TEACHING PHOTOSYNTHESIS USING AN INQUIRY-BASED APPROACH VIA A DIGITAL EDUCATIONAL PLATFORM TO PROMOTE STUDENTS’ UNDERSTANDING

Maria Fermani, Martha Georgiou

Abstract


Our research aimed to identify whether inquiry-based learning via Go-LAB platform, could enhance students learning about photosynthesis. The study sample consisted of 92 second-year high-school students, and the educational intervention consisted of three teaching hours. We conducted a pre- and a post- test via a questionnaire with closed-ended questions to detect the possible results of our teaching intervention. The statistically significant difference between the pre- and post-test surveys indicated that the inquiry-based intervention via Go-LAB platform helped students to better understand the concept of photosynthesis. At the same time, positive learning effects in our study were found to be gender-independent, a finding that is in line with a multitude of studies. Students gave more correct answers about the photosynthesis process, and several alternative ideas seemed to be overturned. Consequently, according to our findings, inquiry-based learning supported by the Go-LAB platform seems to represent an efficient way of teaching complex biological concepts like photosynthesis.

 

Article visualizations:

Hit counter


Keywords


inquiry-based learning, photosynthesis, digital educational platform, secondary education, learning outcomes, Go-Lab

Full Text:

PDF

References


Abed, N. (2014) Effective Inquiry-Based Learning Strategies in Teaching Science to a Group of High School Learners, Springfield, MA: American International College; Doctoral Thesis.

Akpan, P. (2001) Issues associated with inserting computer simulations into biology instruction. EJSE. 5, 17-18.

Alfieri, L., Brooks, J., Aldrich, N.J. & Tenenbaum, H.R. (2011) Does discovery-based instruction enhance learning? J. Educ. Psychol. 103, 1-18.

Aremu, A.O. & Oluwole, D.A. (2001) Gender and birth order as predictors of normal pupil’s anxiety pattern in examination. Ibadan J. Educ. Stud. 1, 1-7.

Artigue, M. & Blomhøj, M. (2013) Conceptualizing inquiry-based education in mathematics. ZDM. 45: 797–810.

Ash J. (2005) The effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction on middle school mathematics achievement. Tennessee, TN: Tennessee State University Doctoral Thesis.

Barker, M. & Carr, M. (1989) Teaching and learning about photosynthesis. Part 1: An assessment in terms of students’ prior knowledge. Int. J. Sci. Educ. 11, 49-56.

Basturk, R. (2005) The effectiveness of Computer-Assisted Instruction in teaching introductory statistics. Educ. Technol. Soc. 8, 170-128.

Bell, B. (1985) Students’ ideas about plant nutrition: What are they? J. Biol. Educ., 19, 213-218.

Bishop, B., Roth, K. & Anderson, C. (1986) Respiration and Photosynthesis: A Teaching Module. (Occasional Paper No. 90). East Lansing Michigan State Univ. Inst. Res. Teaching.

Brown, M. & Edelson D. (2003) Teaching as design: Can we better understand the ways in which teachers use materials so we can better design materials to support their changes in practice? Evanston Cent. Learn. Technol. Urban Sch. 4, 1–7.

Bruder, R. & Prescott, A. (2013) Research evidence on the benefits of IBL. ZDM. 45, 811–822.

Brune, M. (2010) The inquiry learning model as an approach to mathematics instruction. Idaho, ID: Boise State University; Master’s Thesis.

Carlsson, S. (2003) Knowledge Managing and Knowledge Management Systems in Inter-Organizational Networks. Knowl. Process Manag. 10, 194-206.

Colburn, A. (2000) An Inquiry Primer. Sci. Scope 23: 42-44.

Conway, J. (2017) Effects of Guided Inquiry versus Lecture Instruction on Final Grade Distribution in a One-Semester Organic and Biochemistry Course. J. Chem. Educ. 91, 480-483.

Dantala, N. (2006) Effect of Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI) package for individualized learning of history in the senior secondary school in Niger State. Akure: Federal University of Technology Master’s Thesis.

Davies, D., Jindal-Snape, D., Collier, C., Digby, R., Hay, P. & Howe A. (2013) Creative learning environments in education-A systematic literature review. Think Ski Creat. 8, 80-91.

Domouctsidou, G. (2012) Teaching on the topic of proteins in the second grade of high school. NATSCI. 1, 69-75.

Doukeli, M. (2013) The utilization of virtual laboratory environments in teaching natural sciences in secondary education. Athens: University of Piraeus; Master’s Thesis.

Driver, R. (1989) Students’ conceptions and the learning of science. Int. J. Sci. Educ. 11, 481-490.

Driver, R., Squires, A., Rushworth, P. & Wood-Robinson V. (1999) Making sense of secondary science: Research into children’s ideas. New York: Third Avenue.

