Using a mixed-methods approach, the current study examined the relationship between early childhood preservice teachers' cultural awareness and their self-efficacy in equitable science education. It further aimed to determine if the relationship between these two constructs was moderated by their race/ethnicity or the number of languages they speak. Finally, it sought to identify preservice teachers' understanding of equity in science education, as well as how they planned to incorporate the equity concept into their future science teaching practices for diverse learners in early childhood classrooms. Data for this study were drawn from 380 preservice teachers who self-enrolled in a science methods course as part of a teacher preparation program. To measure the preservice teachers' cultural awareness and self-efficacy in equitable science education, two Likert-scale instruments, Cultural Diversity Awareness Inventory (CDAI) and Self-Efficacy Beliefs about Equitable Science Teaching and Learning (SEBEST), were employed. Qualitative data were collected by administering six open-ended questions. For quantitative results, statistically significant findings indicated that when the participants were more aware of creating a multicultural environment and instruction and/or when they were less biased and were more sensitive/knowledgeable about diversity of students and families, their expectations about science learning of students from diverse backgrounds would be higher. Furthermore, when the participants were more aware of creating a multicultural environment and instruction and/or when they felt more comfortable about confronting students or parents whose cultures and languages were different from their own, they tended to have a stronger sense of efficacy in teaching science to those students. In addition, when the participants were less biased and were also sensitive and knowledgeable about students' and families' diverse backgrounds, they were more likely to have a strong sense of science teaching efficacy. Along with these findings, participants' race/ethnicity was a statistically significant moderator affecting the relationship between their sense of science teaching outcome expectancy and awareness of creating a multicultural environment and instruction. When the awareness of creating a multicultural environment and instruction of both White and non-White participants were increased at an equal level, White participants' expectations for science learning of students from diverse backgrounds were higher than those of non-White participants. Measurement challenges were identified through the analysis process that compromised the validity of the quantitative findings. Thus, they should be interpreted with caution. For qualitative results, three predominant themes related to the participants' conceptualization of equity in science education were identified. First, the participants harbored alternative understandings of the definitions of equity in science education. One third of the participants understood equity as providing appropriate access and support based on the levels of students' needs whereas another one third defined equity as providing identical teaching services and resources to all students regardless of their backgrounds. They also conceptualized equity in science education as an issue independent of their future students' racial/ethnic backgrounds; instead, they regarded it as a subject associated with their students' English proficiency.

Kreativitätsförderung im Studium der Informatik ist eine zentrale Herausforderung, um Studierende auf Anforderungen in ihren zukünftigen Tätigkeitsfeldern vorzubereiten. Um einen systematischen Einsatz von digitalen Medien in der Kreativitätsförderung zu ermöglichen, wird im vorliegenden Beitrag eine Systematik entworfen und begründet, die entlang der Phasen und Aktivitäten eines kreativen Problemlösungsprozesses Möglichkeiten des systematischen Einsatzes digitaler Medien identifiziert. Dabei wird deutlich, dass zum einen eine Verknüpfung von Medien notwendig ist, um den Anforderungen an einen kreativen Problemlösungsprozess gerecht zu werden. Zum anderen müssen Mechanismen entwickelt werden, die auf den Aufbau einer längerfristigen Beziehung zwischen System und Benutzer abzielen, damit Interaktion zu neuen Funktionen und schließlich zur Herausbildung neuer Kontexte führen kann.

TITLE: Pupils's Skills in Biology AUTOR: Radka Čudová DEPARTMENT: Department of Biology and Environmental Studies SUPERVISOR: Doc. RNDr. Věra Čížková, CSc. ABSTRACT: The aim of this work is to create the structure and the categorization of primary and high school biological skills and find out the real condition of selected skills at student of particular school levels. In the theoretical part of the work, there was made a content analysis of selected world official school curricula and studies aimed at investigation the teaching of biology and the approaches to structuring of biological skills. In the practical part, there was established structured system of skills respecting inquiry-based science teaching (IBSE) based on the analysis and study of pedagogical-psychological literature. A questionnaire was made in a broader team of the project to which the thesis came under a survey which investigated the opinions and requirements of the skill level in biology of lower secondary (ISCED 2), secondary general (grammar) school teachers (ISCED 3) and academics. The results of this survey were used to create the test unit aimed at testing biological skills in four categories: A. Identification of biological problems and asking questions, B. Information searching and recording, C. Classification and process...

