An Analysis on the Processes of Observation Teaching and the Types of Observation in Elementary Life Science Classes

생명 현상에 관한 초등학교 관찰 수업 과정과 관찰 유형 분석

The purpose of this study was to analyze the processes of observation teaching and the types of observation in elementary life science class. For the purposes of this study, 40 teachers majoring in elementary science education participated in surveys on the processes of observation teaching. In addition, after videotaping the observation classes conducted by three teachers, each teaching in the 3rd to 5th grade, and their one hundred and eight students, we analyzed the processes of observation teaching. As a result, the processes of observation leaching in elementary science class were categorized into 12 stages (motivation, stating the objective, recognizing objects to observe, free and subjective observation, introducing ways to observe, observing by the simple way, introducing additional ways, observing by the manipulative way, making a note of observation, looking over the contents of observation, finding regularities, consolidation). In the types of observation, teachers and students performed mostly simple observing by the visual way. Teachers introduced time-independent/non-compared/whole observing; students concentrated on time-independent/non-compared/particular observing as targets. Thus, students carried out observing in the types of observation that teachers had presented. Consequently, the analysis about the processes of observation teaching can establish an effective teaching program for observing in scientific activities by reconstructing its observing target and suitable topic. The analysis about the types of observation can be applied to set up strategies for improving observation skills.