• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.244-256
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• 2006

Elementary teachers should lower their levels of expectation and indeed perspectives to those of elementary students. Even in relation to basic symbols, such as an arrow, can be read differently by teachers or students. Semiotics deals with the creation of meaning in rotation to symbols and signs. This study introduces semiotic analysis to the study of science textbooks. Elementary science textbooks contain a great many inscriptions, such as photographs and cartoons, even more than texts, such as words and sentences. Inscriptions employ various social conventions such as arrows, auxiliary lines, etc. Some conventional signs, however, hold different or indeed multiple meanings than the textbook author intended the sign to have. The arrows used in science textbook, mainly in the inscriptions, were analyzed and classified according to their intended meaning. The results indicated that teachers should use such arrows more carefully in lessons with elementary students.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.163-172
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to develop the analytic framework of Creative Problem Solving(CPS) for elementary school science textbook. For this purpose, we developed the framework based on the theories of problem, definition of problem solving and various kinds of CPS model. The six elements of the framework for content analysis were extracted through theoretical examination: problem introduction, problem statement, solution thinking, formulating hypothesis, testing hypothesis, and assessment. The developed framework was applied to the extbooks for the 5th and the 6th grades 1st semester in elementary science textbook of the 7th national curriculum. The results of this study were as follows: 1. The scores of the framework for content analysis in the 5th grade were slightly higher than those of the 6th grade, but there were no significant difference. 2. The comparison of the scores between the elements of the framework was found that the scores on the elements of testing hypothesis and formulating hypothesis were higher than those of the other elements. 3. The comparison of the scores between the units was found that the scores of the framework for the 9th unit (“trip of water”) of the 5th grade were higher than those of the other units, which were presented lower level than 1.0 (50.0%) score of the framework. 4. The comparison of the scores between the intensive course and the regular coures in the 6th grade textbook was showed that the scores on the intensive course were higher than the basic course. In conclusions, it was found that the problem introduction and problem statement in the textbook should be amended, and that various information and activities should be presented in the textbook.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.390-403
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• 2009

We have examined the perception of teachers and students in elementary schools toward the frontier science and analyzed corresponding contents in science textbooks in Korea and the U. S. in order to promote a good guidance for the frontier science education. We prepared separate questionnaires for teachers and children, respectively, and analyzed the responses obtained from 244 teachers and 1,000 students in five elementary schools. For the analysis of how to introduce the frontier science, we investigated textbooks such as Science, Society and Practical Arts of Korean elementary school, and an American science textbook published by Scott Foresman. This study revealed that teachers are well aware of the importance of the frontier science, however, they are inactive in conducting the subject in class rooms because of their insufficient scientific knowledge and poor environment for teaching. It has been found that children had strong interest in the frontier science, however, opportunities to learn the topic are not properly provided. The frontier science m the American science textbook turned out to be more systematically introduced than that in Korean ones.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.147-160
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to compare the elementary science curriculum and textbooks of Korea, the United States, Japan, and Singapore to know how the contents on particulate concept of matter is introduced and expressed. In Korea, particulate concept of matter was adopted as a term for 'molecules' in the 3rd through 6th curriculum, and the term for 'particles' was adopted in the 2009 revised curriculum. In the United States, NGSS adopted the term 'particle' in fifth grade. Japan presented the concept of 'particle' as a core concept of matter in the commentary, and the expressions 'particles' were being introduced in the textbooks. But it did not cover particulate nature of matter at the elementary school level in Singapore. An analysis of elementary textbooks in Korea, the United States and Japan except Singapore showed particulate expressions in 'dissolution', 'state change of water', 'gas pressure and volume', 'combustion and extinguishment' units. Korean textbook was only being introduced in 'dissolution' and 'gas pressure and volume', but in the textbooks of Japan and the United States, water was expressed as particles in 'state change of water' unit. Discussion and implication on the introduction of particulate concept to elementary science curriculum and textbooks were suggested based on the results.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.193-199
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• 2000