Syftet med denna litteraturstudie är att ta reda på vår frågeställning Vad säger forskningen om kvaliteter och brister i hur de laborativa inslagen i fysikundervisning genomförs i de lägre årskurserna, samt vad säger forskningen om huruvida eleverna lär sig fysik i dessa inslag? För att besvara frågeställningen och uppnå litteraturstudiens syfte har vi systematiskt och manuellt tagit fram, analyserat och sammanställt vetenskapliga studier om ämnet naturvetenskap med inriktning på fysik och då framförallt laborativ undervisning i de lägre årskurserna, det vill säga F-3. Resultatet visar att det finns en del brister i undervisningen inom detta ämnesområde såsom elevernas lärande och genomförandet i de laborativa inslagen i undervisningen. Det blir ett problem för lärare att tolka styrdokumenten såsom det kanske är tänkt men även att begrepp inom ämnet är viktiga att ha i åtanke och att använda dessa på rätt sätt i elevernas undervisning för optimalt lärande. En aspekt är lärarnas självförtroende och kunskapsinsikt. Detta är relevant att veta då det är lärarna som ska kunna undervisa eleverna inom fysikämnet, som är kopplat till vår frågeställning. Vi har valt att ha lite bredare perspektiv för att sen kunna smalna av det i examensarbete 2 eftersom vi vill ha en grund att stå på inför detta. Vårt förslag på vidare forskning blir att studera de lägre årskurserna och då specifikt inom naturvetenskap och fysik och hur lärarna arbetar med detta laborativt.

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This study was an attempt to explore and describe media utilisation from a Primary Science teacher's perspective, within a qualitative theoretical and methodological framework. A brief survey revealed what media was available in the schools, and observation and interview methods were used to give meaning to the media utmsation practice in schools. It was hoped that the results would assist in the construction of guidelines required to improve media use, and consequently science teaching in the rural primary schools. The inquiry revealed that apart from improving educational facilities, re-motivation of the science teachers was an essential ingredient in the search for ways of improving media use in Primary Science instruction / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Didactics)

Cette recherche a eu pour objectif d’explorer les postures d’animateurs et d’animatrices scientifiques quant au dialogue « sciences en/et société » et les moyens qu’ils utilisent pour assurer ce dialogue à travers leurs interventions pédagogiques dans le cadre d’ateliers scientifiques hors scolaires. Six animateurs scientifiques ont été interviewés. Ces entretiens ont permis de recueillir des données riches sur leur compréhension de la nature des sciences, leurs postures pédagogiques en tant que transmetteur, guide ou médiateur du développement de l’alphabétisation scientifique chez les jeunes dans les espaces hors scolaires, ainsi que sur la manière dont ils perçoivent le rôle de leurs interventions pédagogiques dans le cadre du développement de l’alphabétisation scientifique chez les jeunes et de la compréhension qu’ils ont des sciences comme outil d’action sociopolitique, tel qu’entendu dans le dialogue « sciences en/et société ». Les postures épistémologiques, pédagogiques et sociales identifiées sont d’une grande diversité et révèlent des tendances qui s’inscrivent dans des spectres allant de l’empirisme au constructivisme, du divertissement à l’empowerment et de la valorisation de la place des sciences en société à la critique de sa primauté. Plusieurs animateurs scientifiques de notre échantillon ont ainsi eu des postures hybrides et parfois conflictuelles, ce qui met en évidence la valeur potentielle d’interventions éducatives qui donnent aux animateurs scientifiques l’occasion de questionner et de réexaminer de manière critique leurs pratiques. / The purpose of this study was to explore informal science educators’ position on the “science in/and society” dialogue and the means whereby they ensure that dialogue through their pedagogical interventions in out-of-school settings. Six informal science educators were interviewed, leading to rich data in terms of their understanding of the nature of science, their pedagogical positions as transmitters, constructors and mediators of children’s development of science literacy in out-of-school settings, and the manner they perceive the role of their pedagogical interventions in children’s science literacy development and understanding of science as a tool for socio-political action, as called for by a science in/and society dialogue. The epistemic, pedagogical and social positions identified range from empiricism to constructivism, from entertainment to empowerment, and from recognition of the value of science in society to a critique of its pre-eminence, suggesting great diversity among the educators studied. Many of the sampled educators held hybrid and at times conflicting positions, suggesting the potential value of educational interventions that offer a means for informal science educators to question and critically re-examine their current practices.

