Enhancing ecological hierarchical problem-solving with domain-specific question agendas
International Journal of Science Education, vol. 44, pp. 2565–2588
Abstract
Promoting problem-solving in students is an important aim of secondary science education. There is a mismatch, however, between the complex, ill-structured nature of realistic scientific problems, versus the well-structured problems students are generally confronted with. The current study investigates a teaching-learning strategy that resolves this mismatch by combining a focus on hierarchical problem-solving strategies for complex, authentic problems with the use of domain-specific question agendas that represent scientific perspectives. Three design principles were applied to develop an exemplary lesson series that was implemented in two Dutch pre-university classes. A pre-/post-test research design was followed in which data was collected in the form of sets of student-generated research questions. Additionally, audio recordings of lessons and student interviews were collected and analysed. Results indicate that participating students became more proficient at applying hierarchical problem-solving strategies like (1) reducing complex ecological problems to more manageable subproblems by formulating productive research questions and (2) identifying types of ecological problems by connecting them to domain-specific question agendas (problem-abstraction). A qualitative analysis of the teaching-learning process and student interviews informed potential refinements of the design principles, namely the use of more diverse contexts and a greater focus on collaborative learning.
Authors 5
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Koen Ottenhof corresponding
Affiliation as printed
LEARN! Research Institute, Graduate School of Education, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
LEARN! Research Institute, Graduate School of Education, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
AIMMS, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
LEARN! Research Institute, Graduate School of Education, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Fred J. J. M. Janssen Aachen
Affiliation as printed
ICLON, Leiden University Graduate School of Teaching, Leiden, Netherlands
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