Effects of a Brain-Based Evolutionary Approach Using Rapid-cycling Brassica rapa on Elementary School Students' Interests in Life Cycle of Plants

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of elementary science instruction applying a Brain-Based Evolutionary (ABC-DEF) approach using Rapid-cycling Brassica rapa (RcBr) on the interests of elementary school students. For this study, two elementary school classes in Seoul and one elementary school class in Gyeonggi-do were selected. Comparison group received instruction using textbook and teacher's guidebook. A class taught using only brain-based evolutionary approach is experimental group A, and a class taught through brain-based evolutionary approach using RcBr is experimental group B. In order to analyze the quantitative differences about the interests of students, three kinds of test were administered to the students: 'Applied Unit-Related Interests', 'Follow-up Interests' and 'Interests in the observation material'. To get more information, qualitative data such as portfolios and interviews were analyzed. The major findings are as follows. First, for the test of applied unit-related interests, a statistically significant difference was found between comparison group and experimental group A, and between comparison group and experimental group B. As the results of interviews, the students have shown that the intensified exploration activities on plant in Brain-Based Evolutionary approach applied to experimental groups A and B had a positive effect. Second, for test of follow-up interests, we classified the students' follow-up interests into three types: extended-developed-deepened (EDD) type, simply expanded-maintained (SEM) type, and stopped or decreased (SD) type. Both experimental group A and experimental group B showed the highest percentage of EDD. Also, observation journal applying the evolutionary process (DEF) showed a positive effect on the students' interest. Comparison group showed the highest percentage of SEM. Third, for test of applied interests in the observation material, a statistically significant difference was found between comparison group and experimental group A, and comparison group and experimental group B. Experimental group B using RcBr showed the highest average score, while experimental group A showed a higher score than comparison group. Based on these findings, educational implications of Brain-Based Evolutionary approach and using RcBr are discussed.