INTEGRATING MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY - EFFECTS ON STUDENTS

Few studies have examined the student learning effects of integrating science with mathematics and technology. We compared a school that int egrated mathematics, science and technology in grade 9 to a school in the same district that taught the three courses separately. The distin guishing feature of the integrating school was the reorganization of i nstruction in the three subjects to prepare students for seven group p rojects (involving a total of 25 h) that required the application of k nowledge and skill that were shared by the three subjects, as well as learning outcomes that were unique to each. The study detected benefit s for students in the integrated setting in terms of their ability to apply shared learning outcomes, student motivation, ability to work to gether and attitudes to appraisal of group work. Female students ill t he integrated school had a better understanding of selected science le arning outcomes. Attitudes toward mid-term exams were higher in the co ntrol school.