Exploring Secondary Students’ Progression in Group Norms and Argumentation Competency through Collaborative Reflection about Small Group Argumentation

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore secondary students’ progression in group norms and argumentation competency through collaborative reflection about small group argumentation. The progression is identified as the development of group norms and an epistemic understanding of argumentation with the enhancement of group argumentation competency during collaborative reflection and argumentation lessons. Participants were four first grade middle school students who have different academic achievements and learning approaches. They participated in ten argumentation lessons related to photosynthesis and in seven collaborative reflections. As a result, the students’ group norms related to participation were developed, and the students’ epistemic understanding of argumentation was enhanced. Furthermore, the students’ group argumentation competencies, identified as argumentation product and argumentation process, were advanced. As the collaborative reflection and argumentation lessons progressed, statements related to rebuttal increased and different students suggested a range of evidence with which to justify their claims or to rebut others’ arguments. These findings will give a better idea of how to present an apt application of argumentation to science teachers and science education researchers.