• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.399-416
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between science teaching practices and beliefs about the nature of science. Defining teachers' beliefs as a broad construct, the researcher tried to examine not only the teachers' understanding about the nature of science, but also the effect and reflection in science teaching practices with regards to the nature of science. Guiding research questions were how the teachers' science teaching practices reflected their beliefs about the nature of science. The methodology of this study was qualitative approach that included interviews, classroom observations, and instructional materials. At an urban area of Korea, five beginning elementary teacher was chosen. The cross-case and grounded theory study design were adopted as data analysis process. 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 and revealed that these teachers' beliefs reflected a little in science teaching practices. On the occasion it was reflected, restricted merely within the narrow limits the way to teach the concepts and contents presented in science curriculum. In addition, some of the obstacles that these teachers' beliefs did not reflect the science teaching practices with regards to the nature of science were investigated in this study.

• 한국지구과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.04a
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• pp.22-22
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• 2010

우리들은 초 중등교육을 통해 암석의 종류와 특징, 지질형태와 퇴적구조, 그리고 화석에 대해 지속적으로 교육 받아왔다. 그러나 암석이나 노두를 보고 학교에서 배운 지식을 바르게 적용할 수 있는 학생은 매우 드물다. 또한 아름다운 경관을 보며 지질학적으로 형성과정을 해석할 수 있는 사람도 매우 드물 것이다. 여기서는 지질경관에 대한 정보를 어떻게 제공하고 있는가에 대한 연구 성과를 정리해보고 문제점을 도출하고자 한다. 현재까지 지질경관을 알려주는 연구 성과를 크게 나누면 3종류가 있다. 첫째, 지질학습장의 개발 및 활용에 관한 연구이다. 이 부류의 수집된 자료는 학위논문(29편)과 전문학술지(27편)로 현재 56편이나 검색에 따라 더 늘어날 것이다. 이들은 야외 노두에 대한 효과적인 지질학습을 위한 자료개발을 위주로 하고 있다. 이러한 내용들은 전문가 양성에는 대단히 좋은 프로그램이지만 청소년이나 일반대중들에게 너무 어려운 내용으로 구성되어 있다. 또한 교육청에서 주관하는 탐방계획으로 "경기도 지구과학교사 연구회"가 있는데, 주로 경기도 한탄강유역을 대상으로 하고 있다. 이 연구회 자료에서는 지역의 특성을 살린 야외지질학습장을 개발하고 현장에 적용하기 위한 노력을 볼 수가 있다. 두 번째로 과학전람회 자료로서 현장교사와 학생들의 야외학습에 대한 인식이 잘 나타나 있다. 수집된 자료는 총 55편으로 야외지질조사를 통해 관찰 자체에 중점을 두었는데, 최근에는 노두관찰에 덧붙여 탐구학습 태도와 창의성을 함양하는 쪽으로 옮겨가고 있다. 세 번째 자료는 일반대중을 위한 서적이다. 이 서적들은 저자들의 전공에 따라 그 내용이 다소 다르다. 즉 일반여행안내 책자는 노두나 암석은 소개하고 있으나 지질학적 설명이 전혀없으며(예, 남도해안 2000리), 지리학자들의 저술에는 지형의 형성을 지질학적으로 설명하려 애쓴 흔적이 보인다(예, 한국지리이야기). 다음으로 지구과학들의 저술은 전형적인 지질답사 안내서에 가까워 내용 자체는 좋으나 흥미가 다소 떨어진다(예, 가족이 함께 떠나는 지질여행, 제주도 지질여행). 지질학과 흥미를 적절히 혼합한 책으로 '우리 땅 과학 답사기'정도가 있다. 최근 한국암석학회에서는 "우리의 명산"을 지질과 경관의 관점에서 해석하려는 심포지엄을 2차례 가졌다. 그러나 그 내용면에서는 경관지질이라는 개념을 정립했다고 보기에는 다소 미흡 하나, 황상구 교수의 주왕산에 관한 내용은 앞으로 경관지질 연구에 대한 발전의 여지를 보여주었다. 앞으로 지질경관에 대하여 지질학적 야외답사나 과학지식 습득에 국한시키지 말고, 그 지역의 특성을 살린 관광 또는 민속과 연계하여 지구과학적 학습효과와 더불어 인성교육에 도움이 되는 학습 콘텐츠를 개발하도록 노력해야 할 것이다. 일반 대중이 우리나라의 빼어난 지질 경관을 손쉽게 이해하고 즐기게 되면, 세계자연유산이나 세계지질공원을 지정 받는 과정도 더 쉬워질 것이다.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.402-414
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of Science Chief Teachers in schools, focusing on the specific activities in which they engage during the school year as a part of the science curriculum in the school. To do so, five research participants were selected who were in charge of the activities of the Science Chief Teacher in elementary schools. After the interviews, their activities and roles were categorized into "planning and implementation" and "management and supplementation." In addition, the research participants were asked to bring documents they had drafted and provide information about accomplishments related to science contests, lists of materials and equipment used in science labs, and other materials to be used as reference data for the research. As prompted by the research, the category of "planning and implementation," which represented the activities conducted by the Science Chief Teachers, was further classified into "operation of the intramural events for the Month of Science at the beginning of the school year," "participation in contests sponsored by the Office of Education in accordance with the results of the intramural events," " the operation of the science club in school," and "preparation for the end of the year evaluation of the science education performance." As for the category of "management and supplementation," it was further classified into "constant management and improvement of the science lab," "maintenance of the relationship with the public service officials present at science lab," and "management of other matters related to the science education." Through this study, it was possible to look into the activities of the Science Chief Teachers who supported the smooth progress of science education in schools. This study will provide implications for improving the work efficiency of the Chief Science Teachers and indicate the difficulties expected in the future.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.599-609
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• 2017

