Apler J Bansiong - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Apler J Bansiong
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), Jun 20, 2020
A common goal for science educators is to engage students in inquiry. Policy makers present inqu... more A common goal for science educators is to engage students in inquiry. Policy makers present inquiry as a continuum and several researchers extrapolate that this continuum is represented by a figure that moves from more to less guidance. Thus inquiry activities are labeled from more structure (low - level inquiry) to less structure (high - level inquiry). This study characterized the level of inquiry in the undergraduate science education laboratory in a State University in the Cordillera Administrative Region. The implication of the result to the preparation of teachers in the K – 12 level was also discussed. Ten laboratory manuals in three fields of science were analyzed. All of these manuals are utilized by science education majors. From these ten laboratory manuals, 147 exercises or activities were evaluated. Each of the laboratory activities were rated from level 1 – confirmatory, level 2 – structured inquiry, level 3 – guided inquiry, level 4 – open inquiry, and level 5 –...
Asian Journal of Contemporary Education, 2017
Licensure examination performance of graduates is one measure of the effectiveness of curricular ... more Licensure examination performance of graduates is one measure of the effectiveness of curricular programs. This study analyzed the five-year performance of 159 BLIS graduates in the Librarians’ Licensure Examination in from 2011 to 2015. Findings reveal that the passing the graduates’ passing rates were statistically consistent in the five-year duration. The average passing rate was moderately high at 57.89%, but the mean general rating was only 73.23%. The general ratings had a slightly platykurtic, negatively skewed distribution. Overall, the institutional passing rate surpassed the national passing rate by 45.12%. Passing rates were highest in Information Technology, Indexing and ing, and Library Organization and Management. Lower passing rates were posted in Selection and Acquisition of Library Materials, and in Cataloguing and Classification. The first timers, and the review center attendees, outperformed their respective counterparts, while the male and female examinees were s...
Mountain Journal of Science and Interdisciplinary Research (formerly Benguet State University Research Journal), Dec 18, 2020
This study determined the graduates' reasons for pursuing secondary education, employment profile... more This study determined the graduates' reasons for pursuing secondary education, employment profiles, and job-search strategies and challenges. Data were collected from 602 Bachelor of Secondary Education graduates in the AY 2013-2017 at Benguet State University. The College of Teacher Education Graduate Tracer Questionnaire (CGTQ) was used to gather data. Findings showed that about half of the respondents personally chose the degree, indicating their intrinsic motivation towards secondary school teaching. This trend was consistent across most specializations. Moreover, about 90% of the graduates traced are gainfully employed, mostly as classroom teachers (65%). Very few are unemployed (3%) and self-employed (6%). About 70% of the graduates hold non-permanent status and are employed in the private sector (about 60%). Most of the graduates are employed a year after graduation, and their mode salaries range from Php5,000.00 to Php15,000.00. Only status of employment was influenced by their level of motivation towards teaching. Many of the graduates were able to find a job through their friends or relatives. Finally, the most important hindrances encountered by the graduates in their job search are the absence of or inadequacy of experience and the lack of jobs related to their degree or field of specialization.
This predictive study explored the influence of three admission variables on the college grade po... more This predictive study explored the influence of three admission variables on the college grade point average (CGPA), and licensure examination ratings of the 2015 teacher education graduates in a state-run university in Northern Philippines. The admission variables were high school grade point average (HSGPA), admission test (IQ) scores, and standardized test (General Scholastic Aptitude - GSA) scores. The participants were from two degree programs – Bachelor in Elementary Education (BEE) and Bachelor in Secondary education (BSE). The results showed that the graduates’ overall HSGPA were in the proficient level, while their admission and standardized test scores were average. Meanwhile, their mean licensure examination ratings were satisfactory, with high (BEE – 80.29%) and very high (BSE – 93.33%) passing rates. In both degree programs, all entry variables were significantly correlated and linearly associated with the CGPAs and licensure examination ratings of the participants....
The Normal Lights, 2019
This study analyzed the entry-to-exit academic profiles and licensure ratings of teacher educatio... more This study analyzed the entry-to-exit academic profiles and licensure ratings of teacher education graduates in a state university in the Cordillera Administrative Region in three academic years from 2014 to 2016. It also explored which of these academic variables can predict the graduates’ ratings in the Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (BLEPT). The entry variables were high school grade point average (HSGPA), Intelligence Quotient (IQ), and general scholastic aptitude (GSA). College performance included overall and subject GPAs, while exit performance was the scores in the competency appraisal summative test (CAST). Results showed that the teacher education graduates entry-toexit profiles range from satisfactory to very satisfactory. Their licensure ratings were within average. As to the relationship among the variables and BLEPT ratings, the exit variable (CAST scores) and entry variable GSA entered as significant predictors of ratings of the graduates from b...
