The National Policies of Education in India have recognized the need for teacher professional development. However, science teachers continue to look for innovative methods to improve teaching. Through collaborative action research with four science teachers at a girls' school in Hyderabad, India, the study explored conditions that enhance or inhibit the implementation of constructivist instructional methods. Data were collected through interviews, reflective memos, research journal, collages and found poetry. The study found that teacher background and experience, teachers' views on science education and the school environment played a role in teacher development. The use of constructivist instructional strategies affected teachers' views on science education. The teachers felt that acknowledging students' preconceptions helped them grasp scientific concepts easily. Also, constructivist methods made teaching more enjoyable and less burdensome. Teacher education institutes should consider creating collaborative networks between teachers and researchers and apply constructivist approaches to teacher education and development.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.82678 |
| Date | January 2004 |
| Creators | Abraham, Anjali Anna |
| Publisher | McGill University |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Coverage | Master of Arts (Department of Educational Studies.) |
| Rights | All items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. |
| Relation | alephsysno: 002209489, proquestno: AAIMR12692, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest. |
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