Development of an integrated learning unit for enhancing awareness and conceptual understanding of global warming in secondary students

Abstract

Global warming is an important issue that everyone should be aware of because of its impact on daily life. A true understanding of global warming should focus both its effects and the causes. A preliminary survey revealed that most students lacked knowledge about global warming on four basic topics: definition, causes, effects, and awareness. We thus developed an integrated learning unit on global warming for secondary students to build up their conceptual understanding and awareness. The learning activity was composed of three components for students, i.e., being drawn into the content knowledge through interactive multimedia, participating in the drama activity , and applying the knowledge learned in creating science projects of their own design. The learning unit was implemented separately to two classes of secondary students, i.e., grade 9 and grade 11. During the intervention the students worked collaboratively in groups of six to eight, using worksheets for brainstorming on the phenomenon and mechanism of global warming. The students’ projects also indicated their ability to use the knowledge learned in devising various means to minimize global warming. The results from pretest/posttest, students’ projects, students’ reflection and interviews revealed that they acquired more knowledge, awareness and concern on global warming. This research study provided a useful guide for further adaptation of the integrated learning unit for an effective learning outcome.