The study analyzed the five-year performance ratings of the Bachelor in Elementary Education (BEE... more The study analyzed the five-year performance ratings of the Bachelor in Elementary Education (BEE) and Bachelor in Secondary Education (BSE) graduates of Benguet State University – College of Teacher Education (BSU-CTE) in the Licensure Examinations for Teachers (LET). Using descriptive research design involving document analysis, the results of nine LET examinations from April 2010 to March 2015 were analyzed. Findings revealed that the accumulated performance ratings of the BEE and BSE graduates were high. The general ratings were platykurtic and negatively skewed. The performance ratings in the August/September schedules were significantly higher than in the March/April examinations. Further, the college performance ratings surpassed the national passing rate. In all nine examinations, the first-time takers and the fresh graduates had consistently outperformed the repeaters and old graduate takers. The Early Childhood Education (BEE-ECED) and the Biological Sciences (BSE-Bio. Sci...
Asian Journal of Contemporary Education
Licensure examination performance of graduates is one measure of the effectiveness of curricular ... more Licensure examination performance of graduates is one measure of the effectiveness of curricular programs. This study analyzed the five-year performance of 159 BLIS graduates in the Librarians’ Licensure Examination in from 2011 to 2015. Findings reveal that the passing the graduates’ passing rates were statistically consistent in the five-year duration. The average passing rate was moderately high at 57.89%, but the mean general rating was only 73.23%. The general ratings had a slightly platykurtic, negatively skewed distribution. Overall, the institutional passing rate surpassed the national passing rate by 45.12%. Passing rates were highest in Information Technology, Indexing and ing, and Library Organization and Management. Lower passing rates were posted in Selection and Acquisition of Library Materials, and in Cataloguing and Classification. The first timers, and the review center attendees, outperformed their respective counterparts, while the male and female examinees were s...
Cogent Education
Textbooks remain as major learning aids in all levels of education worldwide. Thus, textbooks mus... more Textbooks remain as major learning aids in all levels of education worldwide. Thus, textbooks must constantly be subjected to critical analysis in order to establish their curricular usefulness. This paper analyzed four commercial science textbooks designed for third grade Filipino learners. The four textbooks were analyzed according to readability and comprehensibility, content, and mechanical features. Readability was evaluated using popular readability formulas, while comprehensibility was determined using the Sonmez's formula and the cloze test methods. The content features were the textbooks' alignment with national science standards, conceptual errors, and level of gender bias. Finally, the mechanical features were focused on printing and lay-out, and handiness of the textbooks. Readability analysis revealed that the textbooks were written three to four grade levels higher, and two to 3 years older than their intended users. The dominant reading ease of the four textbooks ranged from fairly easy to easy, which means that the texts are suitable to sixth and seventh graders. The texts were highly to perfectly aligned with the country's national science standards. Three textbooks are generally gender fair while one has a low-level male bias. The average error/conceptual problem density is at one error in every six to eight pages. Misidentifications are the most common conceptual problems in the textbooks. Finally, the textbooks are noted very good in printing, layout, paper quality, binding, and handiness.
Cogent Education
Textbooks remain as major learning aids in all levels of education worldwide. Thus, textbooks mus... more Textbooks remain as major learning aids in all levels of education worldwide. Thus, textbooks must constantly be subjected to critical analysis in order to establish their curricular usefulness. This paper analyzed four commercial science textbooks designed for third grade Filipino learners. The four textbooks were analyzed according to readability and comprehensibility, content, and mechanical features. Readability was evaluated using popular readability formulas, while comprehensibility was determined using the Sonmez's formula and the cloze test methods. The content features were the textbooks' alignment with national science standards, conceptual errors, and level of gender bias. Finally, the mechanical features were focused on printing and lay-out, and handiness of the textbooks. Readability analysis revealed that the textbooks were written three to four grade levels higher, and two to 3 years older than their intended users. The dominant reading ease of the four textbooks ranged from fairly easy to easy, which means that the texts are suitable to sixth and seventh graders. The texts were highly to perfectly aligned with the country's national science standards. Three textbooks are generally gender fair while one has a low-level male bias. The average error/conceptual problem density is at one error in every six to eight pages. Misidentifications are the most common conceptual problems in the textbooks. Finally, the textbooks are noted very good in printing, layout, paper quality, binding, and handiness.
