• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.422-434
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this research is to investigate the actual conditions of primary school science teaching and ways to improve it. In elementary science teaching, teachers themselves tend to have science misconceptions and insufficient science content knowledge. Experienced teachers argued that it could be hard for elementary teachers with lack of science content knowledge to provide their students with meaningful learning experiences of science. Based on the general characteristics of elementary teaching and the awareness of elementary teachers' insufficient science content knowledge, we explored the real situation of the elementary science classroom. We conducted open-ended interviews with teachers and focus group discussions on a regular basis to analyze and compare classes of five primary school teachers. Data analysis focused on why elementary students avoid science classes in upper grades of elementary school and why elementary science classes always need hands-on activities. We also discussed ways to turn hands-on investigation into minds-on investigation by connecting it to important ideas in science. Based on the results, we suggested ways to improve inservice teacher training such as designing supplementary in-service training focused on content knowledge for primary school teachers, setting up professional exchange or collaboration between primary and secondary teachers, and introducing subject-specialized teachers for the fifth and sixth graders of primary school. In particular, considering elementary teachers' insufficient science content knowledge, employing science subject matter specialists in the elementary school could be a useful strategy.

• The Mathematical Education
• /
• v.52 no.2
• /
• pp.163-174
• /
• 2013

This study conducted a survey to examine the knowledge formation and utilization of computer among beginning teachers of secondary school mathematics. We found that beginning teachers who had more experiences of taking computer utilization classes at teacher education institutes showed more interest in computer and saw the necessity and effectiveness of computer usage for teaching students. Teachers chose GSP the most among computer utilization knowledge learned in pre-service teachers program, and GSP is used the most in mathematics classes. However, they answered that computer is not so much available in class due to lack of hours and the relevant resources. Lastly, beginning teachers answered that the computer knowledge learned in in-service teacher program was more useful than that in pre-service. Thus, the professional development in utilizing computer should be improved through diversifying teacher training contents for beginning teachers as well as for pre-service teachers in teacher education institutes.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.113-138
• /
• 2019

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of a teacher professional learning environment at workplace day care centers on the professionalism of beginning teachers and also to verify the mediating effects of the beginning teachers'work task motivation on that relationship. Methods: The participants were 129 new teachers currently employed at workplace day care centers. The Current Status for Professional Competence was used to measure the teachers' professionalism. The Professional Learning Environment Inventory assesses the professional learning environment of day care centers. To measure the work task motivation, the Work Tasks Motivation Scale for Teachers was used. Results: Firstly, positive relationships were identified between a professional learning environment and their intrinsic motivation and identified motivation. However, there were also negative relationships between the professional learning environment and their introjected motivation and amotivation. Secondly, this study partially verified the mediating effects of the beginning teachers'work task motivation on the relationship between the professional learning environment and teachers' professionalism. Conclusion/Implications: The relationship between the professional learning environment and the professionalism of beginning teachers was mediated by the teachers'own intrinsic motivations, identified motivations, and amotivation.

• Journal of Gifted/Talented Education
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.299-318
• /
• 2016

The purpose of study was to explore science teachers' practical knowledge on teaching the gifted in science; namely, what kinds of instructional methods did they perceive as effective approaches based on their teaching experience with the gifted? Twelve science teachers who had 4-11 years of teaching experiences with the gifted students at the gifted center under the local educational offices participated in the study. The data source included in-depth individual interviews with the teachers. In results, the teachers became more aware of the academic potentials and characteristics of the students and had made efforts to develop their instructional methods more fitting to the characteristics and needs of the gifted. They emphasized four instructional aspects: 1) experience of authentic inquiry process and methods, 2) group activities focusing on leadership, communication and collaboration, and empathetic attitudes, 3) tasks promoting creative and convergent thinking, and 4) career awareness in the field of science, technology, and engineering. It is expected that this study provides more practical implications and insights for novice science teachers in the gifted education.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.94-113
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this study was to examine the change in the classes of beginning science teachers through the collaborative mentoring program that induce reflective thinking practice. Participants in this study were three mentor-teachers, two teachers in doctor's or master's course, one university professor, and three mentee-teachers who have less than four years of teaching experience. We collected data such as video recordings of the mentee-teachers' classroom teaching and transcription, lesson plans, recording of one-on-one mentoring and transcription, mentor and mentee's journals, and RTOP classroom teaching observation reports. RTOP was used for the analysis of classroom teaching and mentee-teachers' recognition and changes in their classes were found out through journals and one-on-one mentoring interview materials. According to mentee-teachers' recognition and changes in their classes during the mentoring program, they themselves recognized their teacher-centered teaching style, misconception, and lack of content knowledge. Furthermore, there were changes in the mentee-teachers' classroom teaching through their reflective practice and improvement. As a result of this study, the interactions with mentor-teachers through collaborative mentoring program stimulated mentee-teacher's reflections on their teaching. Therefore, these reflections led to their reflective practice that showed progressive changes in their teaching behavioral activities. The extent of these changes varied according to the mentee-teachers' individual disposition toward reflection and the issue of whether mentee-teachers' reflective practice was in accordance with priorities in motivational ZDP or not. Also based on the results of this study, the teachers' reflection was not all accompanied by reflective practice even if the beginning science teachers made some partial changes in reflective practice through reflection. It means that it is hard to lead reflective practice for mentee-teachers through mentoring in a short period of time. Therefore, we consider that a systematic and long-term mentoring program is necessary for beginning science teachers.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.77-96
• /
• 2022

