Active Learning Methodologies in a Solar Power, Middle-Grade Curriculum for Palestinian Schools

Peter Rillero; Alissa Koerner; Abdel Karim Daragmeh; Kozan Soykal

doi:10.29333/ijese/7814

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Peter Rillero ¹ ^* , Alissa Koerner ¹, Abdel Karim Daragmeh ², Kozan Soykal ¹

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¹ Arizona State University, UNITED STATES² Najah National University, PALESTINE^* Corresponding Author

Abstract

Palestine has great potential for solar energy use because of its status as an occupied territory with accompanying energy challenges and the area’s ample amounts of sunshine. Solar energy education and the incorporation of active-learning methods can promote learning about key scientific concepts, environmental benefits, and uses of solar energy, while developing problem-solving and inquiry abilities. A grades six to nine curriculum on solar energy for Palestinian schools is described, which uses structured inquiry, problem-based learning, and multimedia animated videos. The format for the activities is exploration occurs first followed by concept formation using the videos and discussions. A three-day teacher workshop led participants through the experiences. A subsequent implementation in schools was observed. Participants had overall positive attitudes toward the curriculum, the active-student learning methods, their abilities to implement, and the positive effects the program would have on student learning.

Keywords

solar energy
inquiry
problem-based learning
middle school
Palestine
photovoltaics
animation

License

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

INTERDISCIP J ENV SCI ED, Volume 16, Issue 2, 2020, Article No: e2211

https://doi.org/10.29333/ijese/7814

Publication date: 26 Feb 2020

Article Views: 2976

Article Downloads: 2761

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How to cite this article

APA

Rillero, P., Koerner, A., Daragmeh, A. K., & Soykal, K. (2020). Active Learning Methodologies in a Solar Power, Middle-Grade Curriculum for Palestinian Schools. Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental and Science Education, 16(2), e2211. https://doi.org/10.29333/ijese/7814

Vancouver

Rillero P, Koerner A, Daragmeh AK, Soykal K. Active Learning Methodologies in a Solar Power, Middle-Grade Curriculum for Palestinian Schools. INTERDISCIP J ENV SCI ED. 2020;16(2):e2211. https://doi.org/10.29333/ijese/7814

AMA

Rillero P, Koerner A, Daragmeh AK, Soykal K. Active Learning Methodologies in a Solar Power, Middle-Grade Curriculum for Palestinian Schools. INTERDISCIP J ENV SCI ED. 2020;16(2), e2211. https://doi.org/10.29333/ijese/7814

Chicago

Rillero, Peter, Alissa Koerner, Abdel Karim Daragmeh, and Kozan Soykal. "Active Learning Methodologies in a Solar Power, Middle-Grade Curriculum for Palestinian Schools". Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental and Science Education 2020 16 no. 2 (2020): e2211. https://doi.org/10.29333/ijese/7814

Harvard

Rillero, P., Koerner, A., Daragmeh, A. K., and Soykal, K. (2020). Active Learning Methodologies in a Solar Power, Middle-Grade Curriculum for Palestinian Schools. Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental and Science Education, 16(2), e2211. https://doi.org/10.29333/ijese/7814

MLA

Rillero, Peter et al. "Active Learning Methodologies in a Solar Power, Middle-Grade Curriculum for Palestinian Schools". Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental and Science Education, vol. 16, no. 2, 2020, e2211. https://doi.org/10.29333/ijese/7814