Investigating the Role of an Inquiry-Based Biology Lab Course on Student Attitudes and Views toward Science.

ABSTRACT: Students' academic experiences can influence their conceptualization of science. In contrast experts hold particular beliefs, perceptions, opinions, and attitudes about science that are often absent in first-year undergraduate students. Shifts toward more expert-like attitudes and views have been linked to improved student engagement, critical-thinking ability, conceptual understanding, and academic performance. In this study, we investigate shifts in attitudes and views toward science by students in four biology classes with differences in student enrollment, academic support, and instruction. We observe significant, positive effects of enrollment in a guided-inquiry lab course and academic performance on the percentage of expert-like student attitudes and views at the end of term. We als

SUBMITTER: Jeffery E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5132358 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature