• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.826-839
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to examine science education researchers' views on what and how much science educational theories would be needed for pre-service science teachers, and to investigate the relationship between their views and the Examination for Appointing Secondary School Science Teachers(EASST). For this study, the views of science education professors on science education theories have been analyzed in terms of their priorities for contributing to the improvement of science teacher competency and literacy. Their views have been compared with proportions of questions related to science education theories of the EASST in terms of what kinds of science education theories have been used for solving each item. As results of this study show, they have perceived that more essential things are needed for the improvement of science teacher competency and literacy including science inquiry process, methods of experimental equipments and tools, laboratory safety, misconception of students, discussion, writing, evaluation of scientific knowledges, and evaluation of scientific inquiry ability other than science philosophy, changes of science curricula, science curricula of foreign countries, Bruner's instructional theory, Karplus's Learning Cycle model, generative learning model, discovery learning model, and Klopfer's taxonomy of educational objectives. There is a higher proportion of questions related to science curriculum and Ausubel's learning theory in the EASST. They are hardly correlated with science education professors' selections of science educational theories for EASST questions. This study advocates the needs of exploring a new method of narrowing down the gap between science educators' opinions and questions of ESSAT in terms of science educaiton theories.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.83-101
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• 1981

Under the full consideration of the growing need and importance of population education in the field of home economics in Korea, the study was carried out to verify and assess the following facts on the current issues of population education of home economists who are presently engaging in teaching professions as the teachers of middle and high school and professors of college and universities by setting its primary objectives of the study as followings; 1) to assess the degree of general knowledge and attitudes of home economists toward population education in the field of home economics, 2) to verify the problems encountered in implementing population education by home economists in its field, 3) to find an existing status of previous trainings received and other activities of population education of home economists aimed at utilizing these findings as a part of reference materials when the population education is conducted in the field of home economics. In order to attain these objectives described above, the questionnaire was carefully designed to house a total of 40 questions with good combination of multiple-choice and the simple answer questions. The mail questionnaire survey was conducted by establishing teachers of home economics at middle/high schools and college/universities as Senior Home Economists(SHE) who are from public, private liberal arts and vocational schools. The rate of response observed during the survey was 45.6 percent and the findings of the survey research are as follows: 1) Examining the status of the respondents by residence and religion, it was found that 45 percent of middle & high school teachers ar.d 59. 1 percent of college professors are residing in Seoul city area and that the largest percent of them are christian in their religion. Analyzing respondents by their ages, 56 percent of middle/high school teachers are in their 30s, 45 percent of college professors are in their 40s, and 37 percent of college teachers are in their 30s. In addition, 13 percent of the total respondents are found to be unmarried. The study also revealed that 71 percent of the college professors finished Master Degree course and 82 percent of middle/high school teachers are graduated from college level lasting 4 years. Looking over the status cf major fields of respondents, 68.4 percent of middle/high school teachers are specialized in home economic education and the college professors, on the other hand, show relatively even prortion by specializing in the order of food & nutrition science, clothes & textile science and home managerial science. As far as the length of teaching experience is concerned, a relatively longer period of teaching experience is observed in the college professors in comparison with that of middle/high school teachers. In other words, 33.3 percent of middle/high school teachers are experienced in teaching from 6 to 10 years on average while 43.9 percent of college professors show more than 16 years of experience. 2) Examining the status of existing number of children cf the respondents, one boy and one daughter pattern is predominant, showing 28.5 percent in middle/high school teachers and 21.1 percent in college professors. As for the desired number of children of unmarried respondents, it is observed that 43.8 percent of middle/high school teachers desire to have one boy and one girl, and 31.3 percent of college professors want to have one child regardless of the sex. By assessing the degree of awareness of the population education through their students, it is observed that 53 percent of middle/high school teachers and 50 percent of college professors are aware of population education in some extent and that a majority of respondents took the positive attitudes toward an inclusion of family planning components into the formal school education. Another noteworthy to observe is that a total of 84.8 percent out of middle/high school teachers pointed that the population education currently conducted at schools as a part of home economics are less sufficient than it should be. 3) Analyzing the tendency as to whether the respondents were experienced in receiving population education during the time when they were students, 75 percent of college professors and 59 percent of middle/high school teachers responded negative answers in the survey. In the mean time, a total of 50 percent of the respondents replied that they began to acknowledge the importance of population education mainly through the participation of some sort of population-education orientend seminars, experienced by 40 percent of college professors and 80 percent of middle/high school teachers. 