Investigating pre-service chemistry teachers’ view of the nature of science and technology for organic light-emitting diodes learning

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the pre-service chemistry teachers’ (PCTs’) views of the nature of science and technology (VNOST) for organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) learning. VNOST is used to explain the phenomena of science and technology, and to explore the relation of science, technology, and society. It was proposed that the investigation of teachers’ VNOST is critical to improve the effectivity of classroom learning. OLED technology is one of the newest technology that contained application of chemistry concepts and VNOST aspects, hence can be used in chemistry learning. The quantitative method was used in this study. The participants were 86 pre-service chemistry teachers (PCTs) at Universitas Negeri Padang (UNP) and Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI). The investigation of VNOST used a questionnaire from Aikenhead, consisted of eight questions. The PCTs’ VNOST was classified into three categories, namely: realistic (R), has merit (HM), and naïve (N). The results showed that there were many PCTs VNOST that categorized in HM and N categories. Identification of chemical concepts related to OLED suggested that OLED may be used in chemistry learning.