• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.390-403
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• 2009

We have examined the perception of teachers and students in elementary schools toward the frontier science and analyzed corresponding contents in science textbooks in Korea and the U. S. in order to promote a good guidance for the frontier science education. We prepared separate questionnaires for teachers and children, respectively, and analyzed the responses obtained from 244 teachers and 1,000 students in five elementary schools. For the analysis of how to introduce the frontier science, we investigated textbooks such as Science, Society and Practical Arts of Korean elementary school, and an American science textbook published by Scott Foresman. This study revealed that teachers are well aware of the importance of the frontier science, however, they are inactive in conducting the subject in class rooms because of their insufficient scientific knowledge and poor environment for teaching. It has been found that children had strong interest in the frontier science, however, opportunities to learn the topic are not properly provided. The frontier science m the American science textbook turned out to be more systematically introduced than that in Korean ones.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.426-441
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was getting the information for successful application to the national curriculum and students' core competencies enhancement, through investigation about competencies discussed in 2015 revised national curriculum development process and analysis about perception of 150 elementary school teachers in study. The results were as follows : Communication skill is considered to be the most important. Thinking ability what has been important traditionally is the middle of the rankings. Elementary school teachers think that a competency is specific to a subject. From this point of view, Creative/Scientific Problem-Solving Ability is the most important in science. They think that the enhancing of the ability of inquiry performance is highlighted in current science class. On elementary school teachers' awareness, inquiry model is the most effective in enhancing of scientific thinking and the ability of inquiry performance. And STS instruction model is in the other. PBL learning model and experimental inquiry model is the most effective in enhancing a competency has the highest feasibility like scientific thinking or the ability of inquiry performance.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.61-72
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to analyze elementary school teachers' implementation for the emphasis on the revision, major contents, teaching and learning method, and evaluation in the 2009 revised national science curriculum. To fulfill the purpose of this study we carried out a survey with 222 elementary school teachers. Main findings of this research were as follows: First, they highly agreed to the increase in class hours and the application of subject classroom, but they had a lower recognition for setting the subject groups. Second, the degree of necessity in discussion and STS was relatively high, but the degree of implementation in science writing, discussion and STEAM was low. Third, in teaching and learning method, they showed a high performance for mutual cooperation, student-led activities and communication, but, a low implementation for open inquiry and instruction considering individual differences. Fourth, in the evaluation of science learning, they showed a high implementation for evaluation based on achievement standards and one based on the understanding and application of basic concepts, but, a low implementation for the development of common evaluation tools. Fifth, it seemed that their recognition for amount, level and interest of science contents and inquiry activities was appropriate and positive.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.163-179
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• 2017

This study is to examine whether elementary science textbooks in Korea and Singapore are applicable to flipped learning. By comparative study we sought to identifying appropriate features of science textbooks for learner-centered teaching. We analyzed text pages on the unit of 'Working of electricity' in Korean elementary science textbook for sixth grade and three chapters of 'Electric circuits, Using electricity, Conductors of electricity' in Singaporean elementary textbook, 'Science : My pals are here!'. We designed evaluating frameworks for science textbooks based on the four pillars of flipped learning. and applied it to 10 elementary teachers evaluate two textbooks. They evaluated textbooks with Likert Scale items and wrote detailed statements and exemplars about their choices. We analyzed the teachers' evaluative descriptions inductively and chose commonly mentioned characteristics. Based on the analysis, we got to the conclusion about specific features of two elementary science textbooks in terms of flexible environment, learning culture, intentional contents, and teachers' expertises. Implications for improving science textbooks towards flipped learning and learner-centered teaching through comparative study were discussed.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.171-180
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• 2007

This study analyzed the effect of Human-oriented Alternative Science Activities(HASA) on a coaching teacher and the students who participated in this activity. Human-oriented alternative science activities were used in the experimental group and traditional teaching methods were used in the control group. In pretest and posttest sessions, both groups were evaluated using an academic achievement test, and an affective characteristics related science test. After the activity, questionaries regarding attitudes to science lessons were administered as well. The process of change (if any) which occurred in the science lessons of the experimental group teacher was also analyzed through the teacher's diaries. The results showed that application of HASA had a positive effect upon affective characteristics and attitudes to science classes held by the experimental group and teacher. However, the result of this study also showed that the variation between academic achievement of each group was statistically insignificant.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.217-230
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• 2014

