• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.422-434
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• 2011

The purpose of this research is to investigate the actual conditions of primary school science teaching and ways to improve it. In elementary science teaching, teachers themselves tend to have science misconceptions and insufficient science content knowledge. Experienced teachers argued that it could be hard for elementary teachers with lack of science content knowledge to provide their students with meaningful learning experiences of science. Based on the general characteristics of elementary teaching and the awareness of elementary teachers' insufficient science content knowledge, we explored the real situation of the elementary science classroom. We conducted open-ended interviews with teachers and focus group discussions on a regular basis to analyze and compare classes of five primary school teachers. Data analysis focused on why elementary students avoid science classes in upper grades of elementary school and why elementary science classes always need hands-on activities. We also discussed ways to turn hands-on investigation into minds-on investigation by connecting it to important ideas in science. Based on the results, we suggested ways to improve inservice teacher training such as designing supplementary in-service training focused on content knowledge for primary school teachers, setting up professional exchange or collaboration between primary and secondary teachers, and introducing subject-specialized teachers for the fifth and sixth graders of primary school. In particular, considering elementary teachers' insufficient science content knowledge, employing science subject matter specialists in the elementary school could be a useful strategy.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.560-576
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• 2023

The purpose of this investigation is to: (1) to derive an improvement factor for inquiry-based simulated teaching-learning in pre-service teacher training programs, and pre-service teachers practice simulated teaching that reflect the improvement factor, (2) to analyze the difference in science intrinsic motivation according to science self-efficacy and inquiry-based simulated teaching-learning experience. To achieve these goals, we recruited five elementary and secondary teachers as experts to help us develop an improvement factor based on expert interviews. Subsequently, third-year pre-service teachers of a university of education participated in our analysis of differences in science intrinsic motivation, according to their level of science self-efficacy and experience with inquiry-based simulated teaching-learning. Our methodology involved applying the analytic hierarchy process to expert interviews to derive improvement factor for inquiry-based simulated teaching-learning, followed by a two-way ANOVA to identify significant differences in science intrinsic motivation between groups with varying levels of science self-efficacy. We also conducted post-analysis through MANOVA statements. The results of our study indicate that inquiry-based simulated teaching-learning can be improved through activities that foster digital literacy, ecological literacy, democratic citizenship, and scientific inquiry skills. Moreover, small group activities and student-centered teaching-learning approaches were found to be effective in developing core competencies and promoting science achievements. Specifically, pre-service teachers prepared a teaching-learning course plan and inquiry-based simulated teaching-learning in seventh-grade in the Earth and Space subject area. Pre-service teachers' science intrinsic motivation analyze significant differences in all levels of science self-efficacy before and after simulated teaching-learning and significant difference in the interaction effect between simulated teaching-learning and scientific self-efficacy. Particularly, group with low scientific self-efficacy, the difference in science intrinsic motivation according to simulated teaching-learning was most significant. Teachers' scientific self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation are needed to improve science achievement and affective domains of students in class. Therefore, this study contributes to suggest inquiry-based simulated teaching-learning reflecting school practices from the pre-service teacher curriculum.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.609-620
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• 2011

This study examined how pre-service science teachers, who observed classes for the gifted in science, perceive the gifted in science and the education they are getting, and explored what needs to be improved in the classes for the gifted in science. Based on the results of this study, first, pre-service science teachers were negative about the giftedness of the gifted in science. Second, they recognized that various types of classes were not provided. Especially, while theoretical lectures were mostly offered, they recognized that it had a negative influence in developing the potential giftedness of the gifted in science. Third, they were negative about the absence of programs for improving creativity and thinking skills and teaching materials for the gifted in science; however, they were positive about self-directed learning. Fourth, they had a negative opinion on educational facilities and the number of students in classes. Fifth, they recognized that potential giftedness would be developed the most when the lecturer is a professor majoring in the subject. For improvements in the classes for the gifted in science, they referred to revising the distinction focusing on preceding learning, reinforcing teaching methods to improve creative thinking, constructing creative contents regardless of specific grades and curriculum, securing learning materials for the gifted, and the necessity of lecturers specialized in the education for the gifted. Eventually, pre-service science teachers have negative cognitions for the classes for the gifted in science offered by universities, and it was known that they mentioned the necessity of creative educational courses and professional lecturers, not pre-learning for improvements.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.287-296
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• 2004

The purposes of this study were to analyze the problems of elementary science instruction, especially in experiment and observation, and suggest the directions to improve current elementary science instruction in terms of teaching methods and strategies. Data from instructions implemented by 7 elementary teachers were used to extract the problem of elementary science instruction. According to the results of instruction observation, such problems as follows are identified: 1) shortage of discussion regarding results of students' activities, 2) insufficiency of interactions among teacher-student/student-student, 3) shortage of guidance for students on observation, 4) absence of explanation on apparatus, 5) teachers' insufficient knowledge on science, 6) inappropriate use of teacher-made worksheets. Desirable directions for the improvement of present elementary science instruction were proposed.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.494-502
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• 2005

This study investigated the current science teaching evaluation system implemented in schools and directions for improving teaching evaluation using literature review, survey, and teacher interview. The first part of this paper analyzed the types, roles, and major issues of the current science teaching evaluation. In-service teachers argued that the current teaching evaluation system was discredited because of the bureaucratic procedures of teacher performance review, showcase classrooms, teachers' views on classroom as their own personal space, low ratio of teaching component in the current teacher evaluation, untrained evaluators, and the absence of professional teaching standards. The second part of the paper investigated the need for a formative teaching assessment, an ideal type of teaching assessment, and the role of participants in the teaching evaluation processes. The way forward, therefore, is to start not at the level of the administrative superstructure but at the level of teachers who will assume responsibility for developing standards of practice as the basis for evaluating their own work and improving their own professional learning to provide quality assurance.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.365-381
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• 2017

