Dr. Lourdes Filoteo, a faculty member of College of Science and Mathematics (CSM)-Chemistry Department and currently the Testing and Evaluation Center Director, presented her study in the 16th World Congress on Comparative Education Studies in Beijing Normal University in Beijing, China last Aug. 22-26, 2016. The study is entitled “Epistemological-Enhanced Instruction: A Meta-Thinking Approach to Teaching Chemistry”.
The study aims to determine if the students’ beliefs about concepts learned in chemistry would differ utilizing the meta-thinking approach to teaching chemistry compared to those exposed to the traditional method of teaching. This teaching approach involves pre-lecture demonstration, demonstration proper, post-demonstration lecture and evaluation. It is a student-led activity designed to enhance learning concepts in chemistry focusing on their knowledge beliefs through their active engagement in the learning process.
In this research, the students are made to reflect when required to justify and defend their own ideas and points-of-view. They have to express their intuitive ideas in an environment where nobody stands alone. Dr. Filoteo in her study concluded that this teaching approach enhanced students’ beliefs on concepts learned in chemistry.
Dr. Filoteo is proud that she was able to present her study in this conference. “It’s very nice to be able to participate and present in this conference because it will widen your perspective,” said the Director of Testing and Evaluation Center. “You can adapt their best practices and at the same time you can share your best practices with them and they adapt it, too,” she added.
Although it wasn’t the first time she presented a paper in the international arena, she was honored to be able to present and represent WMSU in this international conference especially that this happens only once in three years. (Liezel M. Parreño, WMSU-PAO)