Schwartz's model-based instructional design for chemistry education: Effects of high school students’ creativity

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the Schwartz's model on chemical concepts acquisition, improving creative thinking skills, and learning transfer of the ninth grade students. Participant of the study consisted of (64) ninth grade students from the Directorate in Amman, academic year (2018/2019), and they were divided randomly into experimental and control group. To achieve the objectives of the study, a teacher's guide for the electrochemistry unit was prepared using the chemistry curriculum for the ninth grade. Furthermore, creative thinking skills and chemical concepts were combined according to the Schwartz's model, and the chemical concept test was prepared in the form of a multiple choice test and test learning effect transfer. Also, the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking was prepared. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA, ANOVA and results showed the effectiveness of the Schwartz's model of chemical concepts, improvement in creative thinking skills, and transference of learning effect in favor of the experimental group students, and statistically significant difference was seen (α = 0.05) between the average performance of the study sample and in favor of the experimental group students. In light of the results, the study recommended the need for science students to use the Schwartz's model in teaching.

Keywords

• Chemical concepts
• Learning transfer
• Schwartz's model
• Scientific creativity
• Creative thinking skills

References

1. Abu Rias, H. & Abdel-Haq, Z. (2007). Educational Psychology: for the undergraduate student and the practicing teacher. Amman: Al Masirah Publishing House.
2. Abu Wazneh, F. (2017). Designing educational games and the effect of using them in developing critical thinking skills and self-efficacy in science for eighth-grade female students. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, University of Jordan, Jordan.
3. Al-Agha, I. & Lulu, F. (2009). Teaching science in general education. Gaza: The Student Library
4. Alalimat, A. (2006). Basic and challenging chemical concepts in the general science curricula, the primary stage in Jordan, Al-Manara Journal, 13(1), 122.
5. Al-Asar, S. (2003). Teaching for Thinking, Cairo: Qebaa House for Arab Printing, Publishing, and Distribution.
6. Al-Baali, I. (2013). The effectiveness of a proposed unit in the sciences, according to Costa and Clic's perspective of habits of mind in developing analytical thinking and practical tendencies among first-grade intermediate students of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Journal of Scientific Education, Egyptian Society for Scientific Education, 16(5), 93-135.
7. Al-Banna, M. (2011). A proposed teaching model based on brain-based learning to develop creativity and mathematical communication among fifth-grade pupils, Journal of Mathematics Education, Egyptian Association for Mathematics Education, 4(1), 85-115.
8. Al-Darwasha, M. & Al-Ayasrah, A. (2014). The effect of designing a unit of study based on the Schwartz model in improving the skills of critical thinking and creative thinking of fourth-grade students. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, University of Islamic Sciences, Jordan.

