an innovative approach

1.2) Advanced Photosynthesis Survey (APS)
The survey was designed to investigate the eleventh grade students
understanding and knowledge of photosynthesis after the implementation of the
photosynthesis teaching intervention. The knowledge includes the concepts of
pigments, light dependent reaction, light independent (dark) reaction, necessary
factors of photosynthesis rate, the nature of science, and the relationship between
photosynthesis and the environment (Table 3.3). The survey contains seven closed
and eight open questions. The closed questions include multiple choice items with
space given for their personal explanations of the selection. Development process of
this survey is similar to the process of IPS.
Table 3.3 The Propositional Statements of the Advanced Photosynthesis Concepts
Concepts Propositional Statements
1. Structures and Functions
of Chloroplasts
2. Light Dependent (light)
Phase
3. Light Independent (dark)
Phase
4. Necessary Factors
Affecting
Photosynthesis Rate
6. Relationship between
Photosynthesis and
Environment
7. Nature of Science
Photosynthesis reactions takes place in chloroplasts which have
pigments to be able to absorb the light energy.
Light energy absorbs and oxidizes H2O to provide the primary
electron and release O2.
CO2 is fixed to produce carbohydrate which is the plant food.
After the light reaction happen, the dark reaction can then happen
without light energy.
Humidity, light intensity, CO2 concentration, and numbers of
leaves affect the photosynthesis rate.
Plant tissue difference affect CO2 fixation.
Photosynthesis uses CO2 in atmosphere. It reduces green house
affect.
Scientific ideas are subjected to change.
Science demands evidence.
Science is a complex social activity.
Additional instruments and methods used to evaluate the impact of the
teaching intervention were interviews and observations. Student interviews were used
to gain more in-dept responses of the students’ photosynthesis understanding, and
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