Development of an instructional model based on model-based inquiry and context-based learning approaches to promote scientific reasoning and transfer of learning abilities of lower secondary school students
Abstract:
This developmental research aims 1) to develop an instructional model using model-based inquiry and context-based learning approaches to promote scientific reasoning and transfer of learning abilities in lower secondary school students and 2) to study the effectiveness of the model. This project consisted of two stages: a developmental stage and an effectiveness evaluation stage. There were two groups of participants: a control group and experimental group both comprising of 50 students, grade 7 in the 2015 Academic Year. Research instruments were the lesson plans, a Scientific Reasoning Test, and a Transfer of Learning Abilities Test. The data were analyzed by arithmetic mean, standard deviation, t-test, and content analysis. The research result could be summarized as follows: 1. The instructional model developed with an aim to promote scientific reasoning and transfer of learning abilities in lower secondary students consisted of five stages: (1) Situation Setting (2) Model Development and Testing (3) Scientific Argument (4) Conclusion (5) Application. 2. The effectiveness of the instructional model after implementation, it was found that; 2.1 The experimental group had higher scores for both scientific reasoning and transfer of learning abilities than that before experiment at a .05 significance level. 2.2 The experimental group achieved higher scores for both scientific reasoning and transfer of learning abilities than the control group at the .05 significance level. 2.3 The qualitative data analysis showed that scientific reasoning and transfer of learning abilities of students in the experimental group were much more developed. The students gradually changed their learning better before, during and after learning. They could show their capacities of reasoning and applying knowledge to real life situations.