• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.217-228
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the constructivist instructional model on the acquisition of atmospheric pressure conceptions and learning motivation. The step of constructivist instruction was prediction and explanation-experiment and observation-discussion-application. The control group consisted of two classes of students who participated in the teacher-centered instruction. The experimental group consisted of two classes of students who participated in the constructivist instruction. To examine students' preconceptions before the instructions, a preconceptions test was administered. After the instructions, students' acquisition of atmospheric pressure conceptions and learning motivation were measured with a researcher-made post-conceptions test and The Course Interest Survey. The results from this study were as follows: First, the constructivist instruction is more effective method in acquisition of atmospheric pressure conceptions and learning motivation than the teacher-centered instruction. Therefore, in order to increase the acquisition of science conceptions and to decrease the science misconceptions, we need to use the constructivist instructional model which make learners self check their own preconceptions of science. Second, the constructivist instruction is more effective than teacher-centered instruction in three elements of learning motivation. So, we need to develop the effective ARCS(attention, relevance, confidence, satisfaction) strategies in order to use the constructivist instructional model and to verify it's effectiveness. Third, to improve teaching and learning methods, educational researchers should carry out studies using many points of view than studies biased constructivism or objectivism. In this respect, we need to contrive how to integrate constructive view points and objective view points.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.340-352
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• 1999

Constructivist theory and teaching science in the social context are a main stream in science education. This study was purposed to introduce the STS in-service program implementing in Chonnam National University. and to analyze the results of the program in terms of changes of teachers' and students' perceptions and attitudes. The major features of the STS in-service program were as follows: teacher-centered. teaching in the social context. emphasis on constructivist approach. development of STS module and implementations. A total of 20 secondary science teachers participated in the in-service program. and filled out two questionnaires. Science Education Reform Inventory and Constructivist Teachings Survey. Three of the 20 teachers were selected to gain information from their implementations of a STS module into their respective classrooms. The students completed two instruments. Constructivist Learning Environment Survey. and Scientific Attitude Survey. The responses from teachers and students are as follows: 1. The participating teachers were very aware of the necessity of reform in science education. and the degree of the perception of the necessity increased after the STS in-service program. 2. The STS program significantly improved constructivist teaching techniques. 3. The perceptions of the students about constructivist learning environments improved significantly after the STS in-service program. 4. Students' scientific attitudes improved significantly through STS approach. The STS in-service program with the above mentioned features was found to be effective in our current school system. and could be implemented successfully if teachers were willing to learn and participate in the reforms of science education.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.854-869
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• 2007

In this study, we investigated secondary science teachers' internalization of constructivistic science teaching who participated in a collaborative program between teachers and researchers designed by researchers according to constructivist views. The program consisted of lecture, workshop, and small group activities. New trends in science education and framework for science teaching were introduced during lectures, and understanding about the framework were deepened by analyzing school science classes recorded during workshops. In small group activities, participating teachers and researchers cooperated to design science lesson plans using science teaching frameworks. Five secondary science teachers participated in collaborative workshops. Collaborative programs were video-taped. Semi-structured interviews were conducted before and after workshops. All data recorded were transcribed and analyzed. In the process of internalization, participating teachers attended on different parts. Various and discernable factors such as there own background, beliefs, values, and school context produced tensions with or facilitated internalization of constructivistic science teaching. Teaching experiences and student understanding affected teachers' lesson planning activities. Teachers also showed different understandings on inquiry, application, and model from the framework, and they interpret those concepts in the framework based on their prior understanding. They perceived that too much content should be dealt within relatively limited time. Therefore, they tended to separate science class into two parts when developing science lessons: explaining science content by lecture and science laboratory as a constructivistic activity. The results of the study provide meaningful implications to the constructivist teacher education and professional development.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.289-301
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to investigate beginning secondary science teachers' teaching practices in terms of motivating and understanding students. Six first-year teachers participated in this study. Data were collected by classroom observations and structured interviews. Instructional materials used during the class were also collected to understand teaching practice. Lessons observed were video-tape recorded and the teachers were interviewed. Video- and audio-tape recording were transcribed. The framework, developed by Knowles Project Team of Michigan State University, was adopted and revised according to Korean classroom context and employed as an analytical tool for teaching practices. The beginning secondary science teachers intention ranged from 'Managing Work' to 'School Science.' No teachers revealed 'Reform Science Teaching' orientation. For the execution of science lessons, one teacher with 'Managing Work' orientation showed 'expert' level of execution, but the others executed at a 'novice' level. Beginning science teachers need to be guided and informed about 'Reform Science Teaching' for motivating and understanding students to develop professionally.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.432-446
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• 2007