Cette recherche a eu pour objectif d’explorer les postures d’animateurs et d’animatrices scientifiques quant au dialogue « sciences en/et société » et les moyens qu’ils utilisent pour assurer ce dialogue à travers leurs interventions pédagogiques dans le cadre d’ateliers scientifiques hors scolaires. Six animateurs scientifiques ont été interviewés. Ces entretiens ont permis de recueillir des données riches sur leur compréhension de la nature des sciences, leurs postures pédagogiques en tant que transmetteur, guide ou médiateur du développement de l’alphabétisation scientifique chez les jeunes dans les espaces hors scolaires, ainsi que sur la manière dont ils perçoivent le rôle de leurs interventions pédagogiques dans le cadre du développement de l’alphabétisation scientifique chez les jeunes et de la compréhension qu’ils ont des sciences comme outil d’action sociopolitique, tel qu’entendu dans le dialogue « sciences en/et société ». Les postures épistémologiques, pédagogiques et sociales identifiées sont d’une grande diversité et révèlent des tendances qui s’inscrivent dans des spectres allant de l’empirisme au constructivisme, du divertissement à l’empowerment et de la valorisation de la place des sciences en société à la critique de sa primauté. Plusieurs animateurs scientifiques de notre échantillon ont ainsi eu des postures hybrides et parfois conflictuelles, ce qui met en évidence la valeur potentielle d’interventions éducatives qui donnent aux animateurs scientifiques l’occasion de questionner et de réexaminer de manière critique leurs pratiques. / The purpose of this study was to explore informal science educators’ position on the “science in/and society” dialogue and the means whereby they ensure that dialogue through their pedagogical interventions in out-of-school settings. Six informal science educators were interviewed, leading to rich data in terms of their understanding of the nature of science, their pedagogical positions as transmitters, constructors and mediators of children’s development of science literacy in out-of-school settings, and the manner they perceive the role of their pedagogical interventions in children’s science literacy development and understanding of science as a tool for socio-political action, as called for by a science in/and society dialogue. The epistemic, pedagogical and social positions identified range from empiricism to constructivism, from entertainment to empowerment, and from recognition of the value of science in society to a critique of its pre-eminence, suggesting great diversity among the educators studied. Many of the sampled educators held hybrid and at times conflicting positions, suggesting the potential value of educational interventions that offer a means for informal science educators to question and critically re-examine their current practices.

This study was an attempt to explore and describe media utilisation from a Primary Science teacher's perspective, within a qualitative theoretical and methodological framework. A brief survey revealed what media was available in the schools, and observation and interview methods were used to give meaning to the media utmsation practice in schools. It was hoped that the results would assist in the construction of guidelines required to improve media use, and consequently science teaching in the rural primary schools. The inquiry revealed that apart from improving educational facilities, re-motivation of the science teachers was an essential ingredient in the search for ways of improving media use in Primary Science instruction / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Didactics)

Studies have shown elementary teachers may not be well prepared to use technology in their classrooms. This study examines one elementary teacher’s feelings of technology self-efficacy (TSE), needs and pedagogical strategies when using the interactive whiteboard (IWB) to teach elementary science. It employed a single case study design, where the researcher and participant worked together during supportive professional development (PD) sessions. Data sources are twelve PD sessions, the Computer Technology Integration Survey (adapted for IWB use in the classroom), and two interviews, three in-class observations of IWB science lessons, and three lesson debriefs. Descriptive and thematic analysis show the participant’s TSE was positively influenced by the PD. Five factors were determined to influence TSE: the participant’s level of interest, attitude, experience with technology, student assistance, and familiarity with the setting. Teacher, contextual and IWB- level needs were explained. Pedagogical strategies for technology use based on interactive IWB features are also discussed. Findings could contribute to current trends in teacher PD, continuing education, and preservice teaching programs related to science teaching. / Plusieurs enseignants ne sont pas bien préparés pour utiliser la technologie en classe. En particulier, le tableau blanc interactif (TBI) n’est pas utilisé de façon optimale par les enseignants lorsqu’ils enseignent les sciences et la technologie à l’élémentaire. Cette thèse présente l’étude de cas unique d’une enseignante de l’élémentaire ayant cheminé dans un processus de développement professionnel (DP) pour l’aider à intégrer le TBI en sciences et technologie. Douze sessions de DP, un questionnaire sur l’efficacité avec le TBI (CTIS adapté), deux entrevues, trois sessions d’observation en classe et trois discussions sur les leçons constituent les sources de données. La participante est devenue plus confiante pour utiliser le TBI suite au DP. Elle a rehaussé son sentiment d’autoefficacité et accru son intérêt et sa connaissance du TBI. Elle a acquis des compétences techniques et une connaissance des contenus d’enseignement adaptés au TBI, bien que plusieurs besoins perdurent. Certaines stratégies pédagogiques avec le TBI expérimentées en classe par l’enseignante sont discutées. Cette thèse peut contribuer à fournir des pistes pour aider les enseignants au primaire à mieux intégrer le TBI en sciences et technologie, que ce soit lors de leur formation initiale à l’enseignement ou en cours d’emploi.