Thesis advisor: Katherine L. McNeill / Environmental understanding is highly relevant in today's global society. Social, economic, and political structures are connected to the state of environmental degradation and exploitation, and disproportionately affect those in poor or urban communities (Brulle and Pellow, 2006; Executive Order No. 12898, 1994). Environmental education must challenge the way we live, and our social and ecological quality of life, with the goal of responsible action. The development of a learning progression in environmental thinking, along with a corresponding assessment, could provide a tool that could be used across environmental education programs to help evaluate and guide programmatic decisions. This study sought to determine if a scale could be constructed that allowed individuals to be ordered along a continuum of environmental thinking. First, I developed the Environmental Thinking Learning Progression, a scale of environmental thinking from novice to advanced, based on the current available research and literature. The scale consisted of four subscales, each measuring a different aspect of environmental thinking: place consciousness, human connection, agency, and science concepts. Second, a measurement instrument was developed, so that the data appropriately fit the model using Rasch analysis. A Rasch analysis of the data placed respondents along a continuum, given the range of item difficulty for each subscale. Across three iterations of instrument revision and data collection, findings indicated that the items were ordered in a hierarchical way that corresponded to the construct of environmental thinking. Comparisons between groups showed that the average score of respondents who had participated in environmental education programs was significantly higher than those who had not. A comparison between males and females showed no significant difference in average measure, however, there were varied significant differences between how racial/ethnic groups performed. Overall, the results suggest that the Environmental Thinking Learning Progression and instrument are useful and accurate tools to measure individuals along a continuum from novice to advanced. This can be helpful for environmental education programs for use in evaluation and program development within a diverse context. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2014. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Teacher Education, Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction.

Understanding chemical reactions is crucial in learning chemistry at all educational levels. Nevertheless, research in science education has revealed that many students struggle to understand chemical processes. Improving teaching and learning about chemical reactions demands that we develop a clearer understanding of student reasoning in this area and of how this reasoning evolves with training in the discipline. Thus, we have carried out a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews as the main data collection tool to explore students reasoning about reaction mechanism and causality. The participants of this study included students at different levels of training in chemistry: general chemistry students (n=22), organic chemistry students (n=16), first year graduate students (n=13) and Ph.D. candidates (n=14). We identified major conceptual modes along critical dimensions of analysis, and illustrated common ways of reasoning using typical cases. Main findings indicate that although significant progress is observed in student reasoning in some areas, major conceptual difficulties seem to persist even at the more advanced educational levels. In addition, our findings suggest that students struggle to integrate important concepts when thinking about mechanism and causality in chemical reactions. The results of our study are relevant to chemistry educators interested in learning progressions, assessment, and conceptual development.

Computational thinking is a contemporary mathematical and engineering concept that has been introduced to US science classrooms due to its emphasis within the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS Lead States, 2013), yet it stands with no clear definition nor explicit methods for inclusion. Because biological evolution, an essential theory within biology, spans across temporal and organizational scales (Aho, 2012), computational thinking may facilitate evolution learning (Wilensky & Reisman, 2006), specifically by overcoming misconceptions, reinforcing the nature of science (NOS), and allowing student embodiment (as students become emerged in their models, i.e., personification; Weinthrop et. al. 2016). The complex nature of both teaching computational thinking and biological evolution lends toward the need for a learning progression that identifies the instructional context, computational product and computational process and spans from simple to complex (as modified from Berland & McNeill, 2010). I developed and present an appropriate learning progression that outlines biological evolution learning coupled with computational thinking. The defined components of computational thinking (input, integration, output and feedback) are coupled with biology student roles. Two major themes of biological evolution, unity and diversity have each been paired with both computational thinking and specific corresponding NGSS standards at levels of increasing complexity. To investigate the effectiveness of the learning progression, I developed and conducted a quasi-experimental research design study. I designed two learning experiences (interventions) which merged computation and biological evolution content based on AP biology laboratory lessons (College Board, 2009). I also developed two instruments for use in the study, one to assess computational knowledge and the other to assess biological evolution knowledge across scales. I measured knowledge gains in both biological evolution and computational thinking quantitatively and explored participant use of biological levels of organization and computational complexity through qualitative analysis of participant artifacts. The quantitative and qualitative results of the study support the argument to include computational thinking into biological evolution knowledge instruction. Knowledge gains differed between the two interventions indicating that one intervention was significantly more successful in learning both biological evolution and computational thinking. Students who made biological level connections across scales (spanning from the micro to the macro levels) also had significantly greater gains in biological knowledge. Considering the results collectively, computational thinking deserves a much greater emphasis within biology classrooms. There are virtually no previous studies which relate computation and evolution across scales and the present study paved the way for questions of importance, support, benefits and overall student achievement in relation to the advancement of science in education. / Teaching & Learning

