ERIC Number: EJ973445
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Aug
Pages: 27
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1046-560X
EISSN: N/A
The Impact of an Inquiry-Based Geoscience Field Course on Pre-Service Teachers
Nugent, Gwen; Toland, Michael D.; Levy, Richard; Kunz, Gina; Harwood, David; Green, Denise; Kitts, Kathy
Journal of Science Teacher Education, v23 n5 p503-529 Aug 2012
The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to determine the effects of a field-based, inquiry-focused course on pre-service teachers' geoscience content knowledge, attitude toward science, confidence in teaching science, and inquiry understanding and skills. The field-based course was designed to provide students with opportunities to observe, compare, and investigate geological structures in their natural environment and to gain an understanding of inquiry via hands-on learning activities designed to immerse students in authentic scientific investigation. ANCOVA and MANCOVA analyses examining differences in outcome measures between students in the field experience (n = 25) and education students enrolled in the traditional, classroom-based course (n = 37) showed that students in the field course generally had significantly higher scores. Results provide evidence of the value of the field and inquiry-based approach in helping pre-service teachers develop the needed skills and knowledge to create effective inquiry-based science lessons.
Descriptors: Evidence, Preservice Teacher Education, Earth Science, Teaching Methods, Pedagogical Content Knowledge, Hands on Science, Inquiry, Statistical Analysis, Field Studies, Field Instruction, Science Education, Science Instruction, Higher Education
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A