Digital technologies in science education. Requirements for teacher training

Digitale Medien werden im MINT-Unterricht als Lern- oder künftige Arbeitsmedien in naturwissenschaftlich-technischen Berufsfeldern eingesetzt. Diese innovativen Techniken sind Bestandteil naturwissenschaftlicher Denk- und Arbeitsweisen, z.B. bei der Sequenzierung von Genomabschnitten, automatischer Messwerterfassung oder der Datenauswertung von naturwissenschaftlichen Experimenten. Darüber hinaus bieten digitale Medien die Möglichkeit, MINT-Unterricht stärker konstruktivistisch orientiert zu gestalten und aktive bzw. reflexive Lernprozesse zu fördern. Damit steigen auch die Anforderungen an die Schüler*innen, so dass der Einsatz digitaler Medien nicht nur Erfolg verspricht, sondern ohne geeignete Instruktion auch zu schlechteren Lernergebnissen führen kann. Ausgehend von diesen fachspezifisch zu erwerbenden Kompetenzen der Schüler*innen im Umgang mit digitalen Medien wird auch reflektiert, welche zusätzlichen Anforderungen sich für eine zeitgemäße Lehrerbildung der naturwissenschaftlichen Unterrichtsfächer ergeben, um digitale Medien nachhaltig in den Fachunterricht zu integrieren. Diese werden vor dem Hintergrund aktueller Modelle zu professionellen Handlungskompetenzen (angehender) Lehrkräfte diskutiert. (DIPF/Orig.)Digital technologies are applied in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) classes as learning- or future working tools for the scientific-technological professional fields. These innovative techniques are a component part of the scientific way of thinking and working, e. g. for genome sequencing or automatic measured value acquisition and data analysis of scientific experiments. Furthermore, digital technologies promote a stronger constructivist focus and allow an active and reflexive learning pro-cess in STEM classes. By putting increasing requirements on students, the use of digital technologies not only promises success but may also lead to worse learning results when proper instruction is missing. Based on these subject-specific competences of students in dealing with digital technologies, further requirements for a contemporary teacher training and professional development to integrate digital technologies in science education are indicated. These requirements are discussed in the context of current models for professional competences of (prospective) teachers. (DIPF/Orig.

Effects of Teachers' Professional Knowledge and Their Use of Three-Dimensional Physical Models in Biology Lessons on Students' Achievement

Using three-dimensional physical models elaborately in their learning, students can develop high-level understanding of models and modeling in science, thereby attaining higher achievement. However, there are in the literature few indications of how teachers should use three-dimensional physical models in instruction and whether teachers' professional knowledge is a prerequisite for teaching with elaborate use of models. Therefore, our study used a mixed-methods approach to analyze the effects of biology teachers' domain-specific pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and content knowledge (CK) on students' achievement mediated by elaborate model use (ELMO). Our quantitative sample comprised 36 German secondary school teachers whose lessons on the topic of neurobiology were videotaped twice (N = 72 lessons). Teachers completed professional knowledge tests on their PCK and CK. Students' achievement was measured using pre- and post-knowledge tests. Our qualitative analysis involved five selected teachers according to aspects of ELMO. The results of our study indicated that teachers' PCK and CK had no direct effect on students' achievement. However, teachers' PCK had a significant indirect and positive effect on students' achievement mediated by ELMO. The findings of our study can provide teachers and researchers examples of how to implement biology instruction with elaborate use of three-dimensional physical models

Regulations and practices of structured doctoral education in the life sciences in Germany

Structured doctoral education is increasingly preferred compared to the individual model. Several science policy organisations give recommendations on how to structure doctoral education. However, there is little research on to what extent these recommendations find their way into practice. In our study, we first compared European and German recommendations on doctoral education with, second, the institutional regulations of structured doctoral programmes (N= 98) in the life sciences at twelve different German universities. Additionally, we third asked doctoral graduates (N= 1796) of these structured doctoral programmes and graduates of individual doctoral studies about their experience in doctoral education. Fourth, we contrasted the regulations of structured doctoral programmes with the reported experiences of their graduates. We found significant deviations of the reported practices of graduates from the regulations of their organisations, regarding the student admission, supervision and curricular activities of doctoral candidates. The efficacy of structured versus traditional doctoral education should be examined based on reported practice rather than on the respective written regulations

