• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.532-543
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• 2004

The teacher appointment examination is consisted of a written test, an interview, a demonstration of teaching practices, one's academic record etc. The primary written test(full credit of 100) consists of multiple-choice test of general pedagogy(30%) and constructed response test of science(70%). The science test consists of science education($20{\sim}30%$) and science content($70{\sim}80%$). Five science exams were implemented for appointing general science, physics, chemistry, biology and earth science teachers in 2002 and 2003. The credits alloted to science education domain decreased from $25.7{\sim}30%$ in 2002 to $24.3{\sim}25.7%$ in 2003. The percentage of correct answer was similar between science education and science content domain in 2002, but the percentage of correct answer in science education domain(70.2%) was 29.8% higher than that of science content domain in 2003. Earth science exam almost reached the target mean score of 60 but the other four exams showed the mean scores ranging from 45.0 to 52.7 in 2002 and from 40.1 to 49.6 in 2003. The percentage of high difficulty items(p<40%) was 41.2% in physics and chemistry in 2002, 50% in physics and chemistry, and 45% in biology in 2003. Seventy eight percent of the items showed fairly high discrimination index(r>.30). In addition, the reliabilities of 5 tests were from .79 to .88. In conclusion, it is recommended that the credits alloted to science education domain should be increased up to 30%, and exam difficulties should be lowered to a proper level by making science content items easier.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.434-445
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to aid the teaching strategy for the teacher by investigating the preconception of the earthquake for 4th grade students in elementary school before learn the curriculum. For this, 31 grade students who lived in Seongnam in Gyeonggi province were interviewed with the questionnaire. The following is the findings. On the definition of an earthquake, 64.9% of the students had scientific conception. On the question of 'what happens on the ground when there is an earthquake', 59.2% of the students responded shaking or cracking of the earth, ground, things or building. On the question of 'what a person should do when there is an earthquake', most of the students responded by more than two answers. In contrast, on the causes of an earthquake, there were the largest percentage (35.3%) students who answered they didn't know. Except for one student, there were no students had talked about scientific conception. On the question of 'what happens below when there is an earthquake', 26.3% of the students responded they didn't know. On the place where an earthquake occurs rather frequently, 22.2% of the students mentioned an island. On the reason, 39.9% of the students responded they didn't know and there were no students with scientific answers. This study showed 4th grade students had scientific conception on the definition of an earthquake, and they had many experience interaction with external environment on 'what happens on the ground when there is an earthquake', 'the place where an earthquake occur rather frequently'. However the students had relatively small experience on the causes of an earthquake, on 'what happens below the ground when there is an earthquake', and earthquake-prone areas. Based on this study, additional research must be conducted on science in which the students' preconceptions is investigated to connect back to curriculum development. In addition, consideration must be given on how to integrate the thinking processes of students during the curriculum development process.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Earth Science Education
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.122-139
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• 2017

The purposes of this study are to develop the STEAM program grounded on curriculum and to investigate educational effects of the developed program on students' attitude of science and science self-efficacy by application to elementary informal science education environment. In order to develop this program, the literature reviews were conducted and then STEAM education program based on the theme 'light' is developed. The developed program was revised and complemented through preliminary applications and consulting with experts, and applied to 65 students. A single group pre-post paired t-test was conducted through the students' attitude of science and science self-efficacy test. The semi-structure interviews were used to gather focused and additional data. The results of this study were as follows: firstly, STEAM education program was developed with the theme 'light' for elementary students in order to increase their interest related to real life. Secondly, the results indicated that the program was statistically significant on the attitude of science for the group of third and fourth graders. However, the effects of science self-efficacy did not appear a significant result for the third and fourth graders. They expressed one possible reason. The theme of light was not familiar with them because the theme was scheduled to teach in the second semester of the fourth graders. Some of students in this group did have a chance to learn the theme. Thirdly, the program was very effective for the fifth and sixth graders on their attitude of science and science self-efficacy. In conclusion, STEAM education program developed with the theme of light is contributed to elementary students' attitude of science in the informal science education. Students' learning experiences of relevant concepts can influence on students' science self-efficacy. It could be very important factor to consider students' grade level and previous learning experiences when the educational programs develop.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Earth Science Education
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.82-93
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to analyze the results of satisfaction for learning eco-system on the teacher training program conducted at the IS-Geo (International School for Geoscience Resources) which is KIGAM (Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources), and to determine the satisfaction and educational effects of the teacher training programs on elementary and secondary teachers. And then, to suggest improvement points in the future operation of the teacher training program at the IS-Geo. Therefore, we conducted questionnaire of satisfaction for learning eco-system based on the data collected by a survey of 98 elementary and secondary teachers who participated in the teacher training program at the IS-Geo, from July 2017 to August 2018. The research results are as follows. First, the results of satisfaction for learning eco-system showed high values of 4.58 or higher in both the elementary and secondary programs, and the teacher training program conducted by the IS-Geo had a positive effect on the training participants. Second, internal factors indicating learning motivation and learning development were elementary teacher training 4.70 and secondary teacher training 4.64, and it is necessary to develop training contents and programs by classifying them into majors other than the earth science department. Third, intermediate factors indicating contents of education and learning curriculum were 4.67 for an elementary teacher training program and 4.72 for secondary teacher training program. In addition, in order to operate the teacher training program according to the purpose of science and technology culture, it is necessary to develop a teaching-learning model and to improve the quality of teaching. Fourth, external factors indicating learner support and quality of instructors were 4.83 for an elementary teacher training program and 4.72 for a secondary teacher training program. In particular, it is necessary to develop teaching materials that can be used immediately in school classes and can generate interest.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Earth Science Education
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.335-344
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• 2022

