An Analysis of the Instructional State of the Unit 생Small Living Things′ in the Elementary School Science

초등학교 자연과 생작은생물생 단원의 수업 실태 분석

The purpose of this study is to survey the instructional state of the unit 'Small Living Things' in the Elementary School Science. for this study, 100 teachers were surveyed on teaching-learning practices. More specifically, questions were asked on the degree of accomplishing instruction objectives, frequency of field . study, experimental preparation, alternative instructional methods, amount of preparation, availability of reference books for teachers and availability of information materials on the Kwangju region. Our results show that teachers find the objectives related to the collection of living things for class experiments and the task of growing and observing them the most difficult to accomplish. It was reported that 38% of teachers have actually conducted field trips. The obstacles listed in going out on field study range from lack of knowledge of appropriate places, lack of time, to safety concerns. The most difficult problem in teaching this unit was preparing proper instructional materials, regardless of teacher's gender, career, and interest. Most respondents let children provide the experimental subjects. Teachers with collection experience tend to provide for the experimental materials themselves. Our Analysis also reveals that more than 70% of the respondents do not have adequate knowledge of the species dealt with in the unit. Gender, career, and interest area of the teachers did not make any difference (p< .05). In the case that proper experimental subjects have not been prepared, VTR, textbooks, and charts were reported as the most frequently used alternative instruction aids. The level of content and amount of knowledge contained in this unit were found to be appropriate. Information on instruction materials and experiment-observation were obtained through the teaching manual or periodicals (58%), information materials on the region(20%), and fellow teachers (12%). Reference books for teachers and materials on the region are perceived to be inadequate in order of importance in the areas of preparation method, level-wise learning guide, experimental observation, and information on species covered in text. Overall, it was judged that the highest concern was with obtaining experimental materials, and teacher's reference books and materials on the region need to be reinforced to allow teachers to more fully utilize them. Development and distribution of proper instruction-learning materials to the children's level is also required.