A common goal for science educators is to engage students in inquiry. Policy makers present inqui... more A common goal for science educators is to engage students in inquiry. Policy makers present inquiry as a continuum and several researchers extrapolate that this continuum is represented by a figure that moves from more to less guidance. Thus inquiry activities are labeled from more structure (low - level inquiry) to less structure (high - level inquiry).
This study characterized the level of inquiry in the undergraduate science education laboratory in a State University in the Cordillera Administrative Region. The implication of the result to the preparation of teachers in the K – 12 levels was also discussed.
Ten laboratory manuals in three fields of science were analyzed. All of these manuals are utilized by science education majors. From these ten laboratory manuals, 147 exercises or activities were evaluated. Each of the laboratory activities was rated from level 1 – confirmatory, level 2 – structured inquiry, level 3 – guided inquiry, level 4 – open inquiry, and level 5 – authentic inquiry. The ratings made were compared with those of two other evaluators and the inter-rater reliability index was determined.
Results showed that majority of the exercises are confirmatory in nature. Very few (less than 10%) of the exercises were higher than the guided inquiry level. There were limited activities involving open inquiry and no exercise involved authentic inquiry.
Results indicate that there is a need for professors handling science education majors to focus on less-structured forms of inquiry in their laboratory activities. It is a part of the instructor’s responsibility to plant the seeds of real inquiry to the minds of future science teachers in order to better prepare them to handle science in the K – 12 levels.
Article History Licensure examination performance of graduates is one measure of the effectivenes... more Article History Licensure examination performance of graduates is one measure of the effectiveness of curricular programs. This study analyzed the five-year performance of 159 BLIS graduates in the Librarians' Licensure Examination in from 2011 to 2015. Findings reveal that the passing the graduates' passing rates were statistically consistent in the five-year duration. The average passing rate was moderately high at 57.89%, but the mean general rating was only 73.23%. The general ratings had a slightly platykurtic, negatively skewed distribution. Overall, the institutional passing rate surpassed the national passing rate by 45.12%. Passing rates were highest in Information Technology, Indexing and Abstracting, and Library Organization and Management. Lower passing rates were posted in Selection and Acquisition of Library Materials, and in Cataloguing and Classification. The first timers, and the review center attendees, outperformed their respective counterparts, while the male and female examinees were statistically even. The first timers scored better than the repeaters in five areas, save cataloguing and classification. Meanwhile the male examinees and the center-reviewers were better than their counterparts on only one area-Library Organization and Management, and Selection and Acquisition of Library Materials, respectively. Recommendations as to the result of this study were proposed. Contribution/ Originality: This study is one of the very few studies which have investigated the result of licensure examination of librarians in the Philippines. The paper's primary contribution is finding that the alumni's performance varied significantly across the six examination areas. Also, the first timers outperformed the repeaters in passing rates.
Conference Presentations by Apler J Bansiong
A common goal for science educators is to engage students in inquiry. Policy makers present inqu... more A common goal for science educators is to engage students in inquiry. Policy makers present inquiry as a continuum and several researchers extrapolate that this continuum is represented by a figure that moves from more to less guidance. Thus inquiry activities are labeled from more structure (low - level inquiry) to less structure (high - level inquiry).
This study characterized the level of inquiry in the undergraduate science education laboratory in a State University in the Cordillera Administrative Region. The implication of the result to the preparation of teachers in the K – 12 levels was also discussed.
Ten laboratory manuals in three fields of science were analyzed. All of these manuals are utilized by science education majors. From these ten laboratory manuals, 147 exercises or activities were evaluated. Each of the laboratory activities was rated from level 1 – confirmatory, level 2 – structured inquiry, level 3 – guided inquiry, level 4 – open inquiry, and level 5 – authentic inquiry. The ratings made were compared with those of two other evaluators and the inter-rater reliability index was determined.
Results showed that majority of the exercises are confirmatory in nature. Very few (less than 10%) of the exercises were higher than the guided inquiry level. There were limited activities involving open inquiry and no exercise involved authentic inquiry.
Results indicate that there is a need for professors handling science education majors to focus on less-structured forms of inquiry in their laboratory activities. It is a part of the instructor’s responsibility to plant the seeds of real inquiry to the minds of future science teachers in order to better prepare them to handle science in the K – 12 levels.
