Several misconceptions show up when learners answer questions on Chemical Equilibrium during examinations. Literature from other researchers shows similar trend of misconceptions (Johnstone, 2000; Morais, Paiva and Barros, 2007; Adesoji and Babatunde, 2008) for example, ‘apply pressure to the reactants’ (Johnstone, 2000). This shows that Chemistry has no meaning to these learners and they end up with misconceptions as they try to memorise facts in order to pass examinations. Learners are taught before writing these examinations, but how are they taught the concepts of Chemical Equilibrium? A descriptive approach was used on an exploratory survey conducted in Thohoyandou Cluster among Physical Science (Chemistry) FET band Educators. Cluster sampling of 40 educators from 18 randomly sampled schools responded to questionnaires. Five ‘well experienced’ educators who have been producing ‘good’ results at Grade 12 NSC examinations and two Physical Sciences subject advisors were interviewed. Using Spearman Brown Split-Half statistical method a 0,891 reliability coefficient was obtained. Research results show lack or under utilisation of laboratory equipment, teaching strategies which promote rote learning. Lack of confidence of educators due to deficiency in topic content knowledge and pedagogical skills which promote conceptual understanding were identified. Problem of English language leading to communication breakdown between educator-learners and between learner-subject leading to emergency of knowledge gaps in learners. Educators consider professional development through re-training and workshops on subject content matter and teaching strategies as the way forward to improve the quality of teaching. Topic specific PCK focusing on problem-solving strategy was recommended as a means to increasing educators’ efficiency in teaching and enhance learners’ comprehension and achievement in Physical Science. / Science and Technology Education / M. Sc. (Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (Chemistry Education))

The Next Generation Science Standards represent a significant challenge for K-12 school reform in the United States in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines (NSTA, 2012). One important difference between the National Science Education Standards (NRC, 1996) and the Next Generation Science Standards (Achieve, 2013) is the more extensive inclusion of nanoscale science and technology. Teacher PD is a key vehicle for implementing this STEM education reform effort (NRC, 2012; Smith, 2001). The context of this dissertation study is Project Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Outreach (NANO), a secondary level professional development program for teachers that provides a summer workshop, academic year coaching and the opportunity for teacher participants to borrow a table-top Phenom scanning electron microscope and a research grade optical microscope for use in their classrooms. This design-based descriptive case study examined the thinking of secondary teachers in the 2012 Project NANO cohort as they negotiated the inclusion of novel science concepts and technology into secondary science curriculum. Teachers in the Project NANO 2012 summer workshop developed a two-week, inquiry-based unit of instruction drawing upon one or more of nine big ideas in nanoscale science and technology as defined by Stevens, Sutherland, and Krajcik (2011). This research examined teacher participants' metastrategic thinking (Zohar, 2006) which they used to inform their pedagogical content knowledge (Shulman, 1987) by focusing on the content knowledge teachers chose to frame their lessons, their rationales for such choices as well as the teaching strategies that they chose to employ in their Project NANO unit of instruction. The study documents teachers various entry points on a learning progression as teachers negotiated the inclusion of nanoscale science and technology into the curriculum for the first time. Implications and recommendations for teacher professional development are offered.

