• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument for assessing teachers' awareness of science teaching through analogy (ASTA) and to establish its validity and reliability. Based on the literatures on science teaching with analogies, we constructed 23 survey items. Face validity of the items was established using three science education experts. Through exploratory factor analysis with responses of 35 pre- and 26 inservice elementary school teachers, the instruments were constructed on four subcategories: awareness of analogies in science, use of analogy in teaching and learning, self-efficacy in science knowledge, and knowledge of analogy. The data collected from pre- and in-service elementary teachers demonstrated that overall the teachers' awareness of analogy in science was neutral, which indicated they did not have clear standpoints of science teaching through analogy. Further examination demonstrated that there was no significant difference between pre- and in-service teachers and between two genders. Moreover, there was no significant difference among teachers who preferred either didactic or discovery teaching approaches. We conclude that ASTA test would contribute assessment of teachers' awareness of analogy in science teaching while further examination of the instrument will warrant for its broader use.