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Applying an iMVT pedagogy to address student learning difficulties in forces
Citation
Paper presented at the 4th Redesigning Pedagogy International Conference, Singapore, 30 May to 1 June 2011
Author
Zhang, Baohui
•
Sun, Daner
•
Foong, See Kit
•
Ye, Xiaoxuan
•
Junaidah Jaffar
•
Hussein Topiwala
Abstract
This study is part of a project in exploring how to design, sustain, and scale up an iMVT
(Modeling and Visualization Technology integrated inquiry-based Learning) pedagogy in
science in Singapore schools. The paper describes the co-design process of a student
workbook and research through collaboration between a school teacher and researchers on
the topic of Forces and Motion and findings during and after the enactment of the curriculum.
The study involved eighty-two secondary one students from two experimental and two
control classes of an above average school. The iMVT integrated curriculum with the topic of
Forces and Motion took one month to finish in the experimental classes (Including pre-test,
intervention and post-test) in this school. Pre-test and post-test data from experimental and
control classes in the school were collected. Other data included post-survey, interviews of
students and the teacher about the design and enactment of the curriculum, classroom
observation field notes and videos. The statistical results showed that there was improvement
in the students’ conceptual understanding measured by the post-test for both control and
experimental groups; the improvement in the experimental group was statistically significant.
Surveys about students’ views of the iMVT approach showed that most of students had
positive feedback on iMVT implementation in classroom and appreciated its features.
Students’ artefacts showed that they made their understanding of Forces and Motion explicit
by making models from low quality to high quality. Teacher interviews showed that the
teacher appreciated certain elements of the pedagogy and thought the iMVT was a systematic
way to address students learning difficulties. The study contributes to the literature by
providing strategies to curriculum material development and students learning in order to
promote desired education change in schools.
Date Issued
2011