This study aims to develop assessment which measures learning progressions for important scientific concepts such as oxidation-reduction (redox) and to identify students¡¦ zone of proximal development (ZPD) through teaching practice incorporating assessment feedback. The assessment items of redox were developed based on the framework of the BEAR (Berkeley Evaluation and Assessment Research) Assessment System. Six experts from chemistry, science education, and educational assessment, and three high school chemistry teachers with fruitful instructional experiences were recruited into the assessment team. Through 24 panel discussions, 28 ordered multiple-choice items were developed. Two samples of Taiwanese middle-school students participated in the test development: one for item revision and the other for validation. Sample 1 and 2 consisted of 626 middle school students (304 8th graders and 322 9th graders) and 903 9th graders, respectively. The materials for instruction integrated assessment feedback were designed by the researcher and two middle-school science teachers through seven group meetings. A teaching experiment was implemented to examine the effect of assessment feedback on students¡¦ understandings of redox and to identify their ZPD. The teaching experiment employed a quasi-experiment with a non-equivalent-group pretest-posttest design. Participants were 196 eighth graders (101 boys and 95 girls) from three middle schools. The findings showed that (a) the BEAR assessment system and Rasch measurement approaches provided a feasible framework for developing validated tools to assess learning progressions; (b) the empirical data supported students¡¦ learning of redox concept usually progressed ¡§from uni-structure to multi-structure¡¨ and ¡§from discrete sub-concepts to integrated concepts¡¨; (c) the teaching practice integrated assessment feedback effectively facilitated students¡¦ understanding of scientific concepts; (d) the assessment of learning progressions provided a mechanism for identifying students¡¦ ZPD and helped realize the abtract idea of ZPD in teaching practices. The main contributions of the study included (a) demostrating how to carry out the idea of ZPD into teaching practices through linking learning progressions and ZPD; (b) presenting how to apply BEAR assessment system and Rasch techniques to develop tools for assessing learning progressions; (c) developing a set of items for assessing learning progressions of redox and a series of materials for teaching practices integrated assessment feedback.

Submitted by JANAÍNA DE SOUZA SILVA null (jana_naina04@yahoo.com.br) on 2018-01-26T20:39:33Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Versão On Line revisada.pdf: 3602467 bytes, checksum: fe9103dd8e2d71223ba15f258ca06f87 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Paula Santulo Custódio de Medeiros null (asantulo@rc.unesp.br) on 2018-01-29T18:09:29Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_js_me_rcla.pdf: 2588702 bytes, checksum: 64087c97d33b3b27453dfc4e05e0e6f8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-01-29T18:09:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_js_me_rcla.pdf: 2588702 bytes, checksum: 64087c97d33b3b27453dfc4e05e0e6f8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-10-07 / Esta dissertação focaliza o trabalho pedagógico realizado no 2º ano do ciclo alfabetização. A seleção deste momento do ensino fundamental como objeto de estudo deve-se ao enfoque e a continuidade do ensino para a progressão da alfabetização. Em pesquisa de campo, buscou-se focalizar a inserção da progressividade nas práticas pedagógicas e nos discursos dos professores. À luz do referencial teórico sobre a problemática do ensino em ciclos, a pesquisa foi realizada com 9 professoras, de 9 escolas municipais que lecionam no 2º ano do ensino fundamental em Limeira – SP. A escolha das escolas para a realização da pesquisa ocorreu com base nos resultados do ANA/2014, divulgados pelo INEP em 2015. Destas escolas, três apresentaram os maiores escores, três apresentaram os menores escores e três apresentaram os escores correspondentes ao desempenho mediano na ANA/2014. A seleção das professoras, foi feita por sorteio utilizando a tabela de Fisher e Yates (1957). A coleta de dados deu-se mediante observações de aulas e entrevistas com as professoras, (gravadas em áudio e transcritas). As observações foram registradas (em áudio e/ou diário de campo). Nos resultados obtidos destacam-se as diferenças quanto à abordagem dada à continuidade da aprendizagem e progressão no processo de alfabetização; práticas essas, que dariam concretude ao ensino em ciclo, preconizado pelo PNAIC. Nestes, destaca-se a ênfase dada pelo ensino às atividades correspondentes ao eixo curricular “análise linguística: aprendizagem do sistema de escrita” em detrimento dos eixos como leitura, e produção textual escrita. / This dissertation focuses on the pedagogical work conducted in the 2nd year of literacy education. The selection of this moment of elementary school, as study subject, is due to its focus and continuousness of the teaching for progressive literacy. Through a field research, we sought to focus on the inclusion of progressivity in the pedagogical practices and in the teachers’ lectures. Based on the theoretical framework on the issue of literacy education and education in cycles, the survey was conducted with nine female teachers who teach in the 2nd year of elementary school in the city of Limeira – SP, Brazil. The selection of the schools where the research took place, was based on the results of the National Literacy Assessment (ANA)/2014 released by the National Institute of Studies and Research (INEP) in 2015. Thus, a total of nine schools were selected, three presented the highest scores, three had the lowest scores and three had the scores corresponding to the average performance in the ANA/2014. For the teachers’ selection, we used the statistical table of Fisher and Yates (1957). Data collection was carried out through classroom observations (five consecutive academic days) and interviews with teachers (audio-recorded and transcribed). The results were audio-recorded or registered in a field diary. The obtained results reveal the differences regarding the approach towards continuous learning and progression in the literacy process; the application of such methods would give more concreteness to the teaching in stages, according to the current official curriculum guidelines (PNAIC). In these guidelines emphasis is given to teaching activities corresponding to the axis “linguistic analysis: learning of the writing system" rather than themes as reading and written production.