4) What it calls attention in this study was to find that 96.5 percent of middle/high school teachers and 72 percent of college professors conduct population education to some extent during their lecture hours and that more than 80 percent of them are never experienced in teaching population and family planning contents in their regular classes. It is, on the other hand, found that no more than once was the response of those who believe themselves that they are experienced in teaching these relevant components to their students. Analyzing the contents of the subjects being taught in the class, a large percent of them are found to be consisted of population and family planning contents. According to this study, the current population education through the formal school is quite inactive. Analyzing the facts, 44.9 percent of the college professors responded that the population and family planning components are quite apart from their specialization which eventually generates lack of interest in the field. 5) It is also noticed through the study that the degree of frequency of commenting on population and family planning contents during the classes was depending significantly on their specializations which means that the degree of frequency varies from a major to another. Those who majored in home managerial science was the first one, as compared to others who majored in different specializations. Glancing over the status of correlations between ages of the respondents and numbers of seminar paticipation, it is quite clear that the aged group participated more than the younger group did, and that the most highest number of participations made by college professors were those who are in 50s. In addition, it is also found that those who are aged 20s and 60s of the respondents were the group who comments least on the contents of population and family planning at their classes. The suggestions and recommendation made through this survey research are as follows. 1) No one denies that the rapid increase of population, as compared to the limited size of land and resources, will certainly affect adversly to an enhancement of individual life quality which will, eventually, bring forth the poverty of the nation. This is the reasson why we are insisting that the world population be controlled up to an optimum level with a matter of global concerns. It is our understading that the primary aim for reducing number of population is believed to be attained only by conducting the systematic and comprehensive population education through the formal schools. Therefore, the role of home economists in the field of population/family planning education is considered very importment due to the fact that an ultimate goal of population education is placed in elevating the quality of family life by having optimum number of children through family planning program. 2) It is quite clear that home economists as teachers of formal school in all level are invited to pay their attention on redefining the ultimate goal of education and that of population education. We also understant that the primary objective of population education is to change the norm and value of the clients by replenishing the students with pertinent knowledge and attitudes on population and its related problems through a sort of education in order to attain the ultimate goal for enhancing the quality of life. There is no exception in the theory of home economics. An altimate goal of home economics is to elevate the general quality of life through an establishment of value existed in daily life. Considering the relations between population education and home economics, it is quite indespensable to bandle population components as an integral part in the field of home economics. We believe, therefore, that the senior home economists positive participation in the effort population control is more needed than it has been. 3) It is also strongly urged that population education should be a part of instructor training course for home economics. In other words, the teacher of home economics should be well aware of population and its problems by teaching interrelationship between population education and home economics, needs, contents and methods of population education during the instructor training courese for home economics. In addition, the senior home economists should be encouraged through positive participation on the short term training by types of domestic and international seminar, workshop, etc. 4) We certainly believe that the population education can not sustain itself without any backing-up of information and findings' of various and comprehensive researches of natural and social sciences. Accordingly, every senior home economist is invited to exert their maximum effort to conduct systematic study with an aim to utilize these findings and information at best in population education in the field of home economics. Therefore, we consider that the development of training material is imminent in order to provide effective and efficient population education through the for training of home economies. It should be noted that these training materials must be carefully designed, tailored and developed to meet the different classes of trainees under the considerations as to whether it is easily adaptable and infusable into the curricula of every field of home economics, and it is acceptable in the degree of difficulty and quality in its contents. 5) It is true that there are many domestic and international research rapers, reports and findings in the field of population education and family planning. However, there is a tendency that the most of research papers are heavily relying on the authors intension and preferences in its expression and publication. Under these circumstances, it is urged that the home economists should aware of the growing need of the technical training in order to keep these available information and research findings reprocessed and redesigned to insure the practical application into the population education in the field of home economics in Korea.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.291-305
