Self-directed learning: A case-study of school students scientific knowledge construction outdoors

Figures & data

Figure 1. Research design and instruments of a study(i.e., participants’ learning) activity timeline.

Figure 2. Self-directed learning sub-tasks.

Figure 3. A screenshot of the application used in this work called ”Avastusrada” (”Tracking path” in English).

Figure 4. Dynamics in participant’s conceptual knowledge level in light of his/her cognitive capacity score (given on the right vertical) based on the number of difficulties he/she reported (given on the left).

Table 1. Bloom’s taxonomy

Taxonomy dimensions	Description of the dimension
Remembering	Recognizing or recalling knowledge from memory. (Remembering is when memory is used to produce or retrieve definitions, facts, or lists, or to recite previously learned information).
Creating	Putting elements together to form a coherent or functional whole; reorganizing elements into a new pattern or structure through generating, planning, or producing. Creating requires users to put parts together in a new way, or synthesize parts into something new and different creating a new form or product. This process is the most difficult mental function in the new taxonomy.
Analysing	Breaking materials or concepts into parts, determining how the parts relate to one another or how they interrelate, or how the parts relate to an overall structure or purpose. Mental actions included in this function are differentiating, organizing, and attributing, as well as being able to distinguish between the components or parts.
Understanding	Constructing meaning from different types of functions, be they written or graphic messages or activities like interpreting, exemplifying, classifying, summarizing, inferring, comparing, or explaining.
Evaluating	Making judgments based on criteria and standards through checking and critiquing. Critiques, recommendations, and reports are some of the products that can be created to demonstrate the processes of evaluation. In the newer taxonomy, evaluating comes before creating as it is often a necessary part of the precursory behaviour before one creates something.
Applying	Carrying out or using a procedure through executing or implementing. Applying relates to or refers to situations where learned material is used through products like models, presentations, interviews, or simulations.

Table 2. Cognitive categories evolved from the difficulties (that were reflected by the participants’ own words)

Type of difficulties		Taxonomy dimension	Description of the taxonomy dimension	Type of knowledge
SETTING UP A HYPOTHESIS	3	Remembering	Recognizing or recalling	Factual Knowledge (of specific details or elements)
		Creating	Generating
ANALYSING COLLECTED DATA AND MAKING CONCLUSIONS	5	Analysing	Determining to interrelate
		Understanding	Constructing meaning
		Evaluating	Making judgments
		Creating	Synthesizing
PREPARING THE PRESENTATION	2	Understanding	Constructing meaning	Conceptual Knowledge (of models, and structures)
		Applying	Carrying out, executing
		Evaluating	Making judgments
		Creating	Generating
SETTING UP ROBOTS AND SENSORS	6	Understanding	Constructing meaning
		Creating	Generating
		Applying	Carrying out, executing
UNDERSTANDING THE INSTRUCTIONS	5	Understanding	Constructing meaning from different types of functions
FINDING THE LOCATION POINTS	2	Understanding	Constructing meaning	Procedural Knowledge (how to do something or inquire; criteria for using skills, techniques, algorithms, methods)
		Creating	Synthesizing
		Applying	Carrying out, executing
FOLLOWING TRACK IN AVASTUSRADA AND INSERTING THE SENSOR DATA	2	Understanding	Constructing meaning
		Evaluating	Making judgments
		Creating	Synthesizing
		Applying	Carrying out, executing
NAVIGATING BETWEEN AVASTUSRADA AND GOOGLE DOCUMENTS	2	Understanding	Constructing meaning
		Applying	Carrying out, executing

Figure 5. The number of group-work tasks taken in collaborative learning and his/her conceptual knowledge change.

Figure 6. Individual group-work experience and his/her change in conceptual level.