• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.200-211
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to analyze Korean middle school student achievement in environmental science based on the TIMSS 2003 (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study), a student comparison of 46 participating nations. Korea ranked the fourth with a mean score of 554 in environmental science. However, all 3 environment science topics assessed in TIMSS are not included in the Korean science curriculum through 8th grade, even though they are included in most other participating nations' curricula. The average percent correct of items was analyzed according to the main topic, the item type and the cognitive domain. Items that showed differences between the average percent correct of Korea and the international average as well as differences between the average percent correct of boys and girls were further analyzed. Results revealed that Korean students performed better than the international average, especially in 'use and conservation of natural resources', multiple-choice items, and items requiring 'factual knowledge'. Also, male students demonstrated significantly higher achievement than female students. On the other hand, Korean students showed relatively lower achievement in constructed-response items, items that contained content they had not learned in science lessons and items requiring descriptions of the uses and effect of science and technology. Moreover, Korean student lacked understanding about acid rain, global warming, and ozone layer destruction. Korean female students showed relatively lower environmental conceptions and lower performance on items requiring data analysis than Korean male students. On the basis of these results, this study suggested that topics of environmental science be included in the science curriculum and taught in the science classroom to help middle school students more fully comprehend environmental issues.

• Communications of Mathematical Education
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.111-130
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• 2015

The purpose of the study was to investigate the differences between two groups of students according to information recognition styles such as visual learners and linguistic learners. Two instructional methods, algeblocks and factorization formula, were utilized to introduce the factorization. Four students were participated for the study, and two of them were visual learners and the other two were linguistic learners based on learning style test. Interviews and the diagnostic tests were implemented before the instructions which were lasted for 6 sessions. After the instructions all the participants were interviewed and the researchers also interviewed them 5 days later. The results of the study were the followings: 1. All the participants regardless of their learning style revealed that algeblocks were helpful in understanding the factorization. 2. Visual learners were more likely using algeblocks, while the linguistic learners were more enthusiastic and proficient in using formula to solve the problems. 3. Five days later, two types of learning style students revealed different tendencies. Visual learners mainly used algeblocks, and linguistic learners were not enthusiastic about using algeblocks and one of them did not use them at all. 4. Five days later, two visual learners could not remember the formula, but linguistic learners could remember the formula in somewhat different level.