Eisen, Y. & Stavy, R. (1993) How to make the learning of photosynthesis more relevant. Int. J. Sci. Educ. 15, 117-125.

Fakomogbon, M., Adetayo, O., Oyebode, A. & Enuma, M. (2014) Effect of computer assisted instructional package on the performance of students in mathematics in Ilorin Metropolis. Eur. Sci. J. 10, 196-206.

Ferguson, K. (2010) Inquiry based mathematics instruction versus traditional mathematics instruction: The effect on student understanding and comprehension in an eighth-grade pre-algebra classroom. Ohio, OH: Cedarville University; Master’s Thesis.

Furtak, E.M., Seidel, T., Iverson, H. & Briggs, D.C. (2012) Experimental and quasi-experimental studies of inquiry-based science teaching. Rev. Educ. Res. 82, 300-329.

Gengarelly, L. & Abrams, E. (2009) Closing the Gap: Inquiry in Research and the Secondary Science Classroom. J. Sci. Educ. Tech. 18, 74-84.

Georgiou, M., Ziogka, K. & Galani, L. (2019) in G. Koutromanos & L. Galani, Eds. Critical approach of the Inquiry Learning Space (ILS) of the digital platform Go-Lab. (pp 329-338) Athens: Hellenic Scientific Association for Information & Communication Technologies in Education. ISBN 978-618-83186-4-9

Gökhan B. (2012) The effect of teaching learning strategies in an English lesson on student’s achievement, attitudes and metacognitive awareness. J. Theoretic. Educ. Sci., 5, 49-71.

Hong, C., Hwang, Y., Liu, C., Ho, Y. & Chen, L. (2014) Using a “prediction-observation-explanation” inquiry model to enhance student interest and intention to continue science learning predicted by their Internet cognitive failure. Comput. Educ. 72, 110-120.

Idleman, Β. (2012) Inquiry based learning in the chemistry classroom. Montana, MT: Montana University; Master’s Thesis.

Jagannath, D. (2013) Effectiveness of computer assisted instruction in the development of study habits in relation to the gender, locality and socio-economic status of secondary school students. Int J Educ Psych Res. 2, 75-86.

Javeau, C. (2000) Investigating through questionnaires: the proper researcher’s handbook. Athens: Dardanos.

de Jong, T., Sotiriou, S. & Gillet, D. (2014) Innovations in STEM education: The Go-LAB federation of online labs. Smart Learn. Environ. 1, 1-16.

Karamustafaoglu, S. (2010) Evaluating the science activities based on multiple intelligence theory. J. Turkish Sci. Educ. 7: 3-12.

Kici, D. (2012) Using technology in science education: A courseware to overcome misconceptions and learning difficulties about photosynthesis. Int. J. New Trends Art Sport Sci. Educ. 1, 30-40.

Lazonder, A. W. & Harmsen R. (2016) Meta-Analysis of Inquiry-Based Learning: Effects of Guidance. Rev. Educ. Res. 86: 681-718.

Lee, S. (2012) What Is Inquiry-Guided Learning? New Dir. Teach. Learn. 129: 5-14.

Malamitsa, K., Kokkotas, P, & Stamoulis, E. (2005). The use of aspects of History of Science in Teaching Science enhances the development of critical thinking - a proposal. In Eighth International History, Philosophy, Sociology & Science Teaching Conference. In Leeds, England, 879-894.

Marmaroti, P. & Galanopoulou, D. (2006) Pupils’ Understanding of Photosynthesis: A questionnaire for the simultaneous assessment of all aspects. Int. J. Sci. Educ. 28, 383-403.

Matsaggouras, I. G. (2000) Team-based teaching of learning. Athens: Grigoris publications.

McComas, W. F. (2002) The Nature of Science in Science Education. Los Angeles: University of Southern California.

Moreland, J. L., Gramada, A. & Buzko, O. V. (2005) The Molecular Biology Toolkit (MBT): a modular platform for developing molecular visualization applications. BMC Bioinformatics, 6, 21.

Mulyana, S., Rusdi, R. & Sigit, D. (2018) The Effect of Guided Inquiry Learning Model and Scientific Performance on Student Learning Outcomes. Indonesian J. Sci. Educ. 2, 105-109.

National Research Council. National Science Education Standards. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press (1996).

OECD. PISA 2018 Results (Volume I): Excellence and Equity in Education, 1st ed. Paris: OECD Publishing; 2018.

Omokaadejo, L. (2015) Effects of inquiry method on academic performance of chemistry students in senior secondary schools in Kaduna state. Nairobi: Kenyatta University Master’s Thesis.

Park, H., Khan, S. & Petrina, S. (2009) ICT in Science Education: A quasi-experimental study of achievement, attitudes toward science, and career aspirations of Korean middle school students. Int. J. Sci. Educ. 31, 993-1012.

