scholarly journals Determination of pre-service science teachers’ attitudes towards reading science texts

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 181
Author(s):  
Şendil Can ◽  
Gülperi Öztürk
Keyword(s):  
Grade Point Average ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Service Science ◽  
Book Reading ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Science Texts ◽  
Reading Frequency ◽  
Teachers Attitudes ◽  
Attitudes Towards Reading

The purpose of the current study is to determine the effects of the variables such as gender, grade level, grade point average and book reading frequency on pre-service science teachers’ attitudes towards science texts. The sampling of the current study is comprised of 103 pre-service science teachers enrolled at the Education Faculty of Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University in the spring term of 2017-2018 academic year. In the current study, in order to determine the pre-service teachers’ attitudes towards reading science texts, “The Scale of Attitudes towards Reading Science Texts” was used. The effects of gender and grade level on the pre-service science teachers’ attitudes towards reading science texts were analyzed with independent samples t-test and the effects of academic achievement and book reading frequency were analyzed with one-way variance analysis (ANOVA). As a result of the study, it was concluded that the gender and grade level variables have significant effects on the pre-service teachers’ attitudes towards reading science texts in the sub-dimensions of making use of science texts when possible, denial and contribution of reading science texts to learning and skills and that the general grade point average and book reading frequency have significant effects on the pre-service teachers’ attitudes towards reading science texts in the sub-dimension of making use of science texts <br />when possible.

scholarly journals Investigation of Pre-Service Science Teachers’ Attitudes towards Sustainable Environmental Education

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ozgul Keles
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Education ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Attitude Scale ◽  
Service Science ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Medium Level ◽  
Faculty Of Education ◽  
Teachers Attitudes

The purpose of the current study is to investigate pre-service science teachers’ sustainable environmental education attitudes and the factors affecting them in terms of some variables (gender and grade level). The study group of the current research is comprised of 154 pre-service teachers attending the Department of Science Education in the Faculty of Education of Aksaray University. The study employed the descriptive survey method, one of the qualitative research methods. As the data collection tool, “The Sustainable Environmental Education Attitude Scale” developed by Afacan and Demirci Güler (2011) was used in the study. The Cronbach alpha reliability of the scale was calculated to be α=.93. In the statistical analysis of the data, SPSS was used. In the analysis of the data, Independent Samples t-Test and One Way ANOVA were run. The analysis results revealed that sustainable environmental education attitudes frequency of the pre-service teachers is at the medium level. It was also found that the sustainable environmental education attitudes of the pre-service teachers do not vary significantly by gender; yet, they were found to be varying significantly depending on the grade level variable. It can be suggested that further research can attempt to determine the attitudes of pre-service teachers from different branches and to analyze different factors affecting sustainable environmental education attitude.

scholarly journals Examination of Critical Thinking Skills of Preservice Science Teachers: A Perspective of Social Constructivist Theory

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umit Demiral
Keyword(s):  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Grade Point Average ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Preservice Science Teachers ◽  
Significant Difference

The purpose of this study is to examine the critical thinking skills of preservice science teachers in terms of various variables (gender, grade level, academic grade point average, participation in activities) and their opinions. In the research, sequential explanatory design, which is one of the mixed method research designs, was used. The study was carried out with 200 preservice teachers studying at Science Education Department of a state university chosen at Cappadocia region of Turkey. Interviews were conducted with low-level (f=7) and high-level (f=7) preservice teachers selected by means of purposive sampling method from these pre-service teachers participating in the study. Regarding the quantitative and qualitative data obtained; it has been determined that the critical thinking skills of the preservice teachers did not show any significant difference according to gender, grade level and academic grade point average, but there was a significant difference in terms of the activities performed. Preservice teachers expressed that their family structures, social environments in which they interact, and characteristic features were said to be effective in the development of critical thinking skills. Regarding the findings, it has been concluded that trainings that will evoke higher level skills such as critical thinking skills in universities can be effective, but the social and cultural background of the preservice teachers are also effective on these skills. It is recommended to prepare contents that enhance higher level skills such as critical thinking skills as well as education for pedagogy or content knowledge given at universities.

scholarly journals PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS’ ATTITUDES TOWARD SOCIO-SCIENTIFIC ISSUES AND THEIR VIEWS ABOUT NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 642-652
Author(s):  
Hasan Ozgur Kapici ◽  
Genc Osman Ilhan
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Service Science ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Teachers Attitudes

There is not a common attitude in a society for socio-scientific issues (SSI) such as whether to use nuclear power plants for energy production. Within this respect, the aim of the research is to examine pre-service science teachers’ and pre-service social studies teachers’ attitudes toward SSI and to reveal their views about setting up nuclear power plants in their country. The participant of research is 120 pre-service teachers. Firstly, Attitudes toward Socio-scientific Issues Scale (ATSIS) was implemented and then, focus group discussions were done with five students from each department separately so as to understand their views about nuclear power plants. Findings revealed that whereas pre-service teachers are eager to learn more about SSI, they have anxiety about it due to religion, moral and ethical perspectives. In addition, whereas both groups of pre-service teachers have some common views about nuclear power plants, pre-service science teachers do not have more positive views about having nuclear power plants in their country. Key words: attitude towards socio-scientific issues, focus group discussion, pre-service teachers, nuclear energy.

