• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.228-242
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to develop a student-led instructional strategy that is central to the teaching-learning process and to investigate its effects. For this study, we analyzed the learner-centered learning types (discovery learning, problem-based learning, inquiry learning) and extracted elements applicable to newly developed teaching-learning. Based on this, a student-led class strategy was established using pre-learning, teacher collaboration, small group composition, and limited open data and product presentation, and then science classes were conducted. As a result of the post-tests of the five science core competencies of the experimental group using the student-led instructional strategy and the comparative group conducting lecture-based classes, the experimental group showed higher scores than the comparative group in the scientific thinking, scientific communication, and scientific attitudes (p<.05). Based on these results, it was confirmed that the student-led class, in which the student self-adjusts the entire process of designing, exploring, and presenting learning, can help the student's scientific ability. In addition, I would like to discuss the implications of teachers' teaching-learning composition.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.1-14
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• 1987

To examine the effect of students' Cognitive level upon their achievement on Science. the students' cognitive levels were tested by using GALT(Group Assessment of Logical Thinking) and examined the Correlation between the cognitive level and achievement According to the results, most students were still in the conerete level. Only 60% of 9th grade students could handle the logic of displacement volume. In case of proportional logic and logic of probability, only 40% of 9th graders could handle them. Only 10% of the students could understand Correlational logic. Cognitive level and students achievement were estimated to be in a very closely related. Students who were in a high cognitive level showed better achievement scores on knowledge, comprehensive, inquiry, and application items than those who were in low cognitive level. Therefore, this study suggests that the content of the current middle school science should be revised in away to match the students' cognitive level.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.442-458
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• 2004

This study was conducted to develop a plan for a large-scale implementation of the Girl Friendly Science Program based on the results of analysis and investigation of its current pilot implementation, Girl Friendly Science Program materials, which was first developed in 1999 with the support from Ministry of Gender Equality, consist of 1) five theme-based units that are specifically targeted individual students' unique ability, aptitude, and career choice, and 2) differentiated learning materials for 7th through 10th grade female students. All the materials are available at the homepage (http://tes.or.kr/gfsp.cgi) of 'Teachers for Exciting Science(the organization of science teachers in Seoul area)'. Since the materials are well organized by topic and grade level and presented in both Korean word process document and html format, anyone can easily access to the materials for their own instructional use. Ever since its launch the number of visitors to the homepage has been constantly increasing. The evaluation results of the current pilot implementation of the materials that targeted individual students' ability and aptitude showed that it scored high in terms of its alignment to the original purpose, content, level, and effectiveness to implement in classrooms. However, its evaluation scores were low in terms of the convenience for teachers to guide the materials, and its organization and operation. The results also showed a significant change in students' perception of science, and students' positive experiences of science through various interdisciplinary activities. On the other hand, the evaluation of students' experiences with the materials showed that students' assessment about an activity was largely depending on a success or failure of their experiences. Overall, students' evaluation of activities scores were low for simple activities such as cutting off or pasting papers. According to students' achievement test results, differences between pre and post test scores in the Affective Domain was statistically significant (p<0.05), but not in Inquiry Domain. Based on teachers observations, numerous schools where have run this program reported that students' abilities to cooperate, discuss, observe and reason with evidences were improved. In order to implement this program in a larger scale, it is critical to have a strong support of teachers and induce them to change their teaching strategy through building a community of teachers and developing ongoing teacher professional development programs. Finally, there still remain strong needs to develop more programs, and actively discover and train more domestic woman scientists and engineers and collaborate with them to develop more educational materials for girls in all ages.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.75-92
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• 1992

