How Do Early Childhood Education Pre-service Teachers view Science and Scientists?

Authors : Suzanne EL TAKACH

Pages : 104-119

View : 19 | Download : 8

Publication Date : 2018-08-18

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The aim of this case study was to collect and to assess students’ views about their NOS understandings at the beginning and at the end of their course on teaching science. The study was conducted on 24 students, all females, in their 3 rd semester insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2 nd year);, enrolled in their initial teacher education program in early childhood education. Data were collected from 1); Draw-a-scientist-at-task tool, 2); pre- and post-questionnaires about students’ views about science and scientists and 3); students’ formative and summative assessment scores. To increase the validity of results, a member checking was used. Results showed that prospective teachers’ views about NOS improved significantly after attending only one course and the that majority of students agreed on the importance of learning more about science for their professional development. 
Keywords : Nature of science, Pre service teachers, Early childhood, Pedagogical content knowledge, Science literacy