The framework dikolan (Digital competencies for teaching in science education) as basis for the self-assessment tool dikolan-grid

For the planning and implementation of lessons with digital technologies, a subject-specific technology-related professional competence of teachers is of central importance. However, the competency frameworks developed so far remain in a general perspective and do not explicitly address subject-specific issues. Furthermore, digital competencies are predominantly measured with subject-unspecific self-assessment instruments, as subject-specific operationalizations for this area are not yet available in a differentiated form. In this article, the framework for Digital Competencies for Teaching in Science Education (DiKoLAN), a subject-specific framework for pre-service science teachers, is introduced, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, first results of a self-assessment tool based on the framework are described. DiKoLAN defines competency areas highly specific to science, as well as more general competency areas that include aspects common to all subjects. Each competency area is described by competency expectations, which, in turn, are structured with reference to the four technology-related dimensions of the TPACK framework (i.e., Technological and Pedagogical Content Knowledge) and three levels of performance (Name, Describe, Use/Apply). Derived from DiKoLAN, a corresponding self-assessment instrument (DiKoLAN-Grid) was developed and empirically tested for the two competency areas, (n = 118) and Information Search and Evaluation (n = 90), in biology student teachers. By means of path models, tendencies regarding structural correlations of the four components Special Tools (TK), Content-specific Context (TCK), Methods and Digitality (TPK), and Teaching (TPACK) are presented for both competency areas and discussed, as well as in comparison to previously conducted, subject-unspecific surveys. © 2021, MDPI. All rights reserved

Kernkompetenzen von Lehrkräften für das Unterrichten in einer digitalisierten Welt: Veranschaulichung des Rahmenmodells am Beispiel einer Unterrichtseinheit aus der Biologie

Will man Lehrkräfte systematisch dabei unterstützen, digitale Medien lernförderlich im Unterricht einzusetzen, benötigt man ein Modell medienbezogener Kompetenzen von Lehrkräften. Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt das Rahmenmodell „Kernkompetenzen von Lehrkräften für das Unterrichten in einer digitalisierten Welt“ (DCB, 2017) vor, welches sich im Vergleich zu anderen Ansätzen zur Systematisierung und Operationalisierung medienbezogener Kompetenzen von Lehrkräften dadurch auszeichnet, dass es besonders klar auf die konkreten medienbezogenen Handlungskompetenzen von (angehenden) Lehrkräfte im schulischen Unterricht Bezug nimmt und auf die Anregung von qualitätsvollen schülerseitigen Lernaktivitäten mit digitalen Medien eingeht. Am Beispiel eines konkreten Szenarios aus dem Biologieunterricht zum Thema „Die Honigbiene im Kontext des Klimawandels und der Temperaturregulation“ wird aufgezeigt, wie das Modell der Kernkompetenzen produktiv dazu verwendet werden kann, die für einen erfolgreichen medienbasierten Unterricht erforderlichen Wissensbereiche und Handlungskompetenzen von (angehenden) Lehrkräften zu identifizieren. Damit wird ein Beitrag geleistet zur systematischen Beschreibung medienbasierter Unterrichtsszenarien unter dem Gesichtspunkt der Qualität des Einsatzes digitaler Medien sowie der hierfür erforderlichen medienbezogenen Wissensarten und Handlungskompetenzen von (angehenden) Lehrkräften

The Framework DiKoLAN (Digital Competencies for Teaching in Science Education) as Basis for the Self-Assessment Tool DiKoLAN-Grid

For the planning and implementation of lessons with digital technologies, a subject-specific technology-related professional competence of teachers is of central importance. However, the competency frameworks developed so far remain in a general perspective and do not explicitly address subject-specific issues. Furthermore, digital competencies are predominantly measured with subject-unspecific self-assessment instruments, as subject-specific operationalizations for this area are not yet available in a differentiated form. In this article, the framework for Digital Competencies for Teaching in Science Education (DiKoLAN), a subject-specific framework for pre-service science teachers, is introduced, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, first results of a self-assessment tool based on the framework are described. DiKoLAN defines competency areas highly specific to science, as well as more general competency areas that include aspects common to all subjects. Each competency area is described by competency expectations, which, in turn, are structured with reference to the four technology-related dimensions of the TPACK framework (i.e., Technological and Pedagogical Content Knowledge) and three levels of performance (Name, Describe, Use/Apply). Derived from DiKoLAN, a corresponding self-assessment instrument (DiKoLAN-Grid) was developed and empirically tested for the two competency areas, (n = 118) and Information Search and Evaluation (n = 90), in biology student teachers. By means of path models, tendencies regarding structural correlations of the four components Special Tools (TK), Content-specific Context (TCK), Methods and Digitality (TPK), and Teaching (TPACK) are presented for both competency areas and discussed, as well as in comparison to previously conducted, subject-unspecific surveys

