• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.538-547
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• 2019

This study analyzes the conceptual understanding of in-service and pre-service earth science teachers about the H-R diagrams and evolution of stars using conceptual status analysis categories. The results show that (a) many teachers use unscientific language in the Intelligibility range, (b) teachers are categorized in Low scientific inquiry ability related to graph creation and unscientific analogy for scientific concept which is hightly corelated to the possibility of misunderstanding in the teaching process, and (c) pre-service teachers lack the understanding of the secondary science curriculum. It is necessary to develop pre-service curriculum that can be applied to the school site. In the category of Plausibility range, (d) both groups understood the cosmological meaning of stellar evolution. However, pre-service teachers do not specifically explain the mechanism of a star. In the category of Fruitfulness range, in-service teachers come up with educational problems reflecting the academic characteristics of earth science and apply their knowledge to actual problem solving. On the other hand, pre-service teachers show high nonresponse ratio, they do not see the H-R diagram and the evolution of stars as a practical concept. In the analysis process, both groups are found to have many unscientific conceptions about the H-R diagram and evolution of stars. Therefore, it is suggested that caution be used in developing a professional development program of earth science teachers.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.324-347
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• 2022

Geological information on the Korean Peninsula plays a significant role in science education because it provides a basic knowledge foundation for public use and creates an opportunity to learn about the nature of geology as a historical science. In particular, the Mesozoic Era, when the Korean Peninsula experienced a high degree of tectonic activity, is a pivotal period for understanding the geological history of the Korean Peninsula. This study aimed to analyze whether content regarding the geology of the Mesozoic Era are reliably and consistently presented in the 'Geology of the Korean Peninsula' section of Earth Science II textbooks based on the 2015 revised curriculum. Four textbooks for Earth Science II were analyzed, focusing on the sedimentary strata, tectonic movement, and granites of the Mesozoic Era. The analysis items were terms, periods, and rock distribution areas. The consistency within and among textbooks and of textbooks and scientific knowledge was analyzed for each analysis item. Various inconsistencies were found regarding the geological terms, periods, and rock distribution areas of the Mesozoic Era, and suggestions for its improvement were discussed based on these inconsistencies. It is essential to develop educational materials that are consistent with the latest scientific knowledge through collaboration between the scientific and educational communities.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.127-138
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• 2023

In this study, the implementation of science classes by pre-service elementary teachers were explored to foster the digital literacy of elementary students. To this end, interviews were conducted with four university students in their 4th year of study at 'G' Education University in Gwangju, also their teaching plans and class implementation videos were analyzed. Interview questions were divided into the science class planning stage, the science class implementation stage, and the post-science class implementation stage, and the interview contents were transcribed and categorized after recording. The results of the study are as follows. First, in the science class planning stage, pre-service elementary teachers considered the degree of elementary students' familiarity when choosing digital teaching and learning tools to foster digital literacy. While writing the teaching plan, it was difficult to set standards related to fostering digital literacy. Second, while pre-service elementary teachers had positive experiences such as improving students' participation in classes and increasing student-specific guidance through real-time data sharing, class time was exceeded due to poor use of digital teaching and learning tools. Third, after teaching their science classes, pre-service teachers presented reflections and requirements for the class. Based on these results, the necessity of developing digital literacy for pre-service elementary teachers and the need to improve the curriculum of education university were proposed.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.195-207
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• 2024

The purpose of this study was to explore high school science teachers' perceptions and practices regarding the implementation of achievement standards-based assessment (ASA) in their science teaching. To achieve this, semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 20 science teachers who had implemented ASA. The participating teachers were asked to share their opinions on ASA implementation, the effects of ASA on changes in their teaching, and students' reactions to ASA. The results were as follows. Most of the teachers recognized that the initial intention behind ASA implementation began to be realized in schools only after course rankings were no longer required to be indicated. Some teachers felt that ASA allowed them to focus on students' progress, rather than evaluating them by achievement scores. It also helped some teachers identify students who were experiencing learning difficulties and offer appropriate support. In addition, some teachers acknowledged being able to reorganize their science lessons according to the essential goals of science subjects in the curriculum and provide more detailed feedback on students' achievements. However, some teachers expressed difficulties in setting an appropriate level of achievement for their lessons or in evaluating students' progress using qualitative methods. Lastly, the teachers expressed concerns about the remarkably lower motivation of some students for learning science after the indication of course ranking was no longer required.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.313-323
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• 2024

