The purpose of this investigation was to explore how aspects of identity, perceived levels of controversy, and the strength of a student's attachment to their controversial identity relate to conceptual understanding and knowledge acquisition during socioscientific issues (SSI) based instruction in a biology classroom. The knowledge gained from this study will have the capacity to enhance our understanding of the role that attachment to identity plays during SSI negotiation. Additionally, insight was gained into the role played by aspects of identity in conceptual understanding of scientifically controversial topics during SSI based instruction. This study contributed to the existing knowledge base in science education by illuminating processes involved in socioscientific issue navigation among students of differing perceptions of controversy as well as students who held aspects of controversial identity that may or may not interact with the specific issues chosen. Students demonstrated evidence of variations of reasoning, justification, perception of controversy, and aspects of knowledge gain as they negotiated the issues of marijuana safety and fast food legality. Additionally, evidence was provided that showed general knowledge gain throughout the group during socioscientific issues instruction. It has been said that one of the appeals of the SSI instructional model is that is serves not only as a context for the delivery of content, but acts as a catalyst for various forms of epistemological beliefs and research into the development of conceptual and psychological knowledge structures (Zeidler, 2013). This investigation supports the deeper understanding of the contribution of controversy perception to epistemology as well as conceptual and psychological knowledge structures during SSI navigation.

The aims of the present study were to investigate the relationship among preservice science teachers&rsquo / informal reasoning regarding nuclear power plant construction, epistemological beliefs and metacognitive awareness. Throughout 2010-2011 fall and spring semesters, a total of 674 pre-service science teachers participated in the study. Data were collected through Schommer&rsquo / s Epistemological Questionnaire, Metacognitive Awareness Inventory, and Open-ended Questionnaire Assessing Informal Reasoning regarding Nuclear Power Usage. MANOVA, correlational analysis, and stepwise multiple regression analyses were conducted. The analyses revealed that the differences between pre-service science teachers&rsquo / epistemological beliefs within the two decision making groups were not statistically significant. Besides, results of the bivariate correlation revealed that there were statistically significant correlation between pre-service science teachers&rsquo / total argument construction and all the dimensions of SEQ except omniscient authority. Also, there was a significant correlation between pre-service science teachers&rsquo / certain knowledge dimension of SEQ and their counterargument construction. Moreover, the differences between pre-service science teachers&rsquo / metacognitive awareness within the two decision making groups were not statistically significant. Results of the bivariate correlation revealed that there was a significant correlation between preservice science teachers&rsquo / metacognitive awareness and informal reasoning outcomes. Finally, stepwise multiple regression analyses revealed that pre-service science teachers&rsquo / information management strategy was the only significant predictor for their rebuttal construction. Declarative knowledge was the best predictor of preservice science teachers&rsquo / counterargument construction while the second best predictor was certain knowledge for their counterargument construction. Finally declarative knowledge was the only significant predictor for the amount of preservice science teachers&rsquo / reasoning modes.

Abstract This thesis investigates the use of socioscientific issues (SSI) in the high school science classroom as an introduction to argumentation and socioscientific reasoning, with the goal of improving students' scientific literacy (SL). Current research is reviewed that supports the likelihood of students developing a greater conceptual understanding of scientific theories as well as a deeper understanding of the nature of science (NOS), through participation in informal and formal forms of argumentation in the context of SSI. Significant gains in such understanding may improve a student's ability to recognize the rigor, legitimacy, and veracity of scientific claims and better discern science from pseudoscience. Furthermore, students that participate in significant SSI instruction by negotiating a range of science-related social issues can make significant gains in content knowledge and develop the life-long skills of argumentation and evidence-based reasoning, goals not possible in traditional lecture-based science instruction. SSI-based instruction may therefore help students become responsible citizens. This synthesis also suggests that that the improvements in science literacy and NOS understanding that develop from sustained engagement in SSI-based instruction will better prepare students to examine and scrutinize socially controversial scientific theories (i.e., evolution, global warming, and the Big Bang).

