The effects of inquiry based activity approach in secondary students understanding of biology concepts and science process skills at Saudi Arabia
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ABSTRACT
This study investigates the use of an inquiry-based activity approach to determine Saudi secondary school students’ level of success on biology teaching and science process skills. And if there were statistically significant differences in their success degree and science attitudes depending to their grade level and teaching method. The inquiry-based approach emphasizes the explanation and investigation of phenomena, the use of evidence to back up conclusions, and application of concepts. This view is also consistent with modern learning theories which emphasize the construction of mental structures (Piaget’s functioning model) by learners. To determine if inquiry-based instruction leads to better understanding of biology concepts taught, the sample of the study will consist of approximately 210 secondary students from 7 secondary schools. 3 units for 10th, 11th and 12th grade will be chosen and 45 minute per lesson will be planned. The design of the lessons divides the activities of instruction into 3 phases. In this approach, at first students will give experience with the concept to be developed. This experience will allow students to explore and ask questions. As the lessons progress from simple exploration to conceptualization, the student, and teacher will discuss and derive the concept from observations made. In the last phase, students will be provided with the opportunity to explore the usefulness and application of the concept of the chosen units at the end of the topic. Data collected will be through lesson observations, students’ participation, and ability in understanding and retention of concepts, improved attitudes toward science learning, improved reasoning ability, and better process skills, And through using biology achievement test, Basic Science Process Skill Test and Science Attitude Scale. Results of the study should show significantly enhances students’ science process skills and attitudes according the use of inquiry based activity methods.
Research objective
The purpose of this study to investigate the effects of activities incorporating inquiry based activity teaching secondary students’ biology unit through inquiry based activity and attitudes toward science process skills. It compared the performance of the students using on activities incorporating inquiry based science teaching to students using a traditional science curriculum. To achieve these purpose basic process skills will be determined as Observing, Comparing and Classifying, Inferring, Predicting, Defining Operationally, Measuring, Recording and Interpreting, Formulating Models, Constructing Tables of Data and Graphs, while the integrated process skills will be Formulating Hypotheses, Identifying and Controlling Variables and Experimenting. The program will improve students’ skills of researching and questioning with a scientific and technological point of view, solving problems, conveying scientific views and results, working in cooperation and deciding sensibly.
Data Collection Tools:Science Process Skill Test (MB-BISPSI) Malaysian-Based Basic and Integrated Science Process Skills Inventory: to measure the integrated science process skills, the test developed by Yahayaet al. (2011) with its 60 items will modify by the researcher with some particular changes and additions to be applied for 10th 11th and 12th grade students (age16-18).
Overall description of the instrument
Database explored Exploration terminologies used Number of references obtained
ERIC “Teacher Stress Inventory” 18 citations from 2012 to 1999
PsychInfo “Teacher Stress Inventory” 50 citations from 2013 to mid-1980’s
Dissertation Abstracts International “Teacher Stress Inventory” and Fimian (in abstract) 18 citations 1983 to 2010
Google Scholar Fimian Teacher Stress Inventory 3 citations in 2014
Multiple citations in previous years
Teacher Stress Inventory (TSI) has found its application in published study from roughly the mid-1980. This is the time when it was published by Michael Fimian. Additionally, it has been used in study published in 2014 depending on search of pertinent database. TSI has been used by different ordinary and exceptional trainers from PreK through high school. Some of the teachers include Backer, 201 and Cook, 2002. Private and public school educators are Thomas, 2000 and waters, 2009. The special group of teachers includes Mikka of EFL (2014), Jones of physical education (2004), and Batten as an administrator (2001). In geographical or cultural context, TSI has found its application in various geographical and cultural areas. Studies have been carried out in many urban, rural, and geographical areas in America (Kaplan & Saccuzzo, 2013). It has also been carried out in global settings like Taiwan, Ireland, and Costa Rica. Studied have taken place in many spiritual groups like Seventh-Day Adventists and Catholics. Teacher Stress Inventory has been translated into various languages hence it can be used by different teachers from Pakistan, China, and Spain.
