Author: Selena Kay Sasser Publisher: ISBN: Category : Languages : en Pages : 176
Book Description
This study examined the effects of differing amounts of structure within the problem based learning instructional model on elementary preservice teachers' science teaching efficacy beliefs, including personal science teaching efficacy and science teaching outcome expectancy, and content knowledge acquisition. This study involved sixty (60) undergraduate elementary preservice teachers enrolled in three sections of elementary science methods classes at a large Midwestern research university. This study used a quasi-experimental nonequivalent design to collect and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data. Participants completed instruments designed to assess science teaching efficacy beliefs, science background, and demographic data. Quantitative data from pre and posttests was obtained using the science teaching efficacy belief instrument-preservice (STEBI-B) developed by Enochs and Riggs (1990) and modified by Bleicher (2004). Data collection instruments also included a demographic questionnaire, an analytic rubric, and a structured interview; both created by the researcher. Quantitative data was analyzed by conducting ANCOVA, paired samples t -test, and independent samples t-test. Qualitative data was analyzed using coding and themes. Each of the treatment groups received the same problem scenario, one group experienced a more structured PBL setting, and one group experienced a limited structure PBL setting. Research personnel administered pre and posttests to determine the elementary preservice teachers' science teaching efficacy beliefs. The results show elementary preservice teachers' science teaching efficacy beliefs can be influence by the problem based learning instructional model. This study did not find that the amount of structure in the form of core ideas to consider and resources for further research increased science teaching efficacy beliefs in this sample. Results from the science content knowledge rubric indicated that structure can increase science content knowledge in this sample. Qualitative data from the tutor, fidelity raters, and interviews indicated the participants were excited about the problem and were interested in the science content knowledge related to the problem. They also indicated they were motivated to continue informal study in the problem area. Participants indicated, during the interview, their initial frustration with the lack of knowledge gained from the tutor; however, indicated this led to more learning on their part. This study will contribute to the overall knowledge of problem based learning and its structures, science teaching efficacy beliefs of elementary preservice teachers, and to current teaching and learning practices.
Author: James Deehan Publisher: Springer ISBN: 3319424653 Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 93
Book Description
The purpose of this Springer Brief is to provide a comprehensive review of both the STEBI methods and findings through the use of a clearly defined analytic framework. A systematic review of literature yielded 107 STEBI-A research items and 140 STEBI-B research items. The STEBI instruments have been used in a wide range of qualitative, cross sectional, longitudinal and experimental designs. Analysis of the findings of the papers reveals that in-service and pre-service programs that use innovative practices such as cooperative learning, inquiry based investigation and nature of science instruction can produce positive growth in participants’ science teaching efficacy beliefs. The personal science teaching efficacy beliefs of pre-service and in-service teachers showed greater mean scores and higher growth than their outcome expectancies. Implications are discussed.
Author: Joel J. Mintzes Publisher: Springer Nature ISBN: 303033600X Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 989
Book Description
This book explores evidence-based practice in college science teaching. It is grounded in disciplinary education research by practicing scientists who have chosen to take Wieman’s (2014) challenge seriously, and to investigate claims about the efficacy of alternative strategies in college science teaching. In editing this book, we have chosen to showcase outstanding cases of exemplary practice supported by solid evidence, and to include practitioners who offer models of teaching and learning that meet the high standards of the scientific disciplines. Our intention is to let these distinguished scientists speak for themselves and to offer authentic guidance to those who seek models of excellence. Our primary audience consists of the thousands of dedicated faculty and graduate students who teach undergraduate science at community and technical colleges, 4-year liberal arts institutions, comprehensive regional campuses, and flagship research universities. In keeping with Wieman’s challenge, our primary focus has been on identifying classroom practices that encourage and support meaningful learning and conceptual understanding in the natural sciences. The content is structured as follows: after an Introduction based on Constructivist Learning Theory (Section I), the practices we explore are Eliciting Ideas and Encouraging Reflection (Section II); Using Clickers to Engage Students (Section III); Supporting Peer Interaction through Small Group Activities (Section IV); Restructuring Curriculum and Instruction (Section V); Rethinking the Physical Environment (Section VI); Enhancing Understanding with Technology (Section VII), and Assessing Understanding (Section VIII). The book’s final section (IX) is devoted to Professional Issues facing college and university faculty who choose to adopt active learning in their courses. The common feature underlying all of the strategies described in this book is their emphasis on actively engaging students who seek to make sense of natural objects and events. Many of the strategies we highlight emerge from a constructivist view of learning that has gained widespread acceptance in recent years. In this view, learners make sense of the world by forging connections between new ideas and those that are part of their existing knowledge base. For most students, that knowledge base is riddled with a host of naïve notions, misconceptions and alternative conceptions they have acquired throughout their lives. To a considerable extent, the job of the teacher is to coax out these ideas; to help students understand how their ideas differ from the scientifically accepted view; to assist as students restructure and reconcile their newly acquired knowledge; and to provide opportunities for students to evaluate what they have learned and apply it in novel circumstances. Clearly, this prescription demands far more than most college and university scientists have been prepared for.