The goal of this research is to analyze the trend of Korean fourth grade students' achievement in TIMSS 2011 and TIMSS 2015 science content domains and to suggest implications for science curriculum and teaching & learning improvement. With four elementary science teachers and three science educators, we analyzed Korean fourth grade students' percentage of correct responses in TIMSS 2015 science content and cognitive domains, and conducted item-curriculum matching analysis for test items. According to the results, Korean students performed relatively better in test topics covered in the science curriculum for 3-4 grades regardless of the science content domain (i.e., Life science, Physical science, or Earth science). Korean students showed low percentage of correct answers for items related to such topics as heat conduction, the action of electricity, the motion of the earth and the moon, etc., which were covered in the 5th-6th grades in the 2009 revised curriculum. For science cognitive domains, Korean students' achievement dropped significantly in reasoning between TIMSS 2011 and TIMSS 2015. Discussed in the conclusion are implications to reconstruct elementary school science curriculum, and ways to improve science teaching and learning.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.34-46
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• 2023

To investigate the trends in science education research related to play and derive implications for elementary science education research, we analyzed 109 research articles on play in science education published both in Korea and abroad. First, the number of research studies conducted abroad has been steadily increasing since 2009, with the highest number targeting middle school students. Conversely, domestic research has the highest number of papers targeting elementary school students. Second, in terms of research methods, quantitative methods were the most commonly used. Third, the use of questionnaires was the most frequently published research method, while the use of observation and products was smaller in number in domestic studies compared to those conducted abroad. Fourth, In the aspects of the contents, more research was conducted in the field of physics than in other areas. In case of researches for elementary school students, domestic research was focused on four areas of science. Fifth, among the studies exploring effectiveness, the 'cognitive domain' was the most studied, followed by the 'science-related attitude domain' and the 'inquiry and practice domain'. Sixth, the use of play was high in the following order: online games, video games, virtual play, and games with rules. For domestic researches, studies on analog play were most frequently reported, and the ratio of digital games in abroad was higher than that of others. Seventh, the highest number of papers used teacher-directed play, and this tendency was more noticeable in domestic studies.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
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• s.49
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• pp.425-464
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• 2017

The Knowledge of the Channel (e) is often used as educational materials; it delivers very short but compelling message of strong or interesting timeliness. However, as the media environment changes, expectations and demands for The Knowledge The Knowledge of the Channel (e) is used in school education and what should be improved upon to increase utilization of educational resources. We surveyed 361 elementary, middle and high school teachers and analyzed the frequency of using, approach and learning activities of The Knowledge of the Channel (e) in school education. We also analyzed difficulties in using it in the school and what improvements should be made. Result show that the frequency of using The Knowledge of the Channel (e) in school is highest in elementary schools, followed by middle school, and then high school. Teachers strongly consider curricular relevance when selecting broadcasting contents for education, and among programs of EBS(Educational Broadcasting System), most frequently use The Knowledge of the Channel (e). The The Knowledge of the Channel (e) is mainly used as an incentive for increasing motivation. When examined by elementary school curriculum, this material is highly utilized in subjects with content such as society, morality, and science, or with approaches that require various perspectives. However, it is difficult for teachers to find materials directly related to their classes, and since other media content similar to The Knowledge of the Channel (e) is abundant, the utilization of The Knowledge of the Channel (e) is decreasing. To improve this, The Knowledge of the Channel (e) needs to improve its platform and transformed the type of The Knowledge of the Channel (e) content being provided on social media.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.499-518
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• 2004

