ERIC Number: EJ1070462
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1307-9298
EISSN: N/A
Exploring Impacts of the EED 420 Science Methods Course on Pre-Service Elementary Teachers' Views Regarding the Nature of Science
Bang, EunJin
International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, v5 n3 p219-232 2013
This study explores the impact of a semester-long science methods course examining pre-service elementary teachers' views on the nature of science (NOS). Also examined were NOS characteristics that pre-service teachers incorporated into their science lesson plans and peer teachings, during the course. Data used for this study were obtained from 21 pre-service teachers who participated in the pre/post card exchange game, pre/post VNOS interviews, 5E lesson plans, and peer teaching performances. The results of the study showed that some changes were made as a result of EED 420--such as starting to view science as a data-gathering experimental endeavor, rather than just a theory-driven endeavor. None of the groups explicitly designed or taught their lesson's NOS aspects. The study posits that a mere one semester-long science method's course is insufficient to adequately improve understanding of the NOS, and to establish a sufficiently robust desire in pre-service teachers for them to implement NOS into their lessons.
Descriptors: Preservice Teachers, Student Attitudes, Scientific Principles, Interviews, Science Instruction, Methods Courses, Elementary School Science, Peer Teaching, Lesson Plans, Scientific Attitudes, Program Effectiveness, Models, Qualitative Research, Questionnaires
International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education. T&K Akademic Rosendalsvein 45, Oslo 1166, Norway. e-mail: iejee@iejee.com; Web site: http://www.iejee.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A