Author: Barry J. Fraser Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media ISBN: 1402090412 Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 1516
Book Description
The International Handbook of Science Education is a two volume edition pertaining to the most significant issues in science education. It is a follow-up to the first Handbook, published in 1998, which is seen as the most authoritative resource ever produced in science education. The chapters in this edition are reviews of research in science education and retain the strong international flavor of the project. It covers the diverse theories and methods that have been a foundation for science education and continue to characterize this field. Each section contains a lead chapter that provides an overview and synthesis of the field and related chapters that provide a narrower focus on research and current thinking on the key issues in that field. Leading researchers from around the world have participated as authors and consultants to produce a resource that is comprehensive, detailed and up to date. The chapters provide the most recent and advanced thinking in science education making the Handbook again the most authoritative resource in science education.
Author: Mary Jo Wimsatt Publisher: ISBN: Category : Science Languages : en Pages : 77
Book Description
ABSTRACT: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education is currently commanding an ever-greater share of our national dialogue about education. Very few STEM initiatives focus on studies involving in-service teachers; most education research involves preservice teacher candidates. This researcher used a 54 question survey to examine in-service elementary teachers' science content knowledge and self-efficacy constructs. The instrument combines Enochs and Riggs' (1990) Science Teaching Efficacy Beliefs Instrument (STEBI) with the researcher's content knowledge instrument created from a northwest Florida school district's science textbook series. The researcher's instrument was created to access participants' science content knowledge so the results can be compared to science self-efficacy results from the STEBI. The results of this study show there is a statistically significant relationship between the teachers' science self-efficacy and science content knowledge. The researcher concluded that in order to increase in-service teachers' science self-efficacy, district and school personnel need to increase opportunities for teachers to improve their science content knowledge.
Author: Carla C. Johnson Publisher: Routledge ISBN: 0429664648 Category : Education Languages : en Pages : 619
Book Description
The Handbook of Research on STEM Education represents a groundbreaking and comprehensive synthesis of research and presentation of policy within the realm of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. What distinguishes this Handbook from others is the nature of integration of the disciplines that is the founding premise for the work – all chapters in this book speak directly to the integration of STEM, rather than discussion of research within the individual content areas. The Handbook of Research on STEM Education explores the most pressing areas of STEM within an international context. Divided into six sections, the authors cover topics including: the nature of STEM, STEM learning, STEM pedagogy, curriculum and assessment, critical issues in STEM, STEM teacher education, and STEM policy and reform. The Handbook utilizes the lens of equity and access by focusing on STEM literacy, early childhood STEM, learners with disabilities, informal STEM, socio-scientific issues, race-related factors, gender equity, cultural-relevancy, and parental involvement. Additionally, discussion of STEM education policy in a variety of countries is included, as well as a focus on engaging business/industry and teachers in advocacy for STEM education. The Handbook’s 37 chapters provide a deep and meaningful landscape of the implementation of STEM over the past two decades. As such, the findings that are presented within provide the reader with clear directions for future research into effective practice and supports for integrated STEM, which are grounded in the literature to date.
