Enhancing Grade 12 Students’ Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Ability in Learning of the STS Genetics and DNA Technology Unit

Year 2019, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 215 - 235, 27.06.2019

Chokchai Yuenyong , Saranya Wongsila

https://doi.org/10.17478/jegys.549005

Cited By: 16

Abstract

This study reported grade
12 students’ critical thinking and problem-solving ability in learning and
innovation skills in genetics and DNA technology unit through science
technology society (STS) approach. The participants were 43 grade 12 students
in Maung, Khon Kaen, Thailand. The STS unit has been taught by the researcher
for 3 weeks. The Genetics and DNA Technology unit were provided learning
activities through STS approach in framework of Yuenyong (2006) based on 5
stages. These included (1) identification of social issues, (2) identification
of potential solutions, (3) need for knowledge (4) decision-making, and (5)
socialization stage. Students’ critical thinking and problem-solving ability
was collected during their learning by participant observation, students’
discussion and questions, worksheets, students’ behaviour, and students’
performance. The findings revealed that the Genetics and DNA technology unit on
the STS approach are promoted students’ critical thinking and problem-solving
ability. Not only indicated that the solution raised from the problem that lead
to solving through critical thinking and problem-solving but also could be
mentioned that students developed their ability of critical thinking and
problem-solving while they learned STS of GMO issue. These
finding would be a good practices for teaching biology through STS approach to
who may take further applications for science teaching
and learning.

Keywords

critical thinking, problem solving, STS, Genetics

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