scholarly journals Empowering Teachers to become Change Agents through the Science Education In-Service Teacher Training Project in Zimbabwe

2013 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yovita Gwekwerere ◽  
Emmanuel Mushayikwa ◽  
Viola Manokore
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Teacher Training ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Science Curriculum ◽  
Pedagogical Practices ◽  
Science Data ◽  
Resource Teachers ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Science And Mathematics Teachers

This paper presents findings from a study of three Zimbabwean science teachers who participated in the Science Education In-service Teacher Training (SEITT) program. At the turn of the century, the SEITT program was designed to develop science and mathematics teachers into expert masters and resource teachers for Zimbabwe’s ten school districts. The study investigated the successes and challenges faced by the three teachers who were in the process of reforming their pedagogical practices as well as writing and using contextualized science curriculum materials to teach secondary science. Data were collected through telephone interviews. The three teachers reported that the SEITT program helped them to transform their practice as well as that of their peers. They also reported that changing their teaching methods motivated learners to actively participate and this change also resulted in improved teacher efficacy. The paper discusses implications for improving science teaching and suggestions for contextualizing the science curriculum in developing countries.

scholarly journals THE IMPORTANCE OF NATURAL SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS TEACHERS COLLABORATION

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 4-6
Author(s):  
Vincentas Lamanauskas
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Mathematics Teachers ◽  
Natural Science ◽  
Mathematics Teaching ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Natural Science Education ◽  
Science And Mathematics Teachers ◽  
Mathematics And Science

It is obvious, that collaboration plays an increasing role among science and mathematics teachers. It is quite useful if different ideas on science and mathematics teaching are shared among teachers. Teachers have better opportunities to experience collaboration. The collaborative process supports the transdisciplinarity of science and mathematics teaching. Teachers are able to develop an understanding of how mathematics and science concepts can be taught in creative, playful and effective way. The project MaT²SMc is implemented in the frame of EU Lifelong Learning Programme. The main idea of the project is to find a way to increase students' motivation to learn in the key subjects mathematics and science. From one side, mathematics teachers should understand that there is a meaningful and realistic context to use mathematics. From the other side, science teachers should understand that the mathematics competences required for more effective science teaching and learning. In such a context the collaboration of science and mathematics teachers is very relevant. Currently it is obvious that mathematics and natural science teachers‘ collaboration on integration purposes at school is limited by some factors. Collaboration of mathematics and natural science teachers should be expanded, for this purpose, it is necessary to create all necessary conditions and didactic providing (support). It is obvious, that collaboration of mathematics and science teachers is important for improvement of quality of natural science education. Key words: collaboration, quality of natural science education, science and mathematics teaching.

scholarly journals An Opinions of secondary school science and mathematics teachers on STEM education

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Bekir Yildirim ◽  
Cumhur Türk
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Stem Education ◽  
Mathematics Teachers ◽  
School Science ◽  
Middle School Science ◽  
Secondary School Science ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Science And Mathematics Teachers

In this study, the opinions of middle school science teachers and mathematics teachers towards STEM education were examined. The research was carried out for 30 hours with 28 middle school science and mathematics teachers who were working in Istanbul during the spring semester of 2016-2017 academic year. 75% of these teachers are female teachers and 25% are male teachers. The study was conducted by the case study method among qualitative research methods. For the determination of the opinions of the secondary school science and mathematics teachers by the researcher, "STEM Interview Form for Teachers" consisting of 8 questions was created. As a result of the analysis, the teachers emphasized that they did not feel sufficient about STEM education. In addition, teachers emphasized that a good STEM teacher should have STEM knowledge, pedagogy knowledge and 21st century skill knowledge. However, they emphasize that STEM education is a useful educational concept but that there may be problems that may be encountered during STEM education. Moreover, it was also found that after the STEM training, teachers had positive changes in their opinions towards Engineering and Technology. Suggestions have been made in the direction of these obtained results.

scholarly journals PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF JOURNAL OF BALTIC SCIENCE EDUCATION

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 364-366
Author(s):  
Muhammet Usak
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Teacher Training ◽  
Scientific Journal ◽  
School Science ◽  
Scientific Journals ◽  
Related Research ◽  
To Come ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
First Time ◽  
Science Education Journals

