Effectiveness of the WebQuest Strategy-Based Educational Platform and Learning Environment in Acquiring Biological Concepts and Systemic Thinking in the Biology Course among Pre-Service Teachers

Tahani Alebous

Abstract


This study aims at uncovering the effectiveness of the WebQuest strategy-based learning environment in the teaching of biological concepts and imparting of systemic thinking. The participants of the study, 64 pre-service teachers (students) for the 2020–2021 academic year, were divided randomly into experimental and control groups. WhatsApp groups were used to communicate with the students. To achieve the study’s objectives, a teacher’s manual for biological concepts was prepared following the WebQuest Model; the WebQuests were created using the Zunal computer programmes. Both biological concepts and systemic thinking assessments were prepared and the study tools were tested for accuracy and reliability. To answer the research questions, data were analysed using ANCOVA and MANCOVA. There were significant differences between the average performances of the two study groups on the scale of the acquisition of biological concepts in favour of the experimental group. Additionally, there were significant differences between the average performances of the groups on a scale of systemic thinking in favour of the experimental group. The results encouraged the educational supervisors to hold training courses and workshops for science teachers, training them in the use of the WebQuest strategy in science teaching and urging its implementation in teaching – through individual instruction and publications. The Ministry of Education must play a role in designing and writing the science curricula and provide a guide for the teachers explaining the ways to employ the WebQuest strategy in the process of teaching science.

https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.20.4.4


Keywords


educational platform; WebQuest; biological concepts; systemic thinking; biology

Full Text:

PDF

References


Abd, E. H., & Mohammad, H. A. (2017). The effect of cyclical inquiry in systemic thinking for 5th grade scientific stream students in biology. Qadisiyyah Journal of Literature and Educational Science, 238–275.

Afana, E., Abu, M., & Mohammad, S. (2007, Sep, 14). The effect of using some constructivist approach strategies in developing systems thinking in engineering among ninth grade students in Gaza [Paper presentation]. The first scientific conference of the Faculty of Education, Al-Aqsa University, Palestine.

Amini, M., Asgari, M., & Asgari, Z. (2020). Advantages and disadvantages of using Webquests in junior high school English classes in Iran. Journal of Critical Studies in Language and Literature, 1(1), 47–55. https://doi.org/10.46809/jcsll.v1i1.4

Al-Aklouk, A. M. (2010). The effect of an electronic play of the programming language, Visual Basic, on the development of systems thinking skills among tenth-grade students [MA thesis]. Islamic University.

Al-Ghamdi, M. S., & Al-Afshi, E. A. (2018). Effectiveness of a participatory e-learning environment on developing critical thinking for faculty of education students at Princess. The Journal of the Islamic University for Educational and Psychological Studies, 83–105.

Al-Kamel, H. (2004). Systems thinking [Paper presentation]. The Fourth Arab Conference on the systemic approach to teaching and learning, Science Teaching Development Centre, Ain Shams University, Egypt.

Ali, S. (2009). The degree of adoption of the concepts of systemic thinking in Saudi public universities from the point of view of the deans and departmental heads in those Universities. Education Journal, 33(4).

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). (1993). Benchmarks for science literacy. Oxford University Press.

Arnold, R. D., & Wade, J. P. (2015). A definition of systems thinking: A systems approach [Paper presentation]. Conference on Systems Engineering Research, Procedia Computer Science, 44, 669–678. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2015.03.050

Arthur, G., & Steaven, S. (2015). Relationship between manager strategic thinking and demographic variables and good qualities. Human Resource Management, 5(2), 121–138.

Assaraf, O., & Orion, N. (2010). System thinking skills at the elementary school level. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 47(5), 540–563. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.20351

Badmus, S., Bello, G., Hamzat, A., & Sulaiman, M. (2019). Effects of WebQuest on secondary school biology students achievement in cell division in Ilorin. Humanities and Social Sciences Letters, 2(7), 64–73. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.73.2019.72.64.73

Bayram, D., Kurt, G., & Atay, D. (2019). The implementation of WebQuest supported Critical thinking instruction in pre-service English teacher education: The Turkish context, Participatory Educational Research, 6(2), 144–157. https://doi.org/10.17275/per.19.18.6.2

Dodge, B. (1995). WebQuests: A technique for internet-based learning. Distance Educator, 1(2), 0–13.

Dodge, B. (1997, November 15). Some thoughts about WebQuests. http://webquest.org/sdsu/about_webquests.html

Dodge, B. (2001). Focus: Five rules for writing a great WebQuest. Learning and Leading with Technology, 28(8),6–9. https://edisciplinas.usp.br/pluginfile.php/326587/mod_resource/content/0/FOCUS_Five_Rules_for_Writing_a_Great_WebQuest.htm

Dodge, B. (2011). Five Rules for Writing a Great WebQuest. Learning & Leading with Technology, 28(8), 285-294.

Fargoun, K. M. (2014, March. 11). WebQuests via internet – Suggested model [Paper presentation]. International Conference on E-Learning in the Arab World on Participatory Learning in the Internet Community, Cairo, Egypt.