KEYWORDS:
Inquiry, Levels of Inquiry, Science education majors, K – 12 science education.
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), Jun 20, 2020
A common goal for science educators is to engage students in inquiry. Policy makers present inqu... more A common goal for science educators is to engage students in inquiry. Policy makers present inquiry as a continuum and several researchers extrapolate that this continuum is represented by a figure that moves from more to less guidance. Thus inquiry activities are labeled from more structure (low - level inquiry) to less structure (high - level inquiry). This study characterized the level of inquiry in the undergraduate science education laboratory in a State University in the Cordillera Administrative Region. The implication of the result to the preparation of teachers in the K – 12 level was also discussed. Ten laboratory manuals in three fields of science were analyzed. All of these manuals are utilized by science education majors. From these ten laboratory manuals, 147 exercises or activities were evaluated. Each of the laboratory activities were rated from level 1 – confirmatory, level 2 – structured inquiry, level 3 – guided inquiry, level 4 – open inquiry, and level 5 –...
Asian Journal of Contemporary Education, 2017
Licensure examination performance of graduates is one measure of the effectiveness of curricular ... more Licensure examination performance of graduates is one measure of the effectiveness of curricular programs. This study analyzed the five-year performance of 159 BLIS graduates in the Librarians’ Licensure Examination in from 2011 to 2015. Findings reveal that the passing the graduates’ passing rates were statistically consistent in the five-year duration. The average passing rate was moderately high at 57.89%, but the mean general rating was only 73.23%. The general ratings had a slightly platykurtic, negatively skewed distribution. Overall, the institutional passing rate surpassed the national passing rate by 45.12%. Passing rates were highest in Information Technology, Indexing and ing, and Library Organization and Management. Lower passing rates were posted in Selection and Acquisition of Library Materials, and in Cataloguing and Classification. The first timers, and the review center attendees, outperformed their respective counterparts, while the male and female examinees were s...
Mountain Journal of Science and Interdisciplinary Research (formerly Benguet State University Research Journal), Dec 18, 2020
This study determined the graduates' reasons for pursuing secondary education, employment profile... more This study determined the graduates' reasons for pursuing secondary education, employment profiles, and job-search strategies and challenges. Data were collected from 602 Bachelor of Secondary Education graduates in the AY 2013-2017 at Benguet State University. The College of Teacher Education Graduate Tracer Questionnaire (CGTQ) was used to gather data. Findings showed that about half of the respondents personally chose the degree, indicating their intrinsic motivation towards secondary school teaching. This trend was consistent across most specializations. Moreover, about 90% of the graduates traced are gainfully employed, mostly as classroom teachers (65%). Very few are unemployed (3%) and self-employed (6%). About 70% of the graduates hold non-permanent status and are employed in the private sector (about 60%). Most of the graduates are employed a year after graduation, and their mode salaries range from Php5,000.00 to Php15,000.00. Only status of employment was influenced by their level of motivation towards teaching. Many of the graduates were able to find a job through their friends or relatives. Finally, the most important hindrances encountered by the graduates in their job search are the absence of or inadequacy of experience and the lack of jobs related to their degree or field of specialization.
This predictive study explored the influence of three admission variables on the college grade po... more This predictive study explored the influence of three admission variables on the college grade point average (CGPA), and licensure examination ratings of the 2015 teacher education graduates in a state-run university in Northern Philippines. The admission variables were high school grade point average (HSGPA), admission test (IQ) scores, and standardized test (General Scholastic Aptitude - GSA) scores. The participants were from two degree programs – Bachelor in Elementary Education (BEE) and Bachelor in Secondary education (BSE). The results showed that the graduates’ overall HSGPA were in the proficient level, while their admission and standardized test scores were average. Meanwhile, their mean licensure examination ratings were satisfactory, with high (BEE – 80.29%) and very high (BSE – 93.33%) passing rates. In both degree programs, all entry variables were significantly correlated and linearly associated with the CGPAs and licensure examination ratings of the participants....
The Normal Lights, 2019
This study analyzed the entry-to-exit academic profiles and licensure ratings of teacher educatio... more This study analyzed the entry-to-exit academic profiles and licensure ratings of teacher education graduates in a state university in the Cordillera Administrative Region in three academic years from 2014 to 2016. It also explored which of these academic variables can predict the graduates’ ratings in the Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (BLEPT). The entry variables were high school grade point average (HSGPA), Intelligence Quotient (IQ), and general scholastic aptitude (GSA). College performance included overall and subject GPAs, while exit performance was the scores in the competency appraisal summative test (CAST). Results showed that the teacher education graduates entry-toexit profiles range from satisfactory to very satisfactory. Their licensure ratings were within average. As to the relationship among the variables and BLEPT ratings, the exit variable (CAST scores) and entry variable GSA entered as significant predictors of ratings of the graduates from b...
