Vessela Pavlova, PhD student
Dr. Alexandria Gendjova, Assoc. Prof.
University of Sofia
https://doi.org/10.53656/ped2024-2s.07
Absract. For successful science education, it is very important to connect the science with the real life. The study aims to establish the effect of learning chemistry topics within daily life context (human health, society, environment) on 9th grade students’ motivation and engagement. To evaluate students’ motivation is used Context-Based Chemistry Motivation Scale, and for learners’ opinion -
open-ended survey. The participants are 113 Public High School ninth graders. As a result of learning in context, students show high levels of motivation in three aspects - enthusiasm, efficacy and performance. They prefer context-based to traditional learning. The connection of chemistry with the real world helps them to realize the meaning of what they have learned, to better understanding and remembering the chemical concepts, to learn in a more interesting and enjoyable environment. Learners engage in activities about protection of the human health and the environment.
Keywords: chemistry; context-based learning; students’ motivation