New Perspectives in Science Education
Assessing Nature of Science in the Early Study Program “Juniorstudium” of the University of Rostock
Seep Jan-Arne, University of Rostock (Germany)
Abstract
A major goal in science education is Scientific Literacy [1]. Nature of Science (NOS) is therefore a widely accepted “core component” of Scientific Literacy and mostly conceptualized in “the consensus framework” [4]. Recent results have shown that understanding of Scientific Literacy is decreasing [2, 3]. Students in all grades also held naïve conceptions about Nature of Science [5, 6]. These findings question critical the yield of science education. Despite curricular efforts [7], science lessons seem to be ineffective to adequately teach NOS in school. Early study programs, like the Juniorstudium of the University of Rostock, could possibly help especially those students who want to study particular. Initial investigations have shown that former junior-students perform significantly better in their later studies [8].
At this point, the question arises as to whether the “Juniorstudium” contributes to the development of an appropriate understanding of scientific epistemological beliefs (NOS). Sophisticated epistemological beliefs favor aspects of academic success [9]. An authentic learning environment possibly increase NOS understanding [10].
The Juniorstudium as a blended-learning, digital format could support science education – also in an extracurricular way, firmly anchored as part of school science in Highschool. Little effort is required to implement the project for schools, because it is run by university and (under)graduates. Lectures were recorded and are supplemented by students and authentic tasks from the respective study program.
An initial pilot assessment delivered acceptable reliability and is therefore an economic instrument to assess NOS for highschool students quantitatively [11].
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Keywords |
Early Study Program, Epistemological Beliefs, Extracurricular Learning Location, Nature of Science, Scientific Literacy, |
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REFERENCES |
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