This study investigated how collaborative reflection between novice secondary science teachers promoted the development of teaching professionalism. We intentionally selected research participants who shared sufficient rapport. Data were collected by videotaping the classes taught by participants, pre-talk, post-interviews and nine collaborative reflection processes. All data were transcribed and analyzed. Results indicated that all three teachers showed changes in teaching practice. Minyoung's practice involved a teacher-led lecture, but through collaborative reflection, she could create a learning environment to enhance students' power and ownership in her class. Emphasizing academic rigor, Soyoung used to teach content outside the scope of the curriculum, but through collaborative reflection, she became more considerate of students' understanding. Finally, in Jiyeon's classes inquiry activities and theoretical explanations were separated from each other. However, she repeated her efforts to improve her class after collaborative reflection, allowing students to construct explanations through activities. In this study, three factors that promoted the development of teachers' pedagogical content knowledge through collaborative reflection were identified. First, the different teaching orientations of the three teachers who participated in this study, promoted sharing of opinions through collaborative reflection. Second, reflection based on teaching practice enabled practical feedback on the class, which enhanced the development of teachers' pedagogical content knowledge. Third, the equal status and formation of rapport between the three teachers created an environment for productive reflection. These results suggest that future teacher education programs should target communities that can promote collaborative reflection based on teachers' teaching practice.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.571-581
• /
• 2014

This study aims to investigate how high school teachers and students perceive the purpose of science learning. Participants were high school science teachers and students from one hundred and sixty high schools nationwide, which were selected through proportional stratified sampling method. Teachers and students responded on open-ended questionnaires about the purpose of science learning. The data were analyzed using the semantic network analysis method. Our study illustrates three major finding: First, teachers recognized the intrinsic value related to cognitive domain as the more important purpose of science learning, while students recognized the extrinsic value related to personal usefulness domain as more important. Second, teachers' responses were significantly different depending on the teaching career. Beginning teachers believed both intrinsic and extrinsic values were equally important, while experienced teachers believed the cognitive domain about understanding of scientific knowledge was more important than intrinsic values. In other words, the differences in perception of the purpose of science between teachers and students, the experienced teachers is greater than the beginning teachers. Finally, students' responses were different depending on their academic track. Humanity major students recognized that learning science made their everyday-life easier while science major students recognized that learning science should be related to their future careers. In conclusion, the results of this study is expected to be of use as the basic data to identify the characteristic of teachers and students related to science.

• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.310-322
• /
• 2007

This study is to find ways of support for beginning teacher induction in elementary school with constructing model of professional development. To achieve this purpose, this study reviewed significance of beginning teacher induction program, the bridge to life learning, and constructed the model of professional development for beginning. The final conclusion about ways of support as support intensity are orientation based on demanding of beginning teacher, bridge connection with veteran teacher, coordination of working conditions, collaboration among peer teacher, and strengthening computer network at week intensity level. At strong intensity level, the ways of support for beginning teacher are institutionalization on election and training of mentor, institutionalization on compulsory induction for 1 year, development and operation of teacher education center, and furtherance of school learning organization.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.249-272
• /
• 2012

This study has been carried out to suggest an improvement measure by analysing the current situation of the working condition for the teachers in child care. For this, governmental policy and law and relevant references in relation to the working conditions for the teachers have been collected for analysis. On the basis of the research, in order to improve the working condition for the teachers the following suggestions have been made: provision of salary system considered the level of qualification criteria and academic certificate, carrying out a raise in pay according to the salary class, requirement of written indication of a provision of allowance, increase of the initial salary for the principal of nurseries, observance of legislation for payment of excess duty allowance, elucidation of legislation for the salary of the teacher in unsupported nurseries and settlement of ratio of supporting personnel expenses from government.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.297-310
• /
• 2021

This study explores the characteristics of within-school and across-school science teacher professional learning communities (hereafter, PLC) qualitatively. In-depth focus group interviews were conducted with science teachers belonging to seven PLCs within the science core school and three PLCs across schools. Interview questions include identity and motivation, major activities, and outcomes of PLC, as well as shortcomings and support plans for PLC. The results include both within-school and across-school science teacher PLCs formed for professional development related to science teaching and learning. Both science PLCs participated in the study showed the characteristics of a 'practice community' that developed a cooperative relationship through reciprocal participation, focusing on shared issues among members. Regarding issues, within-school PLCs focused on microscopic problems such as curriculum reconstruction of subject-matter, while across-school PLCs focused on macro problems such as teacher professional development. Regarding activities and roles as PLC, within-school and across-school science PLCs shared such features as collaborative professional development, and interpersonal education such as mentoring for novice teachers. In terms of PLC's influence and outcomes, science teacher PLCs has a positive effect not only on the teachers themselves, but also on the students and the teacher culture in the school. In addition, science teacher PLCs need improvement of the physical conditions for community operation, and software support such as protocol provision for PLC operation and joint research or re-education with universities. In particular, joint research between universities and science teacher PLCs shows the future orientation of the PLC as an 'inquiry community'. Based on the results, the necessity of active support for science PLC, the necessity of developing a cooperative system between science teacher PLC and universities, and ways to spread the PLC of science core schools to that of general schools were proposed.