The study analyzed the five-year performance ratings of the Bachelor in Elementary Education (BEE... more The study analyzed the five-year performance ratings of the Bachelor in Elementary Education (BEE) and Bachelor in Secondary Education (BSE) graduates of Benguet State University – College of Teacher Education (BSU-CTE) in the Licensure Examinations for Teachers (LET). Using descriptive research design involving document analysis, the results of nine LET examinations from April 2010 to March 2015 were analyzed. Findings revealed that the accumulated performance ratings of the BEE and BSE graduates were high. The general ratings were platykurtic and negatively skewed. The performance ratings in the August/September schedules were significantly higher than in the March/April examinations. Further, the college performance ratings surpassed the national passing rate. In all nine examinations, the first-time takers and the fresh graduates had consistently outperformed the repeaters and old graduate takers. The Early Childhood Education (BEE-ECED) and the Biological Sciences (BSE-Bio. Sci...
Asian Journal of Contemporary Education
Licensure examination performance of graduates is one measure of the effectiveness of curricular ... more Licensure examination performance of graduates is one measure of the effectiveness of curricular programs. This study analyzed the five-year performance of 159 BLIS graduates in the Librarians’ Licensure Examination in from 2011 to 2015. Findings reveal that the passing the graduates’ passing rates were statistically consistent in the five-year duration. The average passing rate was moderately high at 57.89%, but the mean general rating was only 73.23%. The general ratings had a slightly platykurtic, negatively skewed distribution. Overall, the institutional passing rate surpassed the national passing rate by 45.12%. Passing rates were highest in Information Technology, Indexing and ing, and Library Organization and Management. Lower passing rates were posted in Selection and Acquisition of Library Materials, and in Cataloguing and Classification. The first timers, and the review center attendees, outperformed their respective counterparts, while the male and female examinees were s...
Cogent Education
Textbooks remain as major learning aids in all levels of education worldwide. Thus, textbooks mus... more Textbooks remain as major learning aids in all levels of education worldwide. Thus, textbooks must constantly be subjected to critical analysis in order to establish their curricular usefulness. This paper analyzed four commercial science textbooks designed for third grade Filipino learners. The four textbooks were analyzed according to readability and comprehensibility, content, and mechanical features. Readability was evaluated using popular readability formulas, while comprehensibility was determined using the Sonmez's formula and the cloze test methods. The content features were the textbooks' alignment with national science standards, conceptual errors, and level of gender bias. Finally, the mechanical features were focused on printing and lay-out, and handiness of the textbooks. Readability analysis revealed that the textbooks were written three to four grade levels higher, and two to 3 years older than their intended users. The dominant reading ease of the four textbooks ranged from fairly easy to easy, which means that the texts are suitable to sixth and seventh graders. The texts were highly to perfectly aligned with the country's national science standards. Three textbooks are generally gender fair while one has a low-level male bias. The average error/conceptual problem density is at one error in every six to eight pages. Misidentifications are the most common conceptual problems in the textbooks. Finally, the textbooks are noted very good in printing, layout, paper quality, binding, and handiness.
Cogent Education
Textbooks remain as major learning aids in all levels of education worldwide. Thus, textbooks mus... more Textbooks remain as major learning aids in all levels of education worldwide. Thus, textbooks must constantly be subjected to critical analysis in order to establish their curricular usefulness. This paper analyzed four commercial science textbooks designed for third grade Filipino learners. The four textbooks were analyzed according to readability and comprehensibility, content, and mechanical features. Readability was evaluated using popular readability formulas, while comprehensibility was determined using the Sonmez's formula and the cloze test methods. The content features were the textbooks' alignment with national science standards, conceptual errors, and level of gender bias. Finally, the mechanical features were focused on printing and lay-out, and handiness of the textbooks. Readability analysis revealed that the textbooks were written three to four grade levels higher, and two to 3 years older than their intended users. The dominant reading ease of the four textbooks ranged from fairly easy to easy, which means that the texts are suitable to sixth and seventh graders. The texts were highly to perfectly aligned with the country's national science standards. Three textbooks are generally gender fair while one has a low-level male bias. The average error/conceptual problem density is at one error in every six to eight pages. Misidentifications are the most common conceptual problems in the textbooks. Finally, the textbooks are noted very good in printing, layout, paper quality, binding, and handiness.
