electro-galvanizing line. New anti-fingerprint steel was evaluated for quality performance through such procedures as the salt spray test for corrosion resistance, tribological test for abrasion resistance, and conductivity test for surface electric conductance regarding to both types of polymer resin and coating weight of composite solution. New composite coated anti-fingerprint steels afford both better corrosion resistance and abrasion properties compared to conventional anti-fingerprint steel that mainly consists of acrylate polymers. Detailed discussions of both composite solutions and experimental results suggest that urethane modifications of acrylate polymers of composite solutions play a key role in enhanced quality performances.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.407-417
• /
• 2021

This study aims to establish the relationship between the Green Marketing Orientation (GMO) variables and the performance of Green Small and Medium Enterprises (GSMEs) across the building and energy sectors in Malaysia, using customer satisfaction as a means of performance measurement. The GMO variables examined include Greening the Process (GTP), Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM), Green Strategic Policy Initiatives (GSPI), Proactive Energy Conservation (PEC) and Green Promotion (GP). The items used to measure these variables were extracted from literature and adapted to the context of the variables based on feedback from Focus Group Discussions and Expert Opinion sessions. This study employs a survey sample of 300 respondents but only 238 completed questionnaires were returned. The results reveal that GTP, GSCM and PEC have a positive impact on Customer Satisfaction but not GSPI and GP. The findings suggest that owners or managers of GSMEs should focus on maintaining and improving GTP, GSCM and PEC in order to create greater satisfaction among their customers. The significance of this study is that it enables the creation of a framework that enables GSMEs to design a pathway towards achieving a cleaner production of goods and services in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.