• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.770-782
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• 2022

This study analyzes the depictions of scientists and teachers' thoughts on the 2015 revised elementary school science authorized 3rd-4th grade textbooks from the perspective of gender equality, and suggest improvements for the 2015 elementary school science authorized 5th-6th grade textbooks as well as a 2022 revised elementary school science curriculum. The data consist of representations of scientists found in seven elementary science textbooks provided to 3rd- and 4th-grade students in 2022 as well as in-depth interviews conducted with three elementary school teachers and responses from 32 teachers in Gyeonggi-do. Of the 23 scientists depicted in the textbooks, three (13.0%) are female and 10 (43.5%) worked in the inquiry domain, which was the largest group. When the teachers were asked about their perceptions of the gender ratio of scientists in the textbooks, their answers revealed that they had lower perceptions of female scientists compared to male scientists; moreover, they had no or very little teaching experience concerning female scientists. Furthermore, the teachers' thoughts on improving the gender ratio of scientists depicted in the textbooks differed considerably by the teachers' gender. Based on these findings, it was concluded that during the process of producing textbooks, writers and members of society need to agree on the gender ratio of scientists to be represented, and a social consensus is needed to identify and introduce the achievements of previously unknown female scientists towards gender equality.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.84-91
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• 2020

In this study, we investigated the elements of knowledge and information processing competence of science inquiry activities in grades 3-6 science textbooks. For this purpose, the elements of knowledge and information processing competence were extracted and a framework for analysis was created. Analysis of eight science textbooks for grades 3-6 in elementary school was carried out using the analysis framework. The following results were obtained by the analysis framework: First, we divided the knowledge and information processing competence into five elements: 'collection,' 'analysis,' 'expression,' 'selection,' and 'evaluation.' Second, the elements of knowledge and information processing competence of science inquiry activity of elementary science textbooks were not evenly composed. The science inquiry activities of elementary science textbooks focused on 'collection' and 'analysis' among the five elements of the knowledge and information processing competence, followed by 'expression,' 'selection,' and 'evaluation.' As a result, we found that a science inquiry model or a science instruction model is needed to develop the knowledge and information processing competence in elementary school science curriculum.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.258-270
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• 2009

Science textbook is the most frequently used teaching material in elementary schools of the United States and Korea. Elementary science textbooks of the United States and Korea are analyzed to find out the educational objectives and characteristics of contents shown in textbooks. About 100 pages each in the first grade and fourth grade science textbooks each nations are selected randomly for educational objective analysis. Life science contents of 1st to 6th grade are analyzed from elementary science textbooks of the United States and Korea. The analyzed textbooks in Korea are 'Wise life,' an integrated subject with social studies and science, and 'science.' The analyzed elementary science textbooks of the United States are Harcourt Science, which is one of the frequently used textbooks. The educational objective framework used includes science knowledge, scientific inquiry, scientific attitude, STS, and philosophy and history of science. The results show science textbooks of the United States emphasize scientific knowledge more than scientific inquiry. Korean science textbooks emphasize scientific inquiry more than scientific knowledge. Elementary science textbooks of the United States present some life science topics redundantly and expose more difficult topics than Korean.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.194-209
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• 2023

This study aims to present implications for the appropriate establishment and development of a science-authorized textbook system through an understanding of the process of selecting science-authorized textbooks and analyzing the perception of teachers. Toward this end, this study conducted interviews with five elementary school teachers who participated in the science textbook selection process, surveys on 32 teachers, and analysis on the authors of the textbooks. The result demonstrated, first, that the "opinion gathering" stage was the most important one, and a council was formed in consideration of career and major. Moreover, the evaluation standard was reorganized and used according to the situation of the school. Second, in the process of opinion gathering, the teachers used a method for reviewing the entire textbook for each teacher. Inquiry activities and textbook composition (readability) were crucially considered as internal factors, and teaching and learning materials, such as videos, were deemed extremely important as external factors. The variable of the author, which is an indicator of the reliability and expertise of textbooks, was also recognized as vital. Third, the deliberation by the School Committee and the report by the principal were recognized as the administrative final step after selection. Finally, selecting the most suitable textbooks for each grade group was recognized as more important than arbitrarily unifying textbooks for the third and fourth grades and for the fifth and sixth grades.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.487-499
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• 2022

