Research Article

Using inquiry-based interventions to improve secondary students’ interest in science and technology

Patrice Potvin 1 * , Abdelkrim Hasni 2, Ousmane Sy 1
More Detail
1 Département de didactique, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Canada2 Facultéd’éducation, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada* Corresponding Author
European Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 5(3), July 2017, 262-270, https://doi.org/10.30935/scimath/9510
OPEN ACCESS   2002 Views   1347 Downloads
Download Full Text (PDF)

ABSTRACT

Nine secondary school teachers participated in a five day training program where they developed inquiry-based pedagogical interventions for their science classes. Student interest and self-concept in school science and technology were measured before and after the interventions. Increases in interest and self-concept were compared with the results obtained from control groups. Results show a significant increase interest of moderate magnitude compared with the control condition, but no effect on self-concept. Our interpretation supports the use of inquiry based interventions for science classes but also presents some of the challenges faced when developing them.

CITATION (APA)

Potvin, P., Hasni, A., & Sy, O. (2017). Using inquiry-based interventions to improve secondary students’ interest in science and technology. European Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 5(3), 262-270. https://doi.org/10.30935/scimath/9510

REFERENCES

  1. Bhattacharyya, S., Volk, T., & Lumpe, A. (2009). The influence of an extensive inquiry-based field experience on pre-service elementary student teachers’ science teaching beliefs. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 20, 199–218. doi:10.1007/s10972-009-9129-8
  2. Brickhouse, N. W. (1990). Teachers’beliefs about the nature of science and their relationship to classroom practice. Journal of Teacher Education, 41(3), 53–62. doi:10.1177/002248719004100307
  3. Brouillette, N., Potvin, P., & Samson, G. (2016). Effet d’activités exploitant la démarche de conception technologique sur l’intérêt des élèves à l’égard de la science et de la technologie. Paper presented at the 84thcongress of the Acfas, Universityof Quebec at Montreal, Quebec.
  4. Brown, S. L., & Melear, C. T. (2006). Investigation of secondary science teachers’ beliefs and practices after authentic inquirybased experiences. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 43(9), 938–962. doi:10.1002/tea.20110
  5. Cavas, P. (2011). Factors affecting the motivation of Turkish primary students for science learning. Science education international, 22(1), 31–42.
  6. Clark, R. E. (1983). Reconsidering research on learning from media. Review of Educational Research,53, 445–459.
  7. Cockley, K. (2000). An investigation of academic self-concept and its relationship to academic achievement in African American college students. Journal of Black Psychology, 26(2), 148–164.
  8. Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (second ed.): Routledge.
  9. Crawford, B. A. (2000). Embracing the essence of inquiry: new roles for science teachers. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 37(9), 916–937.
  10. Ergül, R., Simskeli, Y., Calis, S., Ozdilek, Z., Gocmencelebi, S., & Sanli, M. (2011). The effects of inquiry-based science teaching on elementary school students’ science process skills and science attitudes. Bulgarian Journal of Science and Education Policy, 5(1), 48–66.
  11. Furtak, E. M., Seidel, T., Iverson, H., & Briggs, D. C. (2012). Experimental and quasi-experimenal studies of inquiry-based science teaching: A meta-analysis. Review of Educational Research, 82(3), 300–329. doi:10.3102/0034654312457206
  12. Geier, R., Blumenfeld, P. C., Marx, R. W., Krajcik, J. S., Fishman, B., Soloway, E., &Clay-Chambers, J. (2008). Standardized test outcomes for students engaged in inquiry-based science curricula in the context of urban reform. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 45(8), 922–923. doi:10.1002/tea.20248
  13. Gibson, H. L., & Chase, C. (2002). Longitudinal impact of an inquiry-based science program on middle school students' attitudes toward science. Science Education, 86(5), 693–705. doi:10.1002/sce.10039
  14. Gormally, C., Brickman, P., Hallar, B., & Armstrong, N. (2009). Effects of inquiry-based learning on students’ science literacy skills and confidence. International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 3(2), 1–22. doi:10.20429/ijsotl.2009.030216
  15. Harris, C. J., & Rooks, D. L. (2010). Managing inquiry-based science: challenges in enacting complex science instruction in elementary and middle school classrooms. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 21(2), 227–240. doi:10.1007/s10972-009-9172-5
  16. Hasni, A., & Potvin, P. (2015a). L'intérêt pour les sciences et la technologie à l'école: Résultats d'une enquête auprès d'élèves du primaire et du secondaire au Québec. Retrieved from Montréal:
  17. Hasni, A., & Potvin, P. (2015b). Student’s interest in science and technology and its relationships with teaching methods, family context and self-efficacy. International Journal of Environmental and Science Education, 10(3), 337–366. doi:10.12973/ijese.2015.249a
  18. Hattie, J. (2009). Visible learning: A synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses relating to achievement. NewYork, NY: Routledge.
  19. Hidi, S., & Renninger, K. A. (2006). The four-phase model of interest development. Educational Psychologist, 41(2), 111–127.
  20. Keys, C. W., & Bryan, L. A. (2001). Co-constructing inquiry-based science with teachers: Essential research for lasting reform. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 38(6), 631–645. doi:10.1002/tea.1023
  21. Kirschner, P. A., Sweller, J., & Clark, R. E. (2006). Why minimal guidance during instruction does not work: An analysis of the failure of constructivist, discovery, problem-based, experiential, and inquiry-based teaching. Educational Psychologist, 41(2), 75–86.
  22. Lazonder, A. W., & Harmsen, R. (2016). Meta-analysis of inquiry-based learning: Effects of guidance. Review of Educational Research, 86(3), 681–718. doi:10.3102/0034654315627366
  23. Lee, O., Heart, J. E., Cuevas, P., & Enders, C. (2004). Professional development in inquiry-based science for elementary teachers of diverse student groups. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 41(10), 1021–1043. doi:10.1002/tea.20037
  24. Luft, J. A. (2001). Changing inquiry practices and beliefs: The impact of an inquiry-based professional development programme on beginning and experienced secondary science teachers. International Journal of Science Education, 23(5), 517–534. doi:10.1080/09500690121307
  25. Minner, D. D., Levy, A. J., & Century, J. (2010). Inquiry-based science instruction—What is it and does it matter? Results from a research synthesis years 1984 to 2002. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 47(4), 474–496. doi:10.1002/tea.20347
  26. Patrick, R., B., & Gibbs, J. C. (2012). Inductive discipline, parental expression of disappointed expectations, and moral identity in adolescence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 41(8), 973–983. doi:10.1007/s10964-011-9698-7
  27. Potvin, P., & Hasni, A. (2014a). Analysis of the decline in interest towards school science and technology from Grades 5 through 11. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 23(6), 784–802. doi:10.1007/s10956-014-9512-x
  28. Potvin, P., & Hasni, A. (2014b). Interest, motivation and attitude towards science and technology at K-12 levels: A systematic review of 12 years of educational research. Studies in Science Education, 50(1), 85–129. doi:10.1080/03057267.2014.881626
  29. Potvin, P., & Hasni, A. (2016). Une CAP qui s’inspire des résultats de recherche et qui en produit dans le but de favoriser l’intérêt des élèves à l’égard des sciences et de la technologie. Paper presented at the 84th ACFAS Conference, Université du Québec à Montréal, Québec.
  30. Reid, N., & Skryabina, E. A. (2002). Attitudes towards physics. Research in Science & Technological Education, 20(1), 67-81.
  31. Roche, J., O'Neill, A., & Prendergast, M. (2016). An inquiry-based learning intervention to support post-primary engagement with science, technology, engineering and mathematics. European Journal od Science and Mathematics Education, 4(4), 431–439.
  32. Singh, K., Granville, M., & Dika, S. (2002). Mathematics and science achievement: Effects of motivation, interest, and academic engagement. TheJournal of Educational Research, 95(6), 323–332.
  33. Wee, B., Shepardson, D., Fast, J., & Harbor, J. (2007). Teaching and learning about inquiry: Insights and challenges in professional development. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 18(1), 63–89. doi:doi:10.1007/s10972-006-9031-6
  34. Wolf, S. J., & Fraser, B. J. (2008). Learning environment, attitudes and achievement among middle-school science students using inquiry-based laboratory activities. Research in Science Education, 38(3), 321–341. doi:10.1007/s11165-007-9052-y