ERIC Number: EJ1122704
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Jan
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4308
EISSN: N/A
Informal Science Institutions and Learning to Teach: An Examination of Identity, Agency, and Affordances
Adams, Jennifer D.; Gupta, Preeti
Journal of Research in Science Teaching, v54 n1 p121-138 Jan 2017
Informal science education institutions play an important in the public understanding of science and, because of this are well-positioned to positively impact science teacher education. Informal science institutions (ISIs) have a range of affordances that could contribute to learner-centered science teacher identity development. This article describes research from a clinical experience in a museum where teacher candidates engaged visitors in learning dialogs around objects on a moveable cart in an exhibit. We describe how working in informal settings and learning to use the affordances of that setting supports aspiring teachers to connect theory to practice in ways that developed Spielraum in that is student-centered, responsive to the needs of learners, and allows for the imagination future selves and classrooms that are conducive to maintaining these identities. This research supports the critical role that ISIs could play in teacher education, especially during the clinical phase where teacher candidates are forming initial notions about their identities, about the self who teaches.
Descriptors: Science Education, Teacher Education, Museums, Science Teachers, Exhibits, Informal Education, Self Concept, Professional Identity, Affordances, Institutions, Science Instruction
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A