Scaffolding for Formative Feedback given during Biology Teaching using the 6F-model in Danish Upper Secondary Schools: How 6F-teaching could be 7F-teaching with the introduction of a Forbered-phase

Inquiry-based science education, IBSE, are an effective teaching framework for providing students opportunities to learn from inquiry in a social-constructivist setting (Constantinou, et al., 2018), in a learning environment focusing on the learning process, benefiting both teachers and students (Harrison, et al., 2018). In Denmark, IBSE is taught to educators specifically with the 6F-model, to use for teaching (Madsen, et al., 2020). Despite research based evidence for IBSE being and effective learning framework, science teachers in Denmark and comparable countries refrain from using it, due to many different considerations to classroom management and resources, including feedback challenges, as well as systemic restrictions (Engeln, et al., 2013) (Sackstein, 2017) (Kloster, 2019). To confront these challenges, this Thesis have analyzed literature concerning IBSE-teaching and feedback and found that an introduction of a Forbered-phase (Prepare-phase) to the 6F-model, could help teachers teach IBSE, with a coaching approach, and scaffold formative feedback given by both students and teachers, as well as provide other benefits, such as improve learning of the core content stated in the curriculum. A comparative test of a biology lesson structured after 6F-model and the new 7F-model, investigated the effects of the Forbered-phase introduction, with classroom observations, student and teacher interviews, grading and thematic coding of assignments and self-efficacy development for students. This Thesis concluded no significant improvement with the introduction of 7F, but provide indications for multiple areas of improvement in learning with the 7F-model, especially concerning core content of the curriculum, as well as scaffolding of formative feedback in a coaching learning environment. This Thesis call for further research into the effects and potential of the introduction of a Forbered-phase.