This study focused on research that illustrates the important interplay between learners' epistemological beliefs about science knowledge, physics textbook knowledge and knowing physics in the classroom. Also this study investigated learners' conceptual changes on the value of mechanical energy. To explore these topics, six sophomores were chosen as participants. Three categories were introduced to classify how participants' understanding of the nature of science knowledge, physics textbook knowledge has been linked with epistemological beliefs of knowing physics. The three categories were (1)receiving physics knowledge as authority, (2)receiving physics knowledge as the perception of teacher's role and (3)understanding physics knowledge as the perception that science knowledge is a product of a variety of human ideas. These categories were also concerned with construction of individual conceptions of mechanical energy. The participants who understood physics knowledge as the perception that science knowledge is a product of a variety of human ideas naturally used metacognitive strategy in classroom compared to other participants. And they had scientific conceptions about the value of mechanical energy. Others who were passive in classroom had unscientific conceptions about the value of mechanical energy due to definition of energy and epistemological beliefs about the nature of science knowledge. In the process of their conceptual changes on the value of mechanical energy, it was important to understand an instrumental aspect of scientific knowledge and to think about the relation between formulae and physical phenomena.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.759-770
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to examine the Earth science content relevance of the 7th national science curriculum. For this purpose, we (1) analyzed science curriculum or content standards of Korea, California, England and Japan, (2) compared science textbooks of Korea and Japan, (3) conducted a nationwide survey to gather opinions from students, teachers, professors and textbook authors about the relevance of the science curriculum and textbooks. According to the results, the Earth science contents of the 7th national science curriculum were not appropriate in terms of the objectives of science curriculum and the needs of students and society. The main reasons include the equal division among physics, chemistry, biology and earth science, iack of connection due to fractionation of units, overly strict application of spiral curriculum, and redundant amount of activities and concepts to cover in the textbook. Major suggestions fir securing the relevance of Earth science contents are as follows: First, the science contents and the size of units at each grade level should be determined according to the students' characteristics, not by equal portion rule. Second, the excessive overlapping and repetition of contents due to the spiral curriculum should be avoided. In addition, the number of activities should be reduced and the quality of required science activities should be improved. Third, to raise students' interest in Earth science, real-life applications and real-world Earth science contents should be emphasized including natural disasters, safety, universe and space exploration, and natural resources. Lastly, considering one of the relevance criteria is feasibility, supports for schools and science teachers are needed to realize the goal of the intended science curriculum.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.509-517
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• 2016

Previous studies have investigated the similarity between the development of evolutionary explanations and students' conceptual developments on evolution. However, the validity and reliability of the assessment method reflecting the similarity have not been quantitatively examined yet. In addition, no study has examined the conceptual progressions of evolution concept based on contexts although literature has addressed the contextual difference of evolutionary explanation in the history of science. This study examined the validity and reliability of history-of-science-based evolution concept assessment using ordered multiple choice (OMC) methods and Rasch analysis and explored conceptual progression by three contexts (e.g., human, animal, and plant). The evolution concept assessment developed by Ha (2007) was used to examine 1711 elementary, middle, and high school students, and pre- and in-service science teachers' (biology majors and non-majors) evolution concepts. Internal consistency reliability and item response fitness of the OMC method that provide 0- to 4-point scores to creationism, teleology, intentionality, use/disuse, and natural selection respectively met the benchmark based on the Cronbach alpha and MNSQ indices of Rasch analysis. The level of elementary and middle school students' evolution concepts were located between intentionality and use/disuse while the level of high school and non-biology science teachers' evolution concepts were located between use/disuse and natural selection. The conceptual progressions of evolution concepts were differentiated according to three contexts. This study provided the quantitative evidence for the similarity between the development of evolutionary explanations and students' conceptual developments on evolution and suggest new analysis methods (i.e., OMC) of evolution concept assessment.

• 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.