Doganca Kucuk, Zerrin and Kerem Saysel, Ali
(2018)
Developing Seventh Grade Students’ Understanding
of Complex Environmental Problems with Systems
Tools and Representations: a Quasi-experimental Study.
Research in Science Education, 48 (2).
pp. 491-514.
ISSN 0157-244X
Abstract
A systems-based classroom intervention on environmental education was designed
for seventh grade students; the results were evaluated to see its impact on the development of
systems thinking skills and standard science achievement and whether the systems approach is
a more effective way to teach environmental issues that are dynamic and complex. A quasiexperimental methodology was used to compare performances of the participants in various
dimensions, including systems thinking skills, competence in dynamic environmental problem
solving and success in science achievement tests. The same pre-, post- and delayed tests were
used with both the comparison and experimental groups in the same public middle school in
Istanbul. Classroom activities designed for the comparison group (N = 20) followed the
directives of the Science and Technology Curriculum, while the experimental group
(N = 22) covered the same subject matter through activities benefiting from systems tools
and representations such as behaviour over time graphs, causal loop diagrams, stock-flow
structures and hands-on dynamic modelling. After a one-month systems-based instruction, the
experimental group demonstrated significantly better systems thinking and dynamic environmental problem solving skills. Achievement in dynamic problem solving was found to be
relatively stable over time. However, standard science achievement did not improve at all. This
paper focuses on the quantitative analysis of the results, the weaknesses of the curriculum and
educational implications.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| Keywords: |
Systems thinking skills; Environmental education; Dynamic problem solving;
Dynamic modelling; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Social Sciences > Education |
| Item ID: |
12826 |
| Identification Number: |
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-017-9620-8 |
| Depositing User: |
Zerrin Doganca Kucuk
|
| Date Deposited: |
28 Apr 2020 10:45 |
| Journal or Publication Title: |
Research in Science Education |
| Publisher: |
Springer Verlag |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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