Hassanien, A. (2006). Using Webquest to support learning with technology in higher education. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism Education, 5(1), 41–49. https://doi.org/10.3794/johlste.51.96

Ikpeze, C., & Boyd, F. (2007). Web-based inquiry learning: Facilitating thoughtful literacy with WebQuests. The Reading Teacher, 60(7), 644–654. https://doi.org/10.1598/rt.60.7.5

International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). (2020). Make WebQuests even easier with premade templates. https://www.iste.org/

Ismael, W. A., & Abdo, Y. B. (2008). Effect of using WebQuests in teaching science on developing thinking styles and tendency to use them by faculty of education students. Education and Psychology Studies Arabic Journal, 2(1), 1–53.

Jacqueline, L. (2007). Confronting challenges in online teaching: The web quest solution. Merlot Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 3(1). https://jolt.merlot.org/vol3no1/burchum.pdf

Judi, M. (2004). Living systemic thinking: Exploring quality in first-person action research. Sage Journal, 2(3), 305–325. https://doi.org/10.1177/1476750304045945

Jumaa, A., & Ahmad, Y. (2012). The effectiveness of teaching organic chemistry using the web quest strategy in the achievement of third stage students. Al-Fath Magazine, (49), 62–97.

Gurgil, F., Unal, M., & Aksoy, B. (2019). Social studies preservice teachers’ views on and experiences with WebQuest. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 7(4), 131–141. https://doi.org/10.11114/jets.v7i4.4061

March, T. (2003). The learning power of Webquests. Educational Leadership, 61(4), 42–47. https://tommarch.com/writings/ascdwebquests/

March, T. (2004). What WebQuests are (Really). The Fulcrum for Systemic Curriculum Improvement. http://bestwebquests.com/what_webquestsare. asp

McNamara, C. (2006). Field guide to consulting and organizational development: A collaborative and systems approach to performance, change and learning. Authenticity Consulting.

Mitchell, C. (2003). Using WebQuests as a guide and teaching the use of search engines in an 8th grade middle school classroom to improve student learning and increase student comfort when using the internet [MA project]. Graduate Division of Wayne State University Detroit, Michigan.

National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). (2020). Curriculum assessment and ICT in the Irish context: A discussion paper. https://ncca.ie/en/resources/curriculum-_assessment_and_ict_in_the_irish_context_a_discussion_paper

Odom, A. L. (1995). Secondary & college biology students' misconceptions about diffusion & osmosis. The American Biology Teacher, 57, 409–415. https://doi.org/10.2307/4450030

Ossimitz, G. (2014). Systemic thinking in the context of education for sustainable development [Ph.D thesis]. University of Freiburg, Germany.

Ralph, M., Collen, S., Franklin, T., Gerlorich, J., & McElroy, D. (2008). Teaching science for all children: An inquiry cpproach: (With my education lab) (5th ed.).

Quinn, C., & Wild, M. (1998). Implications of educational theory for design of instructional multimedia. British Journal of Educational Technology, 29(1), 73–82. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8535.00047

Salih, S. M. (2014). The effectiveness of WebQuests over the internet for teaching chemistry in the development of reflective thinking and academic achievement among high school students. Journal of Arab Studies in Education and Psychology, 2(45), 127–178.

Sarid, A. (2013). Systematic thinking on dialogical education. Journal of Educational Philosophy and Theory, 44(9), 926–941. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-5812.2011.00757.x

She, H. C. (2002). Concepts of higher hierarchical level require more dual situational learning events for conceptual change: A study of students’ conceptual changes on air pressure and buoyancy. International Journal of Science Education, 24(9), 981–996. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500690110098895

Siam, B. A. (2017). The effect of employing the CABRI 3D program in developing the skills of systemic thinking in engineering among the eighth grade female students in Gaza. [MA Thesis]. Islamic University, Gaza, Palestine.

Stephen, G. (2009). Total system thinking. Beverage Industry, 100(4), 55–56.

Ulu, H., & Ulusoy, M. (2019). The development of metacognitive awareness of reading strategies through WebQuest based teaching. Journal of Education and Instruction, 9(3), 765–818. https://doi.org/10.14527/pegegog.2019.025

Yang, E. M., Andre, T., Greenbow, J., & Tibell, L. (2003). Spatial ability and the impact of visualization/animation on learning electrochemistry. International Journal of Science Education, 3(25), 329–349. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500690210126784

Zlatkovska, E. (2010). WebQuests as a constructivist tool in the EFL teaching methodology class in a university in Macedonia. CORELL: Computer Resources for Language Learning, 3, 14–24.

Zuckerman, J. T. (1994). Problem solvers' conceptions about osmosis. The American Biology Teacher, 56, 22–25. https://doi.org/10.2307/4449737

Zuytoon, A. (2007). Constructivism theory and science teaching strategies. Shorouq publishing and distribution house.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


e-ISSN: 1694-2116

p-ISSN: 1694-2493