This study investigated the perceptions of science and math educators and their students at the Lebanese University related to online teaching and learning during the Covid-19 lockdown. For this purpose, two questionnaires were elaborated and validated based on two theoretical frameworks: The Community of inquiry for online learning environments and the Online collaborative learning theory. 35 educators (14 math and 21 science) and 245 students (109 math and 136 science) participated. Results showed that both science and math educators, with no significant difference between them, adjusted their courses for online teaching utilizing new resources shared with students. Online teaching allowed them to create an interactive community that encouraged students to explore concepts, construct explanations, apply and reflect on their learning. Both science and math students agreed that online learning enabled them to be more independent to explore new ideas and reflect on them with the instructor playing the role of a tutor rather than a knowledge transformer. The findings imply that online environment can allow active learning, and can provide the opportunity for students to acquire skills like, problem solving, critical thinking and collaboration. Further research is recommended related to critical thinking in online environment.

Research methodology is an essential subject in higher education, however, it is challenging to instructors because of the complexity of the course material. This study aims to highlight the conceptions, difficulties and practices of the Lebanese University research methodology instructors and research work supervisors. For this purpose, research experts constructed and validated a questionnaire. 81 instructors and / or supervisors voluntarily participated. Results showed diversification in conceptions of participants with respect to some common essential concepts within the framework of research methodology, this reflects the complexity of the content and can hinder teaching research methodology (TRM) as well as supervising research work (SRW). Moreover, the participants indicated that they face many difficulties during SRW. The majority of the instructors elaborate their own resources for teaching methodology, they implement student-centered teaching methods and variety of assessment methods allowing students to explore and practice methodology concepts. In addition, they update their knowledge and practices on their own by attending conferences, performing research, discussing with colleagues, and by reflecting on their practices. Thus, our findings imply the need to precise the competencies required for TRM and SRW, and to encourage instructors and supervisors to reflect on their practices and share their experiences.

International audienceThis study articulates two theoretical frameworks to identify their possible interactions: the documentational approach to analyze the documentary work of teachers, and the KVP model to study their conceptions about genetic determinism. Our combined methodology allowed the definition of critical resources and situations to infer conceptions. The results show that the conceptions of the two selected teachers, govern their choice of resources, also (digital) resources consolidate or might be the origin of their conceptions. Thus, the teacher of the public school that has outdated knowledge (K) on the genetic determinism that might reflect her innate values (V), has chosen in her practice (P) two resources applying hereditarianism model: the biology national textbook for grade 11 S (mobilized, and implemented critical resource) and a slide show (elaborated and implemented critical resource). However, her interactions with digital resources have helped in non-stabilized evolution in her conceptions toward epigenetic. The teacher in private school with a dynamic system of resources and updated knowledge (K) that might reflect her less innate values (V), grants a central place in her practice (P) to her digital archive that is constantly updated, and to a mobilized and implemented critical resource (French biology textbook Bordas, Grade 11, Scientific section) applying the epigenetic model.Cette étude articule deux cadres théoriques afin d’identifier leurs possibles interactions : l’approche documentaire pour analyser le travail documentaire des enseignants, et le modèle KVP pour étudier leurs conceptions sur le déterminisme génétique. Notre méthodologie a permis la définition de ressources et situations critiques susceptibles d’inférer ces conceptions. Les résultats montrent que les conceptions des deux enseignantes sélectionnées régiraient leur choix de ressources, et que les ressources (numériques) pouvaient agir sur leurs conceptions. Ainsi, l’enseignante de l’école publique, qui a des connaissances dépassées (K) sur le déterminisme génétique qui refléteraient ses valeurs innéistes (V), a choisi dans sa pratique (P) deux ressources appliquant le modèle héréditariste, le manuel de biologie libanais de 1re S (ressource critique mobilisée et implémentée) et un diaporama (ressource critique élaborée et implémentée). Cependant, ses interactions avec les ressources numériques ont permis un début d’évolution, non stabilisée, dans ses conceptions vers l’épigénétique. L’enseignante de l’école privée, avec un système de ressources dynamique et des connaissances actualisées (K) qui refléteraient ses valeurs (V) moins innéistes, accorde une place centrale dans sa pratique (P) à son archive numérique mise à jour en permanence, et à une ressource critique mobilisée et implémentée (le manuel de biologie Bordas de 1re S) appliquant le modèle épigénétique

This study investigated the effect of applying “participant modeling” followed by a role play on grade eleven scientific students’ achievement and motivation in biology. Students usually face problems in understanding difficult biology concepts like Krebs cycle which is composed of a series of biochemical reactions with many molecules and compounds involved. The researcher designed t-shirts with information about the molecules and the reactions of Krebs cycle and students were asked to wear them throughout the teaching/learning process. Implementing participant modeling helped students to memorize the names of the molecules, their role. Then a role play was applied after modeling to relate the chemical reactions together. Nineteen students with ages ranging between 16 and 17 (N=19) enrolled in grade eleven scientific participated in this study. Data was collected using pre and post-achievement tests, and a motivation test that was implemented before and after the intervention. Results showed a significant enhancement in achievement, but no significant change occurred at the level of motivation.  Ultimately, recommendations related to both methodology and future researches are offered.

The economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic since 2019 forced both public and private schools in Lebanon to close for an extended period of time. Many topics were suspended from the curriculum due to decreasing the number of learning days. The predominant causes of learning loss are lengthy gaps or cutouts in students’ education. This study aims to investigate the impact of school closure on students’ learning, specifically the learning loss in biology at the secondary level during the period between 2019-2022. This is a mixed research: qualitative data was collected through document analysis to compare the topics covered in biology and the official exams for grade 12-Life Science section during the last two academic years with those covered and implemented before the dual crisis; and quantitative data through teachers’ questionnaire implemented to address the biology learning loss. The results revealed a huge learning loss in biology, more than 50 % of the biology program was not covered in grades 10, 11-S and 12-LS, and a decline in the quality of the official exams. Similar results were obtained in a parallel study addressing Lebanese secondary students’ learning loss in mathematics.