The overall ambition with this thesis is to develop knowledge about students’ learning, especially with regard to process and content, when they participate in argumentation. Students’ learning is investigated through in situ studies of classroom practices. The theoretical point of departure is a pragmatic perspective in which learning is understood and investigated in terms of concrete actions. The empirical material consists of video recorded lessons at secondary and upper secondary schools in Sweden. The content of the lessons is argumentative discussions about sustainable development and socioscientific issues. In the first study, the functions that teachers’ actions have for students’ learning processes are investigated using Epistemological Move Analysis. In the second study, an approach is developed and illustrated that facilitates investigations into students’ learning processes in terms of knowledge content and argument construction in argumentation. The method, called Transactional Argumentation Analysis, combines a pragmatic perspective of learning with an argument analysis based on Toulmin’s Argument Pattern. In the third study, the functions that knowledge have when used by students in argumentative discussions are examined. The fourth study investigates the role of peers for students’ learning and how students influence the argumentation at a collective level. Here Transactional Argumentation Analysis is developed further in order to facilitate investigations of the dynamic interplay between the intra-personal and the inter-personal dimensions of learning and the result of this interplay in terms of the knowledge content and arguments that are constructed. The thesis shows how students’ learning can be investigated through in situ studies of educational practices. The methodological contribution of the thesis consists of the development and further elaboration of Transactional Argumentation Analysis. The thesis also contributes with substantial knowledge about students’ learning processes with regard to knowledge content and argument construction when participating in argumentation. Another contribution concerns the functions of knowledge when used by students in argumentation. Finally, the studies show how peers and teachers influence students’ learning, and how students contribute to the shared argumentation in the classroom.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:31:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-03-25Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T21:03:07Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 razera_jcc_dr_bauru.pdf: 2885804 bytes, checksum: b690fe3be288fc0aba0ba76687fb9a60 (MD5) / Na área de Educação em Ciências encontramos diferentes argumentos que convergem para a necessidade de maior atenção sobre as dimensões axiológicas e atitudinais do processo de ensino e aprendizagem das disciplinas científicas. Essa demanda exige uma contínua ampliação e aprofundamento das investigações sobre o tema, porque envolve conhecimentos de domínios teóricos diversos que ainda são carentes nas discussões da área. À luz da psicologia do desenvolvimento e da ética discursiva, este trabalho põe em foco um relevante componente da dimensão aitudinal-axiológica: o desenvolvimento moral dos alunos em aulas de Ciências. Embasados pelas perspectivas sociomorais das teorias de Jean Piaget, Lawrence Kohlberg e Jürgen Habermas, além de outros autores alinhados com esses pressupostos, apresentamos dados teóricos e empíricos que buscam: (i) explorar uma válida e viável correlação de aspectos teórico-práticos laicos e racionais entre as aulas de Ciências e o desenvolvimento moral, permitindo avanços nos conhecimentos sobre formação do pensamento moral, crítico e científico dos estudantes em processo de ensino e aprendizagem de Ciências; (ii) delinear o estado dos trabalhos científicos da área brasileira de Educação em Ciências sobre o assunto desenvolvimento moral. Ao final, o nosso estudo traz evidências de uma interface de contribuições teórico-práticas recíprocas e plausíveis que pode ser delineada entre desenvolvimento moral e aulas de Ciências, mas ainda subestimada nas discussões da área / In the field of Science Education there are many arguments for more attention to the axiological and attitudinal dimensions of the teaching and learning scientific disciplines processes. This demand requires continuous in-depth investigations about this theme because it involves the knowledge of various theoretical fields that have not still attracted the deserved attention. In the light of developmental psychology and discursive ethics, the present study focuses on a relevant component of the attitudinal-axiological dimension: the moral development of students in Science classes. Based on the social and moral perspectives in Jean Piaget, Lawrence Kohlberg and Jürgen Habermas's theories, and on other authors that share these presuppositions, we presented theoretical and empirical data in order to (i) explore a valid and viable correlation of secular and rational theoretical and practical aspects and components between Science classes and moral development, including an analysis of the knowledge about moral, critical and scientific thinking of Students learning Sciences formation; (ii) delineate the status of scientific research and studies of the field of Science Education in Brazil on moral development. Our study demonstrate the existence of an interface of reciprocal and plausible theoretical and practical contributions between moral development and Science classes, which has so far received attention in the Science Education research

