Picture Your Science Educators: Through the Eyes of the Student Teachers

Abstract

This study was aimed to examine and compare the opinions of science teachers studying at undergraduate and master levels in Norway and Turkey towards their instructors. 22 students studying in science fields at a state university in Norway and 28 students studying in science fields at a state university in Turkey participated in the research. The students participating in the research were selected on the basis of a easily accessible sample. Research data was collected using a structured interview form consisting of 5 open-ended questions that questioned students' opinions about the instructors. The data obtained at the end of the research was analyzed using content analysis and descriptive analysis methods. Considering the findings, the themes of student opinions were obtained: 21st century skills of the science instructors, methods and techniques they use in the classroom, the effects of the science instructors on themselves, what I would do if I were a science educator, and role modeling. While some of the participating students in Turkey found the lecturers inadequate in terms of 21st Century skills, most of the students in Norway found the lecturers sufficient. While student teachers in Turkey emphasized that science instructors ' interaction and communication with students and a strong academic infrastructure are important, participants in Norway pointed out that science instructors have positive effects that contribute to being a good teacher. However, participating students in both groups stated that more traditional teaching methods were used in the classroom. It was determined that students had negative opinions as well as positive opinions. The two most important components of the university learning environment that are meaningful to each other are students and science instructors. Therefore, it is thought that more qualified teaching activities will be realized if science instructors care about what students think about them