This qualitative case study was conducted to investigated whether selected 3rd-5th teachers in a Title 1 school increased their understanding as they described and used their pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) in writing aligned with the Common Core Anchor Standards 1-6. It also examined how the teachers collaborated to advance their knowledge in the area of ELs in the classroom. Qualitative data were collected in the form of 15 participant interviews and 15 Learning Team Meeting (LTM) observations. The data from the interviews and observations were used to investigate how participants implemented the Common Core Anchor Standards (CCAS) 1-6 in their classrooms. The data also sought to examine how the participants’ collaboration in LTMs contributed to the selected 3rd-5th grade teachers’ PCK with respect to CCAS 1-6 and support for their English language learners (EL). The findings indicated that participants recognized various EL instructional strategies embedded in the subject matter of writing. Further, the data indicated that the dual language participants collaborated as an effective means for delivering various EL instructional strategies. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015 / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2017-10-19T12:00:25Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Rubervan da Silva Leite.pdf: 4442566 bytes, checksum: 7cc5035cbced8b9a29b6fa235fdbc9c6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-19T12:00:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rubervan da Silva Leite.pdf: 4442566 bytes, checksum: 7cc5035cbced8b9a29b6fa235fdbc9c6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-08-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This research aims to identify the integration of didactic, specific and technological knowledge that a group of undergraduate students in Mathematics of the State University of Pará possess, related to the theorem of Tales. This is a qualitative research, in which the methodology was based on the application of activities so that the students had to use Geogebra software in the resolution of them. The activities were based on a sequence of progressive complexity, in which students were asked to demonstrate that their conjectures were mathematically valid. In addition, their technological know-how should be refined, so that they develop fluency in relation to the interfaces used. Integrated into these two cognitive fields, it was expected that the didactic knowledge needed to work with the theorem of Tales in teaching situations would emerge. The analyzes were carried out in order to observe the resolutions presented by each subject and to identify the extent to which the answers provided evidenced integration between three types of knowledge, in the molds proposed by TPACK. It was observed that the students presented misunderstandings related to the specific knowledge, in the same extent they indicated that they had doubts regarding the didactic and technological knowledge necessary to achieve the sequence to which they were submitted, which led to the study making recommendations in the sense that differentiated approaches for the mathematics teachers education processes of Mathematics are conceived so that the three aspects of knowledge mentioned here can be contemplated in an integrated way / Esta pesquisa tem por objetivo identificar a integração dos conhecimentos didáticos, específicos e tecnológicos que um grupo de alunos de licenciatura em Matemática da Universidade do Estado do Pará possuem, relacionados ao teorema de Tales. Essa é uma pesquisa de natureza qualitativa, em que a metodologia se baseou na aplicação de atividades de modo que os alunos tiveram que utilizar o software Geogebra na resolução das mesmas. As atividades foram baseadas em uma sequência de complexidade progressiva, em que os alunos foram solicitados a demonstrar que suas conjecturas eram válidas matematicamente. Além disso, seus conhecimentos tecnológicos deviam passar por um processo de refinamento, de modo que os mesmos desenvolvessem fluência em relação às interfaces utilizadas. Integrado a estes dois campos cognitivos, esperava-se que surgissem os conhecimentos didáticos necessários para o trabalho com o teorema de Tales em situações de ensino. As análises ocorreram no sentido de observar as resoluções apresentadas por cada sujeito e identificar em que medida as respostas fornecidas evidenciavam integração entre os conhecimentos, nos moldes propostos pelo TPACK. Observou-se que os licenciandos apresentaram equívocos relacionados com os conhecimentos específicos, na mesma medida em que indicaram ter dúvidas em relação aos conhecimentos didáticos e tecnológicos necessários para a consecução da sequência a que foram submetidos, o que ensejou que o estudo fizesse recomendações no sentido de que se concebam abordagens diferenciadas para a formação dos professores de Matemática, de modo que os três aspectos do conhecimento aqui mencionados possam ser contemplados em regime de integração

Notre travail porte sur le thème des connaissances professionnelles mobilisées par les enseignants pendant la préparation et lors de la mise en œuvre de leur enseignement. Notre étude se déroule dans le contexte de l’enseignement des sciences expérimentales. Nous y étudions les connaissances des enseignants et leurs évolutions. Notre approche théorique articule la didactique des sciences et la didactique professionnelle avec comme cadre d’analyse des connaissances des enseignants, le concept de PCK (Pedagogical Content Knowledge), les connaissances pédagogiques liées au contenu. Nous avons élaboré une méthodologie spécifique, associant le chercheur et des binômes de professeurs, afin notamment de saisir l’écart entre la préparation des enseignements et leur mise en œuvre. A partir de cet écart nous définissons des incidents critiques qui sont la base du corpus que nous analysons. Nous identifions les connaissances en jeu, et indiquons comment le concept de PCK s’articule avec celui de schème. Lorsque les enseignants traitent d’un sujet au moyen des démarches d’investigation, ils mobilisent des types de connaissances spécifiques, et mettent en place des pratiques différentes, selon qu'ils travaillent au premier ou second degré. Nous montrons qu’il y a une relation entre ces connaissances et la régulation rétroactive de l’activité qui permet à l’enseignant d’ajuster sa préparation. Nous modélisons une forme d’acquisition d’expérience. / Our work focuses on the theme of professional knowledge mobilized by teachers in their lesson preparations and implementation in class. Our study takes place in the context of the teaching of experimental sciences. We study the knowledge of teachers and the evolutions of this knowledge. Our theoretical approach articulates science education and professional didactics; it also retains, for the analysis of teachers' knowledge, the concept of PCK (Pedagogical Content Knowledge). We have developed a specific methodology, involving the researcher and teachers organized in pairs, to observe the gap between the preparation of lessons and their implementation. From this gap, we define critical incidents: they are the basis of the corpus that we analyzed. We identify the knowledge involved, and we indicate how the concept of PCK articulates with the concept of scheme. When teachers use inquiry-based science teaching (IBST), they mobilize specific knowledge and they implement different practices, depending on their work at primary or secondary school. We show that there is a relationship between knowledge and retroactive control that allows the teacher to adjust his/her preparation. We propose a theoretical model, for a form of acquisition of professional experience.