This study aims to understand the trends and characteristics of elementary science textbook research. For this purpose, among the papers published in science-related journals from 2001 to 2021, 156 studies related to elementary science textbooks were analyzed to examine the research trends on textbook analysis. The analysis criteria consisted of two major categories, 'outward feature' and 'topic.' The subcategories of 'outward feature' consist of 'year of publication,' 'target curriculum,' 'target grade,' 'science content area,' 'subject of study,' and 'publishing institution.' The sub-categories of 'topic' consist of 'comparison,' 'content,' 'illustration,' 'inquiry activity,' 'perception of textbooks,' and 'others.' As a result of the analysis on 'outer feature,' textbook-related research was conducted almost every year, and the research on the 2009 revised science curriculum, on the 3-6 grades, and on the whole field of science had the most. The science textbook researches were published not only in science education-related journals but also in other areas' journals. As a result of the analysis of the 'topic,' the number of papers was higher in the order of comparative research, content analysis, illustration, inquiry activities, and perception of textbooks. Implications for accredited textbook system of elementary science were discussed based on the analyses on the elementary science textbook research trends.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.9-18
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• 2013

In 2014, third and fourth graders in primary schools will start using digital textbooks for social science, science, and English. Fifth and sixth graders will follow the next year. Given this situation, this study investigated the awareness of digital textbooks by primary school teachers who did not have direct experience with digital textbooks. Also studied was the teachers' acceptance of digital textbooks, based on the Technology Acceptance Model. The results showed that most respondents were not ready to use digital textbooks, and they were apprehensive about their use. However, if the teachers were required to use digital textbooks, usefulness and playfulness were key factors in their acceptance.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.477-488
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• 2005

Fossil photographs in science and earth science textbooks on the 7th curriculum including those of elementary, middle and high school, are analyzed to estimate the adequacy and scientific significance focusing on the locality and scale. The results show that most of the textbooks have included various types of fossil photographs: 32 in elementary textbooks, 50 in middle school and 109 in high school. However, the presentation of scientific information on each photographs is insufficient. Only $68\%$ of the elementary textbooks designates locality and only $6\%$ includes scales. Among middle and high school textbooks, 40 and $16\%$ of photographs describe locality, and 14 and $18\%$ of photographs exhibit scale, respectively. More scientific and appropriate presentation of fossil photographs, such as locality and scale, is needed to enhance educational effect.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.111-122
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• 2019

In this study, the characteristics of the reading materials in the chemistry domain of elementary school science and middle school science textbooks and chemistry I and II textbooks developed under the 2009 Revised National Science Curriculum were investigated. The criteria for classifying the reading materials were the types of theme, purpose, types of presentation, and students' activity. The inscriptions in the reading materials were also analyzed from the viewpoint of type, role, caption and index, and proximity type. The results indicated that more reading materials were included in the elementary science textbooks compared to middle school science, chemistry I, and/or chemistry II textbooks. The percentage of application in everyday life theme was high in the reading materials of elementary science textbooks, whereas the percentage of scientific knowledge theme was high in those of middle school science, chemistry I, and/or chemistry II textbooks. It was also found that the percentage of expanding concepts purpose was high in the reading materials of elementary science textbooks, whereas the percentage of supplementing concepts purpose was high in those of middle school science, chemistry I, and/or chemistry II textbooks. Several limitations in the use of inscriptions were found to exist; most inscriptions were photograph and/or illustration; most inscriptions were supplementing or elaborating texts; many inscriptions were presented without a caption or an index; there was a problem in the proximity of inscriptions to text.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.325-337
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• 2022

This study aims to determine the implications of the efficient and effective implementation of science core competency (ScC) education by examining the state of science core competencies derived from the 2015 revised elementary school science curriculum and analyzing teachers' and students' perceptions. To this end, this paper investigated the reality of reflecting the science core competencies of science textbooks in a group of third and fourth graders from seven elementary schools who passed the test. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with four elementary school teachers who participated in qualification textbook selection, and 156 elementary school students were surveyed to determine their perceptions of science core competencies. Findings showed that, first, 1,586 science core competencies were reflected throughout the textbooks, with an average of 227 per textbook and biology being the most salient area. Second, teachers did not understand the difference between previous inquiry activities in textbooks and ScC education. Third, no statistically significant differences were observed in the perceptions of male and female students on science core competencies, the highest average of perceptions being those of scientific thinking ability. From these results, this study concluded that for ScC education to be realized as a curriculum, textbooks must be organized according to the purpose of core competency education, implementing practical changes, and efforts must be directed toward changing the perceptions of individuals who deliver education.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.625-640
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• 2014

In 21st century, it is essential to understand Nature of Science (NOS) related to science educational curriculum. The study analyzed Earth Science components of third- through sixth-grade science textbooks in terms of incorporated NOS themes and their relative proportions. Modified analysis methods of Chiappetta et al. (1991) and Lee (2012) are devised and adapted. The results of analysis indicates that the current elementary school textbooks include and explain all the four themes of NOS, but do not include sub-areas of each theme of NOS in a balanced way. In addition, the themes of NOS in Earth Science are not treated equally among different grades. Such results warrant the efforts to include balanced themes of NOS into elementary school science textbooks with the ultimate goal of fully and properly comprehending NOS to the students.