• Journal of Science Education
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.317-325
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to analyze the readability of the 2015 revised elementary science textbooks at the vocabulary and sentence levels, and to provide an opportunity to use vocabulary and sentences with an appropriate level of readability for writing textbooks in the future. To do this, the readability of the 2015 revised elementary science textbook was analyzed and the vocabulary and sentence level the readability of sentences defining scientific terminology were analyzed. The results were then compared to the readability of previous curriculum textbooks. The results are as follows: first, the grade average of vocabulary remained at 1.5-2.1, with vocabulary appropriate to the elementary school level being used on average. However, grades 4 to 5 vocabulary are distributed at a relatively high rate. Second, the sentence-level analysis shows that the sentence lengths for the third and fifth grades were relatively long and the percentage of simple sentences was low. Third, compared to other curriculum textbooks, it was confirmed that the proper level of readability was maintained at the vocabulary level, but that the sentence lengths and the percentage of simple sentences could adversely affect the readability of third-grade science textbooks.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.325-337
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• 2022

This study aims to determine the implications of the efficient and effective implementation of science core competency (ScC) education by examining the state of science core competencies derived from the 2015 revised elementary school science curriculum and analyzing teachers' and students' perceptions. To this end, this paper investigated the reality of reflecting the science core competencies of science textbooks in a group of third and fourth graders from seven elementary schools who passed the test. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with four elementary school teachers who participated in qualification textbook selection, and 156 elementary school students were surveyed to determine their perceptions of science core competencies. Findings showed that, first, 1,586 science core competencies were reflected throughout the textbooks, with an average of 227 per textbook and biology being the most salient area. Second, teachers did not understand the difference between previous inquiry activities in textbooks and ScC education. Third, no statistically significant differences were observed in the perceptions of male and female students on science core competencies, the highest average of perceptions being those of scientific thinking ability. From these results, this study concluded that for ScC education to be realized as a curriculum, textbooks must be organized according to the purpose of core competency education, implementing practical changes, and efforts must be directed toward changing the perceptions of individuals who deliver education.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.270-285
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to explore what a science lesson using a digital textbook looked like and what kinds of implications could be drawn from the lesson. The study qualitatively described a 4th grade science lesson in the unit of Earth and Moon, analyzed the structure of the lesson, and critically interpreted the meaning of it. It was revealed that the introduction of a digital science textbook did not bring about changes in the already patternized structure of elementary science instruction as well as in the manner of classroom interaction. The result was followed by discussion concerning the ways the use of a digital textbook could change elementary science instruction and enable new types of classroom interaction. It was suggested that negotiations should be reached about the nature of digital science textbooks and their developments and that the teacher's own pedagogical roles in the science classroom should be improved.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.625-640
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• 2014

In 21st century, it is essential to understand Nature of Science (NOS) related to science educational curriculum. The study analyzed Earth Science components of third- through sixth-grade science textbooks in terms of incorporated NOS themes and their relative proportions. Modified analysis methods of Chiappetta et al. (1991) and Lee (2012) are devised and adapted. The results of analysis indicates that the current elementary school textbooks include and explain all the four themes of NOS, but do not include sub-areas of each theme of NOS in a balanced way. In addition, the themes of NOS in Earth Science are not treated equally among different grades. Such results warrant the efforts to include balanced themes of NOS into elementary school science textbooks with the ultimate goal of fully and properly comprehending NOS to the students.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.9-18
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• 2013

In 2014, third and fourth graders in primary schools will start using digital textbooks for social science, science, and English. Fifth and sixth graders will follow the next year. Given this situation, this study investigated the awareness of digital textbooks by primary school teachers who did not have direct experience with digital textbooks. Also studied was the teachers' acceptance of digital textbooks, based on the Technology Acceptance Model. The results showed that most respondents were not ready to use digital textbooks, and they were apprehensive about their use. However, if the teachers were required to use digital textbooks, usefulness and playfulness were key factors in their acceptance.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.111-122
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• 2019

