The effectiveness of a proposed teaching model based on social constructivist theory in correcting alternative perceptions in astronomy and developing the trend towards group work among primary school students

Yahya Mohamed Mohamed Afifi, Muharram

doi:10.21608/edusohag.2020.67481

The effectiveness of a proposed teaching model based on social constructivist theory in correcting alternative perceptions in astronomy and developing the trend towards group work among primary school students

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Muharram Yahya Mohamed Mohamed Afifi

Professor of Curricula and Teaching Methods of Science Faculty of Education - Ain Shams University Associate Professor of Curricula and Teaching Methods of Science Al-Qunfudhah University College - Umm Al-Qura University

10.21608/edusohag.2020.67481

Abstract

The aim of this research is to introduce a suggested instructional model based on the social constructivism theory, and to define its effectiveness on correcting the alternative conceptions related with astronomy and in supporting the team work attitude among primary students. The researcher defined the alternative conceptions related with astronomy for a group of primary students, grade 6, in Al-Qunfudah, in KSA, and measured its popularity rate. The researcher carried out the experimental study of research as the suggested instructional model has been applied to teaching astronomy concepts among the students of the experimental group which consisted of (54) students, while the control group consisted of (28) students who have been taught by the traditional method. Research results revealed several alternative conceptions related with astronomy reached (24) with a popularity rate reached between (31.4% and 75%). Also, results proved the effectiveness of the suggested instructional model in correcting those alternative conceptions and in promoting students’ team work attitudes. This research presents several recommendations and suggestions that aim at improving science teaching in general, and astronomy teaching in particular by exposing the alternative conceptions and correcting it through applying the suggested instructional model.

Keywords