Questões sociocientíficas são dilemas sociais de natureza polêmica que envolvem moralidade e ética. O problema da validade ética do aborto possui ligações conceituais com a Ciência e é uma questão bastante controversa, representando uma questão sociocientífica. Neste trabalho, foram transcritos e analisados trechos da interação de adolescentes discutindo a questão do aborto. A unidade de análise foi o argumento segundo o padrão de Toulmin (2003), a partir do qual foram identificados valores empregados pelos alunos, como: priorização de questões sociais; riscos e responsabilidade; respeito ao valor da vida; valores familiares e relacionais e regras de decisão. Os valores usados na discussão foram representativos das linguagens éticas do cuidado e da justiça, se usarmos os termos derivados da área da psicologia moral. Os mais freqüentes foram os chamados valores familiares e relacionais. Os alunos resolveram as questões utilizando raciocínios baseados em princípios, raciocínios consequencialistas, deliberações baseadas em emoção ou em intuição. As posições intuitivas foram mais comuns, seguidas pelo raciocínio baseado em princípios. Alguns conceitos científicos se mostraram presentes na discussão, indicando que temas sociocientíficos são oportunidades de integração de tais conteúdos. Os conceitos presentes foram: método contraceptivo, interdependência funcional, tecnologia médica, desenvolvimento, funcionamento da pílula do dia seguinte, óvulo, genes, sangue, DNA, maturidade sexual e gravidez. Foram analisadas também, segundo o padrão de Toulmin, as funções de conceitos e valores nos argumentos. Os conceitos apresentavam principalmente função de dados, enquanto os valores apresentavam principalmente função de garantias, conforme esperado e identificado na literatura. Outras funções para conceitos científicos e valores também surgiram nos argumentos, contrastando com o padrão comumente encontrado. A preponderância de determinados padrões morais e valores pode ter diversas explicações, que vão desde a dominância de algumas formas de pensamento na classe social da qual os alunos fazem parte até a forma como as pessoas tomam decisões morais em geral. A importância dos valores e o surgimento dos conceitos científicos na discussão sugerem que os temas sociocientíficos deveriam ter um lugar privilegiado nas aulas de ciências, assim como as questões afetivas e morais que influenciam o raciocínio informal e o desenvolvimento do caráter dos indivíduos. / Socioscientific issues are social dilemmas which are polemic in nature and related to morality and ethics. Abortion is such an example, as it is controversial and has conceptual links to Science. In this work, fragments from students discussions in groups about abortion were transcripted and analyzed. The Toulmin (2003) argument pattern was used as major tool for analysis, allowing the researcher to identify the values held by students, such as: social issues; risks and responsibility; respect for life; familiar and relational values and decision rules. These values can be seen as a representation of care and justice ethic languages, in terms of moral psychology. Familiar and relational values were the most frequent. Students solved the questions using consequencialist reasoning, reasoning based on principles, emotive and intuitive deliberations. Intuitive positions were more common, followed by principled reasoning. Some scientific concepts were brought up to the discussion by the students, which can be seen as an evidence of socioscientific issues working as promoters of scientific knowledge integration. The concepts found in the discussion were: contraceptive method, functional interdependence, medical technology, development, the -morning-after-pill?, ovule, gens, blood, DNA, sexual maturity and pregnancy. Following the Toulmin argument pattern, the functions of values and scientific concepts were analyzed too. Concepts mainly showed up as data in the arguments, while values were seen mostly in the position of warrants, just as expected and identified in literature. They also emerged in other functions, contrasting with the most common patterns. Prevalence of some moral patterns and values could be explained in many ways, like the dominance of some thoughts and ideas in the social class to which the students belong or maybe some common mechanism of making moral choices. The importance of values and the rising of scientific concepts in the debate suggest that socioscientific themes should have a privileged place in science classes, as well as moral and affective issues which influence informal reasoning and character development.

Socioscientific argumentation has shown to be a feasible educational framework for promoting citizenship and for cultivating scientific literacy. However, there are several aspects of this educational framework that have been shown to be problematic. Consequently, in this thesis I investigated various aspects of quality of socioscientific argumentation from both an upper secondary student and a teacher perspective. By using students’ written argumentation on socioscientific issues (SSI) I studied how they justified their claims. The results showed that different SSI led students to use different subject areas in their justifications. I also compared science majors with social science majors and found that the number of justifications provided by the students is related to their discipline background. In these two studies, a new content focused analytical framework for analyzing content aspects of socioscientific argumentation, the SEE-SEP model, was used and shown to be suitable for this purpose. However, to ensure that students are able to produce high-quality arguments I suggest that both content and structural aspects need to be considered. As a result of this, I have presented a framework based on research literature and the Swedish curriculum, for analyzing and assessing both these aspects of socioscientific argumentation. Moreover, I investigated how science and language teachers assess students’ socioscientific argumentation and found that the science teachers focused on students’ ability to reproduce content knowledge, whereas language teachers focused on students’ ability to use content knowledge from references, and the structural and linguistic aspects of argumentation.   The complexity of teaching socioscientific argumentation makes it difficult to teach and assess comprehensively. In order to promote quality and include both content and structural aspects, I suggest that a co-operation among teachers of different disciplines is beneficial. / Socioscientific argumentation has shown to be a feasible educational framework for promoting citizenship and scientific literacy. In this thesis I investigated various aspects of quality of students socioscientific argumentation and how teachers assess this. The results showed that different SSI led students to use different subject areas in their justifications and that the number of justifications provided by the students is related to their discipline background. Moreover, to promote students high-quality arguments I have presented a framework for analyzing and assessing both content and structural aspects. I also investigated how science and language teachers assess students’ socioscientific argumentation and found that the science teachers focused on students’ ability to reproduce content knowledge, whereas language teachers focused on students’ ability to use content knowledge from references, and the structural and linguistic aspects of argumentation. The complexity of teaching socioscientific argumentation makes it difficult to teach and assess comprehensively. In order to promote quality and include both content and structural aspects, I suggest that a co-operation among teachers of different disciplines is beneficial. / <p>Article IV was in manuscript form at the time of the thesis defense and has been published afterwards.</p>

