The Contradictions in Science Education Peer Review and Possibilities for Change

The final paper in this special issue of Research in Science Education is a synthesis of the articles that comprise the special issue. The main part of the article consists of a metalogue between the two authors in which we identify critical issues associated with peer review and highlight theory and practices we regard as salient to the continued improvement of science education.     

Science and Technology Education in Slovenian Compulsory Basic School: Possibilities for Gifted Education

The article presents an analytical overview of the science and technology curriculum from the viewpoint of the inclusive approach adopted toward gifted education in Slovenian basic education. The main research question concerns how the current curriculum fits the learning needs of gifted students. For the purposes of the study, 16 compulsory and elective syllabi of science and technology school subjects were identified and qualitatively analyzed, and the role of activity days was examined within the target framework. The results show a rather weak operationalization of recommendations for gifted education in defined learning objectives and standards in the syllabi. Moreover, it was found that elective school subjects in science and technology are poorly represented in students’ overall selection of elective school subjects. In addition, activity days offer numerous possibilities for the implementation of the general recommendations for teaching the gifted.     

Philosophy of Science in the Science Teacher Education Curriculum

Summaries

English

The purpose of this article is to promote awareness of a growing body of literature concerned with the relationship between the epistemology of science and school science education, and to stimulate debate concerning the role such epistemological considerations should play in the professional training of science teachers. First of all, a rationale is provided for the inclusion of the epistemology of science and its relationship to school science education as an essential component on the professional training of all science teachers. This is followed by a review of existing resources for use in science teacher education curricula, and suggestions for new resource material. Finally, a possible curriculum for inclusion in science teacher education programmes is presented.     

Possibilities of Change in the Education of the Youngest People

This article discusses the essence of child education, in particular, preschool education. It examines the existing concept of the playgroup in Poland as a place concerned chiefly with providing pupils with knowledge and suggests an alternative which takes into account the child's feelings and relationship with the family and close environment.     

科学史融入科学教育的几个现实问题

科学史融入科学教育,在西方有较长的历史和较深入的实践,但在我国还是一个新课题。科学史的教育价值是由于科学教育目标的转变而凸显出来的,在全面实现科学教育目标方面,科学史具有特殊作用;作为一种历史研究,科学史本身会因为不同的研究取向而呈现出不同面貌特征,科学教育对此应有自觉意识并加以辨别、运用;恰当的内容组织方式和教学方法,也会有助于实现科学史融入科学教育的目标。     

DREW,David E. 1996. Aptitude Revisited: Rethinking Math and Science Education for America's Next Century

International Review of Education -     

Down to the Wire: Confronting Climate Collapse,by David W. Orr

ABSTRACT

This article examines environmental education by focusing on recreationist expectations for interpretation on marine tours, satisfaction with this interpretation and whether expectations were met, and how these perceptions correlate with components of the norm activation model. Recreationists surveyed before and after tours to Molokini, Hawaii (n = 439) had high pre-trip expectations for interpretation (e.g., about reefs, history), but satisfaction was lower and expectations for many recreationists were not met. Those who had their expectations met had higher problem awareness and ascribed more responsibility (i.e., norm activation) than those who did not, suggesting that interpretation is desired and may promote pro-environmental behavior.     

A Curriculum Innovation Framework for Science, Technology and Mathematics Education

There is growing concern about falling levels of student engagement with school science, as evidenced by studies of student attitudes, and decreasing participation at the post compulsory level. One major response to this, the Australian School Innovation in Science, Technology and Mathematics (ASISTM) initiative, involves partnerships between schools and community and industry organisations in developing curriculum projects at the local level. This project fulfils many of the conditions advocated to engage students in learning in the sciences. ASISTM is underpinned by the notion of innovation. This paper describes the findings of case study research in which 16 ASISTM projects were selected as innovation exemplars. A definition of innovation and an innovation framework were developed, through which the case studies were analysed to make sense of the significance of the ideas and practices, participating actors, and outcomes of the projects. Through this analysis we argue that innovation is a powerful idea for framing curriculum development in the sciences at the local level that is generative for students and teachers, and that these ASISTM projects provide valuable models for engaging students, and for teacher professional learning.     

Technology-Mediated Writing Instruction in the Early Literacy Program: Perils,Procedures, and Possibilities

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine one kindergarten teacher's use of digital and multimodal technologies to mediate early writing instruction and explore the students' appropriation of that instruction to support their independent writing. Data sources included observations of writing instruction, as well as students' participation during independent writing time, student writing samples, and interviews with case study participants. Data were analyzed inductively using a semantic relationship analysis (Hatch, 2002). Results of the study revealed that the teacher used a range of technologies to demonstrate what it means to compose narrative texts and how young children could go about it. Students were attentive and motivated to participate in writing instruction and related activities, given their fascination with the technology and multimodal texts their teacher created. Students appropriated important concepts and strategies from their teacher's technology-mediated instruction, which they used to compose narrative texts during independent writing time.     

小学科学课程与可持续发展教育

教育是实现可持续发展的关键，可持续发展教育是伴随可持续发展战略而产生的教育新模式。在基础学科教学中应努力渗透可持续发展教育，而新一轮基础教育课程改革中诞生的小学科学课程是渗透可持续发展教育的重要领域。小学科学教师应具备可持续发展教育理念，挖掘可持续发展教育的素材，并运用不同的教学方法实施可持续发展教育。     

新基础教育课程与教师角色转换

新基础教育课程已于2001年秋季在全国27个省市、38个实验区开始试行,不久将在全国全面实施.在新基础教育课程实施中,作为教学活动基本构成要素之一的教师角色将发生很大变化.     

Incorporating Multicultural and Science-Technology-Society Issues into Science Teacher Education Courses: Successes,Challenges and Possibilities

Journal of Science Teacher Education -     

巴格莱与20世纪美国教师教育课程思想

20世纪的美国,教师教育课程的"学术性"和"师范性"的关系始终是一个争论不休的问题,也是教师教育改革中难以平衡的问题。为此,巴格莱提出了以造就"教师学者"为宗旨的"任教学科内容专业化"的主张,这成为其教师教育课程思想的核心观点。系统解读和把握巴格莱的教师教育课程思想,不仅有助于我们了解20世纪美国教师教育课程改革和发展的历史状况,而且对于转型期我国的教师教育与课程改革具有借鉴意义。     

科学教育中的STS研究与实践

STS教育是融科技与人文意识为一体的素质教育,现已成为培养科学素养、技术素养必不可少的组成部分。本文通过介绍在科学教育专业中设置STS课程,并结合实际教学工作阐述了在STS教学中的几点做法,最后提出了STS教育实践中的一些问题。