The study aimed to explore the capability and self-efficacy of interdisciplinary instructional design held by college students. Since science education trends are moving towards integrating different disciplines worldwide, multidisciplinary teaching and learning are also addressed in the new Taiwanese curriculum guidelines. Twenty-three college students with science majors took a three-semester hour course related to primary science teaching and learning. During the course periods, the participants were voluntarily invited to complete several inquiry-based learning activities emphasizing cross-subject and theme-based content. At the end of the semester, they presented their interdisciplinary instructional design focusing on science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM). The instrument called the questionnaires of attitude towards scientific inquiry, cross-discipline, and instructional design was validated by ten researchers. College students were invited to fill out the questionnaire at the course's beginning and end. Student work, questionnaires, and feedback were collected from the participants for the analysis. Results indicated that the college students presented many fun and exciting interdisciplinary activities, including catapult, gear track, float boat, creative water filter, spring, etc. The STEAM educational activities designed by the participants combined with the scientific inquiry of manipulated, control, and dependent variables in their experimental design. After the course training, the participants gained confidence and expressed their positive self-efficacy and interest in interdisciplinary instructional design and future primary science teaching. To sum up, efforts are worth attention to strengthen college students' capability to design cross-field science activities.

Authors:
Ying-Feng Wang, National Taichung University of Education, Taiwan

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Ying-Feng Wang is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at National Taichung University of Education in Taiwan

See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule

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