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Prospective Early Childhood Teachers' Conceptions of Science Instruction

The purpose of this study was to investigate prospective teachers' conceptions of science instruction prior to the commencement of their early childhood education methods courses. A sample of 100 prospective teachers' drawings and narratives were analyzed using the STLP3 instrument and inductive analysis respectively. Merging findings from the aforementioned analyses resulted in 10 distinct conceptions and these included: (a) science instruction (1) as a demonstration, (2) as engagement, (3) as doing experiments, (4) as inquiry, and (5) as observation all underscored by active learning and social, implementation and cognitive dimensions; (b) science instruction (6) as implementing safety, and (7) as an interaction both underscored by active learning and a social dimension; and (c) science instruction (8) as a demonstration, and (9) as engagement both underscored by passive learning and an affective dimension; and (d) science instruction (10) as enjoyment underscored by social and affective dimensions. These findings reflected the complexity and multidimensionality of the prospective teachers' conceptions of science instruction. Implications include the need for teacher educators to situate their prospective teachers' prior and new knowledge of early childhood science instruction within theoretical frames rather than simply relying on prospective teachers' knowledge of science instruction from K-12 experiences. Implications for future research include the need to study prospective teachers' conceptions prior to and at the end of early childhood methods courses.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:unt.edu/info:ark/67531/metadc1538755
Date08 1900
CreatorsMuimongkol, Supreeya
ContributorsCastro, Dina C., Subramaniam, Karthigeyan, Wickstrom, Carol D., Templeton, Tran Nguyen
PublisherUniversity of North Texas
Source SetsUniversity of North Texas
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis or Dissertation
Formatx, 148 pages, Text
RightsPublic, Muimongkol, Supreeya, Copyright, Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights Reserved.

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