ERIC Number: EJ1104652
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 21
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1450-104X
EISSN: N/A
An Analysis of Pre-Service Elementary Teachers' Understanding of Inquiry-Based Science Teaching
Lee, Carole K.; Shea, Marilyn
Science Education International, v27 n2 p217-237 2016
This study examines how pre-service elementary teachers (PSETs) view inquiry-based science learning and teaching, and how the science methods course builds their confidence to teach inquiry science. Most PSETs think that inquiry is asking students questions rather than a formal set of pedagogical tools. In the present study, three groups of PSETs (n = 14, 20, 20) were included. For each group, pretest and posttest attitudes and knowledge base were assessed using a 32 item questionnaire combining twenty-six Likert-type and six open-ended questions as well as half-hour semi-structured one-on-one interviews. Results from the pretest questionnaires showed that most PSETs had simplistic views of inquiry-based teaching. The instructor was able to modify the science methods course (the intervention phase) to focus on the concepts of science-based inquiry teaching that were shown to be lacking in the PSETs' knowledge base. The analysis of the post-test questionnaire showed significant increase on 17 of the 26 Likert-type questions reflecting increases in PSETs' understanding of inquiry-based teaching. The study shows PSETs' understanding of inquiry-based science teaching is a key step to build their confidence and efficacy of teaching science.
Descriptors: Preservice Teachers, Elementary School Teachers, Inquiry, Science Instruction, Teaching Methods, Methods Courses, Self Esteem, Pretests Posttests, Student Attitudes, Knowledge Level, Likert Scales, Semi Structured Interviews, Questionnaires, Mixed Methods Research, Factor Analysis
International Council of Associations for Science Education. Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Education, Buca, Izmir 35150, Turkey. Tel: +90-532-4267927; Fax: +90-232-4204895; Web site: http://icaseonline.net
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