• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.629-648
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• 2015

This study is a case study examining how research-based 'authentic' science education program contextually facilitates students' learning on NOS as a process. We developed 'Becoming a Scientist' mentor-mentee program and applied it to six Korean 7th graders for 8 months. A mentor, who is also a researcher, provided scaffolding and coaching, and her mentees were to perform the whole process of science research, including selecting the research subject and questions, planning research design, doing experiments, collecting and analysing data, writing research paper, and experiencing poster presentation at an academic conference. The research questions are 1) What would the students experience at every step of their research process?, and 2) Which perceptions would they construct NOS as a process? Data include classroom observations, interview, mentor's journal, and students' learning products. The results show that the mentees have experienced their views of NOS as a process in various ways such as role of research question and purpose, validity of measured value, researcher's subjectivity in interpreting data, experience of making public and peer review, and significance of academic conference. This study has shown that students' actual experience in scientific research enhanced their views about NOS as process without explicit and reflective approaches. We defined 'authenticity' associated with not only with its similarity to what scientists do but to learner's identity as scientific researcher. Based on the situated learning theory, this study sheds light on the necessity of reconsideration about the meaning of authenticity and embodying authentic context in science education for better NOS learning.

• Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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• v.61
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• pp.165-201
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to explore the development of language education of Christian early childhood education by exploring the change of pre-Christian preschool teachers through the development of biblical language education activities. Interviews, surveys, action plans, and reflections of 19 Christian education students who participated in the development of bible-based language education activities for children based on the language of early childhood language, were conducted from September 3 to December 28, 2018. The data were collected through a portfolio. By analyzing the collected data, the key categories were derived and categorized. For the objectification of data analysis and interpretation, two thematic and early childhood education specialists were identified. As a result, the preparatory Christian teacher experience for the development of bible-based langage education activities for young children was categorized into cognitive change, personality change and practical change. First, through the development of bible-based early childhood language education activities, Christian pre-service early childhood teachers have brought cognitive changes as 'processes not outcomes', 'integration not separation', 'living non-curriculum' and 'meaning not effect'. In developing bible-based language education activities for young children, Christian pre-service early childhood teachers experienced a cognitive change in the 'process of language education activities' rather than the developmental achievements and results of early childhood language education. Christian pre-service early childhood teachers recognized the necessity of 'integration of listening-speaking-reading-writing', not the separation of early childhood language education. They recognized the importance of 'informal language education in kindergarten life', as well as teacher-centered formal language education. In addition, they have made a cognitive change that 'child-centered meaningful language education experience' is more important than the effectiveness of early childhood language education. Second, in developing bible-based language education activities for young children, Christian pre-service early childhood teachers showed personality changes as 'confident teachers', 'professional teachers', and 'teachers with reflective thoughts and attitudes'. Finally, in developing bible-based language education activities for young children, Christian pre-service early childhood teachers recognized the power of positive language and practiced it to form habits of using the right language and to link Christian education with early childhood education. Through the development of bible-based language education activities for young children, Christian pre-service early childhood teachers are equipped with the heart attitude and enthusiasm required to become true early childhood teachers for young children in unpredictable educational conditions and rapidly changing educational realities. Teacher efficacy has improved. In the future, it is expected that various teacher education programs linking Christian education and early childhood education will be continuously and systematically implemented.