Informal Science Education: A Practicum for Graduate Students

We present results from a course, “Informal Science Education for Scientists: A Practicum,” co-taught to graduate students in STEM-related fields by a scientist/engineer and a social scientist/humanist. This course provides a structured framework and experiential learning about informal science education during a semester-long experience. The data collected across six years of the course (11 ≤ n ≤ 16 for each) provide strong evidence that the course has been effective in encouraging graduate students in STEM-related fields to feel more skilled at and confident with informal science education. Details are provided as to how manipulation of the course structure (i.e. making it project-based, emphasizing understanding audiences, stressing the iterative nature of design, and increasing evaluation research training) influenced the student outcomes.     

An Examination of Change in Teacher Self-Efficacy Beliefs in Science Education Based on the Duration of Inservice Activities

Journal of Science Teacher Education -     

国外小学科学教师教育研究述评———基于Science Education的文献计量分析

通过文献计量分析的方法,对近10年来国际科学教育权威杂志 Science Education 的科学教师教育专栏文献的发文量、作者、内容等进行计量分析。结果表明,该杂志教师教育研究已形成核心作者;论文多以合作者发表;质性方法是主要研究方法;研究)容主题多元化。这对中国小学科学教师教育研究的方式、方法和研究方向有着重要的启示。     

The Use of Analogies in Science Communication: Effectiveness of an Activity in Initial Primary Science Teacher Education

International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education - This article presents a study focused on analysing the effectiveness of an activity about the use of analogies in science communication....     

The Inclusion of Informal Environments in Science Teacher Preparation

Journal of Science Teacher Education -     

本科小学教育专业课程设置研究与实践

我国小学教师的培养已经提高到了本科层次,如何将小学教育专业纳入高等教育的范畴加以建设,通过实验形成具有中国特色的本科学历小学教师培养模式和课程体系,是我国教师教育发展中一个十分值得探索的重要问题。由于经济社会发展的不平衡,需要各地区的师范院校根据所在地区的经济社会发展情况、学校特色等制订相适应的培养模式和课程方案,满足基础教育对人才的需求和社会改革发展的需要。     

A Framework for Learning to Teach Science in Initial Primary Teacher Education

Journal of Science Teacher Education -     

If We Teach Them, They Can Learn: Young Students Views of Nature of Science During an Informal Science Education Program

There have been substantial reform efforts in science education to improve students’ understandings of science and its processes and provide continual support for students becoming scientifically literate (AAAS, Benchmarks for science literacy, Oxford University Press, New York, 1993; NRC, National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 1996; NSTA, NSTA position statement: The nature of science, , 2000). Despite previous research, it is still unclear whether young children are actually developmentally ready to conceptualize the ideas that are recommended in the reforms (Akerson and Volrich, J Res Sci Teach 43:377–394, 2006). The purpose of this study was to explore how explicit-reflective instruction could improve young students’ understanding of NOS. During an informal education setting, the authors taught NOS aspects using explicit-reflective instruction. Overall the students participating in the program improved their understanding of the target aspects of NOS through use of explicit reflective instruction. However, the levels of improvement varied across different aspects. Students improved the most in their understanding of the tentative nature of science and the roles of observation in scientific work, although there was still some confusion regarding the distinction between observation and inference. More work needs to be done exploring these specific topics and the role explicit reflective practice can play in identifying the particular problems students have in distinguishing these constructs.     

基础教育改革背景下的教师教育策略

基础教育课程改革对中小学教师提出了新的要求,也给高师教育带来了巨大的挑战。培养和造就一大批理解新课程、实施新课程的教师,是基础教育改革顺利推进的关键。在教师持续培养和终身发展的过程中,高师院校是基础,中小学校是关键,高师院校与中小学的合作是实现这一目标的有效途径。     

Toward Understanding the Nature of a Partnership Between an Elementary Classroom Teacher and an Informal Science Educator

