Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze classroom norms formed in inquiry activities of elementary science classes and to consider about the actual problems in enacting school science inquiry. Focusing on the inquiry activity cases of two classes, the data were collected through classroom observation, student interview, teacher interview and questionnaires. Firstly, classroom norms were categorized into three categories theoretically: norms for behavior guidance; general academic norms; and scientific inquiry academic norms. The subcategory norms of each category were extracted inductively and the features, the causes of formation, and the influences on inquiry of each norm were also analyzed. Based on the analyses on classroom norms, the researchers identified three actual problems in enacting school science inquiry. First, the collective traits of school science inquiry caused structural problems in science classrooms. Second, teachers used their authorities in different ways according to phases of instructions. Third, the conflict cases were reported between general values for education and specific values for science inquiry. Educational implications are discussed in terms of the practices of school science inquiry and of the understanding classroom phenomena.

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