Author: P.A. Moore Publisher: ISBN: Category : Elementary school teachers Languages : en Pages : 127
Book Description
The Problem: Science education at the elementary level has not been successful. As a nation we are producing fewer and fewer scientists and science teachers, as evidenced by the narrowing of the pipeline of students entering science classes in high school and beyond. Since a student's interest in science begins at the elementary level, any improvement in science education in these grades will help ameliorate the trend toward science illiteracy. Such an improvement rests on three critical areas: the teacher, the curriculum, and the methodology. Since preservice programs do not include rigorous science requirements, it is necessary to supplement teacher training with inservice programs addressing all three areas. What a teacher knows and believes has the most influence on what is taught in the classroom; hence the more the teacher's content and belief system are augmented, the greater the teacher's self efficacy. This research questioned the effectiveness of inservice programs on efficacy, and examined correlations of other variables such as gender, years teaching, and grade level taught. Subjective questions investigated qualities of inservice programs and what would facilitate greater involvement. The Research: This study included three groups of teachers: a treatment group involved in an intensive science inservice program and two control groups. Data from a science efficacy belief instrument and a demographic questionnaire were analyzed using a variety of statistical measures: central tendency, chi square, and analysis of variance. The Results: The self efficacy of the elementary teachers involved in the intensive inservice program was significantly higher than that of the two control groups. In addition, these teachers taught more science and taught using different methods than the other two groups. They were also more active in sharing science information with their colleagues. Teachers agreed that the best inservice programs were relevant to their needs and that more flexible scheduling would increase teacher participation. For the group involved in this study, the science inservice program enhanced the teachers, the curriculum, and the methodology for the improvement of The Problem: Science education at the elementary level has not been successful. As a nation we are producing fewer and fewer scientists and science teachers, as evidenced by the narrowing of the pipeline of students entering science classes in high school and beyond. Since a student's interest in science begins at the elementary level, any improvement in science education in these grades will help ameliorate the trend toward science illiteracy. Such an improvement rests on three critical areas: the teacher, the curriculum, and the methodology. Since preservice programs do not include rigorous science requirements, it is necessary to supplement teacher training with inservice programs addressing all three areas. What a teacher knows and believes has the most influence on what is taught in the classroom; hence the more the teacher's content and belief system are augmented, the greater the teacher's self efficacy. This research questioned the effectiveness of inservice programs on efficacy, and examined correlations of other variables such as gender, years teaching, and grade level taught. Subjective questions investigated qualities of inservice programs and what would facilitate greater involvement. The Research: This study included three groups of teachers: a treatment group involved in an intensive science inservice program and two control groups. Data from a science efficacy belief instrument and a demographic questionnaire were analyzed using a variety of statistical measures: central tendency, chi square, and analysis of variance. The Results: The self efficacy of the elementary teachers involved in the intensive inservice program was significantly higher than that of the two control groups. In addition, these teachers taught more science and taught using different methods than the other two groups. They were also more active in sharing science information with their colleagues. Teachers agreed that the best inservice programs were relevant to their needs and that more flexible scheduling would increase teacher participation. For the group involved in this study, the science inservice program enhanced the teachers, the curriculum, and the methodology for the improvement of
Author: Ken Appleton Publisher: Routledge ISBN: 1135464103 Category : Education Languages : en Pages : 380
Book Description
Co-Published with the Association For Science Teacher Education. Reflecting recent policy and standards initiatives, emerging research agendas, and key innovations, this volume provides a contemporary overview of important developments and issues that have that have in recent years shaped elementary science education pre-service courses and professional development, and practices that are shaping future directions in the field. Contributors from several countries who are actively engaged in research and design in elementary science education address: *Conceptual issues which impinge on contemporary science teacher education; *Intersections of content, pedagogy, and practice; and *Professional development as a contextualized practice. Elementary Science Teacher Education: International Perspectives on Contemporary Issues and Practice offers a clear picture of the current state of the field and directions for the future--to the benefit of elementary science teacher educators, aspiring teacher educators, school policy makers, other professionals involved in science education and, ultimately, the millions of elementary school children who will gain from improved practice.
Author: Selena Kay Sasser
Author: James Deehan
Author: Joel J. Mintzes
Author: Barry J. Fraser
Author: Mary Jo Wimsatt
Author: Murat Bursal
Author: Carla C. Johnson
Author: P.A. Moore
Author: Ken Appleton
Author: