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The Effects of Inquiry-Based Instruction on Elementary Teaching Majors' Chemistry Content Knowledge

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Michael J. Sanger

Department of Chemistry, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN 37132

J. Chem. Educ., 2007, 84 (6), p 1035

DOI: 10.1021/ed084p1035

Publication Date (Web): June 1, 2007

Section:

History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

Although science educators have suggested that preservice elementary teaching majors should take chemistry content courses using inquiry-based methods, many college chemistry professors believe that these courses are merely “watered down” versions of traditional, lecture-based, introductory chemistry courses. This study compared the chemistry content knowledge of elementary teaching majors enrolled in an inquiry-based physical science course and science majors enrolled in traditional, lecture-based, introductory chemistry courses. The results showed that for the five chemistry concepts reported here, elementary teaching majors developed chemistry content knowledge that was comparable to that of students enrolled in the traditional, lecture-based, introductory chemistry courses. These results suggest that elementary teaching majors would be better prepared by taking inquiry-based science courses as part of their preservice preparation instead of traditional, lecture-based courses.

Keywords (Audience):

Elementary / Middle School Science

Keywords (Domain):

Chemical Education Research

Keywords (Feature):

Chemical Education Research

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Student-Centered Learning

Keywords (Subject):

Nonmajor Courses

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This article has been cited by 2 ACS Journal articles (2 most recent appear below).

Using Student-Developed, Inquiry-Based Experiments To Investigate the Contributions of Ca and Mg to Water Hardness
Shui-Ping Yang and Chung-Chia Li
Journal of Chemical Education2009 86 (4), 506
- Using Student-Developed, Inquiry-Based Experiments To Investigate the Contributions of Ca and Mg to Water Hardness
  Shui-Ping Yang and Chung-Chia Li
  Journal of Chemical Education2009 86 (4), 506
  This study provided a challenging opportunity for general chemistry students to mimic the scientific research process by solving a water-quality problem concerning individual calcium and magnesium concentrations. We found that general chemistry students ...
  Abstract | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links
How Does Inquiry-Based Instruction Affect Teaching Majors' Views about Teaching and Learning Science?
Michael J. Sanger
Journal of Chemical Education2008 85 (2), 297
- How Does Inquiry-Based Instruction Affect Teaching Majors' Views about Teaching and Learning Science?
  Michael J. Sanger
  Journal of Chemical Education2008 85 (2), 297
  A previous study showed that elementary teaching majors enrolled in an inquiry-based physical science course developed chemistry content knowledge comparable to that of students enrolled in traditional lecture-based courses. This current study compares ...
  Abstract | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links