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Influencing girls’ attitudes towards science and technology by online inquiry-based learning environments in sixth grade of primary education

Zwakenberg, D. (2019) Influencing girls’ attitudes towards science and technology by online inquiry-based learning environments in sixth grade of primary education.

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Abstract:Research in science education has shown that boys' attitudes towards science and technology are more positive than girls' attitudes. There are possible causes of girls' low attitudes, but also possible measures can be taken which can be linked to six common factors that seem relevant to forming positive attitudes towards school science and technology. Research was conducted in two sixth grade classes of a Dutch primary school. The main goal of the study was to investigate to what extend it was possible to influence girls' attitudes in a positive way towards science and technology. The intervention group received three online iquiry learning lessons based on measures to increase girls' attitudes towards science and technology. Other goals of this study were to investigate if there were differences between girls’ attitudes in the control- and intervention group, if there were differences between boys’ and girls’ attitudes towards science and technology and if there were differences in the way of working between boys and girls in the intervention group. This study expected that girls’ attitudes towards science and technology were higher after the intervention than before the intervention, but the results did not correspond with the hypothesis; there was no significant difference. The difference between the attitudes towards science and technology from girls in the intervention- and control group was not significant as well. There was also no significant difference between the attitudes of boys and girls towards science and technology. The log files in the online inquiry learning environments state that in one of the three learning environments, there are significant differences in the average time boys and girls spent in this environment which indicates that there were differences in the way of working between boys and girls in this study.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology MSc (66604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/78116
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