Paxinou, E., Georgiou, M., Kakkos, V., Kalles, D., & Galani, L. (2022). Achieving educational goals in microscopy education by adopting virtual reality labs on top of face-to-face tutorials. Res. Sci. & Tech. Educ., 40(3), 320-339.

Pedaste, M., Mäeots, M., Siiman, L., de Jong, T., Riesen, S., Kamp, E., Manoli, C., Zacharia, Z. & Tsourlidaki E. (2015a) Phases of inquiry-based learning: Definitions and the inquiry cycle. Educ. Res. 14, 47-61.

Pedaste, M., Xenofontos, N., de Jong, T., Riesen, S., Kamp, E., Manoli, C. & Zacharia Z. (2015b) Identifying potential types of guidance for supporting student inquiry when using virtual and remote labs in science: A literature review. Educ. Technol. Res. Dev. 63, 257-302.

Ray A. & Beardsley, P. (2008) Overcoming Student Misconceptions about Photosynthesis: A Model- and Inquiry-Based Approach Using Aquatic Plants. Sci. Act. Classr. Proj. Curric. Ideas 45,13-22.

Robinson, R. (2017) Effectiveness of Computer Aided Instructions (CAI) on students’ performance in basic electricity in technical colleges in rivers state of Nigeria. Int. J. Sci. Res., 5: 14-21.

Ryoo, K. & Linn, C. (2012) Can dynamic visualizations improve middle school students’ understanding of energy in photosynthesis? J. Res. Sci. Teach. 49, 218-243.

Schmidt, H. & Jirstrand, M. (2006) Systems Biology Toolbox for MATLAB: a computational platform for research in systems biology. BMC Bioinformatics, 22, 514–515.

Schneegass, S., Oualil, Y. & Bulling, A. (2006) SkullConduct: Biometric User Identification on Eyewear Computers Using Bone Conduction Through the Skull. Proceedings of the SIGCHI conference on human factors in computing systems, https://doi.org/10.1145/2858036.2858152

Spronken-Smith, R., Angelo, T., Matthews, H., O’Steen, B. & Robertson J. (2007) How Effective is Inquiry-Based Learning in Linking Teaching and Research? France: UNESCO.

Stavy, R., Eisen, Y. & Yaakobi, D. (1987) How Students Aged 13-15 Understand Photosynthesis. Int. J. Sci. Educ. 9, 37-41.

Tamir, P. (1991) in BE Woolnough Practical science. Milton Keynes: Open University Press, pp. 742-775.

Tinio, L. (2003) ICT in education. Paper presented at UNDP for the Benefit of Participants to the World Summit on the Information Society. New York. ED 200-202.

Waheed, T. & Lucas, A. M. (1992) Understanding interrelated topics: photosynthesis at age 14+. J. BioL. Educ. 26, 193-199.

Wurst, C., Smarkola, C. & Gaffney, M.A. (2008) Ubiquitous Laptop Usage in Higher Education: Effects on Student Achievement, Student Satisfaction, and Constructivist Measures in Honors and Traditional Classrooms, Comput. Educ. 51, 1766-1783.

Yusuf, M. O. & Afolabi A. O. (2010) Effects of computer assisted instruction (CAI) on secondary school students’ performance in biology. Turkish Online J. Educ. Technol. 9, 62-69.

Zhang, S. (2010) The study of effectiveness of Computer-Assisted Instruction versus Traditional Lecture in Probability and Statistics. ICEIT. 5, 360-363.

Ziogka, K., Georgiou, M., Galani, L. & Mavrikaki, E. (2019) “Cave explorers”: Using Go-Lab digital scenarios to develop arguments based on geographical features.” Eurogeo 2019 Conference, Paris, France, 14-15/3/2019 https://www.eurogeography.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/2019-conference-progrmme-v2.pdf

Zion, M. & Mendelovici, R. (2012) Moving from structured to open inquiry: Challenges and limits, Sci. Educ. Int. 23: 383-399.

Zion M. & Sadeh, I. (2007) Curiosity and open inquiry learning. J. Biol. Educ. 41, 162-169.




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v10i12.5088

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2023 Maria Fermani, Martha Georgiou

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Copyright © 2015-2023. European Journal of Education Studies (ISSN 2501 - 1111) is a registered trademark of Open Access Publishing Group. All rights reserved.


This journal is a serial publication uniquely identified by an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) serial number certificate issued by Romanian National Library (Biblioteca Nationala a Romaniei). All the research works are uniquely identified by a CrossRef DOI digital object identifier supplied by indexing and repository platforms. All authors who send their manuscripts to this journal and whose articles are published on this journal retain full copyright of their articles. All the research works published on this journal are meeting the Open Access Publishing requirements and can be freely accessed, shared, modified, distributed and used in educational, commercial and non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).