Identifying Science Teachers' Needs About Developing Students' Scientific Reasoning Skills

The aim of this study is to determine science teachers' needs about developing students' scientific reasoning skills. The study was qualitative descriptive survey and participants were 32 science teachers working at state middle schools with different socio-economic status in Izmir Data were collected via Needs Determination Survey developed by researchers. Content validity of survey was provided by expert views. Data obtained from survey were analyzed by using content analysis. At the end of the study, findings showed that teachers associated scientific reasoning skills with science process skills mostly; although they knew the place of scientific reasoning skills in the curriculum, they could not make any explanations about them; they could not design a scientific reasoning skills based learning environment due to the lack of their inadequacy and to overcome this, they needed some factors related to them such as training and colleague support and external factors such as enough experimental material and class size and they had an expectancy from a possible training to experience activities which they could use directly in the class and in which simple and cheap materials were used. It is hoped that this need analysis may contribute to other stakeholders to design training programs

The Evaluation of "Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge based Argumentation Practices" Training for Science Teachers

In science education, creating learning environments supported with technology and students' use of theory-evidence coordination when expressing their ideas is emphasized regarding the development of students' scientific reasoning, critical thinking, decision making skills, and etc. In this process, great responsibilities are fallen to teachers as planner and designer of a learning environment. In this study, it is aimed to assess the training which aims the development of science teachers' technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) through argumentation practices. In this context; this study evaluated the science teachers' argumentation skills, self-efficacy perceptions towards TPACK and the teachers' views about the training. 37 science teachers working at different cities in Turkey participated in the one group pre-test post-test experimental training study, which was lasted 54 hours during a week. The training is composed of both hand and minds on argumentation practices based on TPACK. The participants joined different activities such as collaborative group works, drama, modeling, thematic games, art activities, problem-based learning, field trips, observation and workshops. In the study, Argumentation Test, TPACK Self Efficacy Belief Scale were used as data collection tools. At the end of the training written views of science teachers towards activities were taken. In the light of the findings, this training was effective on the participants' self-efficacy levels towards technological pedagogical content knowledge. Moreover, this training resulted in a positive change in the participants' views about how a statement could be accepted as an argument. However, the increase in scores of argumentation skills was not significant. Additionally almost all of the participants stated that they found the activities useful and can use in their classes. By considering these results, some suggestions were given