Science Education is a multidisciplinary field of study with roots about three centuries ago. Researches in this field were published for the first time in a scientific journal with School Science and Mathematics, which started in 1901. The number of scientific journals in Science Education has increased in parallel with the increase in the number of related research. The published literature is sometimes about trending topics. In some other cases, they offer novelty and new paradigms. Last 50 years of Science Education are shaped by various topics. Hence, these different issues are being published in scientific journals. At the end of the 70s, studies on constructivism, meaningful learning, misconception, conceptual learning (Driver, & Easley, 1978; Driver, 1983; Driver, & Oldham, 1986; von Glasersfeld, 1984; Ausubel, Novak, & Hanesian, 1978; Novak, 1979 & 1990, Novak, & Gowin, 1984; Novak, & Musonda, 1991) began to come forward. Conferences are being held especially on misconception. Many articles have been published and continue to be published on the topic. Starting with the second half of 80s, studies on PCK, which were first described by Shulman, began to surface in science education journals in the field of teacher training (Shulman, 1986; Usak, 2009, Usak, Ozden, & Eilks, 2011; Usak, Ozden, & Saglam, 2011).

scholarly journals IDENTIFYING BARRIERS WHEN TEACHING SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS IN LOW ECONOMY REGIONS: SWANSEA AND HAKKARI AS CASE STUDIES

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 848-865
Author(s):  
Mukadder Baran
Keyword(s):  
Science Teachers ◽  
Mathematics Teachers ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Pedagogical Issues ◽  
Teaching Process ◽  
Case Research ◽  
Upper Secondary ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Science And Mathematics Teachers

The purpose of this research was to identify the barriers that upper-secondary school science and mathematics teachers face during the teaching process in economically disadvantaged regions (Hakkari, Turkey and Swansea, UK). The research design was comparative case research and pursues qualitative methodological approach in collecting and analyzing the data about the barriers that teachers are encountering during the teaching process. The research sample consisted of 24 science and mathematics teachers from different upper-secondary schools in Hakkari and Swansea. Semi-structured interview forms, were developed and employed to collect the data. The thematic analysis was used to analyze the obtained data. The results revealed different categories in understanding the situations that science and mathematics teachers confront in both cases; student-related issues, pedagogical issues, teachers’ lack of subject knowledge and socio-economic and cultural-based issues. As student-based barriers, lack of prior knowledge, students`attention span, and interest; and regarding teachers-based barriers, teachers` lack of class management and communication skills, and lack of student-centered methods found as similar barriers. Language and socio-economical problems were also shared barriers for both cities. In addition to those barriers, political and family-based issues which hindered educational attainment found as the main barriers by science and mathematics teachers in Hakkari. Keywords: comparative case research, mathematics teachers, science teachers, teaching barriers.

Elementary School Science for Students with Disabilities

1994 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gail Grigg Holahan ◽  
Jacqueline McFarland ◽  
Beverly A. Piccillo
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Science Education ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Children With Disabilities ◽  
Science Curriculum ◽  
Curriculum Study ◽  
School Science ◽  
Science System ◽  
And Mathematics

This paper reviews science curriculum issues surrounding the education of children with disabilities. Our nation's leadership has expressed serious concern regarding the role of science and mathematics in the education of our children, and children with disabilities cannot be excluded from this interest. we explore the background of science education for children with disabilities and examine three curricula designed especially for children with disabilities: Biological Science Curriculum study, full option science system, and science for all children.

A cross-cultural comparison of concepts in computer science education

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 235-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Zendler ◽  
O. William McClung ◽  
Dieter Klaudt
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Computer Science ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Computer Science Education ◽  
Science Curriculum ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Us ◽  
K 12

Purpose – The development of a K-12 computer science curriculum based on constructivist principles needs to be informed by knowledge of content and process concepts that are central to the discipline of computer science. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach – Taking a cross-cultural approach and using an experimental design (a SPF-2•15×16 split-plot design), this study compares the combinations of content and process concepts identified as important in Germany with those considered relevant in the US context. Findings – First, the combinations of content and process concepts identified in the German context can be generalized to the US context. Second, it is possible to identify combinations of content and process concepts in the US context that are also important in the German context. Third, content and process concepts identified in the two contexts can be integrated to generate a broader perspective that is valid for both contexts. Practical implications – The results can be used for consolidating available curricular drafts for computer science as a teaching subject at school of the type available in many. The present findings are of great relevance for research-based approaches to the pre- and in-service education of computer science teachers. The methodological approach taken is important in efforts to consolidate curricular models of computer science education, as have been initiated by the Bologna process in Europe and by the organizations Association for Computing Machinery, Association for Information Systems, and Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers-Computer Society in the USA. Originality/value – Results show that competence areas of central concepts identified in the two contexts can be integrated to generate a broader perspective that is valid for both contexts.

