Journal of Baltic Science Education

541-542

Authors: Editorial Board

Cover, JBSE, Vol. 12, No. 5, 2013

544-547

Authors: Todar Lakhvich

In recent years many researchers (ROSE Project in particular) have stated the Science has become one of unpopular areas of knowledge. Most students and graduates are not going to link their fates with the Science and Technology. As the result, we are facing the decline of University Science and Technology Education, as only few talented students choose Science as their priority area of their interest and even less of them decide to teach the Science in school and University. In view of the fact that the image of Science emerged at the intersection of interests and perceptions of the general public and scientists, it is important to understand the role of academia in shaping their own public image. What kind of self-image do we (scientists and educators) promote? Which kind of audience do we reach out? How do we interact with this audience? To explore the lessons from the history, we could find those, which are particularly obvious. Rather than contemplating the identity of Science in order to derive and support an adequate image, scientists (both researchers, policy makers and, finally, – what strange enough – educators) have preferred to hide themselves behind the industry and technology. Instead of explaining what Science is, we usually have pointed to technological progress. And when audience being questioning more critical, we propose the cliché variant of reflection with exaggerated promises of technological progress, even if nobody would listen. The tendency has become a matter of routine and widely accepted. Butt obviously the cliché approach, which is out of the interests of majority of population, leads to fiasco.

565-578

Authors: Leman Tarhan, Burcin Acar-Sesen

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Problem Based Learning on high school students’ understanding of ionization of water and acid and base strength. Students’ beliefs about Problem Based Learning were also analysed. A quasi-experimental design was conducted in this study. While students in the experimental groups were instructed via Problem Based Learning, teacher-centred approach was used in the control groups. Before the instructions, a prerequisite knowledge test was applied to identify their prerequisite knowledge to learn the topics, and no significantly differences were found between experimental and control groups. After the instructions, a post-test was applied to determine their understanding of the topics. The results indicated that the mean scores of the students in the experimental groups were significantly higher than those in the control groups. Problem Based Learning Assessment Scale results reflected that students’ positive beliefs increased after each activity. Based on these results, it can be concluded that PBL instruction is effective in concept learning in chemistry education.

592-607

Authors: Ibrahim Bilgin, Hümeyra Coşkun, Idris Aktaş

The purpose of this research is to investigate effect of 5E learning cycle instruction on 4th grade students’ mental ability in the unit of “Introduction to the Matter”. The subjects of this study were 160 students from four different classes enrolled to Science Course in an Elementary School in TURKEY. Non-equivalent pre-test/post-test control group design was used. Two of the classes randomly chosen as experimental group (79) took 5E learning cycle instruction, and the other two chosen as control group (81), took traditional instruction. Word-Association Test (WAT) was administered to the experimental and the control groups as pre- and post-tests to measure the students’ mental ability related to Unit of “Introduction to the Matter”. The data collected from WAT was converted into mind maps by using content analysis and cut off point methods. As a result of application, while “Introduction to the Matter” subject was seen as a whole on the mind maps of the experimental group of students, mind maps of the control group students were seen to be composed of piecemeal knowledge islets. Hence, it proves that the experimental group students learn terms in a more meaningful and more interrelated way than the control group students.

640-651

Authors: Canan Koçak

The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of Process-based Teaching Model on student teachers’ logical and intuitive thinking skills as well as their academic performances at chemistry laboratory applications. The sample of this research consisted of 60 preservice teachers studying of Faculty of Education in Hacettepe University. Data were obtained via the “experimental desing with pre/posttest control group” evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively. The experimental group was taught within the process-based teaching model while the control group received training in traditional teacher centered education. The scores obtained by participating experimental and control groups from Logical/Intuitive Thinking Scale, Performance Test and Structured Grids as one of the alternative measurement and evaluation techniques were compared and contrasted. To determine the student teachers’ logical and intuitive thinking styles, the “Logical/Intuitive Thinking Scale” developed by Pacini and Epstein (1999) and adapted by Turk (2011). The study concluded that teaching chemistry using process-based teaching model improved students’ academic performance as well as their logical and intuitive thinking skills.

666-681

Authors: Kamisah Osman, Wahidin, Subahan Mohd Meerah

The aim of this study is to investigate the combination effect of concept mapping and vee diagrams as thinking tools in Chemistry among some 360 secondary students in Indonesia. This study employed a quasi-experimental approach whereby students were segregated into three intervention groups: concept mapping, vee diagram and thinking skills embedded throughout the lesson (E1), concept mapping (E2) and a conventional approach (E3). Students were also characterized in terms of their ability: High (H), Moderate (M) and Low (L). Students’ thinking skills were measured using a modified version of the Test of Integrated Process Skills (TIPS), which has beed systematically justified in terms of reliability and validity. Analysis of findings reveal that the EI approach is the most effective technique in inculcating students’ thinking skills. A series of follow-up analyses also demonstrate that the E1 approach is best suited for the high ability (H) students as compared to their moderate (M) and low (L) ability counterparts.

692-702

Authors: Saed Sabah, Hind Hammouri, Mutasem Akour

The purpose of the present study was to validate a scale of attitudes toward science based on items and data of TIMSS 2007. The present research introduces several implications and recommendations for science education researchers who are interested in validating and using instruments to measure attitudes toward science. This research examined, from Rasch measurement perspectives, to what extent the scale was valid across diverse participating countries from Rasch measurement perspectives. The data of the highest three achieving countries (Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan), the lowest three achieving countries (Qatar, Botswana, and Ghana), and three average achieving countries (Australia, Scotland, and Italy) were analyzed using WINSTEPS software. Several Rasch analyses (e.g, fit statistics, PCA, and person/item map reliability analysis) were performed to validate the scale. Although most of the item fit the Rasch model, a few items were found to be misfitting. Then, the misfitting items were eliminated and a second analysis for the fitting eight items was performed to check on the validity of the scale. The results provided evidences that support the validity of the scale based on Rasch measurement.