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ERIC Number: EJ1110262
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2148-9955
EISSN: N/A
Middle School Science and Mathematics Teachers' Conceptions of the Nature of Science: A One-Year Study on the Effects of Explicit and Reflective Online Instruction
Wong, Sissy S.; Firestone, Jonah B.; Ronduen, Lionnel G.; Bang, EunJin
International Journal of Research in Education and Science, v2 n2 p469-482 Sum 2016
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education has become one of the main priorities in the United States. Science education communities and researchers advocate for integration of STEM disciplines throughout the teaching curriculum. This requires teacher knowledge in STEM disciplines, as well as competence in scientific literacy. Since nature of science (NOS) is a critical component of scientific literacy, this study examined teachers' conceptions NOS over a one-year period. Participants included 21 middle school science and mathematics teachers who integrated science and mathematics in their classrooms. We employed two NOS instruments to collect data on participants' NOS conceptions "before" and "after" a one-year online graduate program. This study examined changes in NOS understanding for the group as a whole, between science and mathematics teachers, and whether beginning and experienced teachers differed in their conceptions of NOS. Findings show that the teachers' conceptions of NOS improved significantly after two semesters of explicit, reflective NOS instruction. There was no significant difference between science and math teachers' conceptions of NOS. The notion that science teachers know just as much about NOS as mathematics teachers indicates that science teachers in the U.S. are just as unfamiliar with the nature of science as mathematics teachers. In addition, years of experience did not play a role in the participants? conceptions of NOS. Examination of teachers' conceptions of NOS will help researchers, teacher educators and teacher professional development providers gain insight on ways to develop STEM teachers' conceptions of NOS.
International Journal of Research in Education and Science. Necmettin Erbakan University, Ahmet Kelesoglu Education Faculty, Meram, Konya 42090 Turkey. e-mail: ijresoffice@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.ijres.net
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Middle Schools; Secondary Education; Junior High Schools; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Texas
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A