USING A THREE-TIER MULTIPLE-CHOICE DIAGNOSTIC INSTRUMENT TOWARD ALTERNATIVE CONCEPTIONS AMONG LOWER-SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN TAIWAN: TAKING ECOSYSTEMS UNIT AS AN EXAMPLE

TitleUSING A THREE-TIER MULTIPLE-CHOICE DIAGNOSTIC INSTRUMENT TOWARD ALTERNATIVE CONCEPTIONS AMONG LOWER-SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN TAIWAN: TAKING ECOSYSTEMS UNIT AS AN EXAMPLE
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2022
AuthorsYeo, J-H, Yang, H-H, Cho, I-H
JournalJournal of Baltic Science Education
Volume21
Issue1
Start Page69-83
PaginationContinuous
Date PublishedFebruary/2022
Type of ArticleOriginal article
ISSN1648-3898
Other NumbersE-ISSN 2538-7138
Keywordsalternative conceptions, ecosystem concepts, lower-secondary students, Three-Tier Diagnostic Instrument
Abstract

This research is conducted to identify the scientific conceptual cognition of ecosystem and the corresponding alternative conceptions by lower-secondary school students in Taiwan. Concept mapping, interviewing, and two-tier diagnostic test cannot make explicit reasoning pathways that students may use. Therefore, its purpose is to develop, validate, and utilize a three-tier multiple-choice diagnostic instrument for the ecosystem concept (TDIEC). The instrument can assist teachers in analyzing their students’ reasoning. This does not only distinguish alternative conceptions from lack of knowledge but also determines the percentages of false positives and false negatives. One hundred and six students were tested with this instrument in Taiwan. The data analysis reveals common alternative conceptions shared by students, indicating that 35.59% of the samples had inaccurate conceptualizations of ecosystems. Common alternative conceptions of ecosystems include the following: (i) Only biological components constitute an ecosystem; (ii) The Venus flytrap and pitcher plants are preys; (iii) Competition is synonymous to predation; (iv) Ecological balance refers to the sustainable circulation of energy and matter in the environment; and (v) The simpler the species, the more stable the ecosystem. It concludes with the interpretation of the results, suggestions for the application of the TDIEC, and correct alternative conceptions in Ecology classes.

URLhttps://oaji.net/articles/2022/987-1647117785.pdf
DOI10.33225/jbse/22.21.69
Refereed DesignationRefereed
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