Digital Escape Rooms as Game-Based Learning Environments: A Study in Sex Education

Game-based learning is becoming increasingly popular in education. The playful experience especially promises a high degree of students’ motivation. In this research, we examine the influence of sequential scaffolding within a digital educational escape room game. Escape rooms are usually games where players have to escape from a room within a given time limit by completing different tasks and quests. Therefore, we developed an educational virtual escape room for biology classes, focusing on the topic of sex education. In an experiment, we modified this learning environment and developed two different conditions: in one escape room, scaffolding was implemented using sequential learning aids; in the other escape room, which was assigned to the control group, no additional learner support was provided. The main objective of this quantitative research is to measure the escape room’s impact on learning and cognitive load. In addition, motivation, flow experience and experience of immersion are analyzed. A comparison between the two escape rooms shows that additional scaffolding does not significantly increase cognitive load or have any effect on learning. Results show that motivation and knowledge acquisition can be successfully supported by using game-based learning with escape rooms

Digital Escape Rooms as Game-Based Learning Environments: A Study in Sex Education

Game-based learning is becoming increasingly popular in education. The playful experience especially promises a high degree of students’ motivation. In this research, we examine the influence of sequential scaffolding within a digital educational escape room game. Escape rooms are usually games where players have to escape from a room within a given time limit by completing different tasks and quests. Therefore, we developed an educational virtual escape room for biology classes, focusing on the topic of sex education. In an experiment, we modified this learning environment and developed two different conditions: in one escape room, scaffolding was implemented using sequential learning aids; in the other escape room, which was assigned to the control group, no additional learner support was provided. The main objective of this quantitative research is to measure the escape room’s impact on learning and cognitive load. In addition, motivation, flow experience and experience of immersion are analyzed. A comparison between the two escape rooms shows that additional scaffolding does not significantly increase cognitive load or have any effect on learning. Results show that motivation and knowledge acquisition can be successfully supported by using game-based learning with escape rooms

The Framework DiKoLAN (Digital Competencies for Teaching in Science Education) as Basis for the Self-Assessment Tool DiKoLAN-Grid

For the planning and implementation of lessons with digital technologies, a subject-specific technology-related professional competence of teachers is of central importance. However, the competency frameworks developed so far remain in a general perspective and do not explicitly address subject-specific issues. Furthermore, digital competencies are predominantly measured with subject-unspecific self-assessment instruments, as subject-specific operationalizations for this area are not yet available in a differentiated form. In this article, the framework for Digital Competencies for Teaching in Science Education (DiKoLAN), a subject-specific framework for pre-service science teachers, is introduced, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, first results of a self-assessment tool based on the framework are described. DiKoLAN defines competency areas highly specific to science, as well as more general competency areas that include aspects common to all subjects. Each competency area is described by competency expectations, which, in turn, are structured with reference to the four technology-related dimensions of the TPACK framework (i.e., Technological and Pedagogical Content Knowledge) and three levels of performance (Name, Describe, Use/Apply). Derived from DiKoLAN, a corresponding self-assessment instrument (DiKoLAN-Grid) was developed and empirically tested for the two competency areas, (n = 118) and Information Search and Evaluation (n = 90), in biology student teachers. By means of path models, tendencies regarding structural correlations of the four components Special Tools (TK), Content-specific Context (TCK), Methods and Digitality (TPK), and Teaching (TPACK) are presented for both competency areas and discussed, as well as in comparison to previously conducted, subject-unspecific surveys

Digitale Transformation von Unterrichtseinheiten : DiKoLAN als Orientierungs- und Strukturierungshilfe am Beispiel Low-Cost- Photometrie mit dem Smartphone

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