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Research in science education over the past 20 years has emphasized the importance of active cognition in conceptual development. Students formulate knowledge within language constructions constrained by culture and social construction and relate to their own purposes using speech and writing. Many students in high school do not recognize the use of analogy in the development of science theory and concepts. By focusing on the constructed nature of science and analogy this thesis aimed to determine the capacity of high ability students to engage their own thinking and so have a powerful tool with which to deconstruct and reconstruct their scientific understandings. This thesis focused on the use of analogy in a Year 7 electricity unit and a Year 9 geology unit and used examination questions, quizzes, diary entries and interviews to determine the role of analogies in learning. The specific research questions asked were: Can high ability students create their own analogies?, What role do analogies play in learning?, and How do analogies help students in concept development? The thesis found that analogies are powerful tools in supporting student conceptual development. They allow students to link from their existing framework to new understandings and visual analogs were the most effective in supporting learning. The students move to new understandings may not happen within the teaching time but could occur several months after the introduction of the analogy. / High ability students are able to recognize and construct their own analogies; however, many students have difficulty deconstructing analogies on their own. The content of the student created analogies seemed to be associated with activities involving reflection and reflection time emerged as a critical component of the learning process. The role of analogies in providing a focus for discussion with peers, teachers and parents so that ideas could be thought about, tested and clarified was found to be one of their important functions in supporting learning.

This study will explore student engagement as a multidimensional construct through a systematic comparative study from the views of students and teachers. While the construct of engagement holds promise for addressing declining motivation and achievement of adolescent students, the challenges associated with measuring a multi-faceted construct suggest the need for integrative research methodologies. This study will utilize concept mapping methods in two urban secondary schools. This methodology holds the potential to provide the tools for structured ‘meaning making’ between participants (students and teachers). This capacity to ‘think together’ is promoted through intentionally structured (i.e., concept mapping processes) practice of discourse. As a direct result of this approach, data revealed the degree of convergence and divergence in student and teacher definitions of student engagement. Areas of student/teacher convergence included themes addressing ‘diversity/belonging’, ‘student-teacher interaction’, and ‘variety in school policy/structure’. Areas of divergence included, ‘aspects of pedagogy’, ‘students at the centre’, and ‘professional educators’. In framing student engagement as a multidimensional construct, this study was able to uncover complex nuances. For example, closer examination of the student data revealed a nested and multi-faceted relationship to their sense of engagement. Students most strongly associated engagement to their sense of belonging at school. In turn, this sense of belonging was directly impacted by their relationships with peers, and this connection was viewed to directly affect on motivation (and subsequent achievement). Future research is needed so as to delve deeper into the nature of social connections among teachers-students, and students-students as an approach to untangle and better understand the multidimensionality of factors at play.

This study will explore student engagement as a multidimensional construct through a systematic comparative study from the views of students and teachers. While the construct of engagement holds promise for addressing declining motivation and achievement of adolescent students, the challenges associated with measuring a multi-faceted construct suggest the need for integrative research methodologies. This study will utilize concept mapping methods in two urban secondary schools. This methodology holds the potential to provide the tools for structured ‘meaning making’ between participants (students and teachers). This capacity to ‘think together’ is promoted through intentionally structured (i.e., concept mapping processes) practice of discourse. As a direct result of this approach, data revealed the degree of convergence and divergence in student and teacher definitions of student engagement. Areas of student/teacher convergence included themes addressing ‘diversity/belonging’, ‘student-teacher interaction’, and ‘variety in school policy/structure’. Areas of divergence included, ‘aspects of pedagogy’, ‘students at the centre’, and ‘professional educators’. In framing student engagement as a multidimensional construct, this study was able to uncover complex nuances. For example, closer examination of the student data revealed a nested and multi-faceted relationship to their sense of engagement. Students most strongly associated engagement to their sense of belonging at school. In turn, this sense of belonging was directly impacted by their relationships with peers, and this connection was viewed to directly affect on motivation (and subsequent achievement). Future research is needed so as to delve deeper into the nature of social connections among teachers-students, and students-students as an approach to untangle and better understand the multidimensionality of factors at play.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of two different concept mapping methods - learner-generated and expert-generated concept mapping - in computer-based video learning. The students’ attitudes toward the use of the concept mapping and computer-based instruction in general were also investigated. The study was performed using the entire enrollment of the junior level undergraduate course (n = 65) Developmental Psychology for Educators (EPSY-320) class, the spring semester of 2010 at Texas A & M University. Using experimental research design, the relationship between student achievements and learning tools was observed. The convenience sampling method was used to assign the students randomly to two treatment groups. The study built on previous research findings on the instructional use of video and concept mapping. It focused on the relative influence of expert-generated versus learner-generated concept maps on student achievement during computer-based video instruction. Results indicated that there were no significant differences among achievements of students who used either learner-generated concept maps or expert-generated concept maps in the study. However, the expert-generated concept mapping group spent significantly less time than the learner-generated concept mapping group interacting with the instructional tool. The findings revealed that concept map scores mediated the relationships between the numbers of clicks on the video player control, time spent creating concept maps, and time spent on all interaction and student achievement. Although the variables - the number of clicks on the video player control, time spent creating concept maps, and time spent on all interactions - did not have a direct effect on student achievement, they affected the concept map scores, which in turn affected student achievement. The three variables - perceived usefulness, ease of use, and attitude toward use - were used to define the attitude of the students toward the instructional tool. The results showed that the attitude of the expert-generated group toward the instructional tool was significantly higher than the learner-generated group. Also, on average, the expert-generated concept mapping group expressed neutral feelings on using the instructional tool to improve their learning performance. Alternatively, the learner-generated group did not appreciate the value of this tool. Both groups reported neutral views about the ease of use of the instructional tool. In conclusion, concept mapping might enhance cognitive learning after the basic skills are acquired and the learners become competent concept mappers. During the creation of concept maps, cognitive load might hinder student learning; therefore, students must be well trained before starting to use the learning tool. Moreover, concept map scores might be used as student grades in video-based learning.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--West Virginia University, 2001. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 220 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 144-154).

Thesis (M.F.A.)--West Virginia University, 2002. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 53 p. Includes abstract.

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