• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.99-108
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• 2012

This study investigated the characteristics of preservice elementary teachers' science PCK through a mentoring program. Their perceptions of the mentoring program were also examined. The participants of this study were 33 preservice elementary teachers who prepared science lessons in small groups. A mentoring program was implemented in the processes of science lessons planning and evaluation to support their professional development. The characteristics of the preservice elementary teachers' science PCK exhibited through the mentoring program were as follows: They showed poor understanding of instructional models and logical connections of each instructional step. They also had problem in setting a clear learning goal for their science lessons. This was related with their poor understanding of the curriculum. They seldom considered students' misconceptions, and their perceptions of assessment were quite restricted. The analyses on their perceptions of the mentoring program revealed that the preservice teachers thought it was helpful for their professional development in several aspects. Mentoring could play an important role to examine and improve preservice elementary teachers' science PCK.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.57-70
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• 2012

We investigated the perception and preferred type of question and analyzed type of questions asked by teachers in elementary science class to identify how teachers' perception of questioning is reflected in teaching practices. We collected the data from questionnaires, deep-interview and audiotaped four classes from grade 3 and six classes from grade 6. The data form deep-interview were analyzed interpretively and Blosser' framework of question was used to analyze questions which teachers used in classes. By interpretation of data from questionnaires, the teachers agreed that questioning affects science class in elementary school. There were a little differences in perceptions of questioning among three teachers. They preferred various types of question rather than a specific type. They didn't have a good understanding of questioning. The result showed that the teachers used frequently cognitive-memory question and convergent thinking question, which belonged to closed questions in their science classes. This didn't accord with their preferred types of question. The causes came from objectives of science instruction, degree of understanding about questioning, preference and confidence for science class. From this findings, we suggested that teachers should be given opportunities to take training courses in questioning in order to use effective questioning in science class.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.40-53
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• 2020

This study analyzed the features of norms formed in mobile-based science problem-solving and interpreted them from the perspective of digital citizenship. For this, we implemented two mobile-based science problem-solving activities for nine elementary school preparatory teachers composed of two groups, and analyzed the norms observed in their activities. As a result, four norms were found as follows. First, the information presented as a basis should be scientifically reliable. Second, the information need to be searched widely, but the information should be selected and reconstructed in relation to the problem. Third, in a mobile environment, the ideas should be clearly expressed and understood. Fourth, courtesies in mobile interaction should be represented more politely than in face-to-face interaction. Based on the four norms found in this study, we discussed the characteristics and factors of digital citizenship for judging scientifically reliable and relevant information and expressing ideas clearer in mobile environment. Finally, we suggested the educational implications for fostering digital citizens who can judge and practice 'science issues' in a 'mobile environment'.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.360-379
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate beginning elementary teachers' beliefs about the nature of science. Defining teachers' beliefs as a broad construct, we tried to examine the teachers' understandings about the nature of science. The methodology of this study was a qualitative approach through semi-structured interviews. In an urban area of Korea, five beginning elementary teachers were chosen. The cross-case and grounded theory study design were adopted for the data analysis. The results of data analysis were checked by teachers for internal validity. This study identified the teachers' beliefs about the nature of science suggested by many researchers. The results of this study showed that: 1) beginning elementary teachers did not well understand and were unfamiliar with the meanings of various terms about the nature of science; 2) their beliefs abut the nature of science were broad and various; 3) they understood some parts of the nature of science; 4) there were differences within their understandings about subconcepts of the nature of science.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.74-84
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to get an implication on teacher education program, by exploring the difficulties pre-service elementary teachers have with their science lessons. 37 pre-service teachers were requested to write an anecdote about their science lessons during their 4 week practicum. By analyzing these anecdotes, the difficulties were grouped into several categories by the researcher, and then reconfirmed by the pre-service teachers themselves. The result showed that there were far more difficulties with practical work (cases: 48), than with content knowledge teaching (cases: 17). Among practical work related difficulties, the most frequent cases were: 1) when they have unexpected result different from scientific theory (cases: 10), 2) when they teach process skill and usage of lab equipments (cases: 8), and 3) when they do not have enough preparation for practical work (cases: 7). Unlike the result of preceding research on secondary pre-service teachers, there was no affective aspect problems. These difficulties also can be divided into 'problems' and 'dilemmas'. Whereas 'problems' can be settled by removing obstacles, 'dilemmas', a conflict-filled situation, require choices between competing values or aims. The use of scientific language, the decision on the level and amount of knowledge they teach, and disposal of unexpected experiment results caused such dilemmas in science lessons. The research results imply practical work should be more strengthened in the elementary teacher education program. And both teacher educators and pre-service teachers need to understand that practical teaching is a complex enterprise accompanying some 'dilemmas'. The role of science teachers as managers of dilemmas could be considered.