This study was conducted for 4 weeks on the preparation of the science teaching/learning course plan for 109 students in 4 classes of the 2nd year intensive course at B University of Education. Pre-service elementary teachers attended a two-week field training practice after listening to a lecture on how to write a science teaching and learning course plan. Pre-service elementary teachers tried to find out about the selection of materials and the degree of connection between the course plan and the class to prepare the science teaching/learning course plan. The researcher completed the questionnaire by reviewing and deliberation on the questionnaire questions together with 4 pre-service elementary teachers. The questionnaire related to the writing of the science teaching and learning course plan consists of 8 questions. Preferred reference materials when writing the course plan, the level of interest in learning, the success or failure of the science course plan and class, the science preferred model, the evaluation method in unit time, and the science teaching and learning One's own efforts to write the course plan, the contents of this course are the science faculty. It is composed of the preparation of the learning process plan and how helpful it is to the class. The results of this study are as follows. First, it was found that elementary school pre-service elementary teachers preferred teacher guidance the most when drafting science teaching and learning curriculum plans. Second, it is recognized that the development stage is very important in the teaching and learning stage of the science department. Third, Pre-service elementary teachers believe that the science and teaching and learning process plan has a high correlation with the success of the class. Fourth, it was said that the student's level, the teacher's ability, and the appropriate lesson plan had the most influence on the class. Fifth, it was found that pre-service elementary teachers prefer the inquiry learning class model. Sixth, it was found that reports and activity papers were preferred for evaluation in 40-minute classes. Seventh, it was stated that the teaching and learning process plan is highly related to the class, so it will be studied and studied diligently. Eighth, the method of writing a science teaching and learning course plan based on the instructional design principle is interpreted as very beneficial.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Earth Science Education
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.235-248
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• 2022

With the changes in the future educational environment, such as the rapid decline of the school-age population and the expansion of students' choice of curriculum, changes are also required in PCK, the expertise of science teachers. In other words, the categories constituting the existing 'consensus-PCK' and the characteristics of 'science PCK' are not fixed, so more categories and characteristics can be added. The purpose of this study is to explore the potential area of science PCK required to cope with changes in the future educational environment in the form of 'Family Resemblance Science PCK (Family Resemblance-PCK, hereafter)' through Wittgenstein's family resemblance approach. For this purpose, in-depth interviews were conducted with three focus groups. In the focus group in-depth interview, participants discussed how the science PCK required for science teachers in future schools in 2030-2045 will change due to changes in the future society and educational environment. Qualitative analysis was performed based on the in-depth interview, and semantic network analysis was performed on the in-depth interview text to analyze the characteristics of 'Family Resemblance-PCK' differentiated from the existing 'consensus-PCK'. In results, the characteristics of Family Resemblance-PCK, which are newly requested along with changes in role expectations of science teachers, were examined by PCK area. As a result of semantic network analysis of Family Resemblance-PCK, it was found that Family Resemblance-PCK expands its boundaries from the existing consensus-PCK, which is the starting point, and new PCK elements were added. Looking at the aspects of Family Resemblance-PCK, [AI-Convergence Knowledge-Contents-Digital], [Community-Network-Human Resources-Relationships], [Technology-Exploration-Virtual Reality-Research], [Self-Directed Learning-Collaboration-Community], etc., form a distinct network cluster, and it is expected that future science teacher expertise will be formed and strengthened around these PCK areas. Based on the research results, changes in the professionalism of science teachers in future schools and countermeasures were proposed as a conclusion.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1158-1174
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• 2011

