Investigating the relationships between the dimensions of modeling competence

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Moritz Krell
• Subject Area: General and Domain-Specific Teaching and Learning
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 510978671

Modeling is central to authentic scientific endeavor and modeling competence is defined as one goal of science education. Pre-service science teachers (PSTs) are expected to gain high modeling competence in their professional development at university. The modeling competence comprises of three constituent dimensions: modeling metaknowledge (metamodeling knowledge [MMK] and metacognitive knowledge of the modeling process [MKMP]), modeling practices, and modeling product. Although much is known about each of these dimensions, the relationships between them is less studied yet. In this project, we set to investigate these relationships in the context of science teacher education. The study will be conducted in a mixed-method quasi-experimental approach, integrating quantitative and qualitative tools for evaluating PSTs’ MKMP, MMK, engagement with the modeling practices, and quality of modeling products. Participants will be selected based on a multi-stage purposeful sampling approach: MMK and MKMP from four cohorts of PSTs will be assessed and N=100 PSTs will be selected for participating in the experiment. In the experiment, PSTs will model a biological phenomenon of enzyme activity and their modeling practices will be evaluated, together with the quality their developed model. Following that, PSTs’ MMK and MKMP will be once more assessed, compared to a control group that did not perform the experiment, and relationships between all three dimensions of the modeling competence will be explored qualitatively and quantitatively. This project will provide the theoretical foundation for bridging between the constituent dimensions of the modeling competence.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Israel, USA
• Co-Investigators: Dr. Sebastian Haase; Dr. Jürgen Kirstein; Professor Dr. Dirk Krüger; Professor Dr. Volkhard Nordmeier; Professorin Dr. Annette Upmeier zu Belzen
• Cooperation Partners: Professorin Dr. Orit Ben Zvi Assaraf; Tom Bielik, Ph.D.; Professorin Christina Schwarz