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Bio

Presentation

Paper

Beverly Dixson
University of North Carolina at Asheville

Subject Listing - Education
Advisor: Dr. James McGlinn

Thursday, Oral Session 2, Presentation 1, Karpen Hall 113

INCREASED STUDENT COMPREHENSION OF SCIENCE TEXT THROUGH THE USE OF HANDS-ON PRE-LEARNING EXPLORATORY ACTIVITIES

This research explores the relationship between hands-on pre-learning activities and student comprehension of science text. Twenty five students from an urban high school in Western North Carolina were the subjects of the study. The research took place over the course of six weeks. A base line of student scores on tests and quizzes was established before pre-learning activities began. During the experimental treatment, student's used pre-learning activities that consisted of exploratory work with concrete materials. Student scores on tests and quizzes were compared for pre treatment and during treatment assessment. The students were also administered pre- and post-surveys to measure student attitudes toward the new method of material introduction. The results of these assessments are reported and analyzed. Suggestions for teachers and implications for future research are discussed.

Advisor: Dr. James McGlinn, Professor, Education, University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC