Correlation Analysis of High School Students Coursework and Reasoning

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Correlation Analysis of High School Students
Coursework and Reasoning

• Mark Schober1
• Hugh Ross2, Kathleen Koenig3, Lei Bao4
• John Burroughs School(1)
• Guerin Catholic High School(2)
• Wright State University(3)
• The Ohio State University(4)

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Why Study Scientific Reasoning?
Scientific Reasoning - Tools that transform
observations and ideas into knowledge
Natural phenomena as seen by novice learners of
science
Natural phenomena as seen by skilled science
practioners
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Assessments used in Study

• Lawson Classroom Test of Scientific Reasoning
• Force Concept Inventory

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Two High Schools in Study

• John Burroughs School
• Private school, select admission
• Algebra-trig based regular physics (39 juniors)
• Guerin Catholic High School
• Private school, open enrollment
• Honors physics students (42 seniors)

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Lawson (pre instruction)-FCI (post instruction)
Correlations

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Additional Correlations for Guerin HS
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Lawson Correlation to Prior Math Science Courses

• Correlations between prior math and science
  courses
• taken and Lawson for grades 9-12
• n 265 students at Guerin High School

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Summary and Future Work

• Physics success isnt just about teaching content
  -- success is linked to student scientific
  reasoning skills.
• Scientific reasoning ability linked to prior math
  and science instruction
• Lawson as a pre-test identifies students needing
  scientific reasoning skill development.
• Identify instructional techniques that strengthen
  SR skills and weaken Lawson-FCI correlation.
  Measure with Lawson as a pre and post-test.
• Kathy Koenig kathy.koenig_at_wright.edu