Abstract
education and the Next Generation Science Standards
have developed a need for additional research and development
of curricula that is both technologically model-based and
includes engineering practices. This is especially the case for
biology education. This paper describes a quasi-experimental
design study to test the effectiveness of a model-based curriculum
focused on the concepts of natural selection and population
ecology that makes use of Excel modeling tools
(Modeling Instruction in Biology with Excel, MBI-E). The
curriculum revolves around the bio-engineering practice of
controlling an invasive species. The study takes place in the
Midwest within ten high schools teaching a regular-level introductory
biology class. A post-test was designed that
targeted a number of commonmisconceptions in both concept
areas as well as representational usage. The results of a posttest
demonstrate that the MBI-E students significantly
outperformed the traditional classes in both natural selection
and population ecology concepts, thus overcoming a number
of misconceptions. In addition, implementing students made
use of more multiple representations as well as demonstrating
greater fascination for science.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 30-44 |
| Journal | Journal of Science Education and Technology |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2018 |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- modeling
- multiple representation
Cite this
Improving conceptual understanding and representation skills through Excel-based modeling. / Malone, Kathy; Schuchardt, Anita; Schunn, Christian.
In: Journal of Science Education and Technology, 01.2018, p. 30-44.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Improving conceptual understanding and representation skills through Excel-based modeling
AU - Malone, Kathy
AU - Schuchardt, Anita
AU - Schunn, Christian
PY - 2018/1
Y1 - 2018/1
N2 - The National Research Council framework for scienceeducation and the Next Generation Science Standardshave developed a need for additional research and developmentof curricula that is both technologically model-based andincludes engineering practices. This is especially the case forbiology education. This paper describes a quasi-experimentaldesign study to test the effectiveness of a model-based curriculumfocused on the concepts of natural selection and populationecology that makes use of Excel modeling tools(Modeling Instruction in Biology with Excel, MBI-E). Thecurriculum revolves around the bio-engineering practice ofcontrolling an invasive species. The study takes place in theMidwest within ten high schools teaching a regular-level introductorybiology class. A post-test was designed thattargeted a number of commonmisconceptions in both conceptareas as well as representational usage. The results of a posttestdemonstrate that the MBI-E students significantlyoutperformed the traditional classes in both natural selectionand population ecology concepts, thus overcoming a numberof misconceptions. In addition, implementing students madeuse of more multiple representations as well as demonstratinggreater fascination for science.
AB - The National Research Council framework for scienceeducation and the Next Generation Science Standardshave developed a need for additional research and developmentof curricula that is both technologically model-based andincludes engineering practices. This is especially the case forbiology education. This paper describes a quasi-experimentaldesign study to test the effectiveness of a model-based curriculumfocused on the concepts of natural selection and populationecology that makes use of Excel modeling tools(Modeling Instruction in Biology with Excel, MBI-E). Thecurriculum revolves around the bio-engineering practice ofcontrolling an invasive species. The study takes place in theMidwest within ten high schools teaching a regular-level introductorybiology class. A post-test was designed thattargeted a number of commonmisconceptions in both conceptareas as well as representational usage. The results of a posttestdemonstrate that the MBI-E students significantlyoutperformed the traditional classes in both natural selectionand population ecology concepts, thus overcoming a numberof misconceptions. In addition, implementing students madeuse of more multiple representations as well as demonstratinggreater fascination for science.
KW - modeling
KW - multiple representation
U2 - 10.1007/s10956-017-9706-0
DO - 10.1007/s10956-017-9706-0
M3 - Article
SP - 30
EP - 44
JO - Journal of Science Education and Technology
JF - Journal of Science Education and Technology
SN - 1059-0145
ER -