constructivist learning

This study examined the implementation and perceived effectiveness of Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) strategies in science among teachers and students in five public junior high schools in Panabo City, Davao del Norte. Anchored in Constructivist Learning Theory, Social Constructivism, Progressive Inquiry, and Cognitive Load Theory, it employed a quantitative descriptive-correlational design. Respondents comprised 31 Science teachers selected through total enumeration and 100 Grade 10 students selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using validated researcher-developed questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and independent samples t-tests. Teachers rated IBL implementation as Highly Implemented (M = 4.66) and its effectiveness as Highly Effective (M = 4.71), whereas students rated implementation as Implemented (M = 4.17) and effectiveness as Effective (M = 4.09). Significant positive relationships emerged between implementation and perceived effectiveness, with stronger associations in students’ assessments. Significant differences between teacher and student ratings indicated disparities in their classroom perceptions. The findings concerned student engagement, conceptual understanding, scientific inquiry skills, collaborative learning, and problem-solving abilities. The study proposed the INQUIRE+ Professional Development Program to strengthen Science teachers’ inquiry-based instruction through coaching, collaborative lesson study, reflective practice, and systematic monitoring and evaluation. It aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) by supporting improved Science instruction and continuing teacher development. Its contribution to educational and institutional sustainability lies in promoting sustained professional learning, school-based collaboration, and evidence-informed instructional improvement across participating schools and varied local classroom learning contexts. Further evaluation of the proposed program is needed to establish its effectiveness after implementation.

This study aims to analyze the integration between the cognitive process dimensions of Revised Bloom's Taxonomy and the structural complexity of the SOLO Taxonomy in questions constructed by pre-service biology teachers, as well as its correlation with students' cognitive learning outcomes. A descriptive-quantitative approach with co-relational analysis was employed, evaluating a total sample of 420 question sentences generated by students during their field teaching program (PPL). Data collection was conducted using double-coding observation rubrics and statistically processed via Spearman’s rho non-parametric correlation test. The results indicated a stark gradation phenomenon, with question distribution heavily accumulating within lower-order thinking skills (LOTS), predominantly spanning the Remembering (C1) and Understanding (C2) levels with Unistructural and Multistructural reasoning profiles. Conversely, higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) were strictly concentrated at the Analyzing (C4) and Evaluating (C5) levels, aligning with Relational and Extended Abstract structures. Statistical analysis revealed a positive and significant correlation coefficient (p = 0.707, p < 0.001), indicating a very strong linear relationship where higher cognitive demands inherently correspond to greater structural reasoning maturity. In conclusion, while pre-service teachers possess a solid foundation in factual knowledge, their capacity to formulate higher-order questions remains limited. Therefore, transforming classroom communication through constructivist learning strategies and gradual conceptual scaffolding is highly recommended to foster integrative thinking and bridge the cognitive transition toward deep conceptual understanding.

Introduction Research Methodology education in higher education presents persistent andragogical challenges, including conceptual complexity, limited student engagement, inconsistent curriculum structures and weak connections to authentic inquiry. This study compares Research Methods curricula in Australia and South Africa to examine how curricula can be designed through constructivist learning theory. Methods Using a constructivist quadethnographic approach, four educators from two institutions engaged in collaborative autoethnographic dialogue over five months, critically reflecting on curriculum structures, teaching experiences and student learning behaviours. Results The analysis identified shared challenges across both contexts, including learning outcomes oriented towards lower-order cognitive skills, theoretical content-dominated teaching, limited scaffolded and collaborative inquiry, uneven temporal structures, superficial treatment of ethics and weak connections between research skills and professional practice. These limitations resulted primarily in formal or technical alignment rather than meaningful constructive alignment. Discussion The study proposes the Constructivist Engagement Framework for Research Methods Education, comprising Curriculum Intent, Learning Design, Andragogical Practice and Learning Culture. The framework provides a conceptual and practical guide for curriculum development and highlights implications for curriculum reform, professional learning and institutional support. Further empirical research is recommended to evaluate and refine the framework across disciplines and programmes.

مقدمه: آموزش روش تحقیق در آموزش عالی با چالش‌های مداوم آندرگوژیکی مواجه است، از جمله پیچیدگی مفهومی، مشارکت محدود دانشجویان، ساختارهای نامنسجم برنامه درسی و ارتباط ضعیف با پژوهش اصیل. این مطالعه به مقایسه برنامه‌های درسی روش تحقیق در استرالیا و آفریقای جنوبی می‌پردازد تا بررسی کند چگونه می‌توان برنامه‌های درسی را بر اساس نظریه یادگیری سازه‌گرایانه طراحی کرد. روش‌ها: با بهره‌گیری از رویکرد چهارنفره‌نگاری سازه‌گرایانه، چهار مدرس از دو مؤسسه طی پنج ماه در گفت‌وگوی خوداتنوگرافیک مشارکتی شرکت کردند و به طور انتقادی به بازتاب ساختارهای برنامه درسی، تجارب تدریس و رفتارهای یادگیری دانشجویان پرداختند. یافته‌ها: تحلیل انجام‌شده چالش‌های مشترکی را در هر دو زمینه شناسایی کرد، از جمله نتایج یادگیری مبتنی بر مهارت‌های شناختی سطح پایین‌تر، غلبه محتوای نظری بر تدریس، محدودیت در پژوهش تدریجی و مشارکتی، ساختارهای زمانی نامنظم، پرداخت سطحی به اخلاق و ارتباط ضعیف میان مهارت‌های پژوهشی و عمل حرفه‌ای. این محدودیت‌ها عمدتاً منجر به همسویی صوری یا فنی به جای همسویی سازنده معنادار می‌شوند. بحث: این مطالعه چارچوب مشارکت سازه‌گرایانه برای آموزش روش تحقیق را پیشنهاد می‌کند که شامل هدف برنامه درسی، طراحی یادگیری، عمل آندرگوژیکی و فرهنگ یادگیری است. این چارچوب راهنمای مفهومی و عملی برای توسعه برنامه درسی ارائه می‌دهد و پیامدهایی برای اصلاح برنامه درسی، یادگیری حرفه‌ای و حمایت نهادی برجسته می‌کند. انجام پژوهش‌های تجربی بیشتر برای ارزیابی و اصلاح این چارچوب در رشته‌ها و برنامه‌های مختلف توصیه می‌شود.