The purpose of the study is to explore the science teaching orientations of secondary science teachers, and how they influence the planning and execution of reform-based lessons. Professional development workshop for constructivist teaching consisted of three different phases; five lectures, small group discussion, and preparing lesson plans. Four teachers who participated also executed their lesson plans in their own classroom. All workshops were videotape recorded. Classroom observations and interviews were conducted and recorded. Instructional materials were also collected for each science class. All data recorded were transcribed and analyzed. Based on the data collected from multiple sources, we identified each teacher's teaching orientations, and through this lens, we also tried to understand their classroom practices. We expected teacher-participants to implement constructivist science teaching. However, the differences among teachers in the course of actual planning and implementing activities for constructivist science was wider than we expected and even some teachers were unsuccessful. Teaching orientations can act as a filter for teachers when they decide whether to accept and apply new knowledge about teaching and learning to actual lessons or not. Even if a teacher plans a guided-inquiry lesson, her/his didactic teaching orientation could be revealed in actual classroom, and lead her/his class to other direction which is quite different from her/his original intention. Although the teachers participated in the same workshops in our study, they planned and executed differently and their own teaching orientations contribute substantially to their practice. Understanding the role of science teaching orientations could be an important step in addressing issues of diverse difficulties in supporting reform efforts in science.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.595-603
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• 2003

The study investigated the effect of a social constructivist model on changes of concept on 103 4th graders in three elementary schools. In particular, it analyzed whether the application of a concept circle map developed student understanding of the concept. After a one month study period, the 103 students took a pencil and paper test on changes of concepts learned. The results indicated that the social constructivist model positively influenced student concept development. In conclusion, a concept circle map used on a social constructivist model may be employed as a tool for diagnostic or formative evaluation.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.1157-1168
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• 2012

This study examined the effect of simulated instruction activities based on a constructivist teaching approach on epistemological belief, science teaching efficacy belief, and teaching motivation. The RTOP (Reformed Teaching Observation Protocol) played a role to guide preservice biology teachers to obtain insights on current reformed teaching and to further practice teaching based on constructivism. The results indicated that preservice teachers changed their epistemological beliefs toward more sophisticated views, especially for 'simple knowledge'. They also improved their science teaching efficacy beliefs, both personal science teaching efficacy belief (PSTEB) and science teaching outcome expectancy (STOE). In addition, these perservice teachers decreased their scores of extrinsic teaching motivation. The Pearson correlation represented the negative relationship between personal science teaching efficacy belief (PSTEB) and extrinsic teaching motivation. After intervention, the preservice teachers mentioned inquiry, active participation and discussion as ideal science teaching methods and qualifications for science teachers.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.240-252
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• 2009

In this study, we applied a web-based education system to the teaching-demonstrations of the pre-service teachers and identified the usefulness of the system as a method supporting constructive education for pre-service teachers. The pre-service teachers performed the web-based activities for the teaching-demonstrations, and we interviewed them after the teaching-demonstrations. On the basis of the results, we found three situations showing the usefulness of the web-based education system. First, the pre-service teachers examined the materials on the constructive teaching-learning theories and constructed the related theoretical knowledge. At this point the web-based discussion board supported the environment where they thought deeply and investigated the theories carefully. Second, they experienced interaction with others and the academic adviser in the processes of preparing the teaching-demonstrations. This interaction was supported by web-based discussion board, and they were able to form the practical knowledge related to the planning and building constructive teaching. Third, they reflected on their own teaching after the teaching-demonstrations. At this point, the web-based discussion board was able to facilitate the interaction for the reflective thinking processes. In this study, we identified that the web-based education system could provide an effective environment where the pre-service teachers could learn constructive teaching-learning methods.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.343-348
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• 2008

The study is to investigate the effects of the constructivist instructional model using ARCS strategies (attention, relevance, confidence, and satisfaction) on the environmental conservation of environment textbooks of middle school. The subjects of this study were applied to 135 students sampled 2nd graders of a middle school in Busan. All students were divided three groups according to teaching strategies. The first experimental group is consisted of students who participated in the traditional teaching program, the second is students who participated in the constructivist teaching program, and the third is students who participated in the constructivist teaching program with ARCS strategies. The pre-conceptions test was administered to examine students' pre-conceptions before the instructions. After the instructions, students' acquisition of scientific conceptions, academic achievement, and learning motivation were also tested. On average, the degrees of academic achievement for the group with ARCS strategies were higher than those of other groups and shown a significant difference among three programs. Thus the constructivist teaching program with ARCS strategies was more effective programs in acquisition of environmental conservation conception and learning motivation than the two other teaching programs.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.304-316
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• 2009

This study investigated the change of pre-service science teachers' epistemological views of education according to the stages of the field education programs application. For this study, surveys and interviews were carried out threes times before and after participation through participant observation of classes and teaching practices. All data recorded and collected of 28 pre-service science teachers who had answered entire surveys were transcribed and analyzed. The conclusion is as follows; before the participant observation of classes, the pre-service science teachers had views of traditional education affected by epistemology of objectivism. After the participant observation of classes, the views of traditional education increased due to in-service teachers that showed teaching methods through the course of the participant observation. However, it was changed significantly into the views of modern education affected by epistemology of constructivism through the course of the teaching practices. Based on the conclusions of this study, it was identified that the field education programs might have both positive and negative influence on the change of the views of education for the pre-service science teachers. Therefore, Pre-service science teachers should have a opportunity to intensify of constructivism epistemological views of education through the field education programs. The teacher training institutions have to provide systematic and organic cooperation with schools.