Exploring students’ understanding in making a decision on a socioscientific issue using a persuasive graphic organiser

Abstract

The common use of questionnaires and qualitative assessments revealed that students experience difficulties in visualising the structural complexity of decision making. Thus, the use of scientific knowledge was disconnected while making a preference. The focus of this research was to explore students’ understanding of the global warming issue using a Persuasive Graphic Organiser (PGO). This research was conducted among 36 students (Grades 7-9) at a school in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The developed PGO and interviews were utilised as the primary data collection techniques. Meanwhile, a constant comparative procedure was employed in the qualitative data analysis. Results showed that the use of PGO assisted students’ visualisation in relating three essential understandings of the global warming issue. The students were able to: 1) identify anthropogenic factor affecting global warming; 2) clarify the effects of global warming in health aspect, and 3) provide alternative solutions regarding green technology and daily practices. It was also found that PGO is operationally workable and can be conveniently utilised as a visualisation tool for promoting students’ understanding in socioscientific decision-making.