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to survey the perceptions of the elementary school teachers on the smallscale chemistry(SSC) following its training session. The teachers participating in the survey were 266 teachers in the Gyeongnam province. They were given a questionnaire that focused on the nine areas of the SSC: Needs for the teacher training and its application, its benefits, issues of safety and danger as well as treatment of environmental pollution, its economic efficiency and the development of investigative skills. The designed questionnaire was checked by an authority, and the responses to each question were tallied and analyzed. The results are as follows. The biggest problems of the traditional experimental methods as rated by the teachers were, in the order of importance, the preparation time, the legal liability of teachers for the safety and accidents, financial issues, disposal of the experimental wastes and the lack of relevant data. Since most of the teachers had not experienced the SSC lab programs in the field, they responded positively to the questions of need for its introduction and training. The implementation of the experimental SSC lab programs should proceed in the following order: introduction into the textbook, teacher training program, after-school education and the invitation of instructors. The most useful materials for the SSC program were CDs, videos, books and various printed materials, in that order. The responses regarding benefits of the SSC program included its simplicity, convenience, time savings, diversity, qualitative and quantitative aspects, integration into the regular class and use of toys. In particular, the teachers mentioned the increased safety due to the small amount of experimental reagents needed and the durability of plastic instruments. The familarity from the use of everyday tools as well as easy access to and the low-cost of the instruments were other important benefits. The teachers in general rated the educational content of the program highly, but many also found it to be average. Some pointed out the lack of sufficient discussion due to the individual or pair groupings as a potential shortcoming. The potential for development of problem solving ability and improvement of skills was rated positively. The number of teacher who rated the development of creativity positively was just over the half. As for the area of improving investigative skills, many found its assessment difficult and confusing because of the lack of its systemic definition and categorization. Based on the findings of this study, I would like to recommend the application and a wider dissemination of the small-scale chemistry lab program into the elementary school science curriculum.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.754-764
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to develop experimental modules that would enhance science the process skills of secondary school students. The modules were composed of real-life materials on the subjects of light, movement, force, water, and heat. Each module consisted of four to six activities, and provided student worksheets and teacher guides. Physics teachers were invited to a workshop specially held to identify whether these modules would befit the improvement of student science process skills. A majority of the teachers believed the modules to be valuable instructional materials which might enhance student science process skills in the Korean secondary school science classes.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.353-368
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• 2020

This study analyzed the teacher's perception for influence of behavioral characteristics of scientifically-gifted students on general students in elementary school science class. To do this, we selected the eight elementary school teachers who were conducting the regular science classes including scientifically-gifted students belonging to the gifted education institutes in Seoul and conducted individual in-depth interviews. The analysis of the results reveal that the teachers mentioned seven behavioral characteristics of scientifically-gifted students in general elementary school science classes.: 'excellent in designing and performing experiments', 'playing a leading role in experiments', 'expressing their abundant prior knowledge frequently', 'attempting their tasks with curiosity and persistence', 'displaying scientific creativity', 'often asking scientific questions in detail', and 'expressing their opinions logically'. These behavioral characteristics of scientifically-gifted students had positive effects on general students, such as 'providing them with a successful experience in conducting experiments', 'improving understanding of science class contents', 'developing scientific thinking and reflective thinking', and 'improving their students' positive experiences about science'. However, the excessive learning-driven behaviors of scientifically-gifted students had negative effects on general students, such as 'limiting opportunities for general students to participate in classes', 'conducting passive exploration centered on results', and 'causing conflicts with general students'. Educational implications of these findings are discussed.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.291-305
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to examine whether and how the features of performance assessments implemented during integrated science classes are related to teachers' PCK. We observed and video recorded four high school teachers' performance assessment practices, interviewed them, and surveyed their PCK. An analysis of the data shows that the teachers' performance assessment practices differed in terms of assessment of process, diagnosis of student learning progress, feedback, degree of classroom interactions, and use of assessment criteria. In particular, the opportunities for students to participate in assessment actively and use of assessment for learning varied across teachers. Also, relational patterns among science teaching orientations, PCK and performance assessment practices were found. When a teacher aimed at teaching for both academic learning and scientific literacy, sophisticated PCK was shown and assessment practices were complex accordingly. When scientific literacy was emphasized PCK highlighted experiential learning and assessments were not clearly distinguished from learning activities. In contrast, when academic achievement was emphasized traditional teaching strategies and assessments were highlighted. Based on these findings a number of topics for professional development are suggested including strategies for students' active engagement in assessment, use and development of specific assessment criteria, strategies for assessing performance qualities, and intuitive assessment competency development. Further research topics are also suggested.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.429-440
