Improved learning designs for shaping Indonesia's future science teachers applied in a nanoscience project

Rahma Esi Andina, Yuli Rahmawati and Setia Budi
Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia

This study aimed to develop pre-service science teachers' conceptual understanding of a nanoscience project through a newly introduced 8E learning cycle. This research was conducted during one semester of a nanoscience and nanotechnology course in the chemistry education department in Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia with thirty-three pre-service chemistry teachers. Data collection was carried out using classroom observation, in-depth interviews, reflective journals, and a chemistry test that explored pre-service teachers' conceptual understanding of nanoscience and nanotechnology. The 8E learning cycle consists of Engage, Explore, E-Search, Elaborate, Exchange, Extend, Evaluate, and Explain. The results show that the learning cycle engaged pre-service teachers in developing their conceptual understanding through collaboration, discussion, and reflection. The pre-service teachers understood the concepts of unique characteristics, physical properties, and chemical properties of nanomaterials. In each step of the 8E learning cycle, pre-service teachers reflected on and constructed their understanding within the principles of individual and social learning. The results showed that the 8E learning cycle can be used to develop pre-service teachers' conceptual understanding of nanoscience and nanotechnology and social skills.
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Authors: Rahma Esi Andina is a postgraduate student in the Chemistry Education Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia. Her research interests are teaching, chemistry educational research, and mental models. Email: rahmaesiandina@gmail.com Dr Yuli Rahmawati (corresponding author) is a lecturer in the Chemistry Education Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia. Her research interests are teaching and cultural identity, culturally responsive teaching, ethnochemistry, green chemistry, transformative education, social-emotional learning, and STEM education. Email: yrahmawati@unj.ac.id Dr Setia Budi is a lecturer in the Chemistry Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia. His research interests are nanoscience, nanomaterial, nanotechnology, and thin film. Email: setiabudi@unj.ac.id Please cite as: Andina, R. E., Rahmawati, Y. & Budi, S. (2019). Improved learning designs for shaping Indonesia's future science teachers applied in a nanoscience project. Issues in Educational Research, 29(4), 997-1015. http://www.iier.org.au/iier29/andina.pdf