Philippine E-Journals

CLOSING THE GENDER GAP THROUGH OPEN INQUIRY LEARNING

Arra Q. Abaniel

 

Abstract:

There is a gap in the literatures to complete the picture of gender differences in inquiry-based learning. This study aims to add in the needed literatures. This study investigated the gender difference in the attitudes towards science between male and female students after being exposed to an open inquiry learning model in Physics (OILMP). Colorado Learning Attitude about Science Survey and its scoring sheet were applied in the study. The results revealed that there are positive shifts in the overall learning attitudes of both male and female students. Large shifts in the categories: personal interest, real world connection and sense-making or effort. Large shifts were also observed in overall categories. There were negative shifts in the conceptual understanding and applied conceptual understanding for both male and female students. Because of the positive impact of the OILMP on the attitude of the students, this model has a potential to seal the gender gap in science engagement and Science learning.