This study explored the nature of the relationship between a fifth-grade teacher and an informal science educator as they planned and implemented a life science unit in the classroom, and sought to define this relationship in order to gain insight into the roles of each educator. In addition, student learning as a result of instruction was assessed. Prior research has predominately examined relationships and roles of groups of teachers and informal educators in the museum setting (Tal et al. in Sci Educ 89:920–935, 2005; Tal and Steiner in Can J Sci Math Technol Educ 6:25–46, 2006; Tran 2007). The current study utilized case study methodology to examine one relationship (between two educators) in more depth and in a different setting—an elementary classroom. The relationship was defined through a framework of cooperation, coordination, and collaboration (Buck 1998; Intriligator 1986, 1992) containing eight dimensions. Findings suggest a relationship of coordination, which requires moderate commitment, risk, negotiation, and involvement, and examined the roles that each educator played and how they negotiated these roles. Consistent with previous examinations in science education of educator roles, the informal educator’s role was to provide the students with expertise and resources not readily available to them. The roles played by the classroom teacher included classroom management, making connections to classroom activities and curricula, and clarifying concepts. Both educators’ perceptions suggested they were at ease with their roles and that they felt these roles were critical to the optimization of the short time frames (1 h) the informal educator was in the classroom. Pre and posttest tests demonstrated students learned as a result of the programs.     

Instructional Settings in Science for Students with Disabilities: Implications for Teacher Education

Finding appropriate instructional settings in science for students with disabilities is challenging, and the range of services or placements used is currently unknown. This study identifies administrative structures, instructional settings, and special/general education teacher roles in teaching science to students with disabilities. A phone survey was conducted with special education coordinators of fifth graders in 137 districts in Texas. Survey data indicated that while nearly all districts reported special education settings for the instruction of science for students with disabilities, some districts provided only general education settings. Theoretical and practical implications for teacher preparation are discussed.     

If We Teach Them, They Can Learn: Young Students Views of Nature of Science Aspects to Early Elementary Students During an Informal Science Education Program

There have been substantial reform efforts in science education to improve students’ understandings of science and its processes and provide continual support for students becoming scientifically literate (American Association for the Advancement of Science in Benchmarks for science literacy, Oxford University Press, New York, 1993; National Research Council in Mathematics and science education around the world, National Academy Press, Washington DC, 1996; National Science Teachers Association in NSTA position statement 2000). Despite previous research, it is still unclear whether young children are actually developmentally ready to conceptualize the ideas that are recommended in the reforms (Akerson V, Volrich M (2006) Journal of Research and Science Teaching, 43, 377–394). The purpose of this study was to explore how explicit-reflective instruction could improve young students’ understanding of NOS. During an informal education setting, the authors taught NOS aspects using explicit-reflective instruction. Overall the students participating in the program improved their understanding of the target aspects of NOS through use of explicit reflective instruction. However, the levels of improvement varied across different aspects. Students improved the most in their understanding of the tentative nature of science and the roles of observation in scientific work, although there was still some confusion regarding the distinction between observation and inference. More work needs to be done exploring these specific topics and the role explicit reflective practice can play in identifying the particular problems students have in distinguishing these constructs.     

Evaluation of a Statewide Science Inservice and Outreach Program: Teacher and Student Outcomes

Journal of Science Education and Technology -     

关于师范生免费教育的若干思考

师范生免费教育在我国有着悠久的历史。在当前落实科学发展观、构建社会主义和谐社会的时代背景下,新的师范生免费教育政策的提出具有特别重要的意义。为了提高师范生免费教育的效果,文章提出如下几种观点:同一所招收师范生的院校应该同时提供免费和收费两种选择;今后师范生免费教育的重点应该是非重点师范院校;在推行师范生免费教育的同时必须完善相关措施。     

Attitude Changes in Teacher Education Students

Abstract

The major purpose of the study was to determine the effect of a teacher education program upon the attitudes of undergraduate students toward children. At the beginning and end of a fall quarter the MTAI was administered to 250 undergraduate teacher education students in the various levels of the professional programs at the University of Denver. Pre-test and post-test scores were compared. Differences were obtained (t = .01 level). Thirty-two students who demonstrated the greatest change in score were interviewed in an effort to determine causes of change. Student attitudes were changed while in the teacher education program by influences within and outside the program.