Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/42123
Title: The impact of site-visits on the development of biological cognitive knowledge
Authors: Muscat, Miriam
Pace, Paul J.
Keywords: Education
Outdoor education
Cognition -- Testing
Issue Date: 2013
Publisher: Scientia Socialis
Citation: Muscat, M., & Pace, P. (2013). The impact of site-visits on the development of biological cognitive knowledge. Journal of Baltic Science Education, 12(3), 337-351.
Abstract: Classroom-based science teaching tends to be dominated by teaching that stifles the students’ natural curiosity and eagerness to discover their surroundings. Knowledge makes sense to students particularly when it is learned within the context of an authentic experience. Thus classroom-based science needs to be complimented by out-of-classroom activities which offer direct and relevant information that influences students’ learning. Students build new knowledge on already existing schema, thus it is important for both teacher and students to question and evaluate their knowledge to be able to build on solid grounds. This paper illustrates examples of meta-cognitive tools (i.e. Vee diagrams and concept maps) used before and after site-visits to explore the contribution of out-of-classroom activities to the students’ biological cognitive development. This research shows that site-visits are a necessary part of science learning because they help students develop observational and reasoning skills, link biology to personal life experiences and contextualise inert classroom knowledge, making it more meaningful and easier to remember.
URI: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar//handle/123456789/42123
Appears in Collections:Scholarly Works - FacEduMSE

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
The_impact_of_site-visits_on_the_development_of_biological_cognitive_knowledge_2013.pdf1.3 MBAdobe PDFView/Open


Items in OAR@UM are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.