Scientific inquiry in TIMSS and PISA 2015. Inquiry as an instructional approach and the assessment of inquiry as an instructional outcome in science (COMPLETED)

Sammendrag

Denne artikkelbaserte avhandlingen tar utgangspunkt i forskning innen naturfagdidaktikk og internasjonale storskala-undersøkelser. I avhandlingen belyses teoretiske, metodologiske og empiriske aspekter av utforskende arbeidsmåter i naturfag, både som en metodisk tilnærming til undervisningen og som et mål. Det ble brukt latent variabel modellering for å analysere data fra TIMSS og PISA 2015, både fra elev- og lærerspørreskjemaer, faglige tester til elevene og elevloggfiler. Funnene belyser de ulike rollene utforskende arbeidsmåter i naturfag har som metode og et mål for læringen. Denne avhandlingen argumenterer for at det er nødvendig å samle informasjon fra forskjellige kilder for å kunne forstå utforskende arbeidsmåter som inngang til undervisningen, som prosess og som produkt. Resultater fra denne studien kan gi viktige teoretiske bidrag til naturfagdidaktikk og utvikling av naturfaget i norsk skole. Det kan også være et bidrag til videreutvikling av rammeverkene i de internasjonale storskala-undersøkelsene for å bedre vurderingen av utforskende arbeidsmåter i naturfag både som en tilnærming til undervisningen og som et resultat. Arbeidet ble utført ved Institutt for lærerutdanning og skoleforskning (ILS), Det utdanningsvitenskapelige fakultet, Universitetet i Oslo.

Photo by Hans Reniers on Unsplash

Abstract

This article-based thesis draws on research in the fields of science education and international large-scale assessments. It investigates theoretical, methodological, and empirical aspects of inquiry as an instructional approach (means) and the assessment of inquiry as an instructional outcome (ends). The empirical investigations used latent variable modeling in order to analyze data from student and teacher questionnaires, student assessment, and student log files in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2015.

Article 1 focuses on inquiry as an instructional approach and outcome by exploring the relationship between inquiry-based science teaching and student achievement in science. This article attempts to resolve conflicting findings of inquiry–achievement relationships by demonstrating the existence of curvilinear rather than linear patterns, as previously assumed. Article 2 addresses the research gaps in comparing inquiry as an instructional approach between primary and secondary education. It examines the interplay between teachers’ self-efficacy in teaching science and perceived time constraints in explaining the opportunities for students to engage in cognitively challenging learning activities in Grades 4, 5, 8, and 9. Article 3 presents an investigation on the assessment of inquiry as an instructional outcome. It identifies distinct profiles of students’ performance on simulated inquiry tasks that require the skills to coordinate the effects of multiple variables and to coordinate theory with evidence. While Article 3 takes a micro approach, focusing on specific scientific inquiry skills, Article 4 explores inquiry as an instructional outcome from a macro approach, taking into account a range of formal and informal reasoning skills students need to acquire in order to participate in inquiry practice. This article argues for the importance of assessing formal and informal reasoning and provides a short overview on utilizing the potential of computer-based assessments to assess both types of reasoning.

Taken together, the findings presented in this thesis advance the existing knowledge about the important distinction and role of inquiry as a means and an end in science education. This thesis argues that, to understand inquiry in a comprehensive context, it is essential to consider the relationships of the data gathered from various sources: the input, process, and output of inquiry. This study contributes to inform the ongoing science education reform in Norway and to improve the assessment of inquiry as an instructional approach and outcome in international large-scale assessments.

Dissertation title

Scientific inquiry in TIMSS and PISA 2015: Inquiry as an instructional approach and the assessment of inquiry as an instructional outcome in science

Papers

Teig, N., Scherer, R., & Kjærnsli, M. (2020). Identifying patterns of students' performance on simulated inquiry tasks using PISA 2015 log‐file data. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 57(9). 1400–1429. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.21657
Teig, N., Scherer, R., & Nilsen, T. (2019). I Know I Can, but Do I Have the Time? The Role of Teachers’ Self-Efficacy and Perceived Time Constraints in Implementing Cognitive-Activation Strategies in Science. Frontiers in Psychology. (3389). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01697
Teig, N., Scherer, R., & Nilsen, T. (2018). More isn't always better: The curvilinear relationship between inquiry-based teaching and student achievement in science. Learning and Instruction, 56, 20-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2018.02.006
Teig, N., & Scherer, R. (2016). Bringing formal and informal reasoning together—A new era of assessment? Frontiers in Psychology, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01097

Publisert 25. apr. 2022 16:48 - Sist endret 6. jan. 2023 12:06