In this study, we examined the compositions, basic principles, and the area of the National Higher Education Entrance Examination (GaoKao) in 2009, we also analyzed the categories and characteristics of items. Also, the GaoKao was analyzed in terms of test specifications, the number of items, item patterns, difficulty levels, and implications of the College Scholastic Ability Test(CSAT) were explored. Results show Natural Science section of the National Test 1, 2 are 300 points per 150 min, and Natural Science, and Chemistry of Shanghai is 150 points each per 120 min. Also, the GaoKao contained multiple choice and fill in the blanks questions, and the description items are composed of experiments of various types. The GaoKao Natural Science section is composed of physics, chemistry, biology but not earth science, which is different from the CSAT. GaoKao requires basic understanding or the observation ability to reasoning, the complex thinking ability, especially emphasized on the experiment ability. The range of possible questions is in the examination outline, not the curriculum, and the ratio of questions from the University level is high. In the analysis of the behavioral domain, the ratios of the understanding and application items is higher than the CSAT, and inquiry items is lower, but the inquiry items are deeper. In case of the ratio of the expected correct answer, National Test 1 and National Test 2 is similar, but the difficult items or about 20~39% of the test is 4~5 times to that of the CSAT, making the GaoKao very difficult. The peculiar characteristics of GaoKao is the emphasis on the experiment, and even though the practical items is of lower ratio, they are very useful in life.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.394-407
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• 2012

This study analyzed the result of the National Assessment of Educational Achievement (NAEA) in a Grade 9 Science class. The study first found that the ratio of below basic achievement was 8.1 percent. This means that a large number of middle school students have not reached basic scientific literacy. Second, the ratio of male students in the below basic level was 10.4 percent, which was double the ratio of female students at 5.5 percent. Third, according to the analysis of achievement by gender, female students outperformed male students. In addition, the female students' standard deviation was smaller than that of the male students, and their scaled scores were distributed nearer the average than that of the male students. Furthermore, analysis of achievement by content domains indicated that females outperformed in all content domains including motion and energy, materials, life, and earth sciences. Showing a similar tendency in the behavior domains, females outperformed males in all behavior domains except the understanding domain. Last, for achievement by living area, students living in the middle and small cities showed the highest scaled score, 196.81. Whereas the average scaled score of the students living in the big cities was 196.15; that of the students living in rural areas was 194.86. With respect to the standard deviation, big cities had the largest, 33.73. That of middle and small cities was 33.70, and of rural areas was 32.92. Although students in cities showed higher achievement in science compared to students in rural areas, they had a bigger gap in academic achievement.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.815-833
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• 2016

This study investigated children's (grade 3 to 9) responses to assessment items on energy as a cross-cutting concept in order to get basic information for a learning progression. The assessment consisted of 8 ordered multiple-choice items at the contexts of electric circuit, mechanical energy of falling objects, phase change of matter, dissolution, biological phenomena of a lizard, food chain, radiative equilibrium between Sun and Earth, and the system of water cycling. Children's responses to each item were analyzed with using cross-tabulations in terms of grades and item option levels and Wright map and Differential item functioning based on Rasch modeled item response analysis. The results offered empirical evidence of children's development of understanding energy from relation between energy and its phenomena, types of energy, transfer and conversion of energy, towards conservation and equilibrium of energy for all of eight contexts. Children of each grade did not fully understand energy conservation. As grade goes up, their understandings of energy transfer and conversion were differentiated across the contexts and topics of energy. According to Rasch analysis, children had easier understanding of energy on dissolution and poorer understanding of energy on water cycling than that on other contexts. It was discussed and suggested that the results of this study help us organize science topics with regard to energy when developing new national science curriculum.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.560-576
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• 2023

The purpose of this investigation is to: (1) to derive an improvement factor for inquiry-based simulated teaching-learning in pre-service teacher training programs, and pre-service teachers practice simulated teaching that reflect the improvement factor, (2) to analyze the difference in science intrinsic motivation according to science self-efficacy and inquiry-based simulated teaching-learning experience. To achieve these goals, we recruited five elementary and secondary teachers as experts to help us develop an improvement factor based on expert interviews. Subsequently, third-year pre-service teachers of a university of education participated in our analysis of differences in science intrinsic motivation, according to their level of science self-efficacy and experience with inquiry-based simulated teaching-learning. Our methodology involved applying the analytic hierarchy process to expert interviews to derive improvement factor for inquiry-based simulated teaching-learning, followed by a two-way ANOVA to identify significant differences in science intrinsic motivation between groups with varying levels of science self-efficacy. We also conducted post-analysis through MANOVA statements. The results of our study indicate that inquiry-based simulated teaching-learning can be improved through activities that foster digital literacy, ecological literacy, democratic citizenship, and scientific inquiry skills. Moreover, small group activities and student-centered teaching-learning approaches were found to be effective in developing core competencies and promoting science achievements. Specifically, pre-service teachers prepared a teaching-learning course plan and inquiry-based simulated teaching-learning in seventh-grade in the Earth and Space subject area. Pre-service teachers' science intrinsic motivation analyze significant differences in all levels of science self-efficacy before and after simulated teaching-learning and significant difference in the interaction effect between simulated teaching-learning and scientific self-efficacy. Particularly, group with low scientific self-efficacy, the difference in science intrinsic motivation according to simulated teaching-learning was most significant. Teachers' scientific self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation are needed to improve science achievement and affective domains of students in class. Therefore, this study contributes to suggest inquiry-based simulated teaching-learning reflecting school practices from the pre-service teacher curriculum.