• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.571-587
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• 1998

This paper reviews and analyzes the conceptions of science achievement in the United States and Korean reform documents, including those on science content standards(NSES, Porject 2061, and Korean 7th science curriculum), performance standards(New Standards, and Survey of Ecucational Achievement in Korean Elementary and Secondary Schools), and large-scale assessment framworks(1996 NAEP, TIMSS, The National Assessment of Science Inqury Abilities, The National Assessment of Science Knowledge, and The National Assessment of Affective Characteristics related to Science). The analysis of these documents indicates that there is an overall agreement on the conceptions of science achievement. The documents consistently emphasize high achievement in terms of knowledge and abilities in scientific, technological, social, and environmental perspectives. In addition, these documents define science achievement at different developmental levels and at certain depths of knowledge and abilities for all students. Despite the overall agreement, there are also noticeable variations among the documents because of different contexts and purposes. There is a difference in the balance of representations or emphases among content and process standards in the documents. The conceptions of science achievement in the Korean documents are not as comprehensive or inclusive as those in the United States documents. There is no representation of the mathematical world, the nature of science, historical perspectives, unifying concepts, or scientific communication. From these results, two conclusions are drawn. First, more coherent conceptions of science achievement are needed for common understanding among educators and the public. Second, efforts are needed for developing more comprehensive and inclusive conceptions of science achievement in Korea.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.765-780
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to synthesize the theoretical perspectives, research methods, and research results of teachers' professional vision by reviewing and analyzing previous research papers and to suggest implications for science teacher education and research. Three databases were used to search peer reviewed journal articles published between 1997-2017, which include 'teachers' and 'professional vision' explicitly in abstracts and empirical studies only. 21 articles in total were analyzed and review results are as follows. First, researchers regarded professional vision as a new concept of teacher professionalism. Previous research viewed professional vision as integrated structure of teachers' knowledge or ability activated at specific moment. Second, the analytical framework of professional vision included two aspects; 'selective attention' and 'reasoning'. Several aspects of lessons or the desirable teaching and learning factors are suggested as the subcategories of selective attention. Hierarchical levels or independent reasoning ability factors are suggested as the subcategories of reasoning process. Third, research on teachers' professional vision focused more on middle school teachers than elementary teachers and on various subject areas. Most studies used video clips and more cases of using videos of non-participants were found. In case of measurement of professional vision, most quantitative scoring methods were whether the responses of experts and teachers on video clips were consistent. Last, most studies examined or assessed teachers' professional vision. It is reported that in-service teachers' professional vision was evaluated higher than novice teachers' and using video clips were effective to examine and improve teachers' professional vision.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.358-375
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• 2015

The purposes of this study were to investigate the value, necessity and legitimacy of STEAM Education and to propose practical approaching methods for STEAM Education to be applicable in Korea through a variety of literature review, case studies and collecting suggestions from domestic and international educational experts. The research questions are as follows: (1) To investigate the perception, understanding and recognitions of domestic and foreign professionals in STEAM education. (2) To analyze policy implications for an improvement in STEAM. The following aspects of STEAM were found to be challenges in our current STEAM policy after analyzing multiple questionnaires with the professionals and case studies including their experiences, understanding, supports and directions of the policy from the governments. The results indicate that (1) there was a lack of precise and conceptual understanding of STEAM in respect to experience. Training sessions for teachers in this field to help transform their perception is necessary. Development of practical programs with an easy access is also required. It is important to get the aims of related educational activities recognized by the professionals and established standards for an evaluation. The experts perceived that a theme-based learning is the most preferred and effective approaching method and the programs that develop creative thinking and learning applicable to practice are required to promote. (2) The results indicate that there was a lack of programs and inducements for supporting outstanding STEAM educators. It is shown that making an appropriate environment for STEAM education takes the first priority before training numbers of teachers unilaterally, thus securing enough budget seems critical. The professionals also emphasize on developing specialized teaching materials that include diverse inter-related subjects such as science technology, engineering, arts and humanities and social science with diverse viewpoints and advanced technology. This work requires a STEAM network for teachers to link up and share their materials, documents and experiences. It is necessary to get corporations, universities, and research centers participated in the network. (3) With respect to direction, it is necessary to propose policy that makes STEAM education ordinary and more practical in the present education system. The professionals have recommended training sessions that help develop creative thinking and amalgamative problem-solving techniques. They require reducing the workload of teachers and changing teachers' perspectives towards STEAM. They further urge a tight cooperation between departments of the government related with STEAM.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.197-219
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• 2005

This study attempted, in accordance with the National Educational Curriculum, to develop achievement assessment standards for a course within the field of home economics which has been widely adopted by Korean vocational high schools, namely, the food and nutrition subject. Focus was also placed on strengthening the management of the curriculum for this food and nutrition course, as well as on establishing proper assessment standards by developing model assessment tools which can be used to assess the subject. The results of this study can be summarized as follows : First, based on an analysis of the related literature and materials. the desired notion of the achievement and assessment standards was established, and their significance ascertained the achievement and assessment standards for the food and nutrition course were set and the type of model assessment tool which should be developed, as well as the method in which it should be applied. was established Second. by analyzing the curriculums and the contents of the textbooks used in the food and nutrition subject, the researcher was able to compile the 70 factors which could to be used to develop the achievement and assessments standards, and then classify these into 6 main categories and 32 sub-categories. Based on the characteristics of these factors and learners' academic performance levels the number of factors was expanded to 89 in order to establish the achievement standards. In turn, these achievement standards were used, in accordance with the learners' achievement and teaming activity levels, to develop three different levels of assessment standards. namely, upper, middle, and lower ones. Third. a model assessment tool was developed which could be used by individual school units as a reference in terms of achievement and assessment standards, and that could be modified to meet each school's circumstances. In order to create the model assessment tool a 100-question questionnaire was formulated that contained various types of questions, such as essay, report, theoretical and practical, portfolio, as well as multiple choice-type questions. Lastly, the researcher introduced measures to effectively use the achievement and assessment standards developed for the food and nutrition course, as well as the model assessment tool in school units.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.81-98
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• 2004

This study is to conduct the basic study for the achievement and assessment standards for the subject of 'Human Development' and 'Food and Nutrition', which are the curricula of Vocational Home Economics High Schools. These two subjects were newly adopted in the Vocational study Section of the 2005 College Entrance Examinations. In other words, this study is to provide the basic data for implementing the quality education based on the proper assessment of the curricula. For this purpose. this study analyzed the character & objective of 'Human Development' and 'Food and Nutrition'. Secondly. through the theoretical review for the concept & necessity of absolute evaluation standards. this study ensures the concept of achievement and assessment standards. and also designs the developing measures (including procedures). The achievement standards were developed by the following 5 step procedures. (1) Analyzing the objectives & contents of curricula. (2) Designating the development field of achievement standards (3) Developing the achievement standards. (4) The assessment of achievement standards. (5) Confirming the achievement standards. The assessment standards were developed by the following 5 step procedures. (1) Analyzing the achievement standards, (2) Designating the assessment field (3) Developing the assessment standards (4) Evaluating the assessment standards (5) Confirming the assessment standards Thirdly, this study suggested the exemplary achievement standards and assessment standards for the subject of Human Development, Food and Nutrition. Future study needs some critical review for the method of developing achievement and assessment standards for the subject of Human Development, Food and Nutrition. For example. the properness of 'Contents Element' which was designated as the developing field in the achievement standards, the discussion on validity of Contents Element abstract. the base of evaluating classification in terms of low, middle and high level, and other things should be considered through critical discussion. Especially the follow-up study should include the development of various evaluating methods to enable the clear communication for the achievement and assessment standards based on abstract concept and theory, thereby it could enable the actual interpretation and practical use.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.417-428
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• 2022

This study analyzed the frequency and level of scientific practices presented in secondary science textbooks. A total of 1,378 student activities presented in 14 middle school science textbooks and 5 high school integrated science textbooks were analyzed, using the definition and level of scientific practice suggested in the NGSS. Findings show that most student activities focus on three practices. Compared to the textbooks for the previous science curriculum, the practice of 'obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information' was more emphasized, reflecting societal changes due to ICT development. However, the practice of 'asking a question', which can be an important element of student-led science learning, was still rarely found in textbooks, and 'developing and using models', 'using math and computational thinking' and 'arguing based on evidence' were not addressed much. The practices were mostly elementary school level except for the practice of 'constructing explanations'. Such repeated exposures to a few and low level of practices mean that many future citizens would be led to a naïve understanding of science. The findings imply that it is necessary to emphasize various practices tailored to the level of students. In the upcoming revision of the science curriculum, it is necessary to provide the definition of practices that are not currently specified and the expected level of each practice so that the curriculum can provide sufficient guidance for textbook writing. These efforts should be supported by benchmarking of overseas science curriculum and research that explore students' ability and teachers' understanding of scientific practices.