Exploring early graders’ preconceptions about air within non-formal settings

ATHINA CHRISTINA KORNELAKI

Abstract

The present paper is a meta-analysis of the implementation of the science education program “Thunderbolt hunt” at the Archaeological Museum of Ioannina. During this program students approach the concept of air through play-based actions. The goal of the paper is to explore first and second-grade primary students’ preconceptions about air and to classify them according to Laurandeau and Pinard’s categorization. Based on the results, students’ preconceptions about air are consistent with the literature’s, highlighting the importance of identifying and addressing students’ preconceptions in organized context. The present paper demonstrates students’ readiness to work on their preconceptions developing precursor models and moving from the everyday concepts towards more scientific.

Keywords

Preconceptions, air, Archaeological Museum of Ioannina, pre-causal thinking

Full Text:

PDF

References

Akbaş, Y., & Gençtürk, E. (2011). The effect of conceptual change approach to eliminate 9th grade High School students’ misconceptions about air pressure. Educational Sciences: Theory & Practice, 11(4), 2217-2222.

Chang, J. (2000). Elementary students' perceptions of air. Journal of Science Education, 8(2), 141-156.

Christidou, V. (2005). Accounting for natural phenomena. Explanatory modes used by children. International Journal of Learning, 12(8), 21-28.

Choi, S., Niyogi, D., Shepardson, D. P., & Charusombat, U. (2010). Do earth and environmental science textbooks promote middle and high school students’ conceptual development about climate change? Textbooks’ consideration of students’ misconceptions. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 91, 889-898.

Demirbaş, M., & Ertuğrul, N. (2014). A study on preschoolers’ conceptual perceptions of states of matter: A case study of Turkish students. South African Journal of Education, 34(3), 1-13.

Driver, R. (1988). Theory into practice II: A constructivist approach to curriculum development. In P. Fensham (Ed.), Contemporary analysis in education. Development and dilemmas in Science Education (pp. 133-149). UK: The RoutledgeFalmer.

Driver, R., Guesne, E., & Tiberghien, A. (1993). Children’s Ideas in Science. Buckingham: Open University Press.

Driver, R., Squires, A., Rushworth, P., & Wood-Robinson, V. (1994). Making sense of secondary science: Research into children’s ideas. London: Taylor & Francis Ltd.

Ekici, F., Ekici, E., & Aydin, F. (2007). Utility of concept cartoons in diagnosing and overcoming misconceptions related to photosynthesis. International Journal of Environmental & Science Education, 2(4), 111-124.

Fragkiadaki, G. (2020). Conflicts during Science concept formation in early childhood: Barriers or turning points? Review of Science, Mathematics and ICT Education, 14(1), 113-128.

Fragkiadaki, G., & Ravanis, K. (2015). Preschool children’s mental representations of clouds. Journal of Baltic Science Education, 14(2), 267-274.

Georgantopoulou, A., Fragkiadaki, G., & Ravanis, K. (2016). Clouds as natural entities in preschool children’s thought. Educational Journal of the University of Patras UNESCO Chair, 3(2), 114-128.

Haslam, F., & Treagust, D. F. (1987). Diagnosing secondary students' misconceptions of photosynthesis and respiration in plants using a two-tier multiple choice instrument. Journal of Biological Education, 21(3), 203-211.

Jayanti, P. (2020). Comparative study: Misconceptions on photosynthesis and respiration concepts from past to the present. Journal of Science Education Research (Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan Sains - JPPS), 9(1), 1750-1755.

Kapici, H. O., & Akcay, H. (2016). Particulate nature of matter misconceptions held by middle and high school students in Turkey. European Journal of Education Studies, 2(8), 43-58.

Keleş, E., & Kefeli, P. (2010). Determination of student misconceptions in “photosynthesis and respiration” unit and correcting them with the help of cai material. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2(2), 3111-3118.

Kewalramani, S., & Veresov, N. (2022). Multimodal creative inquiry: Theorising a new approach for children’s Science meaning-making in Early Childhood Education. Research in Science Education, 52, 927-947.

Kind, V. (2004). Beyond appearances: Students’ misconceptions about basic chemical ideas. School of Education. Durham University.

Kirbulut, Z. D., & Geban, O. (2014). Using three-tier diagnostic test to assess students’ misconceptions of states of matter. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science & Technology Education, 10(5), 509-521.

Koliopoulos, D., Christidou, V., Symidala, I., & Koutsoumba, M. (2009). Pre-energy reasoning in pre-school children. Review of Science, Mathematics and ICT Education, 3(1), 123-140.

Kornelaki, A. C., & Plakitsi, K. (2020). Educational program «Thunderbolt hunt»: An analysis with the «Experimental-Genetic Method». Cultural-Historical Psychology, 16(3), 38-46.

