ERIC Number: EJ760167
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006-Nov
Pages: 25
Abstractor: Author
Reference Count: 0
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4308
Investigation of Secondary Science Teachers' Beliefs and Practices after Authentic Inquiry-Based Experiences
Brown, Sherri L.; Melear, Claudia T.
Journal of Research in Science Teaching, v43 n9 p938-962 Nov 2006
This study continues research previously conducted by a nine-university collaborative, the Salish I Research Project, by exploring science teachers' beliefs and practices with regard to inquiry-oriented instruction. In this study, we analyzed the relationship among secondary science teachers' preparation, their beliefs, and their classroom practices after completion of a course designed to provide authentic inquiry experiences. From Teacher Pedagogical Philosophy Interview data and Secondary Science Teacher Analysis Matrix observational data, we analyzed links between the teachers' conveyed beliefs and observed practice regarding the teachers' actions (TA) and students' actions (SA). Also presented is a listing of teachers' perceived influences from university preparation course work. Results indicated that 7 of the 8 teachers professed a belief in teacher-centered or conceptual style with regard to TA and SA. The observational results indicated that 7 of the 8 teachers displayed a teacher-centered or conceptual style with regard to TA and SA. Inconsistencies between interview and observational data were unexpected, as half of the teachers professed slightly greater teacher-centered styles with regard to TA than what they actually practiced in their classrooms. All teachers reported that an inquiry-based science course was valuable.
Descriptors: Science Curriculum, Science Teachers, Secondary School Teachers, Secondary School Science, Research Projects, Teacher Attitudes, Teaching Methods, Teacher Student Relationship
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers: N/A

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