This thesis deals with the use of inquiry-based approaches in primary school science. The aim is to investigate the goals and purposes that are constituted by the curriculum and by the teachers in interviews and through their teaching in the classroom. The results are used to develop conceptual tools that can be used by teachers’ in their work to support students’ learning of science when using an inquiry-based approach. The thesis is comprised of four papers. In paper one a comparative analysis is made of five Swedish national curricula for compulsory school regarding what students should learn about scientific inquiry. In paper two 20 teachers were interviewed about their own teaching using inquiry. Classroom interactions were filmed and analyzed in papers three and four, which examine how primary teachers use the various activities and purposes of the inquiry classroom to support learning progressions in science. The results of paper one show how the emphasis within and between the two goals of learning to carry out investigations and learning about the nature of science shifted and changed over time in the different curricula. Paper two describes the selective traditions and qualities that were emphasized in the teachers’ accounts of their own teaching. The results of papers three and four show how students need to be involved in the proximate and ultimate purposes of the teaching activities for progression to happen. The ultimate purposes are the scientific purposes for the lesson (as given by the teacher or by the curriculum), whereas the proximate purposes are the more student-centered purposes that through different activities should allow the students to relate their own experiences and language to the ultimate purpose. The results show the importance of proximate purposes working as ends-in-view in the sense of John Dewey, meaning that the students see the goal of the activity and that they are able to relate to their experiences and familiar language. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 1: In press. Paper 2: Manuscript. Paper 4: Manuscript.</p>

This thesis deals with the use of inquiry-based approaches in primary school science. The aim is to investigate the goals and purposes that are constituted by the curriculum and by the teachers in interviews and through their teaching in the classroom. The results are used to develop conceptual tools that can be used by teachers’ in their work to support students’ learning of science when using an inquiry-based approach. The thesis is comprised of four papers. In paper one a comparative analysis is made of five Swedish national curricula for compulsory school regarding what students should learn about scientific inquiry. In paper two 20 teachers were interviewed about their own teaching using inquiry. Classroom interactions were filmed and analyzed in papers three and four, which examine how primary teachers use the various activities and purposes of the inquiry classroom to support learning progressions in science. The results of paper one show how the emphasis within and between the two goals of learning to carry out investigations and learning about the nature of science shifted and changed over time in the different curricula. Paper two describes the selective traditions and qualities that were emphasized in the teachers’ accounts of their own teaching. The results of papers three and four show how students need to be involved in the proximate and ultimate purposes of the teaching activities for progression to happen. The ultimate purposes are the scientific purposes for the lesson (as given by the teacher or by the curriculum), whereas the proximate purposes are the more student-centered purposes that through different activities should allow the students to relate their own experiences and language to the ultimate purpose. The results show the importance of proximate purposes working as ends-in-viewin the sense of John Dewey, meaning that the students see the goal of the activity and that they are able to relate to their experiences and familiar language. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 1: In press. Paper 2: Manuscript. Paper 4: Manuscript.</p>

No description available.

This thesis explores lower secondary students’ meaning-making of epigenetic visual representations within and between biological organization levels. Data obtained from five focus group discussions where students indicated and reasoned about eight epigenetic visual representations were explored. By analyzing students’ interactions with multiple visual representations, and the impact of linking and reasoning patterns on their meaning-making, the research contributes insights to the learning of epigenetics.  Epigenetics, which is gaining rapid importance in emerging biology curricula, is communicated at different biological organization levels, and serves as the meaning-making context explored in the thesis. A compelling biology didactics context, where students are required to reason with multiple representations depicted within and between organizational levels to make meaning about epigenetics. The thesis uncovers three primary findings. First, four linking patterns in students’ meaning-making across and between organizational levels using various visual representations are illuminated. Second, five visual characteristics that influence students’ linking within and between levels were discerned. Third, students’ meaning-making processes were observed to emerge through four phases, which involved form and function attributes of the visual representations, and the transfer of scientific ideas across representations. / <p>Article 1 published in thesis as manuscript, now published.</p>