9. Al-Falah, F. (2014). Using the PDEODE strategy, which is based on the principles of constructivist theory, on the achievement of chemistry and the improvement of reflective thinking skills and performance skills among primary school students in Jordan. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, International Islamic Sciences University, Amman, Jordan.
10. Al-Hajahja, S. & Al-Zaq, A. (2015). The Effect of Skillful Thinking Training on Decision Making Skills among Early Adolescence Stage Pupils. Jordan Journal of Educational Sciences, 11(3), 357-372.
11. Al-Khalili, K., Haidar, A. & Yunus, M. (1996). Teaching science in general education stages. Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Dar Al-Qalam for Publishing and Distribution.
12. Al-Safi, A. & Fara, S. (2010). Inclusion of the Kurt program to teach thinking in the school curriculum. 1st edition, House of Culture, Amman.
13. Al-Titi, M. (2004). Development of creative thinking capabilities., Jordan, Amman: Dar Al-Masirah for publishing, distribution, and printing
14. Al-Zaq, A. & Al-Hajjah, S. (2015). The effect of a training program based on the Schwartz model in thinking about developing decision-making skills among seventh-grade students, the first international conference at the College of Education at Al-Baha University (Education: Future Prospects).
15. Ambosaidi, A. & Al Balushi, S. (2011). Methods of Teaching Science - Practical Concepts and Applications. (2nd edition), Amman: Dar Al Masirah for Publishing and Distribution.
16. Baldwin, N. & Ford, J. (2006). Transfer of training: A review and direction for future research. Personnel Psychology, 41, 63-105.doi:10.1111/j.1744-6570. 1988.tb00632. x.
17. Bernardo, A., and Zhang. L. (2002). Thinking style and academic achievement among Filipino students. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 163(2), 149-165
18. Bereiter, C. (1995). In teaching for Transfer: Fostering Generalization in Learning. (eds, Mkeough, A., Lupart, J. & Marini, A.) Lawrence Erlbaum Associate, Mahwah.
19. Bernardo, A. & Zhang. L. (2002). Thinking style and academic achievement among Filipino students. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 163(2), 149-165.
20. Boutros, B. (2008). Development of scientific concepts and skills for pre-school children. Amman: The Masirah House for Publishing and Distribution.
21. Ciltas, A. (2012). The effect of the mathematical modeling method on the level of creative thinking. The New Educational Review, 30(4), 103- 113.
22. Costa, A. & Kallick, B. (2005). Describing (16) Habits of Mind –Retrieved, August 28, 2005, Retrieved from https://habitsofmind.org/
23. Costa, A. Kallick, B. (2000). Developing Minds: A Resource Book for Teaching Thinking. Third Edition, Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
24. Costa, A., & Kallick, B. (2001). Discovering and exploring habits of mind. Alexandria, VA: ASCD
25. Dewey, J. & Bento, J. (2009). Activating Children's Thinking Skills (ACTS): The Effects of an Infusion Approach to Teaching Thinking in Primary Schools. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 79(2), 329-351.
26. Fathallah, M. (2009). The impact of the strategy of thinking maps based on integration in developing achievement in science, critical thinking, and the trend towards cooperative work among middle school students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Resalat Al Khaleej Magazine, 111, 53-107
27. Garwan, F. (2012). Teaching Thinking - Concepts and Techniques. 5th Edition, Amman: Jordan Book House.
28. Hu, W., Adey, P., Jia, X., Liu, J., Zhang, L., Li, J. & Dong, X. (2011). Effects of a "Learn to Think" Intervention Program on Primary School Students. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 81(4), 531-557.
29. Ikramettin, D. (2016). The effect of 5E Instruction Model Enriched with Cooperative Learning and Animations on Seventh – Grade Students Academic Achievement and Scientific Attitudes. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 9(1),21-38.
30. Jassim, S. (2000). The Effectiveness of Using the Learning Circle in Improving Science Achievement of First Intermediate Students in the State of Kuwait: The Pure Gulf Massage
31. Johnston, A. (2000). The teaching of chemistry logical or psychological. Chemical Education: Research and Practice in Europe, 1, 1-15
32. Mahmoud, A. & Fara, S. (2010). Inclusion of the Kurt program to teach thinking in the school curriculum. 1st edition, House of Culture, Amman.
33. McGuinness, C., Sheehy, N., Curry, C., Eakin, A., Evans, C., & Forbes, P. (2006). Building thinking skills in thinking classrooms. ACTS (Activating Children’s Thinking Skills) in Northern Ireland. London, UK: ESRC’s Teaching and Learning Research Program, Research Briefing No 18.
34. Najdi, A., Abd al-Hadi, M. & Rashid, A. (2007). Teaching Science in the Contemporary World - Modern methods, methods, and strategies in science teaching. (Reference Series in Education and Psychology). Cairo: The Arab Thought House.
35. Pabellon, J. (2005). Concept Learning: Assessment and Teaching Strategies. http://www.upd.edu.ph/ismed/elink/ismed3.htm.
36. Perkins, D. (1991). What creative thinking is? (Online), Eric Document Reproduction, Service No. (ED 363330).
37. Rajab, A. (2012). The particle representation strategy's effectiveness in developing chemical concepts and visual thinking skills in science among ninth-grade students in Gaza. Unpublished MA Thesis, Islamic University, Palestine.
38. Roozkhoon, A. (2013). Evaluating (K.W.L) Charts Strategy concerning Iranian EFL Learners' Comprehension of Culturally Unfamiliar texts. English Linguistics Research, 2(1), 72-85.
39. Ross, A. & Wilson, V. (2012). The Effects of Representations, Constructivist Approaches, and Engagement on Middle School Students' Algebraic Procedure and Conceptual Understanding. School Science and Mathematics, 112(2), 117-128.
40. Saadeh, J. (2015). Thinking and learning skills. Al-maseera house for Publishing, Distribution, and Printing, Amman, Jordan.
41. Swartz, R. & McGuinness, C. (2014). Developing and Assessing Thinking Skills, Project Final Report Part 1. Funded by The International Baccalaureate Organization.
42. Swartz, R. & Parks, S. (1994). Infusing the Teaching of Critical and Creative Thinking into Content Instruction. Pacific Grove, California: Critical Thinking Books & Software.
43. Swartz, R. (2001). Infusing critical and creative thinking into content instruction. In: Costa, A. (Ed.) Developing minds, A Resource Book for Teaching Thinking. (3th Ed.). (Pp. 266–274). Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
44. Swartz, R. (2008). Energizing Learning. Educational Leadership, 65(5), 26-31
45. Swartz, R. & Perkins, D. (2003). Teaching thinking: issues and approaches. Critical Thinking. Press and Software
46. Swartz, R. (2008). Energizing Learning. Educational Leadership, 65(5), 26-31.
47. Swartz, R., Costa, A., Bayar, B., Reagan, R. &. Kallick, B. (2008). Thinking-based learning: Activation students potential. United States of America: Christopher, Gordon Publishers
48. Swartz. R. (2012). Thinking-based learning, making the most of what we have learned about teaching thinking in the regular classroom to bring out the best in our students. The National Center for Teaching Thinking (NCTT). http// www.nctt.net/lessons/LeadershipArticle.pdf
49. Swartz, R. & McGuinness, C. (2014). Developing and Assessing Thinking Skills Project Final Report Part 1 February 2014, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280100010_Developing_and_Assessing_Thinking_Skills_Final_Report_Part_1_Literature_Review_and_Evaluation_Framework
50. Torrance, E. (1972). Predictive validity of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking. Journal of Creative Behavior, 6(4), 236–252
51. Wiliam, D. (2011). Embedded formative assessment. Bloomington, IN Solution Tree Press.
52. Zaitoun, A. (2007). Constructivist theory and science teaching strategies. Amman: Al-Shurouk House for Publishing and Distribution.
53. Zaitoun, A. (2010.) Contemporary international trends in science curricula and teaching them. Amman: Al-Shorouk Publishing and Distribution House.