The Impact of Summer Research Experience for Science Teachers on Classroom Instruction

2011 ◽  
Vol 1364 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Sen ◽  
D. R. Baker ◽  
R. J. Culbertson
Keyword(s):  
Science Teachers ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
Lesson Plans ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
Teaching Fellows ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Science And Mathematics Teachers ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTMore than 100 science and mathematics teachers have participated in the ASU Math and Science Teaching Fellows program for summers in 2007-2010 at Arizona State University. The goal of the program was to expose the teachers to the real world of science and help them transfer the experience into the classroom. The teachers spend the mornings in small groups in assigned research laboratories and afternoons in whole group interactive sessions. During the afternoon sessions the teachers worked on a poster presentation and a classroom unit integrating the research experience. The present study focuses on the impact of the research experiences on the teachers’ classrooms and the differences between a larger and longer program (37 teachers for 5 weeks in 2009) and a smaller and shorter program (8 teachers for 4 weeks in 2010). The lesson plans were coded based on a rubric. The posters were coded using qualitative analysis software. The scores on the lesson plans and the frequency of codes on transfer to classroom were higher in 2010 compared to those in 2009. The results indicate that the research experience program had a better impact on transfer to school curriculum with a smaller cohort of teachers. This implies that future research experience programs should be designed for smaller groups of teachers.

scholarly journals Sciences Teacher Education Curriculum Re-alignment: Science Education Lecturers’ Perspectives of Knowledge Integration at South African Universities

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwanele Booi ◽  
Mamsie Ethel Khuzwayo
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Curriculum Design ◽  
Knowledge Integration ◽  
Common Ground ◽  
Science Curriculum ◽  
Resistance To Change ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
Academic Knowledge ◽  
Minimum Requirements

A qualitative case study was conducted at six purposively sampled universities; out of a population of approximately23 universities. This sampling strategy was based on selecting some universities that became Universities ofTechnology during the process of merging Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) while other universities kept theiridentity; currently being referred to as Traditional Universities. In-depth interviews and analysis of curriculumdocuments were used as sources of data acquisition to address the aim and questions explored by this study explored;necessitated by the need to implement Minimum Requirements for Teaching Education Qualification (MRTEQ)policy guidelines. The sampled universities’ identities were concealed and pseudonyms were assigned to participantsfor ethical reasons. Qualitative methods were applied for data analysis. Findings revealed that for some institutions’integration of sub-disciples of science curriculum led to contestations and debates resulting from differentphilosophical perceptions held by subject specialists in the curriculum design process. Knowledge integrationcontinues to be a contested field in universities that typifies resistance to change. Some participants demonstrated apositive disposition towards knowledge integration models which they used in curriculum development. This studyconcludes that a collaborative and collegial deliberation among science education lecturers and experts in variousknowledge domains could be a way to find common ground on issues highlighted in this study. Re-thinking andre-conceptualising knowledge organisation for science academic knowledge are appropriate to the needs of schoolcurriculum and benefit science teachers with knowledge and competences for knowledge impartation, skills andvalues in the subject.

scholarly journals Views of Trainee Science Teachers in Kuwait Regarding the NoS Dimensions and Their Conception of Creativity in Science Education

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Ahmad Shallal Alshammari ◽  
Hamed Jassim Alsahou ◽  
Joza M Alshemmari
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Education Research ◽  
Nature Of Science ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Pedagogical Practices ◽  
Science Education Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Trainee Teachers ◽  
Science Educators

Science educators are often advised to pay attention to trainee teachers’ views on issues related to education, particularly the nature of science (NoS). Views on the NoS can be translated into pedagogical practices and then transferred to students; therefore, teachers should hold informed views about the NoS. This study sought to explore the views of trainee science teachers in Kuwait about the NoS and its aspects or dimensions. It also aimed to identify the possible connections among the NoS dimensions and teachers’ views on creativity in science. This multi-method study involved 152 trainee science teachers. The research instruments consisted of a questionnaire about teachers’ views of the nature of science (VNoS), a questionnaire about teachers’ views of creativity in science education, and semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed that trainee science teachers hold naïve and sometimes perplexing views of the NoS dimensions, and they are more likely to follow a traditional positivist worldview when they discuss the nature of scientific knowledge. Also, the findings revealed trainee teachers’ views of creativity in science education as well as significant correlations among six NoS dimensions and creativity. Detailed findings are discussed to draw conclusions and address possible suggestions for science educators and for the community of science education research.

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