Search results for: Science education

This study aimed to evaluate teaching effectiveness in an elective science course, in the Early Childhood Education Department of Athens University in Greece. An enhancement and a worsening student beliefs groups were identified based on their changing beliefs.

The purpose of this study was to examine the ways in which prospective teachers’ conceptions about teaching science as inquiry, and their efficacy for teaching science change across the Science Semester. Entering the Science Semester, the participants related to science as coursework they needed to complete to meet program requirements. The Science Semester was designed to provide inquiry-oriented and problem-based learning experiences, opportunities to examine socially relevant issues through cross-disciplinary perspectives. In contrast to the mixed views on their own learning, all of the participants eagerly embraced the idea that elementary science teaching should involve inquiry-based methods. The idealized image of activity-based experiences for children fulfills their goals for their future classrooms, and is congruent with their goals for a nurturing classroom environment.

This study explores pre-service teachers’ TPACK development in a secondary science teacher education program that combined a content-specific technology integration course with extensive field experience. Findings indicated that a content-specific technology integration course offered simultaneously with extensive field experience through careful instructional design can improve pre-service teachers’ understanding of combining technology with science content and pedagogy.

This article describes the aspects of iPad use which preservice teachers perceived as beneficial in the forces and motion unit. The results revealed that at many stages of this process, the preservice teachers used iPads to abstract ideas from physical experience. Preservice teachers’ responses showed that these experiences were perceived as valuable, both in terms of an understanding of the underlying content and completion of the project as a whole. Additionally, participants described how the iPad influenced instructional efficiency, engagement, and social learning. The authors recommend that it is highly relevant to the development of preservice teachers’ critical pedagogical skills that they confront and discuss both the strengths and weakness of the iPads for various purposes, as well as analyze the way the device shapes student interaction.