• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.484-495
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in geological contents knowledge and self-confidence before and after the geological field trips. Fifty seven undergraduate students at a national university of education participated in this study. The questionnaires were developed by the researcher to serve the purpose. Findings were as follows. First, before and after the geological field trip, there was no significant difference in changes of geological content knowledge (p<.05). However, participants' self-confidence about the geological field trip changed significantly (p<.01). Second, there were no significant differences in changes of both variables in terms of gender (p<.05). And in this study, participants were grouped into two: science track that selected science areas and non-science track with social study selected in the college scholastic ability test. There were also no significant differences in changes of geological contents knowledge and self-confidence in terms of science or non-science track (p<.05). Third, in terms of the geological content knowledge, 24 pre-service teachers showed an increase, 12 students unchanged, and the 21 participants decreased. In contrast, per participants' self-confidence about the geological field trip, fifty three students indicated an increase with only one participant unchanged, and three preservice teachers decreased on the score. Finally, after the geological field trip, participants' comments indicated that they could feel the mystery of nature with the mind of a great experience. As a result, data showed that pre-service teachers became interested in geology, and motivated more in learning geological area than ever.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.1103-1118
• /
• 2013

In this research, we analysed definitions and examples of conductor and electrolysis concept in middle school science textbooks. We also surveyed 9 senior pre-service teachers' understanding of the concept definitions and appropriate examples. From the analysis of the textbooks, we found that the possibility of misunderstanding of learners is high because of the broad definition concept and narrow list of examples. After confirming the differences among pre-service teachers' understanding of the subject through questionnaires and interviews, they also debated for a need to an agreement on scientific concepts. The pre-service teachers recognized the meaning of social constructivism and the need for an agreement process in teaching science concepts.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.134-149
• /
• 2022

This study aims to identify the student assessment competency of the three elementary science teachers and investigate strategic measures to improve them. The study progressed as a qualitative case study method. A self-awareness checklist and in-depth interviews were conducted to collect data. The data analysis was reviewed and agreed upon by two process-focused assessment-leading teachers and two elementary science education experts. Consequently, the level of self-awareness of student assessment competency of the three participants was relatively high. However, the scale average of the feedback area was the lowest on average. The student assessment competency of the participants showed different levels and characteristics. Additionally, some inconsistencies between perception and practice were found. Strategic support and education are needed to enhance elementary science teachers' student assessment competency, and the development of self-diagnosis tools should proceed.

• Journal of Science Education
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.15-28
• /
• 2014

The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the professionalism of elementary teachers in charge of teaching the science-gifted children, based on their personal variables, such as gender, educational career in normal class and gifted class, training in gifted education, academic degree, etc. For this study, the questionnaire was modified by referring to Choi's survey, and conducted to 98 teachers. The results of this study were as follows: In gender, the average of male teachers was significantly higher than the average of female teachers in their professionalism in gifted education. Regional difference was found in the teacher's professionalism, however, showed different aspects in the sub-domain. The teachers' professionalism in accordance with the career in education was no difference. In gifted education career, professionalism increased as high career in gifted education, especially, more than three years. As better educated, teachers' professionalism in responsibility and philosophical understanding for gifted education was increased significantly. The teachers' professionalism according to the degree of training related to gifted education was no significant difference. Overall, 'responsibility and philosophical understanding' and 'humanities-oriented quality' for gifted education were not greatly affected by teacher's personal variables in this study. Based on conclusions, implications for improving their professionalism in gifted education were discussed.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.437-449
• /
• 2020

The purpose of this study was to compare the results of the developed questionnaire and performance assessment for measuring TPACK competency of pre-service teachers. For this purpose, we developed the TPACK questionnaire for pre-service teachers. Then, through the performance assessment task and interview data related to the 'change of the moon and the celestial bodies', the TPACK competency of the pre-service teachers was analyzed and compared with the questionnaire results. The results of the questionnaire showed that PCK and TPK of the pre-service teachers were high, and the TCK and TPACK were relatively low. However, as a result of analyzing the performance assessment of pre-service teachers who showed low TPK in the questionnaire, it was found that the TPK was high. Conversely, as a result of analyzing the performance assessment of pre-service teachers who showed high TPK in the questionnaire, it was found that the TPK was low. In addition, as a result of analyzing the performance assessment of pre-service teachers who showed low TCK in the questionnaire, it was found that the TCK was very high. Conversely, as a result of analyzing the performance assessment of pre-service teachers who showed high TCK in the questionnaire, the actual TCK competency was found to be low. Although TPCK was high in the questionnaire, TPCK was found to be low through actual results of performance assessment. Through these results, it was confirmed that TPACK measurement tools measure self-efficacy rather than actual capability.

