• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.183-203
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factor for improving elementary and secondary students' positive experiences about science (PES). In-depth interviews with 32 students and 8 teachers from 8 elementary and secondary Science Core schools were conducted to explore the factors for improving the student's PES. The analysis of the results reveal that the eight key factors which had a decisive impact on a student's PES were 'practice-centered exploratory activities', 'student-led class', 'positive and professional feedback', 'construction of knowledge through exploration', 'class considering student's interest and aptitude', 'use of materials related to real life', 'smooth communication and collaboration in group activities', and 'appropriate difficulty in learning content'. There were also five environmental factors that affected these key factors: 'teacher's professionalism for science classes', 'science class environment', 'teacher community in unit schools', 'change in curriculum', and 'scientific activities other than regular classes'. Based on these results, the practical implications for improving the student's PES are suggested.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.431-440
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of the K Teachers' Community, which brought about changes in the perception of SSI education by teachers with experience in SSI, and to explore its relevance to the development of SSI professions. This is a case study that describes in depth the characteristics of the K teachers' community. The study conducted semi-structured as well as in-depth interviews with six teachers who have more experience in SSI education activities for over 20 years. The K teachers' community has three characteristics. First, the K teachers' community formed identity by discussing the nature of science and technology, which allowed teachers to share a common orientation toward the goals of science education. Second, the teachers who participated in the K teachers' community formed professionalism and confidence in SSI teaching in the course of producing, sharing, and spreading SSI through its various practices. Third, the K teachers' community is continuously growing by opening themselves to external communities and co-evolution through solidarity. The success of K Teachers' Community may inform other teachers how the community of teaching practices can develop and maintain, and in turn can help the members of the community develop their professional identity as teachers.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.203-212
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• 2014

It is important to explore ways that reinforce teachers' curricular expertise at the school level as the school curriculum autonomy expands. This study investigated teachers' curricular expertise that is required for teachers' professionalism, autonomy, and accountability to cope with the increasing school curriculum autonomy. Teachers in the future school are expected to explore and develop school level curriculum within a given school context. Through literature reviews, domestic and foreign case studies, and survey of teachers, this study examined difficulties in science teachers' exercise of their professionalism on curriculum organization and implementation at the school level. Difficulties in exercising teachers' curricular expertise include lack of actual autonomy in curriculum operation at the school level, inadequate infrastructures, demanding accountability based on students' achievement results, lack of time for reflection, and lack of recognition for teachers as independent curriculum designers. In the conclusion section, a couple of ways to solve these difficulties are suggested including expansion of actual autonomy, activation of teachers' participation in policy decision making, reinforcement of qualitative components in school assessment, diversification of the teacher's career ladder, and activation of teachers' participation in professional learning communities.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.439-448
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• 2022

The goal of this study is to develop a protocol that can be used for the purpose of developing inquiry class expertise in science teacher PLC, and to explore the possibility of field application of the developed protocol through test application with in-service teachers. PLC protocol for science inquiry class, consisting of five stages, was developed and applied sequentially to six participating teachers. In order to check the applicability of the protocol, the participating teachers wrote a reflection journal for each stage, and after the completion of the five-stage protocol, the participants' perceptions of the protocol were investigated through a group interview. The results are as follows: first, a protocol for enhancing science teachers' professionalism of inquiry classes was composed and developed in five stages such as (1) Revealing ideas about science inquiry classes, (2) Sharing science inquiry class experiences, (3) Looking together at students' scientific inquiry results, (4) Building literacy for science inquiry teaching, and (5) making science inquiry lesson plans. Second, the possibility of extensive application of the PLC protocol developed in this study was confirmed through the reflection journal and post-interview analysis results of the participants. According to the participating teachers, the protocol helped the systematic operation of PLC and teachers' participation. In addition, by experiencing the five-stage protocol, the teachers had an opportunity to reflect on their inquiry classes and ponder for improvement, and gained confidence in inquiry classes. Based on the research results, ways to develop and utilize the PLC protocol for science teachers were suggested.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.442-458
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• 2004

This study was conducted to develop a plan for a large-scale implementation of the Girl Friendly Science Program based on the results of analysis and investigation of its current pilot implementation, Girl Friendly Science Program materials, which was first developed in 1999 with the support from Ministry of Gender Equality, consist of 1) five theme-based units that are specifically targeted individual students' unique ability, aptitude, and career choice, and 2) differentiated learning materials for 7th through 10th grade female students. All the materials are available at the homepage (http://tes.or.kr/gfsp.cgi) of 'Teachers for Exciting Science(the organization of science teachers in Seoul area)'. Since the materials are well organized by topic and grade level and presented in both Korean word process document and html format, anyone can easily access to the materials for their own instructional use. Ever since its launch the number of visitors to the homepage has been constantly increasing. The evaluation results of the current pilot implementation of the materials that targeted individual students' ability and aptitude showed that it scored high in terms of its alignment to the original purpose, content, level, and effectiveness to implement in classrooms. However, its evaluation scores were low in terms of the convenience for teachers to guide the materials, and its organization and operation. The results also showed a significant change in students' perception of science, and students' positive experiences of science through various interdisciplinary activities. On the other hand, the evaluation of students' experiences with the materials showed that students' assessment about an activity was largely depending on a success or failure of their experiences. Overall, students' evaluation of activities scores were low for simple activities such as cutting off or pasting papers. According to students' achievement test results, differences between pre and post test scores in the Affective Domain was statistically significant (p<0.05), but not in Inquiry Domain. Based on teachers observations, numerous schools where have run this program reported that students' abilities to cooperate, discuss, observe and reason with evidences were improved. In order to implement this program in a larger scale, it is critical to have a strong support of teachers and induce them to change their teaching strategy through building a community of teachers and developing ongoing teacher professional development programs. Finally, there still remain strong needs to develop more programs, and actively discover and train more domestic woman scientists and engineers and collaborate with them to develop more educational materials for girls in all ages.