Tag: arabia

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the use of an inquiry-based activity approach to determine Saudi secondary school students’ level of success on biology teaching and science process skills. And if there were statistically significant differences in their success degree and science attitudes depending to their grade level and teaching method. The inquiry-based approach emphasizes the explanation and investigation of phenomena, the use of evidence to back up conclusions, and application of concepts. This view is also consistent with modern learning theories emphasizing the construction of mental structures (Piaget’s functioning model) by learners. To determine if inquiry-based instruction leads to better understanding of biology concepts taught, the study sample will consist of approximately 210 secondary students from 7 secondary schools. 3 units for 10^th, 11^th and 12^th grade will be chosen and 45 minute per lesson will be planned. The design of the lessons divides the activities of instruction into 3 phases. In this approach, at first students will give experience with the concept to be developed. This experience will allow students to explore and ask questions. As the lessons progress from simple exploration to conceptualization, the student, and teacher will discuss and derive the concept from observations made. In the last phase, students will be provided with the opportunity to explore the usefulness and application of the concept of the chosen units at the end of the topic. Data collected will be through lesson observations, students’ participation, and ability in understanding and retention of concepts, improved attitudes toward science learning, improved reasoning ability, and better process skills, And through using biology achievement test, Basic Science Process Skill Test and Science Attitude Scale. Results of the study should show significantly enhances students’ science process skills and attitudes according the use of inquiry based activity methods.

The effects of inquiry-based activity approach in secondary students understanding of biology concepts and science process skills in Saudi Arabia

Research objective

The purpose of this study to investigate the effects of activities incorporating inquiry based activity teaching secondary students’ biology unit through inquiry based activity and attitudes toward science process skills. It compared the performance of the students using on activities incorporating inquiry based science teaching to students using a traditional science curriculum. To achieve these purpose basic process skills will be determined as Observing, Comparing and Classifying, Inferring, Predicting, Defining Operationally, Measuring, Recording and Interpreting, Formulating Models, Constructing Tables of Data and Graphs, while the integrated process skills will be Formulating Hypotheses, Identifying and Controlling Variables and Experi­menting. The program will improve students’ research and questioning skills with a scientific and tech­nological point of view, solving problems, conveying scientific views and results, working in cooperation and deciding sensibly.

Data Collection Tools:

Science Process Skill Test (MB-BISPSI) Malaysian-Based Basic and Integrated Science Process Skills Inventory: to measure the integrated science process skills, the test developed by Yahayaet al. (2011) with its 60 items will modify by the researcher with some particular changes and additions to be applied for 10^th 11^th and 12^th grade students (age16-18).

Overall description of the instrument

Teacher Stress Inventory (TSI) has found its application in published study from roughly the mid-1980. This is the time when Michael Fimian published it. Additionally, it has been used in study published in 2014 depending on search of pertinent database. Different ordinary and exceptional trainers have used TSI from PreK through high school. Some of the teachers include Backer, 201 and Cook, 2002. Private and public school educators are Thomas, 2000 and waters, 2009. The special group of teachers includes Mikka of EFL (2014), Jones of physical education (2004), and Batten as an administrator (2001). In geographical or cultural context, TSI has found its application in various geographical and cultural areas. Studies have been carried out in America’s urban, rural, and geographical areas (Kaplan & Saccuzzo, 2013). It has also been carried out in global settings like Taiwan, Ireland, and Costa Rica. Studied have taken place in many spiritual groups like Seventh-Day Adventists and Catholics. Teacher Stress Inventory has been translated into various languages hence it can be used by different teachers from Pakistan, China, and Spain.

Copies of Scholarly Review(s) of Instrument

In 1957, the American education system was greatly condemned due to the introduction of Soviet Union’s satellite Sputnik. This is because it was considered to be content-oriented. This led to the introduction of various radical changes in their science curricular. The major changes made include Science-A Process Approach. In this approach, fundamental processes begun in grades K-3. On the other hand, science processes started and developed in grades 4-6.  Process-based movement was majorly introduced to gauge the ability of the students to understand science process skills. An evaluation of the science process skills tools shows that the instruments were not adequately supplied. Therefore, they were not able to cover all the science process skills (Schmitt, 2012).  The coverage of such tools was deficient since they reviewed BSPS, ISPS or a mixture of some process skills. For instance, Beard established the Basic Science Process Test (BSPT) for students in primary school. Tannenbaum established the Test of Science Process to determine the monitoring, comparing, categorizing, and forecasting skills of learners in grades 7 to 9. Smith and Welliver established a Science Process Assessment to be used by learners in grade 4. Saudi has their locally made instruments which are used to assess various science process skills (Lissitz, 2009).  

Valid evidence

Validity evidence chart:

Reliability evidence

Reliability evidence chart:

Uses of Instrument in Scholarly Literature

The instrument can be used to determine how students obtain science process skills differently. Moreover, the acquisitions can be based on their gender, location, and ethnic backgrounds.

Use of the Instrument in personal Instructional or Evaluation Context

According to the evidences collected concerning the instrument, it is important to accept that it can be used in various studies. This is because it is considered to be a high-quality test. The items have complexity and bias indices that can be found within suitable range for research and exam reasons. Moreover, it is applicable and dependable as secondary school children can use it to evaluate their science process skills.

References

Kaplan, R. M., & Saccuzzo, D. P. (2013). Psychological testing: Principles, applications, & issues. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Lissitz, R. W. (2009). The concept of validity: Revisions, new directions, and applications. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Pub.

Oermann, M. H., & Gaberson, K. B. (2013). Evaluation and Testing in Nursing Education. New York: Springer Pub. Co.

Schmitt, N. (2012). The Oxford handbook of personnel assessment and selection. New York: Oxford University Press.

Tenenbaum, G., Eklund, R. C., & Kamata, A. (2012). Measurement in sport and exercise psychology. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Umar, A. (2003). E-business and distributed systems handbook: Management module. S.l.: N A.