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• 2017

This study investigated the influence of paired think-aloud problem solving on interactions among the pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) components considered in the processes of making written test items by pre-service chemistry teachers. The processes of making written test items using paired think-aloud problem solving in four small groups consisting of two pre-service chemistry teachers were recorded and transcribed. The analysis of the results revealed that the 'assessment in science education' of the five PCK components, regardless of the roles (solver or listener), was most frequently used in making written test items. 'Subject matter knowledge' and 'students' were also frequently used although less than the previous component. However, 'curriculum for science education' and 'instructional strategies and instruction for science education' was a little used. In the aspects of integration, the integrations between two or three components of various types were frequently found. The integrations among four or five components were also slightly found. However, the integrations of 'curriculum for science education' with the other components were less frequently found. The integrations of 'instructional strategies and instruction for science education' with other components were hardly found. The usefulness, limitations, and effective use of paired think-aloud problem solving as a strategy improving competency to make written test items and the PCK of pre-service teachers were discussed on the basis of the results.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.587-598
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• 2018

In this study, we investigated the characteristics of pre-service science teachers' curriculum design for lessons using self-generated analogy. Three pre-service science teachers at a college of education in Seoul participated in this study. After a workshop on lessons using self-generated analogy, they planned and demonstrated lessons. All of the teaching-learning materials were collected, and their lessons were observed and videotaped. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted before and after their lessons. The characteristics of lessons using self-generated analogy were analyzed in the perspectives of PCK. The analyses of the results revealed that they used various strategies to promote students' generating analogies. They lacked understanding of the stages of the lessons and the role of teachers. Although all of them considered assessment, they used limited assessment methods and assessment dimensions. Some actively considered students' misconceptions, and specifically anticipated analogies that students could generate. They determined topics for lessons considering various aspects such as the level of self-generated analogy and the characteristics of scientific conceptions. On the bases of the results, we suggest some educational implications for pre-service science teacher education.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.763-777
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• 2013

This is a case study on two schools practising integrated science education (hereafter ISE). The purposes of this study are to investigate the types and features of ISE in the schools actively practising ISE, to identify the contextual factors of the schools, and to give implications for implementing ISE in schools. This study investigated the contextual factors in practicing ISE with a focus on the two schools, a middle school in Gyeonggi-do and a high school in Busan. They were breaking down the boundaries among teaching subjects and providing student-oriented instruction with problems in the real world. The data were collected by observing classes, by interviewing teachers, and by reviewing school documents and students' reports. The research findings are as follows: first, the two schools took part in ISE actively. They teach science to students providing integrated experiences mainly by using interdisciplinary knowledge and/or by solving the problems pertaining to the real world. While the former integrated subjects centering on topics, the latter focused on a project-based learning driven by students. They have differences in regard to the role of teachers and students, the level of integration and the type of integration. Second, the contextual factors that enabled ISE to be implemented there were found. The previous studies revealed six contextual factors in practising ISE: small and stable learning environment, leadership, team activities, in-school planning time, flexible timetable and community links. This study also found similar factors. However, the cases of this study provided ISE on a large scale and in a short period of time, instead of a small and stable learning environment. Teachers viewed the process of ISE not only as a tool to overcome the conservative culture of teachers but also as a pursuit of innovation.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.84-95
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• 2008

In this study, preconceptions held by chemistry major secondary school science teachers were searched in relation to explanations of water evaporation phenomena with phase equilibrium diagrams. 25 chemistry major science teachers were selected to complete questionnaires developed in this study and 6 among of them were selected to participate in follow-up interviews. Among these, 10 participants were selected for an evaluation of the change of their preconceptions through lessons developed in this study. From the results, it was found that many teachers believed that the phase equilibrium diagram could not explain water evaporation phenomena. They also thought that there was no relation between vapor pressure and the vertical axis of the phase equilibrium diagram. However, after the lessons in earth science, they recognized that the vapor pressure curve of the phase equilibrium diagram could be explained by adopting a saturated vapor curve. Because they had known the process of application the conceptions of saturated situation, nonsaturated situation, process of equilibrium movement in saturated vapor curve. They could understand natural phenomena such as evaporation with the phase equilibrium diagram through a change in their conceptions as guided from science lessons integrating earth science and chemistry.