Nothing Special   »   [go: up one dir, main page]

Skip to main content
Log in

The Impact of Student Self-efficacy on Scientific Inquiry Skills: An Exploratory Investigation in River City, a Multi-user Virtual Environment

  • Published:
Journal of Science Education and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This exploratory study investigated data-gathering behaviors exhibited by 100 seventh-grade students as they participated in a scientific inquiry-based curriculum project delivered by a multi-user virtual environment (MUVE). This research examined the relationship between students’ self-efficacy on entry into the authentic scientific activity and the longitudinal data-gathering behaviors they employed while engaged in that process. Three waves of student behavior data were gathered from a server-side database that recorded all student activity in the MUVE; these data were analyzed using individual growth modeling. The study found that self-efficacy correlated with the number of data-gathering behaviors in which students initially engaged, with high self-efficacy students engaging in more data gathering than students with low self-efficacy. Also, the impact of student self-efficacy on rate of change in data gathering behavior differed by gender. However, by the end of their time in the MUVE, initial student self-efficacy no longer correlated with data gathering behaviors. In addition, students’ level of self-efficacy did not affect how many different sources from which they chose to gather data. These results suggest that embedding science inquiry curricula in novel platforms like a MUVE might act as a catalyst for change in students’ self-efficacy and learning processes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.

Notes

  1. This finding is possibly a result of the visits analyzed since team collaboration increases throughout the project culminating in the last week of the project, which was not a part of this analysis.

  2. Throughout this article, I have collapsed the effect of teacher into an average value.

References

  • Alberts B. (2000) Some thoughts of a scientist on inquiry. In J. Minstrell, E. H. van Zee (Eds.) Inquiring into Inquiry Learning and Teaching in Science. Washington DC: American Association for the Advancement of Science. pp. 3–13

    Google Scholar 

  • American Association for the Advancement of Science (1990) Science for all Americans. New York: Oxford University Press

    Google Scholar 

  • American Association for the Advancement of Science (1993). Project 2061: Benchmarks for science literacy. New York: Oxford University Press

  • Bandura A. (1977) Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review 84(2):191–215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bandura A. (1986) Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall

    Google Scholar 

  • Bong, M. (1996). Perceived Similarity among Tasks and Generalizability of Academic Self-efficacy (Reports—Research/Technical. Speeches, Conference Papers)

  • Business Higher Education Forum (2005). A commitment to America’s future: Responding to the crisis in mathematics and science education. Available: http://www.bhef.com/MathEduReport-press.pdf [2005, July]

  • Coble, C., and Allen, M. (2005). Keeping America competitive: Five strategies to mathematics and science education. Denver: Education Commission of the States

  • Collins, J. L. (1984). Self-efficacy and ability in achievement behavior. Stanford University, Unpublished thesis

  • Grigg, W., Lauko, M., and Brockway, D. (2006). The Nation’s Report Card: Science 2005 (NCES 2006-466). US Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office

  • Jinks, J., & Morgan, V. (1996). Students’ sense of academic efficacy and achievement in science: A useful new direction for research regarding scientific literacy. Electronic Journal of Science Education 1(2)

  • Ketelhut, D. J. (2004) Assessing science self-efficacy in a virtual environment: A measurement pilot. Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, Unpublished qualifying paper

  • Ketelhut, D. J., and Nelson, B. (in review) Designing for real-world inquiry in virtual environments.

  • Ketelhut, D. J., Dede, C., Clarke, J., and Nelson, B. Studying situated learning in a multi-user virtual environment. In E. Baker, J. Dickieson, W. Wulfeck, & H. O’Neil (Eds.), Assessment of Problem Solving Using Simulations. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Mahwah, NJ (in press)

  • Krotoski, A. (2004). Chicks and joysticks: An exploration of women and gaming. Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association. Available: http://www.elspa.com/assets/files/c/chicksandjoysticksanexplorationofwomenandgaming_176.pdf [2006, July 1]

  • Lawless K. A., Kulikowich J. M. (1996) Understanding hypertext navigation through cluster analysis. Journal of Educational Computing Research 14(4):385–399

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lemke J. (1990) Talking science: Language, learning, and values. Norwood, NJ: Ablex Publishing

    Google Scholar 

  • Lent R. W., Brown S. D., Larkin K. C. (1984) Relation of self-efficacy expectations to academic achievement and persistence. Journal of Counseling Psychology 31:356–362

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leonard W. H., Speziale B. J., Penick J. E. (2001) Performance assessment of a standards-based high school biology curriculum. American Biology Teacher 63(5):310–316

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lopez F. G., Lent R. W. (1992) Sources of mathematics self-efficacy in high school students. The Career Development Quarterly 41:3–12

    Google Scholar 

  • National Research Council (1996) National science education standards: Observe, interact, change, learn. Washington, DC: National Academy Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, B. (2005). Investigating the impact of individualized, reflective guidance on student learning in an educational multi-user virtual environment. Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, Unpublished dissertation

  • Nelson B., Ketelhut D. J., Clarke J., Bowman C., Dede C. (2005) Design-based research strategies for developing a scientific inquiry curriculum in a multi-user virtual environment. Educational Technology 45(1):21–27

    Google Scholar 

  • New York State (2003). New York state school report card comprehensive information report. Available: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/repcrdfall2003/cir/662401060008.pdf [2005, July]

  • Pajares, F. (1995). Self-efficacy in academic settings. Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association, San Francisco, CA

  • Pajares, F. (1996). Assessing self-efficacy beliefs and academic outcomes: The case for specificity and correspondence, [Internet]. Available: http://www.emory.edu/EDUCATION/mfp/aera2.html [2004, February 21]

  • Pajares, F. (1997). Current directions in self-effiacacy research. In M. Maehr & P. R. Pintrich (Eds.), Advances in Motivation and Achievement (Vol. 10, pp. 1–49) Greenwich, CT: JAI Press

  • Pajares, F. (2000). Schooling in America: Myths, mixed messages, and good intentions (Lecture): Emory University, Cannon Chapel

  • Pajares F., Miller M. D. (1994) Role of self-efficacy and self-concept beliefs in mathematical problem solving: A path analysis. Journal of Educational Psychology 86(2):193–203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singer J., Willett J. (2003) Applied longitudinal data analysis. New York: Oxford University Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith P. L., Fouad N. A. (1999) Subject-matter specificity of self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, interests, and goals: Implications for the social-cognitive model. Journal of Counseling Psychology 46(4):461–471

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tai R., Liu C., Maltese A., Fan X. (2006) CAREER CHOICE: Enhanced: Planning early for careers in science. Science 312(5777):1143–1144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmerman B. J., Bandura A. (1994) Impact of self-regulatory influences on writing course attainment. American Educational Research Journal 31:845–862

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Diane Jass Ketelhut.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ketelhut, D.J. The Impact of Student Self-efficacy on Scientific Inquiry Skills: An Exploratory Investigation in River City, a Multi-user Virtual Environment. J Sci Educ Technol 16, 99–111 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-006-9038-y

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-006-9038-y

Keywords

Navigation