Inquiry-based science teasching competence of pre-service primary teachers

In recent years, improving primary science education has received considerable attention. In particular, researchers and policymakers advocate the use of inquiry-based science teaching and learning, believing that pupils learn best through direct personal experience and by incorporating new information into their existing knowledge base. Therefore, corresponding educational paradigms have shifted from merely reproducing knowledge to asking scientifically oriented questions and searching for evidence when responding to those questions. This approach is considered to be the starting point for motivating pupils to apply research skills, construct meaning, and acquire scientific knowledge. Teachers’ competencies are essential for increasing pupils’ learning and for stimulating their interest in science. Research has indicated that primary school teachers find it difficult to become effective inquiry-based science teachers because they often lack key knowledge regarding how science inquiry works and—in particular—how to implement inquiry-based teaching in their classrooms (Lee, Hart, Cuevas & Enders, 2004; Van Zee et al., 2005; McDonald, 2009). In the absence of these key competencies, qualitatively poor or insufficient guidance and insufficient feedback could be received during the discovery process. High-quality teacher education that yields competent teachers is the foundation of any system of formal education. However, the Netherlands lacks a recent formal agreement between professionals regarding the competencies that teachers need in order to teach inquiry-based primary science. In light of this issue, this thesis has two key aims. The first aim is to clarify which competencies are needed in order to teach inquiry-based primary science. The second aim is to determine how various components of science-teaching competence are related. The first aim was achieved by performing a literature study and a Delphi study, and the second aim was achieved by performing empirical studies using a knowledge test, a list of attitude questions, and a case-based questionnaire designed to assess Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK)

Samenwerken in een elektronisch netwerk

Elektronisch netwerk bij een mbo-locatie heeft als doel docenten te laten discussieren over actief leren om de implementatie ervan te ondersteune

Inquiry-based Science Education Competence of Primary School Teachers: A Delphi Study

Earlier, extracted inquiry-based science teaching competency elements and domains from the international literature were compared to the United States' National Science Teaching Standards. The present Delphi study aimed to validate the findings for the Netherlands, where such standards are lacking. Experts (N = 33) were asked about the importance of 23 identified competencies. They confirmed the importance; proposed to add one competency and to differentiate between novice and experienced teachers. They suggested that teachers be provided with opportunities to integrate competence development regarding science knowledge, attitude and teaching skills throughout their caree

Inquiry-Based Science Education Competencies of Primary School Teachers: A literature study and critical review of the American National Science Education Standards

Inquiry-based science education is an important innovation. Researchers and teachers consider it to be stimulating for pupils’ application of research skills, construction of meaning and acquiring scientific knowledge. However, there is ambiguity as to what competencies are required to teach inquiry-based science. Our purpose is to develop a profile of professional competence, required for effective inquiry-based science teaching in primary schools in the Netherlands. This article reviews literature and compares the outcomes to the American National Science Education Standards (NSES). In so doing, it seeks to answer the following research questions: What elements of competencies required by primary school teachers who teach inquiry-based science are mentioned, discussed and researched in recent literature? To what extent are the American NSES (introduced 15 years ago) consistent with elements of competencies found in recent literature? A comprehensive literature review was conducted using Educational Resources Information Centre and Google Scholar databases. Fifty-seven peer-reviewed scientific journal articles from 2004 to 2011 were found using keyword combinations. Analysis of these articles resulted in the identification and classification of 22 elements of competencies. This outcome was compared to the American NSES, revealing gaps in the standards with respect to a lack of focus on how teachers view science teaching and themselves as teachers. We also found that elements of competencies are connected and poor mastery of one may affect a teacher's mastery of another. Therefore, we propose that standards for the Netherlands should be presented in a non-linear, holistic, competence-based model.

In-service teachers’ perceptions of project-based learning

The study analyses teachers’ perceptions of methods, teacher roles, success and evaluation in PBL and traditional classroom instruction. The analysis is based on empirical data collected in primary schools and vocational secondary schools. An analysis of 109 questionnaires revealed numerous differences based on degree of experience and type of school. In general, project-based methods were preferred among teachers, who mostly perceived themselves as facilitators and considered motivation and transmission of values central to their work. Teachers appeared not to capitalize on the use of ICT tools or emotions. Students actively participated in the evaluation process via oral evaluation

Cetacean frustration: the representation of whales and dolphins in picture books for young children

To enable children to develop towards becoming part of the solution to environmental problems, it is essential that they are given the opportunity to become familiar with the natural world from early childhood. Familiarity is required to develop understanding of, care for and, ultimately, action in terms of protecting the natural world. As adult-led reading of picture books is a common form of indirect exposure to the natural world for young children, this study examines the biological accuracy of the representation of whales and dolphins in the images and text of picture books. Of the total of 116 books examined, 74 (63.8 %) had errors in the representation of cetaceans in the images and/or text. Errors were identified in both fictional (mean = 8.0 errors/book, SD = 11.1, n = 55) and nonfictional (mean = 2.3 errors/book, SD = 4.9, n = 61) books. The potential impact of the errors is discussed, and suggestions are made as to how the impact could be reduced and how the biological accuracy of picture books could be improved

Supporting student teachers’ reflective attitude and research-oriented stance

Following a major shift in Swiss teacher education in the 1990s, teachers are now educated at the university level with a more research-oriented focus than before the reform. Furthermore, the curriculum in teacher education is not only more academically oriented, but also concurrently practice-focused. Swiss student teachers are highly involved in the clinical practical component from the outset. This approach provides more learning opportunities that help to strengthen the relationship between theory and practice. Prior to the reform, reflection on teaching was mainly incorporated into practical training. However, since the reform, reflection has been strongly embedded in the entire curriculum in order to support student teachers’ reflective competence. The aim of this article is to discuss how students can be supported in developing a reflective attitude and a research-oriented stance, which have traditionally been seen as core elements of professional development. Three learning settings are presented, ranging from a more traditional approach to conducting research, to a current video-based training programme. Finally, consequences for teacher education are discussed