In this paper the notion of “mathematics profiles” and “instructional behaviour profiles is introduced. A brief explanation of what these profiles are and how they were constructed and represented for preservice mathematics teachers is provided. An example of one of the participants’ profiles is included as an example. The influence of the pre-service teachers’ mathematics profiles on their instructional behaviour is then discussed. This is done with regard to using the mathematics profiles as a potential tool to optimise the development of pre-service mathematics teachers’ instructional behaviour towards a more reform-oriented approach.

Student performance in Mathematics and Science education is a source of concern for education authorities in South Africa. This was supported by the latest TIMSS results which were released in December 2004. As in the previous studies, TIMSS and TIMSS-R, South African learners were again outperformed by the learners of all other participating countries (Reddy, 2004). To ensure learner achievement in mathematics and science, we need committed, qualified and experienced teachers in these subjects. In this study a holistic professional development (HPD) model was constructed, tested and evaluated using practicing Grade 10 - 12 teachers. The model developed teachers' content knowledge, teaching approaches and professional attitudes simultaneously. After analysis of the model we found that improving teachers' content knowledge builds their confidence in teaching their subject. This in turn motivates teachers to perform better in their jobs: they come to class better prepared, eager to do a job they know they are good at, no more coming late, no more plodding through uninspiring one-way lessons. They are turned into better professionals with a positive work ethic. Their improved classroom practices lead to higher enrolments of science learners and improved learner achievement, the crown of successful science teaching. The HPD model was developed in three phases. In the first phase baseline information was obtained to determine problems that exist with the teachers' content knowledge, teaching approaches and professional attitudes. After data analysis it was found that all three of these dimensions needed development. In the second phase the initial development of the HPD model took place. An intervention programme was structured and the effect of the programme on the teachers' content knowledge, teaching approaches and professional attitudes were analysed. Successful elements of the initial model were extracted and developed further, in addition new elements were added. In the third phase the HPD model was developed further. Analysis of the data showed the following effect on the teachers: they were extricated from a vicious cycle where poor content knowledge leads to lack of confidence which caused unwillingness to spend time on task (poor professional attitudes, ineffective teaching approaches). Instead they became part of a virtuous circle where improved content knowledge leads to increased confidence, enjoyment and a willingness to spend more time on task (better professional attitudes and effective teaching approaches). The HPD model was evaluated using international benchmarks, such as the Standards for Professional Development of the National Research Council of New York, USA. Recommendations and possibilities for future research are discussed. / Mathematical Sciences / D.Phil.(Mathematics, Science and Technology Education - Physics Education)