Kornelaki, A. C., & Plakitsi, K. (2023). Science Education program "Thunderbolt Hunt". practicing scientific method in the Archaeological Museum of Ioannina. In Κ. Plakitsi & S. Barma (Eds), Sociocultural Approaches to STEM Education. An ISCAR International Collective Issue (accepted).

Lai, C. (2016). Third graders’ understanding of air concepts facilitated by the iPod inquiry teaching method. International Journal of Research in Education and Science, 2(1), 1-9.

Laurandeau, M., & Pinard, A. (1972). La pensée causale. Paris: Presses Universitaire de France.

Letsi, A., Arapaki, X., & Seroglou, F. (2014). Teaching science with ceramic art and digital narratives: The properties of air. In P. Anastasiadis, N. Zaranis, B. Oikonmidis & M. Kalogiannakis (Eds.), Proceedings of 9th Pan-Hellenic Conference with International Participation “Information & Communication Technologies in Education” (pp. 679-689). e-publishing: EKT

Marmaroti, P., & Galanopoulou, D. (2006). Pupils' understanding of photosynthesis: A questionnaire for the simultaneous assessment of all aspects. International Journal of Science Education, 28(4), 383-403.

Mazas, B., Gil-Quílez, M. J., Martínez-Peña, B., Hervas, A., & Muñoz, A. (2018). Los niños y las niñas de infantil piensan, actúan y hablan sobre el comportamiento del aire y del agua. Enseñanza de las Ciencias, 36(1), 163-180.

Niroj, S., & Srisawasdi, N. (2014). A blended learning environment in Chemistry for promoting conceptual comprehension: A journey to target students' misconceptions. In C.-C. Liu et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 22nd International Conference on Computers in Education (pp. 307-315). Japan: Asia-Pacific Society for Computers in Education.

Ozdemir, B. E. (2021). The impacts of stem supported Science teaching on 8th grade students' elimination of misconceptions about “solid, fluid and gas pressure”, and their attitudes towards Science and stem. International Online Journal of Education and Teaching, 8(1), 205-228.

Piaget, J. (1930). The child’s conception of physical causality. Harcourt Brace.

Ravanis, K. (2017). Early Childhood Science Education: State of the art and perspectives. Journal of Baltic Science Education, 16(3), 284-288.

Redfors, A., Fridberg, M., Jonsson, A., & Thulin, S. (2022). Early years Physics teaching of abstract phenomena in preschool - Supported by children’s production of tablet videos. Education Sciences, 12, 427.

Rollnick, M., & Rutherford, M. (1993). The use of a conceptual change model and mixed language strategy for remediating misconceptions on air pressure. International Journal of Science Education, 15(4), 363-381.

Séré, M. G. (1986). Children’s conceptions of the gaseous state prior to teaching. European Journal of Science Teaching, 8(4), 413-425.

Sesto Varela, V., Flores, M. L., & García-Rodeja Gayoso, I. (2022). Encouraging the construction of a Precursor Model about air through experimental activities in preschool. In J-M. Boilevin, A. Delserieys & K. Ravanis (Eds.), Precursor Models for teaching and learning Science during early childhood (pp. 111-129). Springer.

She, H.-C. (2002) Concepts of a higher hierarchical level require more dual situated learning events for conceptual change: A study of air pressure and buoyancy. International Journal of Science Education, 24(9), 981-996.

Skoumios, M. (2012). Teaching Natural Sciences in Primary Education. Retrieved from http://labfe.pre.aegean.gr/downloads/dfe/DFE_Athmia_EKPAIDEYSH_SHMEIWSEIS_2012_2013.pdf.

Stavy, R. (1990). Children’s conceptions of changes in the state of matter. From liquid (or solid) to gas. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 27(3), 247-266.

Stojanovska, M. I., Šoptrajanov, B. T., & Petruševski, V. M. (2012). Addressing misconceptions about the particulate nature of matter among Secondary-School and High-School students in the Republic of Macedonia. Creative Education, 3(5), 619-631.

Svandova, K. (2014). Secondary school students’ misconceptions about photosynthesis and plant respiration: Preliminary results. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science & Technology Education, 10(1), 59-67.

Thornber, J., Stanisstreet, M., & Boyes, E. (1999). School students’ ideas about air pollution: Hindrance or help for learning? Journal of Science Education and Technology, 8(1), 67-73.

Treagust, D. F., & Haslam, F. (1986). Evaluating secondary students' misconceptions of photosynthesis and respiration in plants using a Two-Tier Diagnostic Instrument. Paper presented at the 59th Annual Meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, San Francisco, CA, March 28-31.

Vygotsky, L. S. (1998). The collected works of L.S. Vygotsky (Vol. 5). Plenum Press.


DOI: https://doi.org/10.26220/mje.4145

View Counter: Abstract | 0 | times, and PDF | 0 | times

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Mediterranean Journal of Education | ISSN: 2732-6489 |  Department of Educational Sciences and Early Childhood EducationUniversity of Patras.

Pasithee | Library & Information Center | University of Patras