A common goal for science educators is to engage students in inquiry. Policy makers present inqui... more A common goal for science educators is to engage students in inquiry. Policy makers present inquiry as a continuum and several researchers extrapolate that this continuum is represented by a figure that moves from more to less guidance. Thus inquiry activities are labeled from more structure (low - level inquiry) to less structure (high - level inquiry).
This study characterized the level of inquiry in the undergraduate science education laboratory in a State University in the Cordillera Administrative Region. The implication of the result to the preparation of teachers in the K – 12 levels was also discussed.
Ten laboratory manuals in three fields of science were analyzed. All of these manuals are utilized by science education majors. From these ten laboratory manuals, 147 exercises or activities were evaluated. Each of the laboratory activities was rated from level 1 – confirmatory, level 2 – structured inquiry, level 3 – guided inquiry, level 4 – open inquiry, and level 5 – authentic inquiry. The ratings made were compared with those of two other evaluators and the inter-rater reliability index was determined.
Results showed that majority of the exercises are confirmatory in nature. Very few (less than 10%) of the exercises were higher than the guided inquiry level. There were limited activities involving open inquiry and no exercise involved authentic inquiry.
Results indicate that there is a need for professors handling science education majors to focus on less-structured forms of inquiry in their laboratory activities. It is a part of the instructor’s responsibility to plant the seeds of real inquiry to the minds of future science teachers in order to better prepare them to handle science in the K – 12 levels.
Article History Licensure examination performance of graduates is one measure of the effectivenes... more Article History Licensure examination performance of graduates is one measure of the effectiveness of curricular programs. This study analyzed the five-year performance of 159 BLIS graduates in the Librarians' Licensure Examination in from 2011 to 2015. Findings reveal that the passing the graduates' passing rates were statistically consistent in the five-year duration. The average passing rate was moderately high at 57.89%, but the mean general rating was only 73.23%. The general ratings had a slightly platykurtic, negatively skewed distribution. Overall, the institutional passing rate surpassed the national passing rate by 45.12%. Passing rates were highest in Information Technology, Indexing and Abstracting, and Library Organization and Management. Lower passing rates were posted in Selection and Acquisition of Library Materials, and in Cataloguing and Classification. The first timers, and the review center attendees, outperformed their respective counterparts, while the male and female examinees were statistically even. The first timers scored better than the repeaters in five areas, save cataloguing and classification. Meanwhile the male examinees and the center-reviewers were better than their counterparts on only one area-Library Organization and Management, and Selection and Acquisition of Library Materials, respectively. Recommendations as to the result of this study were proposed. Contribution/ Originality: This study is one of the very few studies which have investigated the result of licensure examination of librarians in the Philippines. The paper's primary contribution is finding that the alumni's performance varied significantly across the six examination areas. Also, the first timers outperformed the repeaters in passing rates.
A common goal for science educators is to engage students in inquiry. Policy makers present inqu... more A common goal for science educators is to engage students in inquiry. Policy makers present inquiry as a continuum and several researchers extrapolate that this continuum is represented by a figure that moves from more to less guidance. Thus inquiry activities are labeled from more structure (low - level inquiry) to less structure (high - level inquiry).
This study characterized the level of inquiry in the undergraduate science education laboratory in a State University in the Cordillera Administrative Region. The implication of the result to the preparation of teachers in the K – 12 levels was also discussed.
Ten laboratory manuals in three fields of science were analyzed. All of these manuals are utilized by science education majors. From these ten laboratory manuals, 147 exercises or activities were evaluated. Each of the laboratory activities was rated from level 1 – confirmatory, level 2 – structured inquiry, level 3 – guided inquiry, level 4 – open inquiry, and level 5 – authentic inquiry. The ratings made were compared with those of two other evaluators and the inter-rater reliability index was determined.
Results showed that majority of the exercises are confirmatory in nature. Very few (less than 10%) of the exercises were higher than the guided inquiry level. There were limited activities involving open inquiry and no exercise involved authentic inquiry.
Results indicate that there is a need for professors handling science education majors to focus on less-structured forms of inquiry in their laboratory activities. It is a part of the instructor’s responsibility to plant the seeds of real inquiry to the minds of future science teachers in order to better prepare them to handle science in the K – 12 levels.
KEYWORDS:
Inquiry, Levels of Inquiry, Science education majors, K – 12 science education.