“I’m Not the Science Type”: Effect of an Inquiry Biology Content Course on Preservice Elementary Teachers’ Intentions About Teaching Science

Inquiry Into Life Science is a content biology course expressly for the fulfillment of the General Education life science laboratory course requirement of elementary education majors at this university. The course is modeled on the Teaching Standards and Content Standards of the National Science Education Standards [National Research Council. (1996). The national science education standards. Washington. DC: National Academy Press]. The change in intentions of 61 Fall 2002 enrollees were studied using triangulated quantitative and qualitative techniques to seek specific changes regarding self-perceived effectiveness as a biology teacher, self-perceived subject matter command, curriculum development competence, and pedagogical skills, all linked to developing intentions. Significant growth in all four domains was observed. These findings contribute to the research-based call for inquiry-oriented college science coursework for preservice teachers.

[1]  Jan E. Downing,et al.  Science process skills and attitudes of preservice elementary teachers , 1999 .

[2]  John R. Carpenter,et al.  Improving attitudes toward teaching science and reducing science anxiety through increasing confidence in science ability in inservice elementary school teachers , 1989 .

[3]  Peter M. Machamer,et al.  Philosophy of Science: An Overview for Educators , 1998 .

[4]  Dorothy L. Gabel,et al.  Handbook of Research on Science Teaching and Learning Project. , 1993 .

[5]  Barbara A. Crawford,et al.  Is It Realistic to Expect a Preservice Teacher to Create an Inquiry-based Classroom? , 1999 .

[6]  J. Lagowski.  National Science Education Standards , 1995 .

[7]  Supporting the Implementation of Inquiry-based Elementary Science Programs:Setting the Stage for Local Reform , 1999 .

[8]  B. Spector,et al.  The culture of traditional preservice elementary science methods students compared to the culture of science: A dilemma for teacher educators , 2001 .

[9]  Carolyn Stuart,et al.  Making It Their Own: Preservice Teachers' Experiences, Beliefs, and Classroom Practices , 2000 .

[10]  Changes in Attitude of Preservice Elementary Education Majors Toward Inquiry Teaching Strategies , 1976 .

[11]  E. Minium.  Statistical reasoning in psychology and education , 1970 .

[12]  Ian S. Ginns,et al.  Developing Motivation to Teach Elementary Science: Effect of Collaborative and Authentic Learning Practices in Preservice Education , 2000 .

[13]  R. Yager,et al.  What Research Says. , 1985 .

[14]  B. Prestt.  Science in the Primary School , 1978, Nature.

[15]  M. Patton,et al.  Qualitative evaluation and research methods , 1992 .

[16]  J. H. van Driel,et al.  Science Teacher Education , 2000 .

[17]  渋江 靖弘,et al.  Science for All Americans , 1990 .

[18]  D. Butts,et al.  Does participating in an undergraduate elementary science methods course make a difference? , 1997 .

[19]  C. Atman,et al.  How people learn. , 1985, Hospital topics.

[20]  Greg P. Stefanich,et al.  Improving science attitudes of preservice elementary teachers , 1989 .

[21]  Michael P. Clough,et al.  USING THE LABORATORY TO ENHANCE STUDENT LEARNING , 2002 .

[22]  The status of elementary school science teaching in Lebanon , 1969 .

[23]  Preservice teachers’ perceived constraints of teaching science in the elementary classroom , 1997 .

[24]  William J. Sumrall.  Why Avoid Hands-on Science?. , 1997 .

[25]  Audrey B. Champagne,et al.  The National Science Education Standards. , 2000 .

[26]  Keith B. Lucas,et al.  Student teachers' attitudes toward science and science teaching , 1982 .

[27]  Deann Huinker,et al.  Preparing Efficacious Elementary Teachers in Science and Mathematics: The Influence of Methods Courses , 1997 .

[28]  Sandra K. Abell,et al.  Constraints to teaching elementary science: A case study of a science enthusiast student teacher , 1992 .

[29]  George Wenner,et al.  Elementary Preservice Teachers' Knowledge and Beliefs Regarding Science and Mathematics , 1996 .

[30]  George Wenner,et al.  Relationship between science knowledge levels and beliefs toward science instruction held by preservice elementary teachers , 1993 .

[31]  G. Bohning,et al.  Images of self-confidence and the change-of-career prospective elementary science teacher , 1998 .

[32]  Susan Loucks-Horsley,et al.  The Role of Teaching and Learning in Systemic Reform: A Focus on Professional Development. , 1998 .

[33]  Douglas A. Roberts,et al.  Achieving scientific literacy: From purposes to practices , 2000 .

[34]  Ken Appleton,et al.  Beginning Elementary Teachers' Development as Teachers of Science , 2002 .

[35]  M. Haberman,et al.  Handbook of research on teacher education , 1990 .

[36]  D. Sunal.  Effect of Field Experience during Elementary Methods Courses on Preservice Teacher Behavior. , 1980 .

[37]  Sally Sieloff Magnan,et al.  Research Design: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches , 1997 .