The unified learning model (ULM) focuses on students' engagement, motivation, prior knowledge, and working memory. This study employs the use of video games to assess students' learning through a 3D chemistry gaming environment. In this human-subjects research, students carried out missions and applied reasoning to solve problems appropriate for general chemistry content. For learning to occur, students must be engaged and motivated as stated in the ULM. Learning cannot necessarily be accomplished by experience alone, and critical thinking is required to turn the experience into learning. The interpretation of educational theory applied to video games and this proposed study are discussed. A moderately positive correlation was found between exam score and study time (playing the game). Essentially the more time spent playing the game or an online activity the higher the exam scores. There was an alpha level less than 0.05 (p < 0.05) between the experimental group and non-traditional group (no game or online activity). Supporting that there was a statistically significant difference between groups, the null hypothesis was accepted between the game and online activity. Furthermore, as stated under the ULM, engagement is necessary for optimal learning.

This was an investigation of the differences in student recognition of problem similarity in high school chemistry, the relation of problem-similarity recognition to problem-solving success, and the improvement in problem-solving success subsequent to consideration of problem similarity. Tests developed for this study were used to measure initial problem-solving success, problem-similarity recognition using a 4-point context-to-structure scale, and final problem-solving success. The sequence of measurements was: (1) problem-similarity recognition prior to writing problem solutions, (2) problem-solving success, (3) problem-similarity recognition after writing problem solutions, (4) problem-similarity recognition after being given problem solutions by the teacher, and (5) problem-solving success. Analyses of the data indicated that the most successful problem solvers differed from the moderately successful and the least successful problem solvers in their tendency to recognize problem similarity according to structure rather than context. Additionally, the most successful as well as the least successful problem solvers improved in problem-solving success subsequent to their consideration of problem similarity. Recommendations for instruction and for additional studies are included. / Ed. D.

Master of Science

Several factors that are known to influence attitudes of students towards learning have been documented. Some of these factors have been found to affect the achievement of students. In this study the relationship of the attitudinal disposition of students to their learning outcomes were assessed. Chemistry attitude questionnaire was used to assess the attitude of students and a pen and paper examination comprising of questions requiring declarative and procedural knowledge were used to assess learning outcomes of students. Correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to assess relationship between attitude of students and their learning outcomes. The results showed that attitude of students had a positive but moderate influence on their performance. The ANOVA results showed a statistical significant relationship between attitude of students and students’ learning outcomes (F= 38.383, p=0.000). / Institute of Science and Technology Education / M.Sc. (Mathematics, Science and Technology Education)

O presente trabalho trata de uma abordagem com uso de metodologia alternativa, o Estudo de Casos, com o objetivo de facilitar a aprendizagem de conceitos específicos de eletroquímica para alunos de primeiro ano do curso de Licenciatura em Química. Esta pesquisa considera a importância do aluno atuar de modo ativo durante seu processo de aprendizagem. A metodologia de Estudo de Casos é uma variante do PBL (ProblemBased Learning) que proporciona ao aluno a oportunidade de vivenciar uma experiência real de aplicação de conceitos e habilidades que devem ser desenvolvidas ao longo de sua formação. Os estudantes trabalharam em grupos durante a aplicação do método que se deu em quatro encontros, onde, ao longo das atividades responderam a testes e elaboraram relatórios que foram os instrumentos de coleta de dados do estudo. No ultimo encontro os grupos apresentaram a solução do caso investigativo para o restante da turma e para o professor que mediou a atividade. Foram encontradas evidencias de que o método é eficiente na promoção de uma aprendizagem mais significativa. O método foi bem recebido pelos alunos e foi perceptível uma ampliação na coerência das respostas que se mostraram melhor fundamentadas após a intervenção. / The following paper is about an approach with an alternative methodology, Case Studies, with the intention of smoothing the act of learning specific content of electrochemistry for first graders of Chemistry graduation. This research considers the importance of the student on acting proactively on his learning process. The methodology of the Case Studies is a variant of the PBL (Problem Based Learning) which provides the student the unique chance to experience a real experiment of concept application and skills that must be developed during his formation as a professional. The students work in groups during the application of the method that took place in four encounters, where, during the activities they answered to tests and made reports that were the tools to collect the data. In the last encounter the groups presented the solution to the Investigative Case to the remainder of the class and the teacher that conducted the exercise. It was found evidences that the method is efficient on the promotion of a more meaningful learning experience. The process was well received and it was noticeable a rising coherence on the answers that were better substantiated after the intervention.

