• KIPS Transactions on Computer and Communication Systems
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• v.12 no.10
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• pp.291-298
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• 2023

In this paper, we study whether the programming questions of the Informatics·Computer recruitment tests were suitable for selecting teachers with required programming skills. The average points of the programming questions constituted 38%(20.8 points) of the total scores for the entire curriculum based on the results from analyzing the previous questions in the past 5 years. Moreover, the distribution of points for each evaluation criteria within programming and data structure, two exam subjects which have a high proportion of programming questions, demonstrated a large deviation ranging from 0% to 47% and 0% to 53% respectively. In this study, a questionnaire survey was conducted on 31 teachers to examine if the previous programming questions were suitable for measuring teachers' competency in programming abilities required in the actual teaching experience. Computational thinking ability was ranked the highest at 58% in response to the area that needs to be evaluated in the recruitment test. In response to the relevance of previous questions, problem solving ability was ranked the highest at 2.84 on a 5-point scale, but the overall appropriateness was deemed low. C language and Python were regarded as the computer languages suitable to be tested for programming questions with each ranked 55% and 45%. The finding confirms that teachers preferred Python and the incumbent C language to others. Based on the results of the questionnaire, we recommend changes in the programming questions to improve the selection criteria.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.305-317
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• 2018

In this study, we investigated the characteristics of participant students' modeling with the blackbox simulation program and epistemic criteria. For this research, we developed a blackbox simulation program, which is an ill-structured problem situation reflecting the scientific practice. This simulation program is applied in the activities. 23 groups, 89 second year students of an education college participated in this activity. They visualized, modeled, modified, and evaluated their thoughts on internal structure in the blackbox. All of students' activities were recorded and analyzed. As a result, the students' models in blackbox activities were categorized into four types considering their form and function. Model evaluation occurred in group model selection. Epistemic criteria such as empirical coherence, comprehensiveness, analogy, simplicity, and implementation were adapted in model evaluation. The educational implications discussed above are as follows: First, the blackbox simulation activities in which the students participated in this study have educational implications in that they provide a context in which the nature of scientific practice can be experienced explicitly and implicitly by constructing and testing models. Second, from the beginning of the activity, epistemic criteria such as empirical coherence, comprehensiveness, analogy, simplicity, and implementation were not strictly adapted and dynamically flexibly adapted according to the context. Third, the study of epistemic criteria in various contexts as well as in the context of this study will broaden the horizon of understanding the nature of scientific practice. Simulation activity, which is the context of this study, can lead to research related to computational thinking that will be more important in future society. We expect to be able to lead more discussions by furthering this study by elaborating and systematizing its context and method.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.417-428
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• 2022

This study analyzed the frequency and level of scientific practices presented in secondary science textbooks. A total of 1,378 student activities presented in 14 middle school science textbooks and 5 high school integrated science textbooks were analyzed, using the definition and level of scientific practice suggested in the NGSS. Findings show that most student activities focus on three practices. Compared to the textbooks for the previous science curriculum, the practice of 'obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information' was more emphasized, reflecting societal changes due to ICT development. However, the practice of 'asking a question', which can be an important element of student-led science learning, was still rarely found in textbooks, and 'developing and using models', 'using math and computational thinking' and 'arguing based on evidence' were not addressed much. The practices were mostly elementary school level except for the practice of 'constructing explanations'. Such repeated exposures to a few and low level of practices mean that many future citizens would be led to a naïve understanding of science. The findings imply that it is necessary to emphasize various practices tailored to the level of students. In the upcoming revision of the science curriculum, it is necessary to provide the definition of practices that are not currently specified and the expected level of each practice so that the curriculum can provide sufficient guidance for textbook writing. These efforts should be supported by benchmarking of overseas science curriculum and research that explore students' ability and teachers' understanding of scientific practices.