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-08T17:06:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 118127.pdf: 5361518 bytes, checksum: b89d0c0168078f00f44c2c58951f9d96 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-06-23 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The objective of this research was to investigate how a guitar teacher organizes, represents and adapts his musical and instrumental knowledge in order to transform them into an apprehensible and comprehensible content to his learners. It is a case study of a teacher who for 29 years has been working at a music school located in Santa Catarina state, Brazil. Data was collected by observation of classes and also by a semistructured and a stimulated recall interview. The theoretical framework is mainly the conceptions of Shulman about the pedagogical content knowledge and about the processes of transformation, by which the personal repertory of a teacher s own comprehensions becomes a content that others can comprehend. The typology of contents adopted by Zabala and Tardif s discussions related to the constitution of teachers know how and know how to be were also relevant theorical grounds in this research. The results showed that the guitar pieces studied in the classroom constitutes at the same time means and goals. The learning of these pieces is a goal but at the same time they are used as pedagogical material for student s musical and instrumental development. Through them, the teacher approaches contents such as harmonic functions, melody conducting with the instrument, and a critical attitude towards the musical text. The representation of these contents took place in various ways, as demonstrations, explanations, analogies and metaphors. Adaptation to the 12 learners was highly valued by the teacher in the interviews. Teaching experience appeared as a main factor in the estabilishment of his capacity to understand the characteristics of the students and their difficulties. Experience also made possible a critical evaluation of his knowledge received from other sources, among which the guitarristic training stands out. This background was obtained with guitar classes when the teacher was a student. At that time, he learned a great deal of the contents he now teaches and could experience, as a student, the specific pedagogical practices that these contents involve. / O objetivo geral desta pesquisa foi investigar como um professor de violão organiza, adapta e representa o seu conhecimento musical e técnico-instrumental de modo a transformá-lo num conteúdo apreensível e compreensível para os seus alunos. Foi estudado o caso de um professor que atua há 29 anos numa escola de música em Santa Catarina. Os dados foram coletados mediante a observação de aulas e também por meio de uma entrevista semiestruturada e de uma entrevista de estimulação de recordação. A fundamentação teórica está principalmente nas concepções de Shulman sobre o conhecimento pedagógico do conteúdo e sobre os processos de transformação, através dos quais o conteúdo deixa de ser um elemento que compõe o repertório pessoal de conhecimentos do professor para tornar-se algo compreensível por outros. A tipologia dos conteúdos adotada por Zabala e as discussões de Tardif relacionadas à constituição do saber-fazer e do saberser dos professores foram também relevantes fundamentos teóricos neste trabalho. Os resultados mostraram que as peças violonísticas trabalhadas nas aulas constituem, ao mesmo tempo, fim e meio. Há, por um lado, o objetivo de que elas passem a compor o repertório aprendido pelo aluno e, por outro, uma utilização das mesmas para o desenvolvimento instrumental e musical do estudante. Por meio delas, foram abordados conteúdos como funções harmônicas, condução de vozes no instrumento e atitude crítica diante da partitura. A 10 representação desses conteúdos se deu de várias formas, com demonstrações, explanações, analogias e metáforas. O aspecto da adaptação aos alunos foi bastante valorizado pelo sujeito nas entrevistas. A experiência docente apareceu como um importante fator de constituição da capacidade de compreender as características dos estudantes e suas dificuldades, além de possibilitar a avaliação crítica de saberes provenientes de outras fontes, dentre as quais se destaca a formação violonística. Esta última foi obtida em aulas de violão vivenciadas na condição de aluno, onde o sujeito aprendeu grande parte dos conteúdos que ensina e teve contato com práticas pedagógicas específicas para esses conteúdos.

Denna studie syftar till att undersöka vad förskollärare säger om sitt arbete inom teknik som lärområde i förskolan. Därutöver syftar studien till att undersöka och synliggöra aspekter som är betydelsefulla i förskollärarens undervisning i teknik tillsammans med barn. Studiens teoretiska utgångspunkter har sin grund i sociokulturellt perspektiv, där kommunikation och interaktion är en viktig del i barnens utveckling och lärande. Även det teoretiska ramverket Pedagogical Content Knowledge PCK (Shulman, 1986), används för att tolka och förstå förskollärarnas förmågor i arbetet med teknik med barnen. Undersökningen består av semistrukturerade intervjuer som genomfördes med sex förskollärare. Resultatet visar att arbetslagens verksamhetsplanering utvecklades med stöd av reflektionsunderlaget Content Representation CoRe (Loughran, Milroy, Berry, Gunstone och Mullhall 2001) som bidrog till fördjupade diskussioner och att innehållsområdet avgränsades i teknikundervisningen. Resultatet visar också att det skedde en utveckling av undervisningen genom användning av andra fysiska redskap än man arbetat med tidigare. Dessutom utvecklades andra metoder när förskollärarna arbetade med teknik med barnen.

In 2016 the Ministry of Education in British Columbia (BC), Canada introduced the topics of quantum mechanics (QM) into the Grade 8 science curriculum. Science teachers with or without QM background are expected to learn and teach QM. Stemming from a constructivist theoretical framework, this in-depth exploratory case study explores the processes of learning and teaching the topics of QM by asking: “How does a Grade 8 science teacher learn to teach QM?” The purpose was to understand the teacher’s QM learning process, the development of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) in QM and teacher’s views of the nature of science (NOS). The data was collected through multiple sources and analyzed by using thematic analysis. The themes were identified under five main categories: 1) the development of PCK in QM is complex, 2) the student-centered approach mandated in the redesigned curriculum may be limiting, 3) the nature of learning QM is not different than learning other subjects, 4) middle school science education is inconsistent with the current level of scientific knowledge, and 5) the development of informed views of NOS requires an accumulation and synthesis of prior knowledge in history and philosophy of science (HPS). The study proposes two previously unexplored integral aspects of PCK framework, since: the ‘allotted time’ in learning and teaching a subject and ‘pre-PCK’ change the nature of PCK development. The term pre-PCK was coined referring to the specific content oriented and student-centered activities that take place before the class with the goal of establishing an effective basis for the PCK development. The insights emerging from the study would be of interest to other Grade 8 science teachers in BC, pre-service teacher program coordinators at the universities, and the Ministry of Education in BC to provide institutional support. This study would also contribute to closing the knowledge and communication gaps between the fields of science, science education practice and science education research. / Graduate