The textbook is a predominant feature of most classrooms. Because the textbook is an important aspect of educational experience, it is essential that the content of the texts be carefully scrutinized. The purpose of this study was to examine the visual portrayal of gender groups in elementary $"Chay{\tilde{o}}n"$ textbooks developed by the 6th National Science Curriculum. An instrument was developed to analyze the nature and type of activity engaged in by these groups as well as how often members of these groups were portrayed. Data were collected from 8 elementary $"Chay{\tilde{o}}n"$ textbooks. The results show the following two different features. While the elementary $"Chay{\tilde{o}}n"$ textbooks do not show gender-biases in representing science learning activities such as observing, experimenting, measuring, they show distinct gender-stereotyped roles and activities. It is expected that the results of this study are considered in developing the new elementary "Science" textbooks which show gender-fairness.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.475-488
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate elementary students' difficulties when they read the illustrations on scientific textbook. 5 illustrations were selected on basis that they had some of the textual/graphical features. The data were collected from open-ended questionnaires and follow-up interviews. To investigate difficulties of reading illustrations, 100 sixth grade students participated in this study and interviews were taken to 9 volunteers among those participants. The results showed that many students had difficulties in the integration of verbal representation and realistic image representation on the illustration, therefore they often misunderstood the meaning of illustration. These results gave several recommendations when we used illustrations as educational materials. Teachers would be better to guide that students could understand illustrations with the integration of the reading of one or more representations.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.207-212
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• 2014

The national reform document, Science for All Americans (AAAS, 1990), and the Next Generation Science Standards (NRC, 2012) emphasize the importance of the nature of science in guiding science educators in accurately portraying science to students. Therefore, it is important that textbook materials convey an accurate conception of the nature of science. This study employs content analysis to examine the content of textbooks in US and Korea elementary science textbooks with regard to the four aspects of the nature of science: (a) nature of scientific knowledge; (b) nature of scientific inquiry; (c) nature of scientific thinking; and (d) nature of interactions among science, technology, and society (Chiappetta, Fillman, & Sethna, 2004). Intercoder reliability was determined by calculating Cohen's kappa (Cohen, 1960). Findings show that while US elementary science textbooks are not balanced in presenting the four aspects of the nature of science regardless of the publishing companies, the presentation of the nature of science in Korean elementary science textbooks have better balanced treatment of the four themes across the grade levels. On the other hand, both US and Korean elementary science textbooks are attempting to convey an idea of what science is by emphasizing scientific knowledge and investigation.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.442-458
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• 2011

Digital textbook project is one of government-driven project to improve education due to integrating technology. Digital textbook need to be universally designed to fit for each student. Recently, universal design for learning( UDL) gains great attention as one of promising approaches for the development of the digital textbook through giving various options and flexibility to all students. UDL has three main principles, first provide multiple means of representation, second provide multiple means of action and expression, third provide multiple means of engagement. The purpose of the study is to analyze fourth grade science textbook according to three UDL guidelines and suggest implications to improve an existing science textbook. The results indicated that fourth grade science digital textbook has been partly applied UDL guidelines like implementing multimedia and multi- mode contents, learning and communication tools, and motivation strategies. But options which students can choose according to their needs and styles are insufficient and tools for expression and communication need to enhance for helping each student to overcome his/her obstacles for learning and need to be more and elaborate to support learner-centered science digital textbook.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.477-485
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• 2012

This study introduces the development of elementary science textbooks in Korea. In Korea there has been eight revisions to the National curriculum and the development of nine textbooks. The State of Korea has organized textbook development teams, but this time the State chose the development team through public contest. Researchers suggested the 'FLOW' development model based upon results of studies in creative education and developed the new science textbooks. The 'FLOW' model includes four stages, aimed towards capturing students' interest in science (Fun Science), engaging students in various scientific inquiries and experiences (Lab. Experience), organizing their own knowledge of science (Organizing Knowledge), and to encourage students to become little scientists (Willing to be a Scientist). The textbook is a research-developmental textbook that utilizes various literature and exploration-strategic textbooks. The textbook's basis is formed upon scientists' experiences that assist in the realization of 'inquiry' that is emphasized within the science field.

• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.113-128
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to confirm achievement of goals in science curriculum. The questionnaires related to 'solution' chapter of 5th grade were developed. The subjects were 69 sixth grade elementary school students and four elementary school teachers. 5 students were selected for deep interviews. Each interview was progressed separately, and all the contents of the interviews were recorded. As results, it is revealed that most of the students could not understand basic concepts of 'solution' chapter. The teachers and the students recognized that explanations in the textbook were insufficient. Many inquiry activities were introduced in textbooks, but the students could not acquire inquiry abilities, especially data interpretation and generalization abilities. Inadequate pictures in the textbook also disturbed the students' learning of inquiry ability. Using materials of real life in textbook could not attract the elementary school students' interests effectively.