Journal of Baltic Science Education

265-266

Authors: Editorial Board

Cover page, Vol. 15, No. 3, 2016, JBSE

268-270

Authors: Paul Pace

Since the inception of the concept of education for sustainable development (ESD) (UNCED, 1992, Chapter 36, par.3), higher education institutions (HEIs) have been considered key actors in its promotion. HEIs were expected to achieve this by leading students to contextualise their learning within the realities of their own specialisation, profession and personal life by encouraging them to develop: (a) the notion of global citizenship; (b) a commitment towards environmental stewardship; (c) a reflection about the interaction between issues of social justice, ethics, wellbeing and ecological and economic factors; and (d) a commitment towards actively ensuring sustainable futures (Longhurst, 2014, p.5).

284-297

Authors: Ana Valdmann, Miia Rannikmae, Jack Holbrook

The aim of this research is to determine the effectiveness of an enacted professional development (CPD) programme to promote teacher’s self-efficacy with respect to implementing motivational, context-based science teaching, following an education through science (EtS), three-stage model approach. The CPD is designed, based on a constructivist, socio-cultural professional development model (CSPM) to meet professional needs of each teacher within a predetermined teaching-learning approach and enacted through suitable instructional methods linked to teacher as learner, teacher as teacher and teacher as reflective practitioner. The effectiveness of the CPD is identified by means of a carefully constructed and validated Teacher Needs Questionnaire (TNQ), plus follow-up teacher interviews. Findings suggest the outcomes of the CPD, both from pre-post use of the TNQ and the undertaking of interventions, using teaching-learning modules based on the CPD, are effective in raising teacher’s self-efficacy with respect to new interdisciplinary content knowledge, teaching approaches and classroom implementation, seen as being in line with curriculum expectations.

312-324

Authors: Şenol Şen

Self-regulated learning skills (such as goal setting, organizing environment and time, seeking help and self-evaluation) are critical for students to be able to successfully and meaningful learn abstract concepts such as reduction, oxidation and electrolysis. The purpose of this research was to examine the relationships between self-regulated learning skills and chemistry achievement in Turkish secondary school students. Therefore, a structural equation model was developed and tested to model the relationships among task value, control of learning beliefs, performance-approach goals, mastery-approach goals, self-efficacy for learning and performance, metacognitive learning strategies, time and study environment management, effort regulation, and achievement in electrochemistry. Data was collected from 481 secondary school students through administration of the Achievement Goal Questionnaire, the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire and the Electrochemistry Concept Test. The results showed that students’ task value, performance-approach goals, and time and study environment management significantly positively correlated with achievement. Path analysis demonstrated that metacognitive learning strategies, mastery-approach goals, and effort regulation were predictors of students’ time and study environment management. Moreover, effort regulation, metacognitive learning strategies, and mastery-approach goals were found to have indirect effects, which were mediated by time and study environment management.

340-349

Authors: Zeinab Jahangard, Asghar Soltani, Merhangiz Alinejad

Attitudes towards science is an important construct of science learning which has been affected by many factors. The main purpose of this research was to investigate whether the metacognition strategies predict students’ attitudes towards science. Accordingly, a total of 347 senior secondary students were asked to complete a questionnaire about their metacognition strategies and attitudes towards science. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to evaluate the validity of a structural/latent variable model. Findings revealed several direct and indirect effects among the factors under investigation. Of special importance, metacognition strategies positively predicted attractiveness of science (science is fun), class/teacher activities and family model as variables of students’ attitudes towards science. Attractiveness of science was also found to have effects on the science anxiety and family model was found to have effects on class/teacher activities. One important finding was that metacognition strategies could decrease students’ science anxiety. According to this information, it is recommended that science educators encourage students to employ metacognition strategies in science that may lead to more positive students’ attitudes towards science.

360-370

Authors: Cindy Wong Chyee Chen, Kamisah Osman

In order to motivate indigenous learners to learn science and instil their positive attitude towards the subject, conducive and simulative learning environment need to be specifically designed for them. This research is aimed to determine the effect of Kayeu Learning Outside the Classroom (LOC) primary science module on intrinsic motivation of indigenous learners. The treatment group (n=38) used the Kayeu LOC primary science module while the control group (n=35) used the conventional module, which are materials mandated by Ministry of Education (MOE). Three-point Likert scale intrinsic motivation questionnaire consisting of general and science constructs was administered before and after T&L to both groups. Analysis of MANOVA repeated measures showed there were no significant effects of the groups and time on the intrinsic motivation, and there was no significant interaction effect between time and the groups on intrinsic motivation. However, follow-up simple interaction analysis found that there is a significant main effect of the time and significant effect of interactions between time and the groups on the general construct.

382-390

Authors: Namudar İzzet Kurbanoğlu, Fatma Koç Nefes

Context-based questions can be effective in reducing test anxiety and increasing science achievement. The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of context-based questions on the test anxiety and science achievement of secondary school students enrolled in a science course, in relation to gender. Seventy students who were found to have high levels of test anxiety were selected from the 185 seventh-grade students at a public school in Turkey. The Revised Test Anxiety Scale (RTAS) was used to measure the students’ test anxiety. The scores the students obtained in three different examinations were considered as indicators of their academic achievement. The analysis results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the test anxiety and science achievement scores of the students who were given context-based questions and the corresponding scores of the students who were given conventional questions. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the main effect of gender and treatment and there was no gender interaction effect. These findings suggest that context-based questions can be considered as a better alternative to conventional questions for reducing students’ test anxiety and improving their science achievement.

401-404

Authors: Editorial Board

End page, Vol. 15, No. 3, 2016, JBSE