A contextualização dos conhecimentos científicos e a necessidade da participação ativa dos estudantes na construção coletiva dos discursos em sala de aula são dois importantes referenciais teóricos e metodológicos assumidos de forma quase consensual por professores de Ciências e pesquisadores da área, além de encontrar forte respaldo nas propostas oficiais do Ministério da Educação. Acredita-se que a contextualização leve os estudantes a uma maior participação durante as aulas e, assim, à aprendizagem dos conteúdos científicos. Sendo assim, buscou-se nesta investigação conhecer a natureza e a dinâmica das interações discursivas construídas por professor e alunos em aulas de Química em que o conhecimento científico é contextualizado. Partiu-se da hipótese de que a inserção de conteúdos ligados ao cotidiano dos estudantes ou que envolvam as relações CTSA (Ciência-Tecnologia-Sociedade-Ambiente) pode não promover interações discursivas que evidenciem um alto grau de envolvimento cognitivo por parte dos estudantes. Foram gravadas, transcritas e analisadas três aulas de duas professoras de escolas públicas diferentes, situadas próximo ao município de São Paulo. Essas aulas foram analisadas por apresentarem alguma forma de contextualização. As interações discursivas foram categorizadas nas dimensões verbal e cognitiva, ou seja, cada fala das professoras ou dos alunos foi enquadrada em uma categoria da dimensão verbal e em uma categoria da dimensão cognitiva. A análise dos resultados mostrou um acréscimo das interações cognitivas mais elaboradas (Interações Cognitivas de Ordem Alta), principalmente no discurso das professoras, quando a aula era contextualizada. Apesar disso, as falas dos alunos se mantiveram curtas e pouco elaboradas, mostrando pouca relação com a qualidade das interações cognitivas apresentadas pelas professoras e com a contextualização dos conteúdos. A freqüência da participação dos alunos também não foi afetada pela contextualização, permanecendo elevada e constante. / The context based learning and the students\' active participation in the classroom collective discourse construction are two important theoretical references consensually admitted by science teachers and educational researchers and is also endorsed by educational policy of Brazilian Ministry of Education. It´s assumed that context based learning enhances the active students participation and improves scientific contents learning. This research aims to understand the nature and dynamic of discursive interaction which take place between teacher and students in a context based chemistry classroom. The hypothesis was that the insertion of contents connected to the students daily life or that involve STSE (Science-Technology-Society-Environment) not necessarily promote discursive interactions that evidence a high student cognitive involvement. Three classes of two different public schools chemistry teachers were recorded, transcribed and analyzed. These classes were chosen because they presented some kind of context-based situation. The discursive interactions were categorized in verbal and cognitive dimensions. Each teacher\'s or students talks was classified in a verbal dimension category and in a cognitive dimension category. The analysis of the result showed an increase of the more elaborate cognitive interactions (Higher Order Cognitive Skills) when the class content was context based, mainly in the teachers discourse. Despite that, the students\' talk remained short and less elaborated, showing little relation with the quality of cognitive interactions presented by teachers and with the context-based nature of the content. The frequency of the students\' participation also wasn\'t affected by the context-based subject, it was high and constant.

杨洁. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 236-265). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in Chinese and English. / Yang Jie.

Neste trabalho descrevemos as etapas de desenvolvimento do aplicativo computacional Construtor, a partir do qual estudantes de Ensino Médio podem construir objetos moleculares virtuais tridimensionais a partir unicamente da fórmula estrutural condensada de espécies químicas. Este aplicativo computacional foi adaptado em uma seqüência de ensino acessível pela internet através de navegadores hipertexto, o que resultou em um ambiente virtual de ensino de química. Também neste trabalho descrevemos a avaliação do uso do ambiente virtual descrito. Esta avaliação de uso foi feita por intermédio de dados obtidos com um sistema de captura sincronizada de vídeo, através do qual é possível gravar em arquivos de vídeo, de forma simultânea, a tela em uso pelo estudante e suas ações diante do computador, sendo os arquivos gravados no próprio computador em uso pelo estudante. Desta forma foi possível minimizar a introdução de equipamentos estranhos à aula durante o teste de usabilidade do sistema. Iniciamos nossa discussão a partir do conceito comumente aceito sobre o conhecimento químico ser composto por três dimensões, fazemos uma breve revisão sobre representações químicas, seus aspectos espaciais, a utilização de tecnologias da informação e comunicação e, mais especificamente, o uso de animações e simulações em ambientes de ensino de química, assim como uma revisão da bibliografia sobre os ambientes virtuais de ensino de química a partir de 1994. Neste trabalho, também fazemos uma discussão sobre a contribuição da teoria semiótica de Charles Sanders Peirce, com o objetivo de trazer uma compreensão mais aprofundada a respeito dos processos de significação de representações químicas, dos níveis macroscópico, submicroscópico e simbólico, na sala de aula. / In this work we describe the steps of the development of the software Construtor. With this computational program, High School students can build three-dimensional virtual molecular objects from the condensed structural formulas of chemical species. This computational program was adapted in a learning activity accessible through the internet with hypertext browsers, what resulted in a chemistry learning virtual environment. Also in this work we describe the use evaluation of the virtual environment described. We evaluated the use of this virtual environment from the data obtained with a video synchronized capture system, in witch it is possible to record in video files, simultaneously, the screen in use bye the students and their actions before the computer, in such a way the files are recorded in the same computer in use bye the student. Thus it was possible minimize the introduction of foreigner-class equipments during the usability test. We initiate our discussion from the concept about the chemical knowledge being composed by three dimensions, following a brief revision about chemical representations, its spatial aspects, the utilization of information and communication technologies and, more specifically, the use of animations and simulations in chemical teaching learning environments, as well as a revision about chemistry learning virtual environments from 1994. In this work we also discuss about thee contribution of the Semiotics theory of Charles Sanders Peirce, objecting to bring a deeper comprehension about the meaning processes of chemical representations, on the macroscopic, submicroscopic and symbolic levels, in classrooms.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 370-385)

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education