The Effectiveness Of Integrating Solid Waste Disposal And Management Based Socio-Scientific Issues Activities In Improving Knowledge And Promoting Character And Values Among Primary Pupils
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Date
2017-08
Authors
Subramaniam, Vijaya
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Malaysian primary school pupils are lacking in knowledge and having aminimal level of character and values towards solid waste disposal and management (SWDM) issues. Therefore, this study was conducted in order to study the effectiveness of integrating solid waste disposal and management (SWDM)-based socio-scientific issues(SSIs) activities in improving knowledge and promoting character and values among primary pupils. A total of 58 Year 6 pupils from a primary school participated in the current study which employed One-way Repeated Measures Design. A total of ten SWDM-based SSIs activities were designed based on 5E Instructional Model by employing questioning, hands-on activities, small group and whole class discussion techniques. Solid waste disposal and management knowledge test (SWDMT), character and values questionnaire (CVQ), open-ended knowledge tests (OPKT) and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. The outcome of One-way Repeated Measure ANOVA of SWDMT revealed that pupils’ knowledge improved significantly, F (1.879, 107.125) = 655.382;p=0.000, eta = 0.920. This finding is supported by the qualitative findings obtained from OPKT which indicated that the pupils had constructedthe knowledge well. While the One-way Repeated Measure ANOVA of CVQ revealed that there is a significant difference in pupils’overall character and values, F (1.328, 75.528) = 838.282;p=0.000, eta = 0.936 as well as for each construct in CVQ. This quantitative findingis supported by the qualitative interview analysis which showed that the pupils have well developed their character and values in terms of ecological worldview, social and moral compassion and socio-scientific accountability. The findings of this study suggest that SWDM-based SSIs activities would be an effective approach to educate the pupils as early as from primary school on how to manage the issues pertaining to solid waste. Nowadays, as issues related to solid waste is mounting integratingSWDM-based SSIs activities is imperative and timely.
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Keywords
The effectiveness of integrating solid waste disposal , in improving knowledge and promoting character and values among primary pupils