Based on the previous study (Park et al., 2015) which indicated positive results in the improvement of science teaching through the POCoM (Practical On-site Cooperation Model) application, this work concentrates on expanding the POCoM to more various teaching settings. To do this, 18 cyclic applications (72 teaching classes in total) of the POCoM were divided into (1) the first cycles and the second cycles conducted after the first cycles, (2) classroom teaching and laboratory teaching, and (3) cycles by our research team and cycles by other experts team. The comparison between the two parts were conducted using the improvement rates, the number of KTOP (Korean Teaching Observation Protocol) items which improvement was needed, and the change of these numbers according to teaching sequence. As results, no difference regarding the improvement was observed between classroom and laboratory teachings, and also between the first and the second cycles. When other experts team applied the POCoM, the number of KTOP items which improvement was needed was larger and the improvement rate was lower than those in the cycle by our research team. Nevertheless, these differences were not statistically significant, and also, it was expected that, if other experts team tries to improve science teaching through 6 teachings, the improvement by the other experts would be nearly the same with the improvement by our research team through 4 teachings. In conclusion, it is confirmed that the POCoM can be used in various teaching settings with the almost the same potency. Lastly, the necessity and possibility of the more detailed and qualitative analysis about the POCoM application are discussed.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.961-970
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• 2017

In this study, KTOP (Korean Teaching Observation Protocol) was applied to teaching practicum for improving pre-service teachers' science teaching. To do this, four pre-service teachers and supervisor teacher observed and analyzed the lessons using the KTOP, and tried to improve he succeeding lessons through collaboration activities. As a result, the pre-service teachers conducted the collaboration activities based on the lesson analysis using the KTOP, therefore it was concluded that the KTOP took a practical role of guidance for improving pre-service science teachers' teaching. And it was found that the collaboration activities using the KTOP helped the improvement of the succeeding lesson, however, more iterative application is necessary for more effective improvement of teaching. Based on the analysis of questionnaire, observation, and interview, it was found that pre-service teachers need to be confident about the use of the KTOP and strive to become a student-centered lesson. And, the KTOP needs to be modified by reducing the number of items and as a more convenient form. Finally, it was inferred that we need to give an effort to help students recognize that learning should be self-directed.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1092-1109
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to analyze of the effects of instructional supervision emphasizing reflective thinking on science teaching of elementary teachers. The participants in this study were two teachers. This study was divided in former, middle, and later periods, and consisted of monitoring their own teaching, interviewing, journal writing, discussion with peer teachers and teacher training. Data included descriptions of nine science classes, nine interviews, seven journals and the journals of the researcher. Data analysis tools were the frameworks of the questions, feedback, teaching methods, elements of teaching behavior, and reflection levels. This study employed qualitative research, analysis of the frequency of data, and quoting of descriptions related to the result. The results of this study were as follows: First, teachers showed mainly technical reflection, but changed to show more practical reflection, and critical reflection in the later period of instructional supervision. Second, instructional supervision emphasizing reflective thinking on science teaching for elementary teachers meaningfully changed the question, feedback, teaching methods and teaching elements of teachers. From the results of this study, instructional supervision emphasizing reflective thinking on science teaching for elementary teachers can be considered an effective method in improving teaching elementary science, and instructional supervision used in this study made possible the higher level of reflection and appropriate teaching behavior.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.107-123
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• 2010

This study investigated the content and the effect of peer discussion about classroom practices on their science teaching. Participants included three science teachers with chemistry backgrounds in middle and high schools. Each of them had their classes videotaped and observed the footage as well as discussed the lessons together. The teachers had six meetings on 15 recorded lessons including one meeting beforehand. Teachers' discussions were also audio-taped and the data was transcribed. Teachers extensively discussed their lessons not only in terms of instructional strategies and scientific concepts but also the curriculum organization and teaching goals. Analysis of video-recorded lessons showed that instructional strategies were changed partially, but the aspects of curriculum organization in relation to teaching goals were not changed. Analysis of the recorded data revealed that teachers recognized the problems in their science teaching and considered the practical alternative ideas suggested by peers, but teachers proposed the necessity of experience to practice in their class. The study shows that observing and discussing each other's classes is one possible way to improve the class. Implications about teaching improvement for other teachers were discussed.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.457-470
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• 2016

We investigated the conceptual and methodological characteristics of self-study as an innovational way with reflective research methods and explored the possibility of application of self-study in the field of science education by reviewing previous researches done in foreign countries. The results show that Self-study in education means the study of self, self-practice, self-thought, and so on in the teaching and learning context. It is a kind of new research method to pursue the improvement of teaching and learning practice with integrated perspectives on the context of instruction, identities of members, their beliefs and values, innovation agenda for better education, etc. This can be attained by collective and critical reflection in doing research. Most previous articles on the methodology of self-study suggested that the self-study should be more than just daily journals written only by her/him self. To do self-study in the academic way, they requested interaction with critical and cooperative colleagues, multiple but strict qualitative research methods, and participants' efforts for making better practice in instruction. Similar features to the above are found in the previous 14 self-study papers related to science education done in foreign countries. Based on the results, we concluded that self-study could be applied usefully into the field of science education in Korea. This paper could contribute to stimulation in the innovation of science instruction in a more practical way by increasing the attention to self-study and provoking its practice in Korea.