The purpose of this study was to point out the problems of the competency exam for college education, a new college entrance exam, and to suggest the improvement ideas for it For this purpose, the test items of science inquiry were taken from the first, the second and the third pilot studies of the competency exam for college education which National Institute of Educational Evaluation had done. These tests were administered to 1,223 students of the general high school(422 for the 1st 400 for the 2nd, and 401 for the 3rd test). Also, those students' and the high school science teacher's opinions about the tests and the new college entrance exam were surveyed. The evaluation objectives of those test items were analyzed and the test item analyses were done. The results were as follows; (1) The evaluation objective analysis showed that most of the test The purpose of this study was to point out the problems of the competency exam for college education, a new college entrance exam, and to suggest the improvement ideas for it For this purpose, the test items of science inquiry were taken from the first, the second and the third pilot studies of the competency exam for college education which National Institute of Educational Evaluation had done. These tests were administered to 1,223 students of the general high school(422 for the 1st, 400 for the 2nd, and 401 for the 3rd test). Also, those students' and the high school science teacher's opinions about the tests and the new college entrance exam were surveyed. The evaluation objectives of those test items were analyzed and the test item analyses were done. The results were as follows; (1) The evaluation objective analysis showed that most of the test items were constructed based on the evaluation framework which was composed of scientific inquiry thinking ability, science concept, and scientific inquiry context dimensions. But, those items were unevenly distributed into a few areas of the evaluation framework. (2) The boys had higher mean scores than the girls in all of the tests, but these differences were not statistically significant. The natural science course students had significantly higher mean than the humanities course students in all of the test:(1st, F=12.643, p=0.0004 ; 2nd, F=45.757, p=0.0001 ; 3rd, F=36.162, p=0.0001). A significant interaction of sex and course was found in only 1st test( F=11.352. p=0.0008). (3) Most students answered the test was difficult and they needed more time to finish it Also, they added they had to study in a different way from the traditional one in order to prepare the new college entrance exam. Science teachers answered that those evaluation objectives of the tests corresponded well with the educational objectives of high school science and that the tests were suitable as measuring instruments of the scientific thinking abilities. But they pointed out it would be very difficult for them to teach students for preparing the exam under the exsting educational conditions. To carry out successfully the competency exam for college education, the following improvements were suggested. (1) Good evaluation methodology should be developed. (2) In-service science teacher training models on evaluation should be put in force. (3) Effective teaching models and strategies should be developed.(4) The high school science curriculum should be revised.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.407-417
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to analyze the roles of classroom activities in science lessons and student learning motivation in achieving students' scientific competencies, and to suggest implications for science lessons to develop scientific competencies. For this, based on the PISA 2015 data of Korean high school students, we analyzed how classroom activities in science influenced students' scientific competencies through learning motivation variables. As a result of the path analysis, the activities emphasizing interaction and a link to real life predicted intrinsic motivation, instrumental motivation, and science efficacy significantly. On the other hand, the activities that emphasize the student-led inquiry process did not show any effect on learning motivation. In addition, the higher the motivation to learn the science, the higher their scores in three scientific competencies: explaining phenomenon scientifically, evaluating and designing scientific inquiry, and interpreting data and evidence scientifically. The practices of school science lessons indirectly influenced the achievement of scientific competence through learning motivation. Specifically, the activities emphasizing interaction influenced achieving scientific competencies through intrinsic motivation, and the activities emphasizing linkage to real life influenced it through all learning motivation variables. Finally, we discussed some implications for the roles and practices of school science class for enhancing students' scientific competencies.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.406-418
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• 2015

This study was designed to enhance preservice teachers' self-efficacy beliefs and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) through scientific investigations based on current science education reforms. To do so, a science methods course was revised to include modeling effective scientific inquiry practices as well as designing and teaching scientific investigations in the K-5 practicum classrooms (Revised Science Methods Course). This study assessed the following research questions: (1) What level of PCK do preservice teachers have before and after the completion of RSMC; (2) To what extent do participants change their self-efficacy in science teaching after completing RSMC; and (3) Is there any correlation between participants' changes in self-efficacy and the level of PCK. Participants were 76 preservice teachers enrolled in a science methods course offered at a medium-sized university in the midwestern United States. This study employed the STEBI-B survey and the PCK rubric. There result of the study indicated that there was significant increase in Personal Science Teaching Efficacy (PSTE) of the participant preservice teachers after the completion of the course. Based on the PCK rubric analysis, there was a significant increase in mean scores of the post-RSMC lesson compared to those of the pre-RSMC lesson. The correlational analysis of participants showed a positive correlation between changes in self-efficacy and the level of PCK. Thus, it may be concluded that the reform-based science methods course had a positive impact on participants' self-efficacy in science teaching through correcting misconceptions, developing higher level of PCK, and modeling scientific investigation in their practicum schools.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-22
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• 1988

