• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.785-798
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• 2010

The purposes of this study are to investigate Korean science teachers' perception of the current science teacher preparation courses in Korea, especially focused on subjects of science education, and to induce implications for improvement of in-service program for science teachers. To do this, a questionnaire was developed by the authors and administered to the 215 science teachers sampled nationwide. The study concluded that science teachers perceived that the two compulsory subjects, 'science education theories' and 'science teaching-learning materials and teaching methods' were not enough for a professional science teacher. Particularly, they consisently insisted that more practices under the relationship with teaching science in schools were necessary when learning subjects of science education. Based on science teachers' response, we recommended that the following 4 subjects should be added in the course of pre-service program for science teachers: 'Development of experiment/demonstration devices', 'Teaching creativity and education for the gifted in science', 'Development of science teaching materials', and 'Science inquiry learning and teaching'.

• Journal of Gifted/Talented Education
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.107-122
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to explore the perception of the observation and nomination system for the identification of the gifted and to find out the importance and practice level perceived by the gifted education teachers using the concept mapping approach. For this, twelve gifted education teachers brainstormed and gathered ideas for the ideal ways of observation and nomination system and the gathered statements were solicited. Multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis were also used. In addition, 112 gifted education teachers rated the importance of and the practice level for the suggested ideas of observation and nomination system. Results were as follows: First, 36 statements were solicited and as a result of concept mapping the suggested observation and nomination system were categorized as 'attainment of professionality', 'attainment of administrative support', 'attainment of fairness', and 'considering points for recommendation.' Second, there were significant differences between the perceived importance levels and the practice levels. Based on the results, imlications of the study were discussed in depth.

• Journal of Gifted/Talented Education
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.379-398
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• 2014

This research examined to seek managing the way of effectiveness for training through the teachers' perceptions and the current status of in-service training for the gifted in arts. Conclusions based on the results of the analysis are as follow. First, it is analyzed that about 49.4 percent of respondents do not have any experiences of in-service training related to the gifted education in arts and there are also teachers who teach with no experiences of in-service training. Moreover, it is also analyzed that in-service training is generally being conducted with revolving to basic courses and the opportunities that teachers are able to develop programs for themselves are offered insufficiently. Second, in terms of management of in-service training, it is implied that accessibility to the training site and the active promotion of program, as well as sufficient provision of information, have to be considered in advance. Third, teachers have recognition that it is important to secure the diversification of training types, professionalism of instructors and managing directors for the effectiveness of in-service training. Forth, in terms of program, teachers show that the provision of educational programs, the diversification of training contents and the differentiated opportunities for developing programs according to basic, advanced courses, which can be applied to the field of gifted education in arts are most important. Furthermore, the convenience of transportation and the amenity of training facility are said to be important elements. Therefore, we suggest that, for increasing the effectiveness of in-service training for teachers of the gifted in arts, not only differentiated in-service training model and curriculum which can be applicable to the field, but also efficient environment suitable for the characteristics of the gifted education in arts.

• Journal of Gifted/Talented Education
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.373-390
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to find out the role and responsibilities of coordinators for gifted classes in Korean schools, by examining the role and responsibilities, and qualifications of coordinators' at gifted classes in America and England. To do this, first, we examine the tasks and role of Korean gifted classes in elementary and secondary schools. Then we look into the coordinators of gifted programs of public schools and university programs in America and England. The coordinators of America and England are experts in gifted programs who have understanding and knowledge on gifted education, and they work for everything regarding gifted programs, such as designing the gifted education program, dealing documents regarding gifted programs, and assisting school personnel in the identification, development, teaching and evaluation of gifted students. The coordinators are the most important and core person in gifted programs. However, in Korean school, the role of coordinators is one of the school tasks of which any teacher has to take charge and there is no regulation on the qualification of coordinators. Therefore we suggest to set up the regulations of qualification, role and responsibilities of gifted programs' coordinators, by understanding that the role of coordinators is important.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.10-20
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• 2014

This study compares the perceptions of elementary gifted child and science teacher in a science class for the gifted. In order to explore the research problem, students and teachers answered a written semi-structured questionnaire and participated in interviews regarding the gifted science class. The data was collected and analyzed. Science teachers recognized the characteristics of a good science class, especially in terms of educational content and teaching methodology. First, they suggested promoting inquiry skills, presenting a challenging task in atypical topic selection, student-centered curriculum, and controlling the pace of learning to recognize individual differences. Second, in terms of the science class skills and attitudes category, teachers recommended raising mutual satisfaction through vigorous interaction within a permissible atmosphere. Finally, science teachers need to strive for continued professional growth. Gifted children, meanwhile, want to investigate a wide range of topics without time constraints. Additionally, they may have to explore challenging topics further. They prefer to act like scientists in that they enjoy group activities, communication and cooperation. In particular, they want to be evaluated by others in a totally embedded assessment. Gifted children also expect teachers to understand the life circumstances and needs of the students. In addition, they asked for teachers to respect individual experiments and to show them how to safely use new equipment or research methods. As a result, gifted children and science teachers have to recognize the differences of opinion concerning a good science class for the gifted. This study can help formulate strategies to establish quality management of materials in gifted science classes.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.331-345
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• 2012

