Investigation on Science Teachers` Practical Knowledge by Life History

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the formation and development of science teachers' practical knowledge by life history. In the sociocultural perspective, a science teacher is a producer and consumer of knowledge. There were two secondary science teachers who participated in this study. Each of them had three to six years experience in teaching. They were familiar with the researchers because they had been to the same university or were colleagues with them in graduate school for several years. The two science teachers had formed their practical knowledge for their professional development based on their biographical backgrounds. Model of Life history and structure of personal practical knowledge were used as analytical tools. As a result, the science teachers' practical knowledge has shown a significant difference in the main concern and weight according to their life contexts. The science teachers' formation of their practical knowledge played a role as an important motive to improve their professionalism based on the teacher's life path. In addition to that, the science teachers' practical knowledge showed a tendency to be solidified with continuous reflection.