Journal of Baltic Science Education

487

Authors: Editorial Board

Contents, JBSE, Vol. 18, No. 4, 2019

490-506

Authors: Fayadh Hamed Alanazi

This semi-empirical research utilises a structured interview interview approach to explore Saudi children’s ideas about living things and to examine the effects of iPad use based on a socio-cultural perspective involving group work and discussion. The sample comprised 40 grade 1 children; 20 were empirically taught using iPads according to a socio-cultural perspective, and 20 were taught in the traditional teaching style. The structured interview approach in which children classified 21 cards (7 animals, 7 plants, and 7 artefacts) as living or nonliving things. The results indicated that children had varied misconceptions regarding the classification of and justifications about living things, especially regarding plants. The use of iPads according to a socio-cultural perspective had a positive effect on children’s knowledge development. Children in the iPad group performed better in categorising different types of animals and plants and in justifying their views.

519-536

Authors: David A. Cerulli, Jack B. Holbrook

This research seeks to evaluate students’ intended behavioural actions in the event of a natural hazard, specifically hurricane, lightning, earthquake, or tsunami. A test instrument, measuring behavioural actions in the event of a natural hazard, and related NOS/NOT beliefs and dispositions, is utilized to collect data in Estonia, USA and Japan (N=2323). Results suggest that students responded adequately to tsunamis and lightning strikes, but to a lesser extent for hurricanes and earthquakes. Results also suggest a connection between dispositions and behavioural actions, but a lack of connection between generalised. NOS/NOT conceptualisations and behavioural actions. Results imply that students find it difficult to apply their learning to new situations requiring responsible behavioural actions. Implications indicate that NOS/NOT are not well understood, while responsible behavioural actions need to more heavily stressed in teaching about natural hazards involving the promotion of student values and attitudes with respect to Natural Disaster Reduction (NDR).

549-557

Authors: Jana Fančovičová, Pavol Prokop

Students of various age groups manifest numerous explanations that differ from what is known to be scientifically correct. Misconceptions about the human body are one of the best studied areas of students’ understanding of scientific phenomena. To explore misconceptions, researchers have at their disposal various methods which can lead to different results. In order to find an effective, cheap and representative diagnostic instrument, correlations between scores obtained by open-ended questions and drawings on the example of the human circulatory system were examined. Open-ended questions provide a more complete understanding of student learning but are harder to evaluate objectively in comparison with drawings, particularly in cross-cultural research. Correlations among scores obtained by these two methods in the present research were moderate, which suggests that drawings reflect students’ understanding of the circulatory system, albeit not perfectly. Although drawings probably never provide a complete understanding of children’s ideas about science, this cheap and time effective method is recommended particularly in cross-cultural research, where standard, comparable conditions are hard to achieve.

569-582

Authors: Katja Gobec, Jelka Strgar

This research aimed to assess the influence of the method of conceptual change on understanding the concept of increasing the mass of plants among 414 students in agricultural education in Slovenia. In photosynthesis, biomass is produced, so understanding these processes is essential for successful agriculture. Data were collected using a knowledge test and a questionnaire that were administered before and after the traditional and experimental teaching units. The results allowed the conclusion that the method of the conceptual change (experimental teaching unit) was significantly more effective than the traditional method in improving the understanding of the contribution of solar energy and carbon dioxide to the increase in the mass of plants. There was no significant difference in the improvement of knowledge about the contribution of the minerals that plants receive through their roots. Understanding the contribution of water to the increase of the mass should be tested further because of the unexpected misconception that influenced the results that was found among students. Students’ attitudes toward biology and photosynthesis were significantly better after the experimental teaching unit. Considering these findings, other topics should be prepared using the method of the conceptual change to assist biology and science teachers in agricultural education.

595-606

Authors: Muhaimin, Akhmad Habibi, Amirul Mukminin, Robin Pratama, Asrial, Harlina Harja

Teachers’ intention to use technology is a major factor in its effective use in learning including in developing countries. This research empirically investigated on factors that influence Pre-Service Science Teachers’ (PSSTs) intention to use Web 2.0 in learning through Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in Indonesia. The goals of the research were to (a) report if the TAM is a valid and reliable model to explain PSSTs intention to use Web 2.0, and (b) inform the factors of PSSTs’ intention to use Web 2.0 in learning. Seven hundred and five PSSTs from five universities completed a 24-item online questionnaire based on the TAM constructs comprising perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norm, facilitating conditions, attitudes, and intention to use Web 2.0. Results obtained using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) informed that (a) facilitating condition and subjective norm significantly influenced perceived ease of use; (b) subjective norm significantly affected perceived usefulness; (c) both perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness was a significant factor predicting attitude; and (d) attitude, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness significantly influenced intention to use Web 2.0. Overall, the TAM is a valid model to help explain Indonesian PSSTs’ intention to use Web 2.0 in learning.

620-633

Authors: Dragica D. Trivic, Milanka Džinović, Vesna D. Milanovic, Ljiljana Živković

The aim of this research was to examine the effects of a new platform for raising the pre-service chemistry and geography teachers’ awareness of cooperation possibilities associated with the planning relevant interdisciplinary lesson. The research featured the participation of 16 students of the Faculty of Chemistry and 28 students of the Faculty of Geography of Belgrade University. Two workshops were conducted within the research. During the first workshop the participants worked in small groups on the tasks which served to strengthen their awareness on the relevant science education. The second workshop comprised the jointly planning the interdisciplinary lessons in groups with members of the pre-service teachers of both subjects. The participants’ lesson plans contain goals that can be classified as those relevant for the individual and those relevant for society. Half of the lesson plans contained formulations of goals that can be assessed as relevant for certain professions. The activities planned for the attainment of the stated goals support an interdisciplinary approach, encompass the concepts envisaged by the chemistry and geography curricula, and the activities specific to these two subjects.

646-648

Authors: Editorial Board

End page, Vol. 18, No. 4, JBSE, 2019