• Journal of Science Education
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.12-26
• /
• 2018

This study examined the effects of SSI argumentation program on the preservice biology teachers' decision-making types and communication ability. The SSI argumentation program was developed based on 'Social Decision-Making & Problem-Solving strategy' and Toulmin's argumentation pattern. The preservice teachers had opportunities of SSI argumentation through small group discussions. They were asked to identify the issues regarding SSI, think of solutions, and make a decision along with claims, warrants, data, and rebuttals. The preservice biology teachers experienced four SSI topics of abortion, euthanasia, gene manipulation, artificial intelligence. The results indicated that the preservice biology teachers significantly improved the communication ability after the intervention, but they did not change their types of decision-making. In addition, after the intervention, the Pearson correlation results indicated that 'the logical type' of decision-making significantly relates to the communication ability(p<.01). The preservice biology teachers mentioned that they improved their ability of considering warrants, data, background information, context, and rebuttals. Further, the preserivce biology teachers mentioned that they became take an interest in socioscientific issues and improved their ability of accepting criticism from others as well as caring about others when they argue each other. This study implicated that the SSI argumentation program has effects on improving personality education in school science.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.18-23
• /
• 2015

A survey was conducted from September 9 to November 2, 2013, on 277 teachers in 10 different elementary schools to find out about their awareness of school dental clinics and preventive oral health programs. The schools were selected by convenience sampling from the city of Gunsan, North Jeolla Province. Out of the teachers, 133 teachers worked in five elementary schools equipped with school dental clinics, and 144 teachers worked in the other five elementary schools that weren't equipped with school dental clinics. As for data analysis, an IBM SPSS 21.0 was utilized as well. As a result of analyzing their opinions on the top priority of oral health programs, the teachers from the schools equipped with school dental clinics placed the most importance on application of fluorides and oral health education (71.1%), and the teachers from the schools without school dental clinics gave top priority to oral health education (76.5%). The 87.0% of the former replied that there was improvement in the oral health status of the students. The 74.4% of the latter answered they had never heard about school oral health programs, but 85.8% expected the introduction of school oral health programs to be of use for the improvement of the oral health state of the students. The 57.7% of the teachers from the schools with school dental clinics didn't think there were sufficient human resources who could be responsible for preventive oral health programs. As the successful performance of oral health programs by school dental clinics exerts a huge influence on not only the oral health promotion of school organizational members but that of community members, schools that aren't yet equipped with dental clinics should be informed about the necessity of school dental clinics, and the government should put more efforts into publicity activities about school dental clinics.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.27-44
• /
• 2021

This study is to identify the concept of action from the critical science perspective and to explore the agency of home economics teachers for the purpose of teacher education. The context and various characteristics of home economics teacher' agency were identified in terms of philosophy and teacher education. The results of the study indicates, first, the concept of action refers to an activity of individuals involving one's own intentions, and include the ability to reveal a unique identity that aims to reach a set purpose and decision, and this can be identified by mutual meaning in the public sphere. Second, teacher agency is influenced by a teacher's professional experiences and cultural and structural aspects, and it can create an environment which can promote self-directed and cooperative relationships among individuals and communities. Therefore, home economics teachers should be able to reasonably judge, contemplate, and act through reflections on the circumstances and consequences in which their agency is exercised. Third, home economics teachers can reflect and think critically about the values, roles, and sense of purpose of home economics education based on agency. Teachers should focus on the process of achieving their agency rather than on completing it, and they can continuously develop it through a perceived shared understanding among teachers. Therefore, the conceptualization of the agency of home economics teachers is to understand the practice revealed in a teacher's actions. This requires environmental support in school settings because it acts as a mechanism for strengthening the thinking and reflection of teachers through the creation of interactive environments in which professional knowledge and experiences can be shared.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.627-641
• /
• 2022

This study aims to help elementary school teachers increase their knowledge about the changes in the positions of the sun and moon during the day and the first time the moon observation begins in the Earth and Space section of the Earth and the Moon. The survey questions were grouped into four categories, namely, textbook explanation, inquiry activities, achievement of learning goals, and other opinions. The perception of each question differed according to advanced science majors and teaching careers and experiences of this unit. In addition, understanding the diverse views of the participants using descriptive questions was possible. The study recruited 67 teachers working at an elementary school in Gyeonggi-do. The conclusion is as follows. First, the teachers exhibited similar positive and negative perceptions about the description of the textbook on the changes in the positions of the sun and moon during the day. Second, the study found that majority of teachers used alternative methods when guiding students regarding the change in the positions. This trend was not correlated with the sun and the moon, and the study observed no difference in advanced majors and teaching careers and experience of this unit. Third, the majority of teachers responded that they could achieve their learning goals through this learning. However, many teachers complained of various difficulties in guiding students about the lesson, and the majority alternative methods. The results demonstrated the perception of teachers that students can achieve learning goals through alternative methods without direct observation.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.497-512
• /
• 2023

While scientific explanation is a fundamental component of science, teachers often lack familiarity with the formal structure of scientific explanations and the criteria for assessing their quality. Consequently, this study aims to clarify the concept of scientific explanation and proposes a tool for constructing scientific explanations. The primary objective is to explore the tool's impact on enhancing the explanatory skills of pre-service teachers when it comes to the phenomenon of condensation. The research findings indicate that many pre-service teachers initially operated at a description level during the pre-test. However, the implementation of the tool enabled them to advance their explanatory skills beyond the associative level. Notably, the tool was analyzed for its ability to provide pre-service teachers with a conceptual framework for explaining phenomena and guiding logical explanations and micro-level interpretations. This study holds significance in demonstrating that pre-service teachers can comprehend the formalities and criteria of scientific explanations and apply them to enhance their own explanatory abilities. Moving forward, efforts should be made to enhance the scientific explanation level among pre-service teachers across various topics and subject areas. Furthermore, pre-service teachers need classroom experiences that foster the construction of scientific explanations in authentic contexts.