• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.1329-1342
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• 2013

The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between the change of beginning teachers' beliefs about a lesson and that of teaching practice and argument-based inquiry using science writing. Participants were three science teachers (A, B, and C) from different middle schools. Classroom observation and interview data were collected and transcribed for analysis. A Summary Writing test was also administered to examine whether there was an improvement in students' learning. The results indicated that the interaction between the teachers and their students developed, which is concluded as an improvement in the teaching practice. Teacher A and B also reported that teacher-student interaction had improved. Teacher A and C came to understand that argument-based inquiry using science writing classes constituted learner-centered instruction. The result from the Summary Writing Test showed the impact of the changes in teaching practice and in teachers' awareness of students' learning as well as produced meaningfully higher scores than compared groups on the rhetorical structure of all the specific areas in teacher A's school and on the scientific concept at B and C's schools.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Earth Science Education
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.103-116
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to investigate the perception on video material making and the effect on science teaching ability after conducting non-face-to-face teaching material making activity for elementary pre-service teachers. This activity consisted two processes. One is that elementary pre-service teachers conduct inquiry, understand related science concepts, analyze science textbooks and then make video material. The other is that they watch video materials produced by colleagues. This study was conducted on 89 elementary pre-service teachers for 8 weeks. After this activity was completed, the perception on video material making and the effect on science teaching ability of elementary pre-service teachers were investigated, and the results were analyzed. In the process of making and watching non-face-to-face teaching materials, elementary pre-service teachers showed positive results in teaching-learning, video production, and emotion and attitude toward video material making. In addition, it was found that they improved their science teaching ability through this activity and were very satisfied with this activity. However, they also mentioned several disappointments such as exclusion of learners' right to self-determination, lack of various communication channels, and errors in content of materials. This suggests that if these problems are solved, non-face-to-face classes can also be a good form of class.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.65-78
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• 2022

This study aims to 1) verify the validity of the Science self-efficacy scale and 2) perform a latent mean analysis of the background variables about a pre-service teacher. The study uses pre-tests to analyze data from 187 pre-service teachers, which uses Tark's Science self-efficacy scale (2011). To identify the factor structure, exploratory factor analysis was performed. Based on the results of the pilot test, the expert group council revised the scale for the pre-service teachers to respond to the 3-factor structure. In the main test, 354 data were analyzed through a modified Science self-efficacy scale, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed. The results of the study are as follows: First, in the pilot test, the pre-service teacher responded to a 3-factor instrument, but the validity of two items was examined further below. Second, the pre-service teachers responded to a 3-factor instrument on 29 items for the modified Science self-efficacy scale. The total reliability of the instrument was .886 and the reliability of each factor was analyzed as .882-.886. Finally, the latent mean analysis by gender showed that females have a higher self-regulation efficacy factor and males have a higher self-confidence factor (Cohen's d > .3). Furthermore, there is a significant difference in task difficulty preference and self-regulatory efficacy factor (Cohen's d > .8) between the college preparatory and science subject preference. This study provides important insights into and contributions to the accurate scientific self-efficacy diagnosis of pre-service teachers, as well as proposes a curriculum to improve the scientific self-efficacy of prospective teachers.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.59-72
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• 2023

This study analyzed a group interview with six earth science teachers and eight middle school students to find out the evaluations and criteria they use to evaluate VR/AR contents (two virtual reality content and two augmented reality contents) in middle school science digital textbook. The study found the VR/AR contents were evaluated on four criteria as follows: VR/AR media characteristics; technical operation; user interface; and teaching-learning design. The evaluations can be summarized by each criterion. First, regarding VR/AR media characteristics, interesting features of VR/AR contents were considered relatively advantageous compared to other media like videos. However, its shortage of visual presence and inconvenience of using markers were mentioned as shortcomings. Second, in the technical operation criteria, teachers and students found the following conditions as technically challenging: failing to properly operate on a particular OS; huge volumes of contents in the application; and frequent freezing when using the application. Third, poor intuitiveness and lack of flexibility were found as negative aspects in user interface. Fourth, regarding teaching-learning design, the teachers evaluated whether the VR/AR contents delivered scientifically accurate information; whether they incorporated class goals set by teachers; and whether they can help students' inquiry. It turned out teachers gave negative feedbacks on VR/AR contents. The students evaluated VR/AR contents by assessing whether they help them with learning science but concluded they did not regard them necessary in science learning at school. Based on the findings, this study discusses which development direction VR/AR contents should take to be useful in teaching and learning science.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.533-547
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• 2023

This study is an action research aimed at improving the instruction of a teacher educator who teaches science teaching methods to elementary preservice teachers. After identifying the cause of their low levels of curiosity and interest in physics, teaching plans addressing this problem were explored, applied to classes, and reflected upon. Through this process, ways to improve teaching practice in science classes for elementary preservice teachers and pique their scientific curiosity and interest were proposed. A spiral implementation structure that repeats implementation and reflection a total of three times was designed for the prospective preservice teachers who participated in elementary science textbook research physics classes. Self-reports, student participation data, and results from both peer and self-evaluations were collected and analyzed. The reasons for the preservice teachers' low levels of curiosity and interest in science were identified as their inability to recognize and express information gaps and their low levels of willingness to resolve this. Practice expressing information gaps, raising the level of knowledge to be able to recognize information gaps, and a strategy to have the will to resolve information gaps were introduced into the class. To the extent that changes can be made by improving unit classes, elementary preservice teachers can express their curiosity and interest in science through this process.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.68 no.4
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• pp.205-220
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• 2024