Copies of Scholarly Review(s) of Instrument
In 1957, the American education system was greatly condemned due to the introduction of Soviet Union’s satellite Sputnik. This is because it was considered to be content-oriented. This led to the introduction of various radical changes in their science curricular. The major changes made include Science-A Process Approach. In this approach, fundamental processes begun in grades K-3. On the other hand, science processes started and developed in grades 4-6. Process-based movement was majorly introduced to gauge the ability of the students to understand science process skills. An evaluation of the science process skills tools shows that the instruments were not adequately supplied. Therefore, they were not able to cover all the science process skills (Schmitt, 2012). The coverage of such tools was deficient since they reviewed BSPS, ISPS or a mixture of some process skills. For instance, Beard established the Basic Science Process Test (BSPT) for students in primary school. Tannenbaum established the Test of Science Process to determine the monitoring, comparing, categorizing, and forecasting skills of learners in grades 7 to 9. Smith and Welliver established a Science Process Assessment to be used by learners in grade 4. Saudi has their locally made instruments which are used to assess various science process skills (Lissitz, 2009).
Valid evidence
Validity evidence chart:
Types of validity evidence most appropriate for showing the quality of the instrument Definition of the validity evidence Methods used to collect the validity evidence
Content validity evidence It addresses the similarities between assessment questions and the area of study they are suppose to evaluate Content validity evidence is collected from various curriculum experts where they are required to give their opinions on whether the test is matching curriculum goals.
Criterion-related validity evidence This type of validity evidence studies the connection between a test score and the results. Therefore, evaluating the connection between test score and criteria can determine the test validity for finding out success in Saudi Arabian learning institutions Criterion-related validity evidence is collected by obtaining test results to be used and relevant data on the criteria for the same learners (Umar, 2003). The test results are linked with the criteria to establish the extent to which they show the criterion behavior
Construct validity evidence This refers to the level at which a certain measure evaluates the fundamental hypothetical construct it should measure. In order to work properly, it needs the collection of various sources of evidence (Oermann & Gaberson, 2013) The validity evidence is collected by acquiring two tests which can measure associated skills.
Consequential validity evidence It is used to refer to the common penalties of using a particular for a particular reason. Evidence can be collected by obtaining annual information from parents, teachers, and the administration concerning the assessment systems of various schools in Saudi Arabia
Reliability evidence
Reliability evidence chart:
Reliability estimate Description of the reliability estimate How to collect the reliability estimate
Test-retest reliability This type of reliability shows the rate at which a test is capable of giving stable and reliable scores within a given period of time To estimate this reliability, an individual should manage a test form to identify group of examinee based on two different occasions (Tenenbaum, Eklund & Kamata, 2012)
Parallel forms reliability This type of reliability approximate is a measure of how steady the results of examinees can be anticipated all over the test forms. A number of exam programs create many, parallel test forms to assist in providing test security. All the parallel forms are built to equal the exam outline. The forms are approximated by controlling both forms of the test to a similar group of examinees
Interrater reliability It shows a measure of the reliability or consistency of results expected by the raters. This is determined by obtaining scores from various raters and establishing the most reliable
Uses of Instrument in Scholarly Literature
The instrument can be used to determine how students obtain science process skills differently. Moreover, the acquisitions can be based on their gender, location, and ethnic backgrounds.
Use of the Instrument in personal Instructional or Evaluation Context
According to the evidences collected concerning the instrument, it is important to accept that it can be used in various studies. This is because it is considered to be a high-quality test. The items have complexity and bias indices that can be found within suitable range for research and exam reasons. Moreover, it is applicable and dependable as it can be used by secondary school children to evaluate their science process skills.
References
Kaplan, R. M., & Saccuzzo, D. P. (2013). Psychological testing: Principles, applications, & issues. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Lissitz, R. W. (2009). The concept of validity: Revisions, new directions, and applications. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Pub.
Oermann, M. H., & Gaberson, K. B. (2013). Evaluation and Testing in Nursing Education. New York: Springer Pub. Co.
Schmitt, N. (2012). The Oxford handbook of personnel assessment and selection. New York: Oxford University Press.
Tenenbaum, G., Eklund, R. C., & Kamata, A. (2012). Measurement in sport and exercise psychology. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Umar, A. (2003). E-business and distributed systems handbook: Management module. S.l.: N A.