This study aims to explore educational methods to help students and citizens, who are exposed to numerous manufactured risks, better understand the nature of science and technology. It also seeks to develop their ability to identify, analyze, and evaluate the risks associated with science and technology, ultimately enabling them to live safer lives in society. To achieve this, through an extensive literature review, we explored the definition of risk, the necessity of risk education, and the relationship between SSI (Socioscientific Issues) education and risk education. Based on the results, we proposed the SSI-CURE (Socioscientific Issues Centered on the Understanding of Risk and its Evaluation) model, which can systematically educate about risks in the context of SSI. The SSI-CURE model proceeds through the following four steps: 1) Confrontation of SSI, 2) Understanding the Nature of Science and Technology with SSI, 3) Risk Assessment in SSI, and 4) Enactment of Countermeasures for SSI. These steps represent the key elements for education on risks in the context of SSI: Conceptual understanding of risks (risk knowledge), competencies necessary for discussing or addressing risk situations (risk competency), scientific content knowledge needed to understand risks (knowledge in science), and knowledge required to understand the causes of risks and their impacts (knowledge about science). We expect that the SSI-CURE model can be used not only as a guide for instruction but also as a representative framework for developing programs to educate about risks in the SSI context.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.75-90
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• 2024

Contemporary society faces increasingly diverse risks with expanding impacts. In response, the importance of science education has become more prominent. This study aims to analyze the characteristics of existing research on science-related risk education and derives implications for such education. Using detailed bibliometric analysis, we collected citation data from 83 international scholarly journals (SSCI) in the field of education indexed in the Web of Science with the keywords 'Scientific Risk.' Subsequently, using the bibliometrix package in R-Studio, we conducted a bibliometric analysis. The findings are as follows. Firstly, research on risk education covers topics such as risk literacy, the structure of risks addressed in science education, and the application and effectiveness of incorporating risk cases into educational practices. Secondly, a significant portion of research on risks related to science education has been conducted within the framework of socioscientific issues (SSI) education. Thirdly, it was observed that research on risks related to science education primarily focuses on the transmission of scientific knowledge, with many studies examining formal education settings such as curricula and school learning environments. These findings imply several key points. Firstly, to effectively address risks in contemporary society, the scope of risk education should extend beyond topics such as nuclear energy and climate change to encompass broader issues like environmental pollution, AI, and various aspects of daily life. Secondly, there is a need to reexamine and further research topics explored in the context of SSI education within the framework of risk education. Thirdly, it is necessary to analyze not only risk perception but also risk assessment and risk management. Lastly, there is a need for research on implementing risk education practices in informal educational settings, such as science museums and media.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.234-241
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• 2002

The purpose of the study is to investigate the applicability of portfolio assessment to ordinary elementary science classes, and the effects of a portrolio assessment on students' science achievement, inquiry ability, and science attiudes. Two schools were sampled from a metropolitan area, a city, and three schools from rural area in central Korea. Two fifth-grade classes were sampled from each school selected, and one class is assigned to experimental group and the other to control group, respectively. The total number of participants of the study are 475. Portfolio assessmest was administered to experimental group, and conventional teaching to control group for two and half month. Science achievement test, science inquiry ability test, and science attitudes test were administered as a pre- and post-test. Portfolio asseddment seems to be applecable to ordinary elementary science classroom. Statistically meaningful difference was not found in students' science achievemant by group, region, and sex. Students' inquiry ability and science attitudes showed statistically meaningful difference by region rather than group. Experimental group showed more positive scores on some sub-domains of science attitudes, such as perception on science education, and science career, interests in science activity, and criticism. In conclusion, portfolio assessment can be applicable to ordinary dldmentary science classrooms. The effects of portfolio assessment are at least the same as the traditional teaching on student science achievement, inquiry ability, and science attitudes.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.157-166
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• 2020