• 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 The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.19-32
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• 2021

This study aims to analyze the visual modeling process of pre-service elementary teachers on the reflection of light. The analytical framework was developed from three aspects; coherence, correspondence, and commensurability of the modeling thinking proposed by Halloun (2004). 20 pre-service elementary teachers participated and were randomly paired to observe the reflection of light. They were asked to construct the visual model individually at first and then collaboratively. Comparing personal and cooperative models, the level of correspondence and commensurability in some groups has increased, despite the lack of special educational treatment. In addition, three main features were found in their reasoning process. First, the level of commensurability to apply the law of reflection continued to change fluidly depending on the circumstances and often the verbal and visual explanations did not match. Second, in the process of visual modeling, correspondence was often given priority over commensurability and coherence. Third, in a situation where correspondence and commensurability are at odds with each other, participants resolved this conflict and developed reasoning through review and revision of the auxiliary hypothesis. Several implications have been discussed for effectively guiding visual modeling activities.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.265-278
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to investigate research trends about convergence and integrated science education through the analysis of theses published from January, 2000 to June, 2011 in the scientific journals. For the analysis of the theses, we set standards of analysis including the number of theses, integrated types, research methods, the designs of study and the objects of study. The number of theses used for the analysis were 110 volumes and these were limited to the Journal of KASE (The Korean Association for Science Education) and Journal of KESES (The Korean Society of Elementary Science Education). The results of the study are as follows. First, in the analysis of theses according to the published year, we discovered that the volumes of theses related to convergence and integrated science education were only about 10% of theses published in the journals. Second, the theses about STS education and integration type were the most common type in the integrated types, and the next things were integration type with other scientific fields, and integration type with other subjects. Third, 50% of theses have focused on the 'analysis of effect' as research methods and 45.5% of the theses have used 'quantitative research' as the designs of study. Fourth, the most common study in the theses was to target elementary school students, then it was middle school students, then high school students, literature, teachers, would-be teachers, and the general public. On the basis of the results of this research, we suggest that various studies can develop student's creativity and teacher's recognition through STEAM education and must be presented for the successful STEAM education.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2021

In this study, we analyzed the relationship between the physical science domain of TIMSS 2019 and the Korean science curriculum. Twelve subjects are presented in the physical science domain of the TIMSS 2019 4th grade evaluation framework. Research group consisting of elementary and middle school teachers and science education experts, a total of 12, participated to analyze in which grade these subjects were included in the Korea 2009 revised and 2015 revised science curriculum. As a results of analyzing whether the achievement standards of the TIMSS 2019 evaluation framework and Korean science curriculum are consistent, the subjects pertinent to chemistry like 'chemical changes in everyday life,' 'heat transfer,' and 'electricity and simple electrical circuits' appeared not covered at all until the 4th grade curriculum in Korea. Given that the TIMSS 2019 evaluation framework is an international achievement standard, we are proposing to improve the Korean curriculum as follows: first, for the development of the next science curriculum, there is a need for science curriculum organized from the 1st grade of elementary school to connect the content and scope of chemistry in elementary, middle, and high schools as a whole including the Nuri curriculum. Second, as an alternative to the problem of suitability of learning volume and level of learning, it is possible to think of a method to readjust the grade of dealing with related concepts by lowering the difficulty or simplifying the concept. Third, it is necessary to discuss about introducing essential concepts and standard terms into Korea science curriculum according to international trends.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.239-255
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• 2011

As a case study on the use of coteaching in science instruction for science-gifted elementary students, this paper analyzed the characteristics of coteaching science instruction for science-gifted elementary students by plan, performance, and reflection-evaluation stages of the classes. To do this, we observed two teachers' coteaching science instruction for science-gifted elementary students during twelve classes and analyzed the taped videos, their journals, and the transcripts for in-depth interviews with them. The results indicated that the characteristics of the coteaching science instruction, in the planning stage of the classes, showed improvement in the quality of the sciencegifted education programs, the reduction of the psychological burdens of developing the programs, and some efficiency loss due to the joint preparation of the classes. The characteristics in the performance stage of the classes include the seamless progression of the classes through the division of roles, the increase of the students' opportunity to explore, the supplement of the teachers' inadequate descriptions and the overlooked contents, the increase of the interaction between teachers and students and/or the interaction among students, the reduction of the risk of accidents in experiments, and the reduction of the responsibility for teaching. Finally, the characteristics in the reflectionevaluation stage of the classes could be attributed to the diversity of the evaluation viewpoints, the increase of the learning opportunities to develop the teaching professionalism, and the increase of the fear for assessing my own classes.