As a case study on the use of mentoring as a method of improving novice teachers' teaching professionalism in secondary science-gifted education, this study investigated the characteristics of mentoring science instructions for science-gifted students at the plan, performance, evaluation, and post-mentoring stages of the classes. One mentor and two mentees were selected, and mentoring in each mentee's instructions was conducted during nine classes over three times. We observed the total classes, and analyzed taped videos, the materials, the transcripts for mentoring and in-depth interviews, and field notes. The analyses of the results indicated that the characteristics of mentoring instructions, at the planning stage of the classes, exhibited the construction of more systematic classes, the escape from the schema that science instructions for science-gifted students were instructions using somewhat difficult experiments and the uses of diverse teaching strategies, the influence of the psychological burdens on developing science-gifted education programs, and the increase of the time preparing the classes. At the performance stage of the classes, the characteristics included the improvement in the quality of the classes, the influence of the psychological burdens on teaching the classes, and the inducements of some confusion on performing them. At the evaluation stage of the classes, the characteristics included the provision of the opportunities in deeply reflecting my own classes, and the provision of the practical power for improving the classes. Finally, the characteristics at the postmentoring stage could be attributed to the increase of mentees' self-confidence about their instructions and some development of mentors' teaching professionalism/mentoring skills.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.625-636
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to compare the differences in the operation form of science academy, science high school, and ordinary high school. We tried to find what kinds of variables differ in operation form based on the perception of the beneficiaries. For this purpose, 288 beneficiaries were surveyed. The groups were divided into three groups according to the high school they graduated from and then the differences among the groups were compared. The results are as follows. First, as a result of comparing the operation form according to high school using the most similar system design, it was confirmed that there are differences in curriculum and teacher variables. Second, as the result of analyzing the perception of curriculum and teacher professionalism based on the education experience of the beneficiary, the satisfaction for science academy was higher, but the satisfaction for science in ordinary high school was lower. Third, the key variables showing the differences in the operation forms between science academy and science high school were the learning contents, learning process and learning environment. The results of this study are expected to be used as basic data for future improvement of gifted education curriculum.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Earth Science Education
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.199-216
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to figure out how much gifted science education teachers in charge of the class realize the necessity of individualized curriculum and program for scientifically gifted, to find out the problems of the gifted science educational institutions from exploring them in depth in the light of the reality in the gifted science educational institutions, and to draw implications about the applicable direction of more aggressive individualized curriculum and program for scientifically gifted. I chose 15 people with the incumbent teachers who have ever taught scientifically gifted and have a degree in the gifted education or science subject education as study participants and had a depth interview with them. According to result of the study, 14 of 15 study participants recognized the necessity of individualized education in science should understand the personal requirements according to the tendency of the gifted students and should be a study led by students themselves. Of the problems in gifted science education, teachers regarded the reduction in the financial support as the biggest problem and the vocation and professionalism of teachers were referred as a very important factor. With constraints of time and space, there were plenty of opinions that can't ignore the influence of educational environment associated with the university entrance examination. There were many opinions that there is excessive expansion of the agencies and the target for gifted students, no standardized measurement tools and programs and the lack of the system for the coherent observation as a teacher. Also, the unified curriculum of gifted science education institutions were pointed out as the problem and the individualized programs which were already under way have a lot of weakness and being offered marginally. Thus, from now on, to apply for individualized education of gifted science, teachers demanded optimized education conditions and consistent policy support, and expressed the opinion that there needs of a possible continuous observation system. Besides, the curriculum and programs matched the needs of the students should be taken priority the most, and there were another answers that fellow learning within the cooperative learning can be an alternative of the individualized. Along with that, there were lots of opinions that the treatment to overcome an inferiority complex according to the individualized should be followed.

• Journal of Gifted/Talented Education
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.37-58
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of convergence education through the Delphi survey targeting 19 teaching professionals. The Delphi survey was completed three times, drawing key factors and expected outcomes which explain the characteristics of convergence education. The key factors of convergence education were classified as 'educational design', 'teachers' expertise' and 'educational environment'. Educational design focused on the qualitative characteristics of leaner's experience. Teachers' expertise was teacher's active and supportive roles in relationship with fellow teachers and learners. Educational environment was the psychological factors with which various subjects can realize convergence education. The expected outcomes were classified as 'learner's cognitive characteristics', 'leaner's affective characteristics', and 'teacher and educational system'. The expected outcomes of convergence education leads to psychological changes for learners to increase the advanced learning experiences and to pursue values of education itself. Compared to similar concepts, convergence education has some unique characteristics in which many of regular learners in educational settings and various topics are targeted. It also focuses on psychological factors of various subjects and qualitative natures of leaners' learning experience for the advanced learning. Especially, these results have significance in understanding the nature of convergence education, focusing on educational practices through teachers'perspectives.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.1021-1040
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• 2013

In order to explore the influences of coteaching through mentoring upon the teaching professionalism of beginning science-gifted education teachers, this case study deeply investigated the change processes in the aspects of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). Two beginning teachers planned, performed and reflected together their science instructions for science-gifted students in secondary school during four 3-hour classes. Since the second instruction, pre-, during-, and post-mentoring were conducted, we collected various data related to teachers' planning processes, videotaped all coteaching science classes, and wrote field notes. We also recorded in-depth interviews with the teachers and the whole process of mentoring. All the data were analyzed by using the constant comparative method. The results of the analyses indicated that coteaching through mentoring positively changed the teachers' PCK. Above all, we found that coteaching and mentoring strategies generated a significant synergy effect through a mutually complementary relationship. The teachers developed deep practical knowledge about the enrichment curriculum, which placed more emphasis on developing cognitive and/or affective characteristics of science-gifted students. The teachers also improved their knowledge about the characteristics of science-gifted students and the instructional strategies appropriate for developing them. Moreover, practical knowledge about assessment domains and methods used in science-gifted education were improved. Knowledge on science content necessary for effective inquiry instruction was also improved.