• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.411-421
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• 2002

This study investigated small group processes in paired think-aloud problem solving. Two high school chemistry classes were assigned to St-SL group (using Strategy-Solve Listener) and SL group (Solver Listener), and their small-group behaviors were audio/video taped. Verbal behaviors of solver and listener in respect to 4 problem-solving stages and performance levels at each stage were analyzed. At the understanding stage, listeners in the St-SL group exhibited more behaviors of agreement to solver's understanding processes about given and goal of problem. As regards recalling a related law at the planning stage, solvers in the St-SL group exhibited more behaviors of modification based on listener's questions or pointing out. These verbal interactions seemed to have a positive effect on students' deriving the physical quantity with the proper laws. Few in both SL and St-SL groups exhibited the behaviors regarding setting up subgoals. No verbal behavior was observed in the SL group at the reviewing stage, and solvers in the St-SL group tended to ask for listener's agreement. However, only few performed the strategy explaining the meaning of answer at the molecular level correctly through the interactions. The St-SL group perceived that the understanding stage was the most helpful and that the planning or reviewing stages were difficult to apply.