Every student comes to science class with unique skills and problem-solving abilities; unfortunately, there is limited research on how to differentiate instruction so that equitable progress can be made for every learner. We used a novel pedagogical approach to differentiate for a wide range of problem-solving abilities when students were learning…

Recently, our course team transformed a large-enrollment introductory genetics course from being predominantly lecture based to active learning based. During class sessions, students engaged in problem solving, which occurs when a student attempts to solve a problem without knowing the path to complete it. We designed class activities…

This study examines the effects of the pedagogical use of context-rich problems on motivation and learning, as compared to traditional problems, in mechanical physics courses at the college level. The results indicate that the treatment has appreciable outcomes on conceptual learning gain, on the perception of task value and on a perceived sense…

Generative AI tools, including the popular ChatGPT, have had a significant impact on discourses about future work and educational practices. Previous research in science education has highlighted the potential of generative AI in various education-related areas, including generating valuable discussion material, solving physics problems, and…

This study aimed to analyze second-semester organic chemistry students' problem-solving strategies, specifically focusing on the resources activated while solving problems on E2, E1, and E1cB elimination reactions. Using the theoretical framework by Elby and Hammer, we defined a resource as a unit of information used in the problem-solving…

Developing students' scientific literacy is the most important educational goal and challenge of the 21st century. Many studies have confirmed that flipped learning has significantly impacted learning science. Researchers indicate that the lack of an appropriate learning guidance strategy in the pre-class stage for flipped learning will influence…

Collaborative problem-solving (CPS) is increasingly essential in both scientific practice and modern education, yet remains difficult to embed authentically in classrooms. This study addressed that gap by integrating CPS into a ninth-grade biology lesson using a smartphone-based asymmetric simulation. The innovative three-phase instructional…

Does invention belong in the chemistry classroom? This article attempts to answer this question by describing how invention education first took root in a chemistry class at Ridgewood High School in Ridgewood, NJ, and then expanded to other students with diverse interests to find a solution to two worldwide problems: satisfying the need for safe…

The purpose of this study was to identify the the factors that influenced pre-service teachers' perceptions of their abilities to solve structured physics problems. 1185 pre-service teachers from different disciplines, enrolled in physics courses in one Turkish University from 2008 to 2017 participated in a descriptive survey. The factors…

The current study aims to examine the effects of prospective chemistry teachers' chemistry laboratory teaching experiences using different laboratory approaches on their metacognitive thinking skills and perceptions of problem-solving skills. The study is designed as "'the quasi-experimental non-equivalent pre-test/post-test control group…

Peer Instruction gives practice in the abstract language of physics, addresses common misconceptions among students, and is more effective than traditional lecturing. However, it is not clear what makes Peer Instruction effective nor how we might improve the method. An emerging perspective is that what makes Peer Instruction effective is how it…

Novice chemists often struggle with the highly visual nature of some chemistry topics. To make visually demanding concepts, such as isomerism and stereochemistry, more accessible to students, chemistry instructors have long recommended the use of molecular model kits as visual aids. However, studies pertaining to student model usage have shown…

Student engagement has emerged as a crucial factor in higher education, playing a vital role in shaping the overall quality of learning outcomes. It refers to the active involvement and participation of students in specific activities that research has consistently linked to improved academic achievements. The pervasiveness of the term 'student…

The COVID-19 epidemic adversely impacted chemical engineering experiments(CEEs). Students underwent online learning, i.e., software simulation of the CEE course, instead of laboratory learning. A questionnaire survey revealed that students exhibited low enthusiasm for online learning, showing that online courses cannot ensure learning quality.…

This paper describes and compares primary school students' perceptions of science learning skills in a teacher-centered approach (TCA) and in inquiry-based science fieldwork (IBSF). This comparison was prompted by primary school students' perceptions of science learning skills, which has recently gained momentum, and the Namibian primary schools'…