A perennial goal of environmental education is to produce a scientifically literate citizenry capable of negotiating and resulting complex environmental problems. Popular methods of environmental education instruction tend to overemphasize scientific content knowledge and neglect to consider ethical and moral aspects of the problem. This qualitative study examines the longitudinal association between an experiential environmental education course infused with SSI instruction and students’ environmental behaviors. The results indicate that several students’ conceptualizations of contentious environmental issues change after completing the course and specifically. Furthermore, students’ willingness to act to resolve contentious environmental issues was most closely associated with their environmental behaviors. The most significant theoretical implication of the study is the effectiveness of the SSI framework in authentic experiences. Additionally, this study supports the notion that SSI instruction in authentic experiences is an effective alternative approach to teaching environmental education.

Socioscientific issues, SSI, can briefly be described as societal issues in which science plays a role. Dealing with SSI in science education is a means to prepare and empower students for active and responsible participation in a complex, democratic society. The implementation of SSI-based teaching calls for classroom practices in which scientific evidence alongside for example social and ethical perspectives are considered. Discourse-based teaching activities are emphasized as a means to provide opportunities for students to practice negotiations of SSI and explore diverse viewpoints on the issues. Dealing with SSI in science teaching is recognized as a challenging task for science teachers. This thesis aims to provide knowledge to support the implementation of SSI-based science teaching. Three studies involving two upper secondary school science teachers are performed to achieve this aim. The first study makes use of video-stimulated discussions to investigate the two teachers’reflections on their classroom practices while they implement SSI throughout an academic year. The second study utilizes the concept positioning as a tool to identify and describe the ways in which one teacher’s interactions with students during group work make available different parts for the students to play as participants, when dealing with SSI in the classroom. The third study makes use of the concept communicative approach to investigate how the two teachers’ management of classroom discussions sets conditions for the consideration of multiple perspectives relevant to SSI, including the students’ viewpoints. The results provide knowledge useful when making considerations about the design and enactment of teaching activities in relation to specific educational goals. The results suggest that a specific challenge with designing and enacting SSI-based teaching activities is to balance between controlling and directing the teaching activities to promote specific learning goals and providing space for students’ participation and perspectives. The results of employing the analytical tools elucidate how this challenge can play out in classroom practice and contribute with knowledge of the ways in which teachers’ discursive practices play a role in addressing this challenge. Strategies to support teachers’ implementation of SSI-based teaching that take account of teachers’ existing practices are discussed.

This study intended to examine Swedish upper secondary school students' argumentation related to the socioscientific issues about sustainable consumption and production, where the students take a position more specifically about a vegetarian diet. Examining sustainable development as an SSI becomes natural here as it is a constantly emerging feature in both the media but also within the school where it is used to give students a developing knowledge to be able to make informed decisions for future problems. This gave the idea to sustainable consumption and production which is one of the sub-goals (goal 12) of the UN goals for sustainable development which can be linked to the question of whether expanding vegetarian diets in schools would be better for sustainable development. In order to understand students' informal argumentation, the choice is to use the SEE-SEP model, which was used as a tool that gives the possibility to categorize arguments and gain an understanding of which grounds the arguments were based upon. The study will also examine the students' development of arguments during the course of the study to examine if there are changes to the argumentations during the study. The results show that students chose to mainly use environment/ecology and science-based arguments during the course of the study. An overview of the arguments shows that the students choose to use the knowledge aspect as their main support when it comes to the design of the arguments. The process of the study shows that there are changes in the design of the arguments and which categories are chosen to build the arguments.