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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Curricular integration in school usually departs from a theme that reveals potential to interrelate
knowledge from different disciplinary areas. However, an integrated approach can also be achieved by
following a certain didactic line, problem situation or activity. In this study, a Problem Based Learning
(PBL) methodology was implemented with the intention of promoting better learning in the fields of
Science and Mother Tongue (Portuguese). This methodology has been used at different levels of
schooling, especially related with Science learning, and our aim was to verify its potential to the
improvement of expository text production. The participants were 44 pupils from the 4th grade of a
primary state school, aged between 8-9 years old, divided into two groups (the experimental one and
the control one). To achieve the established aim, three activities related to topics of the science
syllabus were designed in accordance with PBL principles, that are: a) to present a problem that is
relevant in a real context; b) to frame it using a real or a fictional scenario that can motivate pupils c) to
give data sources to help its resolution; d) to promote collaborative work; e) to help pupils dealing with
the proposed data sources through a tutorial process; f) to ask for a final product in which the answer
to the problem is included; g) to assess all the learning process, presenting new situations that imply
the knowledge acquired. The study took place during three months and the written productions of
pupils were assessed with the help of grids for learning verification of scientific concepts and
internalization of the key dimensions associated with written text production. The control group had a
traditional approach of the contents of both disciplines. The results were particularly encouraging in
the experimental group in terms of the presented aims, and reveled that the use of PBL can help
learning in the two subject areas involved. It was also verified that the use of PBL activities had an
impact on communication skills of pupils as well as in their motivation for learning.
Description
Keywords
Problem based learning Expository text Science learning
Citation
Odete Vaz, António Almeida, Carolina Gonçalves: PBL Methodology: Enhancing Science and Mother Tongue Integration. International Conference New Perspectives in Science Education, Florence (Italy);