In this study, we analyzed the reflection degree of science core competencies, which is presented in second grade middle school science textbooks, and the perception of science core competencies of second year middle school students. To do this, we analyzed the frequency of presentation of science core competencies in middle school second grade textbooks, and surveyed 400 students from three schools in Chungnam area to find out their perception of science core competency. The survey consisted of 15 questions consisting of a five-step Likert scale and 5 ranking questions. The survey analyzed the responses of 327 people who responded faithfully and conducted a post-interview survey to interpret the survey results. The main findings are as follows: First, in the second grade middle school science textbook, the proportion of 'scientific thinking', 'scientific inquiry,' and 'scientific communication' is large, and the students are perceived to have a high proportion of 'scientific thinking,' 'scientific inquiry,' and 'scientific problem solving' in the textbook. Second, students recognize that the proportion of 'scientific inquiry' and 'scientific problem solving' in the evaluation conducted in school was high, and the proportion of 'scientific communication' and 'scientific participation and lifelong learning' was very low. Third, the most important competency in science that students perceive is the 'scientific problem solving,' the competency they wanted most from science is the 'scientific inquiry,' and the competency most needed to live in future society is the 'scientific communication.' Fourth, in the case of 'scientific participation and lifelong learning,' it is an important element of science literacy, but the proportion of consisting science textbooks is low, and students are not aware of the importance or necessity in science.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2017

The result of TIMSS 2015 was announced at the end of 2016. In this research, we conducted test-curriculum matching analysis for 8th grade earth science and analyzed Korean students' percentage of correct answers and responses for TIMSS earth science test items. According to the results, Korean students showed high percentage of correct answers when the item topics are covered in the 2009 revised science curriculum, and Korean students revealed their weakness in constructed response items since the percentage for correct answers on constructed response items is half that of multiple choice items. Depending on the earth science topic, for 'solid earth' area, which includes earth's structure and physical features, as well as earth's processes and history, students showed high percentage of correct answers for multiple choice items. Students, however, showed low percentage of correct answers for items that require applying knowledge to everyday situations and connecting with other areas of science such as biology. For 'atmosphere and ocean' areas, which include earth's processes and cycles, students showed low percentage of scores for climate comparison between regions, features of global warming, etc. For the area of 'universe', students showed high percentage of scores for the earth's rotation and revolution, the moon's gravity, and so on because they have learned these topics since primary school. Discussed in the conclusion are ways to secure content connection between the primary and middle school earth science curriculums, ways to develop students' science-inquiry related competencies, and so on to improve middle school earth science curriculum as well as teaching and learning.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.437-447
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• 2014

Learning progressions (LP), which describe how students may develop more sophisticated understanding over a defined period of time, can inform the design of instructional materials and assessment by providing a coherent, systematic measure of what can be regarded as "level appropriate." We developed LPs for the nature of matter for grades K-16. In order to empirically test Korean students, we revised one of the constructs and associated assessment items based on Korean National Science Standards. The assessment was administered to 124 Korean secondary students to measure their knowledge and submicroscopic representations, and to assign them to a level of learning progression for the particle nature of matter. We characterized the level of students' understanding and models of the particle nature of matter, and described how students interpret various representations of atoms and molecules to explain scientific phenomena. The results revealed that students have difficulties in understanding the relationship between the macroscopic and molecular levels of phenomena, even in high school science. Their difficulties may be attributed to a limited understanding of scientific modeling, a lack of understanding of the models used to represent the particle nature of matter, or limited understanding of the structure of matter. This work will inform assessment and curriculum materials development related to the fundamental relationship between macroscopic, observed phenomena and the behavior of atoms and molecules, and can be used to create individualized learning environments. In addition, the results contribute to scientific research literature on learning progressions on the nature of matter.