Online Learning & Thinking in Science: Uncovering How Secondary School Students Learn About Velocity in a Web-based Environment

Ngozi Harrison

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ABSTRACT

Research suggests it is important to understand students’ metacognition and how they make meaning of science . This qualitative case study investigates the effects of Web-based instruction on students’ metacognition about learning science. More specifically, this study examines how students’ metacognition is developed when learning science in a Web-based environment that is supposed to promote metacognitive thinking. The units of analysis are four middle school students. Data for this study include transcripts of interviews, reflective essays, field observation notes, and students’ responses to prompts in the Web-based learning environment. The findings show that an online learning environment provides a platform for students to make their thinking visible and develop their metacognition as they learn science with peers and with the purposeful instructional intervention of their teacher. This study has implications for educational stakeholders concerned about improving science learning for all students.