This study explores the features of sociocultural context of experiment classes taught by a science subject teacher. Two experiment classes on electric circuit for fifth graders were observed and video recorded. The data was also collected through student interviews and teacher interviews. Using the cultural historical activity theory, we extracted the six sociocultural factors and analyzed their interactions. This study could identify that four features of the sociocultural context of the cases. First, the rules of science classes were not decided by the teacher, but formed and modified through the negotiation between the teacher and students or between the students. Second, elementary students played a game, i.e. 'Countdown game', during their electricity experiments, which had both positive and negative influences on science learning. Third, the science teacher feels a limit on life guidance because of the position as a subject teacher in an elementary school. Lastly, although the science teacher had enough time to prepare science classes, there was no guarantee of the improvement of teaching quality. Based on the results of this study, educational implications are discussed in terms of teaching science experiments and of the science subject teacher system.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.315-326
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• 2013

In this study, we investigated elementary school teachers' and students' perceptions of the reading materials in science textbooks. Participants were 181 teachers from 23 elementary schools who were teaching science and 643 third- to sixth-grade students from 12 elementary schools. A questionnaire for teachers consisted of 18 items and a questionnaire for students consisted of 11 items about their perceptions of the reading materials in science textbooks. Nine to twelve items, according to grades, examining the actual uses of each reading material in science textbooks were also included to both questionnaires. The results indicated that teachers have positive perceptions about reading materials and frequently use them in case of needs for supplement and/or enrichment of science learning. Novice teachers were found to have less positive perceptions about reading materials than expert teachers. Over 70 percent of students responded that they read all reading materials. Fifth- and sixth-grade students were tended to have less positive perceptions about reading materials than third-grade students. Finally, students tended to have more positive perceptions about reading materials than their teachers.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.153-163
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• 2015

In this study, we analyzed elementary school teachers' self-diagnosis on their competency for assessment in science. A questionnaire was administered to 217 elementary school teachers and in-depth group interviews with 6 teachers were also conducted. The results revealed that the mean scores of five subcategories, 'choosing assessment methods', 'developing assessment instruments', 'administering, scoring, and grading', 'analyzing, interpreting, using, and communicating assessment results', and 'recognizing ethics in assessment', were 3.82, 3.50, 3.92, 3.76, and 4.09 on a scale of 5 points, respectively. Teachers having more teaching experience showed higher mean scores in all subcategories. However, only the teachers having more than 20 years of teaching experience were statistically better than those having less than 5 years of teaching experience in four subcategories except for 'recognizing ethics in assessment'. There were no significant differences in terms of major, whereas the mean scores of the teachers having master's degree were statistically higher than their counterpart in some subcategories. In addition, the teachers who had completed training for assessment exhibited statistically higher mean scores than their counterpart in four subcategories except for 'recognizing ethics in assessment'. Educational implications of these findings are discussed.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.634-645
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to analyze the teachers' stages of concern and levels of use on STEAM of the 2009 elementary science curriculum and to support effective application according to the teachers' stages and levels. Therefore this study was conducted by the Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM). The total number of 113 teachers participated in this study. The results of the study were as follows: First, most teachers were in the stage of awareness. Second, the results of the chi-square test showed that the stages were significantly different according to their positions, training experiences and final degrees (p<.05). Third, about half of teachers were in the level of orientation and preparation. The others were in the level of routine, integration and renewal. Fourth, the results of the chi-square test showed that the levels were significantly different with the categories of their gender, position, age, career in education, workplace and training experience (p<.05). Fifth, the correlation coefficient between stages of concern and levels of use (r=.59) was relatively high (p<.05). Based on these results, we suggested that the support of application should be provided according to the teachers' stages and levels.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.515-525
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to analyze of how the elementary school teachers lead their classes of a science laboratory instruction and an engineering laboratory instruction in a science subject class. For this study, science laboratory and engineering laboratory lessons were selected and for each science and engineering laboratory lesson, five elementary school teachers were video-recorded of their lessons. The science and engineering laboratory lessons were analyzed by utilizing processes of the science model and the engineering model based on Schauble et al. (1991). The results of these studies are as follows: In science laboratory instruction, some participants didn't distinguish the difference between the science laboratory goal and the engineering laboratory goal. All of participants used search and end strategy of engineering laboratory for science laboratory lesson. In engineering laboratory instruction, all of participants guided to students engineering laboratory goal and used inferences and search strategy of engineering laboratory. However they didn't use the trial and error strategy or redesign which can be an essential element in engineering and design process. Educational implications are discussed.