TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS ABOUT USE AND CHALLENGES OF HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES IN SECONDARY SCIENCE CLASSROOM

Authors

  • Tasnim Musharrat Lecturer, Institute of Education and Research, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v7i12.3384

Keywords:

hands-on activity, teachers’ awareness, teaching materials

Abstract

Learning through hands-on activities is very effective and influential for both feeling and emotion of students. The purpose of the study is to identify teachers’ perceptions about use and challenges regarding hands-on activities. A qualitative approach has been followed to find answers to the research questions. Data have been collected through convenient sampling from two schools of Narayanganj. One open-ended questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with teachers’ were used in the data collection process. This study finds that teachers’ less awareness about conducting hands-on activities in the science classes. Class loads, development of teaching materials, exam-based evaluation system, lack and unavailability of teaching aids are some major challenges. Findings of this study have several implications for teachers’ professional development and teachers’ training program. Suggestions are made that a supportive collegial and administrative medium allow teachers to change their own personal constructs about teaching learning.

Article visualizations:

Hit counter

Author Biography

  • Tasnim Musharrat, Lecturer, Institute of Education and Research, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh
    Tasnim Musharrat is a lecturer in the Institute of Education and Research, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh. Her research interests are Science Education through Hands-on activities, STEM Education, Activity-based Learning, Self-directed Student-centric learning. ORCID iD: orcid.org/0000-0002-1448-7329, Correspondence concerning the article should be addressed to: Tasnim Musharrat, Institute of Education and Research, University of Chittagong, Chittagong University road, Hathhazari, Chittagong – 4331, Bangladesh. Email: tasnimmusharrat@cu.ac.bd.

References

Ambrose, S. A., Bridges, M. W., DiPietro, M., Lovett, M. C., & Norman, M. K. (2010). How learning works: 7 research-based principles for smart teaching. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Baker, R. S. J. D. (2007). Modeling and Understanding Students’ Off-task Behavior in Intelligent Tutoring Systems. Proceedings of ACM CHI 2007: Computer-Human Interaction, 1059-1068. New York: ACM.

Creswell, J. W. (2012). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative research (3rd ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.

Fischer, G. (1991). "Supporting Learning on Demand with Design Environments." In L. Birnbaum (Ed.), International Conference on the Learning Sciences (Evanston, IL), Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education, pp. 165-172.

Franklin, S., & Peat, M. (2005). Virtual versus real: an argument for maintaining diversity in the learning environment. International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life Long Learning, 15, 67–78.

Gardner, P., & Gauld, C. (1990). Lab work and students’ attitudes. In E. Hegarty Hazel (Ed.), The student laboratory and the science curriculum (pp.132–156).London: Routledge.

Goodrum, D. (2004). Teaching strategies for Science Classrooms. In G. Venville & V. Dawson (Eds.), The art of teaching science (1st ed., pp. 54-72).

Haury, D. L. & Rillero, P. (1994). Perspectives of hands-on science teaching. Retrieved from http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/content/cntareas/science/eric/eric-toc.html.

Hoffmann & P. Gardner (Eds.). Interests in science and technology education (pp.15–34). Kiel: Institute for Science Education (IPN).

Holstermann, N., Grube, D. & Bögeholz, S. Hands-on Activities and Their Influence on Students’ Interest. Res Sci Educ 40, 743–757 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-009-9142-0.

Hofstein, A. & Lunetta, V. N. (1982). The role of the laboratory in science teaching: Neglected aspects of research. Review of Educational Research, 52(2), 201-217.

Indiana University (2006). Experiential learning notations on Indiana University official transcripts. Retrieved from http://registrar.iupui.edu/experiential-learning.html.

Joyner, S., & Molina, C. (2012). Class Time and Student Learning. Austin. TX: SEDL.

Krapp, A. (2005). Basic needs and the development of interest and intrinsic motivational orientations. Learning and Instruction, 15, 381–395.

Lebuffe, J. R. (1994). Hands-on science in the elementary school. East Lansing, MI: National Center for Research on Teacher Learning (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 375003).

Lumpe, A. T., & Oliver, J. S. (1991). Dimensions of hands-on science. The American Biology Teacher, 53, 345–348.

Moore, D. T. (2010). Forms and issues in experiential learning. In D. M. Qualters (Ed.) New Directions for Teaching and Learning (pp. 3-13). New York City, NY: Wiley.

Nott, M., & Wellington, J. (1996). When the black box springs open: practical work in schools and the nature of science. International Journal of Science Education, 18, 807–818.

Rahman, S. M. H. (2011). Professional learning of secondary science teachers in Bangladesh. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.

Staub, F. C., & Stern, E. (2002). The nature of teachers’ pedagogical content beliefs matters for students' achievement gains: Quasi-experimental evidence from elementary mathematics. Journal of Educational Psychology, 94(2), 344–355.

The University of Texas at Austin College of Natural Sciences (2013). Freshman Research Initiative. Retrieved from http://cns.utexas.edu/fri.

U.S. National Science Education Standards (1995). National science education standards: An overview. Washington, D. C.: National Academy Press. Retrieved from http://books.nap.edu/html/nses/html/overview.html#organization.

Victor, E. & Kellough, R. D. (1997). Science for the elementary and middle school (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Wurdinger, D. D., & Carlson, J. A. (2010). Teaching for experiential learning: Five approaches that work. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Education.

Downloads

Published

2020-10-20

Issue

Section

Articles