scholarly journals Developing an Inquiry-Based Physical Science Course For Preservice Elementary Teachers

Author(s):  
Zdeslav Hrepic
2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Deepika Menon

Teacher beliefs that relate to teachers' motivation and performance have been an important area of concern for science education at all levels. This study focused on investigating science self-efficacy beliefs and the factors associated, and the relationship between the changes science self-efficacy beliefs and changes in physical science conceptual understanding in a specialized elementary physics content course for elementary education majors (N=51). The data were collected using science self-efficacy beliefs surveys, physical science concept instrument, class observations, interviews and artifacts. The data analysis procedures included a pre-post, repeated meaures multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) design, and grounded theory approach. Results indicated statistically significant gains in participants' science self-efficacy beliefs. Additionally, a positive moderate relationship between science conceptual understanding and personal science teaching efficacy beliefs was found. Participants' responses indicated positive shifts in their science teacher self-image and confidence to teach science in future. Findings suggest that despite of the nature of prior science experiences preservice elementary teachers previously had, an exposure to a course that integrates relevant science content along with modeled insturctional strategies can positively impact science self-efficacy beliefs. These finding have important implications for preservice science teacher preparation programs.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 144
Author(s):  
Isil Koc ◽  
Robert E. Yager

This study was conducted to investigate the extent to which preservice elementary teachers held alternative conceptions in fundemental elementary science concepts. Eighty-six preservice elementary teachers participated in this study. Twelve preservice elementary teachers participated in follow-up interviews. Data were collected through the use of Alternative Conceptions in Science Instrument (Schoon, & Boone, 1998), a participant information form, and utilization of interviews. The results indicated that the majority of preservice elementary teachers (67.4%) held a number of alternative conceptions with mostly in the physical science. Various sources of alternative conceptions emerged during the interviews. Findings from the study also confirmed that science courses completed do not seem to have influenced participants’ alternative conceptions. Overall, the results of the study suggest that more consideration be given to identifying and modifying of the alternative conceptions of science so that teachers could better help their own students arriving at more accurate conceptions.


Author(s):  
Jennifer Potter

The purpose of this pretest-posttest study was to investigate elementary preservice teachers’ perceptions of and level of comfort with music in the elementary classroom after enrolling in an online music integration course. Participants were preservice elementary teachers ( N = 93) enrolled in three sections of an online music integration course at a large university in Southern California. Results showed significant differences in participants’ agreement with aspects of music teaching, comfort with music, and music integration. Findings also indicated significant differences in participants’ rankings of musical outcomes in an elementary setting. There were no significant differences found among participants’ ranking of music and other subjects in the elementary classroom.


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