In this study, the characteristics of the reading materials in the chemistry domain of elementary school science and middle school science textbooks and chemistry I and II textbooks developed under the 2009 Revised National Science Curriculum were investigated. The criteria for classifying the reading materials were the types of theme, purpose, types of presentation, and students' activity. The inscriptions in the reading materials were also analyzed from the viewpoint of type, role, caption and index, and proximity type. The results indicated that more reading materials were included in the elementary science textbooks compared to middle school science, chemistry I, and/or chemistry II textbooks. The percentage of application in everyday life theme was high in the reading materials of elementary science textbooks, whereas the percentage of scientific knowledge theme was high in those of middle school science, chemistry I, and/or chemistry II textbooks. It was also found that the percentage of expanding concepts purpose was high in the reading materials of elementary science textbooks, whereas the percentage of supplementing concepts purpose was high in those of middle school science, chemistry I, and/or chemistry II textbooks. Several limitations in the use of inscriptions were found to exist; most inscriptions were photograph and/or illustration; most inscriptions were supplementing or elaborating texts; many inscriptions were presented without a caption or an index; there was a problem in the proximity of inscriptions to text.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.79-92
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• 2022

This study examines the propositional connections and markers for connecting propositions in the texts of the 3^rd- and 6^th-grade science textbooks developed under the 2015 Revised Science Curriculum. A selection of texts from Korean and social science textbooks were analyzed and compared to those from science textbooks as well. The propositional connections were classified into emphasis, elaboration, exemplification, listing, addition, order, correspondence, causal relation, condition, and purpose types. The markers for the relationship of propositions were classified as demonstrative, using conjunctive, using a comma, using distinctive linguistic elements, and no marker types. The results showed that the frequency of propositional connections in the texts of the 6^th-grade textbooks was lower than that of Korean and/or social science textbooks. However, the frequency of the propositional connections in the texts of the 3^rd-grade textbooks was found to be lower than that of the social science textbook but higher than that of the Korean textbook. The types of order, listing, condition, and causal relation were dominant in science as well as Korean and social science textbooks. Over 40% of the markers for the relationship of propositions were found to be the no marker type, with the ratio of the no marker type being especially higher in the categories of order and causal relation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Earth Science Education
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.116-124
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to provide basic data that can be appropriately used for teaching and learning activities by comparing questions presented in the 2009 curriculum elementary science textbooks and questions presented in the elementary science textbooks of the 2015 revised curriculum, I would like to suggest some implications that may help. Therefore, questioning types of elementary science textbooks in 2009 curriculum and 2015 revised curriculum were compared and analyzed. First, in the present curriculum, it is necessary to increase the percentage of applied question as it aims to cultivate creative and convergent talent. Second, the increase in the percentage of open-ended questions that provide an opportunity for learners to think freely is a desirable change. Finally, it is necessary to increase importance of the question that can be applied to content learned and can be thought of as diffusive and evaluative.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.269-283
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• 2024

This study compared the characteristics of an experiment f or determining whether gas occupies space presented in elementary school science textbooks to examine the validity of the experiment, identify and improve problems in its presentation, and verify its effectiveness. This study interviewed third-year elementary school teachers who had experience teaching this experiment to students. Based on teachers' opinions and observations, this study identified issues with the current experiment, developed an improved experiment, and determined its effectiveness. Through this analysis, three key findings emerged. First, the study found that the original experiment on gases was presented in the same or highly similar manner in 5 of 7 textbooks (71.4%). Thus, while various textbooks have been developed with the aim of promoting diversity and creativity in scientific literature, most experiments presented in these books are identical. Second, the existing experiment was not suitable for its target audience (third-year elementary school students) and was difficult to observe directly. The interviewed teachers also deemed the validity of the experiment to be considerably low. Finally, the original experiment was improved; this improved version was determined to be highly valid, showing a statistically significant difference compared with the original experiment. The improved experiment was effective for students as it involved activities suitable for their intellectual level and was directly observable through the senses. Thus, the study analyzed and improved an existing science experiment f or elementary students, providing insights into the 2022 revised science authorized textbooks and implications for future textbook development.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.477-488
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• 2005

Fossil photographs in science and earth science textbooks on the 7th curriculum including those of elementary, middle and high school, are analyzed to estimate the adequacy and scientific significance focusing on the locality and scale. The results show that most of the textbooks have included various types of fossil photographs: 32 in elementary textbooks, 50 in middle school and 109 in high school. However, the presentation of scientific information on each photographs is insufficient. Only $68\%$ of the elementary textbooks designates locality and only $6\%$ includes scales. Among middle and high school textbooks, 40 and $16\%$ of photographs describe locality, and 14 and $18\%$ of photographs exhibit scale, respectively. More scientific and appropriate presentation of fossil photographs, such as locality and scale, is needed to enhance educational effect.