The educational policy of a nation should be based on the results of nation-wide studies and their analyses. This study is the third one in a series of research on "development of improvement plan and monitoring system for secondary school science", focusing on the three major areas, such as students' achievements, science instruction and conditions for science education in vocational high schools. In general, the results showed that science achievements in vocational high schools were significantly lower than those of general high schools. While the achievement level in physics was lower by one percent, the achievement levels in chemistry and biology were significantly lower by more than 5 percents. In the case of scientific inquiry, the results showed much lower scores compared to those of general high schools. Concerning the inquiry abilities, most of the students did not possess the formal operational thinking skills such as controlling variables and combinatorial thinking. The ability of experimental skills seemed to be closely related to the students' majors. Students in industrial arts schools could measure electric resistance very well, while students in agricultural high school students failed completely. In the area of students' attitude toward science, the greater part of the students had the experiences of using scientific equipments (68.6 %), experimentation (54.3 %), and extracurricular science activities (56.9 %). They also showed positive attitude towards the nature of science (59.8%). The results of the survey on science instruction and school conditions for science education showed the needs for improvement In general, the priority of science education in vocational high schools was very low compared to their major subjects. The teachers as well as students thought science text books nor to be difficult These responses and the low achievement levels seemed to be contradictory to each other. The facilities for science experiments were better equipped and installed to general high schools. However. the lack of budget was a major problem for performing experiments uning the facilities. Therefore. science education in vocational high school have many things to be improved For the improvement of science education in vocational high schools, financial support as well as the intention for the improvement must be the essential factors.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.527-539
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• 2018

Although a simulation is proposed as a candidate for alternative contents of inquiry activities, design cases focused on the characteristic of science education are rare. This study suggested the definition and requirements of science simulation to clarify science subject-specific design and set up the design guidelines to consider usability. Then the science simulation was developed in the form of an app for mobile devices, where 'Flash and Actionscript 3.0' was selected as a development tool for compatibility, functionality, ease of use and optimization for mobile devices with educational applicability in mind. In effect, six science simulation apps were prepared for seven classes of inquiry activity in 10 science classes on the chapter of 'composition of material' in middle school science 2 textbooks. In this regard, the main advantages of the simulation apps expected from each design characteristic are also suggested in this article. In the implementation of the science simulation apps, educational effects were investigated based on the statistical comparison, while 134 students in the second grade in a coeducational middle school, Gyeonggi-do participated as an intervention group and a control group. Our results showed that the scores of academic achievement and affective test in the intervention group were significantly higher than those of the control group (p <.05). In the questionnaire survey on usability, most students responded positively to the design of the science simulation apps. This study will contribute to expanding the horizon of design about science simulation as a design case in science education.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Earth Science Education
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.78-89
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to explore ways to improve developing exam questions for Earth science education by analyzing exam trend of Earth science education in the secondary-school teacher employment test (TET, hereafter). For this purpose, we developed an analysis framework to analyze items of Earth science education in the secondary-school TET, and this analysis framework covers required courses for 'theory of Earth science education' of 'Earth science teaching certificate courses'. The analysis framework consists of big categories, assessment domains, and assessment components. We divided system changes in secondary-school TET into 4 types, and analyzed exams of 2014-2018 school year, which is the existing exam system. According to the results, 22-24 points out of 80 have been allotted to Earth science education. Among assessment domains, Earth science Teaching & Learning domain has taken the highest percentage of scores and item numbers, followed by Earth science inquiry, history & philosophy of science, etc. For each domain, we analyzed exam tendencies in detail. Based the results, we suggested ways to improve developing exam questions for Earth science education in the secondary-school TET, and ways to improve curriculum for Earth science education in the teacher education program.

• Journal of Korean Society of Archives and Records Management
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.193-217
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• 2015

The main purpose of this study is to analyze the educational effectiveness of historical thinking contents through the experimentation methodology. The procedures of this study will review foreign and domestic historical thinking cases of archival contents for history education; derive some implications from the review; and apply the implications to classes targeted for first year high school students. It can be said that classes utilizing historical thinking contents have beneficial effects on the subcategories of historical thinking, that is, chronology comprehension ability, historical inquiry ability, historical imagination, and historical judgment ability. The average between before and after examination results shows a statistically meaningful difference. In addition, this study shows that students obtain better scores after examination than before.