Achievement of Child-Centered Learning using Science Project to Science Teachers from the Expanded Opportunity Education Schools

Abstract

This research objective was to study the achievement of promoting the scientific attitude andexpected child-centered learning ability using Constructionism approach and Science project as a tool oflearning. The research expected that science teachers from the expanded opportunity education schoolsunder 8 educational service area offices in 5 provinces of western Thailand (Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi,Petchaburi, Samutsakorn and Samutsongkram) who involve in this research will get expected achievementand then can be transfer to their students. The curriculum includes 1) The Constructionism training to buildup thinking perception 2) The science learning processes training. After that, the participants will beencouraged to use science project as a tool of learning. The teachers who join to this project had beenevaluated by mix evaluation method. These aspects were distributed to 1) 3 characteristics showing thescientific attitude, i.e. Inquisitiveness, Open-minded and Creativity 2) 11 characteristics showing expectedchild-center learning ability, i.e. Participating, Self-confidence, Reasonability, On time working, Problemdetermination, Solution introducing, Expedient planning, Participating with enjoyment, Self-satisfactionwith works, Colleague-endeavor realization, and Logical and systematic thinking. The result shows thatthis set of training curriculum can promote 35 attendants’ all scientific attitude characteristics and 10expected child-center learning characteristics. 27 attendants, who were trained previously by this researchcurriculum, volunteer to conduct science project under continuous guidance. The result shows thatattendants can improve their all scientific attitude characteristics and 6 expected child-center learningcharacteristics, either. These results indicate using the curriculum together can improve the all scientificattitude and expected child-center learning characteristics, effectively.

Keywords : Child-centered Learning / Constructionism / Science Project / Learning Achievement