scholarly journals Examining How Biology Teachers’ Pedagogical Beliefs Shape the Implementation of the Omani Reform-Oriented Curriculum

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-304
Author(s):  
Intisar Ambusaidi ◽  
Bernard Badiali ◽  
Khalid Alkharousi
Keyword(s):  
Pedagogical Content Knowledge ◽  
Content Knowledge ◽  
Teaching Practices ◽  
Science Curriculum ◽  
Pedagogical Beliefs ◽  
Biology Teachers ◽  
Student Centered ◽  
Pedagogical Content ◽  
Teachers Beliefs ◽  
Biology Curriculum

Research on science-education reform affirms the importance of taking into consideration teachers’ pedagogical beliefs in relation of the constructivist perspective to ensure successful implementation of a reform-oriented curriculum. In addition, prominent studies pinpoint the need for teachers to have sufficient pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) to adapt a reform-oriented science curriculum to meet students’ abilities and interests. This study focused on the reform-oriented science curriculum in Oman, and in particular, the grade 12 biology curriculum. The new biology curriculum emphasizes constructivism and encourages student-centered instruction, inquiry-based learning, cooperative learning, problem-solving, and critical thinking. However, since its implementation in 2008, various obstacles and challenges have been reported by teachers. These include a mismatch between the planned curriculum and the implemented curriculum. This mismatch has been attributed to a lack of motivation and PCK among teachers that would allow them to shift their teaching practices. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to understand how teachers’ pedagogical beliefs about student-centered learning have shaped their implementation of the curriculum. The study also sought to identify how biology teachers perceive the relationship between their PCK and their pedagogical decisions. An ethnographic approach to data analysis was employed, with multiple data sources including classroom observations, learning artifacts, reflections, and semi-structured interviews used. The findings of this ethnographic study indicate that Omani teachers’ beliefs and PCK shape the implementation of the reform-oriented curriculum by influencing their conceptualization of the curriculum, their identification of students’ misconceptions, their decisions about classroom teaching practices, and the level of their students’ engagement. The results of this study corroborate and expand upon previous research that suggests that teachers’ beliefs and PCK should be taken into consideration when designing and planning for new curriculum materials, teacher-education programs, and professional development opportunities. Keywords: pedagogical beliefs, reform-oriented curriculum, pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), constructivism, curriculum implementation.

scholarly journals Examining How Biology Teachers’ Pedagogical Beliefs Shape the Implementation of the Omani Reform-Oriented Curriculum

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-114
Author(s):  
Intisar Ambusaidi ◽  
Bernard Badiali ◽  
Khalid Alkharousi
Keyword(s):  
Pedagogical Content Knowledge ◽  
Content Knowledge ◽  
Teaching Practices ◽  
Science Curriculum ◽  
Pedagogical Beliefs ◽  
Biology Teachers ◽  
Student Centered ◽  
Pedagogical Content ◽  
Teachers Beliefs ◽  
Biology Curriculum

Research on science-education reform affirms the importance of taking into consideration teachers’ pedagogical beliefs in relation of the constructivist perspective to ensure successful implementation of a reform-oriented curriculum. In addition, prominent studies pinpoint the need for teachers to have sufficient pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) to adapt a reform-oriented science curriculum to meet students’ abilities and interests. This study focused on the reform-oriented science curriculum in Oman, and in particular, the grade 12 biology curriculum. The new biology curriculum emphasizes constructivism and encourages student-centered instruction, inquiry-based learning, cooperative learning, problem-solving, and critical thinking. However, since its implementation in 2008, various obstacles and challenges have been reported by teachers. These include a mismatch between the planned curriculum and the implemented curriculum. This mismatch has been attributed to a lack of motivation and PCK among teachers that would allow them to shift their teaching practices. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to understand how teachers’ pedagogical beliefs about student-centered learning have shaped their implementation of the curriculum. The study also sought to identify how biology teachers perceive the relationship between their PCK and their pedagogical decisions. An ethnographic approach to data analysis was employed, with multiple data sources including classroom observations, learning artifacts, reflections, and semi-structured interviews used. The findings of this ethnographic study indicate that Omani teachers’ beliefs and PCK shape the implementation of the reform-oriented curriculum by influencing their conceptualization of the curriculum, their identification of students’ misconceptions, their decisions about classroom teaching practices, and the level of their students’ engagement. The results of this study corroborate and expand upon previous research that suggests that teachers’ beliefs and PCK should be taken into consideration when designing and planning for new curriculum materials, teacher-education programs, and professional development opportunities. Keywords: pedagogical beliefs, reform-oriented curriculum, pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), constructivism, curriculum implementation.

