SSI instruction
could bring about a moderately large impact on students’ ability to understand the key ideas of
others and to value others’ perspectives, as well as a marginal positive effect on developing
active assertions. However, SSI instruction appeared to have a lesser impact on students’
ability to develop shared understanding. Overall, this research indicates the potential that even
a limited SSI classroom could have in terms of promoting students’ communication skills in
the context of their regular science class.
KEY WORDS: communication skill, scientific literacy, socioscientific issues