scholarly journals PRE-SERVICE SCIENCE TEACHERS’ CONCEPTIONS OF THE "CONDUCTION OF HEAT IN SOLIDS"

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-174
Author(s):  
Tülay Şenel Çoruhlu
Keyword(s):  
Science Teachers ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Service Science ◽  
First Year ◽  
Data Collection Process ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Faculty Of Education ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

There has been various researchers focus on “heat transfer". "Convection, radiation and conduction" discussed as mere elements of the wider object of analysis in these research. Given the lack of sufficient emphasis on conduction in solids, no cross age research conducted with pre-service science teachers supported by drawings, interviews, and open-ended questions could be found. Employing a cross-age design, this research determined pre-service science teachers' (PSTs’) conceptions in the "conduction of heat in solid". The sample group of the research consists of 257 PSTs (first year student-n=55; second year student-n=76, third year student-n=56, and fourth year student-n=70) selected from Department of Science Education in Fatih Faculty of Education at the Karadeniz Technical University in the city of Trabzon in Turkey. Conceptual understanding test and semi-structured interview were used in the data collection process. The test including two questions was administered to 257 PSTs from different years. Semi-structured interview including one question was conducted with 16 voluntary PSTs (4 students from each grade level). The research found that PSTs had difficulties in terms of describing and showing the movement of the particles of solid under the impact of heat. In the light of the findings, it can be suggested that animations should be used to the teaching of the movement of the particles under the impact of heat. Keywords: cross-age study, conduction of heat in solid, pre-service science teachers.

scholarly journals The Investigation of Pre Service Science Teachers’ Epistemological Beliefs According to Some Variables

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. 207
Author(s):  
Mehmet Yalcin ◽  
Fatma Aggul Yalcin
Keyword(s):  
Science Teachers ◽  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Epistemological Beliefs ◽  
Service Science ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Pooled Data ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Gender

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between pre service science teachers’ scientific epistemological beliefs and academic achievements and change of the beliefs with regard to the variables such as, grade level and gender. In the research in which survey method as research approach, the sample consisted of total 258 pre service teachers. Data was collected by “Epistemological beliefs scale” with 26 items developed by Conley et al. (2004). The data collected were analyzed using two way variance analysis. The statistical analysis showed that there is no a statistically significant difference in pre-service science teachers’ epistemological beliefs with regard to grade level and gender in the pooled data without considering sub dimensions of scale. But, in certainty of scientific knowledge sub dimension, no statistically significant difference was found according to gender, but a significant difference for grade level. Moreover, for justification of scientific knowledge sub dimension, the results showed that no pre service teachers’ epistemological beliefs differ with respect to gender, while there was statistically significant difference according to grade level. Again, it was found that the there is no statistically significant correlation between pre-service science teachers’ scientific epistemological beliefs and academic

The Role of Moral and Performance Character Strengths in Predicting Achievement and Conduct among Urban Middle School Students

2013 ◽  
Vol 115 (8) ◽  
pp. 1-34
Author(s):  
Scott Seider ◽  
Jennifer K. Gilbert ◽  
Sarah Novick ◽  
Jessica Gomez
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Grade Point Average ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Character Strengths ◽  
Moral Character ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Performance Character ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Predictors Of Academic Achievement

Background/Context Performance character consists of the qualities that allow individuals to regulate their thoughts and actions in ways that support achievement in a particular endeavor. Moral character consists of the qualities relevant to striving for ethical behavior in one's relationships with other individuals and communities. A sizable body of research has demonstrated correlations between student achievement and performance character strengths such as self-discipline, while the relationship between achievement, conduct, and moral character strengths such as integrity is more ambiguous. For both types of character, however, the majority of the extant research literature has focused on relatively small samples of elementary school children, university students, and high-achieving students. Setting This study took place at three “No Excuses” charter middle schools in a large northeastern city. Charter schools are publicly funded schools that are supervised by state boards of education rather than a local superintendent or school committee. “No Excuses” is a term used to describe high-poverty public schools featuring a strict disciplinary environment, extended school day and year, college preparatory mission, and an intensive focus on traditional reading and mathematics skills. Participants This study considered the relationship between achievement, conduct, and several character strengths among 488 early adolescents attending three urban charter schools in a large northeastern city. More than 90% of these students identified as African American, Latino, or multi-racial, and two thirds qualified for free or reduced price lunch (a proxy for low socioeconomic status). Research Design This study combines self-reported survey data on participating students’ character strengths with student-level data on grade point average and demerits collected from participants’ schools. We fit quantile regression models to consider the relationships between participating students’ character strengths, academic achievement, and conduct while controlling for select demographic characteristics. Results Analyses revealed that students’ perseverance, school connectedness and grade level were positive predictors of academic achievement while integrity and demerits were negative predictors of academic achievement. Student conduct was significantly predicted by grade level, grade point average, gender, race/ethnicity and commitment to integrity. In short, both performance and moral character strengths were unique predictors of key student outcomes. Conclusions/Recommendations In recent years, a number of high-profile charter management organizations have identified cultivating students’ performance character as a key level in promoting student success. Our findings suggest that these organizations would do well to expand their character education programming to include students’ moral character strengths as well.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document