The development of teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge in teaching biology

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-140
Author(s):  
Suriya Chapoo ◽  
Kongsak Thathong ◽  
Lilia Halim
Keyword(s):  
Learning Styles ◽  
Pedagogical Content Knowledge ◽  
Content Knowledge ◽  
Science Curriculum ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Structure Interview ◽  
Lesson Plans ◽  
Biology Teachers ◽  
Pedagogical Content ◽  
Semi Structure Interview

This paper examines the development of biology teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). All participants were provided with PCK training activities to improve their understanding of PCK and ability in creating lesson plans according to content representation (CoRe). Research instruments used in this study were open-ended questionnaire, semi-structure interview, lesson plans, CoRe and pedagogical and professional-experience repertoire. The results of the PCK training programme indicated that before participation in the training workshop, three biology teachers lacked content knowledge in some specific topics of biology so that their teaching methods were not congruent with five components of PCK. After the PCK training programme, the three biology teachers understood more about biology contents and the five components of PCK. They realised the importance of the students’ prior knowledge and individual differences of learning styles as well as different biology conceptions. They focused on the inquiry-based learning in accord with the National Science Curriculum Standards. Keywords: Pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), content representations (CoRes), biology teachers, experience teachers.

scholarly journals Content Analysis of the Pedagogical Content Knowledge in the Curriculum of Yemeni EFL Teacher Education Programme

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arab World English Journal ◽  
Morshed Salim Abdullah Al-Jaro ◽  
Adelina Asmawi ◽  
Zuwati Hasim
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Pedagogical Content Knowledge ◽  
Student Teachers ◽  
Content Knowledge ◽  
Teaching Practices ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Education Programme ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
Pedagogical Content ◽  
Teacher Education Programme

This study aims to analyse the pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) in the current curriculum of the English teacher education programme (ETEP) at a Faculty of Education in a Yemeni University. PCK and teaching competencies take shape within the initial preparation of ETEP in which student teachers spenda long time receiving knowledge and understanding the teaching context before they practically experience teaching at schools. During their BA study, students are required to study 49 courses which can be categorised into four main components: skills, linguistics, literature and professional. This study analyses the content of the curriculum courses so as tovisualise the way student teachers translate what they have learned into pedagogical practices during their teaching practices. In this study, the curriculum content of ETEP is qualitatively analysed using the inductive approach. Categories emerged from the analysis demonstrate various aspects of student teachers’ PCK. The analysis reveals that the pedagogical skills courses are not enough to enhance and strengthen the student teachers’ PCK needed to be reflected in their teaching practices. The findings show that the curriculum lacks courses necessary to provide student teachers with basic knowledge and pedagogical principles which are of vital significance to demonstrate their understanding before they are practically engaged in the teaching experience.

The Impact of Video Self-Analysis on the Development of Preservice Teachers' Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK)

2016 ◽  
pp. 1103-1119
Author(s):  
James E. Jang ◽  
Jing Lei
Keyword(s):  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Technology Integration ◽  
Pedagogical Content Knowledge ◽  
Content Knowledge ◽  
Teaching Practices ◽  
Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge ◽  
Pedagogical Content ◽  
Knowledge Domains ◽  
Integrate Technology ◽  
The Impact

Teachers often teach on their own in their individual classrooms and thus have to mostly rely on themselves to reflect on their teaching practices and make improvements. This study explores the potential of using a video self-analysis component in an undergraduate technology integration course to help preservice teachers effectively integrate technology into instruction. Specifically, this study explores the impact of video self-analysis on developing preservice teachers Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK). Results reveal video self-analysis was beneficial in helping preservice teachers facilitate their TPACK development. However, participants TPACK development varied within the six TPACK knowledge domains.

The Impact of Video Self-Analysis on the Development of Preservice Teachers' Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK)

2018 ◽  
pp. 986-1002
Author(s):  
James E. Jang ◽  
Jing Lei
Keyword(s):  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Technology Integration ◽  
Pedagogical Content Knowledge ◽  
Content Knowledge ◽  
Teaching Practices ◽  
Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge ◽  
Pedagogical Content ◽  
Knowledge Domains ◽  
Integrate Technology ◽  
The Impact

Teachers often teach on their own in their individual classrooms and thus have to mostly rely on themselves to reflect on their teaching practices and make improvements. This study explores the potential of using a video self-analysis component in an undergraduate technology integration course to help preservice teachers effectively integrate technology into instruction. Specifically, this study explores the impact of video self-analysis on developing preservice teachers Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK). Results reveal video self-analysis was beneficial in helping preservice teachers facilitate their TPACK development. However, participants TPACK development varied within the six TPACK knowledge domains.

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