This study aims to explore characteristics of pedagogical reasoning and action of beginning science teachers that naturally and spontaneously occurs in a professional learning community. Three novice middle school science teachers who majored chemistry education in A college of education, passed the examination for selecting secondary school chemistry teachers, and had a common goal of designing 8^th grade science lesson plan voluntarily created a professional learning community and had weekly meetings over a year. Main data sources included transcribed audio-recording of 11 meetings of three science teachers in a professional learning community. Data was analyzed using Shulman's pedagogical reasoning model that includes comprehension, transformation, instruction, evaluation, reflection, and new comprehension to identify characteristics and features of pedagogical reasoning in a professional learning community. Data analysis revealed that pedagogical reasoning in a professional learning community comprises not only preparation, representations, instructional selections, and adaptation but also evaluation, reflection, and new comprehension in transformation stage. Reflection in transformation stage leads teachers to be actively engaged in discussion and get new comprehension on each sub-component(preparation, representations, instructional selections, adaptation, and evaluation) of transformation stage.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.553-568
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• 2022

This study investigated the level of academic passion for elementary school teachers' science pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and examined the factors that influence the passion. To this end, 161 elementary school teachers in Seoul were selected, and academic passion tests were then administered to evaluate their academic passion for science subject matter knowledge and science pedagogical knowledge. Individual in-depth interviews were also conducted with some of the participating teachers. The results revealed that 'importance' and 'harmonious passion' for learning science subject matter knowledge and science pedagogical knowledge were found at a high level. However, 'time/energy investment' and 'obsessive passion' for learning the knowledge were slightly higher or lower than normal. The 'like' for learning science subject matter knowledge was relatively high, but the 'like' for learning science pedagogical knowledge was slightly higher than normal. The differences in academic passion for science subject matter knowledge and science pedagogical knowledge were greater according to advanced major at undergraduate than teaching career. The teachers evenly selected some factors that influenced their academic passion for science subject matter knowledge and science pedagogical knowledge. These identified characteristics included 'individual interest', 'high school track', 'experience in advanced major at undergraduate', 'experience in science-related graduate school', 'experience teaching science in elementary school', 'experience teaching science at the gifted education institute', 'experience in charge of science subject teacher', 'experience in science-related teacher training', 'experience in developing science-related teaching and learning materials', 'experience in charge of science or science-gifted related work', and 'experience in a science-related teacher community'. However, a slight difference was noted in the selection ratio depending on advanced major at undergraduate. Based on these results, the practical implications for improving their academic passion for science PCK are suggested.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.937-949
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• 2017

In this study, we investigated how science teachers perceive the changes in school systems, including infrastructure and curriculum, in the context of preparing for future education. And the changes in their perception of the educational environment, the challenges, and changes of science teachers' classroom practices were also explored. In-depth interviews and analysis were conducted with two science teachers in a middle school that is trying to innovative on changes compared with general schools. The results of the study are as follows: First, teachers perceived that their schools had factors that could change the science class in terms of school size and infrastructure, peer teacher culture, and students' abilities. Second, the enthusiasm of teachers who are trying various ways of teaching and the students' ability to adapt in a smart learning environment formed a synergistic circle that lowered entry barriers to trying changes. Third, science classes changed to activity-centered classes, and teachers realized that these changes promoted students' self-directed learning. Fourth, teachers perceived themselves as playing an independent role in curriculum management, and this perception promoted more varied attempts in improving their classes. Through the changes of the learning environment and systems of the school and the formation of a culture that shares their challenges and innovations with the voluntary learning community, teachers constantly try to change their classes and schools. The changes of school need to be understood in the context of the interaction of teachers, students, and infrastructure.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.64-80
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• 2024

This study aims to investigate the characteristics of verbal interaction in science class demonstrations conducted by elementary school pre-service teachers. Specifically, the study intends to examine the use of elements of verbal interaction and the progression of these interactions. Additionally, the study intends to analyze the perception of pre-service teachers about effective questioning and feedback and to determine the correlation between the proportions of the types of questioning and feedback positively perceived by the pre-service teachers and of the types of questioning and feedback used during class demonstration. Toward this end, the study analyzed the science class demonstration videos and class evaluation sheets submitted by 38 fourth-year students at the S University of Education. The results are as follows. First, pre-service elementary school teachers generally use close-ended questions during science class demonstrations. Moreover, they predicted that students would primarily provide the correct responses and would not engage in extended interaction by providing immediate feedback for the responses of the majority of the students. Second, pre-service elementary school teachers perceived the utilization of close-ended questions and immediate feedback in science class demonstrations more favorably than they did that of open-ended questions and delayed feedback. The study observed a weak positive correlation between the positive perception of specific types of questions and feedback and the use of such types in class demonstration. The results demonstrated that pre-service elementary school pre-service teachers tend to engage in fragmented verbal interactions during science class demonstrations. They primarily use close-ended questions and immediate feedback. This tendency is seemingly related to their perception of questions and feedback. Therefore, education institutions for training pre-service teachers need to provide opportunities for reflecting on verbal interactions, which tend to involve close-ended questions and immediate feedback. Lastly, assessing the perception of pre-service teachers of questions and feedback is also necessary.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.784-794
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• 2014

In this study, we operated science teacher learning community to enhance professionality of elementary science teachers. 8 participants with various background, which include their science content knowledge, teaching experience and beliefs about teaching, were involved in this study. Bales(1950)'s social interaction process framework was mainly used to understand the members' interaction, focusing particularly on process aspects not on contents aspects. The data analysis shows that the members in the science teacher learning community tried their best to maintain the positive reaction to other members in most occasions in the community meetings. On the other hand, there were also negative reaction process due to their different ideas and views, causing their emotional conflicts in some social relations and dialogical situations. Nevertheless, the results also imply that the dual reaction processes, which are positive and negative processes, are equally important to facilitate science teachers' professional knowledge and experience. The educational meanings are discussed in the aspects of science teacher education.